Times News Briefs

Groton

For the Love of Poetry

The Groton Public Library is celebrating National Poetry Month by creating a "Poetree" at the library. Local poets and poetry-lovers are invited to participate by writing an original poem or one you have read and enjoyed on leaves that will be available in the library.

The leaves will be laminated and hung on the tree which will be located just outside the main entrance.

In addition, the library invites writers of all ages to a haiku workshop where they will learn more about the traditional Japanese form of poetry at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6. A haiku captures a moment in time in a three-line, unrhymed poem of seventeen syllables in a 5-7-5 pattern. Join instructor Melanie Greenhouse to create your own tiny poems in celebration of National Poetry Month. For more information or to register call (860) 441-6750.

Get to Know OSCA

The public is invited to join Our Shoreline Community Association members for an informative question and answer session from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 12 at the Mystic-Noank Library, located at 40 Library Street in Mystic.

"OSCA" is creating a community dedicated to helping members connect to people, activities, and services that enable them to stay in their homes, enjoy their community, and find answers to the challenges that aging can bring. For additional information, call (860) 271-1681 or visit www.OurShorelineCommunity.org.

Fitch High School Golf Tournament

The annual Robert E. Fitch High School golf tournament will take place on Friday, May 21 at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton. Entry fee for the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start is $100 per person and includes greens fee, cart, lunch and dinner. Non-golfers are welcome to attend the dinner for $25. Tournament sponsors and raffle prizes are still needed. Proceeds will benefit the senior class drug and alcohol-free graduation party. For questions, donations or to receive a registration form, call Jay Dempsey at (860) 460-4448 or email him at Jay@99main.com.

Groton Rec After School Programs

Groton Parks and Recreation offers many adaptive recreation programs for children with special needs after school during the week. Music, sports, swimming, karate, cooking, movement and gymnastics of different skill levels are available, and a teen social is held from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Registration and a full listing of programs is available on-line at grotonrec.com or at the Recreation Office in Noank. Questions about these and other programs, call 860-536-5680.

Special Olympics Golf Tournament

13th Annual Special Olympics Golf Tournament, in memory of Jim Neidhardt, will be held May 7 at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton.

Neidhardt was a co-director of this tournament, and was very active in Special Olympics. He died in 2005.

The day begins with lunch at 11 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $400 per foursome and includes greens fees, cart, lunch and dinner, and prizes, raffles, and $50,000 for a hole in one. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.grotonrec.com or contact Eileen at (860) 536-5691.

Easter Egg Hunt

The City of Groton one again sponsors its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at the city's municipal building on Meridian Street. Held rain or shine, children ages 2 through 12 can search for eggs beginning at 10 a.m. and meet the Easter Bunny, Splash and Sergio and McGruff. All that is asked is for kids to bring a basket for collecting and a canned good donation for the local food bank. For more additional information call (860) 446-4128.

LYME

Birding at Meigs Point

Ranger Russ Miller will lead a bird walk Saturday, April 10, beginning at 6 a.m. from the Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset Beach State Park. The guided tour will cover the Willard Island and Cedar Island trails. Expert birders will be on hand to identify unusual or common birds seen at the park that morning. Binoculars should be brought. Call (203) 245-8743 or (860) 462-9643 to make a reservation in advance.

Bluegrass Gospel Project to Perform at York

A Sacred Place Inc., a nonprofit organization providing spiritual programming for the women incarcerated at York Correctional Institution, is sponsoring a benefit concert at the Niantic Community Church, located at 170 Pennsylvania Ave. in Niantic, Saturday, April 10.

The concert will feature the Bluegrass Gospel Project, a renowned bluegrass band, performing music meant for people of all faiths and all ages. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, available at the door, are $25 and $20 for seniors and students. For questions call (860) 739-4518.

Garden Club to Add to Already Beautiful Old Saybrook

The Old Saybrook Garden Club is launching a Street Garden Recognition Program designed to encourage Old Saybrook businesses to use plants and flowers to enhance their properties. Planters, flower boxes, hanging baskets, or anything of this nature that is visible from the street and uses living plants qualifies for the program. The work can be done by the business owners or hired help. The club will award participants with a bright-pink disc to display, and outstanding gardens will receive a hand-painted garden marker.

Jean Hester, chairman of this initiative, was inspired by a similar program sponsored by the Asharoken Garden Club in Northport, Long Island. Committee members also include June Willson, Jeannette Cushman, Ruth FitzGerald, Katherine (Kik) Dubuc, Lee Merritt, and Marilyn Halbing.

Old Saybrook businesses will receive an initial letter, information sheet, and entry form about the program this month. For more information call (860) 395-1175.

Ladies Benevolent Society Luncheon

The Ladies Benevolent Society of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will host a luncheon on Tuesday in the church fellowship hall on Ferry Road in Old Lyme. A social gathering begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Jeff and Anne Barnhart of the duo "Ivory and Gold" will provide entertainment. Call the church office for reservations before April 2 at (860) 434-8686.

American Legion Offering Scholarships

The American Legion Auxiliary, unit 128, in Niantic, is offering their Veterans Memorial Education Grant to graduating students who are enrolled or eligible for entry into a university, college, technical or professional school which meets the approval of the auxiliary committee. Applications have been placed at the East Lyme High School College and Career Center. They must be returned to the auxiliary no later than May 14.

Applications for the Laurel Girls State Program have also been placed at local high schools. This program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary will be held at Eastern Connecticut State University, June 27 through July 2. For more information call Patricia Keegan at 739-2107.

Storytime Registration

Registration for spring story hours at the East Lyme Public Library will be held Monday beginning at 9 a.m. Phone-in registration begins at 10 a.m.

Story hours, for kids ages 2 through 5, will begin the week of April 19. They are free and include a story, a short video, and an arts and crafts project to take home. Call the library at (860) 739-6926 to register or for more information.

Day Tripping for Seniors

East Lyme Senior Center is accepting registration for two day trips planned in April. On Sunday, April 18, a bus departs at 10 a.m. for the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and will include a Sunday brunch and entertainment by the Dynamic Duo - singer Joey Casella and comedian Rick Starr. The cost is $56. Tuesday, April 20, a trip is scheduled to the Garde Arts Center in New London to see Loretta LaRoche, acclaimed speaker, consultant, author and TV personality. Lighten up with her as she uses humor and knowledge to help guests deal with stress and put gusto into their lives. The cost is $66. For more information or to register call the senior center at (860) 739-5859.

MOMS Club to Sponsor Book Drive

The MOMS Club of East Lyme is sponsoring its second book drive to benefit the Light One Little Candle Foundation's program at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. Since the program opened in the summer of 2006, Lawrence & Memorial has distributed more than 500 books to patients undergoing treatment for cancer. New children's books for babies, children and preteens, can be donated at the organization's drop box located in the children's section at the East Lyme Public Library at 39 Society Road in Niantic. Donations will be accepted through May 31.

Montville

Griswold Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration is continuing for children who reside in the town of Griswold who will be 4 years old before Jan. 1, 2011. Information and applications are available at Griswold Elementary School. For more information or questions, call the school at (860) 376-7610.

Vendors Sought

St. Mark Lutheran Church, located at 248 Broadway in Norwich is seeking vendors for its Saturday, April 17 indoor fleamarket fundraiser. Space is available for $15 and $25. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If interested, call (860) 537-2826 or email ineskall@hotmail.com for a reservation form.

MYSTIC

Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday

Olde Mistick Village is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday in the Apple Orchard. Children will be grouped by age. The event, held rain or shine, begins at noon. For further information call (860) 536-4941. Olde Mistick Village is located at exit 90, off I-95.

Groton Rec After School Programs

Groton Parks and Recreation offers many adaptive recreation programs for children with special needs after school during the week. Music, sports, swimming, karate, cooking, movement and gymnastics of different skill levels are available, and a teen social is held from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Registration and a full listing of programs is available on-line at grotonrec.com or at the Recreation Office in Noank. Questions about these and other programs, call 860-536-5680.

Get to Know OSCA

The public is invited to join Our Shoreline Community Association members for an informative question and answer session from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 12 at the Mystic-Noank Library, located at 40 Library Street in Mystic.

"OSCA" is creating a community dedicated to helping members connect to people, activities, and services that enable them to stay in their homes, enjoy their community, and find answers to the challenges that aging can bring. For additional information, call (860) 271-1681 or visit www.OurShorelineCommunity.org.

VFW Hosting Parade on May 31

The Hugo A. Simonelli Post 3263 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host the traditional Mystic Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31. The parade will begin at Bank Square, rain or shine, at 2 p.m. and proceed along Route 1 to the Post home across from Brustolon Buick.

The parade Marshall will be Lt. Cmdr. Louis Tew (USN Ret). Persons or units desiring to participate or help support the parade can write to the Mystic VFW, 60 Stonington Road, Mystic, CT 06355 or call Walt Durant at (860) 536-7698 or Bill Lewis at (860) 536-6937.

New London

Easter Egg Hunt

Second Congregational Church of New London is sponsoring an Easter Egg hunt Saturday at Williams Park on Broad Street. Held rain or shine, the fun begins at 10 a.m. All children are welcome and should bring a basket.

STONINGTON

Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday

Olde Mistick Village is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday in the Apple Orchard. Children will be grouped by age. The event, held rain or shine, begins at noon. For further information call (860) 536-4941. Olde Mistick Village is located at exit 90, off I-95.

VFW Hosting Parade on May 31

The Hugo A. Simonelli Post 3263 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host the traditional Mystic Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31. The parade will begin at Bank Square, rain or shine, at 2 p.m. and proceed along Route 1 to the Post home across from Brustolon Buick.

The parade Marshall will be Lt. Cmdr. Louis Tew (USN Ret). Persons or units desiring to participate or help support the parade can write to the Mystic VFW, 60 Stonington Road, Mystic, CT 06355 or call Walt Durant at (860) 536-7698 or Bill Lewis at (860) 536-6937.

Get to Know Mr. Lincoln

Fourteen decades after his death, the fascination with Abraham Lincoln endures. He is the subject of tens of thousands of books, with new works coming each year. These emerging books are just one of the topics that will be discussed by Retired Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 7 at the Wheeler Library in North Stonington.

Williams, a noted Lincoln scholar and author, presents "Lincoln at Two Hundred," an enlightening, engaging and educational program, as part of a continuing celebration of our 16th president's bicentennial.

Following his presentation, Chief Justice Williams will participate in a lively question and answer session. This free program begins at 7 p.m. will appeal to middle school students right on up to adults. For questions call the library at (860) 535-0383.

Stonington Superintendent to Host Visitors

Superintendent of Schools Leanne Masterjoseph invites the public to join her for a tour, conversation, and to see any of Stonington's six schools in action. To visit a school contact her at (860) 572-0506 by Friday, April 9. The schedule is as follows: Monday, April 19, 9:30-10:45 a.m., West Vine Street School; Tuesday, April 20, 9:30-10:45 a.m., Deans Mill School; Friday, April 23, 8-9:15 a.m., Stonington High School; Monday, April 26, 8:30-9:45 a.m., Pawcatuck Middle School; Monday, May 3, 8:30-9:45 a.m., Mystic Middle School; and Tuesday, May 4, 9:30-10:45 a.m., West Broad Street School.

St. Michael School Holds Race and Fun Walk

St. Michael School in Pawcatuck will hold its first 5K Road Race and One Mile Fun Walk on April 17, rain or shine. All proceeds will benefit the school.

Both the Road Race and the Fun Walk will commence from Donahue Park in Pawcatuck and follow a course along the Pawcatuck River. Check-in and registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. The Road Race will begin at 10 a.m., and the Fun Walk will begin at 10:15 a.m. Awards will be given to the top finishers. Refreshments will be available after the race. Registration is $18 and $12 for school alumni and current students. Early registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Participants may register online at www.runreg.com, or contact the school at (860) 599-1084 for registration information.

The Chorus of Westerly's Annual Auction Galas

The Chorus of Westerly presents its annual auction galas this month.

Entitled "Exploring the Unknown Region," as a tribute to the world's greatest explorers, the galas will consist of dinner auctions on Saturday, April 17 and April 24, and a special luncheon auction on Wednesday, April 21. All three auction galas are open to the general public and will take place in the historic George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High Street, Westerly. To purchase tickets, reserve a table, or to inquire about donating an item to the auctions, please call (401) 596-8663 or visit www.chorusofwesterly.org.

Each auction meal will feature a different menu prepared by trained volunteer cooks and chefs of the Chorus of Westerly and can be found online at www.chorusofwesterly.org.

Items in the silent and live auctions will include a variety of items, including several vacation trips, donated to the Chorus of Westerly by its longtime supporters, area residents, and local merchants. In order to support its efforts, the Chorus of Westerly is still actively seeking donations of high quality items to be a part of the auctions. Gifts to the Chorus of Westerly, a nonprofit organization, are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged with an official tax letter following the auctions. Assistance transporting donated items is available by appointment and arrangements can be made by calling. Tickets for the dinner auctions on April 17 and 24 are $35 per person. Tickets for the luncheon auction on April 21 are $25 per person.

CUSH Offers Free Eco-Boating Brochures

CUSH is offering a free 4-color brochure, "How Boaters Can Help Clean Up Stonington Harbors," to marinas, yacht clubs, and other boating organizations for distribution to customers.

Environmentally friendly tips and products and both regional and on-line retail sources are part of this brochure. To print a copy of the brochure, click the "What To Do" tab at www.cushinc.org . For free copies to distribute, contact gracelyn@cushinc.org or call (860) 949-0911.

Thames

Kindergarten Registration

Children in the town of Griswold who will be 4 years old before Jan. 1, 2011, should be registering for kindergarten. Information and applications are available at Griswold Elementary School. For more information or questions call the school at (860) 376-7610.

Local Student Achievements

The following students were named to the Dean's List for the 2009 fall semester at their respective schools: Caroline Blanchard of Norwich and Caleb Homiski of Preston, Trinity College; Christopher Pietras of Gales Ferry and Victoria Vessels of Ledyard, Clark University; Ben Marcek and Nicole Muir of Gales Ferry, and Jennifer Aspinwall of Ledyard, New Hampshire College

Vendors Sought

St. Mark Lutheran Church, located at 248 Broadway in Norwich, is seeking vendors for its Saturday, April 17 indoor flea market fundraiser. Space is available for $15 and $25. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If interested, call (860) 537-2826 or email ineskall@hotmail.com for a reservation form.

Inaugural Matthew Buriak Memorial Golf Tournament

A true leader in the Ledyard High School community, Matthew Buriak was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams as well as being heavily involved in the music and drama programs at the school. Matty suffered a brain aneurism on the football field in November of 2009. Four days later Matt was taken off life support and passed away. His family honored his wishes and donated his organs to others in need. Matt's life will be celebrated with the 18-hole golf tournament and day of fun on Wednesday, May 19, at Lake of Isles.

The day begins at 11:30 a.m. with registration and a buffet lunch. Shotgun start is at 1:30 p.m. with an 18-hole four-person scramble format. A dinner with choice of lobster risotto stuffed flounder or roasted prime rib will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $175 per person and includes gift bag, range balls, lunch, golf and dinner.

Please make checks payable to Ledyard High School Buriak Scholarship and mail with registration form to Mark Blask, 17 Brewster Drive, Gales Ferry, CT 06335. Be sure to indicate which dinner you would prefer. Registration forms are available at Ledyard Board of Education, Ledyard libraries or at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=339535468689. Donations, which are tax deductible, should be made to the Matt Buriak Scholarship Fund and sent to Ledyard High School, 24 Gallup Hill Road, Ledyard, CT 06339.

Artist and Writers Showcase and Edible Books Contest

Works by local artists and writers will be on display during Bill Library's fifth annual showcase from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 10. Participants will also be available to answer questions.

In conjunction with the showcase, we will be participating in the International Edible Books Contest. This contest involves creating an edible entry that refers to a book. It can be a pun on a title, a character or an actual book. Entries may be dropped off from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and will be available for viewing until 3 p.m. For more information call (860) 464-9912.

Learn the Origins of the Slater Museum

A series highlighting Norwich's rich history concludes with its final lecture, "Henry Watson Kent & The Slater Memorial Museum," at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 11, in the Slater Memorial Building on the Norwich Free Academy campus.

Museum director Vivian Zoë leads this discussion about the early development of the Slater Memorial Museum and its first curator and librarian, Henry Watson Kent.

A Norwich Free Academy alumnus, Kent implemented a wide range of programming that included nearly thirty special exhibitions, an art and design curriculum, and visits with public school classes. Admission to the lecture is $15 and $12 for Slater Museum members. Proceeds from the lecture, sponsored by the Norwich Free Academy Foundation, will support the NFA Universal Access Project. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nfafoundation.org or call (860) 425-5547.

Waterford

Local Student Achievements

The following students were named to the Dean's List for the 2009 fall semester at their respective schools: Austin H. Alexander of Waterford, Clark University; Allyson Eley, Joanne Gallie, Katelyn Flanagan, and Amy Simpson, University of New Hampshire.

ALL

Call for Artists

Art on Groton Bank, the only exhibiting arts organization in Groton, is issuing a call for artists for its July 17 outdoor show at the Bill Memorial Library and its newly added holiday show, to be held November 6 in the City of Groton Municipal Building Auditorium. The entry fee is $45 for each show. AOGB is a community of local and regional artists that in addition to exhibiting at shows, holds art education meetings at various venues in the area.

Artists, students and instructors, art patrons and art lovers are sought for the show and are also welcome to participate in the art education meetings.

For information and an entry application, visit artongrotonbank.org or call Audrey Heard at (860) 449-0825.

Conn Hosting 'Hope for Haiti' Fundraising Events

Connecticut College is hosting a series of events, including a performance by Haitian singer Erol Josue, a student variety show, and an improvisational comedy show, April 9 and 10 to benefit the ongoing recovery effort in Haiti.

All events are open to the public and will take place in the 1962 Room in the College Center at Crozier-Williams. The schedule is as follows: Friday at 9:30 p.m., Hope for Haiti Improv Comedy Show, featuring Connecticut College's N2O, Northeastern University's NU and Improv'd and Yale University's The Purple Crayon. Tickets will be available at the door for $15.

Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Hope for Haiti Variety Show, featuring dance and musical performances by Connecticut College students and faculty, including the Co Co Beaux, Conn Chords and Conn Artists a cappella groups and the Connecticut College Dance Team. Tickets will be available at the door for $15; admission to the 10 p.m. Erol Josue performance is included. One hundred percent of all ticket sales will be donated to the International Alliance for the Advancement of Children, a nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn, N.Y., that provides education, vocational training, healthcare and nutrition to children in Les Cayes, Haiti. Following the earthquake, the organization took in 13 children from Port au Prince whose parents are presumed dead. Connecticut College's donation will help raise and educate these children in the event that no living family members can be located.

For more information, please call (860) 439-2440.

Host Families Needed

ASSE International Student Exchange is accepting applications for families interested in hosting a foreign exchange student for the upcoming academic year. Students are available from numerous countries. These select exchange students are bright, curious and eager to learn about this country by attending high school, and sharing their own culture and language with their newly adopted host family. Host families provide room and board and guidance and each exchange student expects to bear his or her share of the household responsibilities as well as be included in normal family activities. Couples, single parents and families without children are encouraged to apply. For additional information about hosting an ASSE exchange student call Joyce McKenney at (207) 737-4666 or 1-800-677-2773.Visit site at www.asse.com for additional opportunities through ASSE.