Community News For The Manchester Edition

Author Readings

MANCHESTER — On Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m., local authors Dan Foley and friends will read their original works where roses aren’t the only things that are dead in ‘Love isn’t always roses and chocolate.’

This is a free program for adults. No registration is required. The library is located at 586 Main St. For more information, contact Jenn Bartlett at jbartlett@manchesterct.govor 860-645-0821.

Friends Of Music At Emanuel

MANCHESTER — Hartford Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Leonid Sigal will perform on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 60 Church St., as part of the Friends of Music chamber music concert series.

Sigal has had a distinguished career as recitalist, chamber musician, orchestra leader, soloist and conductor and has performed across the continents and is regularly featured as soloist with the HSO. The program will include sonatas by Mozart, Schumann, and Prokofiev, as well as some additional shorter works.

Pianist Andrius Zlabys, who has received international acclaim on the world’s concert stages, will accompany Sigal. A reception will follow the concert. The concert is free; Donations are welcomed.

The Podunk Tribe Of Manchester

MANCHESTER — “Take Your Child To The Library Day” and Bolton’s 300th anniversary celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road.

The Lutz Museum of Manchester will be presenting a program on the Podunk Tribe of Manchester. The Podunk Tribe lived in Manchester over 400 years ago. Attendees will have a chance to study maps and touch artifacts as they compare life in the 1600s to life today. Contact the library at 860-646-7349 or bentley@biblio.org for more information.

Groundhog Day

MANCHESTER — Only ‘Connecticut Chuckles’ knows if it will be a long winter or early spring here in the Constitution State. She makes her home at the Lutz Children’s Museum, 247 South Main St.

A crowd of dedicated fans join local dignitaries and the media each year to hear the prediction straight from the groundhog’s mouth. Groundhog Day falls on a Sunday this year.

The museum will open to the public at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. Coffee and breakfast foods will be served and Chuckles will arrive around 6:45 a.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Chuckles X is approximately four years old. She was determined to be unreleasable after a serious injury in the wild, thereby opening the door to a new career in meteorology. Visit www.lutzmuseum.org for more information.

Vintage Valentine Tea

HARTFORD — Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Isham-Terry House with a vintage valentine tea hosted by Cathy and John Bates. On Sunday, Feb. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., indulge in sweet and savory nibbles, tea, and punch suited to the season.

Create a vintage Valentine greeting and delight in performances that will capture the Valentine spirit and transport you back to a bygone era. All are welcome.

Admission is $30 general and $25 for CTL members and includes a tour of the Isham-Terry House. Registration is required as space is limited. Visit https://ctlvintagevalentinetea2020.eventbrite.com to register. For more information, to purchase a membership, or for the member discount code, email isham.terry@ctlandmarks.org or call 860-247-8996, ext. 11.

The Isham-Terry House is located at 211 High St. and is open for tours June through December on the second Sunday of the month from noon to 3 p.m. for public programs and on other days by appointment. Reserve tours at least seven days in advance.

Coffee & Conversation

MANCHESTER — The Manchester Public Library and Manchester Adult Education will co-host a new initiative called Coffee and Conversation once a month on Fridays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at 586 Main St.

Enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments while you practice your English language skills. Each month will focus on a specific theme or topic, where participants will learn new phrases and words. English language learning teachers and library staff will be on hand to lead the conversations.

For more information about this free program for adults and children, contact Jenn Bartlett at jbartlett@manchesterct.gov or 860-645-0821.

Music That Matters: Folk, Blues And Gospel

MANCHESTER — On Friday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m., The Little Theatre of Manchester hosts Reverend Robert Jones & Matt Watroba as they present “Music That Matters,” a performance of American roots music, including folk, blues, and spirituals. The performance will take place at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road.

Jones and Watroba have been musical partners since first meeting more than 20 years ago, and now they bring their walk through the roots and history of American music to Cheney Hall.

In early 2019, their first album “Common Chords,” features songs from the blues, gospel and folk traditions that serve as the foundation of contemporary American music. Forming a non-profit under the same name, the duo seeks to create connections through music and the arts to bring us into a common understanding of one another.

Tickets are $18 for general seating and $25 for cabaret seating. Tickets can be purchased at www.cheneyhall.org or by calling the LTM box office at 860-647-9824.

Mystery Book Club

MANCHESTER — The Manchester Public Library, 586 Main St., will host its February meeting of the Mysteries On Main book club on Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. This month’s selection is Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart.

No registration is required for this free event. Copies of the book are available for checkout at both library buildings. For more information, call Jenn Bartlett at 860-645-0821.

NAMI Meeting

MANCHESTER — The National Alliance on Mental Illness support group will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of every month. The meeting will be held at the Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St., from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The meeting is open to all families and friends of people with mental illness and focuses on sharing experiences and information. All information is held confidentially. For more information, contact Christine at 860-205-1509 or Sarah at 860-643-4377.

Stupid Cupid Steampunk Ball

MANCHESTER — An airship armada descends upon Manchester, designating Cheney Hall their destination on Feb. 1 for a stupendous evening of retro futuristic music and merriment. The 5th annual Stupid Cupid Steampunk Ball celebrates the Victorian era aesthetic with the fictional whimsy of a speculative future that is powered by steam. Created by the Manchester based event group, Oddball Newt (aka David Carlson), Stupid Cupid 5 welcomes all steampunks, goths, Whovians and muggles to a family friendly concert, fashion show and steampunk market place.

The event is a virtual who’s who of steampunk with performances by Frenchy and the Punk, The Eternal Frontier, the UK’s Victory and the Bully and Nathaniel Johnstone and Salad Bone. The N.Y. designer Kristin Costa will be unveiling her latest line in the Book of Revelations fashion show. Rounding out the festivities will be panels and presentations by steampunk authors, makers and artists; and a photo booth by Sky Captain Productions will be on site.

Stupid Cupid is typically a judgement free zone but an exception will be made for the assessment of facial follicles during the beard and mustache contest. An authentic British tea will be served by the Tea Round and reservations are preferred.

Doors open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 at the door and $25 if you buy online from now through Jan. 31. Visit oddball-newt.ticketleap.com/stupid-cupid-steampunk-ball-5 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Attendees are asked to bring either a food item or personal care item for a collection going to MACC Charities. Dressing in steampunk is optional but not mandatory. Contact David Carlson at 860-719-1396 or oddballnewtstuff@yahoo.com with questions.

Take Your Child to the Library Day

MANCHESTER — Take Your Child to the Library Day with ABC Amigos on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Cheney Library and 2 p.m. at Whiton Branch Library.

ABC Amigos present a fun-filled Spanish storytime, recommended for children ages newborn to five. Locations: Mary Cheney Library, 586 Main St., 860-645-0577; Whiton Branch Library, 100 North Main St., 860-643-6892.

Imagine Main Street Event

MANCHESTER — Imagine Main Street takes its colorful arts and cultural programming inside on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.

The music of recording artist Bill Benson will entertain while shoppers enjoy the talents of various vendors including Heart Art Crafts, Boxes to Suit your Fancy, Mijumi Art, Turn a Page Book Art, Rural Heritage Arts, Elaine in the Sun, JW Crafts, Gems and Jewels, Moynihan’s Bird Houses, Shirley’s Crocheted Critters, Heart 2 Heart, White Oak Candles and The Beekeeper’s Basket.

The Tea Round will offer a traditional cream tea for $10 or a pot of tea for $5, and Healing Wings Massage will be on site for some soothing relaxation.

The event is free, but donations to Imagine Main Street’s programming are welcome at their information table. Schedules for the 2020 season will be available as well.

Imagine Main Street enters its 9th year of arts and cultural events created to bring the community into Manchester’s downtown, revitalize its business region and celebrate its history. Imagine Main Street is an all volunteer organization and welcomes new folks to join their program committee. Contact info@imaginemainstreet.com with questions.

Land Trust Mini-Walk

MANCHESTER — On Saturday, Feb. 1, the public is invited to recognize the Eagle Scout project of Tyler Desautels, who created a trail near the Manchester Land Trust’s Marsh Pond property on Porter Street.

This 30-minute walk starts at 1 p.m. at the corner of Porter and Adelaide Road, and will include congratulations for Desautels, along with some historical information about the property, donated between 1975 and 1986 by Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Marsh and Diane Morrison, who were neighbors of the property.

Visit www.manchesterlandtrust.org for more information. Extreme weather cancels, but bring an umbrella if there is light rain or snow.

Winter Storytime

BOLTON — Visit the Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, on Thursdays at 11 a.m. from now through Feb. 13. The library will feature winter stories, treats and activities for children of all ages. Residents and nonresidents are welcome. Call or email the library at 860-646-7349 or bentley@biblio.org for more information.

Historical Fiction Book Discussion

BOLTON — Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, will host a series of four book discussions featuring Russia in historical fiction. The discussions will be on Thursdays at 7 p.m. John Valerie of Portland will be the discussion leader. Copies of the books will be available.

Call the library at 860-646-7349 or email bentley@biblio.org for more information. The schedule is: Feb. 6, Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles; March 5, City of Thieves by David Benioff; April 9, The Siege by Helen Dunmore (new date); and May 7, Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner.

Play Group

BOLTON — Parents, grandparents and caregivers are invited to bring their baby, toddler or preschooler to the Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, on Tuesday mornings at 11 a.m. for a drop-in play group.

Board books, building blocks, crayons, musical instruments, stuffed animals, toys and puzzles are just some of the items available to stimulate the love of the library for your little one. No registration is necessary. Call the library at 860-646-7349 or email bentley@biblio.org for additional information.

Game Night

BOLTON — Come to the Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. for game night. The library has a variety of board games and puzzles to choose from. Guests are welcome to bring a friend and all are welcome. For additional information, contact the library at 860-646-7349.

Adult Chess Club

BOLTON — The Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, is hosting a chess club for adults every Monday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The club is for ages 18 and up. Players of all levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. Anyone interested in learning how to play chess is welcome to attend. Chess sets and books will be available.

Kevin Hartmann, a U.S. Chess Federation certified chess coach, will be assisting with the club and will be available to provide lessons to new players. Contact the library at 860-646-7349 or email bentley@biblio.org for additional information.

Fidelco Fundraiser

AREA — Yun Li-Potter, member of the Glastonbury Centennial Lions Club, presents a fundraiser for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. For a donation of $10, participants will receive an Asian Moments discount card that provides up to 10-percent off per visit at the following businesses, valid for six months.

The participating businesses are: Bonchon Storrs, 1232 Storrs Road, Mansfield; Chosen 1 Cajun Seafood 2074 Park St., Hartford; Chuan Du Hot Pot, 27 Temple St., New Haven; Gourmet Wok 2856 Main St., Glastonbury; Ichiro Hibachi & Sushi, 962 Farmington Ave., West Hartford; Feng Chophouse, 93 Asylum St., Hartford; Royal Buffet & Grill, 410 Middle Turnpike W, Manchester; Sichuan Pepper 435 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon; Tang, 33 Wilbur Cross Way, Storrs; Taste of China, 954 Chapel St., New Haven; Thai Palace, 18 Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield; Nummy, 1160 New Britain Ave., West Hartford; Uncle Chow Asian Bistro, 179 Park Road, West Hartford; Wang Palace 1914 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill; and Natural Nails & Spa, 2047, 45 Welles St., Glastonbury.

Obtain the card at restaurants by cash donation or check, payable to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. Visit https://www.fidelco.org/donate to make an online donation.

The fundraiser is sponsored by the Glastonbury Centennial Lions Club & ?????:????. Discounts and promotions vary per restaurant. Each Asian Moments Card will be valid for six months. You may purchase additional cards when expired.

Garden Club Scholarship

EAST HARTFORD — The East Hartford Garden Club is offering one $1,000 scholarship to any full or part time student who is a resident of Andover, Bolton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Glastonbury, Manchester, Vernon and Windsor Locks, who is majoring in horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, conservation, forestry, environmental sciences, botany and other allied subjects.

Applications with the submitter instructions are available at the Guidance Department of the student’s attending school. All completed applications must be received by April 1, to be considered.

Needlework Club

BOLTON — The Bentley Memorial Library, 206 Bolton Center Road, is hosting a knitting/needleworking club. If you are a beginner and would like to learn the basics or if you are an avid knitter and would like to relax at the library, you are invited to come on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Donna Wabble will be the guest leader. Please bring your needles and yarn. The library will have extra yarn available.

This program is free to the public. Residents and non-residents are welcome. Contact the library at 860-646-7349 or bentley@biblio.org to register.

All-Levels Yoga

MANCHESTER — Morning and evening all-levels yoga open to all, including beginners, will take place at the Meetinghouse of Unitarian Universalist Society: East, 153 Vernon St. West, on Mondays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Cost is a $6 drop-in donation. Bring a yoga mat or large towel and wear loose clothing. First-time students are asked to arrive five minutes early. Visit www.uuse.org or call 860-646-5151 for more information.

YA Support Group

MANCHESTER — NAMI Manchester is offering a young adult Connections Community Support Group for persons dealing with mental illnesses, 18 to 30 years of age.

The meetings will be held at Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St., from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Contact Kim at Kimw@snet.net for more information.