Death of Col. Ledyard in 18th century considered

How was Col. William Ledyard really killed in the Battle of Groton Heights? The time-honored tale of his surrender to the British prompting a sword through his chest has a shadowy history. Local historian John Steward will examine the controversy surrounding Ledyard’s death at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Bill Memorial Library in Groton.

Steward will examine the controversy surrounding Ledyard’s death, from its creative beginning in 1781 to today, illustrating how the story became an urban legend.

This in-person program is free, but registration is required. To register or for questions, call the library at (860) 445-0392. For more information on library programs, visit www.BillMemorial.org, or follow on Instagram @billmemorialgrotonct.

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus auditions

The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus will hold auditions for new singers by appointment only starting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 11 and 18 at Harkness Chapel on the Connecticut College campus.

Participants are expected to prepare a song of their choosing (a hymn, folk song, patriotic song or any song they know well). They will also be asked to vocalize. Participants should bring an extra copy of their chosen song. An accompanist will be provided.

For an audition application and appointment, contact ECSC President Kathy Walburn at ecscpresident@gmail.com.

Car Cruise in Ledyard on Aug. 31

The Rotary Club of Ledyard will hold its ninth annual Car Cruise from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. Admission and parking are free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. There will be children’s activities, a music DJ, vendors, tea cup raffles, a 50/50 raffle and a door prize for exhibit car owners.

New this year, Cub Scout Pack 16 will be running its Pinewood Derby, complete with four 35-foot electronically timed tracks that can accommodate multiple heats leading to an overall championship.

Exhibit cars can elect to be considered in one of these categories (Classic, Trucks, Pre- and Post-World War II Classics, Modern, Hot Rods, Exotics, Tuners, Muscle, Military and Special Interest). All trophies are “people’s choice.” There also will be a Best in Show trophy and a President’s Award. Of special interest this year, antique and brand-new EVs will be on display.

The Car Cruise is a major fundraiser for the Ledyard club. Proceeds will fund scholarships and grants that the Ledyard Rotary Foundation awards each year. The rain date is Sept. 7. See ledyardrotary.org for more information.

Fitch Class of 1974 holding 50th reunion

The Robert E. Fitch Class of 1974’s 50th class reunion is being planned for Oct. 4-6.

Activities start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, with a “Bring Your Favorite Take Out Pizza/Appetizer” and Cash Bar at Groton Elks Lodge Fraternal Organization (elks.org), 700 Shennecossett Road, Groton. Cost is $10 a person, with casual dress, runs until 9:30 p.m.

From 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, the reunion party will be held at Mystic Aquarium and will cost $74 per person, payable at the door. This includes a DJ, food and cash bar.

At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, a luncheon is planned at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, 117 Pearl St., Noank. Call (860) 536-7719 to pre-order. Abbott’s will be reserving a section under one of its tents for the reunion. BYOB and pay as you go is the rule.

For more information, contact Sue Evarts at Chefcon625@gmail.com or check out the Facebook page of Robert E. Fitch- Class of 1974-50th Reunion.

30th annual Rotary-Brent Taylor Golf Classic

The 30th annual Rotary-Brent Taylor Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9, at Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

The $200 entry fee includes greens fees, gift bag, lunch and a buffet dinner. There will be special prizes for a hole in one, low team score, longest drive and lowest to the pin. The tournament will follow a four-ball scramble format.

For more information visit osrotary.org or call Charlie Renshaw at (860) 395-0482 or Marty Drobiarz at (860) 391-3539.

Proceeds fund many community projects including scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Lyme/Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. In June 2024, $35,000 in scholarship money was awarded to graduating high school seniors.

‘1812 Overture’ with Coast Guard Band Sept. 2

On Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at University of Connecticut Avery Point in Groton, the United States Coast Guard Band presents the finale of its free Summer Concert Series.

The finale includes not only bold wind band hits and patriotic classics, but Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with authentic cannon fire provided by the Artillery Company of Newport, R.I.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.uscg.mil/Community/Band or call the Concert Information Line at (860) 701-6826.

At 6 p.m. Sept. 4 in New Britain, the band will play at the Darius Miller Band Shell at 9 Linwood St. This performance is the rain date for the canceled July 29 concert. Patriotic classics are included, along with the “1812 Overture.”

Flea market benefits East Lyme Historical Society

The East Lyme Historical Society holds its free Labor Day Weekend Flea Market at 228 W. Main St., Niantic, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

Vendors from around the state will be featured. Also, explore the historic Thomas Lee House with a free guided tour.

Other upcoming historical society events include the Fall Potluck Dinner at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club on Friday, Oct. 11, and Nehantic Heritage Day at McCooks Point Park on Sunday, Oct. 13 (rain date Oct. 14).

Preston Public Library programs in September

Paper Quilling with Marcy Kaplan is among the programs scheduled next month at Preston Public Library. The program involving making a sunflower will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 5. Cost is $40.

Also, Fall Flower Workshop with Winter Bee Garden will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 7. Pam Gray teaches how to create a fall bouquet.

Science Magic with Cool-ology is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 14. Use science to create magic.

At 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12, Norwich author Ken Keeley will be on hand as part of the Connecticut Author Trail. This is a pictorial presentation on the history of eastern Connecticut. No registration needed

Divine Denim is a program at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 28 designed for grades 7-12. Transform old jeans into a new garment.

To register for any of these programs, visit http://prestonpubliclibrary.org.

Short story writing class registration

Registration for the Town of Groton Parks & Recreation's fall series of short story writing classes is taking place and is open to adults throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. Many of these students have been published in the literary marketplace, a goal of the program.

Classes are taught by published novelist Nicholas Checker and begin Monday, Sept. 9, and Wednesday, Sept. 11. Monday classes meet 4-6 p.m. and Wednesday classes 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the Groton Community Center, 61 Fort Hill Road, Groton, next door to Town Hall. Call (860) 536-5680 for registration information, or (860) 444-8711 for details on the course.

Women’s Network mini golf fundraiser Sept. 12

The SECT Women’s Network’s Mini Golf Tournament Fundraiser will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Odetah Camping Resort in Bozrah.

Money raised will benefit the Network's Scholarship Fund. Registration is open at the SECT Women's Network website, sectwomensnetwork.org. Registration deadline is Sept. 7.

East Lyme Public Library events in September

East Lyme Public Library has a wide range of book clubs that meet in September and October, including the Novel Book Group (7 p.m. Sept. 10), the Mystery Book Group (11 a.m. Sept. 26), Out of This World Book Group (7 p.m. Oct. 9), Men's Book Discussion Group (7 p.m. Sept. 25) and the Silent Book Group (6 p.m. Sept. 30).

There are also many clubs, including Dungeons and Dragons Adventure Club with Nick Menapace (noon Sept. 14), Chess Club (10 a.m. Sept. 21) and Trivia Nights (6:30 p.m. Sept. 24).

Special events include Zentangle Art with Cheryl Cianci at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4; an Author Talk with Douglas Tallamy at the Brookside Farm Museum at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, about his book “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in your Yard”; and a Medicare & Long-term Care Seminar at the East Lyme Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10.

Register for these special events at www.eastlymepubliclibrary.org.

Also, a four-week Saturday series titled Move your Body & Heal Your Mind Workshop with Rachel Dash-Dougherty will start at 11 a.m. Sept. 7. Participants will engage in mindful movement, meditation and journaling to explore and release patterns, and embrace self-acceptance. Register at www.eastlymepubliclibrary.org.

Other events include Stroll and Hikes with Peter Marteka at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, and Author Talk with Greg Gilmartin, a local writer and TV producer, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

Learn more at www.eastlymepubliclibrary.org.

Fall children’s programs at East Lyme library

Dancing, singing and stories dominate the East Lyme Public Library children’s programs this fall.

Storytime for All Ages run from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Baby Sign and Sing is 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Sing and Stomp runs 10:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.

Also, visit with a therapy dog from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays for readers ages 6 and uolder. Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling (860) 739-6926 ext. 2.

Ledyard Garden Club meets Sept. 11

Ledyard Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Ledyard Senior Center, 12 Van Tassel Drive, Gales Ferry. The event will include a presentation on honey bees and beekeeping by Jeff Culp. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see ledyardgardenclub.org.

Mysticalligraphers meeting Aug. 28

Mysticalligraphers will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Coastal Masonic Hall/Stonington Grange Hall, 637 Pequot Trail (Route 234). The free event will address oil marbling with Annette, Ellen and Stu. For more information, call (860) 536-8477.

Organizing Your Photos & Memorabilia Sept. 5

At 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, professional organizer Sandra Wheeler will be at Waterford Public Library to share tips and tricks to help you best organize your family memorabilia and honor your past. Wheeler holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut and attended the University of New Haven Organizational Psychology Masters program. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

Registration at www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org is suggested. For more information, Wheeler can be reached by phone at (860) 608-0451, by email at sandrakwheeler@gmail.com or at her website, https://www.forpeaceofmind.biz/.

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