American woodcock center stage Feb. 25, March 9

A sure sign that spring is coming is the return of the American woodcock to Connecticut. Join naturalist Patricia Laudano for a presentation on one of the most unique shrubland birds to breed along our coast when the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Westbrook hosts talks at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9.

The refuge is at 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, off Exit 64 of Interstate 95. Call 860-399-2513 or email Shaun_Roche@fws.gov to register, and for more information.

Talk on Mystic’s African American population

The Mystic River Historical Society is hosting a talk at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 by Lawrence E. Wilson III in the parish hall of the Mystic Congregational Church on “The Impact of African American and Indigenous Residents on Historic Mystic.”

Refreshments will be available at 7 p.m. The program is free for all Mystic River Historical Society members, with a suggested donation of $5 for non-members.

Wilson, a Mystic native, is an African American and an Eastern Pequot. Raising his family in Stonington and now living in Providence, he made his career in major corporations and non-profits in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. He founded and currently operates The Wilson Organization in Providence, which specializes in leadership development, executive coaching and diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

For information, contact Stephen Menno, president of MRHS, at 860-287-5137 or email stevemenno@yahoo.com.

A day of Irish fun Feb. 24

The New London Currach Rowers team will help kick off a day of fun and frivolity to jump start the “season” of Saint Patrick on Feb. 24.

The local band Bards of Gungywamp will swing into action at 4 p.m. at the Stumble Inne Restaurant and Pub, 90 Halls Road, Old Lyme, with lively Irish jigs and reels in support of the team. During the band's intermission, students from the Spirited Soles Irish Dance Academy will showcase a variety of Irish dances in full colorful costume.

Tickets are available online for $20 directly through Paypal, through https:/tinyurl.com/NLCURRACH; by asking about sending a check through row.currach.nl@gmail.com, or by purchasing at the door.

Earlier that same afternoon, traditional Irish folk tunes will be played at the Westerly Library from 1-2 p.m., sponsored by the Irish Coastal Club of Westerly. Cathy Clasper-Torch, Dan Lanier and Mary Kin will be using traditional musical instruments in a free concert open to the public. (http://www.irishcoastalclub.org for information).

Music Under the Clock concert Feb. 17

The Music Under the Clock series at United Church of Stonington will feature the West End String Quartet from Wesleyan University performing excerpts from Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.

The concert also will feature the premiere of a new composition by Wesleyan professor Neely Bruce, “A Partita for Aymeric Dupre la Tour,” in honor of the late Niantic harpsichordist with a connection to Stonington who died in a 2022 car crash. Suggested donation for the concert is $20.

HuskyTHON fundraiser to aid children

On Feb. 21, the University of Connecticut hopes to raise $315,000 in only 24 hours for the patients and families at Connecticut Children’s Hospital.

The so-called HuskyTHON has raised more than $11 million for the patients and families at Connecticut Children’s, making it one of the largest Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon fundraisers nationwide.

Online donations can be made by visiting the HuskyTHON website, https://huskython.org/, and clicking on the ‘Donate’ button, or by texting “UConn” to 51-555.

Black History Month events in New London

The Public Library of New London is hosting a Black History Month Film Festival that continues from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 and 23.

Lonnie Braxton will be showing “A Ballerina’s Tale” on the 16th and “The Long Shadow” on the 23rd. For adults; free; call (860) 447-1411 for information.

Bill Memorial to hold word competition

Bill Memorial Library in Groton City will be hosting an Apples to Apples card game competition involving word association at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. Call the library at (860) 445-0392 to register, or register online at https://bit.ly/42fmVfz.

AAUW hosts knitting history program

Garments like nippers, half-handers, and the famous fisherman’s sweater hold a romantic yet real place in our coastal history. The New London Branch of the American Association of University Women will be holding an event titled “Knit So As to Turn Water: A History of New England's Maritime Knitting” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Waterford Public Library.

The knitted clothing of New England reflects maritime cultures the world over. Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue, historian and knitter, will be the presenter for this program that is open to all. After spending more than 20 years at a major Connecticut maritime museum, Bayreuther Donohue cofounded the Dirty Blue Shirts, a living history collective whose programs encompass everything from historic fashion and foodways to maritime culture and shipboard skills.

Registration is suggested for this program co-sponsored with the American Association of University Women. To register, visit www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org. For information, email Elizabeth Hume at elizabeth_hume@yahoo.com, or call (860) 442-1411.

Pasta fundraiser Feb. 24 in Preston

A pasta dinner fundraiser will be held at the Poquetanuck Volunteer Fire Department at 87 Route 2A in Preston from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24. Cost is $15 for ages 11 and up, $7.50 for ages 4-10, and anyone 3 and under gets in free.

Calvary Episcopal fundraiser in Stonington

Calvary Episcopal Church at 27 Church St. in Stonington will be offering its 59th year of Lenten luncheons, takeout only, starting Monday, Feb. 19.

The Episcopal Church Women of Calvary Church offer preordering for the meals by calling 860-912-4144. Runners will deliver your lunch to your car from noon to 1:30 p.m. at a cost of $10 a meal, including main course, salad, bread and dessert.

Here are the dates and the menu:

Feb. 19 – Turkey tetrazzini, brownies

Feb. 26 – Baked ham, Engine Room cornbread, Peggy’s pound cake

March 4 – Chicken with saffron rice, Rick’s cupcakes

March 11 – Beef stew, Norma & Alice’s cherry cobbler, bread pudding

March 18 – Chicken Divan, chocolate loaf cake

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.