St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Norwich today

The 10th annual Norwich Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3. The parade is scheduled to begin on Main Street from the Viaduct to the rotary, which will be closed starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. Additional roads in the downtown along the parade route will be closed from noon until 3:30 p.m.

Closures will affect Courthouse Square, Main Street, Railroad Place, Park Street, Cliff Street (from Park Street to Main Street), Bath Street, Franklin Street (from the rotary to Boswell Avenue), Chestnut Street, Willow Street and Lower Broadway. Private parking lots in the downtown will be hosting several events immediately after the parade. Although these events will not force the closure of streets, they will increase the number of pedestrians in the downtown until about 5 p.m.

Avery Farm Nature Preserve hike today

The Groton Open Space Association will be offering a free family-friendly hour-long hike at the historic 305-acre Avery Farm, which spans the border between Groton and Ledyard, at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3.

Hikers will meet at the parking lot, located just off of Route 184 at the end of Lambtown Road. This easy hike will explore some of the property’s unique features, including a Haley Brook bridge crossing, the beaver deceiver, varied habitat and, if lucky, great bird watching.

For more information about GOSA and its monthly hikes, visit gosaonline.org or email gosamail@gmail.com.

Presidential primary voter enrollment in Franklin

A Democratic and Republican presidential preference primary voter enrollment session will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Franklin Town Hall, 7 Meetinghouse Hill Road. At this time the Registrars of Voters will also hear requests by persons who have been removed from the rolls to add their names to the registry list.

Special session in Salem to enroll voters

The Registrars of Voters office in Salem will hold a special enrollment session at the Registrars’ office in Salem Town Hall on Friday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At this time Registrars will hear requests by persons who have been removed from the voting list, to be added to the list before the April 2 presidential preference primaries. To contact the registrars, call (860) 859-3873, ext. 230.

Sitcom discussion at Norwich library March 9

Otis Library is hosting the program “A Funny Program about Funny Programs: The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time” at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the library’s Community Room. Award-winning author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin hosts this fun and enlightening presentation based on his book “The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time.”

He will show funny snippets from top-ranked comedies, challenging patrons with sitcom trivia (including identifying cool theme songs), discuss the criteria he used to rank 70 years of sitcoms and talk about how they have evolved over the decades in humor, presentation and content.

This is a free event; no registration required. Otis Library is at 261 Main St. in Norwich.

NAMI offering online, in-person support groups

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 this month’s in-person NAMI Family Support Groups are March 4 and March 18.

Online Family Support Groups are held via Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. The dates for this month’s online NAMI Family Support Groups are March 13 and March 27. Email information@namisect.org for the Zoom meeting link. For more information, visit: www.namisoutheastct.org.

Antique Toy Show in Franklin

The Franklin Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an Antique Toy Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at 5 Tyler Drive, Franklin.

Many well-known vendors from across New England will have a variety of antique and collectible toys for display and sale. There will be concessions, a bake sale and other activities.

Earlybirds can get in at 9 a.m. for $10. Event details can be found at the Facebook page @franklinfire25 or by contacting eventsfvfd@gmail.com. A few vendor spots are still available. The department is just off Route 32 about halfway between Norwich and Willimantic.

Tween and Teen Craft Day March 16 in Norwich

Otis Library in Norwich will hold a Tween and Teen Craft Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16, , for grades 6-12 in the Young Adult Room. Drop in; no registration required. For more information, call or visit the Young Adult Department, (860) 889-2365, ext.107.

Camera club holds class March 4

The Connecticut Valley Camera Club will hold a class at 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, in the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. The topic is technical lighting indoors to create optimum studio conditions in your home or office.

Tabletop and highly reflective objects are frequent subjects for Ralph Chappell's photography sessions. The use of small lights allows work to be done in small spaces and is ideally suited for the type of photography that requires close work. Photography stations will be set up for participants to take turns trying their hands at achieving the image they envision.

Cameras must be equipped with a flash hot shoe. A tripod may be used but is not necessary.

For more information go to htttp://ctvalleycameraclub.smugmug.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/CTValleyCameraClubPage.

Empty Bowls event March 6 in Norwich

Three Rivers Community College, in partnership with the Student Activities Office and Full Plate Pantry, is hosting the Three Rivers Empty Bowls Project to support the campus food pantry from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. Empty Bowls is a national event to raise awareness of food insecurity.

Dinner in the campus multipurpose room (F-117) will consist of a bowl of soup or chili, fresh bread and a beverage. Dinner with the purchase of a ceramic bowl will be $15, and dinner without a ceramic bowl will be $10.

Safe Futures project discussed March 21

The domestic violence agency Safe Futures will be unveiling its plans for the Center for Safe Futures during a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the Waterford Community Center.

The center will provide a single location where victims can meet an advocate, talk with police and prosecutors, plan for their safety and get immediate access to emergency and longer-term assistance. It is based on the model of Family Justice Centers – 160 built over the past 20 years throughout the U.S. and recognized by Congress and the federal government as a best practice for intervention and prevention of domestic violence.

Preston Library events in March

Preston Public Library has planned these events in March:

Celtic Chocolates with Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreation; March 7, 5:30 p.m.; program celebrating Ireland, Irish chocolate pioneers, Celtic lore and Irish poetry. Register at https://prestonpubliclibrary.org/events/.

Visible Mending with Sophia DeJesus-Sabella; March 30, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; process incorporates basic stitching and weaving to create beautiful, functional repairs. Register at https://prestonpubliclibrary.org/events/.

Shamrock Celebration; March 16; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; St. Patrick’s Day celebration for kids. At 11 a.m., Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will present a program on snakes. No registration required.

Creative Concoctions; March 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Creative Concoctions: Green Goo! All ages, no registration required.

Bingham featured at March 12 luncheon in Old Lyme

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme at 2 Ferry Road is inviting the public for fellowship, food and a historical program at the Ladies Benevolent Society luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 12. The menu includes Chicken Marbella over buttered egg noodles and steamed green beans.

The program, at 1 p.m., will be a presentation by Lucretia Bingham, granddaughter of Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered Machu Picchu. Bingham, a writer and painter, who followed her grandfather’s steps along the Inca Trail, will present “Invaders of an Ancient Culture: Conquistadors, Explorers and Tourists in Peru.”

Suggested donation is $5 per person plus a nonperishable food item or a package of disposable diapers for the Food or Diaper Banks. If you plan to attend, call the church office at (860) 434-8686 by Friday, March 8.

Accessible trail forum March 7 at Otis Library

Avalonia Land Conservancy will host a meeting from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 7, at Otis Library in Norwich on a proposed accessible trail at Cedar Wood Preserve, Avalonia’s first fully owned open space property in Norwich.

A PowerPoint presentation on the meadow section of this 47-acre parcel will be followed by a question-and-answer session and discussion. Sign language interpretation will be provided. For more information, contact avalonialc@yahoo.com

Adults meet in East Lyme to talk books

An Adult Book Discussion group meets the second Tuesday of each month at East Lyme Public Library. The next meeting is 7 p.m. March 12 to discuss “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks.

Copies of the current month’s book are available at the library. No registration is necessary.

Student to discuss book March 9

Middle school student and author Nadia Lira will discuss her recently self-published book, “The Crystal Quest” at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the East Lyme Community Center Activity Room. Pre-registration is required at (860) 739-6926 ext. 2.

East Lyme Public Library will host a “Wings of Fire” Book Party from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Games and activities for ages 9 and older will be provided for fans of the fantasy series by Tui T. Sutherland. Pre-registration is required at 860-739-6926 ext. 2.

Pancake breakfast for Finnish folks

The Finnish American Heritage Society at 76 N. Canterbury Road in Canterbury will host its annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23. This event features pannukakku (Finnish oven pancake) or traditional pancakes with real maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, country fried potatoes, toast, oatmeal, coffee or tea and juice.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 per person, $5 for children ages 3-10 and free for children under 3. For information, visit www.fahs-ct.org.

Potluck supper March 9 in Westerly

The United Congregational Church of Westerly at 9 Castle Hil Road in Pawcatuck will hold a potluck supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9.

A wide range of soups, breads and desserts, including gluten free, will be offered, along with hot and cold beverages. Money raised will benefit the church organ fund.

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