Open house taking place at Horizon Wings
ASHFORD – Horizon Wings, 9 Sand Hill Road, is hosting an open house on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tour the aviaries and see 16 different raptors. The schedule is: Riverside Reptiles exhibit from 10 a.m. to noon; Bruce John – a folk singer from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; opossum exhibit with Bill and Pam Lefferts from Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a bat exhibit with Maureen Heitman, Bat Rehabilitator, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; owl program at 11 a.m.; falconry demonstration with Dave Stevens at noon; and a raptor program including an eagle at 12:45 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children, and free for children under three. All funds collected will be used to care for the birds. Visit www.horizonwings.org for more information.
Free lecture on history of radio taking place in Willington
WILLINGTON – Have you ever wondered how wireless communication came about? The miracle of being almost anywhere on Earth, and a caller can dial your number and the signal connects. Or you turn on a radio and the local radio station magically comes through the speaker. Well, wireless communications had its start long before signals were sent through the air. Many discoveries and inventions had to occur to make it happen.
John Ellsworth, Director of the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut, will lead a presentation on this early development as well as the early history of the technology in Connecticut at The Packing House on 156 River Road on May 17. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m. BYOB&F. Register to attend at www.thepackinghouse.us/upcoming or call 518-791-9474.
Stafford High School hosting Stafford Child Safety Day
STAFFORD SPRINGS – The 2nd annual Stafford Child Safety Day, organized by West Stafford School, will take place rain or shine on Saturday, May 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Stafford High School, 145 Orcuttville Road.
Stafford Child Safety Day will offer interactive vehicle displays featuring police cruisers, fire trucks, an ambulance, a high-tech satellite truck, several military vehicles, an environmental display, an aerial drone demonstration, interactive vehicle safety displays, and a dental truck to explore. An exciting fair weather option will be viewing the Trooper Two helicopter from the CT State Police Aviation Unit.
Children and their families will also experience many safety and wellness booths featuring information on railroad safety, injury prevention, poison control, healthy relationships, impaired driving awareness, mental health resources, early childhood education, drug and alcohol prevention, vision screenings, aerial drone awareness, Child ID Kits and a visit from Stafford Police Department’s K-9 Loki.
Additional community groups will include Stafford Safe Grad, Stafford Family Resource Center, Stafford Public Library, Stafford Rotary Club, Stafford Big Y, CT Department of Children and Families, Aqua Pump, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts of Stafford, The Happy Facepainter and more! In addition, the following recruiters will be available for those considering careers in law enforcement or the military: CT Air National Guard, CT State Police, CT Army National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.
In fair weather, the event will be on the field in front of the high school’s entrance. In poor weather, the event will be moved indoors to the back entrance utilizing the high school’s cafeteria and adjacent hallways.
Parking will be available at Stafford High School, Stafford Elementary School and Stafford Middle School. No parking will be allowed along Orcuttville Road, Levinthal Run, County Road or in the Stafford Public Library’s parking lot. Contact Janice Morton at 860-684-3181, Ext. 50009, or
mortonj@stafford.k12.ct.us, with questions.
Flea market taking place at Second Congregational Church
STAFFORD SPRINGS – The Second Congregational Church,197 West Stafford Road, is hosting an outdoor flea market/tag sale on Friday, May 12, and Saturday May 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Call 860-684-5689 for more information.
Mother’s Day hike taking place in Nipmuck Woods
STAFFORD – On Sunday, May 14, join the Northern CT Land Trust for a Mother’s Day hike at Nipmuck Woods at 10 a.m. The leisurely one mile walk will take place on the newly created Nipmuck Adventure Path.
Stop along the way for stories and explore the natural world including two very impressive glacial erratic boulders. This is a good event for families with children as well as anyone who enjoys being around children. Meet at the large pull-off on the south side of Rt. 190 a short distance past Rockwell Road, east of the center of Stafford Springs. For questions or additional information, contact trip leader Richard Bailey at 860-749-0061.
American Legion Post meeting taking place in May
SOUTH WINDSOR – The Abe E. Miller American Legion Post 133 South Windsor meets on the third Tuesday of every month at the South Windsor Community Center 150 Nevers Road, room 205-207.
The next Post meeting is 7 p.m. May 16. All veterans are welcome. Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the SW food bank. Contact Ken Lewis for more information at 860-416-5276.
Art exhibits, butterflies, magic and open-air trolley to celebrate Manchester’s Bicentennial
MANCHESTER – In Honor of Manchester’s 200 year anniversary, the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St., co-hosts a three-venue art exhibit: 300 Years of Manchester: Past-Present-Future with the Manchester Historical Society exhibiting the past, the Lutz Children’s Museum showcasing the works of Manchester Elementary Students representing the present, and WORK_SPACE displaying work envisioning the next 100 years. Call 860-647-6029 or visit https://workspacemanchester.com/events-programs/ for more info.
On Saturday, May 13, (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) you can shuttle between all three-venues on a free open-air trolley which will also circle around Charter Oak & Center Memorial Parks, Cheney Hall, Cheney Homestead, the CT Fireman’s Historical Society, two breweries, and other locations in the Downtown area. The trolley, art exhibits and parking are free. To add to the festivities, buskers will play live music at multiple trolley stops. A time capsule being buried in Center Park and Main Street will be lined with themed artwork for the annual Butterfly Stroll. Visit https://bit.ly/Manchester200 for more bicentennial events.
Jester Jim to perform at Manchester Public Library
MANCHESTER – The Jester Jim Family Show will take place Saturday, May 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Cheney Library, 586 Main St. Jester Jim will entertain children and adults alike with his hilarious juggling, beatboxing and balancing show. Call 860-645-0577 for more information.
Manchester’s Historic Preservation Awards presentation taking place in May
MANCHESTER – Manchester’s 21st Annual Historic Preservation Awards Presentation will take place Wednesday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held at The Lincoln Center Hearing Room, 494 Main St.
The Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District Commission presents its annual preservation awards to Manchester property owners who have maintained their property in a manner that preserves its historic values and character. The public is welcome.
Land Trust hosting birdwatchers walk
MANCHESTER – On Saturday, May 13, at 8 a.m., the Manchester Land Conservation Trust will host a free walk to view and hear birds at its 177.5-acre property in the southwestern area of Manchester. Land Trust member Jean DiBenedetto will lead the walk, which may encounter migrating birds. All are welcome, whether experienced or new birdwatchers. Bring binoculars, if you have them. Park at 330 Bush Hill Road.
Stroll at a slow place for about a half mile, which will take about an hour, but all are welcome to stay longer to explore four-plus miles of trails at the property. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels.
A giant fundraising tag sale will take place Friday, May 19, through Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, at the Land Trust’s cider barn, 330 Bush Hill Road. Donations may be placed in the small shed to the right of the barn. No encyclopedias, computers, clothing, please.
The Trust will host a CT Trails Day walk on Sunday, June 4, at 1 p.m. at Salter’s Pond, 123 Lydall St. This moderately placed one-mile loop walk is great for families as well as singles. The terrain is somewhat bumpy and sometimes wet, with a set of stairs and some small hills. The pond was formerly a mill pond for Salter and Strong paper mill. It was a town swimming area from 1946 to 1961 when the current paved pool was built. The Trust acquired the 13-acre property in the 1980 and 1981 from Lydall, Inc. and Green Manor Corporation. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels. Visit www.manchesterlandtrust.org for more information.
Manchester Land Trust dinner, meeting taking place at Georgina’s
BOLTON – The Manchester Land Conservation Trust will hold its annual meeting and dinner at Georgina’s, 275 Boston Turnpike, on Friday, May 19, starting at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and find out more about the trust. Guest speaker wildlife biologist Jane Seymour will present an illustrated program about flora, fauna, and management of invasive species.
The cost is $40 for members; $45 for non-members, and $21.60 for children age 12 and under. Social time and cash bar are at 5:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner at 6 p.m., featuring vegetarian, chicken, and fish entrées, vegetables, and dessert. The wildlife program starts at about 7:15 p.m. Visit www.manchesterlandtrust.org for more information.
The Land Trust will also hold a free walk on the Cheney railroad, Saturday, May 20 at 1 p.m., starting at 146 Hartford Road, Manchester.
Amuse Blues Jazz Trio to perform in May
MANCHESTER – The Amuse Blues Jazz Trio will present a jazz concert on Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m. Amuse Blues Jazz Trio is Paul Schumsky on guitar, Ryan Ford on double bass, and drummer Steve Dauphinais. They will be playing music ranging from Cole Porter and Kurt Weill to Henry Mancini and Gabriel Faure.
The concert will be held at 153 Vernon St. West. For details visit uuse.org or call 860-646-5151. A suggested donation of $20 is requested.
Manchester Women’s Club to meet in May
MANCHESTER – The Manchester Women’s Club will meet at its next 3rd Monday of the month meeting on May 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St.
The scheduled speaker is Theresa Strong with RSVP/READ, who will speak about opportunities to volunteer with elementary school readers. The club is collecting non-perishable food items for MCC students’ Cougar Pantry and empty prescription bottles for reuse through a charity. Visit www.manchesterwomensclub.org for more information.
Scotland folk band to perform at Whiton Branch Library
MANCHESTER – North Sea Gas, one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 15, at Whiton Branch Library, 100 N. Main St. Copies of their CDs will be available for purchase. Call 860-645-0821 for more information.
Plant sale taking place in Glastonbury
GLASTONBURY – A plant sale by the Evergreen Country Gardeners Garden Club of Glastonbury will take place on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. The event takes place on the front lawn of the historical Welles-Chapman Tavern on the corner of 2400 Main St. and Hebron Avenue.
Annuals, herbal dish gardens, and native plants will be featured. Sun-loving perennials and shade-oriented perennials dug from the gardens of members will be part of the sale. Plants will be properly identified. Club members will be available to help customers with plant selections and give advice about the plants. Two cashier stations, accepting cash or checks,
will speed customers on their way. Boxes and wagons will be on the premises to make for easy transportation. Help to cars will be readily given.
Proceeds from the sale are used to benefit projects within the Town of
Glastonbury and worthwhile nonprofit organizations. For more information about Evergreen Country Gardeners, visit https://evergreencountrygardeners.com/
Retiree’s Group Monthly Meeting taking place in May
EAST HARTFORD – Pratt & Whitney and UTRC Retirees are invited to the May meeting. It will be held at the PWA Club Inc., 200 Clement Road, on Wednesday, May 17. Join for conversation, coffee and doughnuts at 9:30 a.m. The program begins at 10 a.m. This month’s program will be Jeff Wieselberg featuring singing and piano. For further information, contact the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club at 860-565-6236.
Arts of Tolland welcomes Kenn Morr Band
TOLLAND – The Kenn Morr Band will appear at the Art Center of Tolland, 22 Tolland Green, at 7 p.m. on Friday May 12. Admission is $10 ( $8 for AOT members). The venue is open seating but you may reserve admission in advance by contacting the Art Center at 860-871-7405 or email artsoftolland73@gmail.com.
Hall Library presents May events
ELLINGTON – May at Hall Memorial Library, 93 Main St., will feature the following events. On Thursday, May 11 at 6:30, Recycling & Refuse Coordinator Sam Sanders will speak on “The Do’s and Don’ts of Recycling” and more as he demystifies recycling and discusses the services that the town offers. Please register.
Strawberry Parfait from Scratch: Mary B is back on Tuesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. to teach how to make all the elements in a strawberry yogurt parfait from scratch. Sample the parfait at the end of the class and take a bag of granola to enjoy at home. There is a $10 per person non-refundable materials fee that must be paid within seven days of your registration to hold your spot. Please pre-register.
QiGong- “Lucky” Luckingham & Shar Christman will be here on Thursday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. to teach a sample of an actual QiGong class. There are three components of Tai Chi: QiGong, Form and Pushing Hands. Please note that this will be a participatory class. You must pre-register.
Live Music Coffeehouse: Join Pierce Campbell and his band for 60s Satisfaction, Psychedelic, Bubblegum & Motown Favorites on Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. Hear all the great 60s artists from The Beatles to The Turtles & more.
The show may be held outdoors (weather permitting) so please bring lawn chairs. The music is free but please pre-register.
Medical Marijuana: On Monday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m., learn everything you need to know about what makes cannabis medicine. Uzma Zakir, Registered Pharmacist, has over seven years’ experience in treating patients in the CT Medical Marijuana landscape and looks forward to sharing patient success stories, current research, and a review of current CT laws. Please pre-register.
Mother’s Day Farmers Market taking place at Arbor Park
ELLINGTON – The Ellington Farmers Market will celebrate Mothers Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 13, at Arbor Park on Main Street. Sheryl Stanton will be playing live. Visit https://www.ellingtonfarmersmarket.org/ for more information.
Vernon Garden Club hosting plant sale
VERNON – The Vernon Garden Club’s 2023 plant sale at the Vernon Center Middle School parking lot, 777 Hartford Turnpike, will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. In case of pouring rain, the sale will be held the following Saturday, May 20, same time and place.
Perennials for sun and shade, bulbs, herbs, and
unusual plants from members’ own gardens will be available along with a gardener’s white elephant table. Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund the club’s scholarship award at Rockville High School and the Junior Gardener’s Program and to help maintain the club’s two community gardens in Vernon and Rockville. For more information, call 860-872-4028.
On Monday, May 15, the Vernon Garden Club will be having a seed workshop with Vernon Garden club members. Members will lead a hands-on workshop on seed preparation. There will be multiple stations that will include the making of seed strips and compostable seed pots. Participants will go home with flower and vegetable seed strips ready to plant. The program will begin at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Vernon, 695 Hartford Turnpike. Refreshments and a business meeting will follow. Guests are welcome. For more information, call 860-926-4332.
Civil War Day Camp returns to Strong Family Farm
VERNON – The Civil War Day Camp will take place on Saturday, May 13, at Strong Family Farm, 274 West St., for children from ages 8 to 13. It takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per participant, and pre-registration is required. To learn more about the event including details of what to bring, what to wear, and what you get to take home, go to www.strongfamilyfarm.org/civil-war-day-camp/
Each participant will be given the name of a soldier who actually fought in the Civil War and adopt their persona for the day.
The brainchild of Frank Niederwerfer, a 20-year member of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Company G Reenactment unit, this is the camp’s third year of providing this type of historical hands-on experience at the farm. Helping in delivering this program are members of the Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans in Rockville, 14th Connecticut Reenacting members, and volunteer help from New England Civil War Museum. Visit www.strongfamilyfarm.org for more information.
Strong Family Farm Chicken Run taking place in May
VERNON – The 10th annual Strong Farm Chicken Run will take place on Sunday, May 21, with a 5K run, 2K walk and kids run with registration opening at 7:30 a.m. Clucky T. Rooster will be present as well as many of the sponsors of the race. All sponsorship donations are being matched this year. There is still time to sign up.
Proceeds will be used to support Strong Family Farm, Vernon’s Community Farm located at 274 West St. For more information and to register online, visit www.strongfamilyfarm.org/annual-5k-chicken-run.
Friends of Valley Falls offers May 13 bird walk
VERNON – The Friends of Valley Falls will hold a bird walk with Denise Animani on Saturday, May 13, from 8 to 10 a.m. Meet at the Pavilion at Valley Falls Park, 300 Valley Falls Road. Animani, a lecturer with UCONN’s Department of Allied Health Services and Director of the Diagnostic Genetic Sciences Program, is also a knowledgeable and intrepid birdwatcher. This leisurely walk often reveals up to 40 bird species and hopefully an encounter with the resident Blue Heron. Bring binoculars and bird identification apps; admission is free.
Founded in 2001, the Friends of Valley Falls, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving history and nature. For additional events, visit www.friendsofvalleyfalls.org.
Antique Engine & Tractor Show taking place in Vernon
VERNON – The 46th annual Antique Engine & Tractor Show will take place Saturday, May 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave.
Exhibitors attend for free. Cost is $5 per adult and free for children under 12. Visit https://svaec.com/ for more information.
