All Events

May 2008

Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma"

Friday, May 02, 2008 through Sunday, May 18, 2008

Description: The Castle Craig Players proudly present Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!"

Music by Richard Rogers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs
Original Dances by Agnes De Mille

Fridays - Saturdays on May 2,3,9,10,16,17 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Matinees on May 4th & 18th at 2:00 p.m

Tickets: $15.00 for Adults and $10.00 for Children 12 and under.

Location Info: 59 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451.

Contact Info: For Tickets, contact The Castle Craig Players Box Office at (203) 634-6922.

Meriden Soap Box Derby Display

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 through Saturday, May 10, 2008

Description: All cars will be on display for the upcoming Soap Box Derby on Saturday, May 10th. Please call for viewing times. Drivers reception on Thursday evening.

Location Info: 175 East Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: Call 203-639-2856

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at XL Center

Friday, May 09, 2008 through Sunday, May 11, 2008

Description: Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce! The XL Center is proud to bring to Hartford Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

Friday, May 9th @ 7:00pm, Saturday, May 10th @ 11:00am & 7:00pm and Sunday, May 11th @ 5:00pm for $21.25 each (includes facility fees).

Location Info: Hartford, CT

Contact Info: Call or email Lindsey Bjerke to place your orders: (860) 246-7825 ext. 300 or

Local Food Drive - Leave Non-Perishables by Your Mailbox

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Description: National Association of Letter Carriers Merged Branch 20, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service and the United Way of Meriden & Wallingford proudly sponsors the local food drive supporting our community. Letter carriers will be collecting food donations along their route on Saturday May 10 for local food pantries in Meriden. This annual food drive is an important event that assists in the restocking of the Meriden Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army, Shelter NOW, New Opportunities and Catholic Charities food pantries. There is an enormous need for food in our community this year, so please leave your non-perishable food items at your mailbox for pick up that day. Remember - expired food donations cannot be distributed, so please check the expiration date on all items to be sure you leave food that can be used!

The United Way of Meriden and Wallingford proudly supports this event by coordinating volunteers to meet the postal carriers throughout the day and empty their trucks. The food is then transported by volunteers to a designated food pantry. Any individual, company, group or organization interested in volunteering a few hours of their time on Saturday May 10 to help the postal carriers with their efforts, please contact The Volunteer Center at: (203) 235-4403

Contact Info: or email:

Grace like Rain, 2nd Annual Lady's Fellowship Tea

Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
At Augusta Curtis Cultural Center

Description: Ladies wear your gloves and hats. This is a wonderful way to spend the Mother's Day weekend. There will be great mucis, great fellowship and gifts galore.

Location Info: 175 E. Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: Tickets $15 for Adults and $10 for girls 12 & under. For more information call 203-237-2456

Spring Concert by the Augusta Curtis Concert Band

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM
At Augusta Curtis Cultural Center

Description: Enjoy concert band tunes conducted by Jeff Caillouette and Earl Cote. Come and enjoy this multi-generational concert band perform your favorite tunes.

Location Info: 175 E. Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: Spring Concert $5.00 per person admission. For more info on the ACCB please call Jeff at JC Music.

CT National Speakers Assoc. Speaker Program 2007-2008

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
At Augusta Curtis Cultural Center

Description: "Change Your Image, Change Your Life" speaker Sandy Dumont's 30 yrs. Experience confirms that we choose colors and styles from the "heart and soul" & not from the results in the mirror. Learn how to increase your confidence, credibility, and cash flow from a seasoned image consultant. Sandy Dumont is featured in print, on radio, and TV from coast to coast and in Europe.

Location Info: 175 E. Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: For more information call Carolyn Finch at 203-791-2756 or e-mail at Carolyn@Carolynfinch.com

Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 4:00 PM
At Meriden Chamber of Commerce

Location Info: 3 Colony St., Meriden

Contact Info: Call the Meriden Chamber at 203.235.7901 or info@meridenchamber.com.

Girls Inc.’s 9th Annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Benefit Celebration

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 5:00 PM
At Hawthorne Inn & Restaurant

Description: Mark your calendars Girls Inc.’s 9th Annual Strong, Smart, and Bold Benefit Celebration will take place Wednesday, May 14th. This year we are honoring Elaine Murphy, community volunteer as our Strong, Smart, and Bold award recipient recognizing all she does throughout the Meriden Community. This year’s dinner theme is On Being A Girl, and you won’t want to miss out on hearing our girls share their thoughts and feelings on this subject matter in their own words. Tickets are $55.00 per person with a dinner choice of Prime Rib or Chicken Parmesan. There are also opportunities to place an ad in our program booklet or to be an event sponsor.

Location Info: Berlin Tpke., Berlin

Contact Info: Interested guests can call Girls Inc. at 235-7146 or email Michelle at

The World of the Dying

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
At The Village at Kensington Place

Description: Village at Kensington Place presents “The World of the Dying” Presented by Kathleen J. Rusnak, Owner of The Brick Wall 2, Inc., The Center for Life Review and Real Change.

12:00pm Lunch; 12:30-1:30pm Presentation

Come learn about the amazing journey of people with a terminal prognosis. Renowned speaker Kathleen Rusnak will share with us the many lessons we can learn from our patients and clients who are nearing the end of their lives. From the symbolic language of the dying, to paranormal experiences, the end-of-life experience is an enlightening, spiritual journey. Discover how you can share this experience with your own patients, and learn why death is actually not frightening at all. Join us and learn why Kathleen says what the dying learn about living is a gift to us in the midst of our lives. Kathleen Rusnak is a thought-provoking, humorous, and dynamic speaker on issues concerning spiritual care at the end of life, the relationship between loss, grief and faith, issues of faith, spirituality and theology. She is an ordained Lutheran minister, with a Ph.D. in Psychology and Religion from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. Kathleen has published numerous articles and is currently writing a book entitled, Because You've Never Died Before: The World of the Dying. Kathleen is the Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Cresskill, New Jersey.

Location Info: 511 Kensington Avenue, Meriden

Contact Info: Kindly RSVP to 203-235-0181.

2nd Annual Women's Initiative Luncheon Hosted by Easter Seals CT

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
At Glastonbury Hill Country Club

Description: Women from all over the state will gather to support Easter Seals' programs and services that continuously help thousands of children and adults living with disabilities throughout the state of Connecticut. Nancy Wyman, Ct Sate Comptroller will receive the second "Women in Philanthropy" Award for her immense philanthropic efforts. She has been a tireless advocate for health issues affecting women and children. WTIC New Talk 1080 Morning Show co-host Diane Smith will present the award. Keynote Speaker is Catherine Conant, an award winning storyteller who promotes oral stories.

Contact Info: If you are interested in attending or for more information please contact Judy O'Connor at 8960-859-4148, ext. 102.

Celebrity Bartender Night at Rosie's Café

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
At Rosie's Café

Description: Come out for some fun at Rosie's Café Celebrity Bartender Night! Tonight's Bartenders are Janelle Skitromo and Joe Criscuolo. Tips will be donated to the United Way of Meriden Wallingford.

Location Info: 262 Camp Street, Meriden

Contact Info: For details call 203-235-2412.

An Evening of Jazz: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 2

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM
At The Farms Country Club

Description: Presented by MidState VNA & Hospice this dinner buffet and musical fundraiser will be to benefit the new telemonitoring program. Featuring The Bill Cofrances Jazz Quartet with NY recording artist Nicole Pasternak

Location Info: 180 Cheshire Rd., Wallingford

Contact Info: For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and information contact Paula Snedeker at 203-630-7117 or e-mail psnedeker@midstatemedical.org.

Meriden Student's Art Festival

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Description: Meriden Public Elementary Schools, will be displaying various works of art that the students have produced throughout the year. Elementary art work will be on display at the Center. Middle Schools and High School Work will be on display at Gallery 53.

Location Info: 175 E. Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: Opening reception will be Thurs., May 15th from 4-7p. Display will be open from May 7th -May 25th. Call for times or to set up appt. 203-639-2856.

SBI Planning Meeting

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:00 AM
At Chamber Office

S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society Introduces P.E.C.A.N. Sandies

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM
At Augusta Curtis Cultural Center

Description: The S.W.E.E.T. Potato Society cordially invites you to the Introduction of the P.E.C.A.N. Sandies (Precious Enchanted Children Acquire Nurturing). Come out and learn more about this new and exciting program and take the time to support 11 beautiful young girls. They worked very hard to prepare for this day and would love to see you there!

Tickets: $15.00 per adult; Patron’s list available at $5.00 per name.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Location Info: 175 East Main Street, Meriden

Contact Info: For tickets, patrons or more information, please contact Connie at (203) 630.3593 or Barbara at (860) 538.8267.

Artfest 2008

Saturday, May 17, 2008 through Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
At So. Main St. Parade Ground in Wallingford

Description: An invitation to Artisans, Craft people, Sculptors & Performing Artists. Artfest 2008 is being coordinated with Choate Rosemary Hall's annual reunion weekend & marketed throughout the region.

Contact Info: Contact the office at 203-284-1807 or wallingfordcenter@sbcglobal.net

Travel Series … at the Augusta "Switzerland, Italy, & France"

Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 2:00 PM
At Augusta Curtis Cultural Center

Description: "Over, Under & Around the Alps" presented by Frank & Phyllis Donovan. More info to follow.

Location Info: 175 E. Main St., Meriden

Contact Info: Admission $5.00

Marketing & Publicity Committee Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2008 at 8:30 AM
At Meriden Chamber of Commerce

Location Info: 3 Colony St., Meriden

Contact Info: Call the Meriden Chamber at 203.235.7901 or info@meridenchamber.com.

Capability Statements and matchmaker preparation

Monday, May 19, 2008 at 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
At Gateway Community College

Description: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES

A series of workshops at no charge will be offered for established small businesses whose business strategies include growth with the federal, state, and municipal markets. You will learn of opportunities available to small businesses including resources and programs available, marketing tips, how to decipher the difference between federal and state set-asides, how to find available bids, how to develop proposals, networking with large companies, and how to successfully approach a large company. Focus will also be given to navigating through the State of Connecticut’s bid portal, understanding the Supplier Diversity Program (SBE), the DBE Program, State and Federal certifications and registrations, along with an overview of the various prequalification processes.

Workshops are held the 2nd Friday of each month 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Location Info: Room 160, Main Campus, New Haven, CT.

Contact Info: WORKSHOP TOPICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. For more information or to reserve your spot please contact: Lisa Powell at the SBA at 860.240.4892 or email lisa.powell@sba.gov.