CALENDAR

Wednesday, Feb. 20 FILM SCREENING: Documentary film about Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, free screening on revolutionary garden design, 4 p.m. Feb 20, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on Oudolf’s gardens, design process, theories and ecological implications. RSVP: 860-7671560. POTTERY EXHIBITION: “Fruits of Her Labor: the Last Works of Lois Eldridge,” will be celebrated in Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, Feb. 20-March 10, with an opening reception, Feb. 23, 2-4 p.m. Free. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or find on Facebook, Istagram, Pinterest and Twitter. CRAFT PROGRAM: Create 3.0 - Balance: Altered Crafts, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 20, free, for grades 2-5. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Email books@wesleyan.edu to register. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939. Thursday, Feb. 21

LIBRARY JOB GROUP: Job Group meets on Thursdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed, followed by a networking session. Drop-in; no registration required.

BRICK BUNCH: Brick Bunch at the Deep River Public Library meets Feb. 21; 3:45 4:45 p.m.; Open Lego play with friends. Drop in program, no registration required.

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Public Library meets Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and play. Best for children up to 24 months; older siblings welcome. Drop in, no registration. SOUND MEDITATION: Shaking the Tree – Gong and Sound Meditation, Thursday, 7-9 p.m., $10, at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. AUTHOR TALK: Author Marty Podskotch will discuss his new book, “Connecticut 169 Club: Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Connecticut,” Thursday, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Copies will be available for sale and for signing. Drop-in; no registration required. SCORE WORKSHOP: Maria Miranda, Creative Director of Miranda Creative, presents a free SCORE workshop on “Advanced Social Media: Facebook” on Thursday, February 21, 2019, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Westbrook Public Library. Details, email anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org

HAINES WELCOMES PUBLIC: State Rep. Irene Haines (R-34) will host a Coffee Hour at Higher Grounds, 32 Main St., East Haddam, 9-10 a.m., and Pizza and Politics at Papa Z’s Pizza, 713 Middletown Road, Colchester, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Feb. 21. Both events are an informal discussion about the major issues impacting the 2019 legislative session. Check www.RepHaines.com for updates or cancellations. CARDINAL KIDS: Cardinal Kids: Have a Nice DNA!, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 21, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Email books@wesleyan.edu to register. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

WOMEN’S HIKE: Join Women of the Woods at 9 a.m. Feb. 21 for a 2.5 to 3 mile hike at Wadsworth Falls State Park. This is a good place to hike even if many trails are snowy or icy. Contact Lucy Meigs for details and to register Lucy@EveryoneOutside.org or 860-395-7771 or visit EveryoneOutside.org and click on calendar. Friday, Feb. 22 JAZZ QUARTET: The Sarah Hanahan Jazz Quartet performs Friday, 8 p.m., $10, at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Reservations at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday at the Deep River Public Library meets Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs followed by

craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration.

TIME FOR MAKING: Make Time for Making, for adults, Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Bring any type of project to work on. Drop in; no registration required. MASKED BALL DANCE: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, will hold its annual Masked Ball Dance for students in grades 6 and up. Dance music, photo booth with props, full dinner. Masks optional. Prizes awarded for original, craziest and fun. Feb. 22, 7-10 p.m. Tickets $10. Details at www.epocharts.org

AUTHOR TALK: Elena Mannes, “Soul Dog: A Journey into the Spiritual Life of Animals” 7 p.m., Feb. 22, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939 Saturday, Feb. 23 LIVE MUSIC: The Other Favorites, thelong time duo project of Carson McKee and Josh Turner, perform Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Admission $20; reserve at buttonwood.org or call 860347-4957. READERS THEATER: Readers Theater presents “Ben Butler” by Richard Strand, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, with a combination of comedy, biography, and historical drama. Drop-in, no registration required. LAST WORKS OF ELDRIGE: Fruits of Her Labor: the Last Works of Lois Eldridge will be celebrated in Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop, Feb. 20-March 10, opening reception, Feb. 23, 2-4 p.m. Gallery Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com.

THE BIKINIS: “The Bikinis” at the Connecticut Cabaret Theater, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin, Feb. 15-March 16, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets $35, call 860-829-1248 or go to www.ctcabaret.com

WINTER FEST DINNER: The Italian American Civic Order will sponsor a Winter Fest Dinner, 7 p.m,. Feb. 23, at its club house on Arbutus Street, Middletown. Dinner includes tortellini soup, pork roast, sausage stuffing, roast potatoes, dessert and beverages.$25 per person; reserve at 860-346-3721. The Club is available to rent for social gatherings, call 860-346-3721 for information.

PHILOSOPHY NIGHT: Philosophy Night at Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown, Feb 23, 6 p.m. Free. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

FOLK, BLUEGRASS: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the folk/ bluegrass/classic rock duo The Other Favorites, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Tickets $20, reservations are suggested. Call 860347-4957 or go to www.buttonwood.org

OSCAR FILMS: 2019 Oscar Nominated Short Film Screenings will be held Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton.Event doors open at 12:15 p.m. Arrive early for best seating. Details at hchlibrary.org. PRIVATEERS BASH: Essex’s Connecticut River Museum’s Privateers Bash, Feb. 23, 6:30-10 p.m. Food, dancing, music and raffles, prizes for best costumes. $50, $85 per couple, $75 includes open bar. Tickets may be purchased by calling 860-767-8269, online at www.ctrivermuseum.org, or at the door on the evening of the event. SPANISH STORY TIME: Spanish Language Story Time with Laura, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 23, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939 HEART TO HEART DANCE: The FatherDaughter Heart to Heart dance, Feb. 23, 4:30-6 p.m., Dance Corner, Killingworth. $16 per couple. Space is limited. Grades K-5 with fathers, grandfathers or another special guest are welcome. Tickets must be purchased in advance at TheDanceCorner.com/Events. FOOD PANTRY VISIT: The Ct Mobile Food Pantry will visit Epoch Arts, 27

Skinner with free, St., fresh East fruit Hampto,, and vegetables, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. proteins, family needing and other assistance. surplus Families items to are any advised to bring their own bags.

BALD EAGLES: CT DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Richard Taylor, free illustrated talk on bald eagles in Connecticut, 2 p.m. Feb. 23, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on the history, range, habitat, diet, nesting, breeding and recovery of bald eagles in Connecticut. RSVP: 860-767-1560. PHILOSOPHY NIGHT: Philosophy Night, Feb. 23, 6 p.m., free, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939 Sunday, Feb. 24 FRENCH FILM: See “Un Village Français,” Sunday, 1 p.m. in Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. James Taylor will lead a discussion in French. Viewers are invited to bring refreshments. Drop in; no registration required. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist 9 a.m.; Sunday School, Adult Ed. on Forgiveness,10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. THE BIKINIS: “The Bikinis” at the Connecticut Cabaret Theater, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin, Feb. 15-March 16, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets $35, call 860-829-1248 or go to www.ctcabaret.com AUDITIONS: Madison Arts Barn is holding auditions for all ages, Feb. 24. Bring a vocal track from a favorite Broadway classic or musical theater hit. To schedule an appointment email madisonartsbarn@gmail.com. For more information go to http://madisonartsbarn.org or call 203245-2689. AUTHOR EVENT: Local author event featuring Liza McMahon, “The Octopus in Mrs. O’Hurley’s Classroom”, Mary Jo Helchowski, “Mae Flowers”, Maggie Kemp, “Sam, Fisherwoman: The Reel Story”, and Leslie Woods, “Paper Zoo,” “The Message of Monteverde,” “Open the Gates of San Jeronimo,” “The Magic Fishbowl”, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939 Monday, Feb. 25 FREE MOVIE: “At Eternity’s Gate” chronicling Vincent van Gogh's time in France, starring Willem Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen, Oscar Isaac, and Rupert Friend. With free popcorn, at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Monday at 1 p.m. EVENING WITH SCARLETT LEWIS:

The Chester, Deep River, Essex and Region 4 Schools and Tri-Town Youth Services will present an evening with Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. at John Winthrop Middle School Auditorium. All are welcome including young people 12 and up. For more information about these programs, call Region 4 Superintendent of Schools Ruth Levy’s office at 860-526-2417 or Tri-Town Youth Services at 860-5263600 or go to tritownys.org

60 PLUS CLUB: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet on Monday, Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. at the Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. After the meeting, refreshments will be served and the monthly Variety Table will be held. Seniors from surrounding towns are invited. Tuesday, Feb. 26 JOURNALISM PART 2: Cardinal Kids: Journalism Part 2, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m. Intro to newspapers with Spencer Dean, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939. Free event, email books@wesleyan.edu to register. BOOK PLAY: Book Play! , 10:30 a.m., Feb. 26, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939