We Are the Land: Saga of Wampanoag People in Plymouth & New England

Of Cultural Interest, perhaps for a day out in Boston.
Or to inspire a Middletown Playwright.

We Are The Land

A Pageant-Play

Telling the Story of

the Wampanoag People

   The Wampanoag people have been stewarding their land for over 10,000 years across several eastern states, including Massachusetts. After colonization, their voice was silenced. We Are The Land is part pageant, part play, where audiences will hear directly from Wampanoag people telling their story of their relationship to the soil, how it was taken away, and how the nation has re-established themselves in a way that both honors their ancestors and looks toward the future.

Working with a group of Wampanoag artists, actors, and storytellers, Mashpee resident and member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, Siobhan Brown, alongside Hartman Deetz, have brought this incredible event to fruition. After its World Premiere in Plymouth, UK, We Are the Land comes to Boston for a very special two performance engagement.
(From post on Emerson Theatre website: Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre,
219 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116.)

_________________
Performances at the Emerson Theatre, Boston (see below), likely to be sold out. It is hoped that the play may be presented again and at other venues in other states. Maybe in Connecticut. Maybe in Middletown. Just think: We Are the Land, at the Oddfellows Playhouse, or as an Art Farm production or a youth theater performance. 

VENUE
Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre
219 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116
Emerson Theatre shows We Are the Land

FRIDAY, SEP 29, 2023
8:00 PM  GET TICKETS
SATURDAY, SEP 30, 2023
2:00 PM   SOLD OUT

A Library play reading of We Are the Land

WE ARE THE LAND: ROXBURY LIBRARY (SEP 16 -OCT 7, 2023). a playreading event.
(No Zoom noted.)  

Play Reading Book Club (PRBC)  – Sat, Sep 16, 2023 - 01:30 PM.

This PRBC will be held in person at the Roxbury Library located at 149 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119. Sessions will run Saturday, September 16 through Saturday, October 07. The PRBC will attend the live, in-person performance of We Are the Land at the Cutler Majestic Theater on Saturday, September 30 at 2:00pm (tickets to the performance are sold separately). Online registration for PRBC is one per customer. 

Other information online may be found via search on We Are the Land.

An exuberant review of We Are the Land appears in this edition of The Cape Cod Times:

https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/entertainment/2023/09/20/we-are-the-land-to-perform-artsemerson-emersons-cutler-majestic-theater-play-wampanoag-tribe/70839891007/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=gh-capecodtimes-main&fbclid=IwAR09pxUEkvrE2gdnjlZwUh6Eq3HIEm8Sz5MGHByBlieqqqprEusau_bcDzc

Raga Club presents Indian classical music by S. Aishwarya — 4pm Sun Sept 17 at Sri Satyanarayana Temple

 Raga Club of Connecticut presents 

a Concert of South Indian Classical Carnatic Music

S. Aishwarya - Vocal

S. Saundarya - Vocal

Janardhan Srinath - Violin

Phanindra Bhaskara - Mridangam

4pm Sunday, September 17, 2023

CVHTS Narayana Auditorium (below Satyanarayana Sanctum)

11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457

Dear Middletown friends, we are delighted to present this concert, which should be a wonderful, heartfelt performance of South Indian classical vocal music. The singers are the great-granddaughters of one of the finest musicians from India of the 20th century, and the whole team here are themselves excellent musicians. 

Raga Music concerts - Ticket policy:

* Non-Raga Members - tickets are $25 per person, purchase at the door

* Students - Free admission

* RAGA member and 3 more persons from immediate family (spouse and two additional immediate family members) are allowed free to RAGA concerts. Co-sponsored concerts and special concerts may have different ticketing arrangements.

* Other guests accompanying a RAGA member should buy tickets at $25 per person

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ragaclubct/

Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/raga_ct/

Website: http://www.ragact.org/ 

Thanks and hope to see you there! 

- Joseph Getter, President, Raga Club

Get Dirty for Cleaner Rivers! Update: The Coginchaug River Cleanup is Postponed Until September 30!!

POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, SAME TIME & PLACE!! 

Join the fun, be part of a "source-to-sea" effort, and help clean the river! On Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9 am to noon, the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, the City of Middletown’s Commission on Conservation and Agriculture, and SLR International Corporation are leading a Coginchaug River cleanup at Veterans Park in Middletown. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Connecticut River Source to Sea Cleanup. In case of heavy rain or stormy weather, the cleanup will be postponed until Sunday, September 24, same time. 

 The City of Middletown Public Works Department will provide cleanup supplies, and help by disposing of trash and recyclables. Any additional donations from businesses to help with the cleanup, such as snacks for the volunteers, would also be appreciated!

Source to Sea Cleanup is an annual four-state community cleanup of the Connecticut River and tributaries coordinated by the Connecticut River Conservancy. As a volunteer you will be one of thousands working watershed-wide on the same day to clean up our watershed.

If you would like to participate as a volunteer, please go to the online registration page for the Veterans Park Coginchaug River Cleanup. If you would like to make a donation, or have questions, please contact the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District at (860) 346-3282, or ctrivercoastal@conservect.org.

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Middletown, CT, works to conserve the natural resources of towns in the lower Connecticut River watershed and coastal areas. For more information about District technical and educational programs and services, visit our website at www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal.

 

 

Upcoming Recycling Opportunities

 

Help Reduce Our Waste Stream

 

ZOOM Genealogy Club - September 23, 2023

 

Steve Morse

Topic:  "One-Step Tools with Steve Morse"

Saturday, September 23, 2023

1:30 PM Zoom Presentation

 You may remember when Steve joined us to help prepare us for the release of the 1950 census. This time he will be walking us through some of his One-Step Tools on his website. The site started out as an aid for finding passengers in the Ellis Island database. Over the years it has continued to evolve and today includes about 300 web-based tools divided into 16 separate categories ranging from genealogical searches to astronomical calculations to last-minute bidding on eBay. This presentation will describe the range of tools available and give the highlights of each one.

NOTE: This is a week later than our usual meeting - a 4th Saturday rather than a 3rd.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, September 22.  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.

Brews for Boats fundraiser, September 17th

Enjoy great company, local brews, food and live music while supporting our community rowing program! 

"Brews for Boats" on Sept 17th at Stubborn Beauty Brewery, 4-7pm. 

Tix include 2 brews, Taino Bbq and Live music! 

Tickets need to be purchased online by Sept 13th at Centralctrowing.com/events

"EXCELLENT TURNOUT" FOR THE MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB'S 24 HOUR FUNDRAISER FOR MIDDLEFIELD'S CAMP NERDEN HELD JULY 21-22, 2023.

 

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members at Camp Nerden On July 22, 2023 During Their 24 Hour Fundraiser.

MERIDEN MOTORCYCLE CLUB 24-HOUR FUNDRAISER HELD JULY 21ST & JULY 22, 2023 FOR CAMP NERDEN.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY FRANK LOGIUDICE

The Meriden Motorcycle Club were looking for adventure.  They continued to make it happen for the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp in Middlefield for their "24 Hour Road Bike/Dirt Bike Ride Hard Enduro" fundraiser held on July 21 and July 22, 2023.  

According to the Ride Chairman Dino Pandolfo he stated they had an "Excellent turnout." They had 30 road riders and thirty for their endurance dirt bike race at their club.  Not even the heavy rain on Friday, July 21st  hampered or delayed their event because one of their riders "Babe" who is 82 years young of Berlin kicked off the event on Friday and rode in the rain for the first two hours of the event.   Pandolfo stated "He is fearless.  He is one of the best friends anybody could have."

Front to Back: Meriden Motorcycle Club Members "Babe," Jake & Joe Cournoyer leave their club on the Meriden-Middletown Town Line on July 22, 2023 for their 24 Hour Fundraiser for Camp Nerden. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

A Meriden Motorcycle Club member Bob Lipinski drives on Powder Hill Road prior to turning into Camp Nerden for the 24 Hour Fundraiser for the camp on July 22nd. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members Chris Tautvia and riding as a passenger is April Pierce get ready to turn into Camp Nerden During Their 24 Hour Fundraiser on July 22, 2023 (Photo By Frank Logiudice)

This club has been involved with Camp Nerden since it was founded in 1966.  They donated $1,000 to the camp that year according to Pandolfo.  "We have been a contributor to Camp Nerden since 1966.  We are always helping with any projects needed with Camp Nerden," stated Pandolfo.  The 24-Hour Road Bike/Dirt Bike Ride Hard Enduro” event has been going on for over 20 years, Pandolfo commented.  "Today was everything for Camp Nerden with all proceeds going to Camp Nerden," stated Pandolfo.  He also mentioned that all of the food and non-alcoholic drinks for the event were donated from area local businesses.  Pandolfo added, "We would like to thank them for their support."

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members in front Ryan Crooks & behind him is Ryan Caruso cruise into Middlefield's Camp Nerden on Saturday, July 22, 2023 for their 24 Hour Fundraiser for Camp Nerden. (Photo By Frank Logiudice)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Member Ryan Caruso cruises past the Camp Nerden Pool on July 22, 2023 for the 24 Hour Fundraiser For Camp Nerden. (Photo By FRANK LOGIUDICE)

Camp Nerden Director Sue Chenard stated this about the Meriden Motorcycle Club,  “We would like to thank them for their continued support of camp. We are very appreciative of all that they do for us.”  The camp serves individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 6 and above during the summer.

Meriden Motorcycle Club Member Butch drives past the Camp Nerden's pool on July 22, 2023 for their 24-Hour Fundraiser for the Middlefield camp. (Photo By Frank LoGiudice)

Meriden Motorcycle Club Members Chris Tautvia and riding as a passenger is April Pierce return to the Meriden Motorcycle Club for their 24 Hour fundraiser for Camp Nerden on July 22, 2023 (Photo By Frank Logiudice)

The Meriden Motorcycle Club is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year.

For more information about Camp Nerden go to www.campnerden.com.

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fqLCra4hTw

Oddfellows Fall Programs for Youth start September 16th

Registration is now open for Fall Classes at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning September 16th, classes in theater, dance, circus and music will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds. Teenagers are invited to audition for our fall mainstage production. 

Teen Repertory Company (ages 14 - 20) will hold auditions for Coming Into Being: A Journey of Individuation on September 11 and 14, 6 - 9 pm. This new work will be crafted for and with the ensemble. It will be a physical, psycho-emotional exploration into what it is to come into your Self as an individual, as a young adult. Teens are asked to pre-register for one of the two audition evenings, to arrive on time, and plan to stay for the entire time. Everyone who auditions and commits to the rehearsal and production schedule will be cast in the show. Regular rehearsals will be Mondays and Thursdays, 6 - 9 pm. Performances will be November 30 - December 2 and December 8 - 9.

Circophony Teen Circus (ages 12 - 20) offers fall circus training  in preparation for a winter mainstage production. Juggling, Object Manipulation, Unicycle, Stilting and More! will be held on Tuesdays evenings 6:30 - 8:30pm, and Acro Focus on Wednesday evenings 6:30 - 8:30pm, culminating in a Fall Circus Showcase on November 15. Students may register for one or both classes. No previous experience is required. Classes run September 19 - November 15.

For our youngest Oddfellows, Saturday Classes feature Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Faerie Tale Theater (10 - 10:45 am) and Circrobatics (10:55 -11:40 am) are offered for ages 3 - 6;  and kids ages 7 - 11 can register for Comedy and Slaprobatics (11:45 am - 12:30 pm) and Equilibristics (12:35 - 1:20 pm). Classes start September 16 and continue through a Share Day on December 16 (12 weeks total - no classes October 14 or November 25).

After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin September 16 and will run for nine weeks this fall, culminating in a “Share Week” November 13 - 16. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Playing With Puppetry, Musical Mentoring I, Circus I, Complete Actor I, and The Silent Clown. 

Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Sign-a-Long, Circus II, Musical Mentoring II (ages 9 - 12), Complete Actor II, Street Jazz Dance and Hip Hop Dance (both open to ages 9 - 14).

Stage Three classes for ages 12 - 14 include High Stakes Acting, Complete Actor III (both of these classes meet 4:30 - 5:50 pm), as well as Street Jazz Dance and Hip Hop Dance (again, both dance classes are for ages 9 - 14).

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. This year Oddbridge will extend throughout the school year, providing special programs and field trips on early dismissal days or days when regular Oddfellows’ classes are not in session.

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; Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation; Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Trust Fund; Middlesex United Way; CT Humanities/CT Cultural Fund; COA General Operating Support for Theaters; New England Foundation for the Arts/New England Arts Resilience Fund; George & Grace Long Foundation; and many generous individual donors.

"CARTOON DAY" AT MIDDLEFIELD'S CAMP NERDEN ON THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023.

                                              Caption:RTC Campers & Staff Perform during a music activity. From Bottom Left Up: RTC Staff/Music Teacher Celine Cardona with pink glasses, then from left to right behind her; Delia Van Steenbergen, Jack Waggoner, Eddie Poole, Shane Kelly, & Logan Solomon (Photo By Frank LoGiudice)

“CARTOON DAY” AT THE JOHN J. NERDEN REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER CAMP IN MIDDLEFIELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023.  

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY FRANK LOGIUDICE

RTC Camper Abby Murphy perform during a music activity at Camp Nerden on July 13, 2023. Photo By Frank LoGiudice 

Your favorite cartoon characters came to life via the campers, staff & volunteers of the John J. Nerden Regional Training Center Camp for "Cartoon Day" held on Thursday, July 13th in Middlefield.  They wore their favorite cartoon characters on their clothing. Campers, volunteers and staff all seem to love it according to Camp Nerden Director Sue Chenard.   There was even an art activity where the campers made hats resembling the character “Forky” from  "Toy Story 4."  Add an extra dose of fun and the result was a wonderful day full of smiles, laughter and high fives for the RTC Campers. 

                                           L-R: RTC Camper Mikayla Basta with RTC Volunteers Addie Buckheit, & Kiley Mullins            During A Music Activity At Camp Nerden.

Camp Nerden serves campers with intellectual disabilities ages 6 and up and there is not an age limit when campers must stop attending camp. The camp season began June 26th and ended August 11th from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.   It is free and is funded through local service clubs and the towns the campers reside.  

                                                       RTC Camper Carter Miller Bell Begins His Piggyback Ride To Lunch Thanks         To RTC Staff Conner Willett. Photo By Frank LoGiudice

Director Sue Chenard believes Camp Nerden is "A wonderful environment where everybody has a chance to be themselves and have a great summer."  This season Camp Nerden has an average of 90 campers who attend every day, but 110 campers are registered.  Chenard said the camper enrollment has increased a little from last year. They have 18 staff and 40 "Counselor In Training" Volunteers but only about 25 volunteers show up daily.

                                        Left RTC Camper Begins The Music Activity With Assistance From RTC Staff Members

Camp Volunteer James Straight of Meriden who will be a Junior at Platt High School has been a volunteer for five years.  He became involved because his sister is a camper.  "I love working with the kids," stated Straight.   Music teacher & Staff Celine Cardona, an incoming senior at Meriden’s Maloney High School became involved because of her father's volunteer involvement at Camp Nerden.  "He encouraged me to do it last year.  I fell in love with the program," stated Cardona.  Upon graduation, she said this camp gave her aspirations to become a Special Education Teacher.  

RTC Camper Frank Stange plays capture the flag and behind him is RTC Staff Chase Willett. Photo By Frank LoGiudice

Rockfall resident Brady Koba was a volunteer for two years and this season he became a staff member.  "My friends and I decided to give it a try, " commented Koba.  His involvement with Camp Nerden made him decide to major in Special Education at the University of Hartford where he will be a sophomore.

RTC Campers & RTC Volunteer James Straight Relax Before Getting Ready To Play Pictionary At Camp Nerden On July 13, 2023.  Photo By Frank LoGiudice

For more information go to www.campnerden.com.  Their mailing address is  P.O. Box 2617, Meriden, Connecticut  06451.  Their phone number is 860-349–9826

RTC Staff Adam Bufford Cournoyer & RTC Camper Eddie Poole Play Pictionary At Camp Nerden On July 13, 2023.Photo By Frank LoGiudice

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOc7HcIXoTw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPukHebsQeQ