Waterford Day Parade on Aug. 10

First Selectman Rob Brule and the Town of Waterford are hosting the Waterford Day Parade on Saturday, Aug. 10, rain or shine.

The parade begins at Waterford High School and ends at the First Baptist Church on Rope Ferry Road. Step-off begins at 10 a.m., featuring 90 groups with music and dance performances, face painting, balloon twisters, floats and more.

Come to Jordan Green and Waterford Public Library following the parade for music by “Voice” semifinalist Braiden Sunshine, an interactive circus and the Army National Guard Humvee. The Waterford Food Bank will be collecting non-perishable food items during the parade, and 400 mini American flags will be passed out, prior to the parade, by the Waterford Rotary Club, Regional Kiwanis Club and the Waterford Regional Lions Club.

NAMI support group meets in August

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. The in-person sessions are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Brian's Healing Hearts, 461 Main St., Niantic.

This month, meetings are held Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.namisoutheastct.org.

‘Connecticut in the Movies’ author talks Aug. 24

The Lyme Art Association will host an art talk and book signing on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m. with Illeana Douglas, actress, film historian and the author of “Connecticut in the Movies,” a book about the portrayal of Connecticut in film and the 200 movies shot in the Nutmeg State. Tickets are $20 per person.

For more information, visit www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.

Historical society holds open house Aug. 10

The North Stonington Historical Society at 1 Wyassup Road presents an open house every Second Saturday of the Month. This month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug, 10, it features the Butterfly Gardens, which are set up to provide host plants for specific species, along with native and historic plants. The society’s new heirloom apple trees originated in the federal period and rely on pollinators to produce fruit.

Also on view will be a display of the area’s historic brick industry, with bricks from Fishers Island, where brick-making began in 1656 and became a proper industry during the Revolution, when the British leveled the island and the nearby city of New London, creating a greater demand for building materials. The display includes hand bricks from North Stonington with fingerprints left behind.

Saturday morning walk in Norwich

All are welcome to the next Saturday Morning Mindfulness Walk in Mohegan Park, Norwich, at 10 a.m. on Aug. 10, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Norwich and Norwich Youth, Family, and Recreation.

Walkers gather at the Spaulding Pond gazebo rain or shine. The one-hour program begins with a Qigong-inspired warm-up and meditative reading followed by a silent walk, concluding with time for sharing and reflection. Contact David Horst, minister, at davidmhorst@gmail.com for more details.

Senior resources discussed Aug. 14

St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 248 Broadway, Norwich, will be hosting Jill Vasington from the Senior Resources on Aging during its monthly lecture presentation at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the church’s Memorial Hall. For more information, call Dale Eichholz at 860-859-0401 or St. Mark's at 860-887-6826.

Blood drive Aug. 17 at St. Sophia

The Connecticut Blood Center will conduct a blood drive at the Constantine Simones Hall of St. Sophia Church, 200 Hempstead Ave., New London, on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The phone number for an appointment is 800-283-8385. Walk-ins are also welcomed.

Chicken dinner fundraiser Aug. 9 in Stonington

Calvary Episcopal Church is hosting a charitable chicken BBQ dinner on Friday, Aug. 9. The public can buy tickets at https://www.calvarychurchstonington.org/chickenbbq.

Norwich Toastmasters meeting Aug. 7

Norwich Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month, providing an opportunity to improve your communication and leadership skills.

Our next meeting is 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Chelsea Groton Bank, Norwich/Westside Branch, at 444 West Main St., Norwich.

If you cannot attend in person, attend using Zoom with this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84732872267?pwd=ZlZ1ODFYZzNySjBOVjR2UnN2aGFTZz09

Meeting ID: 847 3287 2267

Passcode: 4779255

For more information, visit https://4779255.toastmastersclubs.org/.

Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel returns Aug. 16-18

Set sail on the Tall Ship of Delaware, Kalmar Nyckel, for 2.5 hours from Friday, Aug. 16, to Sunday, Aug. 18. This full-scale replica of the 17th century Swedish ship will dock at New London City Pier, with morning and afternoon sail tickets available online at www.KalmarNyckel.org/explore or by calling 302-429-7447.

Tickets run $75 for adults and $40 for children 12 and younger (recommended for ages 8 and above). Sails will be on Friday, Aug. 16, 3-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Kalmar Nyckel is returning to New London for the first time since 2022. For details on Kalmar Nyckel private charters, volunteer opportunities, and the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center visit KalmarNyckel.org, call 302-429-7447.

Novelette and short story presentations

Adult students from the Town of Groton Parks & Recreation creative writing programs, taught by local writer Nicholas Checker, will present staged readings of their works on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., at the Groton Community Center, 61 Fort Hill Road, Groton, next door to Town Hall.

Many of these students have previously been published. Admission is free; free refreshments as well. Call 860-536-5680 for registration info; and 860-444-8711 for details on the courses.

Virtual author talks this month

Groton Public Library offers a series of virtual author talks in August, starting with “Behind the Scenes at the Space Station” with Smithsonian curator Dr. Jennifer Levasseur at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.This event will take place via digital livestream and includes a Q&A with the author. Register at libraryc.org/grotonlibrary/52338.

Next, “The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think” author Irena Smith will speak virtually at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Hear about constructive and healthy ways to approach the college application process, preserve your relationship with your teen, and help them define success on their terms instead of chasing the elusive “golden ticket.” Register at libraryc.org/grotonlibrary/52769.

“An Exploration of Friendship, Reckoning, and Hope” with author Shelby Van Pelt will be held virtually at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. The New York Times bestselling author will talk about her beloved novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Register at libraryc.org/grotonlibrary/53200.

August activities at Waterford Public Library

Among the programs this month at Waterford Public Library is the Drop In STEM Activity “Underwater Scene Suncatcher” from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, and Art with Lyman Allyn from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7 (registration required; 860-444-5805)

Kids can check out PlayDoh Fun at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, Grab & Go Craft from Aug. 10-23, and the Junior Graphic Novels Book Club Monday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Mystic Aquarium Touch Tank will be on hand.

A Cardboard Building Competition will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 (registration is required; 860-444-5805)

Adult programming includes Take & Make: Soy Candle craft Friday, Aug. 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (registration is required; 860-444-5805).

The August Art Wall features Andrew Wilson. For more details on these and other programs, visit www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org.

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