The Bread Box Theater Show
WILLIMANTIC — The Bread Box Folk Theater, located at 220 Valley St., will present Jen Chapin Duo and Kerri Powers in a double-billed show on Sunday, Oct. 14.
Chapin’s music is urban folk soul. Sharing the bill with Chapin is American roots and soul singer/guitarist Powers. The show begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at The Willimantic Food Coop, 91 Valley St. Out of town patrons can call 860-429-4220 for reservations. All proceeds benefit The Covenant Soup Kitchen & Emergency Food Pantry.
University Hour Lectures
WILLIMANTIC — Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., is hosting a variety of University Hour events that are free and open to the public. The series of guest lectures and performances occurs on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. in locations across campus.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Student Center Theatre, Professor James Lawler of Pace University will share a recent project that uses augmented reality to improve the performance of students with developmental and learning disabilities, including several videos he produced to document the process. AR is a view of a real-world environment with elements that are “augmented” by computer-generated perceptions.
On Oct. 24 in the Student Center Theatre, a presentation will advocate for a transformation of
Puerto Rico
‘s electric grid, with rooftop solar communities that pool available resources to operate as microgrids. The human suffering caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico has been immense. The catastrophe exposed the lack of maintenance to the grid and the lack of environmental planning.
On Oct. 31 in the Student Center Theatre, Winona LaDuke of the Anishinaabe tribe, an internationally renowned environmentalist, Native rights advocate, author and former vice-presidential candidate for the Green Party in the United States, will discuss restoring systems that have long been considered sacred. LaDuke works on issues of climate change, renewable energy, sustainable development, food systems and environmental justice. This press release was provided by Jordan Corey.
Eastern Hosts Concerts
WILLIMANTIC — The music program at Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., will hold concerts in October. All concerts will be performed in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall. Admission for all concerts is free. Donations are gratefully accepted at the door.
On Oct. 13 at 2:30 p.m., the Eastern Wind Ensemble will be joined by members of the Opera Workshop to present their fall concert “Art of Song.” The concert will feature performances from influential composers such as Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The program also includes performances from Eastern faculty, including music professor and soprano vocalist Emily Riggs, who will perform Samuel Barber’s timeless “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.”
On Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m., the Eastern Concert Band will celebrate the life and music of iconic American composer, conductor and pianist Leonard Bernstein with their concert “Bernstein at 100.”
On Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m., YouTube sensation Derek Brown will showcase his unique talent of saxophone playing with beatboxing and vocals in a cross-genre performance. The following day, Brown will conduct a masterclass where he will share his experiences as a growing YouTuber and performer. This press release was provided by Jolene Potter.
Tag Sale
WILLIMANTIC — A tag sale at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., will take place Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The repair cafe will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring broken small appliances, ripped clothing, etc. and skilled volunteers will be available to help you repair your items. Visit www.churchw.org or call 860-423-6827 for more information.
Cabaret Musical
WILLIMANTIC — The theatre program at Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., will present the musical “Cabaret” from Oct. 18 to 29 in the Proscenium Theatre of the Fine Arts Instructional Center.
Directed by Nichola Johnson with musical direction by Anthony Pandolfe, “Cabaret” is a love story set in the turmoil of pre-World War II Germany.
The dates are Oct. 18, 19, 26, 27, at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 21 and 28 at 4 p.m., and Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are free for Eastern students; $5 for other students and groups of 10 or more; $10 for Eastern faculty, staff, alumni and senior citizens; and $20 for the general public. Phone the box office at 860-465-5123 or email theatreboxoffice@easternct.edu for reservations. This press release was provided by Jolene Potter.
Latin American And Caribbean Conference
WILLIMANTIC — Eastern Connecticut State University, 83 Windham St., will host its third Latin American and Caribbean Studies Conference on Friday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center Theatre. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration will occur at 8:30 a.m.
The conference will consist of four panels discussing a variety of topics, from military regimes during the Cold War to modern day media portrayals of immigration. The event will culminate with a keynote presentation by Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert of Vassar College, who will speak on the recovery of the forests of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
The first panel includes book talks by Eastern Professors Mary Kenny and Dennis Canterbury, who recently authored books on Brazilian Quilombos, Afro-Brazilian settlements; and neoextractivism, respectively. The second panel, starting at 10 a.m., is titled “Cold War Politics: Latin America and Beyond” and feature presentations by professors Patrick Vitale and Joan Meznar.
The third panel, starting at 11 a.m., is titled “The Comical and the Serious: On Latino Identities in the United States” and features presentations by professors Miriam Chirico and Isabel Logan. The fourth panel, starting at noon, features Eastern students in a presentation titled “The DREAMER’s Dream: Media Narratives and their Impact on the Immigrant Rights Movement.”
The keynote presentation by visiting professor Paravisini-Gebert will begin at 1 p.m. Each panel will conclude with a Q&A session where the conference’s many scholars and presenters may be addressed.
Contact conference organizers Christine Garcia at garciachris@easternct.edu or Ricardo Pérez at perezr@easternct.edu for further information. This press release was written by Michael Rouleau.
Walktober Mountain Bike Ride
HAMPTON — The Quiet Corner Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association is holding free guided mountain bike rides at Goodwin State Forest as part of The Last Green Valley’s Walktober series. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. The rain date is Oct. 14. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. at 23 Potter Road. An off-road bike and helmet are required.
These rides are open to all levels and families and beginners are welcome. Groups will be divided according to distance, pace and ability in order to cater to various experience levels. Trails range from beginner level single track and cart roads to challenging technical terrain.
Visit www.facebook.com/QuietCornerNEMBA/ or email QuietCornerNEMBA@gmail.com for more information.
Mosquitoes Test Positive For Virus
HAMPTON — The State Mosquito Management Program announced that mosquitoes trapped in Hampton on Sept. 19 and North Stonington on Sept. 26 have tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, virus. This represents the first detections of EEE-positive mosquitoes identified in the state by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station this year. In addition, West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes have been identified in 65 sites in 53 Connecticut towns. There are no reported human or equine cases of EEE virus this season but 17 human cases of WNV infection have been reported in Connecticut so far this year.
Mosquitoes are still active, and EEE virus and West Nile virus continue to circulate in Connecticut, said Dr. Theodore Andreadis, Director of the CAES. He encourages residents to take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when biting mosquitoes are most active.
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious viral disease in people and horses. On average, there are six human cases reported each year in the United States. The mortality rate of hospitalized patients is one-third and approximately one-half of survivors suffer from permanent neurological damage. In Connecticut, outbreaks of EEE have occurred sporadically in horses since 1938 and the first locally-acquired human case and fatality was reported in the fall of 2013.
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in the United States and reemerges every summer in Connecticut. One hundred fifty-one human cases of West Nile virus, including 3 deaths, have been diagnosed in Connecticut residents since 2000. Visit www.ct.gov/mosquito or http://www.ct.gov/caes/mosquitotesting for more information.
Little Free Library
COVENTRY — Celebrating Emy’s Story Time Little Free Library has been added to the Coventry landscape. Located on the grounds of Second Congregational Church at 1746 Boston Turnpike, between the Church and the Community House, this mini barn library is offering a free book exchange for children and teens.
This Little Free Library was recently dedicated to the memory of story time with Emalyn Doris Heimall, by her family, and joins the movement to share books and create a community of readers. The motto is: Take a book, share it by returning it to any Little Library or passing it on to a friend, and give books.
Chocolate Gala
WILLIMANTIC — Windham Theatre Guild’s 18th annual chocolate gala and auction will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main St. The evening features chocolate desserts, wines for tasting, entertainment and items for a live and silent auction.
Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple. For online auction information or chocolate gala reservations, call 860-423-2245.
Mansfield Pup Crawl
STORRS — The Mansfield Downtown Partnership invites residents and visitors to the Mansfield Pup Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 13. Participants and their four-legged friends will meet on Betsy Paterson Square, 2 Dog Lane, at 9:30 A.M., for a guided walk through downtown Storrs. This event is free and open to the public. Donations for the Friends of Mansfield Animal Shelter will be accepted.
The walk will be approximately 1.5 miles and will begin and end at Paterson Square. There will be fun and educational stops along the way, which will take participants through Downtown Storrs and into the Albert E. Moss Sanctuary, a natural preserve owned by the Town of Mansfield.
The Partnership welcomes well-behaved dogs who are comfortable being in a setting with many people and other dogs. All dogs must be leashed and up-to-date with their shots. Owners must be prepared to clean-up after their dogs as needed. The Mansfield Pup Crawl will take place rain or shine.
Parking is available in the Downtown Storrs Parking Garage, which is free for the first two hours and $1 per hour thereafter, with a daily maximum charge of $8. The Mansfield Pup Crawl is a part of The Last Green Valley’s Walktober. Visit www.mansfieldct.gov/DowntownPartnership for more information.
The Rocky Horror Show
WILLIMANTIC — The Windham Theatre Guild presents The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien as a special event at the Burton Leavitt Theatre. No outside props are allowed. Participation bags will be for sale at the performance.
The Rocky Horror Show runs Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main St.
Ticket prices are $22 for adults and $19 for students/seniors, and $14 for children under 12. All UCONN, ECSU & QVCC students, with ID, pay the discounted price of $14. Group discounts are also available.
For reservations and information, call the Windham Theatre Guild at 860-423-2245 or buy your tickets at the door.
Harvest Dinner
HAMPTON — The Hampton Congregational Church, 263 Main St., will host a harvest dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. For tickets and information, email hcc06247@gmail.com or call 860-455-9677.
The meal includes roasted pork or vegetarian stuffed squash with rosemary roasted potatoes, apple glazed carrots, green salad, drinks and homemade desserts. Tickets are $11 for adults and $5 for children. Children under five attend for free.
Things That Go Bump In the Night
COVENTRY — Get into the spirit of the season with ‘Things that Go Bump in the Night’ at the Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South St.
Shiver and shudder through a special candlelight tour that will take you room-by-room, all the way up to the dark and dreary attic. Hear the traditional, long-standing Homestead ghost stories and the Hale staff’s spooky encounters, as featured on the Syfy channel’s Ghost Hunters.
The program will be presented on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 11 and 12, and again on Oct. 18 and 19. This tour will include creaks and cold spots and is not recommended for young souls. Tours begin at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served following the tour. Admission is $25 for the general public and $20 for CTL members. Reservations are required by emailing hale@cltandmarks.org or calling 860-742-6917. The photograph by Nick Lacy was provided courtesy of Connecticut Landmarks.
Joshua’s Trust Events
AREA — Joshua’s Trust is hosting the following events. Visit http://joshuastrust.org for more information. Email activities@joshuastrust.org to sign up.
Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. Josias Byles Sanctuary, Ashford. Join Marian Matthews on this walk to learn about this area’s natural history including the human impact. Children over age five and dogs on leashes are welcome.
Oct. 20, 2 to 4 p.m. Atwood Farm, Mansfield. Thirsty for cider as your great-grandparents drank it? Join Lesley Sweeney and family as they work their cider press on some of the farm’s apples. Enjoy the cider while you visit this late 19th Century farm with weaver’s cottage, barn, pigsty, smokehouse and more.
Oct. 20 and Nov.3, 8:30 a.m. Columbia Lake. Duck migration search. Meet at Columbia Lake Beach parking lot where local birders Michael Curtis and Dave Parry will start the search. The group will then move on to other locations. Bring binoculars. Children over five welcome. No dogs. Rain dates: Oct. 27 and Nov. 10.
Bulbs For Fall Planting
MANSFIELD CENTER — The Garden Gate Club of Mansfield will join the Windham Garden Club in hosting Nancy MacKinnon from Ballek’s Garden Center on Monday, Oct. 15, at 7:15 p.m. at the Buchanan Auditorium of the Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Road.
MacKinnon’s talk will be on bulbs for fall planting. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting. Email Renie Steinway at reniesteinway@gmail.com for more information.
Pumpkins For A Purpose
COVENTRY — First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main St., will take place through Oct. 31 from noon to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
The church lawn will transform into a pumpkin patch with hundreds of different types of pumpkins, specialty gourds and fall decor for sale. The church partners with a farm located on a Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico that employs local Native Americans. All proceeds support the community and local church missions.
A pumpkin activity for children and bake sale will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 21. For more information, call 860-742-8487.
Dementia
Caregivers Support Group
WILLIMANTIC — Caring for a loved one with dementia is not easy. A caregivers support group can provide emotional, educational and social support. Topics to be discussed are communication techniques, caregiver support, benefits of activities, stages of the disease, family dynamics, safety issues, and more.
Hartford
HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging will offer a free caregivers support group on the third Tuesday of the month at Windham Hospital, Johnson Room, 112 Mansfield Ave. The facilitator will be Adrianne DeVivo, dementia specialist, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. This group is sponsored by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Seating is limited and registration is required. To RSVP, call DeVivo a t 860-456-6877.
