CALENDAR

Thursday, Nov. 8

MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, will meet Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Led by Elizabeth Petry. All active or retired veterans can document their stories and experiences. New members welcome; recent veterans are especially encouraged to attend. The group recently signed a contract to publish a book of their collected writings. Facilitator Christy Billings can be reached at 860-347-2528 x 160 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org. No registration required.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS: Turkeys, turkey breasts and gift cards, $10 and up from Adams in Deep River for perishable items are needed for Thanksgiving baskets which will be delivered to local families. Cards can be dropped off at the United Church of Chester 29 West Main St. office, Monday-Thursdaty, 9 a.m-1:30 p.m., Friday, 9-11 a.m. Turkeys and turkey breasts can be donated Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For information, call 860-526-2697.

BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time meets Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29, 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For babies birth - 12 months, and their caregivers. Drop in; no registration required.

BOOKS AND BREWS: Books and Brews, Book Discussion: “Educated,” a memoir by Tara Westover, meets Nov. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. at Stubborn Beauty Brewery, 180 Johnson Street, Middletown. Copies available for checkout at Russell Library. Contact facilitator Christy Billings at 860 347-2528 x 160 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org. No purchase necessary.

AUTHOR TALKS: J. Kehaulani Kauanui, "Paradoxes of Hawaiian Sovereignty,” Mary-Jane Rubenstein, “Pantheologies,” and Joseph Weiss, “Shaping the Future on Haida Gwaii,” Nov. 8, 6 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

YOUTH LEADERSHIP: A free Youth Leadership Program for area youth, ages 13-21, is held on the first and third Thursday of the month, 7-9 p.m. at North End Action Team 654 Main Street Middletown. The program is free and interested young people are encouraged to attend. Share your ideas, connect with others and let your voice be heard. For information, contact Shanay Fulton at 203-514-0095 or tli@neatmiddletown.org. instagram.com/NEATYouthLeaders

CAREGIVER SUPPORT: Caregivers are invited to a monthly support group at Henry Carter Hull Library on the second Thursday of each month from 5:3-6:45 p.m. in a relaxing setting for conversation with peers. Sponsored by Senior Resources Agency on Aging. For more information, call: 860-887-3561 ext. 124 SOLAR OBSERVATORY PROGRAM: Is There an Ancient Indian Solar Observatory in Deep River? Find out Nov. 8; 7 p.m. when Deep River Town Historian, Richard Kalapos, visits for a special presentation at the Deep River Public Library. This program is free and open to all. No registration is required. Details, call 860-5266039. GETTING A GED: Adults in need of a high school diploma are invited to join Gail Finucane of ERACE at Henry Carter Hull Library, Nov. 8 6:30 p.m. for a free information session to learn whether an Adult High School Credit Diploma program, General Education Development test, or National External Diploma Program is the right option for you. hchlibrary.org. ART RECEPTION: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, will hold an art reception for Rosie Warren, Nov. 8, 6-8 p.m. For details go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860347-4957

Friday, Nov. 9

HOLIDAY CRAFT SALE: A pop up holiday craft sale at the East Hampton Senior Center,Nov. 8, 1-3 p.m., Nov. 9, 1-5 p.m. Find one of a kind hand-made gifts for those hard to shop for friends and family members. All proceeds benefit the East Hampton Senior Center Programs.

PAINT A KINDNESS ROCK: Kindness Rocks, Nov. 9, 4 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.

Paint a rock or two to add to our Kindness Rocks garden. For ages 5 and up (kindergarten to adult). No registration required. LATIN AMERICAN QUARTET: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the Latin American quartet, Vagabond Bandido, on Nov. 9, 8 p.m. Tickets and 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.

Saturday, Nov. 10

HARVEST, CHRISTMAS FAIR: Grace Lutheran Church, 1055 Randolph Road, Middletown, is hosting a Harvest/Christmas Fair & Tag Sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 10. Gifts, jewelry, crafts,ornaments, decorations, jarred goods and candies, special vendor LuLaRoe; baked goods, a tag sale, and games and face painting for kids. Breakfast and lunch served. For information call Dianne Labbadia at 860-759-4040 or at DLabbadia73@att.net

FREE YOGA: A Free Yoga Workshop will be held Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Open to the public. Mats will be provided; participants are welcome to bring their own mats, water, towels, or other supplies. All ages. Drop in; no registration required.

READ AND PLAY: We Read. We Play, meets Nov. 10, 10 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For children ages 24 - 48 months. Drop-in; no registration required.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR: The Central CT Community Women’s Club’s 44th Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cromwell Middle School, Crafters from CT, NY and MA with a wide variety of handmade items, kitchen open for lunch. Bake sale, gift cards, raffle table. Order gift cards online www.centralctcommunitywomensclub.com or buy them at the fair. HOLIDAY FAIR: Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St., Middlefield, will hold its annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall, 402 Main Street, Middlefield. Decorations, baked goods, handmade food and craft items, silent auction, breakfast and lunch for sale. Call 860349-1250 for information

CHOWDER DINNER: “Best Chowder Dinner” at the Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Road, Lyme, will be held Nov. 10, 5-7 p.m. Clam chowder, corn chowder, cole slaw, cheddar cheese, breads and desserts. $15 adults, $10 ages 7-12, free 6 and under. All are welcome. For information call 860-434-1929 or email wdenow@comcast.net. CHRISTMAS FAIR, DINNER: Annual Christmas Fair and Turkey Dinner at St. James Church, Middletown, will be held Nov. 10, 10 am.-2 p.m. Christmas tag sale, books, jewelry, candy and baked goods, theme baskets. Turkey dinner served 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., takeout available, $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 ages 7-12, free 6 and under. HARVEST FAIR: Saint Sebastions Church with the Saint Theresa guild will hold their annual Harvest Fair, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church, 155 Washington St., Middletown. Italian cookie walk, food and craft booths, raffle of a 55-inch flat screen TV, breakfast and lunch sold. Enter the church hall from the Broad Street entrance, which is handicap accessible. Parking is available.

DR STEVE BAND: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents classic rock by the Dr. Steve Band, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Reserve online at www.Buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. 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.

STORY TIME, CRAFT: Family Story Time and Craft with local author Diane Ohanesian, reading “Snuggle Down Deep,” will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 10, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939. The program is free. MIDDLEFIELD HOLIDAY FAIR: Middlefield Federated Church Women’s Christian Fellowship is holding its annual Holiday Fair Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the fellowship hall, 402 Main St., Middlefield. Lunch served in the Fellowship Café. There will be holiday decorations, baked goods, relish and jams, handmade items and jewelry’ silent auction with gift certificates, handpainted hand saw, services, jewelry and gift baskets. For further information call 860-349-1250. The church is located at 402 Main Street, Middlefield. HIGGANUM HOLIDAY FAIR: Annual Holiday Fair will be held at the Higganum United Methodist Church, 248 Saybrook Rd., Higganum, on Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. awith Country Store, Cookies by the Pound, Handicrafts, Baked Goods, Tea Cup Auction, Children's Booth, Baskets of many different items. There will also be a Snack Bar serving snacks and light luncheon. THANKSGIVING BASKETS: Turkeys, turkey breasts and gift cards, $10 and up from Adams in Deep River for perishable items are needed for Thanksgiving baskets which will be delivered to local families. Cards can be dropped off at the United Church of Chester 29 West Main St. office, Monday-Thursdaty, 9 a.m-1:30 p.m., Friday, 9-11 a.m. Turkeys and turkey breasts can be donated Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For information, call 860-526-2697.

Sunday, Nov. 11

AUTHOR TALK: Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon wil discuss “Radically Happy” at 1 p.m., Nov. 11, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939. CROMWELL VETERANS DAY: Cromwell American Legion Post 105 will hold its Veterans Day Ceremony and Valour Green Memorial dedication, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. in the Town Hall gym. All are welcome; refreshments provided. TELLABRATION EVENT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 6-5 Main St., Middletown, presents Near and Far Storytellers’ “Tellabration, Nov. 11, 3-5 p.m. Cost is $20, reservations at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957 ARTOPIA ART FESTIVAL: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, will hold its annual Artopia Art Festival, Nov. 11, 1-4 p.m. Art exhibition, arts and crafts, food and live music, Makerspace activities all day. Free admission. Learn more at www.epocharts.org TRI-TOWN VETERANS PARADE: The Tri-Town Veterans Parade and ceremony will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m. on the Veterans Green in Deep River. Any U.S. military veteran is welcomed to march. The route is just under one mile. No uniform or affiliated veterans membership is necessary. For information, call B.Burdick at 860-304-0364

VETERAN'S DAY SERVICE: A service honoring veterans and remembering the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day will be held Sunday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Church, 345 Main Street, Portland. Homily by Lance Williams, Army Ranger Special Ops Veteran who served in Iraq, with readings and hymns will be part of the service. All are welcome to attend.

PSYCHIC MEDIUM READING: Psychic medium Angelina Diana will hold a group reading on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. at the Park & Rec Building at the Indian River Complex, 201 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Tickets $55 per person and are available online at: clintonct.com/event/ adpm.html; by phone at: 860-669-3889; or in person at 50 East Main Street, Clinton. Find out more about Angelina Diana at: www.angelinadiana.com.