Eight to the Bar to perform in Berlin
BERLIN – On Saturday, Oct. 28, Eight to the Bar, Connecticut’s premier Motown/Classic R&B/Blues/Swing band, will be playing a night of mostly Motown at Casa Mia at Hawthorne Inn, 2421 Berlin Turnpike, 8-12. Call 860-357-2061 or visit www.casamiact.com for more info.
Final military honors conducted for veterans
MIDDLETOWN – On Friday, Nov. 3, the Connecticut State Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, Inc. (CFDA) will hold a military funeral ceremony for six veterans’ unclaimed cremated remains: two who served in the U.S. Army; two who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces; and one each who served in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.
The public is invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. ceremony (rain or shine) at the State Veterans Cemetery at 317 Bow Lane. DVA Commissioner Brigadier General (Ret.) Ronald P. “Ron” Welch will lead the ceremony which will be supported by funeral directors from several Funeral Homes across the State, the Connecticut National Guard, and the Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders.
At 9:40 a.m., the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders will escort CFDA hearses containing the cremains from the DVA Rocky Hill Campus to the Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.
The six U.S. Veterans to be honored are TEC-5 Wilfred A. Carpentier, U.S. Army serving 1941-45. December 6, 1917-April 27, 1976, died in Derby; CPL Robert L. Coston, Sr., U.S. Army serving 1951-53. October 27, 1938-November 12, 2014, died in East Hartford; FA Michael Joseph Gruttadauria, Jr., U.S. Navy serving 1967-68. September 25, 1948-November 28, 2021, died in Hartford; A1C Joseph Henry O’Brien, II, U.S. Air Force serving 1951-61. January 25, 1937-August 13, 2021, died in Southbury; SGT Bernice Greenstreet Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. November 1, 1923-September 9, 2007, died in Cheshire; and PVT Roland H. Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. December 19, 1927- November 10, 1998, died in Waterbury.
Wethersfield Art Academy hosts watercolor portrait painting workshop
WETHERSFIELD – Instructor Katie Moirs will share her process for painting expressive, impressionistic portraits in watercolor through demonstration and individual instruction on Oct. 28 and 29, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For details, go to http://www.wethersfieldarts.org, email info@wethersfieldarts.org or call 860-994-8304.
West Hartford Community Theater presents The Drowsy Chaperone
WEST HARTFORD – West Hartford Community Theater is thrilled to announce its fall show, The Drowsy Chaperone by Lisa Lambert, Don McKellar, Bob Martin and Greg Morrison.
The Drowsy Chaperone is a hilarious and loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
The cast features Rick Fountain as Man in Chair, Tracy Funke as The Drowsy
Chaperone with Steve O’Brien as Underling, Ariana Straznicky as Janet Van de Graaff,
the bride-to-be, and Michael Robb as Robert Martin, her fiancé. Bob Janas will play
theatre producer, Feldzieg, and his wannabe starlet Kitty will be played by Mona Tiglio.
Nathan Holbrook will play George, Jenna Nikirk will portray Mrs. Tottendale, and
Michael Cartwright will perform the role of Aldolpho. Cwen Williams stars as Trix the
Aviatrix, Anna Kelly and Tim Grant as Gangsters and Randie Fierberg as
Superintendent. The Ensemble cast includes Avery Allen, Lisa Camargo, Noreen
Cavanaugh, Randie Fierberg, Naomi Scheinerman, Karen Shakun, and Izzy Steinberg.
Performances are Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., Nov. 5 at 2 p.m., Nov. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at Duffy School, 95 Westminster Drive. Tickets cost $25 in advance, and $30 at the door (Student tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with school ID.) For tickets and more information, visit www.whtheater.org.
Italian dinner taking place in West Hartford
WEST HARTFORD – Farmington UNICO ‘s Sal DiMauro Italian Sunday Dinner takes place on Sunday, Oct. 29th, 1 to 6 p.m. at Holy Family Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road.
Adults attend for $20, children 6-12 for $5 and free for children under five. Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner highlighted by UNICO’s homemade meatballs and Italian desserts. Harvey Dutil, former Farmington educator and key part of the Farmington Valley Relay for Life will be honored as UNICO’s Citizen of the Year at 3 p.m. Proceeds from the tea cup auction held at the dinner will be shared with FAVARH.
Chorale, orchestra program taking place in New Britain
NEW BRITAIN – Farmington Valley Chorale is joining with the New Britain Symphony Orchestra in concert on Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. in Welte Hall on the campus of Central CT State University, 1615 Stanley St.
NBSO is celebrating its 75th anniversary year. Under the direction of Maestro Toshiyuki Shimada, the orchestra will present works by Beethoven, Shostakovich and an Armed Forces medley. Brahms’ “Nanie” will be sung by the chorale, accompanied by the orchestra. Farmington Valley Chorale’s Artistic Director, Dr. Ellen Gilson Voth, will lead the chorale in a contemporary piece entitled” I Have Had Singing.”
Ticket price is $25 per person and free for students with a valid ID. Children 17 years and under attend for free. Tickets are available at the door the day of the concert, or by visiting www.newbritainsymphony.org.
Christmas Cottage Craft Fair taking place in Avon
AVON – The Christmas Cottage Craft Fair, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will be held this year at St. Matthew Lutheran Church,224 Lovely St.
This event runs on Thursday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Cash or check only will be accepted.
Avon Library presents Banking Scams and Cognitive Impairment virtually
AVON – Financial scams share a common goal: to access your personal financial information and steal your hard-earned money. For many of us, it is easy to spot these scams and avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist. But those who have mild cognitive impairment may be at greater risk of financial fraud, due to changes in their financial judgment. Learn more about spotting red flags and protecting those most susceptible to financial fraud due to cognitive impairment.
Presented by Kathleen Titsworth, Banking Outreach Coordinator, and State of CT Department of Banking, this program is part of the Memory Care Series #3, co-sponsored by Bloomfield Public Library, Avon Free Public Library, Canton Public Library, and Avon Senior Center. You must provide your email address at registration to receive the Zoom link. Your Registration Confirmation Notice includes the Zoom link for the program. This program may be recorded.
For more information, contact Adult Services Reference Desk avonref@avonctlibrary.info or 860-673-9712, ext. 7203
“Fall in Love” at Gifts of Love’s annual fundraiser
AVON – Everyone loves the fall season in New England and Gifts of Love, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing and household items to Connecticut individuals and families facing a financial crisis, is making the season extra special by hosting its first Fall fundraising event since 2019. Specifically, the “Fall in Love” event will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Farmington Gardens banquet hall, located at 999 Farmington Ave.
All proceeds will benefit the organization that is dedicated to assisting local residents with vital, basic needs. Gifts of Love services 41 towns across Connecticut by offering a fully-stocked food pantry consisting of non-perishable items, paper goods, personal hygiene items, meats, and fresh produce, a housewares and small appliances pantry and a clothing boutique, where clients can come and shop once a month. The organization has two locations, in Avon and in Hartford, to make it easy for those in need to access necessary goods and services.
Attendees of the “Fall in Love” event will enjoy music provided by a professional DJ, dancing, magic show, photo booth, trivia, live auction, wine pull and mixology demos and specialty cocktails.
Individual tickets are $125 and tables of 10 cost $1,250. Both can be purchased in advance at https://giftsoflovect.org/benefitforgiftsoflove/.
Avon Congregational Church presents The Witch Tryal
AVON – Avon Congregational Church presents The Witch Tryal, a theatrical portrayal of the 1692 Salem trial of a sharp-tongued widow. Performed in an historic Meetinghouse located at 6 West Main St. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. A colonial-style reception will follow. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at www.avon-church.org, or at the door. For more information, call 860-678-0488. This program is not appropriate for young children due to subject matter and intense emotion.