Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

Fall has officially arrived, but the warmth of summer is lingering. Tag sales, book sales, bike tourneys, and artwork for all tastes can all be found within the borders of our town. If the activist in you has been raised, check out Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible’s fall kick-off meeting with Rosa DeLauro (and be sure that you are registered to vote regardless of your political leanings). Looking ahead, round up your pups and kitties for Branford Compassion Club’s Animal Awareness Day with the Blessing of the Animals as its highlight. Need more ideas for activities? Read on!

Saturday, Sept. 23

Take A Vet Fishing 2017

The Branford Yacht Club, 39 Goodsell Point Road, and the First Congregational Church host their sixth annual ​“Take A Vet Fishing” day, beginning with 5 a.m. registration on Saturday, Sept. 23. Boats will leave the dock starting around 7 a.m., and a barbecue will take place at the BYC following the outings on the water.

Veterans will travel from as far away as the Walter Reed Centers in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, and from all across Connecticut to enjoy a day on the water. This year about 150 veterans are signed up and 40 to 50 boats launching from the Branford Yacht Club to take them fishing. BYC members, as well as boaters from neighboring marinas, will captain their boats.

For more information, call Hillary Mendillo, 203 – 589-9406, or email [email protected].

Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale 

The annual Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 14 Pentecost St. Treasures of all kind available – no clothing or non-recycle baby items. Refreshments. Proceeds to benefit the Branford Food Pantry and the church. (See top photo.)

For more information, call 203 – 466-6274.

Shoreline Harvest Arts Festival 

The third Annual Shoreline Harvest Arts Festival will take place under the Big Tent on the Branford Green from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, featuring more than 40 artists and artisans who will display their works of fine art and sculpture, jewelry, wood arts, pottery, metal, stained glass, painting, photography and textiles. Live jazz will be provided by Brisile and friends.

Sponsored by Branford Art Center and Branford Education Fund, the festival will be held rain or shine. For more information, call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected] and visit the gallery website www. branfordartcenterct.com.

Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible 

Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible will have its Fall Kick-off Meeting from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the First Congregational Church, 110 Broad St., Guilford. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro will address the group from 10 to 11 a.m. and team meetings will take place from 11 a.m. to noon.

Current and new members are invited. For more information, email CTShorelineIndivisible.com.

Sunday, Sept. 24

BCTV’s Tour de Branford 

BCTV’s Tour de Branford 2017, takes place Sunday, Sept. 24. The ride is designed for bicyclists to enjoy the beautiful scenery along in Branford and the shoreline. There’s both a 15-mile and 40-mile ride to choose from. The event starts and ends at the Stony Creek Brewery.

Monday, Sept. 25

Rotary Club Golf Tourney

The Branford Rotary Club golf tournament will now be held on Monday, Sept. 25, at the scenic Clinton Country Club, 128 Old Post Road, Clinton.

The Clinton Country Club is a new venue for the event. Established in 1895, the Clinton course is one of the oldest in the country. The 18-hole course, designed by Geoffrey Cornish, is both challenging and beautiful.

Registration is $175 per golfer. The Branford Rotary tournament is a fundraiser for designated charities. See above poster for additional information.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Stories of a New America

Shoreline Interfaith Refugee Resettlement and Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible will present ​“Stories of a New America,” a performance of vignettes about refugees starting over in the U.S. by the Collective Consciousness Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at First Congregational Church, 110 Broad St., Guilford.

A reception at 6 p.m., featuring international cuisine catered by refugees, will be followed by the performance at 7 p.m. and a discussion led by Chris George, executive director of IRIS.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for ages 8 to 17, and free for children under 8. They can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com or call 203 – 640-2461.

Thursday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Oct. 1

Library Book Sale 

Friends of Blackstone Library holds its annual book sale under the tent on the Branford Green from Thursday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Oct. 1. Admission for Preview Night, Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m., is $15; free for members of the Friends of the Library. The general sale is Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Lake Gaillard Walk 

The North Branford Women’s Club, in conjunction with the Regional Water Authority, is sponsoring its 18th Annual Walk at Lake Gaillard from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30.

This is the only time the public is allowed onto the property to walk at their own pace around the lake. The distance around the lake is approximately 7 miles, but participants may choose any distance with which they are comfortable. Distance markers will be posted along the trail. Water and comfort facilities will be available. All walkers must be on the trail by 11 a.m. as no one will be allowed to start their walk after that time.

A shuttle will be available for transporting participants to the Lake Gaillard property from Jerome Harrison School on Route 80 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins at the Beech Street entrance and access there will be by bus or on foot only. Registration fee is $10 for anyone over the age of 6. To pre-register, call Eileen at 203 – 481-3553.

Trinity Church Fair 

The 110th annual Trinity Church Annual Fair opens on the green Saturday, Sept. 30, with the traditional blueberry pancake at 7:30 a.m., ending at 10:30 a.m. Venues open throughout the morning starting at 8 a.m. and continue till p.m.

American lunch on the grill served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: sausage & pepper grinders/clam chowder and garlic toast. Supper from 4 to 6 p.m., plus there’s apple crisp and whipped cream. Kids games, silent auctions, giant tag sale, jewelry, needle crafts, homemade baked goods, preserves, homegrown produce, books, DJ music, and more.

Canned foods will be collected for the Branford Food Pantry to help residents in need.

Sunday, Oct. 1

Animal Awareness Day

Branford Compassion Club will host Animal Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, on the Branford Green. The Blessing of the Animals is held at 1:30 p.m., along with children’s activities, business vendors, animal rescue organizations, bake sale, food, and music. Details, sponsor, and vendor information at branfordcompassionclub.org.

The End of the Modern Age 

The Branford Forum presents a talk by Yale Professor Charles Hill, titled ​“The End of the Modern Age: Cathedrals to Books to Bytes” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St. Free.

For further information, email [email protected].

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Color Away Your Stress 

The adult coloring phenomenon has provided an island of calm in a stressful world. Sally Bahner will host a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St.There are hundreds of books on the market, tailored to all interests and skill levels, designs simple and complicated, mandalas, animals, florals, landscapes and more. Artists such as Joanna Basford and Hanna Karlzon have gained huge followings. Some handouts and supplies will be available. Feel free to bring your own. Donation, $5.To register or for more information, call Yvonne, 860 – 334-4642 or Sally, 203 – 488-3495.

Saturday, Oct. 7

“Benstock”

“Benstock,” a musical event in honor of Ben Callahan, will take place Saturday, Oct. 7, at Nuzzo’s Farm, 736 East Main St. Ben died in July after drawing in the Branford River; he was 10 years old.

All proceeds will go toward the Ben Callahan, established by the family to fund various charities in the community. Local bands will be featured as well as food trucks, vendors, and more. Email Cayla Florio at [email protected] to volunteer or donate services, supplies, or time.

Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15

Book Launch Party and Artist Talk

Launch party for ​“Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind,” a new book by Branford author/artist Jen Payne takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, 188 North Main St. Payne asks the questions: Would God floss? Do spiders sing? Can you see the Universe in your reflection? Payne’s 2014 book LOOK UP! Musings on the Nature of Mindfulness will also be featured.

Payne will sign copies of her book. Refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public.

An Artist Talk/Sunday Salon with Jen Payne and Martha Link Walsh takes place from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Martha Link Walsh Gallery 188 North Main Street.

The free event will focus on the creative process and is presented in conjunction with the launch of ​“Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind,” a collection of poetry and photographs by Payne. Open to the public; refreshments will be served.

Email Jen Payne [email protected] or call 203 – 483-5353 or visit 3chairspublishing.com.

A Hogwarts Halloween

Registration is open for a Hogwarts Halloween at the Blackstone Library. Sessions take place Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. OR on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is for children age 6 and up.

Children will get the feeling they truly have entered the halls of Hogwarts. Upon arrival, they will be escorted by Prefects to the Great Hall, where they will be greeted by Professor McGonagall. From there, attendees will take classes in Charms, Potions, and Divination.

This year’s school session also involves an escape challenge – Dolores Umbridge has been known to lock an entire class out of the Hogwarts building and onto the Hogwarts grounds. It will be up to each class to work together to solve the clues and find the magic key that opens the door back into Hogwarts proper. And, of course, no one will leave without their wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop personally matched by Ollivander.

These sessions are drop-off only, with Prefects escorting the children through their two hours of classes. Admission is $30 per child. Costumes are encouraged. Also available for purchase: Class T‑Shirts (long sleeved), $20 each, and School Portraits, $10 each. Details at www.blackstone.lioninc.org/hogwarts-at-blackstone-faqs/.

Sunday, Oct. 22

Men Who Cook 

The 23rd annual Men Who Cook takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Guilford Yacht Club, 379 New Whitfield St., Guilford. Guests will dine on three small plate courses at this festive cocktail party, emceed by celebrity chef and past Chopped champion Ric Orlando, and featuring fun chef competitions between 30 prominent and talented volunteer chefs.

Live and silent auction items range from South African photo safaris and sailing trips to jewelry, theater tickets, gift baskets, and more. Proceeds will benefit Women & Family Life Center, which helps shoreline residents in crisis due to major life events. For tickets call 203 – 458-6699, email [email protected], or visit www.womenandfamilylife.org.

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