The reception, which is HOPE’s annual “FRIEND Raiser,” is sponsored by Page Taft and Essex Steam Train. The event will include a cocktail hour, complete with appetizers, beer and wine, and is free to all who wish to attend.

HOPE is inviting all interested members of the community to come together and learn about HOPE’s mission to develop affordable housing options along the shoreline.

Executive Director of HOPE, Lauren Ashe noted, ”The issue of the need for affordable housing is often surrounded by myths, which we work to dispel. Residents in need of affordable housing may be working full time but unable to make ends meet for their family or they may be young adults who wish to stay or return to the area where they grew up. This evening is about friendship, partnership and educating the community while enjoying a glass of wine and refreshments at an amazing venue.”

Anyone interested in attending can RSVP to Loretta@HOPE-CT.org or by calling 860-388-9513. More information about HOPE at http://www.hope-ct.org/

Editor’s note: Founded in April 2004, HOPE Partnership is a non-profit organization committed to advocating and developing affordable housing opportunities to support families living and working in southern Middlesex County and surrounding towns. HOPE’s purpose is to advocate for and create high-quality rental housing targeted to people earning between 50% and 80% of the local median income.

Share the magic and pageantry of one of the world’s most beloved ballet with friends and family of all ages at the Garde Arts Center tonight, Dec. 12, and tomorrow afternoon, Dec. 13.

New York City Ballet (NYCB) star Sara Mearns, “the great American ballerina of our time,” returns to the Garde Arts Center in New London for another great performance with Eastern Connecticut Ballet (ECB). New London’s own “Nutcracker” is both a holiday tradition and a tour de force.

Sharing the spotlight are guest artists from NYCB and Pennsylvania Ballet and more than 100 professionally trained dancers from ECB. Thirty-five musicians from Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Paul Polivnick, perform Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. Live music and classic ballet in the tradition of Balanchine will make this “Nutcracker” unforgettable.

Performances are Saturday Dec 12, at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at The Garde Box Office. Call 860-444-7373 x1 or visit gardearts.org.

Sale to Feature Recent Major Donation of Rare, Collectible Books

The BookCellar at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes (OLPGN) Library is pleased to invite the community to its annual Holiday Book Sale this weekend.  More than 5,000 books sorted by category, including many rare and collectible books recently donated from a private collection, will be offered.  As a result of this donation, several special categories will be offered, including the Civil War, World War I, World War II and numerous biographies, which enable the sale to be extended over a two-day period this year.

The Preview Reception & Sale, which features a wine and cheese reception, will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be a $10 admission fee, which includes a one-year membership to the Friends of OLPGN organization.  The General Sale will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Old Lyme High School Select Singers will perform holiday and seasonal music at 2 p.m., and a craft activity will be available for children, enabling parents to shop freely.  Admission on Saturday is free, with complimentary refreshments provided.

There will be books from all genres – from Children’s and Young Adults to Art and Photography, the Classics, History and Biography, small gift books and large coffee table books.  There is a huge collection of First Edition hardcover books, many with protective Mylar covers.

Dealers are welcome and there are no buyer restrictions.  Most prices will range from $2 to $5, with a special bargain table with books priced under one dollar.   All proceeds benefit the Library.

So kick off this year’s Holiday Season by supporting your local library and give the best gift there is – books!

Check this link for more information about the sale. 

The Library is located at 2 Library Lane, off Lyme Street. Fall hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.to 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  If the Library’s parking lot is full, additional spaces are available on Lyme Street. There is also a lot behind the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall across the street from the Library.

For more information about the library or questions about the sale, call 860-434-1684 or visit www.oldlyme.lioninc.org.