Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer. According to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 558,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were alive in 2017. Branford is lucky to have six of them participating in this year’s Memorial Day Parade. Head into town and pay your respects to these heroes. In Stony Creek, the tribute begins at 8:30 a.m. In town, people will gather on the green at 10 a.m.
Ongoing
California Gold: Marvels from the Golden State
The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven is having a gold rush. This ongoing collection showcases 23 stunning pieces of California gold, including unusually large examples as well as smaller ones featuring extremely rare crystallographic forms.
Leaves of gold overlap, intersect, and form jagged branches. Other pieces resemble gilded coral formations, while the largest specimen measures about a foot across. Most were mined over the past 25 years, though two specimens of crystallized gold were mined in the 1850s during the California Gold Rush.
The exhibit also features a collection of historical instruments and artifacts related to gold mining in California, including a mining pan filled with gold dust, a balance for weighing specimens, an instrument for measuring the velocity of air in mines to ensure proper ventilation, a field chemical lab called a “blowpipe kit,” and a silver candlestick decorated with mining-related symbols that miners used for illumination while underground.
Saturday, May 26
Perennial Plant Sale
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The United Methodist Church, 811 East Main S. will host a perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perennial plantings include Bleeding Heart, Clematis, Chives, Dianthus, False Sunflower, Hosta, Rose Bushes, Tall Shasta Daisies, Sedums Ribbon Grass and more. Landscaping plants include Dwarf Forsythia and other shrubs, as well as Crab Apple, Snowball Japonica, and Rose of Sharon trees. Pricing will be $6 to $20 for plants and $35 for trees.
Call the church @203 – 488-0549 for further information. E‑mail address is [email protected] and the website is www.umcbranford.org.
Sunday, May 27
Sunday Jazz at Home
The Jeff Fuller Duo will perform at the final May Sunday jazz performance at Home’s “living room” (1114 Main St.) from 5 to 8 p.m.
For more information, go to www.homerestaurantct.com.
Monday, May 28
Branford’s Memorial Day Parade
Bill O’Brien Photo
Six World War II veterans will serve as parade marshals at this year’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday. They will be introduced on the green at 10 a.m. before the parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Details from Bill O’Brien’s story here.
Memorial Day in Stony Creek
Memorial Day will be observed in Stony Creek on Monday, May 28.
The parade forms at the Veterans’ Memorial Triangle and begins promptly at 8 a.m., with laying of wreaths at the monuments of all veterans from Stony Creek who have served in the various wars. This is followed by the flag raising ceremony, a selection by the Stony Creek Drum Corps, gun salute and Taps.
The parade steps off immediately following and proceeds to the Stony Creek Cemetery.
The Stony Creek Memorial Day parade is never cancelled due to rain.
Transportation to and from the cemetery is being provided for any veterans needing it.
For more information, call Unk DaRos at 203 – 488-7029.
Wednesday, May 30
Books ‘n’ Brews
This month Books & Brews will discuss either “The Dog Starts” by Peter Heller or “The Farm” by Tom Rob Smith. The group will meet Wednesday, May 30, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive. Come to the meeting and grab a book for next month, or borrow one from the library or purchase a copy.
Feel free to bring your own snacks. Thimble Islands offers a selection of craft beers (must be 21+ to drink alcoholic beverages), wine, soda, and water. No purchase necessary to take part in the book club. New members welcome. For more information, call the Blackstone Library, 203 – 488-1441.
Thursday, May 31
Blood drive
Branford Fire Department will host a Red Cross Blood Drive at its headquarters, 45 N. Main St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 31. To schedule an appointment, call 800 – 773-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.
Friday, June 1
F2G2 Game Night
Meet at Blackstone Library for game night. F2G2 (First Friday Game Group) is a friendly board game group that meets on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. to play a wide variety of tabletop board and card games.
Games and instruction will be provided. There are nearly 100 games in the library’s collection, something for everyone! Adults of all experience levels are welcome. For more info and to RSVP, visit us meetup.com/everyday-adventurers.
Saturday, June 2
Open House 2018
Meet Branford Firefighters and tour of the firehouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Fire Headquarters, 45 N. Main St. Watch various demonstrations including motor vehicle accident extrication. Take a look at the new training facility and learn how to see with the thermal imaging camera.
The Branford Fire Department will also sponsor “Hands Only CPR” training in conjunction with the South Central Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. There will also be talks on community safety and awareness.
For more information, go to Branford Fire Department on Facebook.
Wildflower Walk with Botanist Lauren Brown
Lauren Brown, a longtime Branford Land Trust member and botanist, will lead a walk on the Goss property, as part of Branford Land Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The walk will be held on Saturday, June 2, at 2 p.m., meeting at the Trolley Trail parking lot off Tilcon Road in Pine Orchard.
The Wildflower Walk is free and open to the public. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and steep inclines, rocky underfooting. Wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Upcoming 50th Events include Horseshoe Crabs (June 7) and the 50th Anniversary Celebration (June 23). For more information about all upcoming events, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Monday, June 4
Tip-a-Cop for Special Olympics
Officers with the Branford Police Department will host a Tip-A-Cop event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Lenny’s Indian Head Inn, 205 S, Montowese St., on Monday, June 4, from noon to 8 p.m. Lenny’s Indian Head Inn is located at 205 S. Montowese Street in Branford.
During the event, officers will assist restaurant staff in taking orders and serving meals to restaurant patrons. At the end of the event, all tips the officers receive for their efforts will go to Special Olympics Connecticut to support its year-round sports, health and fitness programs for athletes of all abilities.
For more information, visit www.soct.org, email [email protected] or call 203 – 230-1201.
Friday, June 8
‘Black Panther’ at Willoughby Wallace
Willoughby Wallace Library in Stony Creek will host the hit movie Black Panther on Friday, June 8, at 7 p.m.
In “Black Panther,” T’Challa, the King of Wakanda, rises to the throne in the isolated, technologically advanced African nation, but his claim is challenged by a vengeful outsider who was a childhood victim of T’Challa’s father’s mistake.
The movie is rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture. Free and open to the public. Other Friday night events include music, movies, and poetry,
Tuesday, June 12
Puzzled Pint: A Social Puzzling Event
Puzzled Pint is a casual, social puzzling event for those who like original wordplay and logic puzzles.
The events take place in cities throughout the world and it’s coming to Branford on Tuesday, June 12, at 6 p.m. at Donovan’s Reef restaurant. Teams of two to six people solve puzzles that typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to solve. Bring friends or arrive solo and be matched with a team! The puzzles will be provided. Takes place on Tuesday, June 12 @ 6pm
To RSVP, call 203 – 488-1441 x 318 or visit www.blackstonelibrary.org. Free.
Wednesday, June 13
Nautical Paint & Sip
Painted by the Shore will host a nautical Paint & Sip event at Thimble Islands Brewing Co., 16 Business Park Drive, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13. Participants will paint nautical coasters for their home or patio. Ticket price, $35, includes materials and instruction from Painted by the Shore, plus a glass of wine or beer from Thimble Islands Brewing Co. Feel free to bring food to the event. For tickets, visit www.paintedbytheshore.com.
June 21, 2018
MAKE MUSIC DAY
The Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford invites the public to bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of outdoor music performances for Make Music Day – a free global celebration of music on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. A variety of musicians – including the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, Lisa Carlucci & Justin Paglino, and the Skunk Misery Ramblers – will be playing from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2018 on the lawn in front of the Whitfield House, rain or shine.
The latest performance schedule details will be posted on the museum’s Facebook page, and a tent will be set up in case of rain. There is no charge for attending the performances and the Visitor Center. The Whitfield House will be open for self-guided tours – $6 admission and free for children ages 12 and younger.
Parking is free at the museum, located at 248 Old Whitfield Street in Guilford (exit 58 off I‑95). For more information, call 203 – 453-2457, e‑mail [email protected], visit www.cultureandtourism.org, or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/henrywhitfieldstatemuseum.
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