VALENTINE'S DAY: Make valentines for veterans, attend a romantic concert

Inquirer Staff, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·6 min read

Feb. 9—Bentley Memorial Library will bring out the makings for valentines today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 206 Bolton Center Road, Bolton.

Brighten a veteran's day with a handmade greeting card. People ages 12 to adult are welcome to create personalized cards that will be sent to the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill.

The library will have a sample to follow, or make a one-of-a-kind design. Materials will be provided along with something sweet to enjoy while you create.

To register or for more information, contact the library at 860-646-7349 or bmlprograms@biblio.org.

—The Town Clerk's Office in Windsor Locks will have on-site, in-person, justice of the peace for people who would like to get married or renew their vows on Valentine's Day.

The fee is $50 (for the state application).

To make arrangements and to receive an application in advance, call the Windsor Locks Town Clerk's Office at 860-627-1441 or email: townclerk@wlocks.com.

For more information, go to: windsorlocksct.org

—The Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph's Residence will have an online Valentine's raffle of gift baskets to benefit the home.

Items may be seen at: LSPLove23.givemart.com

Winners will be chosen by Friday and notified by email or phone call to pick up their items at St. Joseph's Residence, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield.

—The Little Sisters of the Poor will accept orders for their annual Soup Sale through Feb. 17.

All orders are to-go, drive-through from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 22. Soup choices are: broccoli and Cheddar, $10; New England Clam Chowder, $12, for a 32-ounce container, ready to warm and eat at home.

To place an order, call Christina at 860-265-1872 or go online at: LSPsoup23.givesmart.com

St. Joseph's Residence provides care for 70 elderly poor residents. All proceeds from the soup sale and valentine raffle will help to complete the many ongoing building projects that are in need of being upgraded and/or replaced, including boilers, plumbing, electrical switches and more.

For more information, call 860-741-0791 or go to: littlesistersofthepoorconnecticut.org

—"From the Heart," an art exhibit of hearts and creative works that share the message of love, is at the Coffee Break Gallery, in the Eastern Connecticut Veterans Community Center, 47 Crescent St., Willimantic, through Feb. 27.

The Gallery is managed by Windham Arts. For more information, email: director@windhamarts.org

—Make a reed heart for Valentine's Day on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.

For more information, call 860-871-8222 or visit: artscentereast.org

Kids 12 and older will have the option to make hearts with colored paper and glue sticks. Adults will use reeds and superglue.

The cost is $60. Email info@artscentereast.org or register online at: artscentereast.org

—Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in the Stafford Springs section of Stafford will serve a Valentine's dinner on Sunday.

The menu: Herb roasted pork loin with cherry balsamic glaze, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and chocolate red velvet cake for dessert. Curbside pick up is between 5 and 6 p.m. at the Green Street entrance.

The cost is $15, dinner for one; $24, dinner for two; and $50, family dinner. Call or text 860-806-2440 to order.

—The Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at various sites.

—A Chocolate and Peppermints Tea Room will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eastern Connecticut Veteran's Community Center, 47 Crescent St., Willimantic.

Proceeds will be used to benefit the Veterans Community Center.

For more information, email: director@windhamarts.org

—Free chocolate treats will be given away at The Mill Museum.

The Mill Museum will close at 3 p.m. to prepare for the Sweetheart Dance.

—Kids can celebrate Valentine's Day by creating a hedgehog magnet at the Windsor Locks Public Library Monday through Feb. 18 during open hours.

The craft is best suited for ages 4-8. No registration is required.

The library is at 28 Main St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call 860-627-1495 or visit: windsorlockslibrary.org

—Enjoy Valentine's Day with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra with a "Romantic Rachmaninoff and Price" concert Friday-Sunday in the Belding Theater at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford.

These concerts will feature HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan and guest pianist Terrence Wilson.

"Romantic Rachmaninoff and Price" is part of the 2022-23 Masterworks Series.

For tickets and more information, visit: hartfordsymphony.org

Wilson will perform what can be considered one of the greatest and most romantic works in the piano repertoire, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.

Price, while nursing a broken foot, composed Symphony No. 1 in E minor, her first full orchestral composition on record.

Price's symphony was the first symphony composed by a Black woman to be performed by a major orchestra — the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — in 1932.

—Do your valentine shopping at the Ellington indoor winter farmers market Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Ellington High School.

This special market was postponed from last week due to the extreme cold.

There will be about 30 regular vendors and several guests.

The last winter market of the season, stock-up Saturday, will be held Feb.18. The spring market resumes in May.

For more information, go to: Ellingtonfarmersmarket.org

—The Town of Manchester will host its Spruce Street Farmers Market on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nathan Hale Activity Center, 160 Spruce St.

The theme will be "Love Your Local Indoor Market," brought to you by 27 local vendors that include farmers, prepared food vendors, and artisans.

The market is a good place to find food for your Super Bowl party, Valentine's Day gifts, and more, while supporting local, small businesses.

The Love Your Local Market is the final market of the season. The outdoor Spruce Street Farmers Market season will run Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30p.m., June 7-Aug. 30, at Market Field, 163 Spruce St.

For more information, email: sprucestmarket@manchesterct.gov. For an up-to-date vendor roster, visit the Spruce Street Farmers Market Facebook page: facebook.com/events/557310212471526

—Connecticut Ballet, under the artistic direction of Brett Raphael, invites audiences to "Be My Valentine," a program of classic and contemporary pas de deux on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

As an add-on, audiences can join the dancers onstage for an after-party.

Tickets range from $58 to $76 (plus ticketing fees), $5 for the after-party; discounts are available for parties of 10.

The performance is accessible for people with limited mobility.

To purchase tickets and for more information, call 860-987-5900 or visit: Bushnell.org