Author to talk about Mark Twain, 7:30 p.m. at the Mark Twain Library. Journalist Steve Courtney will read excerpts from his acclaimed biography, Joseph Hopkins Twichell: The Life and Times of Mark Twain’s Closest Friend. Those interested in attending are encouraged to call the library at 938-2545 to reserve a spot.

Astronomy program at farm, 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. at the New Pond Farm Observatory, 101 Marchant Rd., in West Redding. View spring constellations Hercules, Bootes, Virgo and Leo through a 14-inch diameter telescope. All ages are welcome. Call New Pond Farm at 938-2117 for reservations. The program cost for members is $4 per person with a $16 maximum per family, and $6 per person, $24 maximum per family for non-members.

Garden Club plant sale, 9 to 1 at the Redding Town Green next to the gazebo. Club members are potting up plants from their personal gardens for the plant sale.
Youth group food drive, 10 to 2 at the Christ Church Parish on Cross Highway. The Middle School Youth Group is holding the food drive in celebration of the church’s 275th anniversary. All of the goods collected will be donated to the Redding Food Pantry.

Bird talk, 10 a.m. at the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road. The talk, led by Chris Bosak, will include general information on birds, bird migration and feeding birds. Mr. Bosak, a long-time New Englander and resident of Connecticut, writes a bird-watching column for various newspapers. Mr. Bosak is also an avid bird photographer and a photograph accompanies each column he writes. Call 938-9725 if you would like to attend this bird talk.

Community-wide food and clothing drive, 9 to 3 at St. Patrick’s Church at 169 Black Rock Turnpike. Connor Robey, a Boy Scout in Redding Troop 15, and junior at Joel Barlow High School will stuffing a military vehicle full of donations to be delivered to Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury. For more information, contact Connor Robey at crobey@optonline.net. The rain date is Saturday, May 31.

Youth group food drive, 10 to 2 at the Christ Church Parish on Cross Highway. The Middle School Youth Group is holding the food drive in celebration of the church’s 275th anniversary. All of the goods collected will be donated to the Redding Food Pantry.

Author and illustrator to talk at May Fair, 11 to 4 at New Pond Farm. Bill Steers, author and illustrator of the popular Tractor Mac children’s book series is the special guest at the farm’s Annual Founder’s May Fair. Fair will feature Mr. Steers and his “Tractor Mac,” as well as sheep sheering, cow judging, horse-drawn hay rides, bee keeping, and music. Fee is $4 for members (maximum cost of $16 per member family), $5 for non-member with a maximum cost of $20 for non-member family.

History of quilting in New England, at the Redding Historical Society’s annual spring meeting, from 1 to 4 at the Lonetown Farm Museum. Aimee Newell, Curator of Collections at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, Mass., will present the history of quilting in New England during the 1700s and 1800s. Guests may bring quilts from their personal collections for Ms. Newell to examine. Light fare and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Colleen McLeod at 938-1118.

Talk on animal communication, 11:30 a.m. at the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road. Polly Brody, an animal behaviorist, will speak to the Redding Garden Club about animal communication. A light lunch will be served before the business meeting at noon, followed by the guest speaker. Guests are welcome with a donation of $4, to be collected by membership chairman Eileen O’Connor.

Slide show showcasing Redding’s Parks, Places and People, 1 p.m. at the Redding Community Center. Brent Colley, a local historian, will be using his vast collection of photos and postcards for the slide show.