Have Coffee, Kick the Tires, Shop for Charity, Run in an Orchard, and Ride a Roller Coaster!

1. Check under the hood! If you take your car to Pro Tek Auto on Main Street in Niantic today you'll notice there are signs of a woman's touch around the place. Pro Tek is holding a fundraiser for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation and offering free car inspections and gift certificates for oil changes in return for a $25 donation to the cause.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with WCTY radio DJs broadcasting on location in the morning and two bands, Sue Manhart Band and That's What She Sang performing from noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. respectively. It should be a good time and it's a great time to sign up for the Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut fundraiser!

2. Shop for charity. With just the one general store, Lyme isn't exactly a shoppers' paradise but this Saturday, there are two opportunities to pick up something useful, unique, or collectible and the proceeds in both cases will go to charity. 

• A Fall Rummage Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on the corner of Route 156 and Sterling City Road.
• A tag sale will be held at Hadlyme Public Hall on Route 156 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3. Go to the fair! The Durham Fair kicks into high gear today, despite the weather, and this year it even has a roller coaster! You find a full schedule of events here but the rain has put a bit of a damper on the parking arrangements. Starting today and until further notice, there will be no parking at the Greenbacker, Strickland or Wimler lots.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Durham Fair vendors and volunteers with a parking sticker may park at Coginchaug Regional High School (135 Pickett Lane - Directions) or Strong School (191 Main Street - Directions).

Starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, volunteers and the general public may park at Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield at 90 Miles Road, Wallingford (Directions).

Shuttle buses will be available for these lots for transportation to the Durham Fair. Private parking areas in Durham will remain available but are not guaranteed. 

4. Have a cup of java! Today is national coffee day and though many national chains and small cafes are celebrating with free or discounted coffee, the folks at Ashlawn Farm in Lyme weren't actually aware of the event. But though there are no special deals, you can still celebrate with a very special cup of fresh (really fresh) ground coffee produced right at Ashlawn Farm.

While you're there, you can shop for fresh produce, pick up a pumpkin, or browse the stalls for unusual handmade items at the Lyme Farmer's Market and enjoy the band. This Saturday the band is Uncle Flatty.   

5. Run around the old apple orchard! On Sunday, September 30, Old Orchard Farm is hosting a 5K run and hay rides around the orchard at 22a Scott Road (off Route 1) in East Lyme. The "Apple Farm Frolic" runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the entry fee is $25. Call (860) 434-5099 for information.

There's no mention of a rain date but even if it's pouring outside, with fresh-pressed cider, honey from the farm's hives, homemade pies, and with live music played by a rotating group of musicians who regularly show up for an open mic jam session in the afternoon.