Vernon — VERNON – Poets Pat Mottola and Aaron Caycedo-Kimura will headline Poetry Rocks on Sept. 18 at 3 p.m., in person at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike. Also reading is Tovah Oslovich, a senior at Rockville High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program. Contact pegideitzshea@aol.com to register for the open mic. Suggested donation is $5, and masks are recommended. Visit https://artscentereast.org for more information.
ELLINGTON – The town-wide Ellington Farm Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is sponsored by the Ellington Planning Department and Economic Development Commission. Start the day off with a visit to the Ellington Farmers’ Market in Arbor Park on Main Street from 9 a.m. to noon, then stroll down to the Nellie McKnight Museum to learn the history of Ellington farming at the Ellington Historical Society’s Farm Exhibit.
Next stop at the Hall Memorial Library where you can watch live chicks hatch and children can create a chicken-themed craft. Take a cruise around town and visit one or more of the participating farms like Farm Fresh and watch free-range chickens roam, learn about their hydroponic farming and buy some farm-fresh eggs and lettuce. Stop by Oakridge Dairy and the Modern Milkman and see how a modern-day dairy farm operates, or visit Sunset Valley Farms and view the grass-fed beef, touch a tractor and feed the farm pigs. Visit Hillside Stable for a pony ride and learn about riding lessons and boarding opportunities or SJ Riding Camp to visit their summer camp facilities. Be sure to visit the quaint farm store at Johnny Appleseed’s Farm for fresh picked apples (or pick your own), Rothe vegetable stand for a variety of veggies and Cohen Farm for chrysanthemums. Stop at Dzen Garden Market for farm-fresh products and take advantage of their two-for-one small ice cream cone offer (bring this press release with you when visiting Dzens for ice cream on Sept. 17. Flyers for the event with locations of participants can be picked up at the Hall Memorial Library or the town Building Dept.
ELLINGTON – From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 17, the Ellington Farmers Market will host Fall Harvest Day at Arbor Park on Main Street.
Fall vegetables like winter squash and Brussels sprouts will begin to arrive at the market. The variety of apples available will increase and it’s time for pears. The popular band Cobblestone Road will be playing live.
VERNON – Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, is hosting the following events. Visit https://artscentereast.org or call 860-871-8222 for more information.
The Gene Pitney Exhibit will run through Sept. 25. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public - donations are welcome. Pitney grew up in Rockville and came to be known as one of the most iconic voices in America. The “Rockville Rocket” charted 16 top 40 hits in the US – four in the top ten. In the UK he had 22 Top 40 hits.
This exhibit celebrates this iconic singer-songwriter and his varied musical collaborations. See snapshots and memorabilia of his life and career and get a glimpse behind his songwriting process.
The submission deadline call for artists for ‘The Thinning of the Veil’ exhibit is Sunday, Sept. 18. The exhibit dates are Oct. 8 to 30. The changing of fall into winter is a time when many cultures observe and celebrate the transition from life to death. It’s the season when the veil between this world and the next, thins. With this exhibit, ACE invites artists to embrace the three voices of death, love, and art, whether you draw inspiration from celebrations like the Day of the Dead, All Souls Day, Halloween, or Samhain, or the natural world around us as the season changes.
Artists can enter up to five pieces for judging. Visit www.artscentereast.org for more information or to submit your artwork. Selected artists will be notified by Sept. 24. Prizes will be awarded.
Arts Center East’s annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair returns this November to showcase local and regional artisans and celebrate the season. Browse and shop for unique items from over 50 artisans. Artisans can apply online to participate in the fair at www.artscentereast.org/holiday-fair. Applications are due by Sept. 30.
Eligible merchandise includes: toiletries & self-care items (soaps, lotions, candles, etc.), jewelry, stationary, ceramics, wood crafts, textiles, home décor, and unique gift items. All items must be handmade. Suggested maximum retail value is around $100. Most items should be priced under $50.
All sales are handled by Arts Center East staff and volunteers. Artisans are not required to be present during the sale, but are encouraged to attend or volunteer. Holiday fair dates are Nov. 10 to 13 and 17 to 20; Thursday & Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The ACE Book Club will meet Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1:30 p.m., via Zoom. The book is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. If you are new to the ACE Book Club and would like to join the September meeting, email info@artscentereast.org prior to the meeting date.
Available classes include tempera painting for children ages six to 10, an outdoor photograph workshop on Sept. 24, watercolor painting and acrylics. Visit https://artscentereast.org/ for more information.
VERNON – The Friends of Valley Falls will celebrate 50 years of protecting and preserving nature and history at its annual meeting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Red Barn, 300 Valley Falls Road.
The Friends, a nonprofit formed in 1972, invite everyone to enjoy anniversary cake and view past and present photos of Valley Falls Park and Farm. Following a brief business meeting, Vernon Historical Society Museum Director Jean Luddy will share stories about the town’s oldest and newest burial grounds. While the Old Burial Ground on Bamforth Road has stones reflecting Puritan attitudes toward life and death, Valley Falls Cemetery, established in the late 20th century, serves the newer community.
There is limited handicapped parking at the Red Barn. All others are asked to park at Valley Falls Park and use the walking path to the barn. Visit https://www.friendsofvalleyfalls.org/membership-how-to-join/membership-form/ for more info on becoming a member.