Preliminary results from a study conducted by the Guilford Health Department find elevated levels of nitrogen in septic systems located around the Town Green, which officials say amounts to a “significant public health and environmental concern” the department is determined to tackle.
The results were part of a study entitled “Hydraulic Impact on Conventional Septic Systems,” whose timeframe is the wet season between Feb. 1 and May 31. A document on the Health Department’s webpage says that the purpose of the study was to “evaluate how seasonal variations in precipitation rates and groundwater elevations are affecting Subsurface Disposal Systems on proper-
ties in the vicinity of a portion of the town’s center area.”
According to Health Department Director Sonia Brinkwirth, testing indicated elevated nitrogen levels specifically within septic systems along Whitfield Street and are “at the point of property line at a higher nitrogen
See Health Department page 8
Game on Again
Catie Wagner and her daughter, Chloe, 7, browse games at Jordie’s Toy Shoppe in Guilford on April 19. The longtime local store recently reopened under new ownership after changing hands earlier this month.
Back on Track Grizzlies girls lacrosse respond after an early-season loss....................20
PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ GuilfordCourier
Tessa Antonakis: Leading by Example
By Pam Young
Correspondent
When Tessa Antonakis learned she had been nominated for the Pathfinder Award, she didn’t expect the recognition would come full circle.
“I nominated Lyra [Monaco] and she nominated me,” Tessa says. “We did not know we had nominated each other at the time.”
That moment—two friends independently recognizing each other’s leadership—captures the spirit of the award, which honors students who lead by example and help set the tone for those around them.
“I was told the award was meant to mimic pathfinders in the military who go on the ground first and lay out the tracks for where everyone else will go,” she says. “They see if things are safe and lead the way to ensure everyone who follows is in a good place to do what they need to do.”
Tessa, a Guilford High School
says. “I help with warmups and with organizing events on the
Photo courtesy of Tessa Antonakis
Tessa Antonakis, a senior at Guilford High School, leads by example through her involvement in athletics, mentoring, and community service.
Sincere Thanks
Guilford Interfaith Volunteers would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those involved in the delivery of 86 complimentary Easter meals to individuals in need on Easter morning.
We are especially grateful to our seven dedicated drivers for picking up and delivering meals on the holiday, and to our kitchen crew for preparing such a wonderful meal. A heartfelt thank you as well to the students from A.W. Cox Elementary School, Guilford Lakes Elementary School, and Calvin Leete Ele-
mentary School for creating the holiday cards—these thoughtful touches are always cherished by recipients. We would also like to thank The Fresh Market for, once again, generously providing fruit to accompany the meals. Lastly, our gratitude goes to Cynthia Pullman and Jean Getman for the beautiful lap blankets. All these contributions were deeply appreciated and helped make the day truly special. Leslie Perrelli Guilford
Shoreline Arts Alliance is accepting submissions for IMAGES 2026, Connecticut’s oldest statewide photography competition. The jury-curated exhibition will be held Aug. 8–30 at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Avenue, New Haven. Connecticut photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit digital entries through the Shoreline Arts Alliance website by Thursday, June 11, at noon. Submission guidelines and fees are available online. Founded in 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance is a nonprofit organization that supports professional arts development through mentorship, networking, education, and community engagement. For more information, call 203421-6739, email office@shorelinearts.org, or visit shorelinearts.org.
Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore (LVVS) is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Tutor Training Workshop to prepare volunteers to teach English to adult residents from around the world. No experience is required. The 12-hour training runs over eight sessions. Participants may attend morning sessions from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in person at the Westbrook Library or evening sessions from 7 to 8:30 p.m., offered in a hybrid format with Zoom. Sessions are scheduled for April 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, and May 7, 12, and 14. An online self-facilitated option is also available. A $40 donation is requested for materials. For more information, contact Joanne Argersinger at 860-399-0280 or jargersinger@lvvs.org, or visit www.lvvs.org.
The Renter’s Rebate Program, a State of Connecticut program, offers a one-time payment to eligible renters. Seniors age 65 and older and disabled individuals age 18 and older who paid rent in Connecticut during the previous year and currently reside in the state may qualify. Eligible applicants may receive a rebate of $50 to $900 for 2025 rental and utility expenses. Applicants must have been at least 65 years old or totally disabled in 2025 and meet income requirements of less than $46,300 for a single person or $56,500 for a couple. Appointments are required to apply. For more information, call Guilford Social Services at 203-453-8009.
Women & Family Life Center (W&FLC) offers Safe Search, a program that allows participants and walk-ins who need a safe place to use a phone or access the internet. Individuals have access to a computer, the internet, phone, printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine. Safe Search is a time and place where individuals can call counselors and/or lawyers, research jobs, and revise and print a resume. WFLC also offers a secure location to keep documents for future use. For more information, contact 203458-6699 or info@womenandfamilylife.org, or visit womenandfamilylife.org.
Lori Gregan
Laura Giannelli Chief Revenue Officer Ext. 4304
Laura Robida Managing Editor
Alan C. Ellis Production Director
Obituaries
Obituary Christopher Benzi Guilford
Christopher Angelo Benzi, 83, of Durham died March 31, 2026, in North Haven, Va., after a battle with cancer.
Mr. Benzi was born in Guilford Jan. 13, 1943, son of Peter J. Benzi Sr. and Hazel V. Benzi. He served as a police officer and dog warden for the Guilford Police Department from 1964 until he retired in 1987, with a short stint in the Army due to being drafted from
1966-1968. He later retired as a school bus driver from the Durham School District in 2024.
He is survived by two siblings, Peter J. Benzi Jr. of Guilford and Voletah Austin of Avra Valley, Ariz. He was predeceased by one brother, Ralph Benzi; and two sisters, Linda Law and Vicki Lewis, from Tucson, Ariz. In addition, he was predeceased by his true companions, Smokey, Cindy, Nig, Ralph, Puppy, and Puppy II.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. May 16, 2026, at the Guilford Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 104 Mill Rd., Guilford.
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Obituary
Thomas Kehlenbach
Guilford
On April 6, 2026, Thomas "Tom" Edward Kehlenbach, 89, longtime resident of Guilford, and most recently of Madison, passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 58 years of Brenda (Johnson) Kehlenbach. Tom was born in New Haven on July 29, 1936, son of the late Emil Kehlenbach and Cecilia (Gamberdella) Kehlenbach. He was the loving father of Jeffrey Kehlenbach (Elizabeth Marcus) of Trumbull and Mark Kehlenbach (Jennifer) of Killingworth. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Ryan, Jordan, Samantha, Emerson, and Connor; a brother, Ralph Kehlenbach of Branford; and his sister-in-law Linda Johnson. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emil and Paul.
High School and a 1959 graduate of UConn School of Pharmacy. Before retirement, he had worked as a pharmacist for his own company and later for Genovese Drug Stores of Guilford for 39 years and retired in 2004.
Tom grew up on the water in Short Beach, where he enjoyed boating, fishing, and gardening. He was also active in the Guilford Rotary Club for over 30 years.
Friends were invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on April 17, which was celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial was held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Sound, 127 Church Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06510; www.savethesound.org.
Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.
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Tom was a 1955 graduate of Branford
The Guilford Police Department, in cooperation with the It’s Worth It initiative and the Connection, Inc., have installed a pharmaceutical collection drop box in the lobby of the Guilford Police Department, 400 Church Street. Area residents can dispose of unused and unneeded medications at any time. For more information, call the Guilford Police Department at 203-453-8061. Rx Disposal Box
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FORBES’ BEST-IN-STATE WEALTH ADVISORS 2026
Housing Commission Eyes Multifamily Development
Staff Writer By Aaron Rubin
The Guilford Affordable Housing Commission is anticipating the April 23 release of the draft 2025-2035 Plan of Conservation and Development and how it may support the commission’s goals to introduce new state-mandated housing in Guilford, said its leadership.
The commission is “really looking forward to the final iteration” of the plan, said Chair Mary Jo Kestner, “and seeing where we can work together with Planning and Zoning” to put aligned goals into action. Part of that anticipation stems from how new state laws aimed at addressing Connecticut’s housing crisis could help accelerate new housing in Guilford. For the commission, one of the biggest challenges moving forward is encouraging more multifamily developments that can fit into the community. While that goal is desirable, there are limitations the commission must address.
when inadequate at a site, “can constrict the ability to develop,” she said. In Guilford, “we also have some of our commercial zones touch up on historic districts.”
On the other hand, the Design Review Commission can “hopefully support development that is in character of the neighborhood,” especially if new projects occur in commercial zones bordering historic areas, she said.
Encouraging more adaptive multifamily housing in Guilford may not only bring residents closer to commercial areas—as well as public transportation such as bus stops and the train station—but also address what the Plan of Conservation and Development identifies as a declining demographic in town: single-person households. While Guilford is “really good at the big Colonial here with four bedrooms” and installed septic systems, “we haven’t really had a discussion about” how that infrastructure could be converted into new housing if the opportunity arises, said Kestner.
Tim Furgueson, Michael LaRiviere, Kevin Nolan, Bill Tait, and James Sullivan have all been selected for the list, which honors top-performing wealth management and financial planning advisors in each state.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Tim Furgueson has been included on this prestigious list, the fourth year for both Michael LaRiviere and Kevin Nolan, and the third year of recognition for both Bill Tait and James Sullivan.
“We are incredibly proud of our financial advisors that have been recognized by Forbes, an achievement that reflects not only their individual expertise, but their unwavering commitment to clients and the families they serve every day. Our advisors play a critical role in helping their clients navigate complex decisions with clarity and confidence no matter the market and economic environment,” said Charles R. Cumello Jr., President & CEO of Essex Financial.
Kestner said one method for planning new multifamily housing is through new “as-of-right approval” laws included in Public Act 25-49, passed by the General Assembly last year. The law, which municipalities must adopt effective July 1, is intended to expedite affordable housing by allowing multifamily and mixed-use developments to be approved by planning commissions without a public hearing. This streamlined approach can also bring new housing closer to services or into commercial zones, aligning with one of the commission’s goals to locate housing near Guilford’s business areas.
“For economic development reasons, we really want to make sure our commercial businesses have a place to sit, and so to take the Public Act interpretation of mixed-use is pretty desirable,” said Kestner.
The commission is also interested in how the new as-of-right laws could lead to more adaptive reuse of existing buildings in Guilford, Kestner said, avoiding the need for new construction as the primary option for housing. This way, “we could encourage density without building more,” she said.
There are hurdles to this type of development, Kestner acknowledged. These include limitations posed by septic systems and stormwater management, which,
“That’s something that as a commission we want to get a lot of public input on, is these kinds of options that might help us meet our housing goals without dramatically changing our neighborhoods,” she said.
This option may be more feasible given Guilford’s low vacancy rate and lack of, for example, “dilapidated strip malls” or closed nursing homes, Kestner said.
But while adaptive reuse is a priority, new multifamily housing could also take shape as “cottage cluster developments,” said Kestner, “one of the [developments] that has resonated with folks in our discussions.” These developments are neighborhoods with homes arranged around shared green space. Guilford already has two—at 376 State Street and 2614 Boston Post Road—but planning additional ones may present density challenges, she said.
The commission is active this spring and summer in discussing these goals with the community, including at its next public discussion on Thursday, April 30, at 4 p.m. at Guilford Town Hall. The commission’s next formal meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 4 p.m. at Town Hall and will feature an appearance by the housing equity organization Open Communities Alliance. A virtual option to attend both meetings is available via Teams.
TIM FURGUESON
MIKE LARIVIERE KEVIN NOLAN
JAMES SULLIVAN
BILL TAIT
Tessa Antonakis: Leading by Example
Continued from page 2
reflect a pattern: stepping into roles where she can support others, whether that means mentoring younger students, contributing behind the scenes, or helping run community events.
That approach also shapes how she views service more broadly.
“I think service is a big part of life and the future,” she says. “Other people should give back to those around them. I try to serve people in every aspect of my life without recognition.”
After graduation, Tessa plans to attend college, though she is still deciding where. She intends to major in psychology, with a focus on helping others through research, internships, and continued community involvement.
“I want to expand the knowledge I have,” she says. “I have had opportunities in Guilford and I want to give back, caring for others and helping them.”
She sees the Pathfinder Award not as an endpoint, but as encouragement to con-
tinue the kind of leadership it represents.
“Helping others and being a good example in a way that has a domino effect is important,” she says. “If I help one person, that person can help someone else and so on.”
The recognition also comes with scholarship funding, which Tessa plans to put toward her college education. But she says the most meaningful part of the award is the affirmation of values she already tries to live by.
“I am thankful to the Rotary Club and everyone who was part of the nomination process,” she says. “I also want to thank the Guilford administration and faculty at GHS for helping us, whether it be in schoolwork, sports, or whatever else.”
As she prepares to graduate, Tessa says she hopes to carry those lessons forward—continuing to lead not from the front, but alongside others.
“You are able to share your passion or experience with someone else and feel so much joy,” she says.
Donations Sought for GNHCP Tag Sale Fundraiser
The Greater New Haven Cat Project, Inc. (GNHCP) is seeking donations of gently used items for its annual tag sale fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Donations will be accepted beginning April 25 at the GNHCP Center, 1874 Middletown Ave., Northford. Items may include household goods, collectibles, jewelry, garden furniture, toys, and more. Contributions will support GNHCP’s mission to help cats in need throughout Greater New Haven. Proceeds benefit GNHCP’s rescue, care, and community programs. For more information, contact 203-7822287 or gnhcp1@gnhcp.org.
Richard Lynch
Marisa Bellair
Steven Errante
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 Ericka Copeland at 203-453-7659 or Ericka.copeland@ynhh.org, or visit ynhhs.org/health-at-home/about/volunteer.
Tax Exemptions
The Assessor’s Office for the Town of Guilford offers property tax exemptions for veterans, including disabled veterans; active-duty military personnel; disabled or blind taxpayers; specially equipped or modified vehicles for transporting an incapacitated individual; farm machinery and farm buildings; and farm, forest, and open space land. For more information, including deadlines, call 203-453-8010 or visit ci.guilford.ct.us/departments/assessor.
W&FLC Offers Help for Energy Assistance Applications
The application process portal for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) has opened for Connecticut residents who qualify. Online applications are currently being accepted. If approved, an applicant may receive benefits that can range from $100 to $600. Benefits depend on an applicant’s income level, household size, and if there is a vulnerable member in the household. The Women & Family Life Center (W&FLC), 96 Fair Street, Guilford, may be able to assist qualified residents in submitting their applications. To request assistance in applying, call the W&FLC at 203-458-6699. For more information or to apply online, visit the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program link at portal.ct.gov/DSS/EconomicSecurity.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Sharon Triano-Kott, AKA Sharon T. Kott (26-0053)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated April 6, 2026, 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.
NOTICE is Hereby given, that the Guilford Shellfish Commission will hold a Public Hearing at its May 13, 2026 regular meeting, to hear the following application for commercial shellfish grounds : Lot # 38 Licensee: Michael Julian, Park City Seafood, LLC, 3333 Main Street, Suite 203 Stratford, CT 06614 203-362-8272
Duration of Agreement: April 1,2026 to December 31, 2030
Location: 3.58acres south of Chaffinch Island Clockwise from northwest: 41*15.7925’N; 72*40.5865’W 41*15.7428’N; 72*40.4837’W 41*15.6982’N; 72*40.5043’ W 41*15.7485’N; 72*40.6075’ W
All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard. Written communications will be received for entry into the record prior to the Public Hearing.
Chair Robert Burger
Health Department Calls for New Wastewater System
Continued from page 1
level.” The elevated levels indicate “insufficient treatment” in the septic systems.
Further, “assessments identified that during heavy rainfall, the groundwater table [rises] significantly,” according to the study results. “This prevents existing septic systems from draining and filtering waste effectively,” it reads, while oversaturated ground causes the risk of overflowing, “posing a direct threat to public health.”
While the testing continues in the area of study, with the installation of new wells to collect samples, the Health Department has determined the remedy for the affected properties in the form of a community alternative technology system. This system, which the department is looking to have located at St. George Church, will be shared by multiple buildings and is meant to address both hydraulic issues in the town center and the elevated nitrogen levels.
“They clean the effluent out so that it lowers nitrogen and other parameters before it hits the groundwater,” said Brinkwirth.
Per state standards, this new system should be able to support the usage of up to 10,000 gallons of water a day, as utilized by multiple businesses in the town center. It should also mitigate concerns related to public health and the environment, with an example in the latter being the prevention of contaminating the West River, according to the department.
The department is looking to release a request-for-qualifications document to solicit engineering firms that can take on
the work necessary to construct the new system.
Brinkwirth emphatically echoed the department’s goal that the system is not to be “designed to support new development or increase wastewater volume, but rather to ensure a clean, healthy environment for our current community.”
Regarding development, Brinkwirth said the department has no interest in seeing the construction of small concrete structures, like those found behind Target and Guilford Commons, that house alternative technology systems, and will work with a design team to avoid such an outcome.
“We want to make sure that it can actually fit within Guilford,” she said. “We all want to make sure that we’re all on the same page, that it’s going to be the right type that will promote the town center instead of making it look bad.”
One of the ways to encourage this outcome includes the next step for Brinkwirth and her department, which is to be “meeting with the property owners and business owners soon” about the current findings, she said. The Health Department will also communicate and collaborate with the Water Pollution Control Authority on selecting the best engineering firm to undertake work on the new system.
This will be a start that the department hopes will lead to approved grant funding for the new system. A grant could be sought from various sources, including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Until then, the Health Department will engage in continuous monitoring of nitrogen concentrations in test wells throughout the remainder of the wet season.
Legal Notice:
The Sunrise Tax District Annual Meeting will be held at the Guilford Community Center on Monday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. Items for discussion will include the following:
Annual budget and mill rate
Mosquito control
Park mowing contract
Annual picnic and tag sale
New Business Election of Officers for 2026-2027
-Gregory F. Walwer, President
Dandy Manny
Story by Carol Andrecs
Manny was living on the streets, scavenging for food and desperate for shelter, when he was rescued. He is such a cutie pie with his mostly white fur and brown and black tiger markings. He is very sweet and playful, and absolutely loves all attention he can get. Although he has plenty of food and lots of soft beds now, Manny would love to be in a home of his own. For an appointment to meet our dandy, young Manny, stop by during our open house events or apply online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.
: Forgotten Felines holds an open house every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary. Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and much appreciated. Call the volunteer line at 860-669-1347 or send an email to volunteerinfo@forgottenfelinesct.org.
Agency on Aging Seeks Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to offer local seniors and/or veterans companionship through the Agency on Aging’s RSVP Volunteer Program. Volunteers should be at least 55 years of age and willing to visit a senior and/or veteran in their home for one hour a week. For more information, call Cherie Strucaly 203-752-3059.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Guilford and North Guilford
District 20 of Connecticut (Area 11) of Alcoholics Anonymous has dozens of meetings throughout the week to help carry the message to people in recovery and those who may still be suffering from this disease. The meetings are held at various locations, as well as online. For more information and a list of meetings, email the public information officer at d20a11pi@gmail.com or visit https://d20a11.org.
Find Your Match At Forgotten Felines
Photo by Genevieve Ray
Recycle Your Old Paint
Page Hardware & Appliance Co., 9 Boston Street, Guilford, allows residents and businesses to bring old, unwanted paint for recycling during regular business hours through the PaintCare program. For more information, visit www.paintcare.org.
LEGAL NOTICE
GUILFORD PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that the Guilford Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a VIRTUAL Public Hearing
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 6 P.M. via the Microsoft TEAMS platform by using the following link. https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28539974995358?p=Fb7ZiyFB6MRGdXBKfR Meeting ID: 285 399 749 953 58 Passcode: jb7fS6Zh
Dial in by PHONE +1 469-208-1374 United States Phone conference ID: 318 223 101#
The following applications will be heard:
143 Three Mile Course (Map 45 Lot 31, Zone R-3). Applicant/Agent: Mark Fopeano of the Soccer Club of Guilford on behalf of Owner: Town of Guilford CT. Special Permit to add towable light towers to the upper soccer fields at AW Cox School per §7.5.B.2.
Text Amendment: Zone Change Protest. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to align the provisions related to protest petitions for map changes with the State Statute.
Text Amendment: Consistent Number of Days formatting. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to correct the number of days references within the regulations for consistency and clarity.
Text Amendment: Residential Exterior Lighting. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to add standards specific to single-family residences.
Text Amendment: Animal Rescue. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to add a definition and standards for animal rescue facilities.
Text Amendment: Coastal Area Management. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to align CAM regulations with State statute.
Text Amendment: Data Centers. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to add a definition and standards for Data Centers.
Text Amendment: Zoning Permit. Applicant: Anne Hartjen, Town Planner on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to add a definition of Zoning Permit.
111 Lovers Lane (Map 40 Lot 138, Zone R-3). Applicant/Agent/Owners: Barbara Hammarlund (Assistant Secretary) and John Hammarlund (President) of the Guilford Agricultural Society. Renewal of Special Permit with requested changes to Conditions of Approval.
154 Wilderwood Drive (Map 83 Lot 1563, Zone R-7). Applicant/Agent: Michael Prescott on behalf of Owners: Michael Prescott and Marc & Lauren Cicchetti. Special Permit to allow an ADU in excess of 50% total interior finished floor area per §3.9.A.1.e.
5 Meriden Street (Map 17 Lot 46, Zone R-2). Applicant/Agent: Gregg Fedus of Fedus Engineering LLC on Behalf of Owners: Jacqueline & George Rissotto. Special Permit to allow up to 25% building coverage per §3.4.B Table Note 2.
1 Timber Lane (Map 93 Lot 9097, Zone R-8). Applicant/Agent: Doug Anderson of AHD Holdings on behalf of Owner: Kristine Ciardiello. Special Permit to allow accessory structure in excess of 750 SF per §3.3.A.3.A.3.
635 Nut Plains Road (Map 86 Lot 33, Zone R-5). Applicant/Agent/Owner: Chad Greenlee. Special Permit for construction of an ADU in excess of area requirements and within the front yard per §3.9.A.1.e and §3.9.A.2.
28 Little Harbor Road (Map 12 Lot 40, Zone R-2). Applicant/Agent/Owner: Conor Daley. Special Permit for accessory structure in excess of 750 SF per §3.3.A.3.A.3.
Copies of these applications are available for inspection in the Planning & Zoning office and on the Town’s website. At this hearing, persons may attend via web connection and shall be heard. All written correspondence shall be submitted to BridgesJ@guilfordct.gov 24 hours prior to the meeting day. Documents are available at the Planning & Zoning office. Dial 203-453-8039 for assistance.
Dated at Guilford, Connecticut this 16th of April, 2026 – Roger Joyce, Vice Chair
High School Diploma/GED and Other Programs
Shoreline Adult Education, formerly known as ERACE, offers free academic programs for individuals seeking to earn their high school diploma/GED, practice their English language skills, or prepare for their U.S. citizenship test. These classes are available to individuals aged 17 years or older who live in Branford, North Branford, Guilford, or Clinton. Individuals outside the four-town region may register for a fee if space is available. Limited spots are available for residents of any town at no charge. Shoreline Adult Education also offers a variety of affordable enrichment classes, open to individuals of any town, including courses on computers, music and dance, cooking, career development, CPR and first aid, world languages, business and financial planning, fine arts, photography, and writing. For more information, call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
Academic and Enrichment Classes Offered
Registration is now open for Shoreline Adult Education’s catalog of free academic programs and affordable enrichment classes. The free academic programs are open to adult residents of Branford, Clinton, Guilford, and North Branford. With federal funding from a grant, adults living outside this four-town region are eligible to enroll in the National External Diploma Program (NEDP), an alternative to the GED. Multiple program options are available for adults interested in earning their high school diploma. Confidentiality and flexible class schedules are available to those enrolled in the NEDP. In addition, English for speakers of other languages is offered for nonEnglish speakers, as well as workforce preparation classes and courses for families with young and school-aged children. Citizenship preparation is offered with a twosemester class designed to support adults in their pathway to U.S. citizenship. Shoreline Adult Education has also partnered with local business owners and instructors to offer enrichment classes through June. Course topics include retirement planning, arts and crafts, music, dance, health and wellness, lectures on local Connecticut history, computers, and foreign languages. For more information or to register in any of the classes, call the Branford office at 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
Free Online and In-Person GED Program
Middletown Adult Education offers a free online or in-person GED program to residents of Old Saybrook, Madison, and Westbrook as well as Regional District #4 (Chester, Deep River, Essex, Centerbrook, Ivoryton) and Regional District #17 (Haddam, Higganum, Killingworth). The program provides instruction for participants to learn the skills necessary for employment. In-person classes take place at the Middletown Adult Education, 210 Main Street, Old Saybrook or at 398 Main Street, Middletown. COVID-19 safety guidelines may be required. For more information, call 860-343-6044 or visit www.maect.org.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group
The Estuary, located at 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, holds the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group every fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services clinical staff, the group provides conversation, support, and resources for grandparents who—for a variety of reasons—become parents to their grandchildren. Registration is not required. All area towns are welcome. For more information, contact 860-510-5042 or heather.mcneil@oldsaybrookct.gov.
Guilford Veterans Welcome at American Legion Post 48
American Legion Guilford Post 48 invites local veterans to join the post and meet fellow veterans with similar interests and experiences. The post addresses veterans’ issues, organizes community projects such as food baskets for those in need, and sponsors programs such as Boys and Girls State, an oratorical contest for high school seniors, and a scholarship for Guilford High School students. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, except for July and August. Meetings begin with a short ceremony to honor MIAs and POWs. Locations and times of the meeting vary. For specific times and locations or for more information, call Fred Brisbois 203605-7747.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Patricia Lou Weischet (26-0102)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated April 9, 2026, 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.
Nicole Malerba, Assistant Clerk
The fiduciary is:
Ward H. Weischet, 4 Potter Hill Drive, Guilford, CT 06437
Legal Notice
Guilford Wand Wetlands Commission
The Wand Wetlands Enforcement Officer took the following action:
APPROVED: Anita Soucy, located at 63 White Birch Drive, Guilford, Connecticut, Map 58, Lot 53, Regulated Activity, Emergency septic repair within Guilford Inland Wetlands Commission 100-foot upland jurisdiction review area of a wetland and or watercourse.
Dated at Guilford, Connecticut this thirteenth day of April, 2026. Jeff Parker, Chairman
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Ulrich Weil (26-0083)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated April 9, 2026, 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.
Karen M. Parzych, Chief Clerk
The fiduciary is:
Christa Weil c/o MICHAEL GERARD DOLAN, LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL DOLAN, LLC, 1337 DIXWELL AVENUE, HAMDEN, CT 06514
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Valerie L. Soden, AKA Valerie L. Soehnlein (26-0079)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated April 9, 2026, 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:
Johanne N. Soden
c/o JON P LECKERLING, LECKERLING LADWIG & LEAMON, 23 WOODLAND ROAD, UNIT C-2, MADISON, CT 06443
LEGAL NOTICE
All persons liable to pay water main assessment billings in the Town of Guilford are hereby notified that the second installment of water main assessment billing is due April 1, 2026. The last day to pay taxes without penalty is May 1, 2026.
If payment is not made by May 1, 2026 interest will accrue to the original due date of April 1, 2026 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 cashier’s check. Please bring your 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
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Rob’s TRee Removal
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!
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! Fun By
Guilford Girls Lacrosse Rebounds After First Setback
By Serenity J. Bishop
Sports Editor
The Guilford Grizzlies girls lacrosse team started the season in strong fashion, quickly establishing a high-scoring offense and a stout defense. Their play out of the gate helped lead the team to a 4-0 record while outscoring opponents 80-18.
However, on April 18, the Grizzlies faced their first test of adversity. Guilford fell to Simsbury, 106, and was unable to overcome the lack of production caused by the absence of several players.
Yet the true test for Guilford was not necessarily the loss, but how the team would respond. In that regard, the Grizzlies bounced back on April 20, defeating Sacred Heart Academy, 13-3.
Guilford coach John Climie was pleased with the performance and how the team maintained focus to get back on track. He said the Grizzlies learned from their mistakes against Simsbury, applied those lessons in practice on Sunday, and then executed on Monday.
“We were coming off of a game against Simsbury on Saturday that beat up a lot of our main starters. It was an emotional and physical game up there,” Climie said. “It took us a little while to get going. Sacred Heart definitely made it difficult for us to get good looks, but we were great on the draw circle.”
Freshman middie Sinead Davenport was one of the keys to the game, particularly with her ability to win draw controls. Davenport finished with about 10 draw controls, allowing Guilford to keep pressure on the opposing defense.
Through five games, Davenport has nearly 52 draw controls.
One of the positives of not having a full roster—and thus having a limited bench—is that it has created opportunities for more players to gain experience and develop in game situations. In the win over Sacred Heart, sophomore attacker Natasha
“We had 40 shots,” Climie said. “That’s an exorbitant amount of shots to only net 13 goals, but we were in control the whole way. When you win the ball on the draw, it’s really tough to play against a team like that because you’re never playing on your toes—you’re playing defense.”
Binkowski led the way with four goals.
“We’ve known that certain kids we were going to lose for a game or two, but that’s OK because I don’t think anyone’s going to learn anything if they’re just watching. They have to go out and do it,” Climie added. “We have a really great group of kids. The younger kids who come up want to play as much as possible.
They’re like sponges in practice, and I think they responded very well, especially considering Simsbury was the Class L champion.”
As the season progresses, the Grizzlies will look to continue developing in areas such as building chemistry, anticipating plays, playing to the whistle, and maintaining ball movement.
Guilford is, however, entering one of the toughest stretches of its
schedule, with upcoming games against Cheshire, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe, Daniel Hand, and Waterford.
“Now we’re in sort of the heart of the schedule, we don’t want to take anybody for granted,” Climie said. “It’s a number of games coming up. There’s really no rest for us. But our kids are great at just trying to stay in the moment and have a great time.”
Photo courtesy of Douglas Grimes
Guilford players gather during a game against Sacred Heart Academy on April 20, a 13-3 win that improved the Grizzlies to 5-1.
Katie Gerl leads Shoreline Spartans Rugby to a Fast Start
By Serenity J. Bishop
Sports Editor
The Shoreline Spartans girls high school rugby team is coming off a successful season in which it finished as undefeated state champion. The title run was a moment for coaches, players, and fans to celebrate, but for thenfreshman Katie Gerl, it meant even more.
Gerl, of Deep River, has been a standout since joining the Spartans. She played an integral role in the championship season and has returned even stronger this year as a sophomore.
Spartans coach Joseph Falivene said Gerl is so impressive that he sometimes forgets how young she is. Gerl began playing for Falivene in the U14 flag rugby program and has since gone on to win the team’s Backs MVP award.
Through the first half of the spring season, Gerl has scored 10 tries in six games. The sevens team, which includes players from Guilford, Madison, Clinton, and across the shoreline, has opened the season 6-0 in large part due to her play.
“She is an integral part of the team, and I sometimes forget that she is only a sophomore. This season, we have moved her to a new position, flyhalf,” Falivene said. “She’s responsible for setting the back line and calling the plays. Additionally, she has taken on conversion kicks.”
Falivene added that Gerl is not only a strong offensive player, but also one of the team’s top tacklers.
“Her speed allows her to catch up to opposing players if they break our defensive line. She’s very coachable and a joy to have on the team,” he said. “Off the field, Katie is always volunteering at our community service events, as we believe it is good to give back to our communities.”
Gerl said she is excited to be back on the field despite changes to the roster this season. Much of last year’s championship team has graduated or did not return.
Eight of the 16 players from last season are no longer on the
roster. Still, Gerl views it as an opportunity for the team to grow together and learn how to win as a group. She said the start of the season has been fun.
“We’ve started off pretty strong,” Gerl said. “We have a bunch of new players, so we have basically a baby team where most of us are freshmen and sophomores, and even with that, we’re still having a pretty good start to our season. We’re all working together, and everyone’s stepping up.”
Gerl added that team camaraderie is what she enjoys most, especially with players coming from across the shoreline.
“I kind of love having our teammates from all over because everyone is from somewhere a little different and has their own experiences, and everyone’s really nice,” Gerl said. “I like having friends all over the place.”
In addition to a new group of teammates, Gerl is also adjusting to a new position. She said playing flyhalf is much different than
playing on the wing, but she is getting more comfortable.
“Starting as a flyhalf was very different for me because when I first joined, I was a wing, and then I got moved to scrum-half my freshman year,” she said. “I was pretty scared going into it because I didn’t know the plays, and we hadn’t really gone over them too much, and some other people didn’t know them either, but I think in the end it’s going to work out fine.” The first time Gerl transitioned
to a new position, she earned MVP honors, so she is hopeful for a similar impact this season, even though she was surprised to receive the award.
“I was pretty surprised by it. We were combined with other teams, so we had a bunch of really, really talented players, and everyone really did their best and put their best foot forward,” she said. “I don’t think I could have done it alone.”
Photo courtesy of Craig Bourgeois
Katie Gerl breaks past a defender during a game this season.
Playing Jesus: Actor Talks About Taking On the Lead Role in Goodspeed’s Jesus Christ Superstar
By Kristina Dorsey
Special to Living
Justin Matthew Sargent is starring in Goodspeed Musicals’ production of the rock opera .
But it’s not the first time he has portrayed Jesus.
He filled the role while John Legend was out touring during rehearsals for which aired on NBC in 2018. He also just starred in a production at Broadway At Music Circus in Sacramento, Calif.
Sargent said of playing Jesus: “He’s the most famous person to have ever lived, arguably. So it’s a little intimidating sometimes because, of course, so many different people have so many different versions of what Jesus is and who he was and who he became. So I think that especially in this very limited scope of what we’re seeing with this person (in the show) — we’re only following him for the last seven days of his life — I have to just focus on the human being and what kind of experiences a real human being is going to have in the last seven days of his life, knowing how it’s going to end while also having this divine energy that’s pushing him toward that end.”
Sargent sees the Jesus of as enigmatic, frightened but also absolutely sure of what he has to do.
He is also frustrated, feeling as though what he’s been preaching and trying to accomplish has been misinterpreted, Sargent said.
Sargent thinks the Goodspeed production of is “so incredibly cool.” He said director Tatiana Pandiani’s vision for it is unique “aesthetically, thematically. There are moments that I interpreted a different way, and she describes what it is she’s looking for, and then I’m like: ‘Oh my God, that’s so cool. I never thought of that. That is so interesting.’ I know the audience will feel the same way.”
He noted that the show has been staged many times, so it’s exciting to have a production feel so fresh yet recognizable.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but I think it’s just a very cool, very unique version of this show,” Sargent said.
The sung-through was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Goodspeed happens to be honoring Webber during its annual gala in May. When asked whether Webber might come to see the Goodspeed version, Sargent said there is a rumor to that effect.
Jesus Christ Supers-
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert Superstar Jesus Christ
Photo by Dana Jensen/The Day
Photo by Dana Jensen/The Day Cast members rehearse for Goodspeed Musicals’ production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in East Haddam on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Austin Lesch, with guitar, rehearses with fellow cast members for Goodspeed Musicals’ “Jesus Christ Superstar” in East Haddam on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Photo by Dana Jensen/The Day
Austin Lesch, left, portrays Judas as Justin Matthew Sargent, playing Jesus, is dragged away during rehearsal for Goodspeed Musicals’ “Jesus Christ Superstar” in East Haddam on Friday, April 3, 2026.
Playing Jesus: Actor Talks About Taking On the Lead Role
Continued from page 23
Jesus Christ Superstar
experienced controversy as soon as its concept album dropped in the 1970s and its Broadway production opened in 1971. Some people argued it was sacrilegious.
Sargent said the show views Jesus as a human being, which he doesn’t think is blasphemous.
“He was a human being. And a lot of the world also believes he was the son of God. He was still a human,” Sargent said. “He still had moments of weakness and moments of doubt. I mean, the Garden of Gethsemane is a prime example of that. He literally begs for this not to happen. He prays to God, ‘Please don’t let this happen to me,’ but realizes once he gets that out of his system, ‘This is something I have to do.’”
He noted that the musical sees Jesus’ story through Judas’ eyes. Judas knows how dangerous things are going to get for Jesus. Jesus realizes that, too, understanding he has to die for the sins of mankind, Sargent said.
Sargent believes that one of the most beautiful things about Jesus was his humanity. He said that a lot of what has driven our culture and moral compass since that time has been what Jesus spoke about.
His humanity Working on ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live’
a nice guy,” could do his own thing and take the character where he thought it should go.
Rocked by Broadway CDs
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
Sargent’s initial time playing Jesus was in the aforementioned , where he was a featured vocalist and part of the ensemble. During a good chunk of the seven-week rehearsal process, he was also filling the role of Jesus.
Sargent said it was actually the best possible scenario for him because he got to have the fun of building the role and doing multiple run-throughs, but he didn’t have any of the pressure.
Sargent said: “My job was really to make sure that Brandon Victor Dixon and Sara Bareilles and all our incredible principals — Alice Cooper — had somebody who was going to be able to give them the story elements and the acting beats that they needed in order to fully realize their characters. So my job was really to be there for them and also to help develop the role. When John came in, I basically just said: ‘OK, here’s where I’ve been going. Here’s what I’ve been doing in these situations.’”
Then Legend, who Sargent said is “such
Christ Superstar
Jesus
Coincidentally, the original album of was one of the recordings that made Sargent want to become a performer. He grew up listening to rock bands like The Who, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin and was particularly wowed by the first guitar licks of the overture.
“It was like, ‘What is this?’ It just drives. Andrew Lloyd Webber is so incredibly good at writing these melodies that just hook you in. This show delivers one after another after another after another. There are no B sides on this album. It’s all hits,” he said.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Phantom of the Opera
As a kid, Sargent got a trio of CDs — , Tommy, and — from his parents for Christmas. The family would take long road trips from Florida, where Sargent grew up, to Illinois, where he was born and where most of the extended family lived. Young Justin would play those discs on his little personal CD player that he would take on that long drive. Those three CDs were in constant rotation, for multiple years.
“I would say that and in particular were my entries into musical theater. Rock music has been something that I’ve really been influenced by and attracted to,” he said.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Tommy Rock of Age
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
That bears itself out in the roles he has been chosen to play. On Broadway, he starred in both s, whose score consists of 1980s hits, and the title role in , whose songs were written by Bono and The Edge, of U2.
“It’s been a lot of rock shows,” Sargent said. “I’m more than happy to be kind of one of the go-to rockers in the industry.”
His first big show
Sargent had just moved to New York when he nabbed a part in on Broadway in 2010. He had very long hair at the time and could sing really high, and the production needed someone to understudy “American Idol” alum Con-stantine Maroulis, who originated the lead role of Drew.
Rock of Ages
“It was one of those right time, right place, right role, right look, right everything (things). I got my foot in the door that way,” Sargent recalled.
Rock of Ages
After closed, he understudied Jeremy Jordan for the role of Clyde in
the 2011 musical . reopened, and Sargent was asked in 2012 to play Drew, so he starred in that for about a year and a half.
It’s good to be king
Bonnie & Clyde Rock of Ages Hamilton
Sargent also portrayed King George in the 2024 national tour of . That character, Sargent said, has “just a very different energy than everybody else in that show. So you kind of get to come out there and command the stage and the audience in a way that completely shifts the energy of the show. It’s also this little Beatles kind of bop that he sings.”
Hamilton
The company encourages actors to bring their own thoughts to the character. So Sargent wasn’t asked to repeat what Jonathan Groff did with the character on Broadway but was able to put his own spin on it.
“My King George was a little more like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury-esque. ... He thinks he’s a little bit of a rock star,” Sargent said.
Becoming Spider-Man
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Being Spider-Man in the musical was quite an experience, too. While the production itself was notorious for the drama that
happened early in the run, including creative conflicts and actors getting injured during the flying sequences, Sargent came in 2013 for the last seven months and really enjoyed himself. He spent nine weeks training for all the different types of rigging and stunts needed for him to fly as Spider-Man.
“I grew up as a massive comic book nerd, so getting to play Spider-Man was just (amazing). I’ve had the fortune of playing some really incredible, iconic characters. In ‘Rock of Ages,’ I got to be this rock star. Then Spider-Man, King George in and Jesus — all these roles are so delicious and iconic,” he said. “I’ve been very lucky.”
Hamilton
IF YOU GO
What: Where:
“Jesus Christ Superstar” The Goodspeed, 6 Main St., East Haddam
Fridays through June 7; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thurs. and Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.; also 2 p.m. matinees on select Thursdays and 6:30 p.m. shows on select Sundays Start at $30 goodspeed.org
When: Tickets: Visit:
PhotobyDanaJensen/TheDay
Austin Lesch, as Judas, plays guitar and rehearses with fellow cast members for Goodspeed Musicals’ production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” in East Haddam on Friday, April 3, 2026.
25
For more Life & Style stories, visit our website, www.zip06.com. To submit events for the calendar, email news@shorepublishing.com.
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Trip to the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
: 9 a.m. Meet at St. George Church parking lot, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford. Features a docent-led tour of the library, known for its unique architecture and vast collection. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $10. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.
Library Lab: Lava Lamps
: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Science program exploring density and chemical reactions through a hands-on activity. For ages 6 to 12. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Senior Series 5: Selecting a Home Care Agency
: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The Orchard House, 421 Shore Dr., Branford. Cost: $10. Fifth in a six-part educational series designed for older adults and the adult children who support them. Each session offers practical guidance on topics
related to aging in place, downsizing, home care, and senior living options. Participants can attend any or all sessions; there is no obligation to attend the full series. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Folklore Flowers, 266 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Features a hands-on workshop led by fiber artist Laura Berkowitz Gilbert of Tocco Studio using botanicals and natural pigments to create cotton bandanas through folding, wrapping, and steam. Cost: $85, includes materials. For info or to register, visit toccostudio.com.
What Happened to Father Time?
: 7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Features a presentation by artist Alan Horwitz and Richard Richardson of Three Sisters Sanctuary. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Opening Night for Nunsense
: 7 p.m. The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. The show runs through Sunday, May 17. Other showtimes available. For info, call 203-315-1901 or visit legacytheatrect.org.
‘Future Choices’ Showcases
Shoreline’s Emerging Student Artists
Shoreline Arts Alliance will present , its 43rd annual juried exhibition celebrating high school visual artists from across the region, April 22 through May 2 at the Flat Rock Gallery.
Founded by Clinton artist Earl Grenville Killeen, the exhibition highlights emerging talent from the organization’s 24-town service area. This year’s show features 211 works by students, along with 10 pieces submitted by their art educators. Top honors include Best in Show, awarded to Chloe Haydon of Madison. Additional award winners span categories including ceramics, digital media, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and woodworking, representing schools throughout the shoreline region.
Special awards include the Ruth Baxter Tagliatela Award, presented to Anna Bothamley of East Hampton; the Earl Grenville Killeen Founder’s Award, presented to educator Clare Stone of Daniel Hand High School; and the Judy Street Outstanding School Award, presented to Haddam-Killingworth High School.
The exhibition will be on view at Flat Rock Gallery, 314 Flat Rock Place, with hours Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. An artists’ reception and awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Shoreline Arts Alliance, founded in 1980, supports artists through education, professional development, scholarships, mentorship, and community-building initiatives across the region.
For more information, visit shorelinearts.org.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Calendar for the Week of April 23, 2026
Madison Art Society: Zoom Lecture with Bob Potter: Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and the Bloomsbury Group
: 11 a.m. Via Zoom. Hosted by the Madison Art Society. Features a lecture by Bob Potter on Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and the Bloomsbury Group. Free. Registration required by April 22. For info or to register, email Marianne@RTDTECH.com or visit madisonartsocietyct.org.
An Evening of Spiritual Readings
: 6 to 8 p.m. Women and Family Life Center, Carriage House, 96 Fair St., Guilford. Features psychic medium Tracy Ann offering readings for attendees. Light refreshments provided. Cost: $45. For info or tickets, contact 203-458-6699 or info@womenandfamilylife.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Guided Bird Walk
: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Hosted by The Audubon Shop. Meet at the shop parking lot at 7:50 a.m. Cost: $6; $4 binocular rental is optional. For info, visit theaudubonshop.com.
See page 26
Press Release from the Shoreline Arts Aliance
Photo courtesy of Shoreline Arts Alliance
Ana Cyr of Middletown High School stands with her parents and Shoreline Arts Alliance CEO Eric Dillner during the Future Choices exhibition, which returns April 22 through May 2 at Flat Rock Gallery in Westbrook.
Bundle Dye Workshop
Saint Ann’s to host Griswold Forum on Connecticut River Museum
Step Inside Chester’s Past at Historic Homes Tour
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church will present Elizabeth Kaeser, executive director of the Connecticut River Museum, at its Griswold Forum on Sunday, May 3, at 9:30 a.m.
The Connecticut River Museum, a fixture of the Connecticut River Valley since 1974, is dedicated to deepening appreciation of the river’s history and inspiring its stewardship through educational and recreational experiences. The museum collects and preserves manuscripts, books, art, and artifacts of regional significance, and offers exhibitions and programs for visitors and residents alike. Each year, it also introduces thousands of schoolchildren to the stories of the river and its people.
Kaeser will discuss the museum’s recent Environmental Summit, which brings together environmental leaders to address pressing issues affecting the Connecticut River watershed. The event engages scientists, policymakers, academics, and cultural institutions in conversations about the river’s future.
The Chester Historical Society will invite visitors behind the doors of seven historic homes during a self-guided tour on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The tour offers a rare opportunity to explore homes spanning three centuries of Chester’s architectural and cultural history. The centrally located properties are within walking distance of Chester Village and designated free parking areas, allowing visitors to move at their own pace.
Volunteers will be stationed at each home to share historical context, and in some cases, homeowners will be present to discuss renovations and discoveries.
While the full list of homes will remain under wraps until the day of the tour, organizers say visitors can expect a range of styles, including Greek Revival, Federal, and Dutch Colonial Revival, along with at least one home dating to the late 1600s.
All are invited to attend the illustrated talk.
Kaeser has nearly 25 years of experience working with museums and nonprofits, with expertise in development, operations, strategic planning, historic interpretation, and education. Prior to joining the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, she led fundraising and institutional advancement at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Philadelphia. She also held roles at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Hudson River Museum, and the
Continued from page 25
Town Clean Up and Recycling
the Connecticut River Museum, will speak at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme as part of the Griswold Forum on May 3.
Merchant’s House Museum. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Vassar College and a master’s degree in museum studies from New York University. Coffee will be available.
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church is located at 82 Shore Road (Route 156), about two miles from Interstate 95, Exit 70, with parking adjacent to the ADA-compliant church. For more information, call 860434-1621, email office@saintanns oldlyme.org, or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.
: 8 a.m. to noon. North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd., and Memorial Town Hall, 8 Meeting House Lane, Madison. Annual roadside cleanup addressing litter throughout town. Supplies, including vests, bags, gloves, and litter grabbers, provided at both locations. Includes textile recycling for clean, dry clothing, shoes, and linens. Features a “What’s the weirdest thing you picked up?” contest. For info, visit madisonct.org.
Stony Creek Trolley Trail Walk:
10 a.m. Meet at West Point Field parking lot, Branford. Guided walk along the Shoreline Greenway Trail with discussion of trail improvements and future connections. For info, call 203589-8335.
Paper Shredding Day
Among the highlights: a former hotel that once housed a tavern and featured a sprung dance floor, a former judge’s home with basement holding cells, and a house where a coin found in the foundation points to an expansion in 1767.
Original features abound, including bake ovens, massive hearths, king’s boards — wide planks once technically owned by the King of England — and centuries-old chestnut ceiling beams. Other details include a compass rose design stained into floorboards, antique stainedglass doors imported from the Netherlands, and original cedar shingles seen in the 1958 Doris Day film , which was filmed in Chester.
It Happened to Jane
Visitors will also find artist studios, water views at several homes, and even a residence that once hosted clandestine winemaking gatherings during Prohibition.
: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Madison Chamber of Commerce, 12 School St., Madison. Secure document shredding event for old tax returns, bank statements, bills, and other confidential paperwork. Cost: $10 per box; $15 per legal-size box. For info or to register, visit madisonct.com.
20th Anniversary of the Branford Fish Ladder
: 10 a.m. to noon. Supply Pond Fish Ladder, Branford. Hosted by the Branford Land Trust. Features family activities, a parade, fish ladder viewing, and talks on fish migration and local history. Free. Rain date April 26. For info, contact 203-483-5263 or info@branfordlandtrust.org, or visit branfordlandtrust.org.
Trees Giveaway and Celebration
: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bauer Park, 245-323 Copse Rd., Madison. Hosted by Mad
Tickets are limited, and advance purchase is encouraged. Advance tickets are $40, or $35 for Chester Historical Society members, and will be available through 9 p.m. May 5.
Parking is not permitted at the homes. Free parking will be available in designated lots near Chester Village. For tickets and more information, visit chesterhistoricalsociety.org.
4 Trees. Tree and shrub giveaway (registration required), gardening advice, and a guided tree walk at 1 p.m. For info or to register, visit mad4trees.org.
Annual Barn Sale:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd., Guilford. Features antiques, tools, yard equipment, household items, and more. Rain or shine. For info, contact 203-467-0581 or office@northguilforducc.org.
Mini Golf at Blackstone Library
: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Features an 18-hole indoor mini golf course throughout the library. Cost: $5. For info or tickets, visit blackstonelibrary.org.
See page 27
Press Release from Saint Ann Episcopal Church
Photo courtesy of Saint Ann's Episcopal Church
Elizabeth Kaeser, executive director of
Illustration courtesy of the Chester Historical Society The Chester Historical Society invites visitors behind the doors of seven historic homes during a self-guided tour on May 9.
Continued from page 26
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day
:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakwater Books, 81 Whitfield St., Guilford. Features exclusive book editions, guest authors Amy Lionetti-Scorziello (10 a.m. to noon) and Sara Levine (1 to 3 p.m.), a poetry activity, giveaways, and a Golden Ticket hunt. Free. For info, call 203-453-4141 or visit breakwaterbooks.net.
: 10:30 a.m. Departs from Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple St., New Haven. Four-hour guided food tasting tour with Stephen Fries and Chris Bartlett featuring stops at six to seven downtown restaurants and eateries. Tickets: $82. Reservations required. Remaining dates: June 13, Oct. 3, and Dec. 12 (holiday tour). For info or tickets, call 203-415-3519 or visit worthtasting.co/newhaven.
Monthly Collage Club
: 1 to 3 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Features a drop-in collage-making session with all supplies provided. Free and open to all ages. For info or to register for reminders, call 203-488-8702.
: 2 to 3:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Step-by-step painting class creating a cherry blossom branch on canvas. For ages 18 and older. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.
: 4 to 7 p.m. Medad Stone Tavern Museum, 171 Three Mile Course, Guilford. Hosted by the Guilford Keeping Society. Features a wine tasting event. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 general admission. For info or tickets, contact 203-4532263 or info@guilfordkeepingsociety.org.
: 10:30 a.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Features a reading by author Sara Levine. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-8702.
A Visit with the Birds: Book Launch and Reading Family-Friendly Repair Café Pop-Up
:
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guilford Green, Guilford. Hosted by the Sustainable Guilford Task Force during the community Earth Day celebration. Volunteer repairers will assist with fixing children’s toys, mending clothing and stuffed animals, repairing bicycles, sharpening garden tools, and repairing small household appliances. Free. Limit of two items per person; repairs limited to 30 minutes per item. For info, contact 203-453-8068 or visit guilfordct.gov.
Earth Day
: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guilford Green, Whitfield St., Guilford. Features vendors, hands-on learning activities, and a pop-up repair café. Hosted by Guilford Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Conservation Commission and Sustainable Guilford Task Force. Rain date Sunday, April 26. For info, call 203-4538068 or visit guilfordparkrec.com.
Earth Day Celebration: Leete’s Island Garden Club Table
: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guilford Green, 79 Whitfield St. Information on club activities, with free flower and vegetable seeds and native witch hazel seedlings available. For info, visit ctgardenclubs.org/organizer/leetesisland-garden-club.
: 7 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Features a 21 and over mini golf event with appetizers, prize drawings, and beer, wine, and spirits tastings. Cost: $35. For info or tickets, visit blackstonelibrary.org.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
:
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. YMA Annex, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven. Sponsored by the New Haven Philatelic Society. For info, visit nhps1914.com.
: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Surf Club, Madison. Hosted by the Madison Newcomers Club. Family-friendly event featuring a variety of trucks and large vehicles, live music, and food trucks. Proceeds benefit the Madison Newcomers Club Scholarship Program and Madison Youth & Family Services. Free admission; suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family. Shuttle service available from the Madison Commuter Lot (Exit 61/Route 79). For info, visit madisonnewcomersct.com/touch-a-truck.
: 1 to 3:30 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Features an 18-hole indoor mini golf course throughout the library. Cost: $5. For info or tickets, visit blackstonelibrary.org.
Performers in “The Liar Show” take the stage to tell stories — but only three are true — during the interactive event coming May 29 to The Marketplace in Guilford.
A Night of Truth and Trickery
GreenStage Live Arts will bring an evening of storytelling, suspense, and audience participation to the shoreline with on Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at The Marketplace.
The Liar Show
The off-Broadway hit blends humor and intrigue as four performers take the stage to share personal stories — but only three are telling the truth. The audience is invited to question the storytellers, spot inconsistencies, and ultimately vote on who is lying.
has featured a wide range of performers, from writers and comedians to professionals with unexpected stories to tell, earning praise at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and beyond.
The event will be held at The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, 77 Whitfield St. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for teens and students, and are available in advance online.
See page 29
Part storytelling showcase and part live game, the show puts attendees in the role of detective. Those who correctly identify the liar can win an “I Can Tell A Lie” Tshirt — along with bragging rights. Since its debut in 2006,
GreenStage Live Arts, a nonprofit organization, presents performances and events throughout the shoreline with a mission to build community through live arts experiences. Proceeds support future programming, including the next GreenStage Live Arts Festival planned for May 2027.
The Liar Show
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit greenstageguilford.org.
Image courtesy of GreenStage Live Arts
Press Release from GreenStage Live Arts
Worth Tasting Downtown Culinary Walking Tour
Paint Along with Natalie: Spring Cherry Blossom Branch
Wine Tasting
Mini Golf: After Hours
Stamp, Coin, and Collectibles Show
Touch A Truck
Mini Golf at Blackstone Library
Page Turners
Python'sKiss
byLouiseErdrich
If adults had bedtime stories, I would want these read to me. As a longtime fan of Erdrich, this collection of short stories did not disappoint. She has a talent for transporting you delicately into the soft folds of her prose. Whether it’s driving a school bus full of children during a whiteout, recounting soiled marriages, or connecting with the precious little time we have left on Earth, I felt myself present. You’ll love each character in their own way.
— Chris,
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Every other week, we invite local booksellers to submit suggestions for the best books on shelves now—it’s all part of our mission to keep our readers informed, up-to-date, and entertained. View previous Page Turners at www.zip06.com/pageturners.
OneWord,SixLetters byAdibKhorram
A brief book with a powerful message, meant for a time when we could all do with a little more empathy. High school is a tumultuous journey at best, so it’s important to remember that you never really know what’s going on with your peers. Please go out of your way to be kind.
— Mel, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
BestBoy byDeborahGoodrichRoyce
This novel is a true roller coaster of a ride! Viveca Stevenson, traumatized by an event in high school, reinvents herself and is living a seemingly wonderful life. But when events from her past come back to haunt her in unexpected ways, this psychological thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat! Deborah Goodrich Royce is such a tremendous writer; this book, with all its twists and turns, will have you captivated until the very last page!
— Christine, The Griswold Inn Goods & Curiosities, Essex
GoodWriting byNealAllenandAnneLamott
This book picks up where Anne Lamott’s beloved left off. Neal Allen sets out his 36 rules for better writing, and Anne Lamott “adds her two cents” to each short chapter. The combination of his examples and her conversational embellishments keeps the pages turning. Whether you are a professional writer or someone who enjoys putting your thoughts down when the mood strikes, you will find inspiration to hone your craft. This is an excellent choice for a graduation gift.
Bird by Bird — Jen, Breakwater Books, Guilford
Sunday Concert Series: Still Rivers
:
2 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Features a live music performance. Free and open to the public. For info, call 203488-8702.
: 2 to 4 p.m. Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, 167 Neck Rd., Madison. Second in a three-part series called "To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor,” featuring panel discussions surrounding nine faith traditions. Co-hosted by Mercy by the Sea and the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU). Free admission. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-0401, ext. 114, or visit mercybythesea.com.
Opening Reception: Clinton Art Society Exhibition
: 2 to 4 p.m. The Gallery at Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. Marks the opening of the Clinton Art Society exhibition on view through May 17. For info, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.
Author Event: Blair Glaser in Conversation with Nina Martin
: 5 p.m. Breakwater Books, 81 Whitfield St., Guilford. Glaser will discuss her memoir
This Incredible Longing: Finding My Self in a Near-Cult Experience
. Tickets: $5, redeemable as store credit when attending the event. Registration required. For info or tickets, visit breakwaterbooks.net.
MONDAY, APRIL 27
Book Discussion
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
: 10 a.m. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Book: By James McBride. Facilitated by writer Joanna Baymiller. 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.
Options for Managing Life Circumstances
: 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., Women and Family Life Center, 96 Fair St., Guilford. Group program focused on navigating life transitions. Registration required. For info, call 203-458-6699 or visit womenandfamilylife.org.
Color and Conversation
: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Adult coloring group featuring conversation and creative relaxation. Materials provided; participants may bring their own supplies. No registration required. For info, call 203-488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
Belle Epoque: Turn of the Century France
: 10 a.m. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Presented by Meg Weisberg, writer, artist, communications coach, and consultant with various graduate divisions and fellowship cohorts at Yale University. 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.
Raising Our Future Ancestors
Now on Local Shelves
: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Presented by Two Coyotes Wilderness School and the Branford Land Trust. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Popcorn and PJs: Virtual Family Story Time
Uma Wimple Charts Her House
: 7 p.m. Online event. Features author Reif Larsen and illustrator Ben Gibson reading , discussing their creative process, answering questions, and leading a brief drawing activity. Cost: $10 for the link to the live event; $30 for the full package, which includes the link, a signed copy of the book, popcorn, crayons, sketch pad, and additional materials shipped to the provided address. Presented by Read to Grow in Branford. For info or to register, call 203-488-6800 or visit readtogrow.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
Old Prints and Slides Conversion Workshop
: 3 to 5 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Covers options for converting prints and slides to digital images and includes demonstrations of scanners available through the library. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.
As the forest canopy begins to gather its first green light, the maple season quietly turns. At the Deep River Land Trust’s Guetliweg Preserve, the taps are drawn from the trees, and the Bushy Hill Center’s Sugar Shack falls into its springtime silence. The long work of boiling — steam rising, sap thickening into syrup, night folding around the glow of the evaporator — gives way to another kind of movement, less visible but no less attentive: the dispersal of what the forest has made.
What was once gathered in buckets and reduced over fire now travels outward, leaving the woods not as absence but as aftertaste. This year, the Deep River Land Trust carries that sweetness beyond the preserve into the shared spaces of town, where it can be met again in a different register.
The Land Trust is especially grateful to several local businesses whose support makes this passage possible, and who take on, in their own way, the quiet work of carrying the season forward.
In glass bottles on local shelves, maple syrup becomes something like memory made material: the forest translated into pourable form. It can now be found at Deep River Hardware, Celebrations, and The Deep River Roasters, where it also enters daily ritual as sweetness stirred into coffee. These are small acts of return — moments in which the landscape reappears, not as vista or trail, but as taste.
The Land Trust offers its sincere thanks to these businesses for helping extend the life of a seasonal harvest into the rhythm of everyday life. Their participation allows a modest product to become a kind of shared correspondence between land and community, between the work of conservation and the ordinary acts of consump-
as well as Deep River Hardware and Deep River Roasters.
tion through which it is sustained.
Businesses interested in carrying the syrup are invited to contact deep riverlandtrust@gmail.com.
Founded in 1975, the Deep River Land Trust has protected more than 230 acres of open space in the community. The nonprofit works to preserve land in Deep River for public enjoyment, ecological care, and long-term stewardship, sustained through donations and volunteer effort.
For more information about trails, events, or membership, visit deep riverlandtrust.org.
Deep River Land Trust maple syrup can now be found on the shelves of Celebrations,
Photo courtesy of the Deep River Land Trust
Press Release from the Deep River Land Trust
Photo courtesy of the Deep River Land Trust
A bottle of Deep River Land Trust maple syrup, produced from trees tapped at local preserves and boiled at the Bushy Hill Sugar Shack, is now available at select retailers in town.
Jainism, Baha’i, and Sikhism
Continued from page 29
Branford Historical Society Annual Dinner and Meeting:
Branford’s ‘Berried’
Past: A Look Back at Our Agricultural History: 5 to 8 p.m. The Woodwinds, 29 School Ground Rd., Branford. Features a talk by William DellaCamera of Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm on local agricultural history and advocacy efforts. Cost: $50. For info or tickets, contact 203-488-4828 or info@branfordhistoricalsociety.org, or visit branfordhistoricalsociety.org.
:
6 to 8 p.m. Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. Cost: $25 class fee plus a $25 materials fee (exact change or payment by Venmo requested). Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
: 6 to 9 p.m. Memorial Town Hall, 8 Meeting House Ln., Madison. Hosted by the Madison Democratic Town Committee. Features local and regional organizations focused on civic engagement, social issues, and community resources. Free. For info, visit madisonctdemocrats.com.
: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Presented by Jeff from the Shoreline Astronomical Society. Includes a talk on moon features followed by telescope viewing outdoors if weather permits. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Hearts, Minds, and Monkey Business: Engaging with a Visual, Social, and Stressful World
: 10 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Jonathan Pertile, Lihao Yan, Nisarg Shah, and Stephanie Reis of Yale Science in the News. 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.
Tri-Town Fortnite Tournament
: 3:30 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St., Guilford. Fortnite tournament hosted by OneUp Games. Limited team spots available. For ages 12 to 18. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
Empowerment Through Preparedness Workshop
: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Women and Family Life Center, 96 Fair St., Guilford. Informational workshop on safety planning and the restraining order process. Registration required. For info, call 203458-6699 or visit womenandfamilylife.org.
Evening of Guitar at the Blackstone
: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Guitarist and teacher Neal Fitzpatrick leads a program of performances, discussion, and instruction exploring connections between classical music and guitar. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Documentary Screening
: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Documentary on the role of caterpillars in ecosystems. Hosted by Guilford Land Conservation Trust and Guilford Free Library. Free. Registration requested. For info or to register, contact 203-453-8282 or 203457-9253 or info@guilfordlandtrust.org or deadevito@guilfordfreelibrary.org, or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
Virtual Author Talk with Jason Reynolds
Coach
: 7 p.m. Virtual. Features a conversation with author Jason Reynolds on , the fifth book in the Track series, exploring the character’s backstory. For info or to register (required), call 860-6692342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
One Day Warehouse Book Sale
: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 20 Thompson Rd., Branford. Hosted by the Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library. Features adult fiction (hardcover, trade, and mass market paperback), history and Civil War titles, children’s books, and DVD movies. Prices: $3 hardcover, $2 softcover, $0.50 mass market paperback, $1 each DVD or $10 for 25 DVDs. Children’s books individually priced from $0.50 to $3. Cash, credit cards, and Apple Pay accepted. For info, contact 203-488-1441 or friends@blackstonelibrary.org.
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.
From Dough to Delicious: The Science of New Haven Apizza
Press Release from the New Haven Museum
What is the magic that transforms a few simple ingredients into the miracle known as pizza? Scott Wiener, a noted pizza authority and founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours in New York City, will explore that question during “The Science of Apizza: A Talk with Scott Wiener” on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at the New Haven Museum.
The program is part of the museum’s “Monthly Slice” series, presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Pronounced Ah-Beetz.” The event is free with regular museum admission.
Is it the water? The century-old oven? The ingredients? Or the skill of the person making the pie? Filmmaker Gorman Bechard, director of , will join Wiener for a conversation examining the food-science phenomenon behind New Haven’s celebrated apizza. Together, they will explore what makes the region’s pizza distinctive in a discussion that promises to be both informative and entertaining. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Pizza: A Love Story
mispronunciation of the word “apizza,” which derives from the Italian “la pizza.” The exhibition will remain on view through October 2027.
Since founding Scott’s Pizza Tours in 2008, Wiener has educated pizza enthusiasts and industry professionals about the history, science, and culture of pizza. His work has been featured on national television and in major publications, and he serves as a columnist for Pizza Today Magazine, a speaker at industry events, and a judge at pizza competitions worldwide. He is also the founder and director of Slice Out Hunger, a nonprofit that addresses food insecurity through pizzarelated initiatives. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he maintains a Guinness World Record collection of pizza boxes.
The “Pronounced Ah-Beetz” exhibition features oral histories, pizza-related artifacts from personal collections, video footage adapted from the documentary, and photographs. The title reflects a common
The New Haven Museum, located at 114 Whitney Ave., has collected, preserved, and interpreted the history of Greater New Haven since 1862. Through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the museum brings more than 375 years of local history to life. As a Blue Star Museum, it offers free admission yearround to active-duty military personnel and their families.
For more information, visit newhaven museum.org or call 203-562-4183.
Photo courtesy of Scott Wiener
Scott Wiener, founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours, will discuss the science behind New Haven’s famed apizza during a May 14 talk at the New Haven Museum.
Create a Kentucky Derby Headpiece
Community Advocacy Night
Observing the Moon
Real Estate Transactions
BRANFORD
860.876.7340 rhonda@ctshoreandmore.com
DEEP RIVER
: Besheret LLC to State Of Ct, $630,000 on March 31
EAST HAVEN
4 Birch Lane
: Brian Marino to Valentino Premier Prop LLC, $150,000
on March 31
Richard and Lisa Kenney to Rebecca J. Russo, $390,000 on April 1
: Estate of George P. Capone and Patricia Dummar to Danielle Mauri, $459,000 on March 30
: Andrew and Andrea N. Calandrelli to Brian and Joanne Fahey, $1,299,999 on April 2
: Eugene Freeman and Leah Acunzo to Luis F. Juela, $415,000 on April 2
: Marilyn C Daggett Ft and Michael L. Crotta to Marcos and Christine Mandojana, $440,000 on April 1
KAREN STEPHENS
The expertise you need, The advisor you deserve. 203.623.4078 | kstephens@wpsir.com
: Troy M. Hallman and Jennifer L. Asher to Dresman Ft and Philip B. Dresman, $510,000 on April 1
: Judith N. Whittemore to Paula Fontana, $475,000 on March 30
: Erin L. Lacross to Brian M. and Kelly A. Farrell, $690,000 on April 1
15 Cedar Court Unit G
: Paula Rivers to Vanessa Santiago, $198,000 on March 31
60 Coleman Street Unit 4
: Carol L. Kanare and Webster Bank Na to Tara Cantore, $196,000 on April 2
60 Dodge Avenue
: Mohamad El Naamani to Edwin E. Pozo-Carabajo, $405,000 on March 31
118 Frank Street
: Adam Buckley to Joshua Prior and Alexa Lauria, $300,000 on March 31
51 Hughes Street
: James R. Wallace to Michael B. and Sandra Enders, $365,000 on April 1
Saltonstall Parkway
: State Of
Court Dept Of Trns to 101 Frontage Road Hldg LLC, $122,000 on April 1
Saltonstall Parkway
: State Of Court Dept Of Trns to 95 Frontage Road Hldg LLC, $30,000 on April 1
GUILFORD
LEIGH WHITEMAN
1420 Long Hill Road
: Lisa C.
Dudley to Jonathan R. Dudley, $500,000 on March 30
20 Long Hill Road
: Estate of Sara A. Pfeifer and John Pfeifer to Radiance Realty LLC, $575,000 on April 2 : Margaret Owen to Dovile Simkute and Sigita Simkuviene-Rosen, $235,000 on March 30
42 Saginaw Trail Unit 42
296 Valley Shore Drive
: Larry M. and Tricia A. Bilker to Leonard M. and Mary E. Keane, $525,000 on April 2
286 Weatherly Trail
KILLINGWORTH
: Steven and Maureen Gray to Dana George and Erik Reed, $630,000 on March 31 : Gerard
279 Roast Meat Hill Road
R Markham Real Estate Trust and Gerard R. Markham to Killingworth Invest Prop LLC, $483,000 on April 1
16 Forest Hills Drive
: Frederick A.
Polner and Margaret A. Clark to Matthew A. Pesce and Maria D M. Delcastillo, $815,000 on March 30
70 High Hill Circle
: Gary M. Israel and Ami M. Rubinowitz to Kochnov and Renande Jean-Noel, $1,325,000 on March 30
22 Nathans Lane
: Carolyn C.
Montgomery to Zachary Pellegrino, $526,000 on March 31
: Estate of Beverly B. Lentz and Nancy Sylvain to Katelyn Winter and Noah Saltzman, $610,000 on March 30
: Kochnov and Renande Jean-Noel to William J. and Katie L. Ryan, $620,000 on March 30
: Patrick J. and Anne M. Haren to Tmd LLC, $1,175,000 on March 31
: Estate of Louise South Feldman and Sarah D. Moriarty to Paul Childs, $525,000 on April 2
NORTH BRANFORD
: Jan Digioia to Caldera Investments LLC, $140,000 on
11 Wildwood Drive April 2
Larry Freundlich and Cecilia Brown to Jacob M. Wahl, $283,000 on April 1 ESSEX
20 Comstock Avenue Unit 4C
:
MADISON
29 Mitchel Terrace
: Joan L. Goldblatt to Kathleen S. Perrego, $700,000 on April 1
56 South Main Street
: Nancy South Hudson Real Estate Trust and Dawn H. Beach to Julio and Carla A. Gomez, $925,000 on March 30
: M Ferrara Development LLC to Robert Scheinman, $400,000 on April 2 : Michael and Samantha Battista to Elena M. Metzger and Philipp Mironov,
Diana Hartman Broker, Realtor, ABR, CIPS dianahartman@wpsir.com 917.509.4700 ‘Love Where You Live’
67 Boston Post Road
: Madhu Jain to Norma I. and Steven C. Morgan, $587,500 on April 1
2 Esterly Farms Road Unit 2
:
Kenneth J. Nelson and Nancy L. Eastwood to Linda Gregus, $400,000 on March 31
: Real estate transactions are published using publicly available records and are matters of public record. Listings are not removed in response to general privacy requests. Removal will only be considered in cases involving a Note documented and credible personal safety concern. Requests may be submitted to zip06@shorepublishing.com
Copyright material of Banker and Tradesman / the Commercial Record and The Warren Group. For past transactions, visit zip06.com/ realestate.
SEEKING SPONSORS FOR OUR 2026 EVENT
Every year, Shore Publishing/Zip06.com recognizes 15 volunteers in the communities we serve who help fulfill the Shoreline’s promise as a place of opportunity, wellbeing, and safety for all. The honorees will be celebrated at a special event at Woodwinds on June 24th surrounded by their peers and fellow community leaders.
Sponsorship packages provide excellent advertising opportunities - but most importantly, align your brand or business with the mission of The Beacon Awards.
For additional information about opportunities, contact your Sales Representative or Elle Rahilly (e.rahilly@theday.com) to learn more.
