Community news for the Vernon edition

Friends Book Sale switches to summer hours

SOUTH WINDSOR – The South Windsor Public Library Friends Book Sale’s summer hours are in effect as of July 8. The hours of the library, 1550 Sullivan Ave., are as follows: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Saturday summer hours will continue until the end of August. Tuesday book sale hours are the same, from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Megan Collins author talk taking place in South Windsor

SOUTH WINDSOR – Author Megan Collins will be in conversation with Kara Sundlun to celebrate her latest mystery, Thicker Than Water, on release day, Tuesday July 11, 6 p.m. This is a free (& spoiler free event), open to all, taking place at Evergreen Crossings Resort Community’s theater, 900 Hemlock Ave.

Signed books by both authors available for purchase during the event. Wine and light refreshments will be provided. For more info, or to reserve a seat, contact BOOK CLUB On the Go at 860-265-6077 or visit www.bookclubct.com.

MARC, Inc. presents summer concert series

MANCHESTER – MARC, Inc. of Manchester will kick off its 12th annual summer concert series on Tuesday, July 11. The three week event consists of three free outdoor concerts on the MARC lawn between 151 and 161 Sheldon Road. Bands will perform on the Bill Carroll Memorial Stage. Scheduled for the 2023 season is Mass-Conn-Fusion on July 11, Anthem Reggae Band on July 18, and Backstage Pass on July 25. All concerts are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through MARC’s Residential, Senior Center, Employment, Day Service Options (DSO) with work, DSO Shannon’s Place, Recreational & Respite, and Advocacy services.

Local food trucks such as Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, Brazilian Gula Grill, King of Pearl, and Square Peg Pizzeria will be in attendance at the concerts and will be donating a percentage of their profit to MARC. Check for weather delays by calling MARC’s Event Hotline at 860-474-2700 after 3 p.m. the day of the show.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested, contact Mary-Ellen or Sarah in the Development Office at MARC, Inc. by calling 860-646-5718 or visit www.marcct.org/summer-concert-series for details.

Woodbridge Farmstead Museum hosting open house

WOODBRIDGE – An open house at the Woodbridge Farmstead Museum, 495 East Middle Turnpike, will take place on Sunday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m.

Come visit and discover Woodbridge Farmstead Museum, a property of the Manchester Historical Society. It’s a two-acre pastoral oasis in the middle of Manchester. Take a self-guided tour through the 18th century barn and 1830 farmhouse. Check out the displays inside the Visitor Center showing some of the history of the Manchester Green area.

Parking is available off Woodbridge Street behind the barn and through the gate. Be careful entering and exiting the parking area. Overflow parking is also available at the nearby Senior Center.

Books clubs to meet at Manchester Library

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Public Library, 586 Main St., will host the following book clubs. The Check ‘Em Out Book Club will meet in person for its July book discussion on Monday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The VIlla by Rachel Hawkins. Copies of the book are available for check out at both library buildings. No registration is required for this free in- person program.

The next meeting of its travel themed book group, the Wanderlust Book Club, will take place on Thursday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Reference Room of the main library.

Participants will travel vicariously through reading a variety of atmospheric books that will transport readers to locations around the world…and perhaps beyond. Titles will be primarily fiction, with an occasional non-fiction or memoir selection. Meetings will be held once a month on Thursday evenings. The next book, set in Washington state, is “East of the Mountains” by David Guterson.

Copies of each month’s book are available at both library buildings. This is a free book discussion program and no registration is required. For more information, contact Valerie Kerr at 860-643-2471 or visit manchesterct.gov/library.

Walking tour of Manchester Green taking place in July

MANCHESTER – A free walking tour of Manchester Green will take place Sunday, July 9, at 1 p.m. Visit Manchester Green with Town Historian, Susan Barlow. Meet at the Senior Center front steps, 549 Middle Turnpike East.

The walk will take about 1 to 1.5 hours, visiting the Woodbridge farmstead and eighteenth-century barn, and strolling through the former location of the Woodbridge Tavern. Visit www.manchesterhistory.org for more info. The event is rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels.

Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters to perform outdoor concert

TOLLAND – At the Hicks-Stearns Museum, 42 Tolland Green, a lawn concert featuring Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters will take place on Wednesday, July 12. The museum gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert runs from 6:30 to
8 p.m. Guests need to bring seating and are invited to bring a picnic supper. There is a nearby indoor foul weather location. Admission is by donation to support the programs at the non-profit museum, located at 42 Tolland Green. For more information, call 860-875-7552. The group is releasing their new CD, ‘Homespun’, for the first time. Homespun is a straight-up country album, a nod to musical forebears.

Gospel Doo-Wop singer performing at Jacob’s Well Coffeehouse

ROCKVILLE – Jacob’s Well Coffeehouse, downtown Rockville’s monthly Christian nightclub, will feature an encore performance of Gospel Doo-Wop by singer Walter Santos on Friday, July 7. Doors open at 7 p.m., with music starting at 7:30 p.m.

The café-style coffeehouse will be held at The Oasis, a renovated 1800s storefront at 3 Elm St. Admission and refreshments are free. For details and directions, call 860-871-6500 or visit www.JacobsWellCoffeehouse.com.

Bugs and Bees Day taking place at Ellington Farmers Market

ELLINGTON – Bugs and Bees Day will take place at the Ellington Farmers Market Saturday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at Arbor Park on Main Street.

Dr. Bugman will present a hands-on learning experience like no other using a variety of exotic bugs, reptiles, and amphibians. Enjoy the marvels of a living beehive provided by beekeeper David Pease, who will be on hand to answer questions on beekeeping and offer samples of local raw honey. Find the queen and win a prize.

New varieties of fresh, delicious produce are arriving each week and local farm and food products are abundant. Live music is provided by Judy Handler and Mark Levesque.

Medicare educational seminar taking place at Hall Memorial Library

ELLINGTON – Understanding the Basics of Medicare will take place on Thursday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at Hall Memorial Library, 93 Main St.

Turning 65 and unsure about the Medicare process? Confused about Medicare? Is
your employer coverage compatible with Medicare? Retiring soon?

Learn how to navigate the Medicare maze and the differences between Original Medicare,
Supplement plans, and Medicare Advantage with local licensed insurance advisor Heidi
M. Laureano. This is strictly an educational seminar, and no individual health plans will
be discussed.

Register by email at heidi@sunstonect.com or by calling 860-756- 6784. Provide the first name and the number of people attending. This is free and open to the public.For accommodations of persons with special needs, call 860-756-6784.

Valley Falls Heritage Center announces July schedule

VERNON – The Valley Falls Heritage Center is now open on 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays in July. Located at 345 Valley Falls Road, the Heritage Center is part of an eight-acre farm that includes a historic stable, dairy barn, root cellar and three additional unique buildings. Interpretive information panels, tools and household items tell the story of the farm, its former owners and the Valley Falls area.

Most items on display are original to the property, including sleds, bells, farm equipment, and even a vintage jukebox. Park in the lot where the Red Barn is located or at Valley Falls Park and walk the short hillside path to the Farm.The Center will be open July 9, 16, 23 and 30. Admission is free; donations welcome. Visit www.friendsofvalleyfalls.org for more information.

Strong Family Farm presents Sundays on the Farm

VERNON – Strong Family Farm Sunday activities are back this summer. Admission is still free thanks to support from the Rockville Bank Community Foundation. On Sunday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Canning with Claudia and Donkey Visitors will take place.

Ever wonder what you could do with the leftover vegetables from your garden? Resident canner Claudia will demonstrate food preservation and how to can at home. Families can also visit with donkey visitors and get to learn more about their species.

On Sunday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., National Ice Cream Day will be celebrated. Come down to the farm to learn how ice cream is made and join on making your own ice cream.

On Sunday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a tea party with bunnies will take place. Come down to the farm to join the Hop Along Gang 4-H Club in having a tea party with bunnies. There will be different teas on hand to try as well as a demonstration on what goes into making tea. Everyone is encouraged to bring a stuffed bunny to the tea party.

The Strong Family Farm annual meeting is Sunday, July 30. Doors open at 2 p.m. The meeting is open to all new and returning members. All members and the community are welcome to the farm to learn more about what the farm does, meet staff and enjoy light refreshments.