Saturday, especially, is jam-packed with all sorts of cool events. Celebrate Earth Day on the Branford green, take part in a bicycle ride in support of the Shoreline Greenway Trail, or March for Science. There are some great musical events as well, including a Fife and Drum Corp Jamboree at St. Mary’s School and, looking ahead, the Peace Project concert, a huge musical effort put together by the choral department at Branford High School. Add to all this, there are plenty of opportunities for …shall we say… intellectual enrichment!
Saturday, April 22
Branford Earth Day
Branford Earth Day will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Branford Green. There will be educational booths with information on hiking trails, kayacking, organic food, and recycling, along with environmental activities for kids, yoga demonstrations and music.
St. Mary’s School Fife & Drum Corps
Join St. Mary School’s Fife & Drum Corps at the 3rd Annual Jamboree on Saturday, April 22, from 4 to 8 p.m., at 62 Cedar St. Also participating will be The Young Colonials from Carmel, New York; The Regulators from Dover Plains, New York, The Lancraft Fife & Drum Corps from North Haven; The Connecticut Valley Field Music from Middletown; and others.
In addition to the concert, there will be raffle prizes and a pasta dinner will be served. Jam session will commence at the end of the performances. Admission is $12 – tickets will be sold at the door. Children 12 and under are free, as well as members of the fife & drum corps. Call Brendan Mason 203 – 439-1109 for more information.
Rock to Rock Earth Day Bicycle Ride
Shoreline Greenway Trail is forming its team for the 2017 Rock to Rock Earth Day Bicycle Ride, scheduled for Saturday, April 22 in New Haven. Last year, the 21-member team raised nearly $3,625 for the trail. The event, which attracted 1,135 cyclists, raised more than $165,000 for 28 environmental organizations, including Shoreline Greenway Trail. The SGT riding team enjoyed a sunny day of pedaling through New Haven-area parks and neighborhoods plus tasty food, great music and camaraderie at the finish line. A fun day for a worthy cause.
This year, there will again be courses for riders of all kinds and ages: 8‑mile (police-escorted family ride), 12-mile, 20-mile, 40-mile to a 62-mile metric century for distance riders.
Registration is open. Visit RocktoRock.org to sign up as a member of the Shoreline Greenway Trail team; donations from sponsors will directly benefit the trail. Email Ginny McParland at [email protected] for more information.
Reconnect With the People and Places of Branford
The Blackstone Library is offering a new program, “Uncover Branford,” this spring, which is designed to help participants reconnect with the people and places that make Branford home. Uncover Branford is a collaboratively designed program shaped by feedback from the community. Those who want to explore, make friends, and uncover the hidden gems of Branford are invited to the Uncover Branford kickoff meeting on Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St. to meet others who want to exchange stories about their favorite places in town and explore new places as a group.
Participants are invited to share favorites such as walking trails or interesting stories from restaurants. They’ll break into small groups to create an exploration plan, then visit those places with their group. Stories and experiences will be shared with the community with a simple display and in a printed booklet at the library on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m.
The Uncover Branford Open House and Reception will take place on Tuesday, May 23, at 6 p.m. where photos and stories will be displayed for the public.
Visit www.blackstonelibrary.org to register and to get more information.
March for Science
Action Together, a coalition of allied progressive organizations, will sponsor the March for Science on Saturday, April 22, in support of the scientific community.
The event will begin at 1 p.m. with a fair at College Woods Pavilion (across from Wilbur Cross High School) to celebrate science with demonstrations and a “story corner” for people to hear scientists tell their personal experiences with science. A rally with invited speakers will start at 2 p.m. and immediately following the rally there will be a march in the East Rock neighborhood.
For more information, go to http://sciencemarchnhv.org/.
Sunday, April 23
Volunteer Firefighter Day
Volunteer fire departments throughout the state will celebrate the start of National Volunteer Week (April 23 to 29) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, with open houses.
Branford Fire Department, 45 North Main St., will be participating. Visitors to the fire house will be able to talk with volunteer firefighters about the work they do, explore fire apparatus and turnout gear, get a tour of the fire house, and fill out an application.
More than 80 percent of all fire personnel in Connecticut are volunteers, and the majority of fire departments throughout the state are experiencing a volunteer shortage. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities, people willing and able to respond to emergencies whenever called upon. Do you have what it takes?
High Tea
A High Tea reminiscent of Downton Abbey to benefit Scout troops 341 and 434 will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 23, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1109 Main St.
Included in the High Tea will be tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, tea, coffee, and all the fixings. Suggested donation is $25. To RSVP, call 203 – 376-32819.
The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Branford High School social studies teacher Joel Hinrichs and Department Chair Peter Bouley will discuss the Syrian refugee crisis on Sunday, April 23, at 2 p.m., at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St.
Who are the Syrian Refugees? What is their experience leaving their homes and seeking a new country? Is it safe for the US to accept Syrian refugees? Learn about them from Hinrichs and Bouley, who literally walked in their footsteps. They say the best way to get to know someone is to walk in their shoes.
The two men spent their summer following the Western Balkan Route taken by Syrian refugees through Norway, Germany, Serbia, and Greece. Assisting in refugee camps, meeting and getting to know the people and their stories, they shared their experiences on Facebook and YouTube and now integrate what they learned into Branford High School’s social studies curriculum. “By exposing students to this complex issue from a personal perspective, they are able to draw their own conclusions about the refugee crisis abroad and here at home” said Bouley.
Registration is required. Call the library at 203 – 488-1441.
Tuesday, April 25
Branford During World War I
Local author Ted Braun will bring to life what it was like living in Branford during The Great War on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 753 Main St. His talk is based on original research of Llewellyn Barker’s Wartime Diaries 1914 – 1919. Braun recently published “The Barkers of Branford: Life In America Through A Local Lens.”
Braun will share excerpts from sections such as “Prohibition Insights: The Branford License Question” and “Electrification & The Flush Toilet Come To Town,” among many others. The book is based on the contents of 72 years worth of diaries, written by his father-in-law’s grandfather, Llewellyn Barker between the years of 1865 and 1937. The diaries, which were discovered in the home of Ted Braun’s in-laws Richard and Eileen Field of South Montowese Street in Branford, lend helpful insight into the detailed chronicle of both local and national history that Braun provides in his book.
“The Barkers of Branford” is richly illustrated with over 200 images documenting the transition of a family, a town, and a nation. Copies will be available ($30 includes a donation to Branford Historical Society).
Wednesday, April 26
Books ‘n’ Brews
Blackstone Library’s new book group, Books ‘n’ Brews, will meet at Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. Participants should bring their own snacks. Thimble Islands offers a selection of craft beers (must be 21+ to drink alcoholic beverages), wine, soda, and water. No purchase is necessary to take part in the book club.
Three different discussion groups will be included, discussing The Hike by Drew Magary, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, and The Noble Hustle by Colson Whitehead.
If you’ve read one of these titles, come out and join the discussion. If you need to request a copy, you can do so through the Blackstone’s online catalog. Place a hold, get your book, and join the fun!
A Place Called Hope
Join the Branford Land Trust for a close-up view of live birds of prey during a presentation by A Place Called Hope on Wednesday, April 26, 7 p.m., at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St. Meet two daytime hunters and two nighttime hunters in person, then learn each bird’s story of survival and ways to lessen conflicts with the wildlife in your very own backyard.
A Place Called Hope specializes in the care of birds of prey. Some of those birds include eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. The goal is to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned birds and return all birds to the wild. In some cases, injuries make it impossible to return a bird to the wild. If suitable to the bird’s disposition, APCH has permission from the Unites States Fish & Wildlife Service to house and train birds. The birds take on a new role as an ambassador of their species telling their own personal story of survival.
Visit www.branfordlandtrust.org for details on additional dates and speakers in the Winter/Spring Lecture Series presented by the Branford Land Trust. All are free and open to the public.
Sunday, April 30
Peace Project: Music for Peace and Brotherhood
The Peace Project is a yearlong study of music by Branford High School choral students that either promotes peace or brotherhood. The study will culminate in a concert at Woolsey Hall in New Haven on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. All tickets are $15.
The Branford High School choral groups, members of the Branford Chorale, and an orchestra of many professional musicians will perform The Peacemakers by Karl Jenkins, Find the Cost of Fresno by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Chimes of Freedom by Bob Dylan, Imagine by John Lennon, and the Ode to Joy from Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven, which features an alumni quartet.
According to Music Director Cathyann Roding, the project grew out of an experience she and her students had at the John Lennon Peace Wall in Prague last April. “My students are dedicated to using their music to do good things in this world. This project completely encompasses all that they stand for and believe in,” she said.
Looking Ahead
Rotary Dollars For Branford Scholars
The Rotary Club of Branford offers its annual scholarship to Branford high school seniors who are pursuing advanced education in the fall 2017. The award of $3,000 will be given to the applicant who provides outstanding evidence in academic achievement, community service, Rotary values, and financial need.
The application has three components to be fulfilled. First is a student-written essay focusing on Rotary principles. Then supportive documentation as specified in the application requirements such as high school transcript and teachers’ references. Finally, is an interview with a panel of Rotarians.
The applicant may be a pending graduate of any accredited Connecticut high school. This scholarship is for undergraduate study at a two or four-year college or technical school. Branford residency is required.
Applications for the Rotary scholarship are available at [email protected] and the Branford High School guidance office as well as the James Blackstone Memorial Library and Willoughby Wallace Library. Completed application packets must be received by May 22. For more information, call Tony Terry at 203 – 481-6424.
Summer Playground Camp
Registration is open for Branford Recreation Department’s Summer Playground Camp for ages 5 – 12, which begins July 3. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 3 to Aug. 11 (no camp on July 4).
Cost for the basic camp program is $400 for six weeks. A Before Care Program costs an additional $125 and an After Care Program (from 3 to 5 p.m.) is an additional $175 per camper. Site choices for the 2017 Summer Camp include Hammer Field, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Stony Creek Playground, and Foote Park. Field trips are included in the basic camp fee with the exception of Lake Compounce Day (July 25), which is an additional $50. There are limited spots on the trip to Lake Compounce. Children must be enrolled in Summer Camp to register for this trip.
For further information or to register, the office at 203 – 488-8304 or to enroll online go to www.branfordrecreation.org.
Saturday, May 13
Stony Creek Brewery Shred Event
Stony Creek Brewery will hold a Shred Event to benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Brewery’s parking lot at 5 Indian Neck Ave. A $5 donation is requested for each box of paper; 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Closer to Free Charity for the Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
Open to the public, the Shred Event is an opportunity to securely destroy confidential documents and records, protecting them from identity theft.
The Shred Event service will accept papers, photographs, blue prints, and a variety of other documents.
After the event guests are welcome to visit the Stony Creek Brewery, which will open at 10 a.m. Guests can enjoy a selection of 16 Stony Creek beers as well as a variety of wines and soda at their waterfront grounds.
For more information on Stony Creek Brewery visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/StonyCreekBeer or visit the Stony Creek Brewery website at www.stonycreekbeer.com
Sunday, May 21
“Evergreen Woofs” Dog Parade
The ninth annual Evergreen Woofs Dog Parade will take place Sunday, May 21, at 10 a.m., at Evergreen Woods Community Building parking lot and lawn, 88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford.
The event is a fundraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind of Southern Connecticut, whose territory stretches from Wallingford to Deep River to New Haven. Dogs of all walks of life – and their owners – are welcome. Registration is $5 per pooch, with a unique award given to each entrant. Hot dogs and lemonade will be sold as well.
For more information, call Briana Benn-Mirandi at 203 – 483-3224 or email [email protected].
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