Mark Twain on Patriotism
The annual July 4 celebration in Colebrook will feature Patti Philippon of the Mark Twain House and Museum, speaking at 11 a.m. at the Colebrook Congregational Church on “Mark Twain and American Patriotism: ‘Patriotism is usually the refuge of the scoundrel.’” Patriotic songs and lunch on the village green to follow. Children are invited to assemble at the Colebrook Consolidated School at 10:15 to participate in a bike parade. All are welcome.

Norman Rockwell Lecture in Colebrook
On the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Thomas Daly of the Norman Rockwell Museum will present a lecture: “Norman Rockwell and the Civil Rights Movement.” All are welcome! Colebrook town hall, Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

You Can Eat Your Own Backyard!
Learn about edible wild plants with Barbara Austin, an environmental educator, who will lead a collecting trip and make a stir-fry with the results. Bring a notebook to sketch plants and record recipes. Adults and children ages 5 and up are welcome. Pre-registration is required; contact jean@greatmountainforest.org or call 860-824-8188. Childs Center, 200 Canaan Mountain Rd., Saturday, July 12 from 9–noon.
Summer Readings: Katie Atkinson
Norfolk artist and illustrator Katie Atkinson presents her new children’s book, “The Washington Oak Kittens,” at the Norfolk Farmer’s Market on Saturday, July 12 at 10 a.m.

Yale Students’ Pop-up Concert at the Farmers Market
Students from the Yale Summer School of Music will play a pop-up concert at the Norfolk Farmer’s Market at 11 a.m. on July 12, 2014. The farmer’s market is held every Saturday from 10–1 p.m. on the lawn of the Norfolk town hall.
Norfolk Then: Sweeping History under the Rug
This illustrated lecture by Ann Havemeyer, Curator of the Norfolk Historical Museum, tackles some of the thorny issues that divided the town as it faced an influx of Irish immigrants in the nineteenth century. The lecture, presented in an early version at the Norfolk 2023! Celebration, will be given at the Norfolk Library on Saturday, July 12 at 4:30 p.m.

Classic Car Show
The 2nd Annual Community Classic Car Show will be held on July 13 from noon to 4 p.m. in Station Place, to benefit the Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance Fund. Owners of vintage vehicles who would like to enter are encouraged to contact Marie Lowe at marie@mi-ms.com. Donations of items for raffle or auction are still being accepted by Justin Spring at justin.spring@ironbank.com. The event, organized by the Norfolk Economic Development Commission and sponsored by National Iron Bank, will include antique and vintage cars, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.

Nature Journaling Summer Session
Children 8 and up are welcome to attend our summer session of nature journaling. Those who have adopted trees in an earlier session can visit them, and newcomers can choose a favorite tree to adopt. Some splashing in the brook is likely. Holly Torrant, Jean Bronson and poet Susannah Wood will lead. Pre-registration and a pre-payment of $10 are required. Contact jean@greatmountainforest.org or call 860-824-8188. Childs Center, 200 Canaan Mountain Rd., on Saturday, July 25, 9–noon.

Deadline for Arts Scholarships
Completed applications for the Battell Arts Foundation Scholarships are due Friday, August 1, 2014. These scholarships are available to students in grades 3–12 from Norfolk and Colebrook, for the purpose of enhancing their education in the visual and performing arts.