The Guilford Police Department has selected a vendor to perform a needs assessment of its main building at the Church Street public safety complex, marking the first step toward a series of potential structural and systemic improvements.
The department has selected Silver Petrucelli as the consultant to conduct the assessment, which Police Chief Christopher Massey said will “analyze our structure and what we need to hit in terms of our building improvement project.”
The department will allocate $19,000 from its capital fund to finance the assessment.
Massey told the that the depart- Courier
ment has been eyeing improvements for “a couple of years.” Conversations about the work, held in collaboration with the town’s Standing Building Committee, began with discussions about replacing the building’s roof and expanding the vehicle carport.
“Those were two things, several years ago,
See GPD Begins Study page 7
Golden Hour Glow
The sun sets over the West River and surrounding salt marshes as viewed from the Olmstead Outlook on June 23. The scenic overlook recently reopened to the public following the 2024 seawall restoration project.
The Guilford boys' lacrosse team clinched its first state title in program history this
PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ TheCourier
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Variety Boutique
774 Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook, CT
By Pam Johnson
Courier Senior Staff Writer
Person of the Week Next Girl Up: Erica Palmer
She’s built her own marketing agency and also instituted a free marketing academy for middle school girls in Connecticut. So what’s next for Erica Palmer? Her national nonprofit, Next Girl Up, which freely supplies marketing knowledge to increase career potentials for high school girls.
Through Next Girl Up, Erica is supporting young women by empowering them with marketing skills and business knowledge. As a marketing maven herself, Erica is promoting details, information, and news of the new nonprofit at its website, www.nextgirlup.org
Next Girl Up is built on Erica’s exceptional foundation of professional experience and strong sense of community service. At Branford High School, Erica captained both girls’ lacrosse and girls’ basketball. She went on to captain the women’s lacrosse team at Roger Williams University (Rhode Island), where Erica earned her bachelor’s in marketing in 2011.
While working in the marketing field for several years, Erica also founded her com-
MIDWIFERY
pany, Erio Marketing, in 2014. Her marketing agency specializes in overall strategy and digital initiatives.
In 2013, while coaching seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ youth league lacrosse in her hometown, Erica was inspired to establish her first statewide community service project, Camp Erio Marketing, in 2018.
“I was listening to them argue over the best time to post on Instagram,” says Erica. “I said, ‘You guys are having the same debate that high-level marketing leaders have!”
Erica asked if they’d like to learn a bit more than just how to get more Instagram likes. The answer was yes.
“So that was how the idea started, and
See Next Girl Up page 4
Photo courtesy of Erica Palmer
Erica Palmer's national nonprofit, Next Girl Up, freely supplies marketing knowledge to increase career potentials for high school girls.
A Family Affair
Braden Stephens and Cliff Yerkes, an unclenephew combination from Guilford, are running the Skils and Drilz Basketball Camp together this summer...................................................................
National Recognition
The Guilford boys' and girls' outdoor track teams had several athletes compete at Nationals this spring
Diving to Dominance
James Vigliotti has been a talented diver for Guilford who has made noise on both the conference and state competition stages
“If you had said we would be standing here at this point of the year in the championship game and winning it, I thought you would be crazy.”
Next Girl Up: Erica Palmer
Continued from page 2
the next summer, I just started putting it together,” she says.
Erica locked in the donation of co-working space in New Haven and gathered other instructors to help her offer a free, three-day academy open to all middle school girls in the state with an interest in learning about marketing and business. The fun program was designed to build confidence, foster collaboration, and “empower the next generation of marketers,” Erica notes.
“I really didn’t know how it would be received, but registration was full within a week of opening up,” she shares.
Erica went on to expand the program to include New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport, helping about 200 girls with the inperson program over several summers.
The next evolution of Camp Erio Marketing is Next Girl Up. The new program offers a free, 16-week online curriculum for high school girls.
“It’s set up so that anybody can do the program themselves. We’ll provide a facilitator portal and the full curriculum,” Erica explains. “That way, a group of girls can do it after school with a teacher’s support, or any library can use the curriculum for a group of kids; or churches, community centers, scouts — whoever wants it. We will teach the facilitator everything they need to know, and then they can take students through the 16-week curriculum, and we would provide as much support as needed along the way.”
The curriculum helps students understand concepts of marketing, advertising,
BereavementSupportGroup
branding, social media, content creation, and more and shows them the ropes involved with creating and marketing their own business.
“They’ll learn how to write a business plan, how to determine if their idea is viable, how to get financing, and then create a kind of go-to marketing plan with the marketing tools they’ll use to launch that business, as well,” says Erica.
Erica’s very enthusiastic about the potential reach of the program, which is being offered free nationwide.
“I’m really excited about the growth this program can have,” says Erica. “As it grows, we can plan to do things like national competitions and scholarships.”
By directing the program at high school students, Erica anticipates Next Girl Up will become a pivotal factor as they pursue higher education and develop their future careers.
“Hopefully, it will be a differentiator for their college applications and when they’re picking their majors.”
On a local level, Erica’s other passion project is her continued support of youth lacrosse. She’s now in her third year as president of Branford Youth Lacrosse and continues serving as a coach.
“I’ve coached over 300 girls now, which is wild to think about,” she says. “I love seeing the friendships that the girls have built with each other and their camaraderie. I try to make them feel like leaders on the field and empower them to make decisions. It’s such an important time for them, and I think it really helps them to build confidence on and off the field.”
The Women & Family Life Center, 96 Fair Street, Guilford, is hosting an eight-session bereavement support group from noon to 1:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Sept. 8. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact 203-458-6699 or info@womenandfamilylife.org.
Tuesday,July1
Saturday,June28
Plan of Conservation and Development Update, Second Public Meeting, and Workshop
NOTE: Call the town clerk at 203-453-8001 or visit the Guilford town website at www.guilfordct.gov to learn how to participate in the following meetings: : 11 a.m.
July2
Obituaries
Obituary
Samuel Redfern Peake
Clinton
Samuel Redfern Peake, 36, passed away on June 10, 2025, in Clinton. He was a lifelong resident of the Connecticut Shoreline, graduating from Guilford High School, spending summers at the beach with his grandparents in Madison, and settling in Clinton, close to the Long Island Sound he knew as home. Sam served as a military police officer in the U.S. Air Force, including a tour of duty in Iraq, before completing his education with a Bachelor of Science degree in national security studies from the University of New Haven.
were spent on long motorcycle rides, hanging out on the water with friends, or pushing himself at the gym. But his most cherished moments were hiking or bicycle riding along Connecticut trails with his beloved dog, Rocco. Weekend evenings found Sam photographing sunsets over the Sound, often featuring Rocco, but always with Rocco by his side.
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Sam’s professional path took him in a different direction from his academic studies as he built a career in the construction industry. He received a postbaccalaureate certificate in construction management and developed a specialty in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination. As he built his skills, he also gained a reputation for his talents as a team builder and facilitator among diverse stakeholders. At the time of his death, he was a valued senior MEP coordinator for Gilbane Company, on assignment in New Haven.
Sam's passions were fitness, the outdoors, and sports. He began building his resume as an “adrenaline junky” early in life, winning trophies in Motocross through his teen years. As an adult, he was an avid snowboarder, surfer, skier, fisherman, and, most recently, pickleball player. His quieter outdoor hours
VolunteersNeeded
Sam's greatest strengths and gifts were friendship and empathy. As “mentor," "loyal friend," and "brother," Sam touched so many lives. One of Sam's close friends remembered, "Anyone who talked to Sam for 30 minutes became a friend to him." Another shared, “Sam was fiercely loving, deeply loyal, and always ready to show up for people he cared about." If he hadn’t heard from a friend in a while, he’d be on the phone with “Sup? Bro!” Sam's memory will live in the many people he held close as family, from childhood friends to Air Force buddies to his professional mentors and colleagues. Sam is predeceased by his father, William "Tony" Peake. Sam lost his dad as a young boy, but his memories of his father were a touchstone throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by his mother, Sally Redfern; his grandfather, Sam Peake; his lifelong mentor, John Fonda; as well as his aunts and uncles, Beth Aust, Lynn Parisi; and Michael Samuels, Nancy Redfern, Robert and Wendy Redfern, Susan Nathan; and his many cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to honor Sam are invited to donate in his memory to the Connecticut Siberian Husky Rescue or simply reach out to a friend to connect, as Sam would do. Arrangements are with the Hawley Lincoln Memorial, Guilford.
See Obituaries page 7
The Guilford Preservation Alliance (GPA), a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the community’s built and natural environment, is recruiting volunteers to staff the Church Street information kiosk next to the Community Center this summer. Beginning in May and continuing through October, the kiosk volunteers will assist visitors and residents with information about events, activities, and historic sites in Guilford. Volunteers will be asked to attend one training session. Scheduling will be around volunteers’ availability and can be on a regular schedule or as fill-ins as needed. Welcoming visitors to Guilford and sharing information such as maps, brochures, social media, and locally based websites (see visitguilfordct.com among others) is a meaningful way to serve the community. Working in the Information Booth qualifies as GHS community service time. For more information, contact Rich Moalli at 203-640-6330 or richmoalli@gmail.com.
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LEGACY THEATRE
Obituaries Continued from page 5
Obituary
Joan Rosa Guilford
On June 17, 2025, Joan (Harkness) Rosa, 85, a long-time resident of Guilford, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Rosa was born in New Haven on May 1, 1940, daughter of the late Myron Harkness and Elizabeth King Harkness.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Walter Francis Rosa. She was the mother of Lisa Rosa Bellani and her husband Kenneth of Montville, New Jersey, Steven Rosa of Guilford, Laura Kump and her husband Richard of Belchertown, Massachusetts, and Paul Rosa and his wife Ann Salzo of New Haven. Also, she is survived by her grandchildren, Steven Bellani, Alex Kump, and Hannah Kump, and by her three great-grandchildren, Colton, Hudson, and Addison Bellani. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Phyllis Sutnik.
a companion and homecare provider, a job she truly loved.
The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to CT Hospice, Danielle, Glerys, and most especially, Rhonda, who provided Joan with the same dignity and loving care that she had provided to her own patients.
Joan adored her family and friends and truly treasured her role as Mom, Grandma, and Gigi. She gave the best advice and the warmest hugs and never missed an opportunity to make someone feel special.
Joan was a long-time communicant of St. George Parish. She strongly believed in the power of prayer. Her morning and evening prayers always included a long list of those who were in need of God’s mercy. She was always willing to add another name or need to her long list of intentions.
Obituary Selma Ballentine Guilford
ingly referred to her as “central intelligence.”
A 1958 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, Joan spent many years as a homemaker and, later in life, became
Friends were invited to calling hours on June 23 at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on June 24 at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial followed in St. John Cemetery, 400 Christian Street, Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Grace Monastery, 11 Race Hill Road, Guilford, CT 06437; www.dominicannuns.org. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.
A magnificent mother, grandmother, and human being, Selma Chace Ballentine (April 21, 1928 - June 15, 2025), left us unexpectedly at the age of 97. Selma was indeed a force of nature. A lover of the natural world, she knew the names of almost every bird and plant. She was a crack New York Times crossword puzzle solver. She volunteered at her beloved Guilford library every week and went on daily walks with her gang of friends, all of whom are younger and marveled at her agedefying mental and physical capabilities. And lest we forget, she was a committed gym rat, lifting weights and walking on the treadmill three days a week. Before her retirement, she was the store manager of Childworks (formally Galt Toys) in Guilford. But most of all, her life was about her love of family: her three children, Jim, Dayle, and Roger; and her grandchildren: Alex, Henry (deceased), Helen, David, William, Eliza, Grace, and Mariana. She never missed an important event in any of their lives. She was the family rock and core. Her children jok-
Selma’s father, Lester Merton Chace, grew up in Swansea, Massachusetts. Her mother, Grace Louise Russell, came to Boston to study voice at the Boston Conservatory. Lester and Grace met when they were both working on Cape Cod for the summer, after which they married and lived in New York City where Selma and her older brother Lester M. Chace Jr. were born. The family soon moved to Pekin, Illinois, where Selma spent her youth.
Selma graduated from the University of Tulsa with an art degree and subsequently moved to New York City, where she enjoyed time living with friends in Greenwich Village before meeting and marrying Harold Ballentine. Selma and Hal eventually settled in Southern Connecticut and raised their family. After her divorce, Selma moved to Guilford in 1986, which would be her beloved home for the rest of her life. Selma embraced a happy single life, traveling the world on Elder Hostel tours, singing with the Berkshire Choral Society, valuing her dear friends and, most of all, her family. She will be dearly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations in Selma’s name can be made to the Guilford Free Library or the Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
Friends and family will join for a Celebration of Life from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. at 100 Water Street, in Guilford.
GPD Begins Study for Infrastructure Improvements
Continued from page 1
that started to get worked into a capital plan,” Massey said.
He added that the Building Committee’s support has been “extremely helpful” in sorting out the department’s specific needs for a “potentially multi-million dollar building project.”
Recognizing the building has aged considerably since its construction nearly 20 years ago, Massey said the department is evaluating several structural and systemwide upgrades. These include fixing the leaking roof, replacing windows and stained ceiling tiles, updating the HVAC system, and making the building ADAcompliant.
Some work on the HVAC system was completed several years ago, Massey said, “but we’re to the point where the boilers that we have are going to need to get work on as well.”
Improving the efficiency and integrity of the main building aligns with the department’s broader goal of evolving alongside the growing community, he said. As Guilford expands, so do the demand for services and the facilities needed to deliver them.
“The services we provide continue to grow, and the department continues to modernize,” Massey said. “You end up needing more space, more staffing.”
One modernization priority is expanding the women’s locker room. Currently, the space accommodates 10 female officers but offers little room between lockers. The planned expansion supports the department’s commitment to the national 30x30 Initiative, which aims for 30% of all police officers in the U.S. to be women by 2030.
Massey said the department is “philosophically subscribed” to the initiative and that providing adequate facilities
for female officers is a key step toward “better represent[ing] the population we serve.”
Storage is also a concern. Massey said a previous proposal for a public safety garage fell through, leaving the department with unmet storage needs. The department is now looking to expand the southport garage to better accommodate vehicles.
Vehicle maintenance is a priority as well, he said, especially as the department works toward converting its fleet to hybrid vehicles, which offer longer lifespans than gas-powered models. Expanding the carport with additional roofing will help protect the vehicles and extend their service life.
The department is also considering installing solar panels on the main building’s roof.
“This building operates 24/7,” Massey said. “As the general public knows, electric
bills have gone up substantially, so for us to be able to potentially look at doing a solar project on our building to help offset the cost…we think that’s a good project for the town to take on.”
Installing solar panels could help offset energy costs for the department’s three facilities: the main building, the firearms range house, and the animal control building, all located at the Church Street complex.
Massey said he hopes the needs assessment conducted by Silver Petrucelli will pave the way for a future bidding process and give architectural firms “a better understanding of what we need to do here for the project.”
The department is working “as quickly as we can,” Massey said, with the goal of having plans and cost estimates in place to present during the upcoming budget season.
See Obituaries page 10
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Anthony Calabrese (25-0022)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated March 25, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
Nicole Malerba, Assistant Clerk
The fiduciary is:
Tasmara J. Calabrese
c/o ROBERT JOSEPH SANTORO, KNOTT & KNOTT, LLC, 125 MAIN STREET, CHESHIRE, CT 06410
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Edward J Eagan (25-0124)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated June 12, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
Karen M. Parzych, Chief Clerk
The fiduciary is:
Jaime Lynn Sheridan
c/o CLAUDETTE J NARCISCO, CLAUDETTE J. NARCISCO, ATTORNEY AT LAW, 273 OLD FOXON ROAD, UNIT 1, EAST HAVEN, CT 06513
LEGAL NOTICE
GUILFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that the Guilford Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a VIRTUAL Public Hearing
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 6 P.M. via the ZOOM platform by using the following link. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6396320192
Meeting ID: 639 632 0192
The following applications will be heard:
17 Benton’s Knoll (Map 8, Lot 24 17, PDD). Applicant/Agent: Dominick Serignese of Torrison Stone & Garden on behalf of Owner: John Franchi. Special permit for landscape improvements within Benton’s Knoll.
Text amendment: Site Plan Approvals for Sign Applications. Applicant: Abby Hally, ZEO, on behalf of the Town of Guilford. Text amendment to clarify provisions for approval process for signs.
262 Sachems Head Road (Map 15 Lot 4A, Zone R-5). Applicant/Agent: Jason Miconi of Porticoni Industries LLC on behalf of Owner: Taryn Keely-Doran (Board President) of Community Nursery School, Inc. Special Permit to expand a Child Care Center in a residential zone.
219 Tuttles Point Road (Map 16 Lot 123, Map 17 Lot 9, Map 17 Lot 10, Zones R-5 and R-6). Applicant/ Owner: Dave and Lisa Bencivengo. Special Permit to reconstruct and enlarge a pre- existing, non-conforming single-family residence per §8.2.E.
1940 Boston Post Road (Map 79 Lot 41 and Map 78 Lot 39, Zone BMU and SC). Agent: Attorney Marjorie Shansky for Applicant/Owner: Robert Sachs (Principal) of 1940 Boston Post Road LLC. Special Permit to allow building height in excess of 40’ per §4.5.D table notes 4.
1940 Boston Post Road (Map 79 Lot 41 and Map 78 Lot 1, Zone SC). Agent: Attorney Marjorie Shansky for Applicant/Owner: Robert Sachs (Principal) of 1940 Boston Post Road LLC. Special Permit to allow two drive-throughs in the SC zone per §4.11.C.2.c.
1940, 1960 and 1968 Boston Post Road (Map 79 Lot 41, Map 78 Lot 1, Map 78 Lot 42, Map 78 Lot 43 and Map 78 Lot 39, Zones SC and BMU). Agent: Attorney Marjorie Shansky for Applicant/Owner: Robert Sachs (Principal) of 1940 Boston Post Road LLC. Special Permit for earthworks per §8.3 Excavation, Fill and Grading.
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 planning.zoning@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 19th of June 2025 – Sean Cosgrove, Chairman
GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildrenGroup
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.
FundraiserforFelines
The Greater New Haven Cat Project (GNHCP) annual raffle fundraiser runs through Saturday, July 26. Each ticket costs $1 for a chance to win one of four gift card: $250 Visa, $200 Amazon, $100 Cabela, and $50 Chewy. The raffle drawing will be held at the GNHCP Center, 965 State Street, New Haven, on July 26 at 6 p.m. Winners need not be present. GNHCP is a nonprofit organization that is committed to addressing feline overpopulation through low-cost spay/neuter and public education. To purchase tickets, visit gnhcp.org/raffle. For more information, contact GNHCP at 203-782-2287 or rise@gnhcp.org.
GACWelcomesVolunteersforCraftExpo
The Guilford Art Center (GAC) welcomes adult and teen volunteers for its craft expo to be held on Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20. GAC’s longest-running and largest event, the craft expo owes its success in part to the hundreds of volunteers who help with the operation of the show each year. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of three hours of their time and in return will receive free entrance to the show for all three days. To sign up to volunteer for the craft expo, call Maureen Belden at 203-453-5947. For more information, visit guilfordartcenter.org/ expo/craft-expo-volunteer-opportunities.
Opening day of Branford’s Miller Gardens is Saturday, June 28. This acre of remarkable water features, including a KOI pond, captured the attention of the Connecticut Federated Garden Club, winning their top award in 2017. A tranquil, private and enjoyable sanctuary, the property’s key feature is a layered mix of evergreens, shrubs and perennials. The Miller family has created a safe space for birds and pollinators, supporting a safe and chemicalfree environment.
COME TAKE A TOUR! Saturday, June 28, 2025, 10am-4pm 679 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. General admission online and at the door: $10 ($5 for Garden Conservancy members)
For advance tickets, please scan the QR code or visit https://www.gardenconservancy. org/garden-directory/open-days/ the-miller-gardens
Obituaries Continued from page 7
Obituary
Eugenia Jones
Mill Valley, CA
Eugenia "Jean" Allison Farren Jones was born on Nov. 17, 1932, in New Haven, and passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, in Mill Valley, California, with her daughter by her side. She is survived by her daughter, Allison Jones Thomson (Euan) of Tiburon, California; son, Stuart Lawrence Jones (Robyn) of West Roxbury, Massachusetts; son-in-law Larry Smith of Corte Madera, California; her sisters, Suzanne Szanto (Bela) of West Orange, New Jersey; Carolyn Farren, and Georgianna Farren (John Loftus), both of Larkspur, California. Jean is also survived by seven grandchildren: Mariah, Imogen, Annabel, Brendon, Brett, Megan, and Kyle, and four great-grandchildren: Liam, Ivy, Emma, and James. She was predeceased by her husband, Stuart Loper
Jones; daughter Katharine "Katie" Jones Smith (Larry); her sisters, Lois Flesche (Walt), Constance Short (Tom), Roberta Earle (Jim); and her parents, George X. Farren and Claire Kennedy Farren.
Jean was one of seven sisters and was proud of the strength and achievements of her all-female family. She grew up in the Great Depression but would often talk fondly of her tough but family-oriented childhood. At school, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where she enjoyed their rifle club. While at school, she worked at a local florist, where she developed a love of flowers, a passion that stayed with her throughout her life. Jean graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1950. She married Stuart Loper Jones in 1955, and the couple settled in Guilford, where their children were born. After Stuart’s death, Jean moved from Connecticut to Marin County, California, where she lived in close community with her sisters, Georgianna and Carolyn. She developed a love for California and the freedom that it gave her. After staying in Marin for many years, she moved to Los Gatos, California, to be closer to her daughter,
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Patricia S. Decesare (25-0190)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated June 10, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
Karen M. Parzych, Chief Clerk
The fiduciary is: Christine Piscitelli
c/o MICHAEL JAMES SWEENEY, SWEENEY LAW FIRM, 897 BOSTON POST RD., P.O. BOX 1370, MADISON, CT 06443
LEGAL NOTICE
All persons liable to pay real estate, personal property, or motor vehicle taxes in the Town of Guilford on the grand list of October 1, 2024 are hereby notified that the Tax Collector has received the warrant to levy and collect taxes.
Taxes are due July 1, 2025 and the last day to pay taxes without penalty is August 1, 2025. If payment is not received on or before August 1, 2025 the installment becomes delinquent and is subject to interest at the rate of 18% per annum, 1 ½%per month or any fraction of a month, from due date. A minimum of $2.00 interest will be charged for each delinquent tax bill and installment.
Payments will be received in the Tax Office, Guilford Town Hall, 31 Park Street. Please note that we do not accept credit/debit cards when making payments at the Tax Office.
Please visit our website at guilfordct.gov to make payments online. The link can be found on the Tax Collector page, scroll down to View or Pay your tax bill. If paying with a credit/debit card convenience fees will apply as follows: all credit/debit cards- 2.99%, electronic check-$1.99
Payments can also be mailed to: Tax Collector, 31 Park Street, Guilford, CT 06437. Make sure you enclose your payment coupon when paying by mail. Please call the Tax Office with any questions at 203-453-8014.
Deborah A. Milano Tax Collector, CCMC
Allison, but then returned to Marin when Allison and Euan moved to Tiburon.
Jean studied accounting and business at the Stone School of Accounting and the University of New Haven to help with her work as a bookkeeper and Business Manager. While supporting the family business, she also worked at other local businesses, including the Children’s Psychiatry Emergency Service of New Haven and Guilford Veterinary Hospital. In addition, she earned her Connecticut real estate license and worked as a realtor for many years with her own agency in Guilford. Later in life, she owned and co-managed the A Touch of Nature Florist in Larkspur, California, alongside Katie until Katie’s death in 2000.
Jean had many interests. In Guilford, she was a member of the Eagle Hose Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She had a lifelong interest in genealogy and was an active member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogy and spent many years researching and documenting her family ancestry. Her visit to Ireland with Allison to see her country of origin was one of her fondest memories. Jean took courses in geology, English, algebra, and music at the College of Marin, where she was proud to be placed on their honors list. Jean was an avid reader and member of a local book club in Marin. She enjoyed classical music and in particular, opera. Jean was a bold traveler. She drove across
SignUpforthePorchfest
the country four times, once by herself, once with her sister Robin, once with Katie, and once with her cat, Diggy. She traveled to the UK, Switzerland, and France with Allison, and despite her mobility challenges, she visited Allison and Euan in Germany in 2023 and walked from Germany to Austria at the top of a mountain. She was proud to say that she had “hiked across the Alps!”
Throughout Jean’s life, her biggest interest was her family and friends. She was devoted to her sisters, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her many nephews and nieces. Time with family was special to her, and she was always there to support them whenever needed. She also worked hard to maintain the many friendships that she formed in all the locations and phases of her life. During Jean’s final days, many family members and friends were able to visit her and to say their goodbyes. Jean brought happiness to all who knew her. She will be sadly missed but always remembered by her family and friends.
Considering Jean’s passion for the community, we would ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a community food bank of your choice. A burial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston Street in Guilford. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.
The second annual Guilford Porchfest celebrating the musical creativity of those who live and work in Guilford is scheduled for Saturday. Sept. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. Last year, more than 40 performers, 20 hosts, and 1,000 attendees joined the inaugural event. Any performer who lives or works in Guilford can sign up to perform. Anyone living within a 10-minute walk of the Guilford Green can apply to be a host for the event. Sign-ups close Thursday, July 31. For more information or to sign up, email guilfordporchfest@gmail.com or visit guilfordporchfest.com.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Harold Houston Ramsey (25-0174)
The Hon. Peter C. Barrett, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Madison - Guilford Probate Court, by decree dated June 12, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
Karen M. Parzych, Chief Clerk
The fiduciary is:
BRIAN E KALIGIAN, BRIAN E. KALIGIAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, 53 RIVER STREET, MILFORD, CT 06460
Meet Meadow
Story by Carol Andrecs
This lovely senior girl’s owner passed away, and Meadow was suddenly left homeless with no one to care for her. After living in a house as the only pet, shelter life was quite an adjustment for her. Meadow has the sweetest personality and is always ready to accept attention, petting, and treats. Senior cats are all too often overlooked for adoption in favor of younger cats or kittens. Would you open your heart to this precious girl so she can spend the rest of her life in a loving home? For an appointment to meet Meadow, 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.
by Genevieve Ray
Find Your Match At Forgotten Felines: 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.
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
Photo
LVVSOffersWorkplaceLiteracyProgram
Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore offers free workplace literacy programs to improve employee productivity for businesses in Guilford. The free program matches volunteer tutors with employees, working together to customize a program that meets workplace and student needs. For more information or to participate in the program, contact John Ferrara at 860399-0280 or jferrara@lvvs.org.
IntensiveOutpatientProgram forAdolescents
Shoreline Family Health Care (SFHC) is expanding its Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to middle school students who struggle with emotional and behavioral health challenges to the point where daily functioning is impaired. IOP now focuses on adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 who are experiencing emotional and/or behavioral issues, family conflicts, and difficulties meeting school and social expectations due to serious emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties. IOP is an after-school program that provides comprehensive assessment, therapeutic structure, and support within a group-therapy format. It is an 8- to 12-week program that meets three to four times per week. The program sessions are conducted via telehealth and in person. SFHC is located at 221 West Main Street, Branford, and is a collaboration between BHcare and Fair Haven Community Heath Care (FHCHC). For more information, visit shorelinefamilyhealthcare.org/iop.
HighSchoolDiploma/ GEDandOtherPrograms
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 203488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
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Sports
Guilford Boys’ Lacrosse Clinches Program’s First State Title
By Serenity Bishop
When it comes to making a deep playoff run, it comes down to which team can get hot at the right time. That was the exact trajectory of the Guilford boys’ lacrosse team this season, as the Grizzlies entered the Class M State Tournament and went on to earn the program’s first-ever state title.
Guilford finished the regular season 9-7 and ultimately earned the third seed in the class, but while they knew they would be competitive, a state title was not necessarily where the Grizzlies thought they would end up at the beginning of the year.
The Grizzlies entered what many would consider a rebuilding year after graduating a senior-heavy class last year. However, with a quick turnaround of several underclassmen getting up to speed and producing, the Guilford roster clicked as soon as the postseason started.
“The culmination of all our efforts this season, combined with that of the teams of the past to become the first team to win it all in school history, is really a surreal feeling,” junior captain Michael Lawton said. “It was an amazing feeling, really…and beating Hand to accomplish that made it even more special.”
Guilford began its rise to a state title with a first-round victory over No. 14 Watertown, 21-1. The Grizzlies followed it up with a 12-3 victory over No. 6 East Lyme in the quarterfinals and an 8-7 victory over No. 7 Joel Barlow in the semifinals.
The success led the Grizzlies on a collision course with Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) rival and top-seeded Daniel Hand. Hand has been one of the top teams in the state and was the reigning state champion after beating Joel Barlow in the title game last year.
Hand has reached the last four out of five state championship games and defeated Guilford twice this season prior to the championship matchup. However, team familiarity and perhaps bad luck in championship games played into Guilford’s favor.
Guilford defeated Hand 12-11 to end the Tigers’ back-to-back title aspirations, but also pushed Hand’s all-time record in state championship games to 1-9. The final score was ironically the same score of Guilford’s only other state title appearance in
2000, when the Grizzlies lost to Brien McMahon 12-11.
“From the preseason to the end of the season, I think the biggest thing you notice from our team is the growth and strides we made,” senior captain Ryan Gribbon said. “You hear our coach Brian White say it all the time. If you had said we would be standing here at this point of the year in the championship game and winning it, I thought you would be crazy.”
Gribbon added that at a point in the season, the team wasn’t able to win very many games, but together, the team began to switch its mindset and demand more from themselves.
“We said we’re not going to keep playing like this, and we went on a winning streak
and made both SCCs and the state playoffs,” he said. “We have to credit our coaching staff who put tons of hours into gameplanning practices and film for us to be prepared, so when game time came around, we knew our roles and keys to the game.”
The Grizzlies will be in a good position next season, as the majority of the team will be back for another attempt at a state title. The program will, however, graduate six seniors in a class that includes captains Gribbon and Jonah Labbadia-Colon, as well as seniors Luke Piagentini, Jack McDonald, Owen Pelletier-Stephens, and Pierce Pappert.
Labbadia-Colon said that for him and the rest of the senior class, they are happy
that this group was the first team in program history to secure a title, but additionally, he is glad they were able to leave the program by establishing a new bar.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it. To think this is how my senior year ends is a true blessing, especially when thinking about who we beat in the championshipno better way of going out,” LabbadiaColon said. “I know we have a good team now and some skilled kids coming in from youth, so my hope is that we’ve set the bar for them and have given them this ‘winning mentality’ so they know it’s possible and obtainable.”
The success of the Guilford boys’
See Guilford page 15
Guilford Courier
Valley Courier Thursday, June 26, 2025
Special to the Courier
Photo courtesy of Brian White
Pictured is the Guilford boys' lacrosse team that won its first Class M state title this spring.
Striped Bass Fishing Fires Up in Thick Air
Fog is the nerve-racking interaction of warm, moist air and cooler water - in our case, Long Island Sound. Specifically, it becomes really dense when a warm air mass from land moves over relatively colder water near the coast. This cooling can cause water vapors in the air to condense into tiny water droplets, causing fog.
To boaters, fog is a wake-up call to exercise extreme caution. A few years back, a fishing trip that took a small fleet of five from Noank through the Cape Cod canal, north to Plymouth, Gloucester, and Portsmouth, up to Portland, over Jefferies Ledge, east to Nantucket, down to the Vineyard, then to Block before heading back to home port was interesting to say the least.
Throughout the entire trip, the group saw the sun for half a day, ran out of coins for the clothes dryer in Nantucket after encountering steady rain and high seas, and was engulfed in fog the entire trip. They also breached whales off the port bow.
The point was not the fish caught but the fog. It was so dense that waypoints were broadcast so that vessels fueling up could re-unite with boats waiting just outside of the harbor. So for boaters, beware! Foggy conditions may not be the best of friends for mariners, but it is quite friendly for striped bass fishers.
Linesiders often like to feed in foggy, calm surroundings. Sensitivity to light makes foggy, low-
Fishing report
CAPTAIN MORGAN’S
light situations preferable to stripers. The reduction in visibility provides a comfortable environment in which to forage in low water. It also extends a dawn and dusk feeding spree that possibly could become an all day event. Additionally, fog provides an ideal ambush advantage, while calm seas (often associated with fog) opens the door for some fantastic topwater action using poppers, spooks, and some needlefish lures. The downside associated with fog can be a shut down in the bite if there is a drop in temperature that cools the water and poses a hazard to navigation. Since motorized vessels equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) navigational equipment often plot their course buoy-to-buoy and generally do not creep, keeping a watchful eye out and displaying something reflective during foggy conditions is highly advisable when fishing near and around navigational aids. Some of the best fish caught and/or released have been hooked in dense foggy conditions, similar to what we have been experiencing, and close to shore.
On The Water
High pressure weakened and shifted east as a warm front approached and moved through the region. A cold and very
noticeable cold front moved through rather quickly before high pressure built in. Hot conditions followed just as summer kicked in and dominated for the next few days. The warm front then shifted to the north and west of the region. Pre-dawn air temperatures fluctuated from the mid-60s to the mid-70s, while daytime temperatures climbed from the mid-80s to 95 degrees before the heat spell cooled down. Mixed clouds, sun, rain, and thunderstorms accompanied the shifts in weather fronts and pressures. In the meantime, Long Island Sound experienced multiple shifts in wind directions, rising and falling seas from about a foot to three feet and patchy to dense morning fog.
The strong striped bass bite persisted, even through the recent heat spell. However, as the tidal rivers warmed, fish became more active out by the reefs where water was generally cooler. Generally, activity has been best around sunrise or earlier and sunset or later. From live eels to menhaden, poppers to mojos, diamond jigs to spoons, stripers had their moments from being finicky to locked in. Serious east winds and angry seas were about the only combination that interfered with the bite and plans for the day. At one time or another, rivers, reefs, shoals, and boulder fields all had some sort of bite going. It has been that good!
There have been some decent black sea bass caught, but most of the fish boated have been around
two to three pounds - discounting all the throwbacks under the 16” minimum length limit. Offshore reefs on this side of the Connecticut/New York demarcation line mostly have been the places to drift or set up. The catch/effort compared to last week’s rate has improved, whether using squid and rigs or jigs. Note that the last day for Connecticut sea bass was June 23 and will reopen again on Tuesday, July 8. New York is now open!
Porgies continue to gain steam as catches of slabs and averagesized fish almost doubled. Seaworms, squid, clams, and scented baits remain the top baits whether fishing from shore or vessel. It is getting harder to find a reef or rock pile that does not have these saltwater panfish on them. Even the bluefish are schooling past these feeding stations as the tide begins to move, giving their jaws a workout. Setting up by a rip to chunk, jigging while drifting over a reef or trolling its edges can result in multiple hookups. Anything from harbor blues to medium-sized choppers can be the result of the effort. Weakfish remain hit or miss, but mostly hit for experienced weakie fishers concentrating on the channels, bays, and lower tidal rivers during an incoming tide.
It is time to be paying more attention to fluke, as throwback numbers increase and more fish around 19” are taking drift spinner and hi-lo rigs, or bucktail and Gulp teaser setups. Squid or
Guilford Boys’ Lacrosse Clinches Program’s First State Title
Continued from page 14
lacrosse team this spring has been years in the making. Each season has been a stepping stone in the right direction for this year, and the combination of senior leadership and experience with the work ethic, drive, and talent of the underclassmen was a great match for the Grizzlies. White said there were a lot of growing pains to reach this point for the program, but when the team finally figured it out at the end of the regular season, it was a “perfect storm.
“Something seemed to click, but at the same time, we kept it small. We just tried to take it one game at a time and really concentrate on what it is that we need to do and how we needed to approach our opponents,” White said. “The kids just had a different mentality. They checked in, and they were really focused.”
White added that the spring season can be difficult due to the numerous distractions, such as prom, graduation, or just the end of the school year. He said to the players’ credit, they stayed focused on the goals they wanted to reach.
“These kids really just nailed it down, they honed in on it, and they focused,” White said. “They got out there and did it.”
Another beneficial component to the Grizzlies’ season this year is the conference the team plays in. White believes the SCC is one of the toughest conferences in the state, and therefore, teams are battle-tested by going through the gauntlet of the conference. He shared that for two SCC teams to represent the Class M State Championship is a testament to just how good the league really is.
“Our league is definitely pretty strong in terms of lacrosse talent. There’s a bunch of them that are in the
strips of fish fillets presented during a bottom drift can wake up one or two of those mini-doormats that have an eye on the offering. The interest in shark fishing from shore has gained legs. Sizable dogfish are being caught after rigging up with a juicy chunk of bait at the end of a mediumheavy setup. Fishers soaking bait on the bottom often looking for bass and/or blues hook into and fight a nice dogfish or skate - even a surprise toadfish. Blue crabbers - it’s time for some Jimmies! Water flows and levels have moderated in most rivers. It has been the fluctuation of air and water temperatures that anglers had to adjust to. For fly fishers, it has been adjustments from dries and nymphs to streamers that kept anglers on their toes. Overnight, productive hatches turned into a morning of better nymphing. Then streamers were what was best to tie on. Conditions made trout picky. Lakes and ponds reacted less abruptly, but changes from the largemouth bass bite in the shallows to deeper cooler water and back, with a little lockjaw in between, was the challenge. Nevertheless, the bass bite (large and small) is still above average. Chain pickerel are still aggressive, and panfish are abundant and hungry while carp and catfish anglers are doing well.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends
See Striped Bass page 17
state that are really competitive, and I would say the SCC is definitely one of them,” he said. “It helps us when we see quality teams game in and game out because it gives us preparation for bigger games.”
Both White and Lawton are optimistic for the team heading into next season. The Grizzlies hope to build on the back of a state title game and continue the added motivation to return to the big game in the offseason. Lawton believes the returning team will have no problem carrying the experiences, work ethic, and drive into next year.
“Our team this year is all returning for the most part, and the connection we made with each other this past season isn’t something that will fade lightly,” Lawton said. “Many of us will be playing together in the offseason, and I think our chemistry on the field will only grow.”
Vigliotti Making Big Gains as SCC Diving Champion
By Serenity Bishop
Special
to the Courier
James Vigliotti’s path to becoming a diving champion started out with just the simple desire to learn how to do a backflip. The Guilford High School standout took his first steps to future success in the swimming pool by joining a gymnastics team, where he eventually learned how to do the flip.
After about a year into gymnastics, James’s mother asked him if he wanted to try diving. The flipping and twisting in both sports were similar, so James decided to give it a try. The initial love for the sport didn’t immediately take, and so he stopped after a while.
However, he would eventually make his return to the sport, entering his freshman year of high school while looking for something to keep himself busy during the pandemic. Within the two-year span since then, James has gone from placing last in most of his meets to being named a conference champion and one of the best divers in the state.
This past winter, James was named the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) diving champion, placed third in the Class LL State Championship, and was ranked in the top 15 at the State Open. James credits his development and rapid ascension in the state rankings to a change in mindset.
“There was one time I was at my club practice, and my coach told me to do a new dive, and I said to myself, you know what, I’m just not going to complain, I’m
Sports
Person Week of
the
going to do it,” James says. “My mindset just switched completely. It was a big mindset change. I just stuck to going to practice and focused on keeping myself in shape, not complaining, and just working hard.”
Diving is a mental game that consistently plays off of a diver’s fears, whether it’s just getting up on the board or attempting a new dive. However, James has learned how to tune out the fears. In fact, spectators don’t even see it in him anymore.
“It’s scary getting up on the boards, and whenever I’m on the board, my team always tells me you never look scared up there,” he says. “It’s just mentally difficult, and there are mental blocks. One time, I had a conversation with my mom, and I told her I was really scared of all this. She goes ‘really? You didn’t look scared up there.’ I have to kind of tune the fear out, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to dive.”
Diving has become a major focal point in James’s life since taking up the sport. He first joined the diving society at Yale, where he began to get his feet wet on the basics of diving and the initial skills it takes to learn new dives. James continues to dive privately for his club team, but he also dives for the school as part of the Greater New Haven co-op.
Additionally, James competes nationally and has recently competed in North Carolina for USA diving. He also competes in AAU diving and aspires to dive in college in two years.
“I always like to tell the younger kids that I dive with that whenever they’re learning to dive, it’s mostly confidence. The skill comes second,” James says. “You got to just have that confidence for when you’re leaving the board. Then once you’re in the air, that’s when the skill matters. I always just like to think when I’m on the board, pretend you’re a college diver, pretend this is how it’s supposed to look, and it ends up going my way when I dive sometimes.”
While James credits his development to a change in his mentality, he has also given credit to all of his coaches that he has been surrounded by at each stop in his career. The list of coaches includes Agnes and Keith Miller from the Yale Diving Society, Abrielle Osborne and Bob Lewis from the school team, as well as coaches Jay Crandell, Ray Wipfli, and Sam Gillis.
He explains that each coach has helped him develop in different ways. Agnes Miller and Gillis have helped him reach his potential by steadily pushing and motivating him. Keith Miller has helped him improve his twisters and dives. Crandell has supported him and traveled with him to AAU Nationals. Lewis has encouraged him throughout the year while providing the numbers and the knowledge of what he needed to place first or qualify for
conferences and states.
“It felt really good going from last year being just one of the average divers and just someone
else who everyone has to compete against to this year being the
See Vigliotti page 17
Photo courtesy of James Vigliotti
James Vigliotti finished his sophomore season as the Southern Connecticut Conference diving champion, and he placed third in the Class LL State Championship.
Guilford Uncle-Nephew Duo Running Basketball Camp in Town
By Gabby Maljanian
Sports Editor
Braden Stephens and Cliff Yerkes, both raised and educated in Guilford and both now coaches, are running Skilz and Drilz Basketball Camp this summer in town. Both played high school basketball at Guilford High School (GHS).
Stephens graduated from GHS in 2019, and Yerkes graduated in 1991. Yerkes started the camp 15 years ago with current Guilford boys’ basketball Head Coach Jeff DeMaio and former girls’ Head Coach Bob Welsh. DeMaio and Welsh both decided to step down this summer, so Yerkes reached out to Stephens, his nephew and a former camper and camp counselor, as well as the current assistant boys’ soccer coach at GHS and the head boys’ basketball coach at Adams Middle School. Stephens is currently getting his teaching degree, while he has worked as both a substitute and a paraprofessional for Guilford Public Schools.
Yerkes is a long time Guilford resident, youth soccer and basketball coach, and high school basketball coach for the last 27 years. He played for Head Coach and Athletic Director Chip Dorwin on the Class L No. 1 seed and Shoreline Conference Championship Guilford High School team that finished 20-3 in 1991. He has been a
2018.
varsity basketball coach at Valley Regional High School, North Branford High School, and Platt Tech High School, as well as an assistant at Guilford for several years.
The camp has three one-week sessions running Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 11, Monday, July 14 to Friday, July 18, and Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Adams Middle School for boys and girls ages 8 to 14. Registration can be done through the Guilford Basketball League at www.guilfordbasket ball.org.
Striped Bass Fishing Fires Up in Thick Air
Continued from page 15
who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, 2025 licenses/permits, and much more, swing by the shop located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison, or call 203-245-8665 for updated spring hours. Until next time from your
Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, and promoter of the Daiwa Tournament Program, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.
Tight Lines, Captain Morgan
captainmorganusa@hotmail.com captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com X (formerly twitter) @captmorgan_usa
Boys’ and Girls’ Outdoor Track Compete at Nationals
By Gabby Maljanian
Sports Editor
The Guilford girls’ outdoor track team closed out its season last week, competing in several meets over the course of the week. First up was junior Anna Hastings who took 14th in the State Hammer Throw on June 16 with a throw of 90’4”. On June 17, sophomore Olivia Jackson took fourth in the State 2k Steeplechase with a new personal record (PR) of 7:24.10.
On June 17 and June 18, senior captain Cassie Ward and freshman Bailey Hopkins competed in the State Heptathlon (combination of seven events over two days), where Ward was 13th (3131 points) and Hopkins was 14th (3006 points). All three competitions were held at Willowbrook Park in New Britain. On June 20 in Philadelphia, freshman Kaylin Diglio competed in the New Balance Nationals. She took third in the pole vault, clearing 11’7 3/4.” She also ran the 400 hurdles with a time of 67.00 to close out an unbelievable season as both a state and state open champion.
Ethan Wienkamp was a captain of the Guilford boys’ outdoor track and field team this season. Throughout his senior year, he had a goal to compete in the decathlon at the New Balance National Championships. After qualifying and declaring in April, Wienkamp led his teammates to school record relay times in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter races. On June 19 and June 20, Wienkamp competed at New Balance Nationals, and he scored 6658 points, placing fifth. Wienkamp will study computer science at Tufts University and will compete for their track and field program. Xavier Chieffo worked tirelessly throughout the winter and spring seasons to qualify for the 400 meter Freshman Championship at the New Balance Nationals. He qualified in his final race of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) season. Last week, he ran 53.92.
Vigliotti Making Big Gains
Continued from page 16
winner that everyone has to be ready to compete against,” James says.
“Throughout my school season, I won every single meet up until states, where I didn’t win. It feels really good this year being a much better diver and showing that my hard work actually paid off.”
James’s development is something that his coaches have also taken notice of.
Agnes Miller says that since working with him in September, his diving has reached the next level with better technique and confidence.
“I am very proud of him because he worked very hard to fix a few dives that were troubling him. His results showed that work beautifully. He is a great teammate to have,” Miller says. “He works hard, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get better.”
Miller also notes James’s positivity and how beneficial his personality is to the team environment.
“His positive attitude towards everyone keeps practice fun,” she says. “He is always positive and supports his teammates at every practice and competition. He is still learning more difficult dives, however, he has already reached many goals that he set for himself.”
This season, James has also added more strength training, which has helped his overall ability to perform harder dives. He is planning to continue to build more strength and power during the offseason, as he says strength and being in shape are the two most important things after having the right mindset.
“It plays a very big factor because freshman year, I was not at all in the best shape for diving, and then this year, I got into good shape, and my diving improved a lot,” James says. “Next season, I’m anticipating holding what I have for SCCs. For states and state opens, hopefully make podium for state opens, and either do as well as I did last year or do better for states.”
Photo courtesy of Cliff Yerkes
Pictured is Braden Stephens as a camp counselor for the Skilz and Drilz Basketball Camp in
Girls’ Outdoor Track
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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!
Travel with Me, Part I: Füssen, Germany
By Liz Egan
Special to Living
My husband Paul loved to sing. He had a beautiful baritone voice. He sang with Con Brio Choral Society, an auditioned choir of 50, now 75, voices led by Dr. Stephen Bruce for over a dozen years. He loved Con Brio and the challenges to him vocally. Paul and I had always hoped to travel with Con Brio, but life and scheduling always seemed to get in the way. In May, I had the wonderful
opportunity to travel with Con Brio on their performance tour of Germany, France, and Switzerland for 13 days. Now, travel along with me as I recount the trip in four parts.
The trip’s participants consisted of 22 singers led by their 35-year maestro Steve Bruce and longtime music director Susan Saltus. There were also 14 “clappers,” which were spouses and friends of the group who heartily supported them in each
of their performances. We flew into Munich airport on May 20 and boarded a coach bus with our Tour Guide, Yvonne Zumpolle. Explorations began right away as we made a side trip traveling through the state of Bavaria in the southeast part of Germany. We visited Wieskirche, the Church of the Meadow, in Steingarden. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the world’s most famous Rococo churches. The group performed a song in
the church to a surprised audience of tourists. After walking the beautiful meadow paths, I had time for a Bratwurst from a local vendor before continuing on to Fussen, at the base of the Bavarian Alps, known for the creation of Europe’s first lutemakers guild in 1562.
We checked in to the Luitpoldpark-Hotel in the center of town. We met up with local guides who gave us a walking tour of the medieval old town, ending the
day with our welcome dinner at Madame Plüsch Restaurant, known for its authentic Bavarian cuisine. Typical in the style of the ‘20s is the “Wirtsstube” atmosphere. Guests here feel the historical ambiance and the love for detail. Turn-of-the-century chandeliers illuminating the room combine with exclusive furnishings give this restaurant its unmistakable charm. It was here
See Travel with Me page 26
Photo by Liz Egan
Photo by Liz Egan
A view of the peaceful meadow surrounding Wieskirche, the Rococo-style Church of the Meadow in Steingarden, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Con Brio surprised visitors with a spontaneous performance.
Neuschwanstein Castle, perched on a rugged Alpine hill, inspired Disney’s fairy tale castle and dazzled with its dramatic architecture and romantic history.
Photo by Liz Egan
Photo by Liz Egan
The atmosphere at Madame Plüsch was as memorable as the cuisine—especially the Käsenodelsuppe (Cheese Dumpling Soup), which became a group favorite.
Dinner at Madame Plüsch in Füssen offered a taste of vintage charm with Art Nouveau furnishings and classic Bavarian dishes.
Travel with Me, Part I: Füssen, Germany
Continued from page 25
that I had the most delicious soup that I have ever eaten. After telling the server, “Est es lecker!” it is delicious, I learned that it is called Käsenodelsuppe, or Cheese Dumpling Soup. Everyone at the table agreed that it was a recipe to make again.
The next day the group took an excursion to Oberammergau, Bavaria, home to the Passion Play Theatre. It was pouring rain and a perfect day to tour this amazing place. According to legend, an outbreak of bubonic plague devastated Bavaria during the Thirty Years War (1618–1648). The village of Oberammergau remained plague-free until 1633 when a local man returned home after working in the nearby village. Over the next 33 days, 81 villagers would die, half of Oberammergau’s population. On 28 October 1633, the villagers vowed that if God spared them from the plague, they would perform a play every 10 years depicting the life and death of Jesus. Nobody died of plague in Oberammergau after that vow, and the villagers kept their word to God by performing the passion play for the first time in 1634.
The production involves over 2,000 people: actors, musicians, stage technicians, and others, all residents of the village. The play comprises spoken dramatic text, musical and choral accompaniment, and tableaux vivants, which are scenes from the Old Testament depicted for the audience by motionless actors accompanied by verbal description. Initially performed on an outdoor stage, the magnificent building now houses the museum, with costumes and history, and can seat 4,500 audience members. The enormous stage is still outdoors but has an ingenious mobile rigging system that acts as a cover in inclement weather. With few exceptions, the play has been performed every decade and will have its 400-year anniversary performances in 2034.
The next day, the group was scheduled to tour Hohenschwangau Castle. I had heard so much about the history of King Ludwig II that I made a last-minute decision to tour Neuschwanstein Castle. The Disney Castle is modeled after it. It was magnificent and elaborate. Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century palace on a rugged hill in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Schwangau. Despite their being a main residence for monarchs, King Ludwig II of Bavaria felt the need to escape from the constraints he saw himself exposed to and also in honor of composer Richard Wagner, whom he greatly admired. Built in the style of a Medieval castle with elaborate décor, construction
began in 1869 but was never completed. The castle was intended to serve as a private residence for the king, but he died in 1886, and it was opened to the public shortly after his death.
In the evening, Con Brio held a free joint concert with a local choir at the famous Monastery of St. Mang, a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the 1300s. I had a little trouble with pain from a bike accident I had the previous week, but I picked up some ibuprofen at a local pharmacy, which helped me rally for the remainder of the trip.
Each day of our journey began with a sumptuous breakfast buffet that included homemade breads, juices, local cheese and meats, locally made yogurts and fresh fruits, dates, and nuts, as well as scrambled eggs, bacon, and local sausages. A delightful thing I had most days was a fresh egg that I could drop into a hot water bath and take the timer back to my table. I brought wax paper and a supply of Ziploc bags and managed to make a small meat and cheese sandwich on fresh bread for lunch, which gave me more time to explore each day. My traveling companion Betsy and I explored local markets and purchased fresh vegetables, dressings, fruit, and cheeses to eat in our rooms for picnicstyle dinners, helping to keep within my budget.
After breakfast in the morning, we checked out of the hotel and boarded the bus for our next stop. Auf Wiedersehen für jetzt- goodbye for now!
Käsenodelsuppe, Cheese Dumpling Soup
As soon as I got home, I made my own Käsenodelsuppe, Cheese Dumpling Soup, modifying a recipe another clapper, Peter Coffey, sent me. Wanting to use only fresh ingredients like the soup I had at Madame Plüsch’s, I purchased the marrow-filled bones at Cliff’s Meats in Essex, across the street from Scott’s CT Valley Orchards farmstand where I purchased fresh carrots and scallions. There was no question that I would find authentic AOL Gruyere from Fromage in Old Saybrook, and they did not disappoint.
Dumplings
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup milk
3 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
PhotobyLizEgan
Pinch of nutmeg
2 tablespoons minced chives or scallions
7 oz. finely diced French bread 10 oz grated Gruyere or Swiss 8 cups homemade beef bone stock
In a large frying pan on top of the stove, saute the onion and garlic in ½ the butter and oil until aromatic, three minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the milk and eggs with a whisk. Add the bread, cheese and the onion mixture, seasonings, and combine. Place bowl in refrigerator for 30 minutes. In the same pan you sauteed the onions in, add the remainder of butter and oil and heat until melted. Form the dumpling mixture into patties about the size of a good-sized crab cake. Sauté in the butter/oil until browned on both sides. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels. Makes 8-9 patties. Depending on how many you are serving, you can freeze the patties. I kept two for myself, shared four with dear friends, and froze three more for later.
Beef Bone Stock with Mushrooms
Filled with flavor and nurturing collagen, you’ll make this again and again.
One large marrow-filled bone, cut in thirds at the butcher Kosher salt
One large carrot, peeled and broken in half
One onion quartered
One Knorr Beef Bouillion cube 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped Cluster of scallions, peeled and chopped (mostly the bottoms)
One tablespoon butter
One tablespoon olive oil
8 oz. of sliced baby portabella mushrooms
Heat oven to 400 degrees. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment, place bones marrow side up. Sprinkle with kosher salt and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Have a little spoonful of warm marrow – yum!
In a 6-quart crock pot, place bones, carrot, onions, 6 cups of water, and the bouillon cube. Cover and cook on low at least 3 hours. I ‘accidentally’ left mine overnight and did not regret it. Strain stock from vegetables and let to cool for several hours or overnight. Skim off fats and retain in a small dish. This excess is great to use to fry eggs or sauté vegetables or fish. In a frying pan, sauté sliced mushrooms with chopped onions and garlic until it renders. Add to stock and warm until ready to serve.
The Soup
Place a warm patty in the bottom of your soup bowl. Cover with warmed stock and mushrooms. The heat of the stock melts the cheese in the patty. It is like having soup with a grilled cheese sandwich – amazing!
A close-up of the delightful cheese dumplings, or Käsenodel, served as part of the unforgettable soup at Madame Plüsch.
‘Long
By Karen Isaacs
Special to Living
Days’ at Legacy Theatre Is an Intriguing Idea that Needs More Work
The closing night of a show can be fraught with emotions. Cast and crew members have worked hard for weeks through rehearsals and performances. Friendships and feuds have developed.
Review THEATER
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Add in an emotionally demanding play such as Eugene O’Neill’s , and everything is intensified.
Long Days
That is the premise behind the world premiere of now at the Legacy Theatre in Branford through Sunday, June 29.
The idea is promising, but playwright Gabe McKinley has crammed in too many coincidences and backstories that are revealed too late in the play.
You might expect multiple parallels between the play and the events that occur off-stage. That these parallels are lacking is a missed opportunity. After all, why use the O’Neill play at all if no parallels exist? Any other play could have been substituted.
If you don’t remember the O’Neill classic, it is about the Tyrone family. The father is a
successful but unfulfilled actor, his wife is a drug addict, and their two sons — Jamie (a failed actor) and Edmund, who is dying of consumption — are each confronting demons. While the wife (Mary) chooses morphine, alcohol is the drug of choice for the rest of the family.
is set at a small theater company operated by Jack, who both directs and stars in the production. The cast includes his 20-ish son, Wes; a promising young actor (Bobby); Vic, the stage manager who also plays the maid; and Sue, a professional actress who is returning to her hometown. The similarities between the cast and the play are minimal – Sue is a recovering alcoholic, and Wes is not sure he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. Before the curtain rises on the last performance, we discover some of the interconnections between the characters. Sue had been a close friend of Jack and Long Days
his wife. Wes is attracted to both Sue and Vic, and Bobby plans on going to NYC for further training. It is later in Act Two that more important revelations about the characters are revealed. Like many modern plays, a homosexual relationship or two is included.
Long
Days
The reality is that makes no real points about the play or even the actors. They could be a group of doctors and nurses or coworkers in any field.
I saw the very first performance, so I assume that the slow pace of Act One will have picked up as the cast gets more comfortable.
Jamie Burnett has created a realistic green room for the actors to gather; his lighting is also very good. Jimmy Johansmeyer created costumes for the showwithin-the-show and the cast before the show.
Rod Brogan, as director and leading man Jack, shares the stage with Stefanie E. Frame’s Sue in , a new play that blurs the lines between performance and reality. Long Days
Director Michael Hogan has a very good cast to work with. Both Rod Brogan as Jack and Stefanie E. Frame as Sue mine the depths of their characters. Brogan subtly foreshadows some of the Act Two revelations. Dan Frye, as Wes, is burdened with having an Edmund-like cough that is not really explained. Thomas Rud-
den, as Bobby, is similarly burdened; at the beginning, it seems he is uninterested in a theater career and not a very good actor, but all that is reversed in Act Two.
Hogan, perhaps, could have helped McKinley reduce some of
the contradictions in the script.
The two-act, two-hour (with intermission) play is intriguing, but it could have been so much more.
Tickets are available at LegacyTheatreCT.org.
Photo by Cindy Ringer of LRJ Images
Photo by Cindy Ringer of LRJ Images
The cast of at the Legacy Theatre includes (from left) Thomas Rudden as Bobby, Rod Brogan as Jack, Dan Frye as Wes, and Stefanie E. Frame as Sue. The play explores backstage tensions on the closing night of .
Long Days Long Day’s Journey into Night
Stefanie E. Frame delivers a nuanced performance as Sue, a professional actress returning to her hometown—and confronting unfinished business.
Photo by Cindy Ringer of LRJ Images
For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website, www.zip06.com.
THURSDAY,
JUNE 26
Fourth Annual Celebration of the Arts
: 5 to 7 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Co-hosted by Shoreline Arts Alliance. Features performances, readings, and exhibits by winners of Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) 2025 scholarships in the arts, IMAGES 2024, the 2025 Tassy Walden New Voices in Children’s Literature competition, and SAA’s 2025 Future Choices juried art exhibition for high school students. Includes the photography of Allison Maltese, Cathy Ramin, and Robert Thomas as well as two dance performances by River Valley Dance Project. For info, call 203421-6739 or visit shorelinearts.org.
Food Explorers for Tweens: Italian Fruit Tarts
: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. For children ages 10 to 13. Call to indicate allergy concerns. For info or to register (required), call 203-4840469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Free Financial Workshops for Young Adults: Building Credit and Avoiding Debt
: 6 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For participants ages 17 to 25. Light supper provided. Sponsored by Clinton Go in partnership with Guilford Savings Bank and Junior Achievement. For info or to register (required), call or text 860-395-8588.
Branford Jazz on the Green 2025
: 6:30 p.m. Branford Town Green. Music by Central City Stompers. Free. No dogs. No alcoholic beverages. Presented by the Town of Branford and the Branford Parks & Recreation Department. For info, visit branfordjazz.com.
Second Annual Bingo Night
: 6:30 to 9 p.m. VFW Post 7666, 104 Mill Rd., Guilford. Doors open 6 p.m. Presented by the Darling Divas. Hosted by the Madison and Guilford Democratic town committees. Bring your own dinner or snacks. Tickets: $40. Proceeds benefit ongoing voter engagement, outreach, and community advocacy for both town committees. For info or tickets, visit secure.anedot.com/mdtc/darlingdivas2025.
Summer Concert Series on the Patio: Julie Harris and Stephen Roane
: 7 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Free and open to all. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the library’s meeting room. For info or to register, call the 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
A Monumental Task: The Creation and Legacy of West Point’s Most Iconic Memorial
Flesh and
Stone: Stony Creek and the Age of Granite
: 7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Covers the conception, coordination, design, and engineering feats that brought about West Point’s Battle Monument, which is created with Stony Creek granite. Presented by Jennifer Voigtschild, command historian of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Free. Part of a series of events marking 25th anniversary of the publication of the book . For info, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
2025 Grassy Strip Music Series
: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Music by Christine Ohlman. Free and open to the public. The show starts with the Pledge of Allegiance; music begins at 7:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale on the lawn. Bring chairs and blankets. For info, visit madisonbeachhotelevents.com/hotel/hotel-happenings.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
Shoreline Village Stroll
: 10 a.m. The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd. Meet at the parking lot. Sponsored by Shoreline Village CT (SVCT). For info or weather-related cancellation, call SVCT at 203-747-5939 or visit shorelinevillagect.org.
Friday Movie Matinee
: 2 to 4 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Registration recommended. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover with Local Author Sara Levine
: 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Each child can bring a stuffed animal that will "sleep" overnight at the library; stuffed animals can be picked up the following morning. Features songs, crafts, and an interactive story time with Sara Levine, author of Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Free. Part of Color Our World, the library's summer reading program. For info, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
The Animals Will Not Sleep!
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
Multifamily, Multistreet Tag Sale
: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Acorn Road and surrounding roads, Madison. Rain date: Sunday, June 29. For info, email Ralph Wygonik at ralphiew@gmail.com.
Calendar for the Week of June 26, 2025
Friends of Blackstone Library Pop-up Warehouse Sale
: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of the Blackstone Library Warehouse, 20 Thompson Road. Prices: $3 hardcover books, $2 paperbacks. Covers history, literature, poetry,, biographies, and more. For info, email friendsofblackstonelibrary.org. blackstonelibrary.org/friends.
Butter Making Demonstration
: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd. For info, visit dudleyfarm.com/events.
Graffiti Graphics Workshop for Kids
: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Children will transform basic letterforms into dynamic and colorful designs and explore several colored pencil techniques that will make the designs pop. Part of the library's summer reading program. For info, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Music Connections
: 3 to 5 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library Community Room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Features the history of music, iconic artists, and the stories behind the songs. Theme: “An Ode to Our Families.” For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Branford High School Class of 1975 50th Reunion
: 5 to 9 p.m. Nuzzo’s Farm, 736 E. Main St., Branford. For info, email your contact information (name, address, and email) to branfordhsreunion1975@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 29
Fiddler on the Roof Jr
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
Fitness Day Fun
: Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon. The Performing Arts Center at Guilford High School, 605 New England Rd. Presented by Guilford Youth and Family Services. Tickets: $15. For info or tickets, call 203-453-8047 or visit guilfordyouthandfamilyservices.org. : 1 p.m. Pardee-Morris House, 325 Lighthouse Rd., New Haven. Features Zumba at 1 p.m., tai chi at 2 p.m., and yoga at 3 p.m. on the lawn for ages 10 and over. Yoga participants are advised to bring their yoga mat or towel. For all participants, wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring a drink for hydration. For info, visit newhavenmuseum.org.
Award Winners, New Shows, and New Leaders
Inside notes and comments about Connecticut and New York Professional Theater
By Karen Isaacs
Columnist
From Bible to Stage
Aisle ON THE
The Beat Lives On
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
: The ever-popular will rock the Ivoryton Playhouse stage through Sunday, July 27. The early Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical retells the biblical tale of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. You can get tickets at IvorytonPlayhouse.org.
CT Critics Awards
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Romeo & Juliet Ragtime
A Christmas Story
Sandra Primary Trust White Christmas
: Hartford Stage’s production of (Nathan Darrow, outstanding actor in a play and (outstanding director) took home multiple awards from the CT. Critics Circle as did the Goodspeed production of (outstanding director and outstanding musical, Michael Wordly) outstanding actor, as well as Rashidra Scott (outstanding featured actress for ). TheaterWorks – Hartford was honored for the oneperson show, , and its production of (outstanding play and to Samuel Stricklen for outstanding featured actor)). Music Theatre of CT took home two awards – Irene Glezoz as Best Actress in a Play and the choreography for . Westport Country Playhouse won awards for Erin Noel Grennan
Continued from page 28
(outstanding featured actress) in and for the ensemble work of the cast in . Kate Baldwin (outstanding actress in a musical) for and Jordan Friend (featured actor in a musical for ) won awards for Sharon Playhouse.
Theatre
People The 39 Steps The Prom Rock of Ages Maybe Happy Ending Sunset Boulevard Oh, Mary!
Mismatched lovers, mistaken identity, and the magic of romance are the result. It sounds perfect for summer entertainment. Tickets are available at Goodspeed.org. : Sharon Playhouse is kicking off its 2025 season with through Sunday, July 6. The show features songs made famous by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis. It’s a foot-stomping evening as the show recreates the iconic 1956 jam session when the four gathered at Sun Records. For tickets, visit SharonPlayhouse.org.
New Musical
Talk of the Town
Three Productions
: Long Wharf will present three productions in three different locations for its 61st season. From Sept. 20 to Oct. 19, , a co-production with WP Theater in NYC, the Sol Project, and the Latinx Playwrights Circle, is scheduled. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play, , is a partnership with TheaterWorks Hartford. It runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 2 at Southern Connecticut State University. The season ends with , by August Wilson, from Feb. 27 to March 15 at the Canal Dock Boathouse. Tickets go on sale in early July.
Torera English
: Guilford’s Will Aronson and his collaborator Hue Park took away the most Tony Awards of any show. It won Best Musical for . The wins, also for star Darren Criss, director Michael Arden, best original score, best scenic design, and best book of a musical, capped a very successful awards season. There were few surprises; winners included as best revival, Nicole Scherzinger as best actress for her role as Norma Desmond, Cole Escola for best actor for his play Pulitzer Prize winner Purpose for Best Play, and Sarah Snook, Best Actress in a Play.
All Shook Up
All Shook Up Tony Awards Recap
: The first performances of Goodspeed’s second show of the season, , begin this weekend. Love is in the air when a motorcycle-riding, guitarplaying stranger shows up in a quiet town.
: 1 p.m. Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA), 1004 Main St. Features artist Felice Panagrosso. Part of a new program of monthly workshops covering various aspects of professional art practice, including marketing strategies, pricing artwork, building collector relationships, and navigating gallery representation. To register (required), text Edith Reynolds at 203-232-4384. For info about BACA, visit branfordarts.org.
: 1 to 3 p.m. The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd. Features Courtney Cucinotta, certified clinical herbalist and member of the Indigenous Nipmuc Tribe of Northeastern Connecticut. Admission: $5 suggested donation. For info or to register (required), visit dudleyfarm.com/events.
MONDAY, JUNE 30
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Northford Park, 1827 Middletown Rd. For children of all ages. Presented by the Regional Water Authority. Hosted by the North Branford Public Libraries. In the event of rain, the program will
New Leaders Million Dollar Quartet
NYC Notes
The New Yorker
: , a new musical about the founders of , had a reading for industry professionals at Westport Country Playhouse. Mark Shanahan, artistic director of the Playhouse, directed the reading. An industry-only reading is designed to gauge interest in possible future development and productions.
: With the retirement of founder and artistic director Semina DeLaurentis, Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury announced that Constantine Pappas will serve as artistic director, and Craig David Rosen will be the managing director. Pappas is an experienced actor and singer, having performed on Broadway in , toured in , and performed at Carnegie Hall. Rosen is also a performer, director, and choreographer, in addition to having over 30 years of administrative experience. I look forward to seeing their work.
Gem of the Ocean The Crucible Real Women Have Curves Smash Good Night and Good Luck
Harmony The Phantom of the Opera
rescheduled if possible. For info or to register, call 203484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Summer Concert: The Mad River String Quartet
:
7 p.m. Pine Orchard Union Chapel, 25 Chapel Dr., Branford. Features New Haven Symphony Orchestra cellist Rebecca Patterson. Tickets: $15 per person. For info or tickets, visit the church's season schedule at pineorchardchapel.com.
CPR Training
: 7 to 8 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Led by a trainer accredited by the American Heart Association. Limited to 12 participants. The event is a non-certification course. For info or to register, call the library at 203488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
TUESDAY, JULY 1
Summer Reading Event: Collage Workshop
: 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Free. For info or to register, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
: has extended its Broadway run through the summer. The show – about a high school class studying Arthur Miller’s – received great reviews. The musical – – has closed. The show was late in arriving on Broadway, and though it got some positive reviews and Tony Award nominations, it was shut out. It joins , which has also closed. The CNN live presentation of the play drew more than 7.3 million viewers.
John Proctor is a Villain Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident.
To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle.word press.com. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle, the League of Professional Theater Women, and the American Theatre Critics Association.
Color STEAM Lab with Cool-ology
: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library Community Room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For children ages 6 to 11 to learn about refraction, color spectrums, primary and secondary colors, and color chemistry. For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Music Under the Stars Concert Series
: 7 p.m. North Haven Town Green. Music by Changes in Latitude (Tribute to Jimmy Buffet). Sponsored by the North Haven Department of Recreation in partnership with the North Haven business community. Free admission. For weather updates, call the Recreation Center at 203-672-0541 after 5 p.m. For info, visit northhaven-ct.gov/government/town_departments and click on the Recreation link and Music Under the Stars.
Suburban Storms and Ancient Gods Collide in Hurricane Diane
By Karen Isaacs
Diane’ at Hartford Stage
, now at Hartford Stage through Sunday, June 29, can be viewed in multiple ways. Certainly, it has a strong ecological message urging us to give up our manicured lawns and gardens in favor of more natural habitats.
But if you know your Greek mythology, you will see many other aspects of the play.
The play by Madeleine George opens with a monologue from Diane, who explains that she was the Greek god Dionysus, also referred to as Bacchus. She enjoyed the benefits of godhood, even as a lesser god – the adoration, the devoted women followers, and the good life. She bemoans that now people don’t know her. But she has a plan to recapture her past glories. All she needs are four women.
Dionysus/Bacchus was the god of winemaking, orchards, vegetation, and fertility, as well as insanity and madness. (He was also the god of theater.) His celebrations seemed to induce a frenzy in his followers and were said to free them from self-consciousness. In Rome, his celebrations became known as bacchanalia.
Diane appears in the luxurious suburban kitchen of Carol, who has called on Diane, a landscaper, to work on her manicured lawn in a quiet cul-de-sac in Red Bank, New Jersey. Carol has definite ideas about what she wants; after all, she is an obsessive reader of HGTV’s magazine. As Diane explains her ideas – tear out the lawn, layer native plants and trees that will bear fruit - Carol rejects the ideas and
Review
dismisses Diane. However, Diane is undeterred; three other women live in the cul-de-sac. Her next target is Beth, whose husband has left her. As played by Alyse Alan Louis, Beth reminds one of a Mia Farrow character: depressed, mousy, and lost. We then meet the two other women, Pam and Renee. Pam is fixated on being prepared for anything, particularly storms. Several years ago, a storm flooded the area; Pam was the one who prepared and helped the others. Renee, an editor at HGTV’s publications, constantly explains and instructs the women on all the latest jargon and fads.
Renee is the easiest sell for Diane; she wants to be on the cutting edge. Pam (who wants her yard to look like an Italian palazzo) and Beth (who wants a fairy garden) are harder. But all three come under Diane’s spell.
Hurricane
Diane
On some level, is a polemic; on another level, it could be a spin-off of series.
The Real Housewives….
While there are laughs, at times, you may have the uncomfortable feeling that Diane (played wonderfully by Bernadette Sefic) is bullying the women. Sefic makes sure the laughs in her opening speech land. Certainly, the three women – Beth remains clear-headed –go into a frenzy, which leads to a ritualistic dance.
It is as if she has created a cult. Each cast member totally inhabits their roles. Carol, Katya Campbell, is the clearheaded, efficient, and compulsively organized member of the group. Christina DeCicco is terrific as the neurotically prepared Pam, replete with a stereotypical accent. As Beth, Alyse Alan Louis conveys naivete and a mild manner, the hallmarks of someone who wants to be accepted but may feel like an outsider. Sharin Martin lets Renee’s natural bossiness and sexual ambivalence take center stage. Director Zoë Golub-Sass effectively uses the aisle and the stage’s apron. The open-
ing monologue is never static.
The production values are what we expect from a Hartford Stage production. The kitchen by scenic designer Emmie Finckel is to die for. Spacious, light, and modern.
Lighting designer Krista Smith and sound designer Joyce Ciesil are the stars: without their effects, the storms and the apparitions would be ineffective.
Despite, the fine performances, production values and laughs, I left the theater feeling that something was lacking.
Tickets are available at Hartford Stage.org.
Hurricane Diane
Stature and Gain Converts in ‘Hurricane
Photo by T Charles Erickson
The sleek, spacious kitchen set designed by Emmie Finckel sets the stage for Dionysian disruption in Hartford Stage’s . Hurricane Diane
Special to Living
Photo by T Charles Erickson
Tensions and transformations build among the neighbors as Diane’s influence grows in , with performances by Christina DeCicco, Sharina Martin, Alyse Alan Louis, and Katya Campbell.
Hurricane Diane
Continued from page 29
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
Creature Camouflage Colors
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. North Farms Park, 149 Branford Rd., North Branford. Presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Hosted by the North Branford Public Libraries. In the event of rain, the program will take place at the Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Shake, Rattle and Roll: Way Back Wednesdays
: 6 to
8 p.m. Branford Town Green. Features music from the 50s and 60s by DJ Dennis Nardella and a car show on Town Hall Drive. Runs through Wednesday, July 30. For info, visit branfordct.myrec.com/info/activities.
THURSDAY, JULY 3
Summer Reading Event: Friendship Bracelets
: 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Free. For info or to register, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Branford Jazz on the Green 2025
: 6:30 p.m. Branford Town Green. Music by Rob Zinn. Free. No dogs. No alcoholic beverages. Presented by the Town of Branford and the Branford Parks & Recreation Department. For info, visit branfordjazz.com.
FRIDAY, JULY 4
2025 Madison Independence Day Parade
Saturday Afternoon Games
: 1 to 4 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library Auditorium, 758 Main St., Branford. For ages 18 and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Memorial Library. For info or to register (required), visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Summer Crafts with Natalie: Painted Seashell Lighthouse
: 2 to 3:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For adults. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
Fourth of July Concert: A Salute to the Boston Pops
:
6 p.m. Madison Town Green. Features Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps at 6 p.m. and the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra conducted by Philip Ventre at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Madison Cultural Arts (MCA). Free and open to all. Bring chairs or a blanket. VIP seating available with a donation to benefit the MCA. No alcohol. Rain date: Sunday, July 6. For info, visit madisonculturalarts.org.
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Summer Sounds: Concerts on the Green Series
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Guilford Town Green. Music by Bruce Springsteen Tribute. Sponsored by Guilford Parks and Recreation. For info, call 203-453-8068 or click on the link for the springsummer 2025 brochure at guilfordparkrec.com/newslist.php.
TUESDAY, JULY 8
Shoreline Village Tea and Talk
Summer Reading Event: Blue Moon Raptors
: 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Free. For info or to register, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Drawing Your World with Raúl The Third (Pre-K to Grade 2)
: 4 to 4:30 p.m. Online event. Book:
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Blacksmith Demonstration
: 10 a.m. Formation at the Stop & Shop parking lot, 128 Samson Rock Rd., Madison. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., proceeds on Boston Post Road (Route 1) through the center of town, and concludes at the Madison Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Rd. In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library is named the grand marshal of the parade; in honor of its centennial, the North Madison Volunteer Fire Company serves as honor guard. Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Madison. For info, visit madisonexchange.org. : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd. Presented by blacksmith Troy Antoniewicz of Copper Rose Forge. For info, visit dudleyfarm.com/events.
Branford Microfund Information Session
: 10 a.m. to noon. James Blackstone Memorial Library lobby, 758 Main St., Branford. The Branford Microfund is a nonprofit organization that provides interest-free loans of up to $3,000 for unexpected financial challenges to Branford residents. For info, visit branfordmicrofund.org or events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Summer Picnic
: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Thomas Griswold House Museum grounds, 171 Boston St., Guilford. Hosted by The Guilford Keeping Society. For info, visit guilfordkeepingsociety.org/events.
MONDAY, JULY 7
Carousel Fundraising Event
: 12:30 to 7 p.m. Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale, 1301 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Proceeds from the day's carousel rides benefit The Women's Club of Madison Scholarship Fund. For info, visit womensclubmadisonct.com/events.
Teen Summer Crafternoon: DIY Squishes
: 3 to 4:30 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Second in a series of three drop-in craft sessions in the teen room on select Mondays through July 28. Snacks and supplies provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Memorial Library. For info, visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Family Board Game Night
: 4 to 5:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Open to all age groups. No registration needed. For info, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Musical Monday
: 6 to 8 p.m. Behind the Branford Town Hall, 1019 Main St. Music by Leaf Blowers. Part of the Musical Mondays series through Aug. 25. Sponsored by the Branford Parks and Recreation. For info, visit branfordct.myrec.com/info/activities.
Author Event: Adriana Trigiani
The View From
Drawing Your World with Raúl The Third (Pre-K to Grade 2)
: 4 to 4:30 p.m. Online event. Book:
: 7 p.m. Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 E. Main St., Clinton. Book: . Cost: $45, includes admission for one attendee and a copy of the book. Sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
. Hosted by the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/scrantonlibrary.
¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read! ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!
. Hosted by the North Branford Libraries through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/nbranfordlibraries.
Music Under the Stars Concert Series
: 7 p.m. North Haven Town Green. Music by Classics. Sponsored by the North Haven Department of Recreation in partnership with the North Haven business community. Free admission. For weather updates, call the Recreation Center at 203-672-0541 after 5 p.m. For info, visit northhavenct.gov/government/town_departments and click on the Recreation link and Music Under the Stars.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
What is Bugging Connecticut?
: 6 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library Auditorium, 758 Main St., Branford. Features a presentation about ticks and mosquitos by the East Shore District Health Department. For info or to register (required), visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Shake, Rattle and Roll: Way Back Wednesdays
: 6 to 8 p.m. Branford Town Green. Features music from the 50s and 60s by DJ Dennis Nardella and a car show on Town Hall Drive. Runs through Wednesday, July 30. For info, visit branfordct.myrec.com/info/activities.
Twilight Concert Series
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Pardee-Morris House, 325 Lighthouse Rd., New Haven. Music by Jovial Crew. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m., the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the New Haven Museum, which owns and operates the Pardee-Morris House. Rain date: Thursday, July 10. For info, visit newhavenmuseum.org/visit/pardee-morris-house.
Lake Como: A Novel : 2 p.m. Lillian’s Landing Pergola by Pa's Place, 514 Whitfield St., Guilford. Features a conversation with members of Shoreline Village CT (SVCT). For info or to register, contact 203-747-5939 or info@ShorelineVillageCT.org.
New Exhibition at Lyman Allyn Explores Early U.S.-China Trade
Press Release from the Lyman Allyn
The Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London presents
China from China: Porcelain and Stories of Early American Trade
, on view from June 14 through September 14, 2025. This exhibition explores the early trade between the United States and China, highlighting Connecticut merchants and sailors who helped shape American identity, industry, and global ties.
Featuring over 100 examples of fine and decorative arts, the show reveals how cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries influenced a young nation and laid the groundwork for a complex geopolitical relationship that continues today.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Lyman Allyn and the Dietrich American Foundation. It includes the Dietrich collection of Chinese export porcelain and paintings, a portion of which was shown at the Chinese American Museum in Washington, D.C., in 2022. The show also draws on objects from the Lyman Allyn’s collection and loans from regional public and private collections.
Following America’s independence in 1783, the country looked to China as a source of prized goods such as tea, porcelain, and silk. The historic voyage of the
Continued from page 31
THURSDAY, JULY 10
Pool Noodle Marble Runs
: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For ages 4 to 10. Features a reading of the story by Andrea Beaty. Participants then create a marble racetrack. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Summer Reading Event: Nature Walk with Wood Cookies
Empress of China in 1784 launched this transpacific trade, a venture marked by both great success and hardship. The exhibition tells the story through the lives of American traders, hong merchants, sailors, artists, diplomats, and scholars who shaped this critical chapter in history.
The opening reception will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. Museum members attend free; non-members pay $10. To register, call 860-443-2545 ext. 2129 or email info@lymanallyn.org.
Related programming includes a Community Day on June 14 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring a tea tasting, Chinese brush painting workshop, and lion dance performance—all free and open to the public. Award-winning author Eric Jay Dolin will give a lecture on July 26, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. On August 20, a virtual discussion with collectors H. Richard Dietrich III and Edward Tiedemann will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., free and open to all.
This exhibition is supported by an anonymous foundation, the Dietrich American Foundation, and the Connecticut State Legislature’s Office of the Arts. For more information, visit www.lymanallyn.org or contact Rebecca Dawson at dawson@lymanallyn.org.
Branford Jazz on the Green 2025
: 6:30 p.m. Branford Town Green. Music by 0Rebecca Jade. Free. No dogs. No alcoholic beverages. Presented by the Town of Branford and the Branford Parks & Recreation Department. For info, visit branfordjazz.com.
“A Hong Merchant,” an oil painting by Lam Qua (circa 1835–40), depicts a key figure in early U.S.-China trade. The work is part of the Dietrich American Foundation collection featured in the China from China exhibition at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.
workshop with a focus on personal writing, memoirs, and personal essays. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Friday Night Modern Film
: 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Features a walk on the trolley trail followed by time to decorate wood cookies. Free. For info or to register, call the library at 203-4888702 or visit wwml.org/events.
“Drive-in” Movie Night:
: 5:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Popcorn served. Bring a blanket to sit on. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Concert Series at Jacobs Beach
: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jacobs Beach, Seaside Ave., Guilford. Music by Moto. Sponsored by Guilford Parks and Recreation. For info, call 203-4538068 or click on the link for the spring-summer 2025 brochure at guilfordparkrec.com/newslist.php.
Author Event: Megan Abbott
Rosie Revere, Engineer El Dorado Drive Finding Nemo
: 7 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
Willoughby Book Talk: by Paul Lynch
Prophet Song
:
7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Led by library staff member Rabia Ali. Open to all. For info or to register, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Outdoor Summer Concert Series
: 7 to 8 p.m. Guilford Free Library Patio, 67 Park St. Music by Java Groove. Seats are available but may be limited. Bring your own chairs. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the meeting room. Free. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
2025 Grassy Strip Music Series
: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Music by Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Free and open to the public. The show starts with the Pledge of Allegiance; music begins at 7:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale on the lawn. Bring chairs and blankets. For info, visit madisonbeachhotelevents.com/hotel/hotel-happenings.
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Writers Writing
: 1 to 2:15 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For teens through seniors. Features a writing
: 7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Free. Light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library. No registration needed. For info, including the movie title, call the library at 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Flint Knapping Demonstration
: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd. For info, visit dudleyfarm.com/events.
The Joke Show
: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Part of the Legacy Theatre 2025 Family Series. Tickets: $25. Service fees apply. For info or tickets, contact the Legacy Theatre at 203315-1901 or Info@LegacyTheatreCT.org, or visit legacytheatrect.org.
Blessing of Watercraft
: 11 a.m. Stony Creek Beach. Features a parade of boats and watercraft receiving a blessing from local clergy, live music from the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps, and more. Sponsored by Stony Creek Church, Thimble Island Sailing Club, and The Stony Creek Association. For info, contact the Stony Creek Church at 203-488-7827 or office@stonycreekchurchct.org.
Art Museum
Photo courtesy of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Continued from page 32
ONGOING EVENTS
Art Exhibits
Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery
: 1004
Main St.: For info, contact 203-433-4071 or baca06405@gmail.com, or visit branfordarts.org.
Spring 2025 Art Show
: Runs through June 30.
Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) West Gallery
: 360 State St., New Haven: For info, contact 203433-4071 or baca06405@gmail.com, or visit branfordarts.org/events.
Vibrant Vision of Painter Howard Fussiner
: Runs through Aug. 31.
City Gallery
: 994 State St., New Haven: For info, email info@city-gallery.org or visit city-gallery.org.
Solstice
: Runs through June 29.
Essex Savings Bank
: 99 Durham Rd., Madison: For info, visit CarolBoynton.com.
Portraits by Carol Boynton
: Runs through June 30.
Guilford Art Center (GAC)
: 411 Church St.: For info, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.
Fiber Reimagined III
: Runs July 1 through July 27.
James Blackstone Memorial Library Upper Rotunda Gallery
: 758 Main St., Branford: For info, call 203-4881441 or visit blackstonelibrary.org.
Rod Serling: Submitted for Your Approval
: Runs through June 30.
Kehler Liddell Gallery
: 873 Whalley Ave., New Haven: For info, visit shorelinearts.org.
Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library Keyes Gallery
The Annual Stony Creek Summer Art Show
146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek: For info, call 203488-8702 or visit wwml.org/gallery. : Runs Aug. 1 through Aug. 24
Yale University Art Gallery
: 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. For info, call 203-432-0600 or visit artgallery.yale.edu/visit/exhibitions.
Romney: Brilliant Contrasts in Georgian England
: Runs through Sept. 14
Nusantara: Six Centuries of Indonesian Textiles
: Runs Sept.
12 through Jan. 11, 2026
Music
Edward A. Norton VFW Post 7666:
104 Mill Rd., Guilford. No cover. For info, call 203-214-5874. Mondays: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Big Swing Band with Tuxedo Junction.
Bingo:
7 p.m. Tuesdays. St Therese Church, 555 Middletown Ave. North Haven. For info, visit stelizabethofthetrinity.org.
Blackstone Fiber Art Community:
6 to 8.m. Wednesdays. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. All experience levels in fiber art forms are welcome. Registration is not required, drop-ins welcome. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Blackstone Library Tour:
10 a.m. Second Saturday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration encouraged, but drop-ins welcome. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Book Club:
Noon to 2 p.m. Third Thursday. Atwater Memorial Library Community Room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For info, including book titles, or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
: Runs Aug. 2 through Aug. 24.
Mary C. Daly Art Gallery at Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center
: 167 Neck Rd., Madison: For info, visit mercybythesea.org.
IMAGES 2025 Photography Competition Into the Light
: Runs through June 28.
Nathanael B. Greene Community Center
Guilford Art League 2025 Spring Show
: 32 Church St., Guilford: For info, visit guilfordartleague.org. : Runs through July 15.
New Haven Museum
: 114 Whitney Ave. For info, call 203-562-4183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.
Enduring Creativity: Celebrating 125 Years of the New Haven Paint & Clay Club
: Runs through June 28.
Invitation to Engage: 60 Years of Long Wharf Theatre & Beyond
: Runs through February 2026.
Susan Powell Fine Art
: 679 Boston Post Rd., Madison: For info, call 203-318-0616 or visit susanpowellfineart.com.
David Dunlop: Quest for Radiance
: Runs through July 6.
17 River St., East Haven. Cost: $5 suggested donation. For info, call 203467-6927 or visit shorelinetrolley.org.
First Tuesday: 6 to 9 p.m. Bluegrass acoustic and traditional music.
The Shore Line Trolley Museum: The Wharf:
Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. For info, call 203-350-0014 or visit thewharfmadison.com. Fridays: 8 to 10 p.m. Acoustic Fridays. Various performers.
Breastfeeding Support Meeting:
9:30 a.m. Second Wednesday. Grace and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2927 Dixwell Ave., Hamden. Sponsored by the La Leche League of Hamden/North Haven. For info or to RSVP, email Anne.M@LLLCT.org or visit lllct.org/hamdennorthhaven.
Chair Yoga with Martha:
6:30 p.m. Fourth Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Groups and Activities
A Journey Through America’s Past:
10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. Free. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. For info, contact 203-245-5695 or gillespiee@madisonct.org.
Acoustics Club:
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. On temporary break for winter. Bring your own acoustic instrument. No registration required. For info, call 203245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Ask-A-Lawyer: A Free Legal Clinic:
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Second Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Banned Book Club:
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. First Tuesday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. For info, call 203-488-1441 or visit blackstonelibrary.org.
10:30 a.m. First Sunday. Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. For grieving parents, grandparents, and siblings suffering the loss of children and family members. For info, call Vanessa Pentz at 203-645-7777.
Bereaved Parents USA and PS It Hurts Support Group: Bingo
: 7 p.m. Mondays. East Creek Landing, 390 S. Union St., Guilford. Doors open 5 p.m. Light refreshments. Cost: $15. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 3928. For info, call 203-453-2801.
Christ Episcopal Church Choir Rehearsal:
7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 11 Park St., Guilford. For info, email admin@christchurchguilford.org.
Christian Science Church Service and Sunday School:
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 49 Park St., Guilford. Open to all. For info, call 203453-1975 or visit christianscienceCT.org/Guilford.
Christian Science Testimony Meeting:
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 49 Park St., Guilford. Open to all. For info, call 203-453-1975 or visit christianscienceCT.org/Guilford.
Coastal Camera Club Meeting:
7 p.m. First and third Wednesdays. Via Zoom. To register (required), contact wfrprs@att.net. For info, visit coastalcameraclub.org.
Color and Conversation:
6 to 7:30 p.m. Last Monday. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration is not required. For info, call 203-4881441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Community Breakfast
: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Hosted by The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries, Madison. For info, email mainoffice@fccmadison.org or visit shorelinesoupkitchens.org.
Continued from page 33
Craft of the Month:
6 to 7:30 p.m. First Tuesday. Creative Loft at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Creative Craft Night
: 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Creative Loft at the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Creative Writing Group:
6 p.m. Second Monday. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For info, contact 860-669-2342 or sarah@hchlibrary.org.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group:
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Second Thursday. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Free. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Discussion Group: The Atlantic Magazine:
10:30 a.m. Fourth Wednesday. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For info, call 860-669-2342 or email sarah@hchlibrary.org.
Duplicate Bridge:
12:30 p.m. Fridays. Joseph Trapasso Community House, 46 Church St., Branford. For info, call 203-915-5987 or email tillerjock@gmail.com.
Ekphrastic Poetry Trust:
3 to 4:30 p.m. Second Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Participants create poetry from art. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Exploring Our Grief Journey: A Grief Support Group:
6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Registration is not required. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
F3 Shoreline
5:30 a.m. Fridays. Madison Town Campus, 8 Campus Dr. Free and open to all men. Held outdoors rain or shine. For info, email F3shoreline@gmail.com.
Family Support Group:
6 p.m. First Monday. Via Zoom. Offered by BHcare. A group for family members and caregivers who assist people through their journey of mental wellness. For info, call 203-800-7177 or visit BHcare.org.
Fiber Arts Club:
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Drop-ins welcome. Bring your own project. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Forever Young: A Young Adult Book Club:
6 to 7:30 p.m. Last Wednesday bimonthly. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
Friday Movie Matinee:
2 to 4 p.m. Second and fourth Fridays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Registration recommended. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 203-2457365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Guilford Job Network Meeting:
7 to 8:30 p.m. Second and fourth Wednesdays. Via Zoom. Includes guest speaker. All job seekers are welcome. For info or to register (required), call 203-457-0121 or email RussAllen2@aol.com.
Guitar Club:
12:30 p.m. Mondays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Bring your own instruments. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Harrison House Museum Tours:
1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Harrison House Museum, Barn, and Gardens, 124 Main St., Branford. Open to the public. Free admission but donations are welcome. Runs through September or by appointment. For info, contact 203-488-4828 or info@branfordhistoricalsociety.org.
iPhone Photography Collaborative:
6:30 p.m. First Monday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. All levels are welcome. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
La Leche Virtual Meetings:
7 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. Via Facebook. Sponsored by La Leche League of Connecticut. For info, visit facebook.com/groups/LLLofCTDiscussionForum.
Madison Movie Chat:
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. First and third Mondays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Maker Meet-up:
6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. All ages welcome. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Master Gardener Clinic:
Noon. Mondays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. All specimens must be in sealed containers. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Meditation Class:
11 a.m. Mondays. Online. Sponsored by the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Led by certified mindfulness and meditation teacher Joanne Vannelli. Free. For info or to register (required), contact sarah@hchlibrary.org.
Monday Night Mah-jongg:
6 to 8 p.m. Mondays. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Some previous knowledge or experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome. Bring your own mah-jongg set. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Movie Matinee:
1 to 3:30 p.m. Third Friday. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. For info, including the movie title, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Music with Margie:
11 a.m. Fridays. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children and their family members. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
NAMI Shoreline Family Support Group
: 7 p.m. Second Tuesday. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Facilitators trained by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer peer-led support to adults caring for a loved one ages 18 and over experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. For info, call 860-876-0236 or visit namishoreline.org.
NAMI Shoreline Family Support Group
: 7 p.m. Last Wednesday. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Facilitators trained by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer peer-led support to adults caring for a loved one ages 18 and over experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. For info, call 860-876-0236 or visit namishoreline.org.
Nimble Thimble:
1:30 p.m. Mondays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. A needlepoint group led by Cynthia Barker. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-5627.
Needle Arts Group:
10 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For info, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Noon Meditation Music:
Noon to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 11 Park St., Guilford. For info, email admin@christchurcguilford.org.
Open Mic Night:
6 to 7:30 p.m. First Thursday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Led by Madison Poet Laurate Ed Lent. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group Meeting
: 1 to
3 p.m. First Saturday. Branford Community House, 46 Church St. Includes guest speakers and care partner sharing sessions. For info, email allysonk11@yahoo.com.
1 p.m. Second Thursday. Atwater Memorial Library community room, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Free. For info, including movie titles, or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Pat’s Picks Movie Club: Poetry Cafe:
11 a.m. to noon. First and third Saturdays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Free. To register (required), visit blackstonelibrary.org. For info, email programs@blackstonelibrary.org.
Men’s Bootcamp Workout:
Beautifully Designed Cape Cod-Style Home
Welcome to 77 East Wharf! This beautifully designed five-bedroom Cape Cod-style home is ideally situated high on the property to capture breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound and tranquil Fence Creek. Ideal for entertaining or hosting beach-loving visitors, this home also includes a charming one-bedroom apartment over the garage.
Begin your experience with a private walkway bordered by a peaceful koi pond and gentle stream that leads to a stunning waterfall. This sets the tone for the serene lifestyle that awaits.
Inside, a massive sunroom offers panoramic vistas of the large, private yard, the creek, and Long Island Sound—ideal for morning coffee or relaxing sunsets.
77 East Wharf Road, Madison Year Built: Sq. Feet: Acres:
Located just a short stroll from both the heart of Madison and a sandy beach, this rare offering blends privacy, charm, and convenience—an exceptional opportunity to live the coastal lifestyle you have been dreaming of. This home is being offered for sale by The Walz Team at Coldwell Banker Realty for $4,000,000. For more information or a showing, contact Meig Walz at 203-
Inside, a massive sunroom offers panoramic vistas of the large, private yard, the creek, and Long Island Sound—ideal for morning coffee or relaxing sunsets.
This beautifully designed five-bedroom Cape Cod-style home is ideally situated high on the property to capture breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound and tranquil Fence Creek.
Staff Report
Ideal for entertaining or hosting beach-loving visitors, this home includes a charming one-bedroom apartment over the garage.
Real Estate Transactions
GUILFORD
: 2414
Boston Post Road Assoc to Mpq LLC, $500,000 on June 5
: Edward C. and Phyllis C. Ryan to Regina M. Fedele and Thomas J. Stein, $700,000 on June 3 : Annamay K. and Cornell M. Lattanzi to John-Paul A. and Soraya M. Rautio, $728,800 on June 2
: Jean-Michel Wasterlain and Patricia Lee to Janet Hussman and John Moran, $1,050,000 on June 2
: Martin J. Parsons to Etienne Caron and Valeria D. Borghi, $630,000 on June 2
21 Orchard Hill Road
: Ygor A.
Villalobos and Daniella P. Leyva to Daniel A. Ramirez and Odette Chavez, $450,000 on June 4
9 Pine Tree Drive
: Marie
Mcnamara and Alan J. Watson to Courtney Mcauliffe and John R. Veros, $540,000 on June 2
92 Rogers Street Unit 4
: Kim Ft
and Haeja G. Kim to Jennifer and William Daley, $559,000 on June 3
84 School Ground Road
: Estate of
Marguerite Jackson and Diane Coburn to Xun Xu, $365,000 on June 3
37 Sound View Heights
: 37 Sound View Hts LLC to Allison J. Ohanlon, $675,000 on June 2
19 Terhune Avenue
: Lisa A. Fiasconaro and Germaine Mathis to Tanner and Alec R. Divito, $615,000 on June 5
341 Walden Green Road Unit 341
:
Carol Brouillette to Jacqueline M. Carrano, $310,000 on June 3
Timber Ridge Road
: Candace
Martin to Alexander R. and Valeska Gerson, $700,000 on June 4
White Cedar Drive
: Ronald and Ingrid Oris to Olivia and Anthony Luzzi, $693,000 on June 3
NORTH BRANFORD
Birchwood Drive
: Mark and Kalene Ballantoni to Jude Santiago and Melissa Meyer, $530,000 on June 5
Edward Road
: Michael V. and Sophia Perito to Michael P. and Jacqueline M. Pierpaoli, $465,000 on June 3
Forest Road
: Hasmukh Patek to 139 Summit LLC, $130,000 on June 4
Linsley Lake Road
: Estate of Corliss Darge and Henry Milton to Marta Elmasry, $620,000 on June 4
Village Street
: 199 Riverside Road LLC to Ryan and Brianna Nobile, $574,000 on June 4
June 2
211 Green Hill Road
: Max Schultz
2017 RET and Max Schultz to Thomas Sikes, $1,120,000 on June 2 : Betty J. Folger to Jared Sgroi and Hannah Smith, $595,000 on June 3
84 Roast Meat Hill Road
5 Bishop Street
: Timberwood Const LLC to Jordan and Julianna Bratt, $401,000 on May 23
23 Giles Avenue
: H&U Home
Improvement LLC to Rinkesj Patel, $435,000 on May 19
216 Quinnipiac Avenue Unit 218
: Melicent Marrett to David M. and Gloria W. Corcoran, $120,000 on May 21
8 Roberts Road
: Matthew J. Panicali to Kyle and Monica Scafariello, $445,000 on May 21
30 Turner Drive
: Kyle R. Horn to Jenna C. Steere, $367,500 on June 5
BRANFORD
: Robert G Ferguson Jr T and Robert G. Ferguson to Dennis Q. and Tekhara Silva, $1,199,000 on June 3
: Stephen G. Palmer to Ernest T. and Alicia M. Walker, $250,000 on June 3
: Christopher Biggs to Andrea R. Bilskis, $570,000 on June 2
: Christopher Biggs to Andrea R. Bilskis, $570,000 on June 2 : Elizabeth J. Dougherty to Rachel Schreiber and David Gissen, $587,500 on June 3
: Jo A. Jennings to Mark W. Sullivan, $310,000 on June 3
: Daniel
J. Alter to Linda South Cardichon RET and Linda S. Cardichon, $315,000 on June 2
:
Nicholas Depietro to Damarys Jara and Matthew Cerino, $325,000 on June 4
: Judith Barron to Lorett and John Ferraro, $456,000 on June 2
18 Woodvale Road N/A
: Edward E. Jendrzewski to William C. Caswell, $158,933 on June 4
Schmitt to Midway Management LLC, $392,000 on June 2
51 Brantwood Drive Unit 51
:
Estate of Christopher Penders and Kali Penders to Kaitlyn Doherty, $250,000 on June 4
63 Circle Beach Road
: Mark E. and Amy J. Jackson to J C. and Robin B. Backes, $850,000 on June 2
Durham Road
: Robert J. Weber to South Ctrl Court Regional Water, $235,984 on June 4
128 Horse Pond Road
: Glenn D. and Kathleen N. Speer to Jeffrey P. and Eni J. Scialabba, $850,000 on June 4
13 Old Toll Road
: John and Tullia Waterfall to Anne C. Stevens and Christopher J. Roselli, $705,000 on June 2
15 Pepperwood Court
: Shannon
Reilly and William Knecht to Caroline Burns and Timothy Demers, $700,000 on June 5
EAST HAVEN
: Nationstar
Mortgage LLC to Jinmy and Angelica Apolo, $259,500 on June 2
: Leonard A
Dunican T and Joan Dunican to Arman Construction LLC, $280,000 on June 2
: Michael Cusmano to Danielle and Andre Barrett, $420,000 on June 4
: Sandra Cianelli and Maria Dicaro to Carol A. Schiumo, $383,000 on June 2
Borrmann Road 642 Bradley Street 654 Bradley Street 137 Cosey Beach Road 47 Dale Street
: Mohan Chugani to Kadiatu Suma-Turay, $475,000 on June 2
33 Edward Street
: Pane Ft and Louis Pane to Nadique C. Morrison, $375,000 on June 5
20 Fisco Drive
: Anthony J. and Cynthia M. Laudano to Christopher Pizzorusso, $385,000 on June 3
17 Sunset Road
: Ryan V. Nobile and Brianna M. Clynne to Gabriella L. Palmieri and Alphonse M. Delucia, $390,000 on June 4
7 Taylor Avenue
: David M. and Margo M. Defelice to Clint and Mika Buckles, $404,000 on June 2
500 Thompson Avenue
: Debra S. Ehrlich to Timothy Cabral, $240,000 on June 3
70 Wood Terrace
: John Pagliuca to Katherine B. and Austin H. Henke, $490,000 on June 2
KILLINGWORTH
209 Green Hill Road
: Romy C
Schultz 2017 RET and Suzanne B. Walsh to Thomas Sikes, $75,000 on
: Adam and Katelyn M. Tusia to Stephanie N. Sacco, $486,000 on May 21
32 Windsor Road E
: Paul H Kaplan RET and Paul H. Kaplan to Daryl Retzke, $770,000 on May 23
NORTH HAVEN CLINTON
35 Hammock Parkway
: Laura Ronghi to Denise V. and Lasse Simonsen, $630,000 on June 6
58 Killingworth Turnpike
: Pergola
Properties LLC to Daniel Alter and Sarbjeet Kaur, $580,000 on June 5 : Lkz
29 Lochbourne Drive
Properties LLC to Beatrice OwusuBoateng, $357,000 on June 3
26 Partridge Lane
: Cristina Augusto to Sandra E. Clifton, $493,000 on June 2
23 Plymouth Court Unit 23
: Paul Nedovich to Barbara Viering, $255,000 on June 5
OLD SAYBROOK
11 Crest Road
: David and Ellen R. Platt to Glenn And Antonella Bellm and Glenn Bellman, $847,500 on June 3
10 Cricket Court
: Russell T
Westcott T and Kerry E. Knobelsdorff Mcka to David W. Frasco, $490,000 on June 4
17 Cricket Court
: Christina M. and Richard E. Garcia to Brendan M. Dennard, $811,000 on June 2
Trolley Line Celebrates 125 Years as Oldest in the U.S.
The Shore Line Trolley Museum marks 125 years of continuous operation of Connecticut’s historic trolley line, the oldest suburban rail service in the nation. Founded in 1900 by Branford residents to connect their town to New Haven, the line remains a living piece of American transportation history thanks to dedicated volunteers.
John Proto, Executive Director of the museum, said, “This railway is a rare surviving example of early American transit infrastructure. We’re preserving more than trolley cars—we’re stewarding a pivotal chapter in our nation’s industrial and transportation heritage.”
Continued from page 34
Since opening to the public in 1947, the museum has grown to house the country’s most extensive collection of vintage trolleys and rapid transit cars. The railway offers visitors a glimpse of America’s industrial pride amid the unspoiled natural surroundings along the route.
The museum will mark the 125th anniversary with family-friendly events throughout the year, including a public ceremony on Thursday, July 31, the date the museum acquired the line. Local officials and museum leaders will participate. For details, visit www.shorelinetrolley.org or follow @shorelinetrolleymuseum on Facebook and Instagram.
10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. United Methodist Church, 811 E. Main St., Branford. For info, contact the church at 203-488-0549 or umcbranford1966@gmail.com, or visit umcbranford.org.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. For info, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
10:30 to 11 a.m. Second Saturday. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features children’s librarian Miss Mary with stories, music, and movement. All ages. Registration not required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Club:
6:30 p.m. First and third Tuesdays. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365, ext. 1019 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Shoreline Chess Club:
9 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays. Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St. All levels welcome. For info, call 203-675-7717.
Stamp and Coin Show:
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fourth Sunday. YMA Annex, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven. Sponsored by the New Haven Philatelic Society. For info, visit nhps1914.com.
Tech Help Tuesday:
11 a.m. to noon. Second and fourth Tuesdays. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Tech help in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. For info, call 203-488-1441 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
suburban trolley line in the United States, celebrating 125 years in 2025.
Third Thursday Movie Matinee
: 10 a.m. Third Thursday. James Blackstone Memorial Library Auditorium, 758 Main St., Branford. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-1441 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
12:30 to 2 p.m. Third Friday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Bring copies of two published poems to share and read aloud. Open to all. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
6:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Support and encouragement for those who want to lose weight. For info, call 203-640-0787.
10:30 to 11 a.m. Fridays. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. For ages 18 months and up. Registration not required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
: The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Runs Aug. 7 through Aug. 24. For info, call 203-315-1901 or visit legacytheatrect.org.
The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Runs through June 29. For info, call 203-3151901 or visit legacytheatrect.org.
: Madison Lyric Stage, Deacon John Grave House grounds, 581 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Runs July 18 through Aug. 3. For info, call 203-215-6329 or visit madisonlyricstage.org.
Farmers Market
Durham Farmers Market
: 9 a.m. to noon. Saturdays through Oct. 4. Durham Community Center grounds, 144 Picket Ln., or on the Town Green. For info, email farmersmarket@townofdurhamct.org or visit townofdurhamct.org/articles/summer-farmers-market-update.
Farmers Market at the Guilford Fairgrounds Madison Farmers Market
: 4 to
7 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 30 (later, if weather permits). Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Ln. For info, email farmersmarket@guilfordfair.org or visit guilfordyouthandfamilyservices.org.
: 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays through Thanksgiving. Madison Green. For info, visit madisonctfarmersmarket.com.
The Dudley Farm Farmers Market
: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through October. The Dudley Farm, 2351 Durham Rd., Guilford. For info, visit dudleyfarm.com/farmers-market.
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.
Press Release from the Shore Line Trolley Museum
Photo courtesy of the Shore Line Trolley Museum
A vintage trolley car glides along the scenic Shore Line Trolley Museum route in East Haven, part of the oldest continuously operated
Prayer Shawl Ministry:
Quilters Club:
Saturday Story Time:
Scranton Writers’
Geologist Daniel Coburn brings his expertise—from the Highlands of Scotland to New Haven’s Grove Street Cemetery—to explore how stone type influences the preservation and beauty of historic grave markers.
Stones Tell Stories: Exploring the Geology of Grave Markers at Grove Street Cemetery
The grave markers at New Haven’s historic Grove Street Cemetery reflect more than memory and mourning—they tell a geological story, one shaped by local quarries, cultural trends, and the endurance of stone over time. Daniel Coburn, adjunct professor of geology at Southern Connecticut State University, will explore these layered narratives during a free lecture at the Pardee-Morris House on Sunday, August 17, at 2 p.m.
Titled Memories in Stone: The Geology of Grave Markers of the Grove Street Cemetery, the program will examine how grave markers throughout the cemetery vary in composition and appearance. These differences, Coburn explains, are shaped by the distinct geological origins of the materials, including stone types sourced from regional quarries that once fueled the local economy.
Coburn will guide visitors through the characteristics that made each stone type a popular—or practical—choice for gravestones and how those same qualities influence their preservation over time. His lecture will include a close look at the physi-
cal beauty of the materials and their varying resistance to weathering, providing insight into how geology informs both memory and monument.
Coburn holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Southern Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. He has taught physics and earth science at Trumbull High School since 1995 and currently serves as an adjunct professor of geology at Southern. His background also includes work as a senior geologist at HRP Associates, Inc., where he specialized in hydrogeology and industrial contamination remediation.
Admission to the program is free. In case of rain, updates will be posted on social media and at newhaven museum.org. The event is part of the 2025 summer season at the Pardee-Morris House and is supported by WSHU 91.1 FM and The Howard Gilman Foundation.
The Pardee-Morris House, located at 325 Lighthouse Road in New Haven, is maintained by the New Haven Museum. For a complete list of events, visit newhavenmuseum.org.
