Friday Nights on the Green
Norfolk’s annual summer series on the village green begins this month. Enjoy popsicles and games on June 6, hosted by Botelle School PTO, with live music from local artist Andy Styles. On June 13, the Norfolk Library hosts the annual Pet Parade, with musical guest Julie Autumn Ford. Freund’s Farm Market & Bakery invites everyone for strawberry shortcake on June 20, with musical stylings by Last Fair Deal. Join Great Mountain Forest and the Norfolk Conservation Commission on June 27 to craft nature mandalas while Mad River Music serenades. All events run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sophie Eisner to Exhibit at the Library
The sculptures of Sophie Eisner will be on display at Norfolk Library during the month of June. “Holding Patterns” explores themes of holding, care and protection and the stories that linger within objects. A resident of Kingston, N.Y., Eisner is an art educator and award-winning artist, whose work has been exhibited in the U.S. and internationally. A reception will be held on Sunday, June 1, from 4 to 6 p.m., hosted by the Library Associates. Eisner will also discuss her art on Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m., at the library.

Distinguished Artists Explore “Direction of Play”
The Yale Norfolk School of Art Public Lecture Series will continue for three Thursdays in June around the 2025 theme “Direction of Play.” Visiting artists/speakers include: Tom Barr on June 5; Shaun Leonardo on June 12; and Cauleen Smith on June 19. Lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the Art Barn on the Yale Stoeckel estate and are free and open to the public.

BioBlitz for Connecticut Trails Day
Aton Forest and Great Mountain Forest will host a moderate forest hike and Bioblitz on Saturday, June 7, from 8 to 11 a.m., starting at GMF’s Yale Camp. This is a free event for volunteers of all ages. Please visit atonforest.org for details, including how to register and where to download the iNaturalist app.

Dragon Returns to Westside Road
The Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center will hold its Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at its campus at 207A Westside Road. The event will feature dragon dances and races, Tai Chi fan performances, tours and crafts. Festive vegetarian food will be served from noon to 1 p.m. Tours of the cultural exhibits, along with tea art and a wellness seminar, will also be offered on Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Find the full schedule at ctasiaculture.com.

Civil War Exhibit at Norfolk Historical Society
A special exhibit at the Norfolk Historical Society, “A New Birth of Freedom: Norfolk in the Civil War,” will open to the public on Sunday, June 8. The exhibit outlines the years leading up to the war and highlights some of the notable Norfolk citizens who contributed to the cause, as well as telling the stories of some of the men who served. The Norfolk Historical Museum is located on Village Green and is open summer weekends from 1 to 4 p.m.

Mindfulness Series with Miranda Lee
Mindfulness practitioner Miranda Lee continues her classes in June with the theme “Mindfulness of Nature,” focused on using mindful practices to deepen connections to the natural world. Sponsored by the Norfolk Library, this course is offered via Zoom on Saturdays from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Anyone can join at any time. Please visit norfolklibrary.org or call 860-542-5075 to register.

Community Drawing at the Art Barn 
Come draw with local enthusiasts and Yale Norfolk students and faculty on Saturday mornings, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Tuesday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Art Barn at the Yale Norfolk School of Art. Classes will focus on life drawing with a model; drawing materials and paper are provided. All levels are welcome.

Pet Parade on Village Green
Calling all pets and their owners! Join in the Norfolk Library’s 5th annual pet parade on Friday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m., as part of Friday Nights on the Green. Categories include Best Costume, Best Trick and Judges Favorite. New this year: Best Dashing Duo for pets and their owners who come decked out as a pair.

Summer Fun at the Library
On Monday, June 16, at 5:30 p.m., the Norfolk Library will kick off its science and art-based summer reading program with “Science Heroes: Adventure of the Missing Color.” Children will receive their summer reading log along with a dessert treat. On June 23, Arts for Learning will get all the children hula hooping, and on June 30, the Humble Bee Honey Company presents “A Bee’s Life.” The adventures will continue in a series of exciting Monday evening programs through July, generously sponsored by the Library Associates. Please visit norfolklibrary.org to register or call front desk circulation at 860-542-5075.

Juneteenth Poetry Café
On Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m., members of the Poetry Café will gather at the Norfolk Library for a reading and discussion of Amanda Gorman’s collection of poems entitled “Call Us What We Carry.” In this luminous poetry collection, the presidential inaugural poet transforms the global pandemic into a lyric of hope and healing. The first 10 registrants will receive a free copy of the book. It is also available for loan at the library. Please visit norfolklibrary.org to register or call 860-542-5075.