CALENDAR

Thursday, Feb. 11

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 573 Main St., Cromwell. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

BLOOD DRIVES: Blood drives will be held Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., and 12:30-5:15 p.m. at St. Peters Church, 30 Saint Peter Lane, Higganum. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

TERRIFIC THURSDAY: Terrific Thursday, an indoor story time for families with young children, Deep River Public Library, will feature books and music and movement, with social distancing; masks for all participants over 2, and an air scrubber will be used. Take-and-make crafts are available on a first come, first serve basis. Capacity is limited and registration is required, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 4, 11, 18, 24. Email the Children’s Department for more information: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

AUTHOR TALK: Brigid Kemmerer , “A Vow So Bold and Deadly” In conversation with Stephanie Garber 7 p.m., Feb. 11, RJ Julia Booksellers, on Zoom, tickets required, $18.99 includes admission, signed book plate while supplies last and a copy of the book. Ticket holders will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-2453959.

ESTATE PLANNING: Essential Estate Planning, 7 p.m. Feb. 11 with the Durham Library. Learn how to create your own estate plan. See www.durhamlibrary.org to register.

DIPLOMA INFORMATION: High School Diploma Information Sessions: Presented by Shoreline Adult Education, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the Blackstone Library on Zoom. Registration is required to receive a link to these online events. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

DIGITAL LIFE: Adjusting to Digital Life: Topics include emailing, web browsing, device maintenance, and more, 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Blackstone Library. Registration is required to receive a link to this online event. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203-488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

Friday, Feb. 12

GET YOUR GED: Middletown Adult Education invites residents to register for free, online classes to hear their high school diploma. MAE has free online high school completion classes and a free, online GED program to prepare for the GED exam. Registration is ongoing for area residents. Call 860-343-6044.

FAST FRIDAY: Fast Friday with the Deep River Public Library, a live Zoom class to say hello to friends and share stories, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26. Visit the calendar for the Zoom link or email the Children’s Department: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Spanish Conversation on Zoom. Fridays at 4 p.m. Practice your Spanish with moderator Marilyn Horn. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for the weekly Zoom link to the meeting. All levels welcome.

COOKING CLASS: The Estuary Council offers virtual cooking demonstrations every other month with a complete walk through on how to make a different dish, led by Aaron Pratt, ECSI’s Food Service Manager, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 on Zoom. Learn how to make Chocolate Mousse and Tempered Chocolate with Dipped Fruits. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, email events@ecsenior.org with Cooking Class in the subject to sign up and receive the link to the demonstration as well as the recipe.

Saturday, Feb. 13

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.

LIBRARY DAYS: Take The Library To Your Child, Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton, through the month of February, free, with activities. For information call 860-669-2342 or email: askus@hchlibrary.org

VIRTUAL 5K: A new virtual 5K in Old Saybrook is being held March 7-20, to raise money for new play areas at the Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School. Registration is $20, and runners can sign up online at runsignup.com/goodwingallop5K.

CHDR AUCTION: Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue is holding an online auction for a chance to win a date with a CHDR horse, either in-person or on Zoom, with one or more of our horses The auction runs until Feb. 14 at 11:59 p.m. and winners will be announced. Minimum bids are $25; bid on multiple horses. Go to www.ctdraftrescue.org/winadatewithadraft to read more about the horses and event.

VALENTINE TAKE AND MAKE: Valentine Kit Pickup/Dropoff, through Feb. 28, Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton. Free. Pick up/drop-off heart in library lobby. For information call 860669-2342 or email sarah@hchlibrary.org.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration for kindergarten at Valley View School, Portland, is open to children turning five on or before Jan. 1, 2022. Contact the school at pgross@portlandct.us and provide your child's full name, phone number and address. Further information regarding registration will be provided once you contact the school.

ART FUNDRAISER: The Essex Art Association is hosting its first online fundraiser at www.essexartassociation.com through Feb. 15. Members have donated nearly 40 paintings and photographs, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the gallery. At the website, look for “Exhibitions” and then the show's title, “This One's For Us.”

CT’S BLACK HISTORY: Beyond the Amistad: Black History in Connecticut, presented by the Connecticut Historical Society and Blackstone Library, 2 p.m. Feb. 13, free, on Zoom. Registration is required to receive a link to this online event. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

OPEN HOUSE: Open house, The Children's Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Road, Old Saybrook, 9 a.m.-noon, Feb. 13. Learn about what the Montessori curriculum has to offer as an alternative to traditional schooling. Call 860-388-3536, www.childrenstree.org.

COLCHESTER THEATER: Colchester Community Theatre presents “Almost, Maine” by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York, one show only, 7 p.m. Feb. 13, online. Free, donations welcome. For tickets go to www.colchestercommunitheatre.com For information email info@colchestercommunitytheatre.com.

Sunday, Feb 14

IN-PERSON SERVICES: First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Cromwell, CT is holding in- person services on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. all are welcome. Masks must be worn at all times. Social distancing is practiced and temperatures are taken prior to entering the sanctuary. See our website at www.fcccromwell.org. Sunday School starts at 8:45 a.m. To attend Sunday School, call the church office at 860-638-8014, leave your information and be contacted by the Sunday school superintendent. Or, watch the service via our Facebook page, at First Congregational Church Cromwell or on the website.

VIRTUAL COFFEEHOUSE: Cromwell Creative District’s (CCD) second annual Coffeehouse is going virtual and will be held Feb. 26. Performers can email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com with a video performance under five minutes; include name, contact info and brief background on the performer(s). Artists, email photos of work in jpgs with the name, contact information and description of work. Subject line to include Virtual Coffeehouse. Family event; all ages welcome. Performers of all ages are welcome. Fun family videos encouraged. Entries due Feb. 14; for information, email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com

FREDERICK LEE LECTURES: Madison Historical Society’s 14th annual Frederick Lee Lectures will explore the topics of enslavement, racism, and social injustice. Lectures held on the second Sunday of the month. 4 p.m., Feb. 14, Dennis Culliton, retired middle school teacher and passionate historian, continues the conversation in February with his presentation, “The Witness Stones Project: Finding Slavery in Madison and Guilford.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the safety of all, the lectures will be presented on Zoom this year. Registration is required to receive the link for each presentation; suggested donation of $5. Donate and register at www.madisonhistory.org.

Monday, Feb. 15

DIAPER DRIVE: Bare Necessities, a non-profit organization, is hosting the fourth annual Law Enforcement Diaper Drive, Feb. 1-15. Kicks off Jan. 26, 9 a.m. at the Branford Police Department, 33 Laurel Street. Masks and social distancing is required. This year's participating Police Departments include Branford, Clinton, Connecticut State Police - Troop F, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, and North Branford. Donations may be dropped off anytime at any of the participating police departments, at the Madison Coffee House,724 Boston Post Road in Madison, or use Bare Necessities Amazon wish list and have them shipped directly to their warehouse.

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Feb. 15, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Mary's Church, 54 Grove St., Branford. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration for kindergarten at Valley View School, Portland, is open to children turning five on or before Jan. 1, 2022. Contact the school at pgross@portlandct.us and provide your child's full name, phone number and address. Further information regarding registration will be provided once you contact the school.

STANTON HOUSE AUCTION: The Adam Stanton House Museum, 63 East Main Street, Clinton, is sponsoring a virtual auction fundraiser to continue to raise the funds needed to replace the roof this spring. Bidding opens March 1 and closes March 11. Instructions for pickup will be given to successful bidders. Auction details can be found on the museum’s website at adamstantonhouse.org. For information on donating items for the auction, call the museum at 860-669-2132, weekdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and weekends 1-3 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

VACCINATION TRANSPORTATION: The Middletown Transit District’s Complimentary COVID Vaccination Transportation provides free accessible transportation to COVID-19 vaccination sites, including drive-through sites, in the district 7 days per week. Trips must begin in Middletown, Middlefield, East Hampton, Portland or Durham and may be to any testing site in those towns. Any resident regardless of age or ability is eligible, and up to four people may travel together. Trips must be booked at least one day in advance by calling Curtin Transportation at 860-443-1655 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. weekdays. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available upon request. Face coverings are required when riding. Full program details are available at www.middletownareatransit.org. ONLINE LUNCH: Online Lunch with Shoreline Unitarian Minister, Mondays at noon starting Jan. 11 on Zoom, the Rev. Terry Sweetser, To receive the Zoom link for this virtual lunch and virtual Sunday services at 10:30 a.m., contact the church office: office@shorelineunitarian.org or 203-2458720.