CALENDAR

Monday Sept. 21

OPEN MIC: Anything Goes Open Mic with Moments of Gratitude, Mondays, 7 p.m., free, Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

TOWN MEETING: A special town meeting in Durham, 8 p.m., Sept. 21, for electors and citizens qualified to vote, Julian B. Thayer Auditorium, Coginchaug Regional High School.

FIBER ART TIME: Join fellow fiber-art enthusiasts in the Henry Carter Hull Library Garden at 6 p.m. on Mondays to work on and share your latest project. There is no registration; drop in meeting is free. Keep 6’ apart, wear a mask, and bring a folding chair. Meetings will continue as long as the weather is favorable, and may be cancelled due to rain. Questions? Email: sarah@hchlibrary.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

LAUGHTER YOGA: Tuesdays: Laughter Yoga - 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

VIRTUAL BOOKS: Virtual Books on the Menu, 10:30 a.m., Sept. 22, ticketed event on Zoom, R.J. Julia Booksellers. Join Andrew Brennan, Lori Fazio, and Jamie McCauley for a late morning of books and gifts. Tickets $5. Registration required; a link will be emailed. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

PANDEMIC VOTING: Voting During A Pandemic, 2 p.m., Sept. 22, free, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Free, registration required, email sarah@hchlibrary.org to sign up or call 860-669-2342.

ABOUT AURAS: Understanding Your Aura with Sydney Sherman, Zoom program, 7 p.m., Sept. 22, Durham Library, Learn everything you need to know to understand your own aura. Go to www.durhamlibrary.org to register.

AUTHOR TALK: Colin Quinn, “Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast of the 50 States”, 7 p.m., Sept. 22, ticketed event on Zoom; purchase from RJ. Julia’s website, a link will be emailed. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959

STORY TIMES: Virtual Story Time at Deep River Library, 10:30 a.m., Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, on Zoom. Meet and say hello to library friends, and read a quick story or two. Registration is not required, but participants must go to the website calendar for the Zoom link at deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or call the library at 860-526-6039. NEW SINGERS WANTED: All who are interested in singing with the GMChorale have the unique opportunity of trying out rehearsals on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, and/or Oct.6, as well as meeting the conductor, before committing to the season. Call New Member Coordinator, Margie Livengood, at 860-633-6198, or email margie.livengood@gmchorale.org, to learn more about joining the GMChorale.

CAR SEATS: Need your car seat installed or want to get your seat checked? On September 22nd, 2020 Middletown Police Department and Middletown Fire Department will be hosting a car seat clinic from 9am-3pm at Middletown Fire Department located at 169 Cross Street. The clinic will be by appointment only, outside in the rear, technicians will be wearing masks & sanitizing between installs. Contact Ofc. Tyrseck to schedule an appointment at: KTyrseck@MiddletownCTPolice.com. Appointments are still available.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

AUTHOR TALK: Sophie Blackall, “If You Come to Earth”, 4 p.m., Sept. 23, free on Zoom; registration required, a link will be emailed. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959

EDIBLE BOTTLES: Edible Water Bottles at Deep River Library, 2:30 p.m., Sept. 23,

a STEM experiment on Zoom. For kids 4-8, registration required. Some parental participation might be needed. Participants will need to pick up supplies at the library prior to the program. Zoom meeting information will be sent via email. For details including supplies needed go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on our monthly calendar, or call 860-526-6039. AUTUMN ARTS FESTIVAL: Spectrum Gallery and Artisan’s Store presents the Autumn Arts Festival Exhibit, with select works by participating artists in the 2020 Autumn Arts Festival on the Madison Town Green, Sept. 17-Nov. 8 at the gallery. New original fine art and one-of-akind artisanal crafts available. Visit Spectrum Anytime at spectrumartgallery.org/shop to browse and shop the online gallery and Artisans Store. Gift cards also available in store and online. Visit spectrumartgallery.org or call 860767-0742.

AUTHOR TALK: Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, “Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close”, In conversation with Roxanne J. Coady, 7 p.m., Sept. 23, free on Zoom. Registration required; a link will be emailed. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

UNCONN PRES TO SPEAK: Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced that Thomas C. Katsouleas, President, University of Connecticut, is the keynote speaker at a Virtual Chamber Luncheon Meeting Sept. 23, noon-1 pm. on Zoom. Advance registration is required; register online: www.middlesexchamber.com

Thursday, Sept. 24

SUMMER MARKET: Durham’s summer market starts May 14 from 3-6:30 p.m. and continues weekly. A wide variety of vendors are expected For information, email farmersmarket@townofdurhamct.org or visit www.townofdurhamct.org The gates for the Durham Fair will be open for market parking and looping around to exit. Enter through Broadway and exit on Canfield as noted in the map. Do not hang out or go anywhere else on the Durham Fair property, it is private. GOTTA’S OPEN MIC: Thursdays, Bob Gotta's Open Mic, 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

AUTHOR TALK: Guy Raz, “How I Built This”’ In conversation with Roxanne J. Coady, 6 p.m., Sept. 24, free on Zoom, registration required; a link will be emailed. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

Friday, Sept. 25

LIFE IN ARCHITECTURE: Author and architecture professor Michael Crosbie, Ph.D., FAIA, free illustrated talk on architect Cesar Pelli, 7 p.m. Sept. 25, virtual meeting via Zoom, focus on Pelli’s career as a leading designer and teacher. Registration is required. 860-767-1560. https:// www.youressexlibrary.org/

SPEAKING SPANISH: Spanish Conversation on Zoom meets at 4 p.m. Fridays with the Durham Library. Practice your Spanish with moderator Marilyn Horn. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for a weekly link to the meeting.

DIGITAL IMAGE CONTEST: The Connecticut Association of Photographer announces its 2020 TOPS in Connecticut, its popular juried digital image competition. All All Connecticut photographers are invited to submit up to five digital photographs from nine categories. The photographs will be reviewed by three professional out-of-state judges. Submissions are from Sept. 15 to Oct. 25. The Virtual Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7. For complete rules and image submissions, visit https://cap.photocomp.org. FREE CONCERT: Sights and Sounds of Motown II, a “FREE FOR ALL” Outdoor Community Concert that honors the legacy of one of the most prestigious record labels, Motown Records will be held 6-9 p.m. Sept. 26, rain date Oct. 3.

Saturday, Sept. 26

GUILFORD MARKET: Guilford's Farmers' Market at the Dudley Farm Museum now open, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through November, 2351 Durham Road, Guilford. Regular vendors are back with several new vendors joining the summer season, safely spaced out around the farm. Visit us for weekly updates on social media: Facebook - DudleyFarmFarmersMarket, Instagram - @Dudley_Farm_Mkt_CT

ALIGNED WITH SOURCE: Saturdays, Aligned with Source with Annaita Gandhy - 10:30 a.m.-noon, free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission. TRICK OR TREAT STOPS WANTED:

Middletown Recreation traditionally holds a Downtown Trick and Treat and Fall Festival mid-October. For 2020, a Halloween Candy Car Cruise at Crystal Lake is planned. Parents will drive through the parking lot and circle through a loop stopping at each booth, while staying in their vehicles. Arrive by 10:15 am to set up your booth. Each business/vendor will have two parking spots, one for a vehicle and one for a table/booth. Email karen.nocera@middletownct.gov if interested in being a trick or treat stop at Crystal Lake or with any questions.

TAKE-OUT TURKEY DINNER: Haddam Neck Congregational Church Ladies Aid will hold a Fall Take Out Turkey Dinner starting at 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Turkey dinners with all the fixings and home made dessert will be available for pick up at the Haddam Neck Congregational Church School Parish House Building, 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. This event is being held in place of the church’s regular turkey dinner that is always held in October. Cost is $15. Call Melissa Pionzio, 860-993-5311, Sue Olsen, 860-267-2848, Franky Dallas, 860-267-4513 or Helen Perron, 860-4676662.to place an order and for information and directions. www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org DRIVE-THRU CAR SHOW: Klingberg Family Centers has announced plans for their next Vintage Motorcar Event including a traditional car show for cars 1989 and older and a Pre-war Concours d’Elegance, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 26, at Klingberg Family Centers, 370 Linwood St., New Britain. For more information about Klingberg Family Centers, visit www.klingberg.org. AUTHOR CONVERSATION: "Haiti, The Healing Power of Storytelling," a Conversation with Edwidge Danticat and Chantalle F. Verna, 7 p.m., Sept. 26, free on Zoom, registration required, a link will be emailed. Proceeds from sales of the books will be donated to Sister Cities Essex Haiti. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

Sunday, Sept. 27

CHURCH SERVICES: First Congregational Church of Cromwell has resumed in-person services. Summer worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Masks must be worn and social distancing will be practiced. Temperatures are taken prior to entering the sanctuary, those with a temperature less than 100.4 will be admitted. Parking lot is just north of church and handicapped accessible. Services are also streamed live Facebook or on our web site page at www.firstcongregationalchurch.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES: Outdoor Sunday services, 9 a.m., Third Congregational Church, 91 Miner St., Middletown. Services are held under a tent; parishioners bring their own chairs or sit under the tent, on the grass, near the church’s Memorial Garden. ONLINE WORSHIP: Virtual Worship, 9 a.m., with Faith Lutheran Church, Middletown. For more information, go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. All are welcome.