Name: Shut Up & Write!
Start: 2026-11-07T11:00:00-05:00
Location: S&B Cafe (formerly Madison Coffee House). 724 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT, 06443

S&B Cafe (formerly Madison Coffee House). 724 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT, 06443

Join a supportive community of writers for dedicated, distraction-free writing time in a welcoming space. This free weekly meetup is open to all kinds of writing without the pressure of critiques or sharing work, helping you build a consistent habit. Simply show up, build community, and write what you want!

Local Event: Shut Up & Write!

New Haven County

Alfred Branch

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Madison

Connecticut

Shut Up & Write!

Join a supportive community of writers for dedicated, distraction-free writing time in a welcoming space. This free weekly...

Online Event

One of the biggest benefits of estate planning is the sense of security and comfort it can bring. During this session we’ll provide guidance on how to navigate the estate planning process and highlight some important factors and strategies you’ll want to consider as you think about how to leave a meaningful legacy for the people, organizations and causes you love.
You must RSVP to receive access credentials for this event or seminar.
Presented by: Amanda Willey, CFP®, APMA®, Private Wealth Advisor - R. Miller &amp; Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial LLC
Hosted by: R. Miller &amp; Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial LLC
To reserve a spot: call us at <a href="tel:6176073366">617.607.3366 Ext. 250</a> or email us at <a href="mailto:christina.cobas@ampf.com?subject=Strategies%20to%20help%20you%20make%20an%20impact%20with%20your%20estate">christina.cobas@ampf.com</a>This is an informational seminar. There is no cost or obligation.

Local Event: Complimentary Presentation - Strategies to Help You Make an Impact with Your Estate

Fairfield County

Shelton-Derby

Complimentary Presentation - Strategies to Help...

One of the biggest benefits of estate planning is the sense of security and comfort it can bring. During this session we’ll...

Complimentary Presentation - Strategies to Help You Make an Impact with Your Estate

The Country School

<h2>Bark Returns to The Country School: Preparing Students for a Digital World</h2>
Children are online earlier than ever. They game, they text, they watch videos, and more and more, they talk to AI. The question for parents is not whether their child will enter the digital world. It is whether that child will be ready.
At The Country School, a PreS-8 independent school in Madison, Connecticut, we believe readiness is taught. That is why Bark’s Connected Communities program returns to campus November 4-6.
<h3>A Program That Started Here</h3>
Connected Communities is a three-day, in-person program that brings students, teachers, and parents together around one goal: helping children build safe, healthy habits online. The program has grown quickly on the national stage. It found its start at Country School and a handful of other forward-looking schools willing to address online safety early, before problems take root.
That early start reflects who we are: a proactive school community that adopted a no-phone policy long before restrictions were discussed at the state level.&nbsp;
What Students Will Learn
Adam Brooks, an online safety expert with Bark, returns to work directly with students in Grades 3 through 5. His lessons are age-appropriate and practical. Students will practice digital etiquette, learn to manage their emotions online, spot misinformation, and use AI responsibly. Topics include group texting, social media, cyberbullying, and healthy screen habits.
<h3>Why Grades 3-5?</h3>
Late elementary school is when many children first gain independent access to devices, games, and group chats. It is also when habits form. From a child development perspective, this is the right window. Nine-, ten-, and eleven-year-olds are building judgment and still open to guidance from the adults around them. Lessons delivered at this age take hold in ways that lessons delivered in high school often do not.
<h3>Parents Are Part of the Lesson</h3>
Online safety lessons do not end at the classroom door. Much of a child’s screen time happens at home. That is why Connected Communities includes families from the start.
<ul><li>Community Online Safety Discussion, Thursday, November 5, 6 p.m. A private school with a public purpose, Country School welcomes parents from across the shoreline, including Madison, Guilford, Clinton, and Branford, to join our families for a panel discussion with &nbsp;Adam Brooks, Bark Community Partner expert; Scott Cochran, Director of Madison Youth and Family Services; and Joseph LaMacchia, Country School Director of Technology, Security, and Safety. Adam holds Masters Degrees in both Special Education and Leadership Development. Adam trains families, schools, and corporations on leadership, conflict, and communication skills. Scott is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and brings an affirming perspective from a long career with a wide range of personal and professional experiences. Joseph has over 20 years of experience in technology and security in private school environments.&nbsp; <a href="https://thecountryschool.myschoolapp.com/podium/default.aspx?t=36644&amp;rid=55466" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Register here.</a></li><li>Parent Information Session, Friday, November 6, 8:30 a.m. Following First Friday Share, Country School parents are invited to learn what children face online, which warning signs to watch for, and how to keep conversations open at home.</li><li>Bark Phone Option for Fifth Grade Families. Fifth Grade parents may take home a Bark Phone, a secured device designed to guide families through a child’s first smartphone. A sign-up form is coming soon.</li></ul>
<h3>Why This Matters</h3>
We build a world for students so they can take on the (digital) world. That includes preparing children to move through it with judgment and kindness alongside everything else we teach: public speaking, leadership, outdoor education, global citizenship, and STEAM.
“We don't just give our teenagers the keys to a car and send them on their way. We teach them how to drive with multiple checkpoints and hurdles to independence. Smartphones and social media hold enormous power to change children's lives, and it is no less important that we educate them about what safety looks like on those platforms before they venture into the digital world,” said Ben Taylor, Assistant Head of School and Dean of Academics.
Small class sizes mean our teachers know each child well. They notice when something is off. Pairing that attention with expert instruction from Bark gives students a strong foundation and gives parents a partner.
<h3>Learn More</h3>
Watch this<a href="https://vimeo.com/1158816693?fl=pl&amp;fe=vl" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> brief program overview</a> to see Connected Communities in action.
Considering The Country School for your family? Contact our Admission Office to schedule a visit and see how we prepare PreK-8 students to take on the world, online and off.

Local Event: Community Online Safety Discussion

Community Online Safety Discussion

Bark Returns to The Country School: Preparing Students for a Digital World
Children are online earlier than ever. They game,...

Susan Powell Fine Art

Holiday Show November 6 - January 2, 2027 Opening Reception: Friday, Nov 6, 5-8 pm Susan Powell Fine Art Madison, CT Our much-anticipated Holiday Show brings together 35 award-winning artists and exciting new talent, showcasing the remarkable diversity of contemporary realism. With an exceptional selection of one-of-a-kind paintings, the exhibition offers collectors the pleasure of discovering new artists, enjoying familiar favorites, and finding a special addition to their collection.
The warmth and festive spirit of the season comes alive in a café scene, while a sweeping mountain landscape captures the stillness of winter, and a chickadee perched on a snow-covered branch brings life to the quiet beauty of nature. Expansive landscapes, luminous harbors scenes, and lively New York City streets offer striking contrasts in mood and atmosphere. Exquisite floral still lifes, beautifully observed birds and animals, and colorful still lifes of fruit and donuts invite a closer look.
Participating artists include Thomas Adkins, Kathy Anderson, Del-Bourree Bach, Nancy Bass, Paul Beebe, Julie Beck, Peter Bergeron, Zufar Bikbov, Kelly Birkenruth, Deborah Chabrian, David Dunlop, Laurie Flaherty, Vincent Giarrano, Marc Hanson, Tom Hughes, Susan Jositas, Jim Laurino, Sarah Stifler Lucas, Laura Grace Mastrangelo, Anne McGrory, Jonathan McPhillips, Jim McVicker, Leonard Mizerek, Mo Myra, Michael Naples, Cora Ogden, Larry Preston, Deborah Quinn-Munson, Andrew Sjodin, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Kyle Stuckey, Sandra Wakeen, Laura Westlake, and Christopher Zhang.
Join us for the opening reception on Friday, November 6, from 5–8 pm, meet the artists, see exceptional art, and enjoy Prosecco, wine, and hors d’oeuvres.The show continues through January 2, 2027.
The Gallery is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT. Hours are Tues-Sat 11-5 and any day by appointment. For more information please call 203 318-0616, email susanpowellfineart@gmail.com or visit our website at <a href="https://www.susanpowellfineart.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">susanpowellfineart.com</a>

Local Event: Holiday Show 2026

Holiday Show 2026

Holiday Show November 6 - January 2, 2027 Opening Reception: Friday, Nov 6, 5-8 pm Susan Powell Fine Art Madison, CT Our...

The Cube at Centerbrook Architects 67 Main St. Centerbrook, CT 06409

We’re honored to welcome Scott Macaulay as our Featured Guest Filmmaker at the 2026 Essex Film Festival. Join us for a weekend celebrating Scott’s extraordinary contributions to independent cinema. We’ll be screening four films he produced, with Scott in attendance for Q&amp;As following each screening, as well as a special producing workshop where he’ll discuss his creative process and the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking. Tickets are still available but are selling fast . For more information about the films and Essex FilmFest follow the link below. We look forward to sharing this unforgettable weekend with you.&nbsp;

Local Event: Essex FilmFest 

Middlesex County

Essex-Chester-Deep River

Essex FilmFest 

We’re honored to welcome Scott Macaulay as our Featured Guest Filmmaker at the 2026 Essex Film Festival. Join us for a weekend...

I-Park Foundation, Inc.

I‑Park invites visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature and explore its expansive grounds at our final Open Trails +&nbsp;Music Day of the season. Taking place on November 7 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, the event will feature a range of activities including live music from the HouseBand at School of Rock Madison, a guided hike, and a special visit from our friends at Epoch Arts.
Wander at your own pace through over 40 environmental artworks nestled in I-Park’s meadows, woodlands, and waterways. Most trails are gentle and well‑marked, offering an easygoing experience for both casual walkers and day‑long explorers. Explore at your will, or participate in a variety of planned activities.
• From 9:30am-12:30pm, Epoch Arts will be onsite, hosting an interactive “found-art” station where visitors of all ages can create a unique art piece. Epoch Arts is a nonprofit organization based in East Hampton, CT, with a mission to serve youth and the community through the arts. Their goal is to inspire creativity in youth so they can engage in and build a more empathetic, creative and connected community. Visit their table at Open Trails to join in a craft and learn more about how to get involved in their ongoing programs.
• From 10:00am-12:30pm: A guided hiking party will depart at 10am. This ~2 hour excursion will lead visitors to view artworks along some of I-Park’s lesser-ventured paths- a special opportunity to learn about the artists and their sculptures from a knowledgeable I-Park guide. Please register in advance for this activity.
• From 12:30pm-2:30pm: The Common Area comes alive as the HouseBand delivers a dynamic mix of hits from the 60s through today. Settle in and enjoy an energizing afternoon, with songs performed by the most advanced musicians at School of Rock Madison. 
This is a free, family‑friendly event, open to all who wish to explore, create, and be inspired by art and nature. <a href="https://www.i-park.org/event/november-open-trails-music/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Advance reservations are recommended for a quick easy check-in</a>, though walk‑ins may register at the welcome table upon arrival. A suggested donation of $10 per adult supports the ongoing maintenance of I‑Park’s trails and gardens.
Open Trails + Music is being funded in part through grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation and Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

Local Event: November Open Trails + Music at I-Park

The Haddams-Killingworth

November Open Trails + Music at I-Park

I‑Park invites visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature and explore its expansive grounds at our final Open Trails + Music...

Mark your calendars for one of Madison’s most anticipated traditions—the annual MHS Lantern Tour—on Saturday, November 7, from 5 to 9 pm!
As part of Madison’s 200th anniversary celebration, this year’s Lantern Tour brings 200 years of Madison history to life. Guided by lantern light, groups will journey across Madison’s historic town green, meeting Madison residents from different eras of our community’s history. Brought to life by our talented youth reenactors, these fascinating characters will share stories that offer a glimpse into the people and experiences that helped shape Madison over the past two centuries.
After the tour, visitors can enjoy light refreshments at the Madison Center for History &amp; Culture and explore our exhibit space.
Advance reservations are required. <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lantern-tour-2026-our-history-our-stories" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Click here to reserve tickets online</a> or call&nbsp;the MHS office at 203-245-4567. Tours depart from Lee’s Academy every 20 minutes and are limited to 20 guests per tour.
Come celebrate 200 years of Madison history in the glow of our lanterns! We look forward to welcoming you to one of our most popular events of the year.
This event will take place rain or shine.

Local Event: Madison Lantern Tour 2026: Our History, Our Stories

Madison Lantern Tour 2026: Our History, Our...

Mark your calendars for one of Madison’s most anticipated traditions—the annual MHS Lantern Tour—on Saturday, November 7, from...

Madison Lantern Tour 2026: Our History, Our Stories

Meigs Point Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT

Friday, November 6, 7:00pm Rain/Cloud Date - Saturday, Nov 7
Members of the Astronomical Society of New Haven, the Thames Amateur Astronomical Society, and the Shoreline Astronomical Society will have their telescopes set up to show you some of the best objects in the autumn sky. Andromeda Galaxy Saturn Dumbbell Nebula Pleiades Cluster Sponsored by Friends of Hammonasset

Local Event: Family Astronomy Night, Meigs Point Nature Center, November 6, 7pm

Family Astronomy Night, Meigs Point Nature...

Friday, November 6, 7:00pm Rain/Cloud Date - Saturday, Nov 7
Members of the Astronomical Society of New Haven, the Thames...

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Shut Up & Write!

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