The aim of our events is not just to raise funds for our grants program. It is also to provide activities that engage and and bring together people of all ages in the Durham/Middlefield community. As a result of our changing community, our assessment of our events, and our desire to, in-person, reach more community members, we are making some changes!

CVEF In-Person Events

By Popular Demand! Talk of the Towns will return Spring 2026

Our “Ted Talks” style event, gathers four (very varied) speakers to share their specialized knowledge.

Our 2024 speakers included Schuyler Beeman, owner of Arbor Farm in Guilford, Dr. Alison O’Neil stem cell researcher, Peter Marteka, journalist and hiking expert, and Wendy Manemeit, coordinator of entertainment for the Durham Fair.

Howard Kelley Community Service Award Annual Reception: Each Fall, we announce our Howard Kelley Community Service Award recipient for the year, and there is a combined reception in the Fall with our annual grant recipients.

CVEF Grants Reception: Each year, our grantees are announced in June. This has been done either through a small gathering, via our website and other social media (during COVID years) or sometimes in a larger event. In 2022, we organized a “Spotlight on Grants” celebration to highlight our 14 years of giving grants. See the photos on our Grants page. Starting in 2023 and moving forward, there will be a combined reception in the Fall for both grants recipients and our Howard Kelley Community Service awardee.

CVEF Online Activities

Trailblazers: Plans are moving ahead for adding to our Trailblazers video stories. New videos of CRHS graduates and their high school journeys are in the works. Keep checking back.

Speaking of Fun: These 2021 videos featuring interesting projects and subjects are still just as fun to view and learn this year.

News and Notes: Our quarterly electronic newsletter (February, June and September) summarizes what CVEF is up to.