Click title below to view original article on The Connecticut Mirror website.
|
|
|
Monday, August 11, 2025
50 years ago today: The Woodstock Festival as Remembered
Thursday, July 10, 2025
ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, July 26, 2025
Host: Godfrey Memorial Library, Middletown, CT
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Topic: "Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Image-Only Collections Online"
with Katy Bodenhorn
Sites like FamilySearch
contain millions of records that are online, but because they are not indexed and
searchable by name, many genealogists miss out on them. From deeds and probate files
to military pensions and church books, the answer to your brick wall mystery may
well be accessible on your home computer without you knowing it. This presentation
will cover the best ways (including the new FamilySearch Full-Text Search feature)
to access these treasures hidden in plain sight.
Katy is a freelance genealogist and the former genealogy director for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) in Philadelphia. She received a BA in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University and has over a decade of experience as a genealogy researcher, helping people learn about their ancestry. Prior to HSP, Katy worked for Legacy Tree Genealogists in Salt Lake City, where she spent seven years as a senior editor and researcher across a wide range of geographic specialties. Today she is the owner of Katy Bodenhorn Genealogy Research, LLC, and a contract researcher with Price Genealogy.
Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, July 25. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.
Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library. Then register using the above email.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
A Little Shimming Can (sometimes) Make a Big Difference
Builders, Athletes, Artists, & Designers know Shimming.*
Shim (noun): A thin, often tapered, piece of material (like wood, metal, or stone) [or paper, cardboard, foam, etc.] used to fill gaps, make something level, or adjust fit. It can be used to level objects, provide support, or ensure proper alignment between parts.
To Shim (verb): To adjust, level off, or fill a gap with a thin piece of material, sometimes a wedge, called a shim. It can also mean to modify a load, clearance, or magnetic field by using shims.
Shimming and the Feet, Back, Neck, & Overall Posture.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the feet, back, neck, hip joints, or overall posture, you might benefit from shimming in your shoes. (That's shimming.)
Often a small wedge of material under the insole at the heel will provide the support needed to level off or make a slight difference in tilt of the heel or alignment of the hips through the spinal column. Alignment is so important. Sometimes the tilt of the heel or the alignment can be corrected enough to alleviate pain or discomfort anywhere along the spinal column or through the hip and pelvic joints. It's often a delicate matter. (Note that yoga and other forms of exercise address alignment.)
Try starting with a thin shim and making it thicker as needed. Experiment with size or shape of the shim, covering the width of the shoe at the heel or or one side of the heel area. Experiment with placement under the insole, put your shoe(s) on and test how it feels walking around for a while.
If needed, try different materials, thicknesses, as well as softer or harder materials, until you get the comfort you need.
Do not be surprised if the shim needs to be adjusted or replaced, sometimes frequently, depending on what kind of material you use. Heel pads are available commercially and serve the same purpose, but they often seem less pliable than a homemade shim where you can choose the material for the shim--fabric, cardboard, etc. And be sure to see the appropriate health care provider if you experience additional discomfort or have questions. This is all we know.
*Definitions courtesy of AI.
Please note: We like the serial comma.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Mandakini - Sunday June 29 at 4pm - Hindustani vocal music with tabla and harmonium - presented by Raga Club of Connecticut
The Raga Club is delighted to present a wonderful concert of Hindustani classical vocal music, along with a tabla solo! Mandakini and Kaustuv are a mother-son musical team from India. Harmonium accompaniment by Middletown resident and Indian music expert Stan Scott.
A. Mandakini Swain — Hindustani vocal
Kaustuv Swain — tabla and tabla solo
Stanley Scott — harmonium
Kaustuv Swain — tabla and tabla solo
Stanley Scott — harmonium
4pm, Sunday, June 29
Narayana Auditorium, Sri Satyanarayana Temple
11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457
Please mark your calendars for this one!
Raga Club ticket information:
• Students - free admission.
• Raga Club member and 3 more persons from immediate family (spouse and two additional immediate family members) are allowed free to Raga Club concerts. Co-sponsored concerts and special concerts may have different ticketing arrangements.
• Other guests accompanying a Raga Club members - tickets are $20 per person, purchase at the door or in advance.
• Non-Members - tickets are $25 per person, purchase at the door or in advance here:
• Students - free admission.
• Raga Club member and 3 more persons from immediate family (spouse and two additional immediate family members) are allowed free to Raga Club concerts. Co-sponsored concerts and special concerts may have different ticketing arrangements.
• Other guests accompanying a Raga Club members - tickets are $20 per person, purchase at the door or in advance.
• Non-Members - tickets are $25 per person, purchase at the door or in advance here:
Membership is $250 for one calendar year. You may purchase your Membership here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/raga-club-of-ct-annual-2025-membership
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/raga-club-of-ct-annual-2025-membership
For more information:
Website: http://www.ragact.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ragaclubct/
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/raga_ct/
Saturday, June 14, 2025
ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, June 28, 2025
Host: Godfrey Memorial Library
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Annette Burke
Lyttle presents "Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records
They Left."
Quakers were among the earliest settlers in North America and, as they moved west, they were often the earliest settlers in newly-opened territory. Quakers were amazing record-keepers. Not only did they record births, marriages, and deaths, they also kept extensive records on those who came into their local meetings and those who left. Transgressions by members of the community were publicly discussed and recorded and, as they came to believe that slavery was evil, their records on Quakers who kept slaves became extensive. Learn about the history of these pioneering Americans and how to find the rich records they left behind.
The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET). Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, June 27. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.
Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library. Then register using the above email.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Sankari - Sunday May 11 at 4pm - South Indian Carnatic vocal music by Raga Club
Raga Club of Connecticut invites you to a wonderful concert of South Indian classical Carnatic vocal music:
Vidushi Smt Sankari Krishnan - Vocal
Vidhwan Sri R. Raghul - Violin
Vidhwan Sri V. Sai Raghavan - Mridangam
Vidhwan Sri Nerkunam S. Sankar - Khanjira
4pm Sunday, May 11, 2025
CVHTS Narayana Auditorium
11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457
Annual membership and information about more music events hosted by Raga Club: http://www.ragact.org/
Tickets for non-members are $40 at the door or here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/carnatic-vocal-concert-sankari-krishnan-may-11--2025
Saturday, May 10, 2025
ZOOM Genealogy Club
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM ET
Host: Godfrey Memorial Library
Since May is a nice long month, we're able to squeeze in another Genealogy Club, even with the 4th Saturday being a holiday weekend.
You're in for a treat -- we'll be hosting Thomas MacEntee who will be talking about How to Future-Proof Your Research. We can't tell you how many times we hear folks worrying about what will become of their genealogical efforts. It seems the kids don't want our heavy old furniture, nor do they necessarily want to inherit all our hours and hours of painstaking family research. We can hope they'll change their minds, but what if they don't? You may well have seen or heard Thomas before, as he's very well-known in the genealogy world, one of his specialties being things technological. He has recently announced that he will no longer be doing webinars after December, so don't miss this chance to see him!
The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET). Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, May 30. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.
Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org
If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to
attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial
Library. Then register using the above
email.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Saturday: Connecticut debut of Bobby Sanabria and Ascensión
Bobby Sanabria and Ascensión
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7pm
Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts
Crowell Concert Hall, 50 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459
$15 general public; $12 senior citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff/alumni, non-Wesleyan students; $8 Wesleyan students, youth under 18.
Led by multiple Grammy Award-nominated drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, and educator Bobby Sanabria, his ensemble Ascensión has been critically-acclaimed for its Pan-Latino approach to Latin jazz. This concert is the Connecticut debut of the group, and will open with a 45-minute set performed by members of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, directed by Professor of Music and African American Studies Jay Hoggard ’76, MA ’91. Learn more about the conclusion of the 22nd annual Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend.
Read Latin Jazz Expert to Perform at Wesleyan Jazz Weekend in The Wesleyan Connection.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Something to Consider: NY Times Enrichment Resource from NY Times Program
Enrichment Resource from the New York Times
New York Times inEducation has been designed as a resource to connect Times journalism with key areas of study for students and faculty through our Education Subscription Program.
If you are affiliated with a U.S. college, visit accessnyt.com to learn if your institution provides New York Times access. Others should inquire with their school or local library. If you are a faculty or staff member interested in bringing The New York Times to your school, visit the Group Subscriptions Page.__________
Excerpt from NY Times blurb/ad.
Might also be worth checking out for enrichment of high school curricula.
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Saketharaman - Sunday April 20 at 4pm - South Indian Carnatic vocal music by Raga Club
Raga Club of Connecticut invites you to a wonderful concert of South Indian classical Carnatic vocal music:
S. Saketharaman – Vocal
Kamalakiran Vinjamuri – Violin
K. Sai Giridhar – Mridangam
Sowmiya J. Narayanan – Ghatam
4pm Sunday, April 20, 2025
CVHTS Narayana Auditorium
11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457
Annual membership and information about more music events hosted by Raga Club: http://www.ragact.org/
Tickets for non-members are $40 at the door or here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/carnatic-vocal-concert-s-saketharaman-april-20--2025
Sunday, April 13, 2025
ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, April 26, 2025
ZOOM GENEALOGY CLUB
Date: Saturday, April, 26, 2025
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM (ET)
Topic: "Back to Basics: Hot to Get Started When You're New to Genealogy"
Presenters: Carol Ansel & Al Fiarce
Carol is the Library Director and Al is the Board Chair
and Treasurer of the Godfrey Memorial Library, the host of this event.
If you're an old hand at doing genealogy, join us at the halfway mark (2:00-ish) to add your two cents to the discussion -- what do you wish you had known when you were first starting out?
The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET). Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, April 25. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.
Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org
If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library. Then register using the above email.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
The night boat that ran from Hartford to Manhattan: Endless Possibilities
Did you know?*
From today's Talking Transportation, in the CT Mirror.
___________________________________________________________
* If you're not reading the CT Mirror, you're probably missing something.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME: Can Connecticut find a way to make sure leftover food is donated? As Middletown is experimenting with, as France does (by law).
From the Venerable Facebook, 4.2.2025
France has a law requiring leftover food to be donated – Since 2016, French supermarkets are banned from throwing away unsold food. Instead, they must donate it to charities to help reduce waste and feed the needy.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Registration is now open for Spring Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning March 22, weekly classes in theater, dance, circus, and visual arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.
Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on March 22 and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:45 am), Faerie Tale Theater (ages 3 - 6, 10:55 - 11:40 am), Circobatics (ages 5 - 8, 11:45 am - 12:30 pm), and Cirque+ (ages 7 to 12, 12:35 - 1:30pm)
After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin March 24 and will run for eight weeks this spring, culminating in a “Share Week” May 19 - 22. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.
Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Creative Movement on Mondays, Circus I on Tuesdays, Slapstick Theater on Wednesdays and Story Theater from Around the World on Thursdays.
Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Intro to Scene Study on Mondays, Circus II on Tuesdays, Exploring Characters Through Theater Improv on Wednesdays, and Musical Theater (ages 9 to 14) on Thursdays
Stage Three classes for ages 12 - 14 include Comic Acting on Mondays (4:30 - 6pm), Intro to Scenic Design on Wednesdays (4:30 - 6pm), and Musical Theater on Thursdays (ages 9 to 14, 4:50 - 5:50 pm.)
Middletown Public School students may complement their class experience with Oddbridge, an extended day program which provides transport from Middletown schools to the Playhouse, a snack, and supervised arts activities, games and homework help before classes start. Oddbridge extends throughout the school year, providing special programs and field trips on early dismissal days or days when regular Oddfellows’ classes are not in session.
Our regular season will conclude with a special Oddbridge Mini Production, Robin Hood and the Sherwood Circus. This is a 2 week theater adventure for kids ages 6 to 14, with transportation provided directly from Middletown Public Schools (drop off option available for home schoolers or students from other school districts). Rehearsals will run May 27 - June 5 , Monday through Friday, 4:30 - 6 pm (8 days), with performances Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6 at 7 pm.
For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Liberty Bank Foundation; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CHEFA Nonprofit Grant; and many generous individual donors.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
With a Lot of Planning & Cooperation: How Britain’s Most Bike-Friendly New Town Got Built
Bloomberg News
CityLab |
Transportation:
How Britain’s Most Bike-Friendly New Town Got Built
Planners of the Waterbeach development near Cambridge designed the new housing complex with abundant cycling infrastructure to support car-free living.
A bike bridge in Waterbeach is part of the town’s
extensive network of cycling infrastructure.
Friday, February 21, 2025
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company 2024 announces auditions for “Everybody"
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company 2024 announces auditions for
“Everybody", Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ wild contemporary adaptation of the 15th century Morality play “Everyman”.
Audition dates are March 3 & 6, 6:30 - 9 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse,
128 Washington Street, Middletown.
Anyone wishing to audition should:
*Register for one of the two evenings at www.oddfellows.org, or fill out the audition form directly at https://forms.gle/dmWbcZWh7mAiLS5G6
*Arrive on time, dress to move, and be prepared to stay the entire 2.5 hours
*Open to anyone ages 14 - 20
*Everyone who auditions and commits to the rehearsal and production schedule will be cast!
Rehearsals begin March 17 and will be Mondays and Thursdays, 6 - 9 pm.
Performance dates May 15 - 17 and 23 - 24. “Everybody” is directed by Hannah Simms.
“Everybody” is a modern riff on a 15th century morality play about a person looking for comfort and companionship when facing death. The Huffington Post says: “This is theater unlike anything you might have seen…unusual, unconventional and eye-opening…Everyman is no barrel of laughs, being a morality play about death. EVERYBODY tells the same tale, with equal emotional heft; but it is not only provocative and involving, it is also funny. Wildly funny, in fact.”
Tuition for Teen Rep is $325. Financial aid or work-study are available for all who need it. To register for one of the two auditions, go to https://forms.gle/dmWbcZWh7mAiLS5G6. For more details or more information, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Monday, February 10, 2025
ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, February 21, 2025
Host: Godfrey Memorial Library
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2025
Time: 1:30 pm (Eastern Time)
Topic: "Paying It Forward"
We will welcome Michael Cassara to talk about rescuing those abandoned family photos and documents you sometimes come across in antique shops and resale stores. Don't they make you sad? Michael will talk about how folks are reuniting families with their treasures, something that has become somewhat easier in this digital age.
The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET). Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, February 21. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.
Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org
If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library. Then register using the above email.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)