File Photo
Explore someplace new this weekend. On Saturday, the North Branford Women’s Club is hosting a hike around Lake Gaillard, a treasure tucked away in North Branford. The public is seldom allowed into this property owned by the Regional Water Authority, so here is a unique opportunity. As always, the Branford Green is the place to be this weekend, with the Friends of Library Book Sale (you can never have too many books), the Trinity Church Fair, and Animal Awareness Day, highlighted by the Blessing of the Animals. What better way to honor our beloved pets?
Friday, Sept. 29
Therapy Dog Reading Program
With school in full swing Blackstone Library has started its Pet Partners: Therapy Dog Reading Program, which will take place the last Friday of every month. The first session will be held in the auditorium on Friday, Sept. 29 from 4 to 5 p.m. Kids of all ages can sign up to read a short book or chapter from what they are currently reading to a fully licensed therapy dog. Registration is required so that extra dogs can be accessed if needed. To participate, call 203 – 488-1441, extension 323.
Friday, Sept. 29 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
Donald Jacobson/YouTube
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].
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 drowning in the Branford River; he was 10 years old.
All proceeds will go toward the Ben Callahan Foundation, 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
Food Drive, Fundraiser for Ferals
Branford Compassion Club will hold its annual fall food drive and fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at its Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road. The event coincides with National Feral Cat Day, which promotes awareness of and compassion for feral cats throughout the United States.
Branford Compassion Club is in dire need of cat food to get it through the fall and winter seasons, as well as monetary donations to fund spay/neuter programs, which reduce the feral cat population. Volunteers from BCC take care of multiple feral colonies in the surrounding area every day, 365 days a year. Monetary donations and/or donations of unopened canned (pate) and dry cat food can be dropped off at the Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue and Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road in North Branford.
For more info about BCC, go to www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Joel Malbus at Branford Folk Music Society
Michigan’s Joel Mabus will perform at Branford Folk Music Society’s concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St. He last played in Branford in 2005 with his impeccable musicianship, warm humor and storytelling and fine songwriting.
A one-off in the folk world, Joel defies any easy musical pigeon-hole. His palette ranges from mountain banjo to jazz guitar – from sensitive introspection to wicked satire. His performing career began in college during the Vietnam Era, where he studied anthropology and literature by day and played coffeehouses by night. He has recorded 25 solo albums of original and traditional music since his recording career began in 1978. His latest effort, released early this summer, is “Different Hymnals”, a collection of tunes representing a wide variety of inspiration and traditions, different dogma and creeds. His previous release was 2015’s “A Bird In This World,” a guitar-driven album of original songs exploring the blues.
Admission is $20 non-members, $17 members, $5 children 12 and under.
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
Judith Barbosa Photo
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.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Annual Halloween Parade
The Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., will host Miss Mary and Miss Carly’s annual Halloween Parade from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 31. Kids are welcome to come in full costume to partake in Halloween rhymes, books, movement activities and even apps. The hour will conclude with a parade around the building to show off costumes and share in a couple of non-food based treats. Babies through children age 5 are invited and registration is not required.
Tuesday, Nov. 7
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 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 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.
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