CALENDAR

Friday, Nov. 2

SOUP & SALAD: The Durham Senior Citizen’s Board will hold a “Soup & Salad” event at the Durham Activity Center, Nov 2, with lunch at noon, followed by a PowerPoint presentation by William Corvo on the work by his father, Max Corvo who served with the OSS during World War II.

STORYTELLER EVENT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the storytelling troupe Story City for a recurring Moth Style storytelling event, Nov. 2, 8-10 p.m. Details, go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860347-4957.

MEETING HOUSE PLAYERS: The Meeting House Players present “The Ladies Foursome,” Norm Foster’s heartwarming story of friendship, at the Meeting House, 4 Liberty St., Chester. Performances are Nov. 2, 3 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $15. Reserve tickets at www.TheMeetingHousePlayers.com or by calling 860-5263684. For additional information contact TheMeetingHousePlayers@gmail.com.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE: The Durham Historical Society will present a lecture by Sal Tarantino from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. at the Durham Historical Society, located next to the Durham Town Hall, corner of Town House Road and Maple Avenue. For information call 860-716-5497 or email durhamhistoryct@gmail.com,or visit www.durhamhistoryct.org.

FIRST FRIDAY: The merchants of Chester are kicking off the season of Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 2, by collecting canned goods for Hinka’s Cupboard, the Middletown food pantry. Drop off a can at your favorite shop (or brewmaster), and then enjoy the quaint boutiques, talented artists and the top-notch brewery and restaurants that Chester has to offer during the First Friday activities from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 FAMILY HISTORY :Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History from the genealogy experts at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown. Bring a laptop and information with you. Nov. 3, 11 a.m., Nov. 13, Nov. 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Nov. 14, 5:30-8 p.m. Free to members, $10 session for guests. Call 860346-4375 for more information. No preregistration necessary. FAMILY STORY TIME: Family Story Time will be held at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main St., Middletown. The program is free. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-6853939 BIRDIE BASH: The 17th annual Birdie Bash will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Elks Club., 44 Maynard St., Middletown. There will be a marketplace, exhibits and refreshments. Horizon Wings will present a raptor show at 11 a.m. and parrot behavior consultant Sheila Blanchette of Heart of Feathers Education will talk about making inexpensive foraging toys for birds at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids under 12. Nonmembers may not bring birds. Info: theparrotclub.org, facebook.com/theparrotclubct. JOINING THE MAYFLOWER SOCIETY:

Godfrey Memorial Library board member Al Fiacre has successfully submitted many applications to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Come learn how you can do the same, Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m. at the library, ,134 Newfield St., Middletown. Free to members, $10 buests. Participants will have time after the presentation to research at the library or get help with your research from an expert. Bring your laptop. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No pre-registration necessary.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Annual Christmas Bazaar, Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham, Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. Find the Notre Dame Craft Group's famous Jewish coffee cakes, candies, cookies, pumpkin and apple pies, knitted and crochet items, a Chinese Auction, jams, relishes, homemade delicacies, house plants, Christmas crafts, a Christmas table. This year's quilt, “Winter Wonderland” will be displayed and raffled at

noon on Sunday, followed by the Chinese Auction. LAND DEDICATION: Dedication of 25 acre parcel on the Connecticut River, donated by the heirs of William and Harry Field to the Town of Portland, to provide open space for public use and to contribute to the preservation of land along the river, will be held Nov. 3, 10 a.m. at Nolan Field, 97 Air Line Road, Portland. For information, email bfpierz@aol.com or sbrandsfield@portlandct.org

SLEIGH BELLS RING FAIR: The annual St. Pius X “Sleigh Bells Ring” Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the St. Pius X Bill Fortin Memorial Hall, 310 Westfield St. Middletown. Doors open at 10 a.m. Admission is free. Coffee, hot lunches and desserts available for purchase. Crafts, white elephant, teacup raffle, general raffle with gift certificates. For more information contact the Friary office at 860-347-4441.

NUTMEG FAIR: First Congregational Church, 355 Main Street, Cromwell, will hold its annual Nutmeg Fair, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Giant tag sale, vintage sale, jewelry, basket raffle, bake sale, snack bar. Details at fcccromwell.org or on Facebook.

MEETING HOUSE PLAYERS: The Meeting House Players present “The Ladies Foursome,” Norm Foster’s heartwarming story of friendship, at the Meeting House, 4 Liberty St., Chester. Performances are Nov. 2, 3 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $15. Reserve tickets at www.TheMeetingHousePlayers.com or by calling 860-5263684. For additional information contact TheMeetingHousePlayers@gmail.com. PEACE WALL AT STOCKMAN GALLERY: Artists for World Peace are bringing their panel Peace Wall to the Stockman Gallery at Trinity on Main, 19 Chestnut St., New Britain, Nov. 3, 1-6 p.m. The exhibit features Connecticut artists, including works contributed to the wall the New Britain Arts Alliance and CCSU art students. Learn more at www.artistsforworldpeace.org or all Wendy Black-Nasta at 860-685-1789. ESTATE TAG SALE: A large multi-estate tag sale will be held Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Cromwell, with vintage items, jewelry, household and garden items and holiday inventory. BAZAAR, BAKE SALE: Church of the Epiphany’s Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale will be held Nov. 3-4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church, 196 Main St., Durham, with many vendors, crafters and gift baskets.

THE KENNEDYS IN CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, will present the acoustic folk/pop duo The Kennedys, Nov. 3, 8-10 p.m. Tickets $20. To reserve, visit www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. ANNUAL MEETING: Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District will hold its 71st annual meeting at Meigs Point Nature Center, Hammonassett Beach State Park, Madison, Nov. 3, 1-3 p.m. A brief business meeting will precede the program, and there will be time to enjoy refreshments and conversation afterwards. RSVP to Sandy Weiss at 860.346.3282 or sweiss@conservect.org. This event is free and open to the public. Sunday, Nov. 4 SYMPHONY CONCERT: The George Flynn Classical Concerts will present a concert featuring the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. at the Morgan School, Route 81, Clinton. The concert is free, but tickets are required. Call 860-669-1208, leaving your name, phone number and the amount of tickets you require and they will be saved for you to pick up the day of the performance. OPEN HOUSE AT MERCY: Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road Middletown, will hold an open house for middle school and transfer students, Sunday, Nov. 4, 1-4 p.m. A presentation by the administration starts at 1 p.m. Mercy High School is a Catholic diocesan college preparatory high school for young women. Students from over 50 communities across Connecticut

and Foreign Countries are challenged to grow academically, emotionally, socially, aesthetically and spiritually. Mercy is committed to providing a challenging educational experience in a safe and nurturing environment.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

BAZAAR, BAKE SALE: Church of the Epiphany’s Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale will be held Nov. 3-4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church, 196 Main St., Durham, with many vendors, crafters and gift baskets.

STATUE DEDICATION: A commerative salute will be sponsored by the historical societies of Deep River, Chester and Essex, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. at the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium, 174 Main St., Deep River. This program with a concert by the Corinthian Jazz Band will mark the 100th anniversary of the ending of WWI. The public is welcome.

HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR: Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary’s 8th annual holiday vendor fundraiser will be held at the firehouse, 439 Saybrook Road, Haddam, Nov. 4, 12-3 p.m. Vendors include Avon, Jewelry, Crafts, From the Heart, Holly Jolly Gifts, LulaRoe Clothing, Norwex, Pampered Chef, Shirley’s Stitches, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One Gifts, Tupperware, VFW sharp kitchen tools, and Gourmet Cupcakes (provided by “Cakes By Donna”). All proceeds will benefit Haddam Fuel Bank. For more information call 860-554-3049 or 860-345-4744.

MERCY OPEN HOUSE: Mercy High School Open House for middle school and transfer students will be held Nov. 4, 1-4 p.m. with a presentation by the administration at 1 p.m. The school is located at 1740 Randolph Road Middletown.

CONCERT AND BLESSING: First Church in Middletown invites all to its renewed sanctuary for the Concert & Blessing of Our City, Nov 4, 4 p.m. The event celebrates the 350th anniversary of First Church, honoring its long history in Middletown, and blessing the city and its revival in the 21st century. Donations welcome. DESTINY AFRICA CHILDREN’S CHOIR:

Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main St., Middletown, will host a concert with Destiny Africa Children’s Choir ,Nov. 4, 10:15 a.m. The choir began with the children of Kampala Children’s Centre and progressed to a choir in 2007, and have traveled and performed since 2008 in schools churches and theatres. Working with artists in Uganda their shows include, drumming, singing, dance, drama, video, testimony and more with many ideas originating from the children themselves. For more information about the choir visit www.destinyafrica.org. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Annual Christmas Bazaar, Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham, Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. Find the Notre Dame Craft Group's famous Jewish coffee cakes, candies, cookies, pumpkin and apple pies, knitted and crochet items, a Chinese Auction, jams, relishes, homemade delicacies, house plants, Christmas crafts, a Christmas table. This year's quilt, “Winter Wonderland” will be displayed and raffled at noon on Sunday, followed by the Chinese Auction. ART CLASS: ART w/ KaReN: at the East Hampton Senior Center, Nov. 4, 2 p.m. Beginner Acrylics class. Great way to learn techniques. Sign up at to ensure enough supplies. Cost is $5 per person.

A PATRIOTIC SALUTE: The historical societies of Chester, Deep River and Essex are combining forces to present “A Patriotic Salute,” a digital slide show of images of local veterans over the past 100 years, to be shown on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 3pm at the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium at 174 Main Street, Deep River. Presented with musical accompaniment by the Corinthian Jazz Band, performing patriotic music, and historic commentary by Angus McDonald. The event is free and open to the public. Handicapped access is available. Refreshments will be served. Call 860-558-4701 for information.