Willimantic Chocolate Festival takes place Saturday

Feb. 9—The Willimantic Chocolate Festival will take place Saturday at locations throughout downtown Willimantic. Activities will include:

Path Counseling at 832 Main St., model railroad set up; painting activity for students from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by students of ECSU; and a chocolate cake contest from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Eastern CT Veterans Community Center, 47 Crescent St., will have a Chocolate and Peppermints Drop tea and dessert from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Donation is $10, to benefit the center.

Also at the center, an art exhibition titled "From the Heart" wil be on display in the Coffee Break Gallery.

The center will host brief lectures on the history of chocolate at 1 and 2 p.m.

Music at Eastern recital of American song "Hold Fast to Dreams: A Recital for Voice and Piano" at the Fine Arts Instructional Center Foyer at 2:30 p.m.

Spiral Arts Studio, 750 Main St., will show you how to make heart-shaped pottery dishes.

The Windham Historical Society will give out s'mores at part of the chocolate crawl down Main Street.

The Windham Theatre Guild will have an open house, complete with chocolate.

For more information about the chocolate festival go to: https://fb.me/e/5iDc9kUhn

—Andover Congregational Church, 359 Route 6, will hold a Bingo and Baskets night on Feb. 17, starting with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $12, which includes dinner, drink, dessert, and bingo.

No reservations are needed. For questions, leave a message at the church, 860-742-7696.

The snow date is Feb. 2, same time.

—Andover Congregational Church, 359 Route 6 in Andover, will hold its 31st annual Souper Bowl Grinder Sale on Sunday.

Church members will sell chili, in quarts and pints; grinders of ham, turkey, or tuna; and a garden salad. All options include chips and a soda.

Pick-up will be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The church requests orders be made in advance to ensure there is enough for everyone. Leave a message at the church at 860-742-7696 or see the order form at: andoverctchurch.org.

—Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike, will serve a pot roast dinner Feb. 18, pick-up and drive-through.

The menu: pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy, bread and dessert. The cost is $15 adults, $8 children.

To place orders, call 860-742-1616 or email: secondcurch@sbcglobal.net Put church dinner order in the subject line and indicate pick-up time of 5, 5:30, or 6 p.m. The correct amount of cash or check is required.

Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House across from Highland Park.

—The Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph's Residence will have their annual Soup Sale and will accept orders through Feb. 17.

All orders are to-go, drive-through or pickup 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.

Pickup will be at St. Joseph's Residence, 1365 Enfield St., Enfield.

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

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

—Party with the presidents at Willimantic Brewing Company on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. and order a Colonial special from the menu.

Local raconteur Bev York will share rousing stories of the Founding Fathers.

Donations will be collected for the Eastern Connecticut Veteran's Community Center.

Make reservations with the Willimantic Brewing Company at 860-423-6777.

—Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Stafford Springs will serve a drive-through Valentine's Dinner on Sunday.

The menu is herb roasted pork loin with cherry balsamic glaze, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and chocolate red velvet cake for dessert.

Curbside pick up will be between 5 and 6 p.m. at the Green Street entrance.

The cost is $15, dinner for two $25, and family dinner $50.

To order, call or text 860-806-2440.

—Tavern Night will be held at the Jillson House Museum Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.

Meet President George Washington and his wife, Martha. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. Discover fascinating facts and the president's favorite food and drink.

The suggested donation is $10 for the museum,at 627 Main St., Willimantic.