Essex Scarecrow Festival is Saturday;

ESSEX — The Essex Board of Trade’s Scarecrow Festival will be held Saturdy, 12-4 p.m. withmusic, games, food and activities all along Essex’s Main Street. As you stroll the street and enjoy the scarecrows be sure to:

Drop in to Main Street Park for a bowl of the Congregational Church’s chili and music from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. from the Shiny Lapel Trio; have a Revolutionary Ale at the Griswold Inn Tap Room and take home a complimentary pint glass; hear folk singer Larry Kaplan at 2 p.m. outside Toy’s Ahoy; play games on the lawn at the Connecticut River Museum; enjoy a cannoli from Cannoli on the Run food truck; browse the Village Shops, and more.

The Essex Board of Trade includes virtually every type of business within the three villages that comprise Essex Township. The EBOT organizes many of the events in Essex that have been family traditions for years. The EBOT also supports numerous non-profit organizations by offering them low cost memberships and assists them in their various events and causes. For more information about the Essex Board of Trade, its programs, and members, visit essexct.com.

Shelter receives important grant money

Middletown — The Connection has received a critical $3,000 donation to be used where it is most needed for the Eddy Shelter from the Knights of Columbus Freestone Council #7. The funds were raised at the Annual David Bordonaro Memorial Car show at the Saint Mary’s Church in July. The Saint Mary’s Church of Portland also presented a matching $3,000 donation from their share of the proceeds at the annual Interfaith Golf Open Tournament.

The David Bordonaro Memorial Car show is named for Portland native, David Bordonaro. Mr. Bordonaro was known for his extraordinary contributions to his community, including sharing his faith and his life experiences with the youth of St. Mary's Church. In September of 2015 he passed away after a three year battle with cancer.

The NASCAR Race-Car Driver and Middletown native Joey Logano’s long time partnership with The Connection was the inspiration for choosing a Connection program to benefit from the show this year. “We wanted to build on the partnership the Joey Logano Foundation has with the Connection by supporting the Eddy Shelter, which is co-located with the Logano Place program,” explains Knights of Columbus member Joe Loban.

The Eddy Shelter is the only homeless shelter for adult men and women in Middlesex County and serves close to 200 individuals each year. Many of the Eddy Shelter guests go on to be placed in the Logano Place program in the same complex, which offers second chances to men and women who are working to achieve independence in their lives.

The Connection is a Connecticut-based nonprofit human services and community development agency that partners with individuals and their families to provide the needed resources to improve their lives. Each month thousands throughout Connecticut are assisted by The Connection’s diverse behavioral health, family support, and community justice programs. These programs reunite families, break the generational cycles of abuse and neglect, and create safer, healthier communities. For information about The Connection, visit www.theconnectioninc.org or call the Helpline: 855-Help955 or 855-435-7955.

Children can spend a summer with Goodspeed Musicals

EAST HADDAM — Aspiring non-Equity child performers (ages 8-13) are invited to audition for summer camp with Goodspeed Kids Company 2018, a summer musical theatre camp experience that gives young male and female performers the chance to also join the ensemble for tje production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, based on Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist.

Campers will receive musical theatre training, participate in exciting summer camp activities, and have unparalleled performance opportunities alongside professional actors on The Goodspeed stage! Additionally, select campers may be chosen to understudy a lead role. Auditions for Goodspeed’s Kids Company will be Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Alice Hammerstein Mathias Rehearsal Studio in East Haddam.

All auditions are by appointment only; call Company Management at 860-873-0021, Monday through Friday, 10 am - 5 pm.

Interested campers should prepare one short up-tempo song and one short ballad. Bring a resume, photo, and sheet music. Music must be legible and in the proper key (no lead sheets). An accompanist will be provided.

Campers must be available for camp, rehearsals, and performances June 4 - Sept. 9. All activities are held in East Haddam. Goodspeed reaffirms its commitment to non-discrimination and a flexible, imaginative casting policy. Performers of all ethnicities are strongly encouraged to audition.