Community Events Calendar

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

(Re)discover the oldies but goodies of classic Hollywood! A monthly screening followed by discussion. Showtime is at 10:00am every third Thursday.

​

This month we’re watching Leave Her to Heaven (1945), a psychological thriller that blends film noir and melodrama, starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, and Vincent Price. The story centers on a woman whose obsessive love for her husband drives her to manipulation and murder. The film features striking cinematography, winning the Academy Award for best cinematography for Leon Shamroy. In 2018, it was selected for the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

​

Running time- 110 minutes

​

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.

​

Sponsored by the Friends of Blackstone Library.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

Essex Library will host Louie Listens; an opportunity for kids & teens to read with a local, licensed therapy dog!  

Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Sign up to spend time with and read to Louie the Labrador, a local, licensed therapy dog and his handler, Rebecca Russell. Time slots will be a private 15 minutes to read to and interact with Louie.  

This free event is open to all kids & teens who wish to practice reading, or spend time, with a therapy dog.

​

Click here to register for the 5:00 session.

​

Click here to register for the 5:15 session.

​

Click here to register for the 5:30 session.

​

Click here to register for the 5:45 session.

​

Welcome to Skip The Small Talk- Speed Dating! Are you tired of awkward first dates and boring conversations? Join us at Conspiracy for a fun and fast-paced evening of meeting new people. Our speed dating event is the perfect opportunity to make connections in a relaxed and casual setting. Whether you're looking for friendship or romance, you're sure to have a great time. Don't miss out on this chance to skip the small talk and dive right into meaningful conversations. See you there!

​

We ask that participants are ages 24-38 for this event.

​

Walk-ins not accepted.

​

 The Embodied Warrior: Cultivating Strength, Resilience + Presence

​

Join Kayla Stomberg and Jessi Marino at 360 Defense Martial Arts for a transformative event focused on empowering your mind and body. Learn how to embody the warrior within you, cultivating strength , resilience , and presence in every aspect of your life. This in-person experience will guide you through practical techniques and mindset shifts to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence and grace. Don't miss this opportunity to unleash your inner warrior!

​

The Embodied Warrior : Cultivating Strength, Resilience, and Presence through Somatic Practice and Principles of Self-Protection

​

The Embodied Warrior, a transformative class designed to awaken your inner strength, build resilience, and ground you in the present moment. This unique experience fuses the principles of self-protection inspired by Martial Arts training with the wisdom of somatic practices, empowering you to embody confidence, clarity, and self-assuredness in every aspect of life.

​

Through dynamic movement, breathwork, and intentional body awareness, you’ll:

​

• Develop physical strength and fluidity.

​

• Cultivate resilience to face challenges with courage.

​

• Build presence and trust in your body’s innate wisdom.

​

This class is an invitation to discover the warrior within—one who moves with power, grace, and purpose.

​

All levels welcome. Come as you are, leave feeling empowered.

​

Details:

​

Step into your power. Become The Embodied Warrior.

​

Kayla Stomberg

​

With nearly 30 years of training and 17+ years of teaching self-defense, Kayla Stomberg brings extensive expertise to the practice of personal safety and empowerment. She is a 4th degree black belt, certified in ALICE Active Shooter Response, AMOK! Knife for Self-Defense Trainer, and United States Krav Maga Association’s highest scoring female instructor, Kayla blends advanced knowledge with a compassionate approach that emphasizes mindfulness, awareness, and confidence-building.

​

Jessi Marino

​

Jessi Marino is a passionate guide in embodiment, resilience, and transformation who has been facilitating magickal trainings for nearly 20 years. Drawing from her personal journey of healing and self-discovery, she empowers others to reconnect with their bodies, awaken their inner strength, and embrace a life of vitality and freedom.

​

As the founder of Wild Essence, Jessi weaves together somatics, nervous system resilience, and mytho-poetic practices to help individuals reclaim their wild aliveness. Her work is deeply rooted in authenticity, connection, and the profound power of being present in your body.

​

wildessence.org

​

Welcome to our Reiki Circle event with Special Guest Cheryl Benanti! Join us for an evening of relaxation, healing, and positive energy at Tracy Ann, Psychic Medium's studio located at 180 Flanders Rd, Niantic, CT. This in-person event is a unique opportunity to experience the power of Reiki in a group setting. A Reiki circle is a group gathering where a practitioner offers energy healing to participants in a shared, supportive setting. We will begin with a brief breathing exercise to ground and center ourselves. While seated comfortably, each person will receive Reiki as the practitioner gently places their hands on or just above the body to encourage energy flow. We will conclude with the drawing of an oracle card to offer a point of reflection and insight. Whether you are new to Reiki or a seasoned practitioner, this event is open to all. Come together with like-minded individuals to share in the healing energy of Reiki and connect with others on a deeper level. Don't miss out on this special gathering with Cheryl Benanti!

​

Cheryl Benanti is owner of Reiki Will Travel LLC. She is a Reiki Master (Usui Reiki and Holy Fire Reiki). She is the resident Tarot Card Reader at The Spa at Norwich Inn and a founding member of Holistic Community Professionals.

​

https://www.reikiwilltravel.com/

​

Tracy Ann, Psychic Medium LLC, 180 Flanders Rd, Niantic, CT

​

(860) 218-5040

​

Handicap accessible building with ramp conveniently located near front door.

​

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Everybody May 15 - 24. All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

​

Everybody is a fast-paced contemporary adaptation of the medieval morality play “Everyman”, in which an individual struggles facing their own death and is forced to confront the meaning of life. Written by contemporary playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (whose most recent play, Purpose, is currently on Broadway), Everybody was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

​

Everybody, which features a cast of 16 performers ages 14 -20, is directed by Hannah Simms. Scenic Design is by Dan Schmidt, Costume Design by Christian Milik, Sound Design by Joseph Getter, Lighting Design by Aaron Westcott, and Properties Design by Pam Lang.

​

Director Simms says “A morality play is an apt choice for a moment in which our national morality is being put to the test. Everybody is a wickedly funny play that explores what morality and mortality look like in our disconnected culture, and this cast of brilliant young actors are tackling it with bravery and sensitivity.”

​

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids and students. “Big Hearted Oddfellow” tickets are available for $25 for anyone who really loves and values theater and its impact on the lives of young people.

​

Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm is a “Pay-What-You-Can” Preview. Performances will be at 7 pm on May 16, 17, 23 and 24, and at 4 pm on Sunday, May 18.

​

Everybody is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC.

​

Tickets may be purchased at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/oddfellowsplayhouse/everybody-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins

​

For more information, call (860) 347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

​

Everybody is made possible thanks to support from the City of Middletown; American Savings Foundation; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; The Fund for Greater Hartford; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middlesex United Way; George and Grace Long Foundation; Liberty Bank Foundation; many generous individual donors; and you, supporting youth arts in Connecticut by purchasing a ticket for this performance.

​

 🎉 20+ Spots Taken! Even Gender Ratio!  

🔥 Skip the swiping—come meet real, local singles in person! 🔥

​

If you’re tired of the same old routine, this is your chance to mix things up, meet new people, and have fun putting yourself out there! Our speed dating events make it easy and natural to spark connections—without the pressure of a full date.

​

🍸 The night starts with a casual mingle & mixer —Grab a drink (not included, but encouraged) and enjoy some casual conversation before the dating rounds begin.

​

💬 Not great at starting conversations?  No worries! Because we’ve got you covered with icebreaker questions to kick off each round. Plus, there’s a lovely, high-energy host there to hype you up, keep the energy high, and ease any nerves!

​

✨ As the night progresses, remember the room might be buzzing with loud and exciting chats! So while it might be a bit hard to hear your date... Embrace the noise! Because it's part of the fun and lively atmosphere that Sips & Sparks fosters at each event.

​

And as the bell rings to signal the end of each round, you’ll rotate to meet someone new in an atmosphere filled with positive energy and excitement. You’ll get to meet everyone in the room in a fun, relaxed way.

​

⏳ Arrive 15–30 minutes early to settle in! We start right on time, and late arrivals may not be accommodated.

​

💖 How it works:

​

✔️ After each speed date round, you’ll select friend, date, or none on a simple matching system.

​

✔️ If there’s a mutual match, we’ll send you each other’s contact info the next day!

​

✔️ No smartphone? No problem—we’ve got paper match forms too.

​

✨ Remember: This event is all about active listening, learning, and exploring connections. While many people do meet someone special, the key to enjoying this experience is letting go of expectations and focusing on meeting new people, discovering common interests, and seeing where things go.

​

It’s about building confidence, sharpening your social skills, and being open to the possibility of a new friendship or even a romantic connection —but don’t go in expecting one.

​

What you can expect is to take actionable steps  toward meeting new people, because you definitely won’t find your match staying home alone. 💪

​

📲 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@sipsandsparks) for event updates, sneak peeks, and surprise promo codes! 🎉

​

Disclaimers: The age range specified for this event is intended as a general guideline and recommendation. We will not turn away any participant based on age or gender and will not be verifying such information at the event. Note that we do not perform background checks on any participants. Similarly to most other dating platforms, it is your responsibility to perform your own due diligence on any individuals you choose to meet with. Our primary goal is to create an inclusive, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for all attendees. Sips and Sparks reserves the right to postpone or cancel any event that does not have enough participants registered. Although this rarely occurs, if it does, you would be given the option to either receive a refund or transfer your ticket to a different event.

​

Notice: Some of our venues do not have elevators. If you require such accommodations, please contact us at contact@sipsandsparks.org before purchasing your ticket so we can verify whether or not this will be available at that particular location.

​

Release of Liability: By participating in this event, attendees agree to release and hold harmless Sips and Sparks LLC, its employees, representatives, venues, and partners, from any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses arising from or related to any accidents, incidents, injuries, or property damage that may occur during or after the event. Attendance at the event and pursuing individuals met at the event is done at each individual's own risk.

​

Photo/Media Release: By attending this event, attendees grant Sips and Sparks LLC the right to capture and use their image and likeness in future promotional and advertising materials, without further notification or compensation.

​

Refund Policy: Because there is limited space at the venue and limited time for rounds, please notify the hosts at least 1 week in advance if you cannot attend to guarantee a refund. Within 1 week of the event, we will only issue a refund if we are able to fill your spot. (Note that Eventbrite processing fees are always non-refundable!) Please e-mail us for a refund credit at contact@sipsandsparks.org.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Everyone is invited to join BACA Gallery's opening reception celebrating this year's exhibit of art by students in Branford High School's Fine Arts Program. Featuring painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, photographs, ceramics, jewelry and more.

​

The show runs May 16 - 24 during gallery hours 11 - 4 on Wed. - Sat.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

Support local artists and enjoy these amazing performers. No entry fee and ample parking. Award winning, The hall @ Vero recognized in CT Magazine three years running.

​

Join us for live music, great food and drinks at 1741 Pub & Grill on Friday nights! May 16th, Emily Mager will be playing from 6 pm - 9 pm. Emily is a singer, songwriter, and recording artist from Milford, CT. She has performed all around the tri-state area, and her songs are available on all music platforms. Join her and her lead guitarist, John Barney, to hear all your oldies favorites to today's top hits!

​

Call 860-349-6033 or visit https://1741pubandgrill.com to make a reservation.

​

Spectrum Art Gallery and Artisans Store of Centerbrook, Connecticut presents Nature Up Close. Discover new and original artwork that showcases the move into the joys of Summer and as a result looking closely at our gardens, emerging insects, flowers and trees. Artwork will highlight closeup images that engage us in these discoveries.  At Spectrum, we explore this by showcasing the work of established and emerging artists with original paintings, mixed media, and photography. The Open Reception for Nature Up Close is Friday, May 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Enjoy fine art, crafts, wine, and refreshments that evening and throughout the Open House Weekend, Saturday, May 17 from 1 to 6 pm and Sunday, May 18, from 1 to 5 pm. The exhibit runs through July 6. Also, Spectrum’s Artisans Store offers new pottery, glass, fiber, home décor, jewelry, clothing and accessories, children's books and toys. Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main St., Centerbrook, Connecticut. Gallery and Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday (12-6 pm) and Sunday (12-5 pm). For more information about gallery exhibits and classes for adults and children, and summer camps for preteens and teens call (860) 767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at SpectrumAnytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211

​

​

​

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Everybody May 15 - 24. All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

​

Everybody is a fast-paced contemporary adaptation of the medieval morality play “Everyman”, in which an individual struggles facing their own death and is forced to confront the meaning of life. Written by contemporary playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (whose most recent play, Purpose, is currently on Broadway), Everybody was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

​

Everybody, which features a cast of 16 performers ages 14 -20, is directed by Hannah Simms. Scenic Design is by Dan Schmidt, Costume Design by Christian Milik, Sound Design by Joseph Getter, Lighting Design by Aaron Westcott, and Properties Design by Pam Lang.

​

Director Simms says “A morality play is an apt choice for a moment in which our national morality is being put to the test. Everybody is a wickedly funny play that explores what morality and mortality look like in our disconnected culture, and this cast of brilliant young actors are tackling it with bravery and sensitivity.”

​

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids and students. “Big Hearted Oddfellow” tickets are available for $25 for anyone who really loves and values theater and its impact on the lives of young people.

​

Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm is a “Pay-What-You-Can” Preview. Performances will be at 7 pm on May 16, 17, 23 and 24, and at 4 pm on Sunday, May 18.

​

Everybody is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC.

​

Tickets may be purchased at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/oddfellowsplayhouse/everybody-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins

​

For more information, call (860) 347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

​

Everybody is made possible thanks to support from the City of Middletown; American Savings Foundation; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; The Fund for Greater Hartford; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middlesex United Way; George and Grace Long Foundation; Liberty Bank Foundation; many generous individual donors; and you, supporting youth arts in Connecticut by purchasing a ticket for this performance.

​

Ken Peplowski - Clarinet

​

Tardo Hammer - Piano

​

Martin Wind - Bass

​

Phil Stewart - Drums

​

There can be few readers of The Clarinet who are unfamiliar with the outstanding artistry and career of Ken Peplowski. He is one of the finest jazz instrumentalists on the scene today. Russell Davies of BBC Two hailed him as the greatest living jazz clarinetist. The Siletz Bay Music Festival in Oregon referred to him as “the living Benny Goodman.”1

​

Ken is also one of the most recorded jazz players to date, with over 50 CDs as soloist and nearly 400 as a featured sideman. He has performed with Charlie Byrd, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Hank Jones, Peggy Lee, Bill Charlop, Woody Allen, Benny Goodman and many other legendary musicians. Centered in New York City, Ken travels about half the year playing in clubs, colleges, jazz societies, parties, concert halls and festivals. He is a longtime performer on and consultant to The Jazz Cruise, and in 2013 was elected into the Jazz Cruise Hall of Fame. In addition, Ken is the artistic director of the Newport Beach (California) Jazz Party and the Sarasota (Florida) Jazz Festival, where he was awarded the “Satchmo” award for his “unique and enduring contribution to the living history of jazz.”2 Much of his work on the road is done with his big band or his quartet. Wherever he plays, Ken is received with great admiration by his audiences.

​

Immediately noticeable at a Ken Peplowski performance or on his recordings is his amazing technical fluency. He has complete command of the instrument at every tempo and a rock-solid sense of rhythmic drive in ballads, standard songs, and up-tempo traditional jazz tunes. His sound is full, rich and warm in all registers. When students come to him with an interest in learning how to become jazz players, he starts with the importance of breath and air support and works with them on the rudiments of a pure classic sound and even finger technique.

​

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1960s he heard Robert Marcellus in the Cleveland Orchestra and on recordings, and studied for three months with Ted Johnson, a member of the clarinet section in the orchestra. Ken’s main teacher at this time was Alan Blazer. He also “practiced like crazy.”3 His career in performance started with professional jobs at age 9 in the local polka band that he formed with his brother. This is where he honed his technique and trained his ear. A defining moment in his early musical life was when he bought his first jazz record with money he made playing in the polka band: Stan Getz, More West Coast Jazz (Verve Records, 1956). In 1978, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Band led by Buddy Morrow and went to work on the road. Three years later he moved to New York to begin a career of studio dates, concerts, recording sessions, and international touring. Recognition quickly followed.

​

What sets Ken apart from many other jazz players is his abundance of ideas and an abiding interest in exploring all types of music in performance. Jazz players know that brilliant virtuosity is only part of a rewarding performance, and that collective improvisation is at the heart of jazz music and has been since the earliest years. Ken is a catalyst for much of the dazzling interplay that occurs in his great ensemble jazz. He has a very quick mind and a telepathic rapport with the other musicians on the stand. The result is a rich collaboration that is the hallmark of every performance he gives. In any musical performance, the interaction of the performers is a critical component of a successful musical experience. With a defining emphasis on improvisation, jazz is perhaps explicitly reliant on the spontaneous interaction of the musicians, and, when performed by Ken Peplowski and the musicians in his groups, the results can be transformative. His duo albums with Howard Alden (Concord, CCD-4556, 1993; CCD 4654, 1995 and Pow-Wow on Arbors Records, ARCD 19340, 2007) and Dick Hyman (Live at the Kitano, Victoria Company, 2013) attest to the musical intelligence of two superb musicians playing off each other’s musical ideas.

​

In his performances, Ken has embraced a huge breadth of styles and periods of jazz. For him the entire century of jazz music has become an endless well of possible tunes to play and record. His albums contain traditional jazz tunes, selections from the Great American Songbook, bebop, big band styles, third-stream and avant-garde jazz and even ethnic folk and dance music. There is always a fresh variety of textures and styles. The quintet and quartet albums often include a few duet pieces and even some tunes performed on clarinet unaccompanied. These require a harmonic structure that can be realized and communicated by a single instrument. Occasionally the decision to record a work for clarinet alone happens in the recording studio. Ken likes the spontaneity of the moment and the challenge of creating something special at the moment the recording is made.

​

Lace up those sneakers and join us for the inaugural Reservoir Rush 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 17, 2025 hosted by the East Haddam/Moodus VFW Post 3336. It is a mostly-level course that travels through winding country roads around the lower Moodus Reservoir, and begins and ends at the East Haddam Town Beach (291 EH-Colchester Tpke, Moodus, 06469). Check-in starts at 7:30am, the race starts at 9am, and the kid's fun-run starts at 8:30am. Registration is $40, onsite registration is $50. Fun-run registration is $10 (children 10 yrs and younger). Register by May 1st to receive a shirt. A small processing fee will apply. Click here to register!

​

Showcase your patriotism by wearing your best red, white and blue! Proceeds from this event will benefit The House of Heroes of Connecticut, a non-profit organization that improves the homes of veterans and/or their spouses (https://www.hohct.org). Questions, contact ctvfwpost3336@gmail.com.

​

Join LANDTECH’s Anthony Zemba for a spring bird walk at Haddam Meadows on May 17 at 8:30 AM. Easy 2-mile loop. Rain cancels.

​

Join us for an insightful seminar with speakers Kate Deciccio and Pastor Ryan Young that combines the science of attachment theory, practical relational tools, and biblical principles for a strong, healthy marriage. Whether you're newlyweds or have been married for years, this seminar offers valuable strategies to deepen emotional connection, improve communication, and navigate the challenges of marriage with love and grace.

​

What you’ll learn:

​

• Attachment Theory in Marriage: Discover how early attachment patterns and family history influence your relationship. Learn how to create secure, supportive bonds with your spouse.
• Relational Skill Building: Gain practical tools for effective communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intimacy that help you strengthen your connection without resorting to avoidance or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Building a Christ-Centered Relationship: Learn how to integrate biblical principles into your marriage, reflecting the love and sacrifice of Christ as the ultimate model for loving your spouse.

​

Through a combination of research-backed insights and biblical wisdom, this seminar will empower you to strengthen your marriage and develop relational skills that promote growth, understanding, and unity. Come ready to deepen your connection and create a marriage that thrives emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. We can't wait to see you there!

​

Registration cost includes lunch. We do have free childcare (lunch included for them) available for a limited number of children so be sure to register today!

​

___________________________________________________

​

Kate DeCiccio is a compassionate and experienced professional counselor with a heart for healing and a deep commitment to serving others. Kate has served in ministry for 20 years, helping plant churches with her husband Matt. They are involved in pastoral ministry, leading inner healing retreats, and establishing intentional Christian community.

​

Kate’s passion for integrated health and healing led her to pursue a career in clinical mental health counseling, equipping her to serve in more skillful and knowledgeable ways. Kate has a master’s degree from Liberty University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, is Nationally Board Certified, and is a Certified Trauma Professional.

​

Her journey was further shaped by her desire to offer better resources to the church community for healthy minds, emotions, relationships, and overall well-being in alignment with biblical values. In response to the growing need for competent, biblically sound, integrated health services in churches, Kate founded Time To Restore, an organization dedicated to helping individuals and couples thrive emotionally and relationally. She offers specialized couples counseling and marriage seminars, providing couples with the tools to build strong, healthy relationships rooted in Christian faith.

​

___________________________________________________

​

Rev. Ryan Young is the Founding Pastor of Living Rock Church and has been serving as its Lead Pastor for 37 years. He is happily married to his wife of 40 years, Dale, and has 2 children and 2 grandsons. Pastor Ryan is actively involved in missions both at home in the US and abroad, in Bolivia and Ukraine. He has a burden for the local church as a primary witness of God to a hurting world.

​

Pastor Ryan currently serves on the Juvenile Diversion Board of Clinton, and is back on the board of The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries after previously serving on the board for 12 years. His wife, Dale, has served alongside her husband in many of the ministries of the church, encouraging and strengthening others to live out their full potential in God. In their spare time they enjoy gardening, boating, and spending time with their family.

​

Hand-sown flower, vegetable and garden plants in fresh clean soil for sale by Branford Garden Club members. Come enrich your gardens with new plants and support the Garden Club on Saturday, May 17th 2025. Planting activities for kids included.

​

Cuddle with Goats and Make a New Furry Friend!

​

Saturday, May 17th, 10 am - 1 pm

​

At Lyman Orchards, you can experience the joy of goat cuddles in fun 15-minute sessions that are perfect for animal lovers! You'll have the chance to meet a new furry friend and snap some adorable photos to cherish the moment. These gentle goats are sure to bring a smile to your face as you enjoy their playful nature. Once your goat cuddle time is over, don't forget to visit the Apple Barrel for a delightful shopping experience. It's the perfect way to spend a day surrounded by nature, adorable animals, and delicious local produce!

​

Minors cannot make reservations to handle a goat alone, but can be added as an additional helper to assist an adult handler on the goat walk. There must be at least 1 adult person who will be the handler for each goat.

​

$10 per person

​

 NEW LOCATION: Blackstone Library Front Lawn

​

Stop by the main floor Rotunda to get all your Medicare questions answered by a Medicare Specialist. Theresa Borchetta will be on hand throughout the day, available to help you learn about and navigate the Medicare system.

​

For accommodations of persons with special needs, please call 203-999-4986

​

About Theresa Borchetta  

Working as a Medicare Specialist was a meaningful next step in her career for Theresa. As an ordained UCC pastor, she served churches for 30 years, assisting the community of faith through life’s journey. She is committed to offering people the guidance they needed to navigate the Medicare process. She earned her BA in psychology from CCSU, her Master of Divinity from Colgate, her licensure in Life & Health, and her Medicare Certification through AHIP. As a CT native who lived for two decades in NY, Theresa is an avid Yankees fan. As a self-proclaimed geek, she enjoys cooking, reading, history, and traveling, especially to Ireland.

​

Registration is not required to attend this IN PERSON event.

​

Inside & Outside Craft Fair.  Featuring woodworking, jewelry, baked goods, candles, fabric crafts, home decor, and more.   9am to 2pm.  Plenty of parking!

​

Crafters interested in a space should email:  SJBCraftandTag06405@gmail.com for an application and more information.

​

Spring is here and we all have a touch of “May Fever”. Symptoms are a feverish desire to be outside making our gardens colorful and welcoming places for the season.

​

The Garden Club of Madison's Plant Sale, May 17, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, set against the picturesque backdrop of the historic Deacon John Graves House gardens in Madison, has the antidote to your garden dilemmas. The sale boasts an exceptional variety of perennials, all lovingly grown by GCM members. These aren't your run-of-the-mill garden center finds; the selection includes rare and unusual specimens that have been nurtured and proven to thrive.  Early birds line up for treasures like trilliums, exotic varieties of hellebores, and an array of native plants that are as hardy as they are beautiful. Not to mention the usual garden staples of iris, daisies, lilies, heuchera, hostas and so on.

​

"We love sharing our knowledge and special plants with other experienced and inexperienced gardeners," says Bette Zollshan, a dedicated member of the Garden Club who has been organizing this event for several years.

​

Whether you need a quantity of day lilies to fill a large sunny space, or some unusual ground cover to keep the weeds at bay, this is your one stop. Garden Club members, including Master Gardeners, will be on hand to advise you and share useful tips.

​

Proceeds of the sale go to maintaining the numerous civic gardens we tend in Madison, including East Wharf Seaside Garden, Deacon John Graves Perennial Gardens, DJG Wildflower Walk, Veterans’ and 9/11 Memorial Gardens, the new Education Garden and orchards at Bauer Park, and adding to the 20,000 daffodils the Club has planted throughout town.

​

Please visit our website: www.gcmct.org to read about our involvement in the community and the many ways we spread the joy of gardening and care for our environment.

​

Five gardening tips for right now:

​

1. If possible, adopt “no mow May” allowing flowers to bloom in your lawn for early season pollinators. Even leaving a strip can make a difference.

​

1. Start a compost pile but be careful not to compost weeds.

​

1. Before spring bulbs die back, mark them so you don’t disturb them when adding new plants.

​

1. Allow daffodil “greens” to die back for at least 6 weeks. They are the battery for next year’s blooms.

​

1. Divide fall blooming perennials – for more info: https://gcmct.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GCM-Horticulture-Bulletin-June-2022.pdf

​

Do you know a SHEro? Nominate her!  Women & Family Life Center · SHEro Nomination Form 2025

​

Who is a SHEro?

​

* A SHEro is a woman or girl who inspires growth & change in herself or others.

​

* She is someone who has improved her own life or the lives of others by overcoming adversity, a crisis situation, or who has gone above and beyond to help others.

​

* A SHEro is a woman or girl who is involved in her community, someone who is a volunteer, a pioneer of a program that created change or does something for others in the community.

​

* A SHEro is a woman or girl who is a trailblazer. She is someone who is a leader or innovator who has created change in a community or program.

​

SHEro Award Nomination deadline is Monday, April 28th.

​

SHEros will be awarded on MAY 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM at the First Congregational Church of Madison. Emceeded by Liza Petra of The Guilford Foundation and Branford Community Foundation.

​

 Program for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers, siblings welcome!

​

Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers!

​

Essex Library programs are free and open to the public.  

No registration required.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

On Saturday, May 17, we will be hosting  Memory Reconsidered – A Modest Proposition , an experimental art-nature project set within a lush woodland setting. The various works will be sensitively integrated into the landscape.

​

Guests are invited to arrive at I-Park at one of the following time slots: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and again from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm.

​

After checking in and receiving a map and program guide, you will be transported to the exhibition site, about a 5-minute drive. Guided walks will be on offer or you may simply use your map to explore the trails and installations.

​

To fully experience all the installations can take up to two hours - more if you want to explore the trails. We can propose some shortcuts if you're not up for that. Please wear trail boots or sneakers. In some cases, conditions are moderate to challenging depending on the grades.

​

This event is both a free community engagement initiative as well as an I-Park fundraiser. While there is no admission fee per se, a free will offering of $15 per adult is suggested. All proceeds will benefit our 2026 Composers + Musicians Collaborative Residency.

​

At the end of your visit, we will return you to I-Park – or if you’re up for it, you’re welcome to cross the Eightmile River bridge and take a 25-minute walk back to the I-Park campus to collect your vehicle.

​

Please note that no pets are allowed.

​

For additional information, write events@i-park.org or call 860-873-2468.

​

Important : You will be agreeing to our Visitor Code of Conduct and Photo Release when you register for this event .

​

Photo: Sarah E. Brook, digital rendering of Along Again, cedar and lucite, 2025

​

 Meet the Library of Things: Blackstone has always offered more than books, but do you know how much more? Stop by the library and meet our Library of Things! Funded by the Friends of the Blackstone Library, our collection includes nontraditional library items like a Go-Pro camera, electric guitar, metal detector, lawn games, Nintendo Switch, and more. Play around, test them out, and take them home!

​

Registration is not required to attend this DROP-IN event.

​

Learn how to protect your loved ones, hard-earned money, belongings, and more!

​

You'll Discover:

​

• How to make sure what you've worked hard for goes to the people you love.
• The legal tools every adult needs to protect their assets and wishes if something happens...and how to avoid common mistakes.
• Advantages and disadvantages of wills, living trusts, and more.
• Why you should do everything possible to help your family avoid Connecticut Probate when you die.
• How to make sure what you've worked hard for goes to the people you love.  
• How to access the care you want and need as you age while retaining complete control (and avoid going broke in a nursing home!).
• How to protect an inheritance for kids or grandkids...especially if you have vulnerable beneficiaries, are in a blended family, or are in a second marriage.

​

Register now!  This event is free and educational, but spaces are limited.  Visit MyPlanForTheFuture.com!

​

Cuddle with Goats and Make a New Furry Friend!

​

Saturday, May 17th, 10 am - 1 pm

​

At Lyman Orchards, you can experience the joy of goat cuddles in fun 15-minute sessions that are perfect for animal lovers! You'll have the chance to meet a new furry friend and snap some adorable photos to cherish the moment. These gentle goats are sure to bring a smile to your face as you enjoy their playful nature. Once your goat cuddle time is over, don't forget to visit the Apple Barrel for a delightful shopping experience. It's the perfect way to spend a day surrounded by nature, adorable animals, and delicious local produce!

​

Minors cannot make reservations to handle a goat alone, but can be added as an additional helper to assist an adult handler on the goat walk. There must be at least 1 adult person who will be the handler for each goat.

​

$10 per person

​

 Celebrate 20 Years of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Service!

​

Join us for a special event commemorating two decades of sisterhood , scholarship , and service at The Woodwinds. Let's honor the bonds we've built and the impact we've made together. It's a time to reflect and rejoice. Additionally, we will honor our charter members: Andrea Barge, Pertrinea Cash Deedon, Erica Garcia, Chandira Jenkins, Paula Rice, Cynthia Roque, Pamela Washington, and Terri Williams.

​

Live entertainment. Open Bar. Award Ceremony.

​

Attire: Black Tie

​

In this class learn to create layers of soft pastels to build up a recognizable image or object. Blocking in values from light to dark and understanding light to hard application on paper. In the beginning of class, simple still life set ups will be used i.e. two pieces of fruit in a bowl, etc. The light source and an investigation of color ranges that can be applied to any given object will also be explored. There will be demonstrations of techniques that will help all levels. Pastels are a wonderful opportunity for those who want to continue to hone their drawing skills with the new dimension of color. Finally, fixative spraying will be reviewed including how many layers are necessary. The last two classes will focus on a more complicated still life set up in an effort to create a completed piece of artwork. Instructor will work individually with participants with more pastel experience. Material list available upon registration.

​

Chris Kunze graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Painting/Illustration. He has had a long & successful career in Advertising and Promotion. His illustrations and designs have been used in books, magazines, newspapers, product packaging and logo design.

​

Chris’ fine art has always remained important throughout his career as a commercial artist.

​

He has had many solo and group shows in New York City, Westchester County and lower Connecticut, showcasing his oil paintings, watercolors and illustrations. Chris was part of an ongoing show at the Arthur Kalaher Fine Art in Sag Harbor, NY from 2011-2019. In 2018 he had a solo show of his watercolors at Teatown Lake Reservation.

​

In 2019 Chris began his participation in Arthouse.NYC’s “Healthcare Heroes Show”.

​

He has memorialized several healthcare workers who lost their lives during the height of the Covid pandemic. These oil portraits were given to their families and were on view at the

​

Big Plaza Screen in New York City.

​

Teaching is a passion that has come to the forefront in the past 15 years for Chris. He has been teaching a plethora of subjects among them drawing, oil painting, watercolors, and more at local Westchester art schools. He is currently teaching at Scarsdale Adult School.

​

Chris grew up in Europe and Westchester County. He currently resides in Salem, Connecticut.

​

Hear friends and neighbors share their poems at this special reading event led by Branford’s Poet Laureate Judith Liebmann. Bring a poem of your own if you like and celebrate this literary art while enjoying refreshments, music and good company.

​

Join us in May for a walk around Young’s Pond Park. We are joining forces with the Shoreline Greenway Trail as we explore the historical foundations and walk the carriage trails of what was once Alden M. Young’s estate and his gentleman’s farm.  Members and non-members welcome. 

​

Saturday, May 17th

​

1 PM

​

YOUNG’S POND PARK

​

Blackstone Ave , Branford

​

Rain date May 24

​

Free, please RSVP to programs@branfordhistoricalsociety.org to register or call (203) 488-4828. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

​

Jump-Start your garden now at the Branford Garden Club Plant Sale, this year on the Blackstone Library lawn. 

​

Save the Date: 

​

Saturday May 17th 9:30am - 1:30pm

​

(Raindate Sunday May 18 12-4pm)

​

Because of potential construction around the Branford Town Green, the clubs annual Spring Plants, Flowers & Seedling Sale will be held this year on the front lawn of Blackstone Library at 758 Main St, Branford, CT,

​

Join us for a musical afternoon featuring pianist Carl Cranmer, who will

​

be playing pieces from Scarlatti, Chopin, and Borodin. Presented by the

​

Branford Musical Arts Society.

​

Welcome to the Spring Fling and Silent Auction! Join us at the Chester Meeting House for a night filled with fun, food, music, and amazing finds up for grabs. Get ready to bid on unique items and experiences in our silent auction while enjoying the cheerful atmosphere of Spring. Don't miss out on this exciting in-person event where you can socialize, shop, and support a good cause. See you there!

​

Ticket price includes entrance to event, one drink ticket, food, music, and access to all the wonderful items up for bid.

​

Proceeds from the event benefit our PTO and support school activities and special projects, including a new Fish Tank for CES!

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

 Sip & Pour: A Holistiq Candle-Making Experience

​

Join us for a night of creativity, connection, and candle-making at Holistiq!

​

What to Expect:  

✔ Design Your Own 10oz Candle – Choose from a variety of luxurious scents.  

✔ Memory Candle Option – Honor a loved one with a customized label (send images in advance).  

✔ Complimentary Sangria & Refreshments – Because self-care should be delicious! 🍷🍇  

✔ Games & Good Vibes – Enjoy fun games, R&B playlist and light refreshments while your candles set.  

✔ BYOB – Bring your favorite drink & let the creativity flow! 🍾

​

📍 Location: Holistiq, 122 College St Middletown, CT 06457  

📅 Date & Time: 5/17/25 6:00PM-8:30PM  

🎟️ Limited Spots Available! Secure your seat now!

​

Come sip, pour, and create something special. Tag your friends & let’s make some magic! ✨🕯️

​

#Holistiq #SipAndPour #CandleMaking #SelfCare #MiddletownEvents

​

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Everybody May 15 - 24. All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

​

Everybody is a fast-paced contemporary adaptation of the medieval morality play “Everyman”, in which an individual struggles facing their own death and is forced to confront the meaning of life. Written by contemporary playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (whose most recent play, Purpose, is currently on Broadway), Everybody was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

​

Everybody, which features a cast of 16 performers ages 14 -20, is directed by Hannah Simms. Scenic Design is by Dan Schmidt, Costume Design by Christian Milik, Sound Design by Joseph Getter, Lighting Design by Aaron Westcott, and Properties Design by Pam Lang.

​

Director Simms says “A morality play is an apt choice for a moment in which our national morality is being put to the test. Everybody is a wickedly funny play that explores what morality and mortality look like in our disconnected culture, and this cast of brilliant young actors are tackling it with bravery and sensitivity.”

​

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids and students. “Big Hearted Oddfellow” tickets are available for $25 for anyone who really loves and values theater and its impact on the lives of young people.

​

Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm is a “Pay-What-You-Can” Preview. Performances will be at 7 pm on May 16, 17, 23 and 24, and at 4 pm on Sunday, May 18.

​

Everybody is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC.

​

Tickets may be purchased at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/oddfellowsplayhouse/everybody-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins

​

For more information, call (860) 347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

​

Everybody is made possible thanks to support from the City of Middletown; American Savings Foundation; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; The Fund for Greater Hartford; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middlesex United Way; George and Grace Long Foundation; Liberty Bank Foundation; many generous individual donors; and you, supporting youth arts in Connecticut by purchasing a ticket for this performance.

​

Join our transformative Practice and Talk Meeting, where you can deepen your spiritual journey and connect with a supportive community led by one of Connecticut’s renowned Buddhist teachers, Rev. D. Senpai, M.A.

​

Our meetings uniquely blend the timeless wisdom of classic Buddhism with the compassionate teachings of Shin Buddhism, also known as Buddhism of the Heart. This distinctive approach offers an immersive experience in Buddhist teachings (dharma), meaningful readings and discussions, deep listening practice, voicing the Nembutsu, and cultivating mindfulness—all within a nurturing group setting.

​

Open to everyone , including first-timers and seasoned practitioners, we warmly welcome you to explore and grow with us.

​

Meeting Rules : In order to maintain a harmonious and respectful environment, practice kind speech, be courteous, and abstain from talking about current politics or display or wear political or offensive symbols or imagery. Those unable to follow these rules will be asked to promptly leave.

​

Suggested Donation : $10 -$20 (cash or check) to help cover costs for our Wesleyan expenses, internet services, our extensive outreach efforts, Meetup, and standard operating costs. Checks are payable to BFF of CT. Thank you in advance for your generous support.

​

To learn more, and our Practice & Tak Meetings are a MUST-EXPERIENCE, visit our web site.

​

Join us on May 18 for Open Trails Day! Visitors will be given a trail map and are invited to explore the grounds. Most of our trails are quite gentle and you can spend as little as forty-five minutes or several hours meandering and exploring the flora, fauna and artworks.

​

We will also be hosting  Memory Reconsidered – A Modest Proposition , an experimental art-nature-memory-memorialization project set within a lush woodland setting. Visitors interested in experiencing this art work will be transported to the exhibition site, about a 5-minute drive. At the end of your visit, we will transport you back to I-Park – or if you’re up for it, you’re welcome to cross the Eightmile River bridge and walk back to the I-Park campus.

​

When signing up for tickets, please let us know if you're interested in  Memory Reconsidered – A Modest Proposition  so we can plan accordingly for volunteers and staff.

​

This event is free, however, a free will offering of $10 per adult is suggested to support I-Park's international artists-in-residence program.

​

Please note that no pets are allowed.

​

For additional information, write events@i-park.org or call 860-873-2468.

​

Important : You will be agreeing to our Visitor Code of Conduct and Photo Release when you register for this event .

​

Head on over to Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel Farm Market for a car show!

​

The Cortes Family Car Show will be held on Sunday, May 18th from 11 am - 3 pm. Free for spectators, $5 entry for cars. Enjoy lunch at the Apple Barrel Farm Market Deli or snack on some of our delicious bakery and ice cream products while you check out the cars!

​

Car show supporting CT Block Bullyz, Gears in Heaven, Fuel to Inspire, and CT Modified

​

Awards with trophies.

​

Interested in Registering Your Vehicle? Stay tuned for more information!

​

No alcohol, or substance allowed at the Apple Barrel Farm Market.  

Lyman Orchards is a pet free location, no pets allowed on the property.

​

Note to cars: police will be in the area, no loud music, no 2 step & no burnouts allowed.

​

Calling all Tea Lovers & Jane Austen enthusiasts!

​

It's Jane Austen's 250th Birthday! Step into the world of Pride and Prejudice , Sense and Sensibility , Emma at our Spill the Tea ~ A Jane Austen Afternoon Tea on Sunday, May 18th. Afternoon Tea will take place at the historic Lyman Homestead! Experience an afternoon of Regency elegance at the Lyman Homestead , our very own version of Pemberley. Two Seatings Available, 11 am & 2 pm.

​

Indulge in an exquisite selection of teas from Savvy Tea Gourmet of Madison, perfectly paired with a delectable menu inspired by Jane Austen's time, prepared by the Apple Barrel Farm Market. Enjoy the sounds of classical melodies as you mingle with fellow Austen admirers and discuss your favorite characters, romances, and witty repartee.

​

Food Menu:

​

Quiche, Tea Sandwich, and Scones.

​

Whether you fancy yourself an Elizabeth Bennet, a Mr. Darcy, or even a playful Emma Woodhouse, this is an afternoon you won't want to miss! Bring your closest confidantes for a charming celebration filled with tea, conversation, and the spirit of Jane Austen.

​

Tickets are $38 per person | Advance registration is required. Times available: 11 am & 2 pm

​

Guests will be served in the elegant Lyman Homestead living room.

​

All guests will be seated at tables of 6, with other guests. Seating is limited and tickets will sell quickly. If you wish to sit with other ticket holders, please email npeach@lymanorchards.com to ensure you sit together.

​

NO REFUNDS.

​

To learn more about Savvy Tea visit: https://drinkgreatteamarketplace.com/pages/savvy-tea-gourmet

​

To learn more about Lyman Orchards visit: https://www.lymanorchards.com

​

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort...except, of course, a tea party!"

​

The ticket price includes:

​

• Four tea tastings from Savvy Tea and Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel Farm Market Spring menu.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Beginner workshops are perfect for you to grab your friends, grab a drink and come make tiny trees!

​

Who It’s For: People drawn to shamanic practices seeking d-e-e-p soulful connection

​

What it’s for: Profound connection to the Divine 

​

Through a soft gaze into your eyes, Mountain Flower becomes a vessel through which Source comes to you. In this ceremony attendees sit in a safe, sacred space where they feel unconditionally loved, accepted, and supported. It’s quite common for people to connect with loved ones who’ve crossed the rainbow bridge. Others feel held and seen. Souls are fed. You will feel immediate support from the Divine, sometimes even before the ceremony begins. 

​

95% of the ceremonies Mountain Flower facilitates are downloaded and directed by Source. A master of holding sacred space and calling in the ancestors, through sacred ceremony, she bridges the worlds between body, spirit, the Divine and Earth Mother. Drawing upon her lineage as an indigenous medicine woman, fourth-generation drum maker, and Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, she acts as a channel for ancestral wisdom. She has served the spiritual community since 1999. Mountain Flower is the founder of Intentional Instruments, and a 6-time author, she writes about walking the spiritual path.

​

Your sound bath with crystal bowls and other sacred instruments played by Juls Bacewicz will soothe and reset your nervous system, align your energy centers, and prepare you to receive your message. Juls is the founder / owner of Soul Voyage Sound. She is a musician, sound creator, songwriter, music media creator, life-long learner, educator, and wellness practitioner. Her life purpose is to assist other soul beings on their journey toward wellness and happiness. 

​

Each participant receives:

​

1. A hands-on heart chakra healing from Mountain Flower to remove blockages while heightening your ability to receive a message from the Divine.
2. A heart opening attunement to infuse you with unconditional love and blessings.
3. Mountain Flower notes the visual or auditory channeled message she gets during your hands-on heart chakra healing.
4. A second full sensory message is conveyed through Mountain Flower’s eyes while she sits in front of you with a loving gaze. Oftentimes your guides or loved ones who have crossed over come through. 
5. An audio recording of the visual message Mountain Flower sees during the heart chakra healing with instructions on how to explore and further deepen the connection with what came through.
6. An intuitively guided custom sound bath played for you during your channeled messages by Juls.

​

Attendees Say:

​

• ”An absolutely incredible experience that I will treasure for a lifetime!”
• “I felt connected, transported to a magical place.”
• "As soon as you looked into my eyes, I saw my grandmother who had passed. It was very moving, I went from missing her to feeling joy.”
• “You just healed something I’ve been carrying around my whole life!”
• “This was a life-altering event, it was magical!"
• “I felt like you were pulling stuck stuff out of me."

​

People who've worked with Mountain Flower call her ceremonies:

​

• “Extremely innovative”
• “Deep energy work”
• “Life-changing”
• “Freeing” 

​

***Please arrive 15 minutes EARLY: doors close 5 minutes before the ceremony begins. Mountain Flower goes to great lengths to create and hold a sacred space for you to have the highest vibrational experience possible. The studio is smudged before setting up, all our equipment is smudged before each use, and everyone is smudged before entering our ceremonial space. Please be respectful of the process and arrive early.*** 

​

Wear comfortable clothing; you will be sitting up and lying down. Bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water, or anything else you want to be comfortable. 

​

You can connect with Mountain Flower on Facebook & Instagram at HealingThroughYourStory or her website: www.MTflower.com

​

You can connect with Jules on her website, https://soulvoyagesound.com/, Instagram at Julsbace, and Facebook at Soul Voyage Sound.

​

This 3.5-hour long hands-on workshop will teach you how to make a delicious sourdough wheat country loaf. We will walk you through the process from creating your sourdough starter to the right mixing to bulk fermentation, shaping your dough, scoring, and baking in your oven. You will learn about the benefits of baking with sourdough and how to maintain a sourdough starter. You will mix and shape one bread dough in class to bake the next day at home, and you will score and bake a loaf in class. During dough resting phases, we will offer samples of our Artisan breads for tasting. All baking utensils and ingredients will be supplied, including a sample of our wheat sourdough starter so you can continue baking at your leisure. Total class fee is $130. A registration deposit of $50 will secure your seat in class.

​

Vibe DHHS Season Finale and Alumni Concert

​

Daniel Hand High School

​

May 18th at 2PM

​

DHHS Vibe Season Finale and Alumni Concert

​

VIBE IS 25 YEARS OLD! Join us for this special Alumni celebration and for the season finale performance of DHHS VIBE's award-winning show The Legend of Anne Bonny! This concert will also showcase Alumni, VIBE Student Vocal and Instrumental performances.  

Buy Tickets

​

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Everybody May 15 - 24. All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

​

Everybody is a fast-paced contemporary adaptation of the medieval morality play “Everyman”, in which an individual struggles facing their own death and is forced to confront the meaning of life. Written by contemporary playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (whose most recent play, Purpose, is currently on Broadway), Everybody was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

​

Everybody, which features a cast of 16 performers ages 14 -20, is directed by Hannah Simms. Scenic Design is by Dan Schmidt, Costume Design by Christian Milik, Sound Design by Joseph Getter, Lighting Design by Aaron Westcott, and Properties Design by Pam Lang.

​

Director Simms says “A morality play is an apt choice for a moment in which our national morality is being put to the test. Everybody is a wickedly funny play that explores what morality and mortality look like in our disconnected culture, and this cast of brilliant young actors are tackling it with bravery and sensitivity.”

​

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for kids and students. “Big Hearted Oddfellow” tickets are available for $25 for anyone who really loves and values theater and its impact on the lives of young people.

​

Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm is a “Pay-What-You-Can” Preview. Performances will be at 7 pm on May 16, 17, 23 and 24, and at 4 pm on Sunday, May 18.

​

Everybody is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC.

​

Tickets may be purchased at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/oddfellowsplayhouse/everybody-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins

​

For more information, call (860) 347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

​

Everybody is made possible thanks to support from the City of Middletown; American Savings Foundation; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; The Fund for Greater Hartford; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Middlesex United Way; George and Grace Long Foundation; Liberty Bank Foundation; many generous individual donors; and you, supporting youth arts in Connecticut by purchasing a ticket for this performance.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

In 2007, NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Award winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis formed the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO) for the purpose of keeping important jazz music traditions alive; such as riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and collective New Orleans instrumental polyphony. At the time, Marsalis realized that the New Orleans music community was lacking the infusion of young homegrown talent outside of the great brass band tradition, and chose to form an orchestra that could present traditional, classic, and modern compositions with authenticity. Since that time, UJO has grown into one of the premier large ensembles in the world, releasing three CDs to critical acclaim, and touring locally, nationally, and internationally.

​

In 2008, Marsalis founded the educational program, “Swinging with the Cool School” (a soft introduction to jazz for hip tots and adults), which was used as an experimental form of music therapy at the New Orleans Children Hospital. The Cool School has since expanded to introduce live instrumental jazz to students around the country, with the intent of helping young people develop a relationship with music that has gradually disappeared from mainstream radio and media at large. Through these performances, UJO is able to introduce students (and adults) to the wide emotional range of instrumental music.

​

Since 2021, UJO has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival (JACS) to celebrate New Orleans culture by presenting live performances of musicians, poets, dancers, and Black Masking Indians to local and visiting audiences. JACS Festival also features local food, arts & craft vendors. Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra plan to continue using the great legacy of American music to engage and hopefully inspire the younger generations for many years.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

Enjoy engaging conversation and explore your creativity at our adult coloring group! Coloring is a great way to keep the brain engaged and the body relaxed–plus it’s a great place to make new friends. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies too.

​

Registration is not required to attend this in person event.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Learn a variety of techniques to make rugged landscapes, hills and horizons both representational and abstract. Participants use basic fundamentals of painting to mix, layer colors and make shapes to create endless possible textures integrating painting and collage. These techniques will move your art to another level.

​

Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract.  These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons.  Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work.

​

Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe.  While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as Studio classes.  Upon her return to the states she continued refining her art through classes and workshops at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), The New Art Center in Newton – MA, South Shore Art Center – MA, West Hartford Art League, Creative Arts Workshop/New Haven, CT, Yale University and The British Art Museum.

​

Regina has been included in many juried exhibitions in New England. Thomas shows in private galleries and has private collectors across the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia. Her most recent shows have been at The John Slade Ely House in New Haven, and The Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook where she also holds classes in collage and mixed media art.

​

On Tuesday May 20th the Madison Exchange Club is hosting a funfilled fundraiser to benefit the needs of the Madison Shoreline community. Join us! The day begins with lunch and a Putting Challenge, followed by a 1:00pm Shotgun Scramble which includes a $10,000.00 Hole In One, a Putting Challenge and a chance to participate in a “unique to CT” Golf Ball Cannon Challenge. Play is followed with dinner, open bar, raffle, silent auction and ladies / men / mixed golfing awards. Check www.madisonexchange.org for additional information or contact Vince Dussich (203)506-8888 or Bob Graham (203)415-7653. See you on May 20th

​

Explore different crafts at our Teen Crafting Club!

​

March - Plushie Making

​

April - Paper Flowers & Origami

​

May - Friendship Bracelets

​

Open to Teens age 12 to 18. All materials are provided. Registration required - please call the library at 203-468-3890 or email ekalotai@hagamanlibrary.org.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Learn a variety of techniques to make rugged landscapes, hills and horizons both representational and abstract. Participants use basic fundamentals of painting to mix, layer colors and make shapes to create endless possible textures integrating painting and collage. These techniques will move your art to another level.

​

Regina Thomas’ collage and mixed media art is a mélange of visual stimuli, colors, and shapes involving different genres from the representational to the abstract.  These multi-layered works portray her view of the world, never realistic, injecting her own narratives, metaphors, and icons.  Regina works instinctually, and her desire is to stimulate and intrigue the viewer, make a connection, bringing their own experiences to the work.

​

Regina has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe.  While in London, she attended Richmond University concentrating on the Art Disciplines as well as Studio classes.  Upon her return to the states she continued refining her art through classes and workshops at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), The New Art Center in Newton – MA, South Shore Art Center – MA, West Hartford Art League, Creative Arts Workshop/New Haven, CT, Yale University and The British Art Museum.

​

Regina has been included in many juried exhibitions in New England. Thomas shows in private galleries and has private collectors across the U.S., Europe, South America and Asia. Her most recent shows have been at The John Slade Ely House in New Haven, and The Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook where she also holds classes in collage and mixed media art.

​

This 3.5-hour long hands-on workshop will teach you how to make a delicious sourdough wheat country loaf. We will walk you through the process from creating your sourdough starter to the right mixing to bulk fermentation, shaping your dough, scoring, and baking in your oven. You will learn about the benefits of baking with sourdough and how to maintain a sourdough starter. You will mix and shape one bread dough in class to bake the next day at home, and you will score and bake a loaf in class. During dough resting phases, we will offer samples of our Artisan breads for tasting. All baking utensils and ingredients will be supplied, including a sample of our wheat sourdough starter so you can continue baking at your leisure. Total class fee is $130. A registration deposit of $50 will secure your seat in class.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

Get a free consultation with an attorney from the New Haven County Bar Association at the Hagaman Memorial Library on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. No need to pre-register. 

​

The New Haven County Bar Association’s ASK A LAWYER program is designed to provide members of the community with general legal information; an attorney meets with the participant and provides a free 10-15 minute consultation. If the individual requires additional assistance, they are referred to our Lawyer Referral Service or a social service agency. 

​

No appointment is necessary, consultations are given on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Extra parking for evening and weekend library events is available in the East Haven Town Hall parking lot on 250 Main Street (across the street from the library), in the KeyBank parking lot next to the library (after 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays and after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays) and in the Stop and Shop lot behind the library, accessible from Messina Drive.

​

Learn how to protect your loved ones, hard-earned money, belongings, and more!

​

You'll Discover:

​

• How to make sure what you've worked hard for goes to the people you love.
• The legal tools every adult needs to protect their assets and wishes if something happens...and how to avoid common mistakes.
• Advantages and disadvantages of wills, living trusts, and more.
• Why you should do everything possible to help your family avoid Connecticut Probate when you die.
• How to make sure what you've worked hard for goes to the people you love.
• How to access the care you want and need as you age while retaining complete control (and avoid going broke in a nursing home!).
• How to protect an inheritance for kids or grandkids...especially if you have vulnerable beneficiaries, are in a blended family, or are in a second marriage.

​

Register now! This event is free and educational, but spaces are limited. Visit MyPlanForTheFuture.com!

​

 Scottish Country Dances are energetic and fun. Learn the lively jigs, reels and more sedate strathspeys of Scotland. Come join us! Beginners are welcome. No partner necessary. Wear well-fitting, soft soled shoes that won’t fly off your feet. Scottish dancing is energetic and fun and is practiced all over the world. You don't need to be Scottish to dance Scottish. First 2 classes are free, then $5/week.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

 The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

 Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​

Join us for the opening our new exhibit celebrating the life and work of distinguished artist Howard Fussiner (1923–2006).  Throughout his career, Fussiner was featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across New York, New Haven, and New England, including a major thirty-year retrospective at the Munson Gallery in 1990.

​

​

His paintings and prints are held in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Slater Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

​

​

Curated by Judy Birke this exhibition and sale will run through August 31. The venue is accessible 24/7 with a lobby concierge onsite.

​

Conflict management training focuses on developing the skills and techniques to resolve disagreements or disputes constructively. It’s valuable for improving communication, reducing stress, and fostering collaboration in the workplace or other group settings. The training typically covers various approaches and methods to address conflicts and turn them into opportunities for positive change.

​

Our one day workshop in Conflict Management and Communication Skills immerses you in the most advanced conflict management tools, strategies and practices applicable today. You will gain hands on practice on proven frameworks, go through simulations and exercises that will train you to be highly effective professional and leader, starting day one.  

Please note: Conflict management is a 1 day training program.

​

(Friday) Weekday Batch  

(Saturday) Weekend Batch

​

Key Features:

​

• 8 Hours of intense classroom training
• Course Completion Certificate
• Our trainers are highly qualified, have 10+ years of real-world experience and will provide you with an engaging learning experience
• All training classes are guaranteed to run, whether they are classroom, Live virtual or in-house
• Real-World Simulations and Case Studies prepared by the industry expert
• 15 Assessments and 13 Recall Quizzes
• 11 Comprehensive Assignments

​

Benefits of Conflict Management Training:

​

• Improved interpersonal relationships
• Better teamwork and collaboration
• Reduced workplace stress and tension
• Enhanced decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• A more positive organizational culture

​

What you’ll learn?

​

1. Increase your effectiveness in managing conflict.
2. Leverage potential conflict situations as opportunities for critical conversations that enhance work relationships.
3. Gain confidence in holding difficult conversations calmly and assertively.
4. Manage difficult situations proactively.
5. See growth in your overall performance
6. Build trust and credibility with colleagues and team members
7. Identify common responses to conflicts in terms of behavior, thoughts and attitude
8. Explore Aggressive, Passive and Assertive approaches and the consequence of each response
9. Learn effective conflict resolution methods and best practices for managing conflicts

​

Course Curriculum

​

Conflicts

​

• The intention behind the conflict
• The cause and effect of the conflict
• How did it happen
• The consequences of the conflict  

Mindset Change

​

• Importance for change
• Getting rid of old habits
• Various styles of employees  

The 5-step strategy in implementing the blueprint for Conflict Resolution

​

• Self-Awareness and Self-Management
• Emotions
• Conflicting Styles
• Conflicting Roles
• Conflicting Resources  

Building and Sustaining Relationships with Colleagues

​

• Breaking Barriers to Effective Communication in a Cross Cultural Diverse Environment
• The Mastery of Building Rapport at the Workplace
• Build Trust and Confidence amongst supervisors, colleagues and peers

​

We also provide Corporate/In-House training at any remote location, If you have group participants. It can be conducted on your company's premises on your preferred dates.

​

Looking forward to seeing you on board.

​

Contact us:  

Call us +1 (570) 630 9318  

Email : helen@shinebrightx.us

​

Conflict management training focuses on developing the skills and techniques to resolve disagreements or disputes constructively. It’s valuable for improving communication, reducing stress, and fostering collaboration in the workplace or other group settings. The training typically covers various approaches and methods to address conflicts and turn them into opportunities for positive change.

​

Our one day workshop in Conflict Management and Communication Skills immerses you in the most advanced conflict management tools, strategies and practices applicable today. You will gain hands on practice on proven frameworks, go through simulations and exercises that will train you to be highly effective professional and leader, starting day one.  

Please note: Conflict management is a 1 day training program.

​

(Friday) Weekday Batch  

(Saturday) Weekend Batch

​

Key Features:

​

• 8 Hours of intense classroom training
• Course Completion Certificate
• Our trainers are highly qualified, have 10+ years of real-world experience and will provide you with an engaging learning experience
• All training classes are guaranteed to run, whether they are classroom, Live virtual or in-house
• Real-World Simulations and Case Studies prepared by the industry expert
• 15 Assessments and 13 Recall Quizzes
• 11 Comprehensive Assignments

​

Benefits of Conflict Management Training:

​

• Improved interpersonal relationships
• Better teamwork and collaboration
• Reduced workplace stress and tension
• Enhanced decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• A more positive organizational culture

​

What you’ll learn?

​

1. Increase your effectiveness in managing conflict.
2. Leverage potential conflict situations as opportunities for critical conversations that enhance work relationships.
3. Gain confidence in holding difficult conversations calmly and assertively.
4. Manage difficult situations proactively.
5. See growth in your overall performance
6. Build trust and credibility with colleagues and team members
7. Identify common responses to conflicts in terms of behavior, thoughts and attitude
8. Explore Aggressive, Passive and Assertive approaches and the consequence of each response
9. Learn effective conflict resolution methods and best practices for managing conflicts

​

Course Curriculum

​

Conflicts

​

• The intention behind the conflict
• The cause and effect of the conflict
• How did it happen
• The consequences of the conflict  

Mindset Change

​

• Importance for change
• Getting rid of old habits
• Various styles of employees  

The 5-step strategy in implementing the blueprint for Conflict Resolution

​

• Self-Awareness and Self-Management
• Emotions
• Conflicting Styles
• Conflicting Roles
• Conflicting Resources  

Building and Sustaining Relationships with Colleagues

​

• Breaking Barriers to Effective Communication in a Cross Cultural Diverse Environment
• The Mastery of Building Rapport at the Workplace
• Build Trust and Confidence amongst supervisors, colleagues and peers

​

We also provide Corporate/In-House training at any remote location, If you have group participants. It can be conducted on your company's premises on your preferred dates.

​

Looking forward to seeing you on board.

​

Contact us:  

Call us +1 (570) 630 9318  

Email : helen@shinebrightx.us

​

Conflict management training focuses on developing the skills and techniques to resolve disagreements or disputes constructively. It’s valuable for improving communication, reducing stress, and fostering collaboration in the workplace or other group settings. The training typically covers various approaches and methods to address conflicts and turn them into opportunities for positive change.

​

Our one day workshop in Conflict Management and Communication Skills immerses you in the most advanced conflict management tools, strategies and practices applicable today. You will gain hands on practice on proven frameworks, go through simulations and exercises that will train you to be highly effective professional and leader, starting day one.  

Please note: Conflict management is a 1 day training program.

​

(Friday) Weekday Batch  

(Saturday) Weekend Batch

​

Key Features:

​

• 8 Hours of intense classroom training
• Course Completion Certificate
• Our trainers are highly qualified, have 10+ years of real-world experience and will provide you with an engaging learning experience
• All training classes are guaranteed to run, whether they are classroom, Live virtual or in-house
• Real-World Simulations and Case Studies prepared by the industry expert
• 15 Assessments and 13 Recall Quizzes
• 11 Comprehensive Assignments

​

Benefits of Conflict Management Training:

​

• Improved interpersonal relationships
• Better teamwork and collaboration
• Reduced workplace stress and tension
• Enhanced decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• A more positive organizational culture

​

What you’ll learn?

​

1. Increase your effectiveness in managing conflict.
2. Leverage potential conflict situations as opportunities for critical conversations that enhance work relationships.
3. Gain confidence in holding difficult conversations calmly and assertively.
4. Manage difficult situations proactively.
5. See growth in your overall performance.
6. Build trust and credibility with colleagues and team members.
7. Identify common responses to conflicts in terms of behavior, thoughts and attitude.
8. Explore Aggressive, Passive and Assertive approaches and the consequence of each response.
9. Learn effective conflict resolution methods and best practices for managing conflicts.

​

Course Curriculum

​

Conflicts

​

• The intention behind the conflict
• The cause and effect of the conflict
• How did it happen
• The consequences of the conflict  

Mindset Change

​

• Importance for change
• Getting rid of old habits
• Various styles of employees  

The 5-step strategy in implementing the blueprint for Conflict Resolution

​

• Self-Awareness and Self-Management
• Emotions
• Conflicting Styles
• Conflicting Roles
• Conflicting Resources  

Building and Sustaining Relationships with Colleagues

​

• Breaking Barriers to Effective Communication in a Cross Cultural Diverse Environment
• The Mastery of Building Rapport at the Workplace
• Build Trust and Confidence amongst supervisors, colleagues and peers

​

We also provide Corporate/In-House training at any remote location, If you have group participants. It can be conducted on your company's premises on your preferred dates.

​

Looking forward to seeing you on board.

​

Contact us:  

Call us +1 (570) 630 9318  

Email : helen@shinebrightx.us

​

The newest gallery exhibition at Guilford Art Center, “Dear Mother,” will present artworks which honor our relationship to the natural world through a variety of mediums and practices. This exhibition will explore and embrace our most ancient connections through one of our most human behaviors – artmaking.

​

  The exhibition will be open May 2 – June 1, 2025. Over 100 works will be included by local artists, including painting, photography, drawing, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, woodcut, mixed media, and encaustic.

​

  The community is invited to the Welcoming Reception on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4pm. This event is free and open to all.

​

The GAC gallery is free to enter and open 7 days a week. Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The Shop, which carries handcrafted work by hundreds of artists, is also open. 

​

Guilford Art Center is located at 411 Church Street, Guilford. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

​