The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
WINTRY SCENE
CALENDAR Saturday, Jan. 15
STROLL WITH A GOAT is one of the events offered at the Apple Barrel Farm Market at Lyman Orchards at 32 Reeds Gap Road in Middlefield on Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children and families. “Go-ating Out with Bradley Mountain Farms” offers 15-minute sessions that include one bag of goat treats for each participant. Those making reservations are offered a 10 percent discount on the “Make N Take Goat Milk Soap” program, recommended for those 5 and up, on Jan. 15, 23, Feb. 12 and 27.
The fee is $15. For information, visit lymanorchards.com or call 860-349-1793.
THE GENEALOGY CLUB of Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown will offer a Zoom presentation on “Getting the Most Out of the Godfrey Scholar Databases” on Jan. 15 with Carol Ansel at 1:30 p.m. Premium members can register for free at zoomregistration@godfrey.org. Others pay $10 via PayPal, then register via the email address.
FUNDRAISER FOR “SMILES I CAN’T SEE” guitar giveaway effort will take place Jan. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St. in Middletown. The mission is based on what happened during the pandemic when many children received donated guitars: they were wearing masks and their smiles were not visible. This showcase features many performers, including Terri Lachance, Lynn Tracey, Sweet Polly, Matthew Bennett, Rich Wall, Denise Jones and John Brown. Tickets are $15. For information, visit buttonwood.org or contact TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957.
Sunday, Jan. 16
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH at 300 Washington St. in Middletown will hold a service on Sunday at 9 a.m. All are welcome. In-person worship is suspended until further notice. To receive invitations to participate in remote worship or access recordings of webcast services, go to faithelcamiddletown.org or the church’s Facebook page.
CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY at 381 Main St. in Middletown will hold a Holy Eucharist service at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 9. with the Rev. Mary Barnett, who will also be preaching. Services are live streamed on the church’s Facebook page. For information, call 860-347-2591 or email office.holytrinityct@gmail.com.
Monday, Jan. 17
KING DAY CELEBRATION: The MLK Scholarship of Greater Middletown will present the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration Jan. 17 at noon on Zoom. Keynote speaker will be state Rep. Brandon McGee Jr., D-Hartford. To log on, visit https://tinyurl.com/Middletown MLKbday. Phone number is 929-205-6099, and ID is 946 6060 1745 #.
ART EXHIBIT: Paintings by William Bonnie are being exhibited in his first art show, through Jan. 31, at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center at 605 Main St. in Middletown. Paintings range from sports to landscapes by this Middletown artist who trained at the Paier College of Art in Hamden. The exhibit continues through Jan. 31. The center is open Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hours subject to change. For information, go to buttonwood.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 18
“REVISITING AMERICA” EXHIBIT: The Prints of Currier & Ives continues at the Florence Griswold Museum at 96 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, through Jan. 23. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission fees: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for students, free to those 12 and under. For information, visit FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org or call 860-4345542.
ADULT PROGRAMS at Portland Library at 20 Freestone Ave. include Mystery Lovers Book Club, which will discuss “The Thursday Murder Club,” by Richard Osman, on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. Portland Forum, which meets next on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., includes regularly scheduled events, book discussions and presentations in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. For information, contact Beth Kauczka at 860-342-6770 or bkauczka@portlandct.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 19
TED TALKS at Henry Carter Hull Library at 10 Killingworth Turnpike in Clinton) will discuss the topic “Set Limits With Social Media” on Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required. In-person (masks required) and virtual participation is available. To sign up, visit hchlibrary.org, call 860-669-2342, or email sarah@hchlibrary.org for assistance.
Thursday, Jan. 20
JANUARY BOOK CHAT: Most Loved of 2021 is the topic for this book club at Henry Carter Hull Library at 10 Killingworth Turnpike in Clinton on Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. Group will share and review the past year’s favorite books. Masks are required. Registration is required. To sign up, visit hchlibrary.org, call 860-6692342, or email sarah@hchlibrary.org for help.
SHORELINE SAILING CLUB, a nonprofit group for singles over 35, will meet on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at Clark Memorial Field bar/ lounge, 210 Elm St., in Old Saybrook. The club is welcoming new members. No prior sailing experience is needed. Members and first-time guests are free, and others are charged $10. For information, visit shorelinesailingclub.com and the club’s Facebook page.
Saturday, Jan. 22 “MAKE MUSIC: WINTER EDITION — JAZZ TRAIL” will be presented by Matt Chasen and the Hartford Jazz Society and the Library Studio in Middletown as a hybrid concert on Jan. 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Studio at 34 Broad St. and via live stream on the HJS Facebook page. Featured artists: Nigel Bello’s “Latin Jazz” Quartet, the Matt Pearl Trio, the Latin Essence Jazz Quartet, and the Maxx Meether Trio. Only 20 seats are available for $20 each ($10 for HJS members) in advance only at t2@librarystudioct.com. Proof of vaccination and masks required for entry.
SPERRY CREEK CONCERT: This five-piece bluegrass band will perform on Jan. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St. in Middletown. This newly formed Connecticut band plays traditional bluegrass, folk, Appalachian, and country music. Tickets are $15; $12 for TBT members. For information, visit buttonwood.org or contact TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957.
Sunday, Jan. 23
REIKI LEVEL 1 CLASS with Eileen Anderson, a registered nurse, will take place on Jan. 23 and 30 at 10 a.m. at The Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St. in Middletown. Reiki, a healing practice originating from Japan, is taught in small classes, with individual instruction and time for practice. Registration is required. The fee is $170; TBT members pay $160. A manual and certificate are included in the cost following the completion of both sessions. Proof of vaccination is required. For information, visit buttonwood.org or contact TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
FREE SCORE WEBINAR: “Website Planning 101” on Jan. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom, with Jessica Baldwin, cofounder of Cardsetter. Attendees can learn to define their business website’s audience, set the website’s goals, determine key functionality and features, plan content and more. Attendees will receive a free workbook. Registration required at score.tfaforms.net/17?EventID=a105a000005qZUN. For information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.
ONLINE WORKSHOP: “Toilet Learning the Montessori Way” will take place Jan. 25 to 27 free for parents and caregivers by The Children’s Tree Montessori School in Old Saybrook. The recorded workshop will be available Jan. 25, with live Zoom Q&A on Jan. 27 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Registration at childrenstree.org. For information, call 860-388-3536.
Friday, Jan. 28
FOOLISH WISELY CONCERT will take place on Jan. 28 from 8 to 10 p.m. at The Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St. in Middletown. The band is made up of RJ Mac Carthaigh and Julia Autumn Ford, both multi-instrumentalists and internationally touring artists. This show is by freewill offering, with a suggested donation of $20. For information, visit buttonwood.org or contact TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957.. Saturday, Jan. 29
AN OPEN HOUSE is planned at The Children’s Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Rd., Old Saybrook on Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and March 12 from 9 a.m to noon. Montessori School Open House. Attendeees can learn about what the Montessori curriculum has to offer at this independent elementary school, toddler and preschool. Middle school coming in 2023. For information, call 860-388-3536 and visit childrenstree.org.
AUDITIONS will be held by Opera Theater of Connecticut on Jan. 29 in Madison starting at 11 a.m. for Connecticut-based singers. The professional nonprofit opera company is especially interested in hearing music theater singers as it expands its range of presentations this season to include concerts of Broadway works. An accompanist will be provided. Interested singers should send their resume and photo to otc@otcsings.org. They should include a copy of their vaccination card showing full vaccination as well as a booster. Chosen singers will be contacted with a time and the address.
“CONCEALMENT” ART EXHIBIT will open at Spectrum Art Gallery at 61 Main St. in the Centerbrook section of Essex, with an opening house weekend, Jan. 29 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. The show, which features new and original abstract and representational artwork that explore “the theme of concealing,” runs through March 13. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday form noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 860-767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org.
POST TRAUMATIC JAZZ DISORDER CONCERT will take place on Jan. 29 from 8 to 10 p.m. at The Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St. in Middletown. This six-member band plays stylized folk and jazz covers and originals. Tickets are $20. For information, visit buttonwood.org or contact TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957.
Sunday, Jan. 30
ESSEX WINTER SERIES of in-person concerts continues Jan. 30, with soprano Patricia Schuman and pianist Bradley Moore. This concert, which begins at 3 p.m. at Valley Regional High School in Deep River, will include a vocal recital of songs and arias from Handel, Mozart, Schumann, Gustavino, Ginastera and Mompou. For tickets ($40; $5 for students through college), visit essexwinterseries.com or call 860-272-4572.
CONNECTICUT’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES will be explored in the Madison Historical Society’s annual Frederick Lee Lectures, this winter a vurtual series, which continues Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. Historian, archaeologist, author and teacher James Powers will share “the story of the Quinnipiac people and the catastrophic and transformative events that followed their first contact with Europeans.” Registration is required to receive the link for each of the presentations. Programs, which follow on Feb. 20 and March 13, are recommended for adults and children 10 and older. The suggested donation is $5 at madisonhistory.org. For information, email contact@madisonhistory.org or call 203245-4567.