Artist Reception

On Sunday, May 7, from 3 to 5 p.m., there will be a reception for the artist Jean Grasmere at the Norfolk Hub. Her exhibit entitled “Forest Folk—Oil Paintings and Mixed Media Collages Inspired by Our Woodlands” will be on display May 5 through June 30.

Concert at the Library

Mezzo-soprano Monica Krajewska, accompanied by pianist Natasha Ulyanovsky, will perform songs and arias “From Broadway to the Met” at the Norfolk Library on Saturday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. Praised by The New York Times for her “rich and strong tone that expresses not only beauty, but a luminous sense of peace and comfort,” Krajewska has appeared with opera companies and festivals around the world. Ulyanovsky is a graduate of Odessa Conservatory and has performed in Eastern and Central Europe and New England. Visit the library website or call 860-542-5075 ext. 2 to register. 

Art Exhibit: Christopher Keyes 

Photographs by Christopher Keyes will be on display at the library during May. Keyes considers himself a “hybrid” photographer who enjoys capturing images with film cameras while using modern tools to scan and print them digitally. His subjects range from abandoned New England buildings to landscapes and architectural details. Norfolk Library patrons will know Keyes as the friendly face behind the circulation desk. A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 4 to 6 p.m., hosted by the Library Associates.

Lions Club Blood Drive

The Norfolk Lions Club will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive at the Church of Christ Congregational, 12 Village Green, on Monday, May 8, from 1 to 6 p.m. Please call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) for an appointment. Walk-ins will be welcome but may have a wait time. 

Grief Support Group

Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County will host a grief support group on Mondays from May 8 to June 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Geer Village, 77 S. Canaan Road in Canaan. The support group aims to help people in the community cope with a loss and to provide comfort and a safe place to share. Meetings are free and open to the public, and anyone who has experienced a loss is welcome to attend. To register, please call Martha Babbitt at 860-397-9417 or email mbabbitt@foothillsvna.org.

Battling Invasive Plants 

On Saturday, May 13, at 11 a.m., Norfolk Conservation Commission member Bill Ticineto will speak at the Hub on “Norfolk’s Six Worst Invasive Plants and How to Remove Them.” Ticineto, an enthusiastic amateur naturalist, will share how to identify, remove and dispose of invasives. Local gardeners may also sign up to have Ticineto visit their property and demonstrate his invasive identification and removal techniques. Please visit norfolkfoundation.net/hub-events to register. 

Senior Tappers Bring Happy Feet to Town 

The Happy Tappers of Heritage Village in Southbury will perform at the Battell Chapel on Thursday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m. The tap dancers, who range in age from 59 to 82, will showcase Broadway hits, jazz and two vocal solos. Their enthusiasm and joy, bright costumes and well-rehearsed pieces are sure to bring smiles to all. This free show is hosted by the Norfolk Church of Christ.

Insects: The Power and the Glory 

Susannah Wood, chair of the Norfolk Conservation Commission, will give an illustrated talk on “Insects: The Power and the Glory” on Thursday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the Norfolk Library. Insects are crucial actors in the complex ecosystems that sustain life on earth. As pollinators and recyclers, as predators and prey, they inhabit our planet in ways remarkable and ingenious and are worth understanding. Worldwide, insects are in big trouble, and that means we are, too. Visit norfolklibrary.org or call 860-542-5075 ext. 2 to register. 

Recital for Ukraine  

On Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m., the Church of Christ will host Ukrainian-American soprano Teryn Kuzma in a recital for Ukraine. Kuzma, a performer of classical, contemporary, musical theater and folk repertoires, will offer vocal selections as well as a performance on the stunning 55-stringed Ukrainian bandura. A free-will offering will be taken and guests are invited to BYOB. 

Inspiration in Africa

The Missions and Social Justice Team at the Church of Christ will host an evening of inspiration in Africa on Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Guests are activists Rosie Dennerlin, who lives and works in Jinja, Uganda, and the Rev. Dr. Eileen Epperson, of Connecticut, who leads a Zoom course for African women leaders.