Planning for long-term care at Cragin Memorial Library
COLCHESTER — On Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m., Aldo Pantano from the CT Partnership for Long-Term Care, with the State Office of Policy & Management, will give a virtual presentation explaining all the things you need to know when planning for long-term care.
The program is best for people ages 40 to 65. Visit https://tinyurl.com/yxznvna7 for more information or to register. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For further information, call 860-537-5752.
DEEP shares fall foliage forecast for autumn 2020
STATEWIDE — With the longest fall foliage season in New England, Connecticut is poised to provide an unbeatable backdrop for months of seasonal fun. Visit www.CTvisit.com for more information.
Fall Foliage Forecast: Due to dry conditions this summer, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is predicting leaf peepers will get to enjoy colors sooner—and for a longer period of time this year.
“Current conditions are setting the stage for an earlier start to the fall foliage season, with ‘peak color’ happening not all at once, but lasting several weeks in parts of the state,” said Chris Martin, Connecticut State Forester. “Only a few regions of the world have seasonal displays of color like New England—and Connecticut offers some of the most diverse tree species in the region, which means a wider array of colors—yellow, bronze, orange, red and purple—for all to enjoy longer.”
Visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Forestry/Foliage/Connecticuts-Fall-Foliage to follow DEEP’s week-by-week foliage finder. The latest information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 response, including guidance on face coverings and social distancing, as well as details about the state’s travel advisory, is available at www.ct.gov/Coronavirus.
Open Trails and Plein Air Paint-Out taking place at I-Park
EAST HADDAM — An annual tradition at I-Park, this year’s Open Trails and Plein Air Paint-Out will feature access to art/nature trails, live music and interactive crafts for children. The free event hosts local painters and other visual artists on-site to create landscape paintings al fresco.
Visitors can view the artists at work while meandering the grounds and listening to live music drifting through the landscape. This will be the first year that we will also have a children’s creation station available so that artists of all ages can bring new masterpieces to life. The event will run from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at I-Park, 428 Hopyard Road. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 13, at the same time.
Landscape painters from throughout the region will be stationed around the grounds, capturing the woods, fields, pond and other interesting natural and man-made views. This event captures the interplay between the natural world and that same view filtered through the paintbrush of the artist. That confluence of art and nature is an important element in I-Park programming.
A local band will play live music in the Outdoor Performance Area from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests are welcome to sit and listen to the music or even bring a picnic lunch.
Physically-distanced outdoor tables, art supplies and inspiration will be available to help little makers tap into their creative juices on the front lawn. All supplies will be single-use, to avoid cross contamination. More advanced young artists are also welcome to set-up easels on the land.
Open only for select public events, to ensure the privacy of resident artists, I-Park’s campus and many of its trails will be open for strolling, hiking and exploring throughout the event. Visitors are offered the pleasure of discovering the property’s confluence of woods, fields, waterways and stone walls — as well as an abundance of site-responsive artworks that have been installed in the landscape since I-Park’s founding in 2001.
This is a free family-friendly event, though reservations are required due to state guidelines. To learn more, visit i-park.org. Reserve your space via Eventbrite. If you are an artist, email events@i-park.org to reserve your spot. For additional information, or if you have any questions, write events@i-park.org or call 860-873-2468. Please note that due to the fragility of the artworks and certain natural features, pets are never permitted at I-Park.
Driving Route 9 performing at Marlborough Arts Center
MARLBOROUGH — The Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main St., is holding the next concert in its summer series on Sept. 12 and features a new group for the center, Driving Route 9.
Fronted by Becca Gripp of Wilmington, Delaware and Barry O’Doherty of Donegal County, Ireland with Jim David on drums and Geoff Cox on whistle, this band hails from Southeast Connecticut and is currently flourishing along the East Coast. They create an Irish-American experience unlike any other, a contemporary folk feel with an upbeat and Celtic twist.
The concert will be held on the front lawn of the Marlborough Arts Center, starting at 2 p.m. on Sept. 12. There is a rain date of Sept. 13, again at 2 p.m. People should plan on bringing their own chairs/blankets to sit on and any refreshments they wish. Social distancing will be in place and people must wear masks.
Troop 72 invites children to Scouting Adventure Day
COLCHESTER — All children ages five and older are invited to the Troop 72 Scouting Adventure Day. Colchester Scout Troop 72 is hosting the annual outdoor adventure skills day on Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Pond, 292 Halls Hill Road.
Scouting-aged youth and siblings, both boys and girls, are invited. They will have the opportunity to throw tomahawks, shoot arrows with a certified instructor, learn canoeing skills, enjoy field games and see other demonstrations.
Troop 72 Scouts will be demonstrating several skills throughout the day. This will be a hands-on event for all participants. Contact Troop Chairman at letendrej@sbcglobal.net for more information.
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral presents drive-thru festival
HARTFORD — The St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral’s 47th annual festival will continue as a drive-thru event, offering an abbreviated menu on Sept. 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 20, from noon to 5 p.m.
Full dinners include pastitsio, souvlaki and lamb shank. Also available are freshly sliced gyro, spinach pie, cheese pie, Greek salad, and loukoumades, rice pudding and baklava. Pre-ordering and pre-paying by noon on Sept. 17 is recommended because quantities are limited. To guarantee your order, email elaine@stgeorgecathedral.org or call 860-956-7586, option 5. St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral is located at 433 Fairfield Ave.
Out Film CT goes virtual for Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival
AREA — Out Film CT, which produces Connecticut’s longest-running screen festival, announced the 33rd Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival will run from Oct. 2 through 10. Acknowledging the importance of putting audience safety and comfort first, the festival will be presented in a virtual format of screenings and interactive Q&A opportunities.
“Since its inception, the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival has been about sharing LGBTQ stories with our community and its allies,” said Festival Director Shane Engstrom. “With the uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have switched to a virtual format that will allow our audience to safely experience more movies than ever before. With this shift, we will be able to screen more full-length features, documentaries, and short films – well over 100 movies in total.”
Engstrom said they are continuing to look into drive-ins and other in-person opportunities, provided they can safely accommodate an audience. In addition to the popular Opening Night (Friday, Oct. 2), Centerpiece (Wednesday, Oct. 7), and Closing Night (Saturday, Oct. 10) films, the 33rd Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival will feature an expanded slate of short films. In addition to Gay, Lesbian, Trans/Non-Binary, Youth, and International shorts, there will be all-new programs of Drag/Cross-Dressing, Bisexual, Queer People of Color, and Documentary shorts. There will also be an inaugural program of “Connecticut Connections” shorts featuring films with filmmakers, actors or locations associated with the Nutmeg State.
Visit www.OutFilmCT.org for the full schedule and lineup of films, which will be announced in September. Ticket sales will open after Labor Day.
Ticket prices are as follows. Individual tickets: $8 (for features, documentaries, or shorts programs). Five-Show Pass: $30 (a $40 value, for features, documentaries, or shorts programs). “All Shorts” Pass: $40 (a $96 value, includes viewing all 12 shorts programs). Festi-Pass: $100 (a $224 value, includes all features, documentaries and shorts programs).
Another innovation for 2020 is that tickets will be good for each virtual program at the stated start time or up to three days later.
Ticket-buyers will be provided the option to purchase any of the above tickets or passes at a “Household” rate (50-percent over the posted individual ticket or pass price) as a means of showing support for the festival and its mission to provide high-quality LGBTQ entertainment.
East Hampton Senior Center releases update
EAST HAMPTON — The East Hampton Senior Center, 105 Main St., is offering the following events. Visit www.easthamptonct.gov or call 860-267-4426 for more information. The center continues to be closed, although staff is available via phone and email at seniorcenter@easthamptonct.gov, during normal business hours.
Schedules and programs have changed significantly; the center is developing virtual meetings and programming for those with internet access. In addition, the center has expanded its email newsletter and continues to mail out monthly newsletters. If not receiving either, call the center to receive a copy.
Virtual Lunch Bunch: Bring your lunch and good conversation every other Monday at 12:30 p.m. for an hour, via Zoom. Guest speakers will appear monthly. The next date is Sept. 28.
Are you Interested in crafting? The center is looking to prepare craft kits to be picked up at the Senior Center. The kit will have everything you would need to make a particular art item. This will be via Zoom. Call with thoughts and ideas.
Weekly virtual events are offered. Bingo via Zoom, by invitation. Meet up with your friends on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Call the center for more information.
YOGAWith Kitch via Zoom, by invitation: Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. Join Kitch for a seated YOGA session.
Writing Our Lives to Open Our Hearts: Led by Elizabeth Thomas. Call the center or email jewing@easthamptonct.gov or ethomas@easthamptonct.gov for more information.
Belltown Steppers: Every other Thursday, from 9 to 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. The Senior Center staff challenges you to challenge yourself. What this looks like is up to you. This event is all in the name of fun and good health. No pressure, and you set your own pace. Just keep track of your daily steps using a Fit Bit or tracker, or simply record the amount of time you spend walking. Email seniorcenter@easthamptonct.gov if you would like to participate. The next meeting is Sept. 10.
Volunteer Shopping: The Senior Center has instituted a shopping program where a volunteer will shop for you. You can either call in your list to the Senior Center at 860-267-4426 or email your list to Jewing@easthampton.gov. Your list must include your name, address, phone number and email if you have one, along with a complete shopping list. The shopper will call you before the drop off to let you know the cost of the groceries. You can write out a check for the amount, payable to the Town of East Hampton. The volunteer will drop off the groceries at your door and pick up the check in a pre-arranged designated spot. The volunteers are from the Community Emergency Response Team and other community members.
Pen Pals: The center staff will match you with a pal who you can write to, back and forth. It may be a senior center friend or someone from the community. Staff will start to collect writing friends and share your address with them. Staff will supply all you need to participate. Call the center to sign up or for more information.
