Freed slaves talk in Waterford

The Waterford Historical Society will presents a talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 , in Waterford Public Library by historian John Morgan titled "Researching Great Neck's pre-Civil War Freed Slaves."

Morgan, caretaker of West Neck Cemetery on Great Neck Road in Waterford, has been conducting a decade-long research project into the graves of two freed slaves buried there. He will share his findings in an event sponsored by the Waterford Historical Society.

Visit the Waterford Historical Society’s Facebook page and website for further details and updated information. New members, and donations to the society for its programs and building upkeep, are always sought. For more information, visit https://www.waterfordcthistoricalsociety.org/membership-.html.

NLHS Class of 1974 seeks classmates

The New London High School Class of 1974 is planning a 50th Class Reunion on July 13 at Ocean Beach Park from 6 to 10 p.m., ticket price to be determined. To be sure you are on the list of invitees, contact Janice Petrini DelPaine at jbdelpaine@yahoo.com or Kim Richards Mattson at klmsed@aol.com.

Souper Bowl Saturday in Groton Feb. 10

Thrive 55+ in Groton will be having its annual all age community fundraiser, Souper Bowl Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10.

Area businesses donate soup, bread, desserts and water. There will be a raffle that contains professional and semi-professional sports memorabilia, gift cards from area business and more. For information, call 860-441-6795.

NAMI offers support groups locally

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeast Connecticut offers family support groups for family, partners, friends and significant others of adults living with mental illness.

In-Person Family Support Groups are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Brian's Healing Hearts, 461 Main St., Niantic. The dates for February in-person NAMI Family Support Groups are Monday, Feb. 5, and Monday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m.

Online Family Support Groups, are held via the Zoom App on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 this month. Email information@namisect.org for the Zoom meeting link, and visit www.namisoutheastct.org for information.

Circle of Friends events in Groton

The Groton Public Library’s Circle of Friends will be holding an Open Hours Book Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5. Browse new and gently-used fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, audiobooks, puzzles, and games. All items are "name your own price," and proceeds benefit the Groton Public Library.

The Circle of Friends Monthly Meetup will be held this month at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.For more information, contact Kim Balentine at (860) 441-6750 or kbalentine@groton-ct.gov.

Also, the Circle of Friends' Sweets Sale will be held from 9-3 Wednesday, Feb. 14, and its Saturday Cinema will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Call the library at (860) 441-6750 for this month’s film title.

In addition, those who would like to help out for the library’s 9th Annual Bumpers & Books are invited to a meetup at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. The Circle of Friends work to promote and assist the Groton Public Library through advocacy, fundraising and programming. For more information, call (860) 441-6750 or visit grotonpl.org.

Free Coast Guard concert Feb. 18

On Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in Leamy Hall at the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Coast Guard Band presents a free concert, “Musical Wildflowers” under the baton of Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Spenner.

The program juxtaposes modern works by Nkeiru Okoye and Neal Endicott with folk tune-inspired classics “Lincolnshire Posy” by Percy Grainger and “Folk Suite” by William Grant Still. Jean-Baptiste Arban’s virtuosic “Carnival of Venice” features euphonium soloist Musician 1st Class Patrick Nyren, and the program concludes with John Philip Sousa’s lively “Mother Hubbard March.”

This event at CGA’s Leamy Hall, 15 Mohegan Ave., New London, and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.uscg.mil/Community/Band or call the Concert Information Line at (860) 701-6826.

Virtual author talks at Groton library

Groton Public Library will be holding a series of Virtual Author Talks in February, starting with “A Guaranteed Happily Ever After” with Author Tessa Bailey at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. It’s the story of a professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan in her new book, “Fangirl Down.”

Other events will involve New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott and his recent novel, “Hell of a Book.” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20; Kim Scott talking about “Radical Candor” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Register at libraryc.org/grotonlibrary/38722.

For more information, call (860) 441-6750 or visit grotonpl.org.

Antique clock collection in North Stonington

The North Stonington Historical Society is showing off its antique clock collection from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 10 at its 1781 Homestead, 1 Wyassup Road.

Enjoy a hot bowl of soup and a cup of hot chocolate. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the craft this month will be in keeping with that theme. As always you can help stitch a square for the society’s quilt project or do research in the Genealogy Library.

To join or for other information, visit https://www.northstoningtonhistorical.org/home.. Annual memberships are currently $20 per person, $100 for corporate and $500 for lifetime,

Opening in Exporatory Playwriting class

There are still openings in the Exploratory Playwriting class that meets from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Thames Club on State Street, New London. The new eight-week series starting March 7 is taught by Nicholas Checker and run in coordination with the Garde Arts Center and Flock Makerspace.

Checker is a produced playwright, indie filmmaker, and novelist who focuses on the crafting of single-character stage works that can be produced simply, at little or no cost, and for submission to theater companies. Fee for each eight-week series is $95. For further details and to register, email nickchecker@aol.com or call 860-444-8711.

Fish fry Fridays start Feb. 16 in Preston

St. James Episcopal Church, 95 Route 2A in Preston will be having its 59th Annual Lenten Fish Fry starting Friday, Feb. 16. Other dates are Feb. 23, March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22.

This is a drive-thru/takeout event. Call orders on each Friday starting at 1p.m. at 860-889-0150 or just drive up in person.Pickups are from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or until sold out. All dinners include fried, baked or combo fish, French fries, coleslaw and dessert for $16 per meal. Cash or credit cards accepted.

Community Bulletin Board is a free service of The Day. To submit, email times@theday.com. For easy access to websites and emails listed here, go to www.theday.com and type “Bulletin Board” into the search bar.