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Photo: Contributed / Westover School
Photo: Contributed / Westover School
Byrd’s Books hosts Battle of the Books
James Mustich, author of the bestselling “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die,” returns to Byrd’s Books in front of a live Zoom audience to moderate “Battle of the Books Volume IV — the Alumni Edition” from 7 to 9 p.m.Wednesday.
Five people — each an alumni of past battles — will try to convince viewers to read their suggested book. Competing books remain a secret until the event. The panel is Chris Durante, Elizabeth Allen, Kara DiBartolo, Rick Magee and Rebecca Myers.
To join, go to https://conta.cc/3lkMaGJ.
Brookfield
Senior awarded scholarship
Brookfield resident Wava Chan, a senior at Westover School, was presented the Doolittle-Markham Scholarship Award, given to an academically outstanding member of the senior class, based on the student’s personal qualities and contribution to school life.
Brookfield
Bank elects first woman board chair
Union Savings Bank has elected its first woman as chair of its Board of Trustee’s in the bank’s 154 year history.
Lucie H. Voves, CEO & founder of Church Hill Classics, was named chair.
She joins Cynthia C. Merkle, president and CEO of the bank, to lead the organization, making the bank the only financial institution in Fairfield County with women in the top two management positions and among a small percentage of companies in the United States to be led by women.
Voves lives in Brookfield.
She succeeds Jeff Levine, owner of Levine Auto & Truck Parts, who retired as chair, but remains on the board.
Danbury
Library presents ‘Science behind the Sideshow’
Danbury Library will present “Mütter Museum a virtual program — The Science Behind the “Sideshow” at 6 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom.
Marcy Engleman, educator at the Mütter Museum, will discuss the history of circus sideshow performers and the scientific reasons behind differences that made them “stars.”
The event is free, but registration is required at DanburyLibrary.org.
Danbury
Boy Scouts build Little Free Library
Boy Scout Nicholas Raslavsky and fellow Scouts from Troop 33 recently built and installed a Little Free Library at Westside Middle School Academy in Danbury.
Anyone in the community can take these books and replace them with other books.
Danbury
Library hosts virtual wine tasting
Jon Haight, a wine educator and consultant, will lead participants on a virtual tour to explore wines made from grapes around the world at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Participants may want to buy a bottle of these wines from a local store: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Argentine Malbec and Washington State or California Cabernet. Following the presentation of each grape, there will be a chance to ask questions and comment on the wines tasted.
Program is for those age 21 and up.
To register for this free program, visit DanburyLibrary.org or email [email protected].
Danbury
Housatonic Habitat accepting donations
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity will resume accepting drop-off donations at its ReStore from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays.
For a list of needed items go to housatonichabitat.org/donate_to_restore.html. To schedule a donation pick-up, send pictures of items along with your name, phone number and address to: [email protected].
Proceeds from the ReStore help support Habitat’s mission to make a difference in the lives of qualified working families by promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency through ownership of affordable homes. The store is at 51 Austin St.
Danbury
Book talk examines nonfiction bestseller
Danbury Library will host a virtual book talk on “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup,” a non-fiction bestseller by journalist John Carreyrou at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 26, via Zoom.
To request a book copy or reserve a spot go to DanburyLibrary.org.
Danbury
Library presents tribute to Dean Martin
The Danbury Library will present a free, virtual tribute to Dean Martin with vocalist Jack Lynn at 6 p.m., Oct. 27.
Lynn has been doing his tribute to Dino show at various clubs, restaurants and private parties in Connecticut and the tri-state area.
Registration is required at DanburyLibrary.org.
Danbury
Wish kid granted shopping spree
Make-A-Wish Connecticut granted 14-year-old Jarell Alemán’s wish to go on a shopping spree with his family Oct. 10 at the Danbury Fair Mall. He and his parents, and three sisters arrived at the mall in a stretch limousine and also dined at The Cheesecake Factory.
Jarell, a soccer loving, Bristol resident was diagnosed with a rare disease in January of this year.
Kent
Library presents book talk, virtual signing
The Kent Memorial Library and House of Books announce a book talk and virtual signing to present the new work of Morris resident Stephen Drew at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 via Zoom. Drew will discuss his newly published memoir, “Into the Thin, A Pilgrimage Walk Across Northern Spain.”
He will recall his journey from the French Pyrenees Mountains, crossing northern Spain for 500 miles to the city of Santiago de Compostela, and beyond to the coastal town of Finisterre.
This event is free and open to the public. To register go to https://www.kentmemoriallibrary.org/stephen-drew/.
New Milford
Halloween MASKerade Ball supports The Silo
KBJB Entertainment presents The Halloween MASKerade Ball at 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at The Silo, 44 Upland Road in New Milford.
The event features KBJB drag queens KJ Johansen, comedy emcee; Ivy Stalls, Bella Noche and Whendy Whaxwood. Also featuring DJRAYD.
Cost is $30; $5 of every ticket goes directly to The Silo-Hunt Hill Farm.
Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food or toiletry item to go to New Milford Social Services. Also, bring chairs, snacks and libations. There will be door prizes and give-aways.
To reserve tickets call 860-350-8152 or email [email protected]. Tip Queens electronically via Venmo @ kbjb entertainment.
Newtown
Church holding blood drive
Newtown Congregational Church will host a Red Cross blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Healthy, new and returning donors who have not donated for at least 56 days may schedule appointments via rcblood.org/appt or 800-733-2767.
COVID-19 precautions will apply. Each donor must wear a mask or get one from the Red Cross.
Newtown
Chicken and shrimp dinners help church’s mission
Newtown Congregational Church is cooking chicken and shrimp dinners for pickup from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Dinners include salad, roll, butter, and dessert. Cost is $15/chicken; $18/shrimp or $20 for chicken and shrimp.
Proceeds benefit Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi.
To place an order, go to bit.ly/orderBBQOct24 or 203-304-9390.
Redding
Author talk retraces Twain’s travels
The Mark Twain Library will present a virtual conversation with veteran journalist Loren Ghiglione from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss his recent book, “Genus Americanus.”
In his book, Ghiglione retraces the travels American novelist Mark Twain to explore topics that are currently polarizing the country.
Register for this program by calling 203-938-2545 or at https://marktwainlibrary.org/events/author-talk-mtl-genus-americanus-by-loren-ghiglione-alyssa-karas-and-dan-tham-presented-by-the-conversations-on-race-series-virtual/.
Ridgefield
Registration open for Hall-iday Light Fight competition
Founders Hall has opened registration for its new, socially distant community fundraiser The Founders Hall-iday Light Fight to take place in December.
Homeowners and businesses can sign up to decorate the exterior of their home or commercial location with holiday lights. The public is invited to view the light displays from their vehicles during the competition dates, Dec. 10-20, and vote for their favorite(s) by making a monetary donation to Founders Hall. The location that raises the most money will be the winner, to be announced Dec. 22. Founders Hall asks for a minimum donation of $25 when voting, which can be divided among more than one address.
Competitors will have their lights on every evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 to 20.
Those interested in learning more about the Founders Hall-iday Light Fight can read the contest rules, review the entry form and required waiver, and sign up online at founders-hall.org. Registration will close Nov. 1.
Sherman
JCC presents last outdoor concert
The Jewish Community Center, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman will present the last outdoor concert of the season at 5 p.m. Saturday featuring The Funk Express.
The Funk Express features Sherman School’s Steven Trinchillo & Chris Carlone.
Tickets are $15.
For more information, go to https://www.jccinsherman.org/.
Sherman
Outdoor open mic night
Outdoor Open Mic Night will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays in the parking lot at the JCC, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman.
Reservations are required
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.jccinsherman.org.
Southbury
Learn how to identify sparrows
Bent of the River Audubon Center is offering a sparrow identification webinar from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Admission is $10. Suitable for adults and children ages 12 and up.
Advance registration is required at bentoftheriver.audubon.org/events/sparrow-identification-workshop.
For questions, contact Kate Pratt at [email protected] or 203-405-9113.
Washington
ASAP! registering for fall programs
ASAP! has opened registration for its 2020-2021 programming. This year, programs for all ages will be either virtual or hybrid with all materials provided in advance. Topics include theater, movement, art history, painting, drawing, sculpture, film, agriculture, writing, environmental art, cooking, community collaboration, photography and more.
Some of the upcoming workshops and events taking place in the early fall include A Day on The Farm for grades 2-5 (Oct. 21); Clayorama with Kaitlin Clark for grades 3-5 (beginning Oct. 26); Ninjatrition with Alissa Monteleone for grades 3-5 (beginning Oct. 28); and Artgo with Me with Kaitlin Clark for ages 3-5 (beginning Nov. 9).
To view all ASAP! programs or to register for an upcoming class, visit www.asapct.org.