Guilford Courier 04-10-25 by dayshorepublishing

Guilford Vol. XXVIII Iss.

Town of Guilford to Launch New Online Permitting System

By Aaron Rubin

Staff Writer

The Town of Guilford has announced its plans to launch a new online permitting system which will “make applying for permits more efficient and convenient for residents, contractors and businesses,” according to a press release.

Efficiency is the key word in regard to the new system, which is called EnerGov. This is

something which has been awaited by contractors who are seeking permits for projects in Guilford, as the was informed by town officials who will be using the system.

Guilford Courier

“They cannot wait for this to go live,” said Darka Lindgren, administrative assistant with the Guilford Health Department. “All the contractors are so excited.”

First Selectman Matt Hoey told the

Guilford Courier

that the town is ”firmly committed” to what he described as a ”substantial project” that has been development for some time. While recognizing it may take some time for town official and users to adapt to the new system, its benefits will be worthwhile.

”Many other communities have already

See Town of Guilford page 7

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance

is making history with the Knights of St. Patrick.....................................2

Hands Off

Hundreds of demonstrators holding signs gathered on the Guilford Green during the Hands Off 2025 protest on April 5. The Guilford protest was part of a one-day nationwide protest against the administration of President Donald Trump and the actions of Elon Musk's DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency.

The Dynamic Duo

Guilford Racquet & Swim Club members Claude and Mitch Wasterlain are a father-son duo that recently competed in a USTA tennis match together and won................................................14

Bread at Home

PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ TheCourier

Bread is the quintessential human food..............................25

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance named Knights of St. Patrick President

By Pam Johnson

Courier Senior Staff Writer

In recognition of a legacy of dedication and support, Connecticut’s oldest Irish club, the Knights of St. Patrick, has marked a milestone by naming Bernadette Smyth LaFrance as its first female president in the organization’s 147year history.

When the Guilford resident was elected vice president of the Knights of St. Patrick in 2024, Bernadette marked another milestone as the club’s first female officer. On April 9, Bernadette was sworn in during a special evening ceremony held in New Haven to begin her one-year term as president.

Bernadette’s new leadership role tops a long line of firsts which she has achieved throughout her extensive and impressive volunteer work on behalf of the Knights of St. Patrick, the Irish Societies, and the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Established in 1878, the Knights of St. Patrick was originally open only to male members, officially voting to allow women to join as members beginning in 1997.

Person of the Week

However, Bernadette says the club has a long history of supporting families and that it celebrates its female members who have contributed their time and talent to its success through the years.

aged, supported, celebrated, and respected by all of the gentlemen in the community. They’ve been huge advocates of mine and real champions of me wanting to be the first woman president, and felt like I was the one who had the leadership to be in this role,” says Bernadette. ”A lot of the past presidents have been amazing mentors to me.”

This isn’t the first time Bernadette has

See Bernadette page 8

a milestone by naming Guilford's Bernadette Smyth LaFrance as its first female president in the organization's 147-year history.

Photo courtesy of Bernadette Smyth LaFrance

recognition of a legacy of dedication and support, Connecticut's oldest Irish club, the Knights of St. Patrick, has marked

Sponsorships

Letters Editor to the

Gratitude

On behalf of Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV), I would like to express our gratitude to several people and organizations in our Guilford community. Thanks to Guilford Parks and Recreation for hosting the Yoga for a Cause event on Feb. 25. Talented yoga instructor Erin Schuster has so generously donated her time for this event for the last six years. Local restaurant South Lane Bistro participated in Giving Tuesday on March 18, designating our Meals on Wheels (MOW) program to receive a portion of their proceeds that day. Many thanks to the restaurant and its patrons who came out to support our cause. I

Please Pick Up

Early on during the pandemic, I bought a gizmo and app that allowed me to exercise indoors on a wide variety of bicycle routes around the world. I use it frequently during the winter and inclement weather year-round.

Last week, I took an easy ride for over 15 miles through several towns in Belgium and “literally” saw one piece of litter, a water bottle, on the ground next to a bus stop. One bottle in 15 miles. I notice the same lack of trash on most rides, no matter which country.

One can barely even ride half a mile in Guilford without seeing litter along the roadside, sometimes piles of it. Thankfully, there are several anonymous volunteers with trash bags and grabbers picking up roadside garbage, but they barely make a dent in the overall problem.

Years ago, I was told of a survey that

NOTE: Call the town clerk at 203-453-8001 or visit the Guilford town website at www.guilfordct.gov to learn how to participate in the following meetings:

Thursday, April 10

Monday, April 14 Tuesday, April 15

can certainly attest to their delicious food ( the scallop special was amazing! ) MOW also appreciates the generosity of St. George’s Knights of Columbus for allowing us to partner with them for the Friday Night Fish Fry fundraiser on March 28, and thanks to all the community members who participated in the event.

The generosity of the Guilford community never ceases to amaze me. Thank you all for supporting our GIV mission of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.”

evaluated the quality of education at the K-12 schools in a large district out west. It turned out that the schools with the highest marks in education corresponded directly with the ones identified as having the cleanest bathrooms. Maybe those schools were managed better, or maybe the cleaner environment fostered a sense of care and pride in the community at large.

Regardless, wouldn’t it be nicer to look at trees and grass rather than bottles, cans, cups, food wrappers, and construction debris? Couldn’t we all contribute a little to this effort by just tending to our own property and the roadside nearby?

Please pick up. Don’t ignore it and just leave it to someone else. It is a simple way to volunteer.

Robert Charney Guilford

Thursday, April 17

Pat Colburn, Guilford Interfaith

Chris Piccirillo Deputy Editor

Christian Maldonado Valley Courier

Betsy Lemkin The Sound Guilford Courier Ext. 6130

Lori Gregan Valley Courier Ext. 6167

Maria Caulfield Living Editor

Alicia Gomez Specialty

Louvenia

Pam Johnson

Jim Schiavone

Obituaries

Obituary

Donald Mullen Guilford

Donald P. "Don" Mullen, 73, of Guilford, passed peacefully on March 22, 2025, after a long illness. Don will be remembered for his beaming smile, his warm hugs, and his unconditional love for his family, his friends, animals, and his fellow members of the shoreline community of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, to the late Isabelle M. Mullen and Donald R. Mullen, Don was raised in Bloomfield, where his family was active in the United Methodist Church and Boy Scouts. He graduated from Bloomfield High School, Allegheny College, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Don arrived at Guilford Veterinary Hospital in 1979, straight from vet school, and stayed for 43 years, working tirelessly with his partners and staff to provide the best possible care with the utmost compassion. He loved his colleagues, his patients, and their families. He retired in 2022.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 10 years, Christine Donahue Mullen; his brother and fellow Eagle Scout, John (Kate) of Salisbury, Massachusetts; three sons of whom he was so very proud, Wes (Olivia) of Manhattan, Ben (Carly Elman) of Clinton, and Ted of Madison; six grandchildren who were a source of endless joy: Ellie, Clay, Mercury, Maddie, Moses, and Ava; his niece, Emma (James) of Brookline, Massachusetts; two grand-nieces; and several aunts and uncles. Don was predeceased by his nephew, Connor.

An avid birder, Don loved spotting birds on Hammonasset Beach and on his birding trips all over the world. He birded throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and South America, as well as in England, Ireland, France, Kenya, Namibia, and Thailand. One of his favorite trips was to Cuba with

David Sibley in 2019.

Members of Guilford Yacht Club, Don and Christine loved taking family, friends, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lincoln, on their boat, , for picnics off the Thimble Islands, Faulkner’s Light, and Mattituck. They enjoyed cruising on , especially to Shelter Island.

Don credited Alcoholics Anonymous with giving him such a joyful life by saving his life. In 2006, when he realized the disease of alcoholism was killing him and causing his family immense pain, he attended his first AA meeting at the North Madison Congregational Church. He found the help he needed and attended two meetings a day for many years, from Branford to Essex. He became a pillar of the AA shoreline community, helping many to find recovery. In January, he celebrated 18 years of sobriety.

Don was diagnosed in 2022 with a rare lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He began needing oxygen tanks last fall and, in January, underwent the only treatment for IPF—a bilateral lung transplant. His family is profoundly grateful to the nurses, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and physicians at Winchester Lung Center, where he was diagnosed and treated, and at NYU Langone, where he received his lung transplant. They cared for Don with extraordinary expertise and unfailing kindness.

Don’s family is also deeply grateful to Don and Christine’s neighbors at Long Hill Farm, who, during his months-long hospitalization in Manhattan, made sure Lincoln was well cared for and offered boundless support of all types.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Women & Family Life Center in Guilford (womenandfamilylife.org) or the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue Trust (cavalierrescuetrust.org). Members of AA could donate in Don’s memory (contributions.aa.org).

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Find Obituaries Posted Daily Online

See Obituaries page 10

While our press schedule often does not allow us to publish death notices in time to announce memorial services, readers can find obituaries posted to the Guilford Courier website, www.zip06.com, five days a week as they arrive.

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Town of Guilford to Launch New Online Permitting System

Continued from page 1

taken that leap and they’ve seen the benefits of providing the online application process and back office workflow efficiencies,” said Hoey.

Contractors and residents will both have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new system throughout the month of April by visiting a civic access portal which can be located on the town’s website at: www.guilfordct.gov/news_detail. New users will need to register an account for access and use of the platform, and the town strongly encourages users to “designate a single email address during this process as it will be used for all communication regarding application status updates, invoices, and process information.”

For users of the system who want an inperson and hands-on learning experience, training sessions will be provided at Town Hall South at 50 Boston Street between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8; Wednesday, April 9; Thursday, April 10; Tuesday, April 15; Wednesday, April 16; and Thursday, April 17.

Lindgren said that the lead-up to the launch of the system has been a “long haul” process for her colleagues, including Kimberly Norman-Rosedam, head of the Guilford Building Department. NormanRosedam said that town officials who will use the system’s software reviewed similar online portals used by other municipalities and wanted to find one which “we believe will be the best for the Town of Guilford,” ultimately selecting EnerGov.

Aside from the building and health departments, other town departments pertinent to the system include zoning, inland wetlands, and engineering. Lindgren confirmed that restaurant owners in Guilford have already been made aware of the new system, as have contractors for the town’s septic systems.

Users will find the system to be easily

Future Choices 2025

navigable as they are directed on the appropriate application process via multiple departments through which a permit will need to proceed and will then be notified on the status of their requests. There will also be options to check on the status of their permits and to see which parties are reviewing them and can request inspections.

Lindgren and Norman-Rosedam said that the software will not only be efficient for users who are residents or contractors, but also for town officials and their staff, particularly from an organizational standpoint.

“Now, once a permit comes in, whoever’s a reviewer on them, it automatically will go to them,” said Lindgren.

Additionally, permits will be organized in a timely manner “from newest to oldest,” said Norman-Rosedam.

Being an online service, there will be available access and usage for users throughout the entire week. This can be especially helpful for contractors who bring single-day events to Guilford on the weekends and would desire a more-expedient method of permit requesting and payment.

“We have a lot of temporary events in town that people come from all over the place, all different states, like the Guilford Fair, the Craft Expo, the Taco Festival,” said Lindgren. “They’re going to actually be able to go online and not have to send their check in or come in person. They can do it now online.”

In-person permit application is currently still available and will continue to be for a 60-day period following the official launch of the new system, according to Norman-Rosedam. Following the end of the 60-day period, the application process will migrate to be completely online.

Ultimately, town officials are excited for the launch of a system which will bring greater efficiency to multiple town departments and their operations.

“It’s going to be a great system for everyone,” said Norman-Rosedam.

Shoreline Arts Alliance presents Future Choices 2025, its 42nd annual celebration of high school visual artists. This juried exhibition showcases the work of talented emerging artists from Shoreline Arts Alliance’s 24-town region, including Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Guilford, Haddam, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. The exhibition takes place at the Flat Rock Gallery, 314 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, through Friday, April 11 and from Wednesday, April 23, through Sunday, April 27. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact 203-421-6739 or office@shorelinearts.org.

LEGAL NOTICE

Guilford Inland Wetlands Commission

The Inland Wetlands Enforcement Officer took the following action:

APPROVED: Barbara F. Brereton, located at 312 Lake Drive, Guilford, Connecticut, Assessors Map 62, Lot 12, Regulated Activity, Deck and covered deck on opposite sides of new addition within Guilford Inland Wetlands Commission 100-foot upland jurisdiction review area of a wetland and or watercourse.

Dated at Guilford Connecticut this 27th day of March, 2025.

Jeff Parker, Chairman

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF Roger Sanger Barnes (25-0084)

The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated March 27, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.

Priscilla H. Geer, Clerk

The fiduciary is: Mary G. Barnes, c/o ROBERT C LEITZE, 37 BOSTON STREET, GUILFORD, CT 06437

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF Michelle V. Gilbert, AKA Michelle Gilbert (25-0066)

Priscilla H. Geer, Clerk

The fiduciary is: Alain Sherter, c/o LISA NACHMIAS DAVIS, DAVIS OSULLIVAN & PRIEST LLC, 59 ELM ST, SUITE 540, NEW HAVEN, CT 06510

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF Dolores I. O’Rourke (25-0077)

Karen M. Parzych, Chief Clerk

The fiduciary is:

PETER B REILLY, REILLY & REILLY PC, 491 MAIN ST., SUITE 1, BRANFORD, CT 06405

LEGAL NOTICE

All persons liable to pay the 2024 water main assessment billing in the Town of Guilford are hereby notified that the first installment is due April 1, 2025. The last day to pay assessments without penalty is due May 1, 2025.

If payment is not made by May 1, 2025 interest will accrue to the original due date of April 1, 2025 at the rate of 1 ½% per month, or 18% per year from the date of the installment.

Payments can be mailed to the Town of Guilford, Tax Collector, 31 Park Street, Guilford, CT 06437. Please make sure to include your coupon when mailing your payment. Payments may be made at the Tax Office at 31 Park St., Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, checks, money order or cashiers check. Please bring your tax bill with you.

For questions regarding your water main assessment billings, please call the Tax Office at 203-453-8014.

Deborah A. Milano Tax Collector, CCMC

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance named Knights of St. Patrick President

Continued from page 2

made history among the area’s Irish clubs. In June 2019, she was named the first female executive chairman of the Board of Directors for the Associated Irish Societies, a role she held through June 2023. The organization runs the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which was established in 1842.

”While I was incredibly honored and deeply humbled by everyone’s faith in me to lead the organization as executive chairman, I wanted it to be a celebration for all of us women, especially all the former queens,” says Bernadette, who was queen of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1994. ”When I was parade queen, that was the start of my leadership in the Irish community.”

As a first-generation Irish American, Bernadette has always felt a purpose to promote Irish culture and heritage. For 30 years, she’s followed in the footsteps of her family’s devotion to supporting the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club/Irish American Community Center, the Knights of St. Patrick, and the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

”I grew up in the club. The Gaelic Club and the Knights of St. Patrick were for me like a home away from home, being a firstgeneration Irish American. We were exposed to music, dance, Gaelic football, stories... It was just who we were,” says Bernadette.

Bernadette’s late father was 17 and her mother, ”...who still has a brogue,” as Bernadette proudly notes, was 18 when the family came to America.

”When both my parents came to this country, all of the immigrants went to the Irish clubs to have that sense of identity and belonging,” she says. ”My parents came here with nothing, with no education, with no money. Education was the most-important thing to my parents and especially my dad. He was a blue-collar worker, but sent me, my brother, and my sister to private school our whole lives and worked a lot of odd jobs to do that.”

Bernadette’s family involvement stretches over six decades and includes her extended family. Bernadette’s personal involvement began as a young adult 31 years ago, when being crowned as the parade queen inspired her to volunteer. Since 1994, she’s served as Parade Committee event chairman for the Associated

LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF GUILFORD, CT.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Notice is hereby given that the Guilford Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday 16th April, 2025 at 7:00p.m. in the Guilford Community Center, 32 Church Street, Guilford, CT to consider the following: -

1. Application by Page Hardware & Appliance Co. for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install an outdoor advertising sign on property located at 9 Boston Street, Assessor’s Map 40, Lot 162

2. Application by Applicant/Agent John Morrison of Connecticut Sign Service, LLC for Owner: Guilford Savings Bank/Ascend Bank to replace the existing outdoor advertising signs on property located at 1 Park Street, Assessor’s Map 40, Lot 11.

3. Application by Brendan Choisnet for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new fence, granite steps and walkway, all on property located at 173 Whitfield Street, Assessor’s Map 33, Lot 94.

4. Application by Applicant/Agent Mike D’Onofrio of East Guilford Construction, Inc., for Owner: Bart Muhs for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a front door, rear patio door, and window, all on property located at 18 Fair Street (#2), Assessor’s Map 39, Lot 19.

5. Application by Applicant/Agent William Thompson for Owners: Matthew P. Reid and Breset Walker for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install solar panels, replace a garage, and review rear glazing, all on property located at 98 State Street, Assessor’s Map 46, Lot 06.

The above applications and accompanying documents are on file for inspection in the offices of the Town Clerk and the Guilford Historic District Commission, Town Hall, Guilford. At this hearing, written communications will be received and all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard relative to the above applications.

ANN C. STREET Chairman

Irish Societies. Bernadette has also served as the longtime co-chair of the historic Knights of St. Patrick Annual Banquet. ”I was blown away by the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to put the parade on and run the clubs,” says Bernadette. ”When you’re a kid at the clubs every week and going to the parade every year, you don’t realize there are actually people who are working hard and volunteering their time to make sure it all happens.”

Fast forward to 2008, when Bernadette’s numerous and impactful contributions were recognized with a top hat and special banner, as she was named grand marshal of the 2008 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2015, she became the second woman to earn the Knight of the Year honor and the first to be awarded the traditional Green Jacket by the Knights of St. Patrick. In 2018, she was honored with the inaugural Kevin J. Smith Award for Excellence in Executive Leadership by the Parade Committee’s Executive Board of Directors.

Through the years, Bernadette has put her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management skills to work by assisting the Irish community, seeing many accomplishments. Her development and fundraising efforts include co-founding the Corporate Contributions Committee in 2003, significantly contributing to the financial sustainability of the parade. As co-founder of the parade’s live broadcast media partnership beginning in 2011, Bernadette’s leadership secured hundreds of thousands in corporate contributions, ensuring the parade’s future. Bernadette secured a multiyear partnership with WTNH News 8, which broadcasts the parade live and promotes Irish culture year-round.

Since June 2023, Bernadette has also served as executive secretary of the Associated Irish Societies in its pivotal work to ensure the continued success of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In another significant contribution, Bernadette, together with the club

secretary, recently wrote and secured the first Emigrant Support Programme grants from the Irish government for the Knights of St. Patrick.

”I am very proud of this achievement as it is what has assisted the club in making significant upgrades in the past three years,” says Bernadette. ”It was a real thrill, and I was incredibly proud to represent the Knights and attend their workshop at the Irish Consulate office in New York City.”

Despite Bernadette’s many contributions, as well as her many historic and prestigious titles within the Irish community, she says that her most fulfilling and rewarding role is that of a “mom.” Bernadette and her husband Rob raised their sons—John, Joseph, and James—in Guilford.

”I’m very proud of all of my boys. They grew up with both their Italian and Irish heritage being a part of their life. And just like when I was a young adult, and I got involved in areas that were comfortable to me where I could give my time and talents, our sons are now becoming involved, in their own ways,” says Bernadette.

For example, on behalf of the family, John spearheaded the founding of a Knights of St. Patrick memorial scholarship program in honor of Bernadette’s late father, John F. Smyth, something which Bernadette says is supported as a true ”family affair.”

Asked to consider what she emotions she might experience as she’s sworn in as the first female president of the Knights of St. Patrick, Bernadette says that it will be a time to contemplate and share the accomplishment.

”The moment is about me, but I don’t want it to be just about me, personally,” she says. ”I really do feel like it’s about all the generations of women in the Irish community that came before me and the ones that I serve with today that have put their hearts, their hands, their time, their talents into serving our community, upholding all the traditions and the culture. I feel like it’s a win for all of us.”

Do you know a woman or girl who deserves recognition for leading with kindness, helping others, or making a positive change in herself or others in a community? Women & Family Life Center, a nonprofit organization in Guilford that provides resources and education for women and families in crisis, is now accepting nominations for SHEro candidates. Completed nomination forms must be submitted online at bit.ly/sheroawards2025 by Monday, April 28. Selected SHEros will be notified Friday, May 2. SHEros will be awarded Saturday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Lane. For more information, contact Emily Rorke at 203-458-6699 or erorke@womenandfamilylife.org.

Obituary

Lawrence Bee Sr.

Guilford

Lawrence L. “Larry” Bee, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, in Guilford, with his wife by his side. Born May 5, 1942, in New Haven, Larry lived a life marked by dedication, innovation, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and technology.

A graduate of The Gunnery School in 1960, Larry went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in metallurgical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1965 and was a member of Theta Xi (799). His academic achievements laid the foundation for a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades.

jects. A true audiophile, he found joy in high-fidelity sound systems and spent countless hours immersed in music. His love for computer programming also remained strong throughout his life—a testament to his ever-curious mind and embrace of evolving technology.

As a dedicated father and husband, Larry worked very hard to provide the very best for his family.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Patricia Bee (Van Saders); his two sons, Lawrence Bee, Jr. (fiancée Maya Loewenberg) and Christopher L. Bee; and his cherished grandchildren, Lawson Bee, Elsa Bee, Christopher Bee, Lily Bee, Danny Bee, and Tommy Bee. He also leaves behind his sister, Nancy Ann Kennedy (Patrick); brother-in-law, Leonard R. Van Saders (Connie); and several nieces and nephews.

Obituary

Jon Ainsworth Guilford

Jon Patrick Ainsworth, 75, of Guilford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 26, 2025. Born in Nyack, New York, on April 29, 1949, Jon was the second son of the late James Robley Ainsworth and Rita Julia Byrnes Ainsworth of Pearl River, New York.

At just 16 years old, Larry began working in the stockroom at Macalaster Bicknell Company of Connecticut. Over the next 50-plus years, he rose through the ranks with unwavering commitment. In 2012, he concluded his tenure as president of the company—a role he held with distinction. Among his many contributions, Larry was instrumental in developing the company’s purchasing and inventory control system from scratch using Unix technology—an impressive feat that reflected both his technical acumen and forward-thinking approach.

Larry's interests extended far beyond the professional realm. He had a lifelong passion for classic cars and was known for his skillful woodworking pro-

He was predeceased by his parents, John M. Bee and Helen Marie Bee (Lorenzen); his brother, John M. Bee, II; and his sister, Helen-Marie French.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Guilford Foundation, P.O. Box 35, Guilford, Connecticut 06437; www.guilfordfoundation.org.

Many thanks to his caregivers over the years, especially Heather and Josh.

May Larry’s memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to all who admired his dedication, humor, and ingenuity.

Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Kipphut Ainsworth, and son, Colin Christopher Ainsworth, of Guilford; and son, Kyle James Ainsworth; daughter-in-law Naomi Ibtihaj Ahsan; and granddaughter Serene Amira Ainsworth, all of New Haven. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Ann Hill of Woodstock, Illinois, whom he affectionately called “Franny,” and brother, Edward Jeffry Ainsworth of Maple Shade, New Jersey. In addition to his parents, Jon was predeceased by his brothers, James Edward and Joseph Kim Ainsworth.

Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Arizona Daily Star

Jon graduated with a degree in journalism from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A newspaper reporter and copy editor by trade, Jon began his career at (Nyack, New York), with stops at the and (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), and the (Tucson, Arizona), before moving to The Journal-News

New Haven Register Journal-Courier

Connecticut Post

New Haven for a job at the and , where he met his wife of over 38 years. He concluded his career in journalism at the newspaper in Bridgeport, retiring in September 2015. During retirement, Jon continued many friendships from his time in Connecticut newspapers.

Jon spent much of his youth camping and exploring the outdoors, his favorite destinations including Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the lakes of the Adirondack Mountains, and snorkeling and scuba diving the reefs of John Pennekamp State Park off Key Largo. More recently, Jon could be found tending to his back porch garden, where he grew flowers and vegetables; baking banana bread; enjoying a plate of fried clam strips on the water of the Connecticut shoreline; and being “Papa” to his beloved granddaughter, Serene, whom he saw frequently. Jon loved birds, installing many feeders in his backyard and fighting a constant (often losing) battle to keep them from serving the local squirrel population.

Jon was a loving father and adoring grandfather, and he will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Zion Episcopal Church, 326 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Connecticut Hospice or Zion Episcopal Church, North Branford.

School Committee Raising Funds for Inclusive Playground in Guilford

By Aaron Rubin

Staff Writer

The Baldwin Outdoors Committee is raising $150,000 in funds for the purchase of the first inclusive playscape at Abraham Baldwin Middle School (BMS), said Elizabeth Stein, committee co-chair.

The committee has partnered with the BMS PTO for the fundraiser, which would bring the first playscape of any kind to the middle school grounds, according to Stein, and would be a dedicated space for the physical and mental stimulation of BMS students of all abilities.

we’re able to raise our funds by the middle of this month, we’ll have a chance to build over the summer.”

If the goal is not met by the middle of April, the project will have to be delayed another year, said Stein.

While $150,000 remains the fundraising goal, Stein said that the total amount could be reduced by $50,000 given the same amount which was proposed in the next town budget to cover some of the costs.

businesses and families so far, it is still looking for greater donations to make the first playscape at the middle school become a fully realized project.

While stating that the playscape will provide children in Guilford of all ages and abilities with a “safe place to play,” Stein added that “it will also foster creativity, physical activity, and teamwork.”

“We’re trying to encourage kids to build their confidence, build their independence, socialization,” said Stein.

The committee is also looking to install large wind chimes as part of the overall project, with Stein stating that, “there’s nothing more inclusive that you can add than musical instruments.”

Ultimately, the project is all about making sure “there’s something for everyone out there,” said Stein.

Guilford Courier

As of April 2, Stein told the that the committee is “getting close” to its $150,000 goal and said that, “if

“If the budget passed, our goal will go down to $100,000, which would be equipment and installation,” said Stein.

While the committee has been “really fortunate” with the funds donated by local

There are several kinds of playground equipment which the committee wants to install to encourage play for the mind and body, including large building blocks, a supernova spinner, climbing structures, and a parkour section. Stein said that these aspects will encourage playtime which is collaborative and oriented toward problem-solving.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/support-baldwinplayground-project.

Obituaries Continued from page 10

Obituary

Susan

Santora

Guilford

Obituary Li-Ann Haig Guilford

Susan G. (Meyers) Santora, “loving mother and grandmother,” 83, of Guilford, passed peacefully on March 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Russell Raymond Santora, who died on Thanksgiving Day 2020. Susan was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on August 24, 1941, daughter of the late John C. and Anne (Tomayko) Meyers. Founder and clinical director of Learning House, Susan was a graduate of Connecticut College. She received her master’s degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University and advanced training in supervision and administration from the University of Connecticut. Her early career included teaching special education students and working in administration, as well as serving at the Yale Child Study Center and Elmcrest Psychiatric Hospital. Over time, her interest gravitated toward students who had difficulty reading, and she began intensive training in the Orton-Gillingham approach with nationally known educators Sally Childs and Alice Koontz. In 1983, Susan began offering specialized instruction in her Guilford home, providing services to individuals with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and Learning

House was born.

Susan and her husband, Russell, sailed many nautical miles in New England, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, venturing as far as Nantucket in their 21-foot daysailer. They traveled extensively in Europe, with many memorable adventures in St. Petersburg, Russia; England; France; Italy; and Scandinavia. During their trip to Denmark, they visited the yacht designer of their Bianca Aphrodite 101. They were members of the Sachem's Head Yacht Club in Guilford.

Susan leaves to honor and cherish her memory her two daughters, Nanci Carmenati of Branford and Venisa Riebe (Rob) of Bridgewater; her stepchildren, Marcus Santora of New Haven, Russell Geoffrey Santora of Pasadena, California, and Deirdre Santora (Charles) of Guilford; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Audrey (Carmenati) Kingsley; stepdaughter, Lesley Santora; and sister, Dorin Kelley.

A memorial service will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orton-Gillingham Academy either online or by mail at P.O. Box 234, Amenia, NY 12501. For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.brooksidememorial.com.

Cat Project Offers Mother’s Day Card

The Greater New Haven Cat Project (GNHCP) offers a Mother’s Day card that can be mailed directly to a chosen recipient. Mother’s Day cards are $20 each, and proceeds benefit GNHCP and its mission to rescue felines. Orders will be accepted through Thursday, May 1, and cards will be mailed out the following day in time to arrive by Sunday, May 11, Mother’s Day. When ordering cards, indicate the recipient’s mailing address. For more information or to order, visit gnhcp.org/mothersday.

RTPEC Summer Camp Open for Registration

Registration is open for the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) summer camp. Each session of the summer camp features a natural science focus. The camp will take place at RTPEC, 100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, and run from Monday, June 16, to Friday, Aug 15. Each weeklong session will focus on a project relevant to the week’s theme, allowing children to participate in a hands-on curriculum tailored to meet each child’s interest and skills. Campers are organized in groups based on their ages. The camps for ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 are as follows: Eco-Adventures, Art and Discovery, Estuary Explorers, and Super Scientists. The camps for ages 11 to 13 are Eco Engineers and River Rangers. Camp fees vary. For more information or to register, visit ctaudubon.org/rtp-summer-camp.

Li-Ann Jeanne Haig, 62, of Guilford, passed away on March 24, 2025, after a long battle with multiple system atrophy. Li-Ann was born in West Islip, New York, on February 16, 1963. She graduated from East Islip High School in 1981 and attended the State University of New York at Oswego, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. She worked briefly for Amica before starting a fulfilling 10-year career as an accounts payable coordinator in 1987 with Pfizer, Inc. in New York City.

her motor skills, the daily calls with her boys continued to be the greatest source of inspiration to fight her debilitating disease. She never valued material possessions nearly as much as watching them play sports or music.

Li-Ann found her ideal job in the children’s section of Scranton Library in Madison after her children were old enough for her to return to work. LiAnn’s loving kindness and generosity were the perfect tools for working with children, and she transitioned to the Madison School District in 2016 as a school librarian.

She met her lifetime soulmate, Steve Haig, when she attended his brother’s engagement party as the maid of honor. Their love story took them from New York to Rutgers University, where she was the primary breadwinner during lean graduate years, and ultimately to Guilford in 1994. She continued to commute many long hours to New York City until she became the happiest of stay-at-home mothers in 1997. Her two children were her greatest achievements, and though her illness took all of

She is survived by her sons, David and Bobby; her husband, Steve; her father, Roger Janson; her brothers, Kevin (Josie) Janson and Ron (Chrissy) Janson; father-in-law, Robert Haig; sister-in-law, Ellen Haig; brothers-in-law, Robert (Marilyn) Haig, Matt Haig, and Mike (Monica) Haig; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother, Joan Janson.

There was a wake on March 30 at William Clancy Funeral Home in Branford and a funeral Mass on March 31 at St. John Bosco Parish in St. Therese Church in Branford. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to the Women & Family Life Center in Guilford.

GriefShare Meetings

GriefShare is a weekly faith-based bereavement support group that offers help, encouragement, and support after the death of a spouse, child, other family member, or friend. The support group meets from noon to 2 p.m. on Sundays through June 8 in the cafe at Christ Chapel, 1185 Durham Road, Madison. (No session on Easter Sunday, April 20; Mothers' Day, May 11; and possibly May 25, the Sunday preceding Memorial Day.) The weekly format includes supportive discussion about video content and a journaling workbook reinforcing each week’s topics. A journal/ workbook can be ordered directly through GriefShare when participants register. All are welcome. For more information or to register, call Sue Granniss at 860-9131654 or specify “Madison, Connecticut” at griefshare.org/findagroup.

Workforce

Alliance Connecting Youth & Young Adults to Training and Jobs

Workforce Alliance offers training, certificates, and job search assistance to youth and young adults living in south central Connecticut who are not currently enrolled in high school or college. Workforce Alliance also provides tuition assistance, academic help, internships, GED completion, and guidance toward higher education. For more information, visit www.workforcealliance.biz.

Obituaries Continued from page 11

Obituary

Louis A. DeRuccio, Jr. Guilford

Louis Alphonse DeRuccio, Jr., ended his watch at the age of 99 on March 29, 2025, with his family by his side. Born in New Haven on March 20, 1926, he was the son of the late Louis and Teresa Amarante DeRuccio. He was predeceased by his loving wife of over 60 years, Louise Follo DeRuccio.

Louis was a member of the Greatest Generation and a proud veteran, serving during World War II in the 78th Infantry Lightning Division. He attained the rank of sergeant and served as a radio specialist. He was a Bronze Star recipient and received various other Army medals of recognition. Upon returning from the war, he was employed by Winchester Repeating Arms Corporation for over 50 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Diane, and her husband, Neal Warner; two grandchildren; and was awaiting his first great-grandchild in April. He was predeceased by his sisters, Rosalyn

2025 Programs

Cavanna and Grace Girard, and his brother, Alphonse DeRuccio. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

For more than 70 years, he was a resident of Guilford, where he built his house for his family on his own. He enjoyed cooking, working with his hands, and being with his family.

The family thanks the outstanding people at The Roses at Guilford House, where Louis made his home for the past two and a half years, for their loving care and devotion in his final years.

Calling hours were on April 3 at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street. A memorial service followed at the funeral home. Burial, with military honors, followed at St. George Cemetery, Hubbard Road, Guilford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation–Connecticut, 3000 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut 06518; www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-connecticut, or to a charity of one’s choosing.

For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.

The Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL) has opened registration for its spring programs online at ssill.org. The annual membership fee is $35 covering September through June, with benefits that include single talks costing $3 and classes that meet more than once costing $5. SSILL began a little more than 17 years ago and was initiated by Paula Schiller. Its purpose is to provide area adults with meaningful and educational programs while fostering a sense of community. SSILL is run by an unpaid slate of officers with an advisory board and several committees and welcomes anyone looking to volunteer. It is affiliated with the Road Scholar Network and sponsored by the Guilford Parks, Recreation, and Seniors and the Madison Senior Services. For more information or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Summer Camp for Future Inventors

Camp Invention, a nationally recognized nonprofit summer enrichment program, is coming to two locations: Old Saybrook Middle School, 60 Sheffield Street, from Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, and Adams Middle School, 233 Church Street, Guilford, from Monday, Aug. 4, through Friday, Aug. 8. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in kindergarten to grade 6 to tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems. Through hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes STEM; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, and resourcefulness; and encourages entrepreneurship in an engaging environment. Pricing starts at $275. For more information or to register, visit invent.org/camp.

Obituary Robert Ehrhart Branford

Robert "Bob" John Ehrhart, devoted son of the late Mary Elizabeth (McNeive) and Joseph Francis Ehrhart, died March 29, 2025, at Artis Senior Living, Branford. Bob was born on April 17, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas.

The family moved to Michigan in 1940. After graduating from high school in Flint, Michigan, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army where he joined the celebrated Mountain & Cold Weather Training Command (the successor to the famed 10th Mountain Division) based at Camp Hale, near Leadville, Colorado.

In the Army, Bob thrived in the camaraderie while he learned Alpine/Nordic skiing and cold weather survival skills in the winter. He also enjoyed mountaineering and rock climbing in the summers until, as he liked to say, he turned out the lights in 1958. What he learned in the Army would shape much of his future life.

Bob continued his love of skiing, eventually becoming a certified founding member of the Professional Ski Instructor Association in 1961. Bob

NBHS Class of 1975 50th Reunion

taught skiing in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and when he moved to Connecticut, in New England. In addition to skiing, Bob loved to play tennis and watch baseball. He was a Little League coach and loved his Detroit Tigers.

Professionally, Bob was a sales engineer for an industrial mining heavy tool supplier, where he made an excellent living, working long hours and sending all five of his children to college.

Bob was a devout parishioner at St. George Catholic Church in Guilford.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by both of his siblings, Mary Josephine "Mary Jo" Ehrhart and Donald Joseph Ehrhart, both of Michigan. Bob is survived by his five children, eight grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.

Friends and family were invited to a Mass of Christian burial, which was celebrated on April 4 at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston Street, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA. Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.

The North Branford High School class of 1975 is holding its 50th reunion on Friday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Amarante’s Sea Cliff, 62 Cove Street, New Haven. For more information, send your contact information (name, address, and email address) to NoBranfordHSClassof1975@gmail.com.

Volunteer Opportunity to Help Others

The nonprofit hospice program of Yale Health at Home has volunteer opportunities in the following areas: patient/caregiver companions; complementary therapies, including massage, Reiki, reflexology, pet therapy, art, and music; bereavement and spiritual support; and veteran-to-veteran. Volunteers receive free mandatory screenings, training, the support and appreciation of a team, and more. Volunteers can choose their preferred towns from those served by the hospice program, which include Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Northford, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. For more information, contact Jo Ann Begley at 203-453-7659 or joann.begley@ynhh.org, or visit ynhhs.org/health-athome/about/volunteer.

Food Worth Tasting

The 2025 Worth Tasting Event, a series of downtown culinary walking tours in New Haven, begins its season on Saturday, May 3. The food-tasting tour is led by Stephen Fries, food columnist, professor of hospitality management. The tour lasts four hours and includes stops at six to eight restaurants and eateries in the Elm City. Tours depart 10:30 a.m. from the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple Street. Other tours will be held on Saturdays, June 14, Sept. 13, Oct. 25, and Dec. 13 (holiday tour). Parking is available at the Crown Street or Temple Street Garage in New Haven. Tickets cost $80 each, except for the December tour, which is $85. Service fees apply. Reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, call 203-415-3519 or visit worthtasting.co/newhaven.

SSILL Opens Spring

Moosie’s Story

Story by Carol Andrecs

Beautiful Moosie is a young tabby female who was discovered living underneath a house during the cold and bitter winter months. She was very shy when she first arrived at Forgotten Felines, but has since warmed up to being petted, brushed, and given lots of attention and love. She is longing for a lap of her own where she can snuggle up nicely.

Moosie would be great as a companion for another cat or as the only princess in your home. Stop by our open house to meet Moosie or apply to adopt her online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.

Forgotten Felines is holding its annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All plants must be pre-ordered. To place an order, please fill out the form found on www.forgottenfelinesct.org and return with a check to Forgotten Felines, PO Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413 by Monday, April 21. Plants must be picked up on May 10 at 153 Horse Hill Road in Westbrook. For

Photo courtesy of Genevieve Ray

128 Thimble Islands Road in Branford, CT

Branford Father-Son Duo Wins USTA Match as Guilford Racquet & Swim Club Members

By Gabby Maljanian

Editor

Typically, aging weekend warriors gravitate to lower impact recreational sports such as golf. The ultimate geriatric achievement in golf is to score under your age. The probability of shooting under your age is miniscule, 0.0000089%. In tennis, the closest thing to a senior achievement is recreational doubles once or twice a week and not getting injured. That was until March 16.

At first sight, Claude and Mitch Wasterlain appear to be your normal father and son. Both are active and fit with a very similar physique and features. Mitch is a real estate developer and former track athlete at Stanford and avid biker, runner, and tennis player. Claude is the former Chief of Neurology at UCLA and a lifelong tennis player. Four years ago, upon retirement, he moved east from California to live with Mitch and his wife Trish, and to be close to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mitch lived in Manhattan at that time and chose to move to a smaller town, with a requirement being close to a tennis club for Claude. He chose Guilford, Connecticut, and now the Wasterlain family, with four generations ranging from Claude to his five and seven-year-old great-grandchildren, is a mainstay at the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club. Additionally, Claude and Mitch both currently reside in Branford.

“Initially we signed up for the club as a place for Claude to play tennis. But the club has become a focal point for our entire family to play tennis together,” said Mitch. “It has also served as a great social outlet for us and for my dad, as we were all new to the area.”

With this common love of tennis, Claude and Mitch play

together frequently with and against each other.

“Not a lot of people have the opportunity to play with their dad when they are my age,” Mitch said. ”That’s a unique thing…we’re pretty compatible players.”

The duo can be seen regularly playing with Claude’s weekly social matches or in Wasterlain family grudge doubles matches. The most enjoyable aspect is the general back-and-forth banter that takes place.

“When I moved here, I really was looking forward to playing tennis with Mitch. But now I am not good enough to play with him anymore,” Claude said.

Mitch also has his fair share of fun remarks towards his dad.

“Well, I have to get him back for all of those years I was trounced by him when I visited California,” said Mitch.

As time passed, the duo wanted to play tennis together at an even more competitive level. They decided that it might be fun to play in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) together as a doubles pair. With no expectations, they joined Guilford’s Men’s Over 40 3.0 team.

On March 16, the Wasterlain pair teamed up as father and son, winning their match to help the team split 2-2 vs. the Lyme Shores. The magical genetic syn-

ergy between the pair was evident in the contest. Mitch’s strengths are his speed and his baseline play. Claude has a very strong serve and deft touch at the net. They were in sync without overt communication, and they truly cherished the moment of being out there competing together.

“It felt great to win. I normally get more motivation playing USTA, but I especially do playing with my dad,” said Mitch. “I want to win it for the both of us. We take pride in that we go out and compete and win against people that are younger than us.”

It’s a compelling story of father and son teaming up and winning

a competitive USTA tennis match. Mitch is 67 years old, and Claude is 89, turning 90 in April. That is a combined age of 156 years, although Claude is fairly certain that number will increase even more.

“Both of our birthdays are coming up soon, so we can be the ones to do it,” Claude said.

As Claude and Mitch continue to maintain a strong bond over playing tennis together, Claude doesn’t plan to stop playing with his family any time soon.

“I love playing with my granddaughters and my great grandkids,” said Claude. “I’ll play as long as I can still hold the racket on the right end.”

Sports

Photo courtesy of Jill Fried

Pictured are Claude and Mitch Wasterlain of Branford, a father-son duo that teamed up to win a USTA tennis match on March 16.

Pictured is the Wasterlain family, a group that extends to four generations of tennis players.

Spring Has Sprung, Mixing Fish and Fishers in a Big Way

It’s finally here! For early readers, Catch and Keep opens this Saturday. Anglers who have been wetting a line already know how good trout fishing has been. Finding an excuse (good, bad, or indifferent) for not hitting the banks or wading the rivers and streams was easy considering how typical this spring’s weather pattern has been. Fishers closely monitoring weather fronts and barometric pressures for upcoming drops, however, were able to time it right and hooked up amazingly.

Trout stocking was consistent pretty much all the way throughfrom the winter right on through - including Catch and Release. If one followed Captain Morgan’s weekly column, trout were showing up anywhere from colorful native brookie size right up to magnificent browns and rainbows to 27” that were released immediately after their photo op. Although crowd sizes on Saturday, April 12 will most likely not compete with those from the true opening days in previous years, there is little doubt that there will be ample trout to target throughout state waters. Around 500,000 trout are predicted to have been splashed by CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) inland fisheries division through the month of May.

What is different now are the conversations. When anglers used to bait and gear up the week prior to opening day, and absolutely on the pair of days just before, stories of the previous season’s encounters filled the air along with tips and questions. Now, we are hearing conversations centered around recent catches and releases shadowed by mumblings about missing the old opening days with their traditional annual get-togethers, firemen’s breakfasts, and reunions with folks traveling from distant states.

If you are one of those anglers who looks forward to cooking freshly caught trout over an open fire, or Trout Almandine served with all of the fixings, then Saturday is your day. We have had recent rainfall, so water flows and levels will be manageable, while

Fishing report

fish will be somewhat trained and acclimated, giving some anglers more of a challenge. Forget giving up terminal tackle, lures, and/or flies, losing a good fish can be avoided by paying attention to three simple details. Bad knots, worn line/leaders, and compromised guides (chips, cracks, missing inserts) can sour an end result. Most of these weaknesses go uncorrected because of being unnoticed or lazy. Getting into the habit of closely checking for these faults and correcting them before hitting the water can make a big difference. A simple few-second feel with one’s fingertips or a Q-tip test can easily change a disappointing outcome to a cheering one.

On The Water

High pressure and warm conditions blanketed the area and the Atlantic. A cold front moved in, tapping 60-degree temperatures down into the 30s. Air temperatures fluctuated throughout the week from lows in the high 20s to daytime highs in the low 60s. This warm front passed as another high pressure system built in from the north. The frontal boundary in the vicinity of the region brought unsettled conditions that typified springtime weather. Long Island Sound waters vacillated, as fog, wind, and high seas became predictably unpredictable. Water temperatures remained around 44 degrees but has been trending upward, and tides did manage to get into negative territory as it went through its phases.

Aboard the fishing vessel Black Hawk, kids enjoy a day of fishing donated by owner Captain Greg Dubrule and sponsored by the New England Saltwater Fishing Club.

Fishers that hugged the shore during the openings of blackfish (tautog) and winter flounder seasons had varying results. Channels and inside the harbors produced some nice blackbacks to 15” on soft baits and dunking chum pots. Toggers, on the other hand, had colder temperatures and winds to deal with that unfortunately, held most of those fishers tied to the docks. Condi-

tions calmed down on day two, but cold temperatures bottomed out at 33 degrees from the previous day’s 55 degrees. However, workday got in the way of many that had to think twice about whether or not a trip would be worth the time taken.

The turn of the seasons has seen a gradual increase of ospreys returning to their nests to start their rebuilding process. Tidal rivers have seen the most preying activity in addition to the state’s stocked trout waters. Between those fish hawks whose diets consist entirely of fish and eagles, both waters and anglers are being severely tested by these

efficient hunters. Soon, the egrets and blue herons will follow and begin working the estuaries for small fish.

As active striped bass join the rocky blackfish and surprising winter flounder marine migrations, inland fisheries are exploding. Pre-spawn imposing largemouth bass are being caught on the edges, trout catches are going through the roof, including several in excess of 25,” and the rest of lake, pond, and river fish are taking everything from natural and scented baits to hard and soft artificial lures, including flies. Note that female largemouth bass are feeding aggressively in

order to build up their storage reservoirs in preparation for their spawning season. Treat them gently before returning them to the water.

Catch and Keep for trout begins on Saturday, April 12. Based on what has been happening so far, inline spinners, swimmers, Gulp, worms, and flies should continue to be top producers. Largemouths will hit spinner baits, large inline spinners, and soft plastics, while pickerel will chase spinners, and crappie will take small jigs. Worms will do nicely for any white perch.

See Spring page 17

Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Guilford Fund for Education Hosts Successful "Bee Ball" Tournament

Guilford Fund for Education (GFFE) hosted its annual Bee Ball Tournament on March 22 at Baldwin Middle School. From rookies and ”for fun” players to travel teammates, roughly 175 Guilford students from grades 3 to 7 formed teams in this 3x3 friendly basketball competition. Funds raised from this event will be used to fund future student and educator grants in Guilford.

”Bee Ball is a great opportunity for our community to come together in a fun way to raise funds that directly enable educators to do more for our kids! It is a day full of energy, connection, and positivity,” said Jennifer Scoggin and Meg Teape, GFFE Board Co-Chairs. ”A huge thank you to the community for coming out to support Guilford youth, to Guilford Basketball League (GBL) refs, and to Jeffrey Hahn for organizing the competition and keeping it fun!”

Known for recognizing teachers twice a year through the GFFE Star Awards, the organization also used Bee Ball as an opportunity for students to honor educators who have made an impact on their lives. Each awarded team was asked to dedicate their win to an educator from their school. Honored Guilford educators include: Adams:

are the third grade boys that participated in Guilford Fund for Education's Annual Bee Ball Tournament on March 22 in Jake Charney, Timmy Stitleman, and Sean Dennehy. They honored Mr. B of Guilford Lakes.

Guilford District Team Wins Connecticut Scholastic Team Chess Championships

By Gabby Maljanian

Sports Editor

The Guilford District team (Luke Bartek from Abraham Baldwin Middle School and three Calvin Leete School students) came in first place for K-5 Elemen-

tary at the 2025 Connecticut State Scholastic Team Chess Tournament. Bartek appreciates the support of the chess club at Baldwin, and he hopes more Baldwin teammates will be able to join for next year’s team event.

Pictured are the four members of the Guilford district K-5 chess team that won the 2025 Connecticut State Scholastic Team Chess Tournament in Caleb Schildwachter (kindergarten), Luke Bartek (fifth grade), Leroy Chang (fourth grade), and Rylan Chang (third grade).

Photo

Mr. Vedrani and Ms. Oulette; Leete: Ms. Israel and Mrs. Forelock; Baldwin: Señora May, Mrs. Epke, Mr. “Cu” Cuticelli, and Mr. Vitale; A.W. Cox: Coach D.; Guilford Lakes: Mr. B.; and MJS: Ms. Pierce.

For the second year in a row, concessions were provided by the Grizzly Coffee Club, run by Guilford High School (GHS) teachers Rick Paolini and Jane Natoli, and their outstanding Life Skills Program students. The Grizzly Coffee Club was started initially with money received through a GFFE grant. The club has grown in significant ways in two years, providing coffee and treats to GHS staff, taking baked good orders, and selling concessions at various community events.

The GFFE Bee Ball Tournament was a huge success, thanks to registrations and their generous sponsors, including The Beekeeper Sponsor (Breakwater Books), Queen Bee Sponsors (Mathnasium of Guilford, Jolley Precast, and Jersey Mike’s Subs), Honeycomb Sponsors (DocuPrint Now, The Guilford Courier, The Law Offices of Charles L. Kurmay, Palumbo’s Automotive, Personal Injury Attorneys Buckley, Wynne & Parese, and Stony

courtesy of Helen Bartek

Photo courtesy of Jen Scoggin

Pictured

Guilford Racquet & Swim Club to Host 11th Annual Pickleball for Parkinson’s Event

By Gabby Maljanian

Sports Editor

On Saturday, April 26, Guilford Racquet & Swim Club (GRSC) will be holding its 11th Annual Pickleball for Parkinson’s event from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will take place right at GRSC (420 Church Street, Guilford), and anyone is welcome to attend. Signups can be found at https://www.guilfordracquet.com/ under the ”Adult Pickleball” tab, along with a link to donate. A $100 donation will get access to all-you-can-play pickleball, food, drinks, raffles, a silent auction, and live music. All proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

GRSC’s pickleball director, Lesly Wagner, started Pickleball for Parkinson’s in 2013, as her dear friend Wendy, a former Division I college tennis player, had recently been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease (same as Michael J. Fox). It was while she was playing tennis that Wendy first realized something was off and decided to see a neurologist. Because pickleball is very similar to tennis but a little easier on the body, it was a great way to keep Wendy active and involved in the sport she loves. Since she’s picked up pickleball, Wendy’s symptoms have improved.

Equipped with an idea, Wagner came across Team Fox, and Pickleball for

Parkinson’s was born. Today, the pay-toplay fundraiser continues to attract not just pickleball players, but mainly supporters of the cause. With a core group of returners plus new players each year, more courts have been added, and the suggested donations have been increased. Pickleball has proven to be a fabulous pastime for those who have Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Wagner has used the sport to raise more than $42,000 for Parkinson’s research.

Both Wendy and Wagner are committed to growing the fundraising event because “it might mean a cure for me, or the next generation,” said Wendy. In addition, the cause became even more personal for Wagner after her mother passed away in 2019 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a related condition that shares similar symptoms to Parkinson’s.

This is the 11th year of the Pickleball for Parkinson’s event, as it was sidelined in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The event has since added live music, a silent auction, and amazing raffle items. 2024 was its biggest year, raising $47,500 in one afternoon. Pickleball has now become a popular fundraiser for other Team Fox Do-It-Yourself (DIY) captains.

For more information on the event, email lesly@guilfordracquet.com.

Guilford Fund for Education Hosts

Successful "Bee Ball" Tournament

Continued from page 16

Hill Ventures), Buzzworthy Sponsors (Jolly Holiday Vacations and Clarity for Charity), and The Hive Sponsors (Mikolay Jet Group, Coldwell Banker Realtors, Joint Effort, and Belle Vie Cafe). GFFE would also like to say a big thank you to those area businesses that donated raffle items such as Flutterby, Water Street Jewelers, the Guilford Arts Center, Big Y, the Quinnipiac basketball team, Urban Air, and Well-Comb Home.

Bee Ball kicks off a busy spring for GFFE. The organization’s spring grant cycle is in full swing, as GFFE Board Members look forward to supporting the new and innovative ideas of educators

across the community. To date, GFFE has awarded more than 200 grants supporting Guilford educators and students.

The GFFE is a Donor Advised Fund managed by The Guilford Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Through the work of an all-volunteer Advisory Board, GFFE gives educators and students an avenue to explore, experiment, and bring fresh educational ideas and experiences to youth by funding proposals which fall outside of an organization’s budget. GFFE provides the funding to explore new concepts, enhance existing curriculum, and strengthen the learning process. The projects that are funded wouldn’t be realized otherwise.

Guilford Golf Wins Opening Match

Sports Editor By Gabby Maljanian

On April 2, the Guilford golf team traveled to Madison Country Club to face Hand in its first match of the season and won 161-167. Senior Andrew Beauton was

the medalist for the match, as he scored a 37. Sophomore Daniel Pearce added a 39, junior Kelley Webster recorded a 42, and freshman Bobby Shaw played to a 43. Senior Anthony Cerino scored a 45.

Schedules

Monday, April 14: at East Haven at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 16: vs. Hillhouse/Career at 4 p.m.

Lacrosse

Saturday, April 12: at Saint Bernard-Wheeler at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 17: at Trumbull at 6 p.m.

Tennis

Friday, April 11: at Cheshire at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, April 14: vs. East Haven at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16: at Xavier at 11 a.m.

Spring Has Sprung

Continued from page 15

Atlantic salmon, searuns, seefs, and northerns, along with catfish and carp, are great additions to your catch.

Limited Opportunity:•Northeast Saltwater Fishing Club is seeking serious recreational fishers to bolster their wellestablished traditional organization involved with all aspects of marine fishing: dynamic tournaments, seminars, in-house charity/social functions, and community service such as supporting cancer foundations, Vets, kids, etc. With an eye to the future, these individuals will be brought into the fold with the idea of future growth for themselves and the club. Become one of the ten selected. Interested parties should contact President Robert Fischbach at fischbach@ccsu.edu or 203-605-6995.

April

Wednesday, April 16: vs. Foran at 6 p.m. Monday, April 14: at Foran at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 16: vs. East Haven at 4 p.m.

Friday, April 11: vs. Daniel Hand at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, April 14: at Mercy at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 16: vs.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media. For all things fishy, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, 2025 licenses/permits, and much more, swing by the shop located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison, or call ahead (203-2458665) for hours. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better. Tight Lines, Captain Morgan captainmorganusa@hotmail.com captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com X (formerly twitter) @captmorgan_usa

Fun By The Numbers

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Last Week’s Answers

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Bread at Home

Living RECIPES

The creation of bread is one of the key developments in human history. Bread is among the most popular foods in the world. Whether it is leavened or unleavened, made into loaves or cakes, baked, steamed, or fried in oil, bread is universal. Bread occupies a prominent place in every civilization. A symbolic foodstuff international in scope, bread is the quintessential human food. Its history underlies a large part of the history of the human race. It connects people to culture, to tradition, and sometimes to religion.

As with much of early civilization, our knowledge of when people first made bread is limited by what evidence is available. The earliest proof we have of humans cooking bread is from 14,000 years ago at a site in Jordan, where scientists uncovered two structures, each containing a large stone fireplace containing the charred remains of breadcrumbs. It is not until around 1700 B.C., however, in Greece, that we find a proliferation of small, clay ovens that indicate not just widespread bread baking in individual households but also commercial bakeries.

During its life cycle, the grain of wheat dies and is reborn months later in the form of a spike capable of providing sustenance

to human beings. This “rebirth” and ability to provide sustenance has become symbolic in religion and culture. Wheat and bread are symbols of the fruitfulness of the earth. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means ”house of bread,” and God sends manna, the symbol of bread, from heaven to sustain the Hebrews as they crossed the desert. The Jewish matzoh is an unleavened bread to celebrate Passover. Many Christian faiths break a loaf of bread as part of their liturgical communion, the reenactment of the Last Supper. Bread also finds symbolic expression in now common phrases surrounding pregnancy and birth, such as having ”a bun in the oven.” Growing up, my family enjoyed bakery bread. After church on Sunday, we would stop at Stanley’s Bakery in East Islip, Long Island, and pick up one loaf of rye and pumpernickel breads and three loaves of white bread, all sliced. In addition, on Sundays, we were treated to hard rolls, crumb cake, and pastries, which accompanied our special weekly brunch. During the week, making school sandwiches for my many siblings was one of the chores I enjoyed. Laying out of the 10 bread slices and layering the lunch ingredients of the day, followed by the top, was both methodical and meditative in the midst of the chaotic environment that was a natural part of readying more than a dozen children for their day. Stanley’s Bakery is still in operation today. Even now, at events that gather my family, one sibling or another will happily make a stealth run to Stanley’s for their famous crumb cake.

See page 26

Photo courtesy of Liz Egan

Photo courtesy of Liz Egan Braided challah and egg wash.

Quick loaves in the oven.

John's crusty bread.

Special to Living

Liz Egan

Photo courtesy of Liz Egan

Finished challah loaves.

with Liz Egan for

Continued from page 25

When I was young, bread was 19 cents a loaf. As these many years have passed, while the price has increased with the cost of living, bread has always seemed to be an inexpensive and necessary staple of a family’s shopping list. It is doubtful that the volume of food shopping my parents did in the ‘60s for such a large household could be sustained today. During a chat with my neighbor, who has too young boys, she mentioned that she was going to try baking bread at home to see if she could save money. Bread is made from simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. While it takes a bit of practice, making bread at home is inexpensive. And best of all, the creation of bread is centering and embraces all of the senses.

One rainy morning, I decided to try my hand at making braided challah bread. The tradition of challah is a very spiritual one. For observant Jews, it is a way to directly connect with the spiritual energy of God. In fact, baking challah is considered an important blessing in the Jewish home. Known simply as “hallah” in Biblical times, women would tear off a piece of dough and burn it in the fire as an offering. Today, challah is a sweet, braided bread made with eggs, fine white flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. It is typically enjoyed on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat (Sabbath) and major Jewish holidays (other than Passover). The bread is a testament to the ability of a single bread to carry profound cultural and religious significance.

To make challah bread, I used the recipe on Tori Avery’s website, Tori Avery Challah Bread. At her informative site, she shares largely kosher recipes exploring the Mediterranean cuisine, culture, and traditions that she was raised in. It took the making of these two medium loaves to get the braiding part right. Two loaves are more than I can use, so sharing with several neighbors and friends becomes an added benefit. In addition, I had enough dough for a small, braided roll that I ate for lunch. You can also choose to make rolls instead of loaves with this delicious recipe.

My friend John Zachos has been enjoying making bread and sharing it with friends for a good long while. He brought this bread to our home during my husband Paul’s illness, a gift of self and a wish for nourishment and healing. John’s Crusty Bread recipe and the loaf he brought us were the most like artisanal loaves. Crispy crust and chewy inside, well-suited for hearty sandwiches and as an accompaniment to soup. My neighbor’s and my loaf breads are a work in progress but delicious, nonetheless. Her bread was perfect for my personal favorite - peanut butter and jelly on toast. The grilled cheese I made with both of these breads was superb. Leftover homemade bread makes amazing French toast.

Out of curiosity, I estimated the cost of baking bread. While it is not possible to buy just the exact measure of ingredients, I based the final cost on my ability to make all three recipes– that is a lot of bread! A five-pound bag of flour, a 3-pack of Fleischmann’s yeast, and a dozen large eggs - only the challah bread uses eggs, but figured the cost of the eggs would cover the other incidental ingredients needed. The total came to $14.87. Divided into three, it was under $5 for two large loaves of each bread. Bread freezes well. I have divided loaves and placed them in Ziploc freezer bags and stored them for several months. For me, the benefit of baking bread at home is not the savings. The smell of baking bread filling my home provided me with a warm stability that touched my soul. The physical act of creating tapped a portion of my inner self that connected me with this tradition in the history of civ-

illness, a gift of self and a wish for nourishment and healing. He shared an easy favorite recipe, which he adapted from the King Arthur website. He uses a kitchen scale to measure ingredients carefully, which is his secret to this delicious no-fail bread.

454g (2 c. plus a pinch) All Purpose

King Arthur Flour

340g lukewarm water (1-1/2 c.)

9g salt (1 1/2 tsp.)

7g (1 2/3 tsp.) Fleischmann’s instant or active dry yeast [one packet is 2 1/2 Tbsp.]

ilization. Sharing these loaves was a gift of self-connecting me to the kind of life and community I value.

Easy Loaf Bread

Super easy and delicious! Every meal is made better

1 2/3 cup warm water

2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (I used the Fleischmann’s Fast-Acting)

1 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp. honey

1 1/2 Tbsp. butter, soft

4 cup flour

Combine yeast, sugar, and water in a mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook. Mix until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients to mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly 8-10 minutes. (if mixing by hand, mix for 15 minutes).

Grease a large bowl; place dough inside the bowl. Cover with a dish towel and set in a warm place. Let rise until double in size about 30 minutes.

Remove contents of bowl onto floured surface. Punch down dough by folding it over on itself until no longer sticky.

Divide the dough in half and roll into loaves. Another bit of flour may be needed.

Place loaves on oiled bread pan or 13 x 8 pan. Slice a few diagonal lines into the top. Pour a tablespoon of melted butter (or brush and egg wash or olive oil) over the top.

Sprinkle with kosher or coarse sea salt (optional). Bake at 380 degrees for 20 minutes or when tops are golden brown. Serve warm.

Tips

: When measuring flour, scoop from the container

2 1/4 tsp is approximately 1 1/2 packets of yeast. Use a with some warm bread! with a ½ cup measure and drop into a 1 cup measure. Level the top. Repeat for required cups of the recipe; measuring spoon and make sure it is leveled.

No Knead Crusty Loaf

My friend John Zachos has been enjoying making bread and sharing it with friends for a good long while. He brought this bread to our home during my husband Paul’s

In a large bowl or mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine water, yeast, and salt. Mix until combined. Add flour a bit at a time with mixer going or use a large wooden spoon to keep mixing and combining. Once all the flour is added, mix until fully combined. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and form into a mound. Place in a large clean bowl or pot greased with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, cover, or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot. Let rise for 90 minutes until it doubles in size. This may take a bit longer depending on weather and humidity. Once the dough rises, turn out onto a floured surface and form into a round mounded loaf. Brush the top with oil or egg white wash. Sprinkle with kosher salt or parmesan cheese (optional). This will help create a crisper crust. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Make sure it is cooked through by inserting a toothpick until it comes out clean. If necessary, turn oven off, and let bread continue to bake gently as oven cools. Place bread on a wire rack to cool. Place a foil ‘tent’ over the bread if it starts to get too browned.

Notes: If using active yeast, place in a bowl with ¼ c. of lukewarm water and ‘activate’ it by mixing gently and letting sit until it becomes foamy. If using the rapid rise version, simply add it to the liquid ingredients prior to adding the flour.

I learned when I made challah bread that a great place to let dough rise is your oven. Place the large bowl with dough on the center rack. Place a roasting pan with boiling water in the bottom rack and close the door. Do not turn the oven on. Works great!

Quick Honey and Butter Loaf

I can’t remember when or where I acquired this handwritten recipe, but it is made in steps similar to my neighbors’ loaves. The addition of butter and honey adds warm and sweet notes. After I made it, I realized I should have let dough rise more fully and given it a few more minutes to gently bake by leaving it in the over after I shut it off following the allotted cook time.

1 2/3 c. lukewarm water

2 1/4 tsp. instant yeast (1 packet)

1 tsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. honey

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. softened butter

4 c. flour

Combine yeast, sugar, and water in a mixing bowl and let sit until foamy – 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients to mixing bowl and mix – 15 minutes. Place dough into a greased large clean bowl. Let rise in a warm place until double in size – at least 30 minutes. After dough has risen fully, turn out onto lightly floured surface. Punch down to remove air pockets. Divide dough into 2 loaves and shape into loaves in two separate oven safe dishes or bread pans. Bake at 380 degrees for 20 minutes.

Finished quick loaf.

Photo courtesy of Liz Egan

George Flynn Concerts Presents Isidore String Quartet

On Sunday, May 11, The George Flynn Classical Concerts series presents the Isidore String Quartet. Winner of the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2022, the New York City-based Isidore String Quartet was formed in 2019 with a vision to revisit, rediscover, and reinvigorate the repertory. The quartet is heavily influenced by the Juilliard String Quartet and the idea of ”approaching the established as if it were brand new, and the new as if it were firmly established.”

The Isidore String Quartet has performed in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Washington, Toronto, Edinburg, and Amsterdam and has collaborated with a number of eminent performers, including Jeremy Denk.

Free tickets must be ordered via the georgeflynnclassicalconcerts.com website.

Clinton residents can order on a first-come, first-served basis one month before each concert. Non-residents can order two weeks before each concert, depending on availability. For further information, visit www.georgeflynnclassicalconcerts.com www.facebook.com/ GeorgeFlynnClassicalConcerts

For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website, www.zip06.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

Rogers and Hammerstein: The Golden Age of Music Theater

: 11 a.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Presented by Alan Mann, artistic director at Opera Theater of Connecticut. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $3. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Vincent Van Gogh: From Paris to Arles to Eternity

: 11 a.m. Via Zoom. Presented by Bob Potter, art historian at the Lyme Academy of Art and docent at the Yale Center for British Art. Hosted by Madison Art Society. For info or

to register (required to receive the Zoom link), email Marianne@RTDTECH.com.

Progressive Leaders of Today (PLOT) Quarterly Meeting

: Noon to 1 p.m. Via Zoom. Features a networking and community event for professionals about age 40 and under. For info or to register (required to receive the Zoom link), email christa@oldsaybrookchamber.com or visit oldsaybrookchamber.com.

Small Business Loans: Issues and Options

: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Online event. Features a panel of lending professionals from a cross section of small business lenders, including Berkshire Bank, the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer). Hosted by SCORE Eastern Connecticut Chapter. Free. For info or to register (required), score.org/easternct/local-workshops.

Calendar for the Week of April 10, 2025

Transitions into Adolescence and Adulthood

: 12:30 to

2 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services (OSYFS), 322 Main St. A second session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. also takes place via Zoom. Part of the monthly support group meetings for parents and grandparents of children diagnosed with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger Syndrome. Free and open to residents of Old Saybrook and surrounding towns. For info, or to register, call OSYFS at 860-395-3190 or email counselor Joanne Baker Deal at joannebakerdeal@gmail.com.

Pasta Cooking Class

: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Presented by Matt Yanarella from My Production CT. Participants will learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch. Attendees of the previous ravioli cooking class are requested to allow others to attend this class. For info or to register (required), call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

See page 28

Press Release from the George Flynn Classical Concert Series

Photo courtesy of the George Flynn Classic Concert Series Isidore String Quartet.

Continued from page 27

: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Features a talk about the Green Old Saybrook Community Tree and Shrub Planting Guide developed by the Town of Old Saybrook. Presented by landscape designer Kathy Connolly, who helped develop the guide, which is available as a free e-book and is a searchable PDF. For a pdf of the guide, click on the "Tree Guide and Initiatives" at oldsaybrookct.gov/land-use. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org. :

School of Medicine; Philip Ratnasamy, a fourth-year medical student at Yale School of Medicine and MBA candidate at Yale School of Management; and Gwyneth Maloy, a medical student at Yale School of Medicine. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $3. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-4538086 or visit ssill.org.

Red Cross Blood Drive

: Noon to 5 p.m.

First Church of Christ, 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Molds, Mushrooms, and Mycorrhizae: Fungal Friends and Foes in the Garden

6:30 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Hosted by the Clinton Arbor Garden Club. Presented by Sarah Selke, a master gardener and biology professor at Connecticut State Community College, Three Rivers. For info, call 203-710-0133 or visit hchlibrary.org.

Mysteries, Murders, Killers, and Thrillers: Crime Writers Reveal Their Secrets

: 7 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Features a presentation on the process of writing, including book ideas, plot twists, and character development. Presented by writers Pat Dunn, Christine Falcone, Kathleen Kalb, Jamie Kleinkauf, and Ang Pompano. In celebration of National Library Week. Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call the library at 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 THROUGH

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Five Fridays Lenten Concert Series

12:15 to 12:45 p.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Features a performance on the church’s 1929 Möller pipe organ by Ezequiel Menéndez, professor of organ at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and former director of music and organist at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hartford. Sponsored in part by the New London County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Attendees listen in the sanctuary or on the Town Green as the music is broadcast through the church speakers. Fourth of five Fridays through April 18. Free and open to all. For info, call 203-245-2739, ext. 14, or visit fccmadison.org.

Presentation and Reception for the Publication of

The Guilford Papers Plus

4 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Copies will be available for purchase For info or to register (required), call the library at 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.

Author Event: Colm Tóibín

: 6 p.m. R.J.

Family Day Set for April 26

ment, including giant bubbles that are sure to delight attendees of all ages. The Lions Club will also be on-site, offering hamburgers and hot dogs for purchase throughout the afternoon.

Family Day will be held at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme. The cost is $10 per family, and while registration is recommended, it is not required. Families can register online in advance or pay at the door on the day of the event.

Designers Circus Pop-up Clothing and Accessories Shopping Event

Long Island: A Novel

: Thursday

and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guilford Art Center (GAC), 411 Church St. Features creative women’s clothing from local, national, and international designers at discounted prices. Free admission. Open to the public. For info, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

Osteoporosis, Bone Fractures, Arthritis, and More

: 11 a.m. Evergreen Woods, 88 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford. Presented by Erin Stockwell, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and assistant professor at Yale Green Old Saybrook

Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . Cost: $5 includes admission for one and a $5 coupon toward purchase of a copy of the book at the event or $18.99 admission for one and a copy of the book. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Military Whist Game Night

: 6:30 p.m.

First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Includes prizes for top players and a raffle. Cost: $15 per player. Advance purchase required. Hosted by the Women's Club of Madison. For info, contact Joan Powers at 917-601-8194 or jonci1@Verizon.net, or visit womensclubmadisonct.com.

The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center invites families to an afternoon of fun and discovery at its annual Family Day on Saturday, April 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. This community event will take place along the banks of the Lieutenant River, offering an exciting lineup of activities for all ages. Families can enjoy a variety of engaging experiences, including science experiments, nature building, games, crafts, and plein air painting along the river. At 3 p.m., local band Sunny Train will take the stage, providing live music and entertain-

For more information and to register, visit www.ctaudubon.org/2025/03/registerfamily-day-4-26-25.

The Occasional Coffee House: Sam Robbins

: 7 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd. Features live music, coffee, and a relaxed evening with friends. Tickets: $20. Space is limited. For info or tickets, visit northmadisoncc.org/occasional-coffeehouse.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 AND SATURDAY, APRIL 12

An Evening with Garrison Keillor

: Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

Photo courtesy of Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center

The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center invites families to an afternoon of fun and discovery at its annual Family Day on Saturday, April 26.

Press Release from the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center

Continued from page 28

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Annual Shredding Day

: 9 a.m. to noon. Clinton Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 50 E. Main St. Vehicles enter from the Town Hall driveway entrance, 54 E. Main St., and drive around to the Clinton Chamber/Town Annex parking lot. Cost: $10 per copy paper-sized box. Staples and paper clips do not have to be removed. Open to the public. For info, contact 860-669-3889 or chamber@clintonctchamber.com, or visit clintonct.com.

59th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

: 10 a.m. Madison Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Rd. Children from pre-K to grade 2 are invited. Hosted by the Madison Exchange Club. Rain date: Saturday, April 19. For info, visit madisonexchange.org/easter-egg-hunt.

The Return of the Osprey

: 10 to 11 a.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Alan Poole. Sponsored by Friends of Hammonasset. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-8743 or visit meigspointnaturecenter.org/calendar.

Try Your Hand at Painting and Drawing Workshop (Session A)

: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. A one-day workshop for adult beginners to learn the basics of painting and drawing in a supportive, judgment-free setting. Cost: $44.10 for members, $49 for nonmembers. A materials fee of $5 is payable with the tuition. For info or to register, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Living History Day at the Daffodil Farm

: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils, 489 Candlewood Hill Rd., Higganum. Presented by the Cromwell Historical Society and the Dirty Blue Shirts living historians. For info, visit halfingerfarms.com.

Annual Spring Craft Fair and Bake Sale

: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham. Features handmade crafts, Easter and spring decor, and an assortment of baked goods. For info, contact the church rectory at 860-349-3058 or scndchurches@comcast.net.

What Makes a Bird a Bird

: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For children ages 5 and up. Presented by environmental educator Julie Ainsworth. Participants will learn about bird beaks, feathers, and bird colors (male and female), then design and create their own bird with adaptations for feeding, moving, and survival. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Osprey Day

: Noon to 2 p.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison. Features the opening of a new educational exhibit, . Sponsored by Friends of Hammonasset. No registration needed. For info, call 203-245-8743 or visit meigspointnaturecenter.org/calendar.

Osprey Nest

Fireside Chats with Local Authors: Greg Armstrong and D. W. Alder

: 1 to 3 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Books: (Armstrong) and (Alder). Registration is not

Mad Season Reclaimed Life

required. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit blackstonelibrary.org.

Ethics and Equity in Data Science and Precision Health

: 3 to 4 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Presented by Bhramar Mukherjee, the Anna M.R. Lauder professor of biostatistics and professor of chronic disease epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health. Sponsored by Tilde Café, an interactive platform to demystify science and make it more accessible to the community. For info or to register (required), email admin@tildecafe.org or visit tildecafe.org or blackstonelibrary.org.

Spring Crafts with Natalie: DIY Wildflower Seed

Bombs

: 2 to 3:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For adults. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Saturday Cinema

: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Free and open to all. Limited seating. Registration is suggested. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Concert by Slambovian Circus of Dreams

: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

Palm Sunday Mass

: 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St., Madison. For info, call 203-2457301 or visit stmargaretchurch.com.

Palm Sunday Service

: 8:30 and 10 a.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd. (Rte. 79), Madison. The blessing of the palms for the 10 a.m. service will take place at the outdoor chapel. For info, call 203-245-2584 or visit standrewsmadison.org.

Palm Sunday Service

: 8:30 and 10 a.m. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. Features blessing of the palms and reading of the Passion. For info, contact the church at 860-434-1621 or office@saintannsoldlyme.org, or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Palm Sunday Service

: 10 a.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. For info, call 203-245-2739 or visit fccmadison.org.

Palm Sunday Service

: 10 a.m. North Madison Congregational Church (NMCC), 1271 Durham Rd. A celebration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with children carrying palms. For info, visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

Sunday Broadway Concert Series with John McDaniel and Euan Morton

: 2 p.m. The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Ticket subscriptions are available. Service fees apply. For info or tickets, contact the Legacy Theatre at 203-315-1901 or Info@LegacyTheatreCT.org, or visit legacytheatrect.org.

: 2 to 3 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library Auditorium, 758 Main St., Branford. Features a performance by Doox of Yale, an allgender, tenor and bass a cappella group. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-1441 or visit blackstonelibrary.org.

Doox of Yale A Cappella Concert Concert by Tusk

: 3 and 7 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

Opening Reception for

The Missing Pictures: Photographs by Sean Kernan

: 4 to 6 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library Keyes Gallery 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. The show runs through Monday, May 26. For info, call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/gallery.

MONDAY, APRIL 14

Art for All: Make a Matisse

: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For adults and seniors. Presented by Gunnar Johnson, retired graphic designer and journalist. Participants can make a Matisse-inspired collage. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

The Twenties Roar Again!

: 6 to 7 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library Auditorium, 758 Main St., Branford. Features a performance by The Modernistics Trio in celebration of the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, . For info or to register (required), call 203-488-1441 or visit blackstonelibrary.org.

The Great Gatsby

MONDAY, APRIL 14 THROUGH THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Open House

: Tours begin 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. The Country School, 341 Opening Hill Rd., Madison. Guests tour the campus while classes are in session, learn about the admission process, and see the programs in action. Free and open to the public. For info or to register, call 203-421-3113 or visit thecountryschool.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

All About Coffee

: 10 a.m. Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St. Presented by Barry Levine, co-founder and owner of Willoughby’s Coffee and Tea. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $3. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

April Mini Vacation Session: Make a Nature House

Noon to 3 p.m. The Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. For ages 6 and up. Tuition: $40.50 for members, $45 for nonmembers. A materials fee of $18 is payable with the tuition. For info or to register, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Continued from page 29

Tasty Tuesday with Storybook Characters

: 1 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. Features an interactive story time a food theme for children and their adults. Books may include by Rita Golden Gelman and by Kimberly and James Dean. Part of the HK Unplugged for Promoting Wellness initiative, held in conjunction with the Week of the Young Child. Space is limited. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

More Spaghetti, I Say Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party

All CT Reads Book Club

: 2 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Book: by Etaf Rum. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Shoreline Village Tea and Talk

: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Parthenon Diner, 374 Main St., Branford. Features a conversation with members of Shoreline Village CT (SVCT). For info, to RSVP, or to request a ride, contact 203-7475939 or info@ShorelineVillageCT.org.

Pop-in Program: Friendship Bracelets

: 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Supplies will be provided. Registration not required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Acoustic Artists Story Teller Series: The Sweet Polly Duo

: 6 to 7:45 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. For participants of all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Public Library. For info or to register (required), visit actonlibrary.org/events.

Agape Meal

: 6:30 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. An event to commemorate Jesus’ last meal and reflect on His commandment to love one another. For info, email roseprel@gmail.com or visit churchinthewilderness.org.

Author Event: Gina Barreca

: 630 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Maundy Thursday Mass

: 7 p.m. St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St., Madison. For info, call 203-245-7301 or visit stmargaretchurch.com.

Maundy Thursday Service

: 7 p.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. For info, call 203-245-2739 or visit fccmadison.org.

: 6 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book:

Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History

. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Author Event: Chris Whipple in Conversation with Cynthia McFadden Trivia Night

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For info, contact 860-6692342 or sudie@hchlibrary.org.

Adult Movie Night

: 6 to 8:20 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. In line with the movie showing, complimentary prohibition-inspired mocktails will be served. For info, including the movie title, or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Maundy Thursday Service

: 7 p.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd. (Rte. 79), Madison. Includes the traditional washing of the feet. The service is followed by an overnight watch. For info, call 203-245-2584 or visit standrewsmadison.org.

: 7 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Features a discussion hosted by WTNH-TV news anchor Ann Nyberg. Free admission but tickets are required to attend. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16

Navigating Menopause: The Town Hall What Our DNA Reveals About Our Ancestors

: 10 a.m.

E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Samantha Miller from the Yale Peabody Museum Speakers Bureau. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $3. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Marketing Strategy and Customer Engagement

: Noon

to 1:30 p.m. Online event. Presented by Margo Weitekamp, a marketing professional and SCORE mentor. Free. Hosted by SCORE Eastern Connecticut. Sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank. For info or to register, visit score.org/easternct.

April Mini Vacation Session: Make a Nature Treasure Box

: Noon to 3 p.m. The Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. For ages 6 and up. Tuition: $40.50 for members, $45 for nonmembers. A materials fee of $18 is payable with the tuition. For info or to register, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Red Cross Blood Drive

: Noon to 4:45 p.m. Valley-Shore YMCA, 201 Spencer Plains Rd., Westbrook. For info or an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Author Event: Chloe Barcelou and Brandon Batchelder Holy Wednesday Tenebrae Service

Tales of a Not So Tiny House

: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

: 7 p.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd. (Rte. 79), Madison. For info, call 203-245-2584 or visit standrewsmadison.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17

Great Decisions: American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

: 10 a.m. Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St. Facilitated by Tom Lee, a member and moderator of the Great Decisions discussion group. The program is produced by the Foreign Policy Association. First of four Thursday sessions through May 15. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $5 for all four sessions. A $35 fee is required for a 2025 briefing book that covers eight topics for spring and fall semesters. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Book Club

The Women: A Novel

: Noon to 2 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library Community Room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Book: by Kristin Hannah. For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

April Mini Vacation Session: Make a Magical Nature Window

: Noon to 3 p.m. The Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. For ages 6 and up. Tuition: $58.50 for members, $63 for nonmembers. A materials fee of $18 is payable with the tuition. For info or to register, call 203453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Movie Matinee

: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. For info, including the movie title, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Shoreline Sailing Club Meeting

: 7 p.m. Clark Memorial Field, 210 Elm St., Old Saybrook. For active singles 35 and over. Features a discussion of safe boating practices by Kate Mosley. New members are welcome and sailing experience is not necessary. Cost: free for members and first-time guests, $10 for others. For info, visit shorelinesailingclub.com.

Comedy Show by Tim Cotter

: 7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

AARP Smart Driver Course

: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Joyce C. Budrow Senior Center, 189 Pool Rd., North Haven. Features a refresher course specifically designed for drivers 50 years and up. The class is held on select dates each month. The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) will sponsor this class. For other dates, the cost is $20 for AARP members, $25 nonmembers. Payment is due on the day of the class by check made to AARP. Bring your driver’s license. For info or to register, call 203-239-5432.

Let's Make Old-Fashion Greeting Cards

: 11 a.m. to

3 p.m. Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils, 489 Candlewood Hill Rd., Higganum. For info, visit halfingerfarms.com.

The Plant Doctor is In: Flower Disease 101 Fast Famous Women: 75 Essays of Flash Nonfiction

: Noon to

2 p.m. Nathanael Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Presented by Nick Goltz, director of the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab. Goltz teaches plant pathology in the UConn Extension Master Gardener program. Part of the Leete’s Island Garden Club's monthly meeting. For info or to register (required), contact 203-4530780 or kayclaiborn@comcast.net.

: 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Features a performance on the church’s 1929 Möller pipe organ by Nathan Bayreuther, director of music ministry at First Congregational Church of Madison. Sponsored in part by the New London County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Attendees listen in the sanctuary or on the Town Green as the music is broadcast through the church speakers. Last of five Fridays in the series. Free and open to all. For info, call 203-245-2739, ext. 14, or visit fccmadison.org.

Good Friday Service and Holy Communion

: 3 p.m. St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St., Madison. For info, call 203245-7301 or visit stmargaretchurch.com.

Tenebrae Service

: 7 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. Features a solemn candle lighting and ending in silence and darkness. For info, email roseprel@gmail.com or visit churchinthewilderness.org.

Good Friday Service

: 7 p.m. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd. (Rte. 79), Madison. For info, call 203-245-2584 or visit standrewsmadison.org.

Good Friday Tenebrae

: 7 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church (NMCC), 1271 Durham Rd. Features a reading of Jesus’ walk to the cross and crucifixion and extinguishing of candles to accompany Him into the darkness of the tomb. For info, contact the church at 203-4213241 or office@northmadisioncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

Concert by Tom DiMenna and Friends: Story Songs of the 70s

: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

Lunar Praxis: A Creative Gathering

: 8 to 9 p.m. Via Zoom. For artists and creative individuals to have time for quiet reflection, journaling, or creative thinking. Led by Margaret McNellis. Free. For info, visit artandastrology.substack.com.

1271 Durham Rd. Churchgoers take shifts to keep watch while Jesus is entombed. For info, contact the church at 203-4213241 or office@northmadisioncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

THROUGH

SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Easter Flower Sale

: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Northford Community Church, 4 Old Post Rd. Features various Easter flowers and baked goods for sale. For info, call the church at 203-484-0795 or visit northfordcommunity.church.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Spring Shredding Event

: 9 a.m. to noon.

Clinton Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 50 E. Main St. Vehicles enter from the Town Hall driveway entrance at 54 E. Main St. and continue around to the Clinton Chamber/Town Annex parking lot. Cost: $10 for each copy paper-sized box. Staples and paper clips do not have to be removed. Open to the public. For info, call 860-669-3889 or visit clintonct.com.

Insects and Water

: 10 to 11 a.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Julie Michaelson, a pollinator conservation specialist and USDA NRCS partner biologist. Sponsored by Friends of Hammonasset. For info or to register (required), call 203-2458743 or visit meigspointnaturecenter.org/calendar.

Painting with Pastels

: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. Cost: $37.80 for members, $42 for nonmembers. For info or to register, call 203-4535947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Family Storytelling

: 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children ages 5 and up and their parent, grandparent, or other adult family member. Participants will write and illustrate their tales. Write the stories by hand or bring a laptop if preferred. Space is limited. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 AND SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Easter Vigil: Keeping Watch

: Friday, 8 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church (NMCC),

Five Fridays Lenten Concert Series

Madison Lyric Stage Presents World Premiere of ‘A Memory of Truth?’

Press Release from Madison Lyric Stage

Madison Lyric Stage (MLS), a professional theater company on the Connecticut shoreline, will present the world premiere of , an original play with music for four performances May 9 to 11 at the MLS theater tent on the ground of Madison’s Deacon John Grave House.

A Memory of Truth?

This compelling new work by Marc Deaton is an evocative exploration of memory, truth, and the complex ties of family. Set against the backdrop of the American Southwest, the play spans the 1950s to the 1990s, tracing the lives of three women—Delilah and her daughters, Dinah and Eve—through the lens of Thaddius, Dinah’s son. The narrative unfolds through a series of scenes that reveal deeply held secrets, betrayals, and unspoken loyalties, offering an emotionally raw and thought-provoking experience.

“This play is extremely personal to me as it is inspired by my own life and family growing up,” said Deaton, artistic director of Madison Lyric Stage. ”I hope audiences will join us for this extraordinary theatrical event that challenges perceptions, evokes deep emotions, and contemplates the nature of truth itself.” is more than just a

A Memory of Truth?

Continued from page 31

ONGOING EVENTS

Art Exhibits

Andrews Memorial Town Hall:

play—it is a theatrical and musical journey, incorporating traditional hymns, Gregorian chant, and inspirations from Mozart and Fauré, all composed and arranged by Nathaniel Baker. The fusion of drama and music intensifies the themes of human cruelty and survival, making for an unforgettable performance that is both harrowing and humorous, deeply poignant and profoundly resonant.

The play features a cast of eight representing four characters in two generations, with Susan Kulp and Allison Waggener as Dinah, Catherine Cavender and Allison Lindsay as Eve, and Debi Freund and Mary McCue as Delilah. Logan Clingan and Marc Deaton share the role of Thaddius. The performance will also feature a four-piece orchestra conducted by Nathaniel Baker.

A Memory of Truth?

will be presented in cooperation with Madison Youth and Family Services (MYFS), with onsite fundraising opportunities for MYFS’s Back to School program, which provides critical support in the form of supplies and gift cards to local students from families experiencing financial hardship.

A Memory of Truth?

Tickets for are $40 and are available at madisonlyricstage.org. The Deacon John Grave House is located at 581 Boston Post Road in Madison.

54 E. Main St., Clinton: For info, visit clintonartsocietyct.org/exhibitions.

Clinton Art Society 2025 Winter Juried Members Artists Show

: Runs through April 24.

Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery

Main St.: For info, contact 203-433-4071 or baca06405@gmail.com, or visit branfordarts.org.

Branford Elementary School Art Show

: Runs April 23 through April 28.

Walsh Middle School Art Show

: Runs May 1 through May 10.

Branford High School Art Show

: Runs May 12 through May 27.

: 1004

Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Fine Art Gallery

: 360 State St., New Haven: For info, contact 203433-4071 or baca06405@gmail.com, or visit branfordarts.org/events.

BACA West Winter 2025 Gallery Exhibition

: Runs through April 30.

Flat Rock Gallery

: 314 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook: For info, contact 203-421-6739 or office@shorelinearts.org.

Future Choices 2025 Exhibition

: Runs through April 11 and April 23 through April 27.

Guilford Art Center (GAC)

: 411 Church St.: For info, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

: Runs May 2 through June 1.

Susan Powell Fine Art

: 679 Boston Post Rd., Madison: For info, call 203-318-0616 or visit susanpowellfineart.com.

Dear Mother Spring into Art

: Runs through April 26.

Vincent Giarrano: City Color

: Runs May 2 through May 31.

: Runs June 6 through July 6.

Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library Keyes Gallery

146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford: For info, call 203-4888702 or visit wwml.org/gallery.

The Missing Pictures: Photographs by Sean Kernan

: Runs April 11 through May 26.

Yale University Art Gallery

: 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. For info, call 203-432-0600 or visit artgallery.yale.edu/visit/exhibitions.

David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive:

Music

Bill’s Seafood Restaurant:

Rte. 1, Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-7224 or visit BillsSeafood.com.

David Dunlop: Quest for Radiance :

Runs through June 22

First and third Wednesdays: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Corinthian Jazz Band.

Fridays: 7 to 9 p.m. Bill’s Seafood All-Star Jazz Band. Saturdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Various performers. Sundays: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Various performers.

Photo courtesy of Madison Lyric Stage

Madison Lyric Stage will present the world premiere of A Memory of Truth?, an original play with music for four performances May 9 to 11 at the MLS theater tent on the ground of Madison’s Deacon John Grave House.

estate

A Captivating Colonial

This captivating Colonial in the heart of North Guilford is 2,800 square feet, located on a 1.9-acre lot. This residence is being built on one of the seven parcels

The main floor offers an open-concept kitchen and great room, perfect for entertaining the family. The formal dining room and office are located on the

attached bathroom that includes a soaking tub and walk-in shower.

The laundry room is located on the second floor, along with the two additional bedrooms and a second full bath.

There is a bonus room on the second floor, which is perfect for multi-purpose use. There is also a walk-up unfinished attic and a full walk-out basement.

This home is being offered for sale by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for $930,000. For more information or a showing, contact Matty Murchison at 203-7395650.

This captivating colonial in the heart of North Guilford is 2,800 sq ft, located on a 1.9-acre lot. This residence is being built on one of the seven parcels of the Mountain View subdivision on Jans Way.

Staff Report

The main floor offers an open-concept kitchen and great room, perfect for entertaining the family.

The main floor offers an open-concept kitchen and great room, perfect for entertaining the family. The formal dining room and office are located on the first floor with one half bath.

GUILFORD

: Scott and Donna Tosta to Luke and Kimberly Zaleski, $550,000 on March 21

: Kelly Roberts and Citizens Bank Na to Zayd Construction LLC, $333,000 on March 19

: Karen A. Owen to Williwaw LLC, $965,000 on March 21

: Stephen W. and Elizabeth A. Page to Amanda Uscilla and Brandon Cain, $564,900 on March 17

: Erica G. Rivera to Loren J. Jacobson, $202,500 on March 20

BRANFORD

33 Beaver Pond Road

: Alexandre Demetrio to Jenna and Christopher A. Maloney, $940,000 on March 18

: Patrick-Connell Lt and Teresa Patrick to Vital Spaces LLC, $128,500 on March 18

Pine Orchard Road

: Kenneth A. and Joan W. Delfini to Richard J. and Ruth L. Marinshaw, $1,350,000 on March 20

: Estate of Sheila F. Sullivan and Kevin Sullivan to Sean J. Sullivan and Kathleen Frawley, $510,000 on March 19

961 Boston Post Road 25 Fence Creek Drive

: Kathryn L. and Anthony R. Tutino to Alexandre Demetrio RET and Alexandre Demetrio, $2,000,000 on March 20

436 Opening Hill Road

: Stephen and Jennifer Sebetic to Gaston Carreno, $348,000 on March 20

: Lucas Mainiero to Ellen J. St Pierre, $560,000 on March 17

: Rachel U. Manemeit to Karl Herman, $465,000 on March 21

: Pierre M. and Penelope Hill to Darren and Laureen Eller, $620,000 on March 17

: Recreational Mktg Assoc I to Ana M. Ambuludi, $430,000 on March 20

: Estate of Edward C. Armour Jr and Elizabeth Deyoung to Clinton Town Of, $208,000 on March 21

NORTH BRANFORD WESTBROOK

: 108 Old Post LLC to Antonio V. Gagliardi, $898,008 on March 17

: Fred Caffarelli to Dennis and Maureen Briand, $692,350 on March 17

: Barbara Aaron and Jeffrey A. Nese to Timothy G. Gregoire and Candace Obrien, $549,000 on March 18

: Rose C. Hosking to Kevin Obrien and Rachel Cyr, $180,000 on March 17

Copyright material of Banker and Tradesman / the Commercial Record and The Warren Group. For past transactions, visit zip06.com/realestate.

on the shoreline magazine

Edward A. Norton VFW Post 7666:

104 Mill Rd., Guilford. No cover. For info, call 203-214-5874.

Mondays: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Big Swing Band with Tuxedo Junction.

Seaview Bistro at Water's Edge Resort & Spa

: 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. For info, visit watersedgeresortandspa.com. Fridays and Saturdays: 9 p.m. to midnight. Various performers.

The Choo Choo Lounge at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina:

2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-395-2000. Thursdays and Sundays: 6 to 9 p.m. Live music.

The Highliner III:

139 Essex Rd., Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-5042 or visit thehighliner3.com.

Fridays and Saturdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Live music.

Second and fourth Thursdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Open mic.

The Shore Line Trolley Museum:

17 River St., East Haven. Cost: $5 suggested donation. For info, call 203-467-6927 or visit shorelinetrolley.org.

First Tuesday: 6 to 9 p.m. Bluegrass acoustic and traditional music.

The Wharf:

Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. For info, call 203-350-0014 or visit thewharfmadison.com.

Fridays: 8 to 10 p.m. Acoustic Fridays. Various performers.

Groups and Activities A Journey Through America’s Past:

10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. Free. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. For info, contact 203-245-5695 or gillespiee@madisonct.org.

Acoustics Club:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. On temporary break for winter. Bring your own acoustic instrument. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Art Critique Series (General Critique Session):

10 a.m. to noon. First Thursday. Via Zoom. Artists may send works as jpeg attachments prior to the session to casclinton@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Clinton Art Society (CAS). For info, email casclinton@gmail.com.

Art Critique Series (Special-Themed Session):

10 a.m. to noon. Third Thursday. Via Zoom. Runs November through April. Artists may send works as jpeg attachments prior to the session to casclinton@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Clinton Art Society (CAS). For info, email casclinton@gmail.com.

Ask-A-Lawyer: A Free Legal Clinic:

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Second Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Banned Book Club:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. First Tuesday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. For info, call 203-488-1441 or visit blackstonelibrary.org.

Bereaved Parents USA and PS It Hurts Support Group:

10:30 a.m. First Sunday. Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. For grieving parents, grandparents, and siblings suffering the loss of children and family members. For info, call Vanessa Pentz at 203-645-7777.

Bingo

: 7 p.m. Mondays. East Creek Landing, 390 S. Union St., Guilford. Doors open 5 p.m. Light refreshments. Cost: $15. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 3928. For info, call 203-453-2801.

Bingo:

7 p.m. Tuesdays. St Therese Church, 555 Middletown Ave. North Haven. For info, visit stelizabethofthetrinity.org.

Blackstone Fiber Art Community:

6 to 8.m. Wednesdays. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. All experience levels in fiber art forms are welcome. Registration is not required, drop-ins welcome. For info, call 203-4881441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

Blackstone Library Tour:

10 a.m. Second Saturday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration encouraged, but drop-ins welcome. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

Book Club:

Noon to 2 p.m. Third Thursday. Atwater Memorial Library Community Room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For info, including book titles, or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Opera Theater Announces Season-Opening Concert

Opera Theater of Connecticut (OTC) is pleased and excited to be starting its 40th year of producing professional opera on the Connecticut Shoreline for music lovers from across the state and the country. OTC is the oldest opera company in Connecticut and a destination performing arts company.

Melodies of Spring

To start their Ruby Anniversary Season, OTC presents on Sunday, May 4, a fundraising concert that will sing the praises of the seasons, love, and glorious music.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Madison, 9 Britton Lane, in Madison.

Eric Trudel will accompany the ensemble of professional singers performing a variety of opera, operetta, and musical theater pieces.

OTC Artistic Director Alan Mann will serve as master of cer-

emonies and chief raconteur, punctuating the concert with witty and informative commen-

tary. Projected slides will provide translations of the pieces as needed.

Enjoy wine, cheese, and other delights at a post-performance reception.

General admission tickets are $40 and may be ordered by visiting operatheaterofct.org or calling the office at 860-669-8999.

Later this season, OTC presents Wine, Women, and Song, an annual event, starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, once more at the Woodwinds Banquet Hall, Branford, an afternoon of select fine wines, substantial buffet stations, thrilling singers, and witty commentary.

And to celebrate their 40th year of producing affordable opera in an intimate setting, OTC presents the operetta classic comedy , sung in English, and with its witty dialogue, originally written in 1874, updated by Alan Mann to parody contemporary events. opens on Thursday evening, Aug. 7, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10, 2025.

Die Fledermaus

Visit operatheaterofct.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Continued from page 36

Chair Yoga with Martha:

6:30 p.m. Fourth Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Christ Episcopal Church Choir Rehearsal:

7 to 9 p.m.

Thursdays. Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 11 Park St., Guilford. For info, email admin@christchurchguilford.org.

Christian Science Church Service and Sunday School:

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 49 Park St., Guilford. Open to all. For info, call 203453-1975 or visit christianscienceCT.org/Guilford.

Christian Science Testimony Meeting:

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 49 Park St., Guilford. Open to all. For info, call 203-453-1975 or visit christianscienceCT.org/Guilford.

Coastal Camera Club Meeting:

7 p.m. First and third Wednesdays. Via Zoom. To register (required), contact wfrprs@att.net. For info, visit coastalcameraclub.org.

Color and Conversation:

6 to 7:30 p.m. Last Monday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration is not required. For info, call 203-4881441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

Community Breakfast

: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Hosted by The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries, Madison. For info, email mainoffice@fccmadison.org or visit shorelinesoupkitchens.org.

Craft of the Month:

6 to 7:30 p.m. First Tuesday. Creative Loft at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Creative Craft Night

: 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Creative Loft at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Creative Writing Group:

6 p.m. Second Monday. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For info, contact 860-669-2342 or sarah@hchlibrary.org.

Duplicate Bridge:

12:30 p.m. Fridays. Joseph Trapasso Community House, 46 Church St., Branford. For info, call 203-915-5987 or email tillerjock@gmail.com.

Ekphrastic Poetry Trust:

3 to 4:30 p.m. Second Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Participants create poetry from art. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Exploring Our Grief Journey: A Grief Support Group:

6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration is not required. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

F3 Shoreline Men’s Bootcamp Workout:

5:30 a.m. Fridays. Madison Town Campus, 8 Campus Dr. Free and open to all men. Held outdoors rain or shine. For info, email F3shoreline@gmail.com.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Second Thursday. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Free. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group: Discussion Group: The Atlantic Magazine:

10:30 a.m.

Fourth Wednesday. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For info, call 860-669-2342 or email sarah@hchlibrary.org.

Family Support Group:

6 p.m. First Monday. Via Zoom. Offered by BHcare. A group for family members and caregivers who assist people through their journey of mental wellness. For info, call 203-800-7177 or visit BHcare.org.

Fiber Arts Club:

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Drop-ins welcome. Bring your own project. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Press Release from Opera Theater of Connecticut

Photo courtesy of Opera Theater of Connecticut Opera Theater of Connecticut celebrates its 40th season.

BLT Speaker Series Continues for Earth Day

Have you noticed more and more dead trees in our state? What’s going on, and how can you help? Explore answers on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. with forester David Irvin from the DEEP Forestry Division. His presentation on Forest Health in an Era of Climate Change is part of the Branford Land Trust Winter Speaker Series and will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library.

This important presentation discusses the latest slew of forest health pests and pathogens and how climate change tends to exacerbate the impacts of insects, disease, and weather on the overall health of our forests. What’s going on, and what can be done? Irvin will also explain how forests can be made more diverse and resilient to better withstand the onslaught of new environmental challenges.

David Irvin is a forester for the DEEP Forestry Division. He has been a professional forester for 34 years in several states. For most of his 28 years with DEEP, he has been responsible for the management of specific state forests in the northwest hills of Connecticut. He has actively participated in forest fire control both here in the state and nationally, as needed. From 2020 to 2024, he handled most social media outreach work for the Forestry Division. In 2024, David left the

State Lands Management Program of the Forestry Division to cross over to the Private and Municipal Lands Program. He now provides advice and assistance to private landowners, municipalities, and land trusts in the Central one-third of Connecticut.

This event and the Winter Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. It will be held in person at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main Street, Branford.

The Branford Land Trust Winter 2025 Speaker Series is made possible by a grant from the Branford Community Foundation and Guilford Savings Bank. Save the Date for our Annual Meeting presentation: “Insects and Water” with Julie Michaelson (May 12).

The Branford Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, established in 1967 to protect Branford’s open space and natural resources. Run by volunteers and supported by member families and businesses, the Land Trust maintains more than 30 miles of hiking trails, and manages and protects over 1,000 acres in more than 130 parcels and holds conservation easements on another 400 acres in Branford. For more information and to become a member, visit www.branfordland trust.org.

Continued from page 38

Forever Young: A Young Adult Book Club:

6 to 7:30 p.m. Last Wednesday bimonthly. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Friday Movie Matinee:

2 to 4 p.m. Second and fourth Fridays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Registration recommended. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Guilford Job Network Meeting:

7 to

8:30 p.m. Second and fourth Wednesdays. Via Zoom. Includes guest speaker. All job seekers are welcome. For info or to register (required), call 203-457-0121 or email RussAllen2@aol.com.

Guitar Club:

12:30 p.m. Mondays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Bring your own instruments. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Harrison House Museum Tours:

1 to

4 p.m. Saturdays. Harrison House Museum, Barn, and Gardens, 124 Main St., Branford. Open to the public. Free admission but donations are welcome. Runs through September or by appointment. For info, contact 203-488-4828 or info@branfordhistoricalsociety.org.

iPhone Photography Collaborative:

6:30 p.m. First Monday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. All levels are welcome. No registration required. For info, call 203-2457365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

La Leche Virtual Meetings:

7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. Via Facebook. Sponsored by La Leche League of Connecticut. For info, visit facebook.com/groups/ LLLofCTDiscussionForum.

Madison Movie Chat:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

First and third Mondays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Maker Meet-up:

6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. All ages welcome. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Master Gardener Clinic:

Noon. Mondays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. All specimens must be in sealed containers. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Meditation Class:

11 a.m. Mondays. Online. Sponsored by the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Led by certified mindfulness and meditation teacher Joanne Vannelli. Free. For info or to register (required), contact sarah@hchlibrary.org.

Monday Night Mah-jongg:

6 to 8 p.m.

Mondays. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Some previous knowledge or experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome. Bring your own mah-jongg set. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

NAMI Shoreline Family Support Group

7 p.m. Last Wednesday. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Facilitators trained by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer peer-led support to adults caring for a loved one ages 18 and over experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. For info, call 860-876-0236 or visit namishoreline.org.

Noon Meditation Music:

Noon to

12:30 p.m. Fridays. Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 11 Park St., Guilford. For info, email admin@christchurcguilford.org.

Theater

Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Board Members:

Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New Haven. Runs April 25 through May 17. For info, call 203-4321234 or visit yalerep.org.

: Cabaret on Main Theater, 597 Main St., East Haven. Runs April 25 through May 11. For info, call 203-2089592 or visit cabaret-on-main.com.

To submit an event to the Living Calendar, send an email to news@shorepublishing.com. For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website zip06.com. The deadline for submissions is noon, eight days prior to the publication date.

Photo courtesy of the Branford Land Trust

David Irvin from the DEEP Forestry Division will present on Forest Health in an Era of Climate Change is part of the Branford Land Trust Winter Speaker Series.

Press Release from the Branford Land Trust

Shrek The Musical

Elan Gorshein, DO Medical Oncology

Arlene Mingione, RN Medical Oncology

Su Hsien Lim, MD Medical Oncology

Daniel Hicks, MD Radiation Oncology

The most advanced cancer treatments. Delivered

The best available cancer care is closer to home than you might think. In fact, Smilow Cancer Hospital is conveniently located all across the region. So you can meet with our team of renowned cancer experts right away, develop a personalized treatment plan together, and have direct access to genetic testing, tumor pro ling, and clinical trials through our af liation with Yale Cancer Center, Connecticut’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. All right here in the places that you and your family call home. Because at Smilow Cancer Hospital, we’re committed to treating you with the greatest of care.

Specialty Services: Clinical Trials; Breast Center; Genetic Testing; Medical, Surgical, and Radiation Oncology; Hematology; Advanced Diagnostic Imaging; Lung Cancer Screening; Oncology Pharmacy; Lab and Infusion Services; Survivorship Planning; Nutrition Counseling; Palliative Care; Patient and Family Support

Smilow Cancer Hospital–Guilford Shoreline Medical Center

111 Goose Lane

Guilford, CT 06437

203-453-9192

SmilowCancerHospital.org

Guilford Courier 04-10-25

Town of Guilford to Launch New Online Permitting System

Hands Off

Bernadette Smyth LaFrance named Knights of St. Patrick President

Person of the Week

Letters Editor to the

Gratitude

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Contacting Guilford Courier

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Town of Guilford to Launch New Online Permitting System

Future Choices 2025

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Bernadette Smyth LaFrance named Knights of St. Patrick President

LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF GUILFORD, CT.

Obituary

Jon Ainsworth Guilford

School Committee Raising Funds for Inclusive Playground in Guilford

Obituary Li-Ann Haig Guilford

Cat Project Offers Mother’s Day Card

RTPEC Summer Camp Open for Registration

GriefShare Meetings

Workforce

2025 Programs

Summer Camp for Future Inventors

NBHS Class of 1975 50th Reunion

Volunteer Opportunity to Help Others

Food Worth Tasting

Moosie’s Story

Branford Father-Son Duo Wins USTA Match as Guilford Racquet & Swim Club Members

Spring Has Sprung, Mixing Fish and Fishers in a Big Way

Fishing report

On The Water

Guilford Fund for Education Hosts Successful "Bee Ball" Tournament

Guilford District Team Wins Connecticut Scholastic Team Chess Championships

Guilford Racquet & Swim Club to Host 11th Annual Pickleball for Parkinson’s Event

Guilford Fund for Education Hosts

Successful "Bee Ball" Tournament

Guilford Golf Wins Opening Match

Schedules

Lacrosse

Tennis

Spring Has Sprung

Fun By The Numbers

Last Week’s Answers

Here’s How It Works:

Bread at Home

Living RECIPES

Easy Loaf Bread

Tips

No Knead Crusty Loaf

Quick Honey and Butter Loaf

George Flynn Concerts Presents Isidore String Quartet

Family Day Set for April 26

Madison Lyric Stage Presents World Premiere of ‘A Memory of Truth?’

ONGOING EVENTS

estate

A Captivating Colonial

GUILFORD

BRANFORD

NORTH BRANFORD WESTBROOK

on the shoreline magazine

Opera Theater Announces Season-Opening Concert

BLT Speaker Series Continues for Earth Day

The most advanced cancer treatments. Delivered