Rocks, Minerals, Geodes, Gems Show Off

Meteorites? Fossils? Oh, yes, and much more including a mine maze, geode splitting, fossil dig, and lapidary (using minerals or other materials to make decorative items) demonstrations at the Lapidary & Mineral Society of Central Connecticut Jewelry Gem and Mineral Show and Sale is Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7, at Maloney High School, Meriden.

A special bonus: Bring any unidentified minerals or gems to the show for identification. Hours are Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maloney High School is located on Gravel Street, on the east side of Meriden, off East Main Street. Plenty of free parking is available.

Gems, jewelry, mineral specimens, crystals, and fossils will be on display and for sale. Science exhibits, fluorescent minerals, and lapidary demonstrations.

Admission is $5, younger than 12, free. Call (860) 666-4989 for more information.

Spring (and Ice Cream) - Not So Far Away

Why writing down stories is so important - one tale of ice cream at a classic dairy bar in Connecticut.

NOFA CT Organic Harvest Celebration

NOFA Connecticut's 2009 Organic Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting is Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in New Haven, inside the Jones Auditorium at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The public is invited to shop at the market (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and a potluck lunch and to learn more about NOFA CT.

Keynote speaker at 2 p.m. is Marydale DeBor, who will speak about the "Plow to Plate Program" at New Milford Hospital. This effort is to engage as many individuals and organizations as possible in improving the health of residents of the northwest corner of Connecticut. To learn more, visit www.ctnofa.org.

To minimize paper/plastic waste, bring your own plate, cup and utensil (and something to contribute to the lunch if you wish.)

At 1:30 there will be a half-hour annual meeting. The CT NOFA Member of the Year Award will be presented at 3 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call CT NOFA at (203) 888-5146. To participate in the Farmers’ Market, contact Deb Legge at (203) 888-5146.

Wayne Young of High Hill Orchards in Meriden, is a NOFA CT member.

CT NOFA is the Connecticut chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, a non-profit educational, membership organization for everyone interested in organic food, gardening, farming or land care. For CSA details (winter) or more information about High Hill Farm and orchard, call Young at (203) 294-0276.

'Lincoln' Plus Fishing, Concert, Daffodils

Abraham Lincoln visited Meriden in 1860. This weekend, a re-creation of that time using his own words will be performed in the event tent on Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. at Hubbard Park, Meriden,

The Meriden Historical Society will also display an exhibit consisting of newspaper articles, images of the President, artifacts and other Lincoln memorabilia. Howard Wright, dressed in period attire and speaking with an authentic Kentucky accent, portrays Lincoln.

Events on Saturday include fishing derby at Mirror Lake and a daffodil tag sale. There is no admission to Hubbard Park.

The derby starts at 10 a.m., open to anyone age 15 and younger. Children are encouraged to bring their own rods or use the rods (a limited number of rods will be available for use). Live bait will be available.

Prizes will be given for heaviest fish and the longest fish. All participants will have the opportunity to win raffle prizes at the conclusion of the derby.

Also going on in the park is a boxing event presented by Beat the Street Community Center, Inc. Admission is $15; students, $7, and children age 6 and younger, free. For more information on the boxing call (203) 686-1639 or email beattsccinc@snet.net.

On Sunday, April 19, the 10th Annual Meriden Rotary Daffodil Festival 5K Road Race & Kid's Fun Run takes off. Registration is 8 to 9:45 a.m.; race begins at 10 a.m. A half-mile fun run course for children ages 12 and younger follows Mirror Lake. registration starts at 8 .m. and the race begins at 9:45 a.m.

The Augusta Curtis Concert Band will be playing a benefit concert for the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center on the tennis courts under a large tent in the park. The 42-member band features community residents from ages 13 to 80 at 3:30 p.m. Admission to the concert, $5, children under 7, free.

Daffodils are blooming throughout the 1,800-acre Hubbard Park, and the annual Daffodil Festival in Meriden features 61 different varieties. For information call (203) 630-4259.