CALENDAR

Thursday, March 21

WILLY WONKA: Cromwell High School Drama Club presents “Willy Wonka” March 21-24, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, available online only at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/14893. For more information call 860-632-4841, ext. 14813.

BRICK BUNCH: Brick Bunch, March 21; 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.; Open Lego play with friends. We supply the bricks, you bring your imagination. No registration, open to all. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St., Deep River. To register or for more information, call 860-526-6039 or drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

LENTEN SERIES: St. Stephen’s Church is holding a Lenten series, examining the intersection of faith, action, and climate change, called “Church, Creation, and The Common Good,” Thursday, 6-7:15 p.m. at the church. The series continues weekly until April 11. The content is appropriate and open to people of all faith traditions, as well as those without a faith tradition. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://www.ststeves.org/ grow/adults/ or on Facebook at http:// bit.ly/CCCG2019. BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time, Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Babies and their caregivers will share songs, rhymes, finger plays, and more. Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required.

MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences meets Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2-4:45 p.m. in Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Led by author Elizabeth Petry, the Veterans Writing Group invites all active or retired veterans to share and document their stories. Facilitator Christy Billings can be reached at 860-347-2528 x 160 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Drop in; no registration required.

Friday, March 22

WILLY WONKA: Cromwell High School Drama Club presents “Willy Wonka” March 21-24, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, available online only at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/14893. For more information call 860-632-4841, ext. 14813. GALLERY SHOW: Pegasus Gallery, Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, presents “Peaces of Me” featuring works by Frank Stellabotte, March 22-May 2, opening reception, 4:30-7 p.m. March 27, free.

ADULT PAINT NIGHT: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, offers an adult paint night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. led by Brigette Roy. Leave with an original painting. Register online at www.epocharts.org

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday, March 1, 8, 15,22, 29; 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St., Deep River. To register or for more information, call 860-526-6039 or drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

JAZZ, ROCK CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents jazz and classic roakc with the Modern Riffs, March 22, 8 p.m., $10. Tickets, go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957.

SPAY-GHETTI DINNER: Cat Tales Semi-Annual Spay-ghetti Dinner, March 22, 6:30 p.m. at the Fox Parish Center, 10 Elm Street, Middletown. Tickets $12. Dinner includes pasta, meatballs, salad, bread and dessert. Raffle prizes and door prizes. Bring 3 cans of Friskies or 2 rolls of paper towels and get a door prize ticket. For tickets email info@CatTalesCT.org or call 860-344-9043.

SWAP YOUR STUFF: Swap Your Stuff: Crafter Style, March 22, 1-5 p.m., dropoff only, swap is March 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Swap quality craft supplies you no longer use for other items you will use. Early Bird Browsing at 9a.m. No open paint, only clean, usable items such as paper, yarn, fabric, beads, markers, etc. Call 860-347-2528 x 160 or email cbillings@russelllibrary.org

BUILDERS CLUB: Builders’ Club, March 22, 4 p.m., Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For grades K-6. Drop in; no registration required.

THE MODERN RIFFS: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents An Evening of Jazz and Classic Rock with The Modern Riffs, March 22, 8 p.m., $10 admission, $5 students, free age 10 and under. For tickets go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957 AUTHOR EVENT: A local author event with Alicia Yost, “Onward: A Funny, Heartbreaking, and Insightful Collection of Faith Lessons”; Heather A. Lagace, “I Am In My Life For Keeps: A Course in Thriving”; and Meg Keeshan McGovern, “We’re Good; The Power of Faith, Hope & Determination”, 7 p.m. March 22, free, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

Saturday, March 23

WILLY WONKA: Cromwell High School Drama Club presents “Willy Wonka” March 21-24, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, available online only at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/14893. For more information call 860-632-4841, ext. 14813. TRIVIA NIGHT: What Trivia, a fundraiser for the Ivory on Library, 7 p.m., March 23, Centerbrook Meeting House, Centerbrook. Contestants will test their knowledge of nonsensical information for fun and prizes. Silent auction, cash bar. For more information, contact Ivoryton Library at 860-767-1252, staff@ivorytonlibrary.org, or go to www.ivorytonlibrary.org

MENTAL HEALTH EXPO: Changing Minds Advocacy Group of Killingworth and the Henry Carter Hull Memorial Library present the second annual Mental Health and Wellness Expo at the library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Route 81, Clinton, March 23, 2-4 p.m. Free, with refreshents and ample parking. Participants include wide variety of providers from around the shoreline and CT valley area. Contact Melissa Ferrara at 860663-3482 or email at changingmindsgroup@yahoo.com for information.

PRESCHOOL YOGA: Preschool Power Yoga, March 23, 9:30 a.m., Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 3-5. Saturday morning yoga and mindfulness exercises with Dawn. Drop in; no registration required. MOMENT OF DEATH TRAINING:

"Helping at the Moment of Death Training Weekend" will be held March 23-24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Wesleyan University CEAS, Middletown. For more information and registration go to www.clearlightsociety.org. This weekend workshop is designed to help individuals and families as they face life-threatening illness. LEGALLY BLONDE AUDITIONS: WISP Performances will hold auditions for the summer production of “Legally Blonde,” March 23-24, 3-6 p.m., March 25, 6-8:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street Old Saybrook. All parts are open for ages 11-18. For further information go to www.wisperformances.org or call 203-494-1633. FAMILY STORY TIME: Family Story Time, 10:30 a.m., March 23, free, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

AMERICAN WOODCOCK: Potapaug Audubon and Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge present: “The American Woodcock” with Patricia Laudano, Naturalist, Conservationist, March 23, 6 p.m. and March 24, 6 p.m., at McKinney Refuge, Salt Meadow Unit, 733 Old Clinton Rd, Westbrook. Inclement weather reschedules programs. Call 860-399-2513 for any updates

Sunday, March 24

WILLY WONKA: Cromwell High School Drama Club presents “Willy Wonka” March 21-24, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, available online only at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/14893. For more information call 860-632-4841, ext. 14813. ARTISTS INVITED: Area artists invited to an open house at the Connecticut River Artisans Cooperative , 55 Main St Essex, March 24, 1-3 p.m. Refreshments provided. Meet other artists, learn about the coop and share your work. For information, call 860-767-5457 or go to www.ctriverartisans.org

CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER: 17th Annual Chocolate to the Rescue to benefit Columbus House’s Middlesex Family Shelter, March 24, 1-4 p.m. at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main Street, Middletown. Tickets $35, order at www.columbushouse.org/chocolate.

LEGALLY BLONDE AUDITIONS: WISP Performances will hold auditions for the summer production of “Legally Blonde,” March 24, 3-6 p.m., March 25, 6-8:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street Old Saybrook. All parts are openl for ages 11-18. For further information go to www.wisperformances.org or call 203-494-1633. AMERICAN WOODCOCK: Potapaug Audubon and Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge present: “The American Woodcock” with Patricia Laudano, Naturalist, Conservationist, March 24, 6 p.m., at McKinney Refuge, Salt Meadow Unit, 733 Old Clinton Rd, Westbrook. Inclement weather reschedules programs. Call 860-399-2513 for any updates

Monday, March 25

MOVING CONVERSATIONS: Moving Conversations/Making Community, meets Mondays, March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 6 p.m., Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. An opportunity to gather with folks of all ages to create a collaborative performance project. The public is invited on April 15 in the Hubbard Room. For all ages; everyone is welcome. Drop in; no registration required. Program partner: Julie Mulvihill: jmulvihill@wesleyan.edu LEGALLY BLONDE AUDITIONS: WISP Performances will hold auditions for the summer production of “Legally Blonde,” March 25, 6-8:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street Old Saybrook. All parts are open for ages 11-18. For further information go to www.wisperformances.org or call 203-494-1633. WOMEN’S HISTORY PROGRAM:

Gettysburg: One Woman’s War, March 25, 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Library, in honor of Women’s History month. Michèle LaRue is the narrator/actress of this One Woman Historical Presentation of three selections from Elsie Singmaster’s 1913 short story classic “Gettysburg: Stories Of The Red Harvest And The Aftermath.” Free, public welcome.

MONDAY MOVIE: “Boy Erased,” 5:30 p.m., March 25, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. hchlibrary.org.

60 PLUS CLUB: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet at 1:30 p.m. March 25, Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. Following the meeting, the monthly variety table and refreshments will be served. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, 9 a.m., Sunday School, Adult Education on Forgiveness, 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information, visit: www.faithelcamiddletown.org.