Community Corner

Hoot for Hunger, a Poker Run, Fire Safety, and More in Groton This Weekend

Check out what is going on in the region this weekend.

Hoot for Hunger
Friday, 6:45 p.m. - There will be a Hoot for Hunger on Friday at Dickson’s Tavern. Admission is free, but monetary donations will be collected to benefit the New London Community Meal Center. For more information, contact Hugh Birdsall at hdbirdsall@aol.com or Sherry Stidfole at sstidfole@earthlink.net.

Gone Too Early Poker Run
Saturday, 9 a.m. - Join the the 2nd Annual Gone Too Early Poker Run, hosted by the Sub City Chapter of the Silent Service Motorcycle Club to benefit local and national charities that support veterans groups and children. All profits will be donated to New London Homeless Veterans Shelter and Devyn's Charm, Inc.

Fired Up for Fire Safety
Saturday, noon - The Bill Memorial Library in the City of Groton, in partnership with the City of Groton Neighborhood Group of Children First Groton, will host Family Fire Safety Day on Saturday. The City of Groton Fire Department will be on hand to answer questions and offer safety tips for parents. Kids can meet our fire fighters and get up close to the fire trucks. Bring your cameras. Cookies and apple cider will be served. No registration is required. Call the library at 860-445-0392 for more information.

Local History Fair
Saturday, 1 p.m. - Representatives from various local history organizations will be available to discuss their organizations’ missions and publications. Groups scheduled to attend include: the Groton Historical Society, Mystic River Historical Society, Indian & Colonial Research Center, Friends of Fort Griswold, DAR-Anna Warner Bailey Chapter, Avery Association, Descendants of American Textile Workers, New London County Historical Society and others. 

Pink Stretch Bands for Breast Cancer
Saturday, 1 p.m. - On Saturday, all are invited to go to any A.C. Moore store from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to make their own pink stretch band bracelet for free, so people of all ages can show their support in the fight against breast cancer at upcoming walks and events. For more information can be found at www.acmoore.com

Piano Concert with Jun Cho
Saturday, 5 p.m. - Following up on his 2011 recital for the La Grua Center, highly-regarded young Korean-American pianist Jun Cho will return for his first encounter with our 1922 Mason & Hamlin grand. He will bring us an unusually colorful and engaging program of Beethoven’s towering Sonata No. 32 in c, Op. 111, as well as celebrated preludes by Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. Seating is limited, please arrive early. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. The suggested donation is $10.

The Drunken Palette Class "Blue Moon"

Saturday, 7 p.m. - Bring your favorite beverage, have a great time painting for two hours, and leave with a complete painting done by you. Alcohol is encouraged but not required. All art supplies (paint, brushes, easel, canvas, aprons and more) will be provided. The cost is $35 per person and group and party discounts are available. RSVP via Facebook, e-mail (thedrunkenpalette@yahoo.com), or by calling 860-326-7246.

Mystic Contra Dancing
Saturday, 8 p.m. - Contra dancing is folk dancing: informal and fun. You can learn to dance in 15 minutes. There's a beginners' workshop at 7:45 p.m., plus the caller teaches all the dances. Singles and beginners are welcome. Wear cool, comfortable clothes. The cost is $10 and $5 for students.

Author: Eileen Kaplan
Sunday, 2 p.m. - Eileen Kaplan is the author of Laughter is the Breast Medicine, a book she wrote after she had a successful bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer in June 2005. Through her ordeal, Kaplan realized that she was able to cope with this deadly disease through humor and positive thinking. For the past several years, since the inception and “coming out” of her book in October 2009, Kaplan has spoken about her experience to thousands of women and men in the USA and Canada. She now uses her own positive outlook in her speeches and has become anoted motivational speaker and humorist, lighting up the room with her engaging sense of humor. As quoted by Kaplan, “Chemo” is a form of therapy… so is laughter." Kaplan has always been active in fundraising for cancer research.  She won the Daffodil Award from the American Cancer Society. Little did she know that all of her success in raising money for this deadly disease would come full circle to include her own diagnosis. For the past four years, her book has helped thousands of women and men to cope with their own medical challenges, specifically breast cancer. She continues to be a positive mentor for women and an advocate for their better health.


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