Instead of borrowing books, students at Chester Elementary School (CES) can now check out microscopes, telescopes, and other hands-on learning tools through a new initiative called the “Library of Things.”
The program, developed by CES Media Specialist Susan Parodi in conjunction with
the Chester Parent-Teacher Organization, allows students to borrow items rather than traditional library materials. Similar programs have been introduced at public libraries across Connecticut in recent years, including the Chester Public Library, but CES is the first school in Region 4 to offer a Library of Things.
Items may be borrowed for two weeks at a
Regina von Gootkin: A Voice for Phone-Free Schools
Staff Writer By Christian Maldonado
Regina von Gootkin believes the biggest threat to today’s students may fit in the palm of their hands. The Essex attorney and mother of three is working to raise awareness about what she sees as the harmful effects of cell phones on students, both in the Region 4 School District and across Connecticut.
Regina’s advocacy grows out of a book club she shares with friends, where members agreed to read Jonathan Haidt’s 2024 nonfiction book The Anxious Generation. The book explores the risks of early screen and phone use and describes a shift from a “playbased” childhood to a “phonebased” one.
“After I read this book, it was like a switch went off in my head,” Regina says. “I felt like I needed to take action and shout it from the rooftops and
Person of the Week
tell everyone I could that there is a problem.”
Regina says smartphones and other devices are designed to be simple and highly engaging, making moderation difficult even for adults. Expecting children to exercise that same level of self-control, she says, is unrealistic.
“They’re just that little buzzing thing that we just cannot help but check — we are all guilty of it,” Regina says. “Why are we expecting these kids to exercise such a level of self-control to keep it off?”
Those concerns led Regina to begin speaking before the Region 4 Board of Education
See Regina page 8
• Camp Hazen YMCA • Cappella Cantorum, Inc. • Chester Elementary School PTO • Chester Historical Society The Chester Hose Company, Inc. • Chester Land Trust • Common Good Gardens, Inc. • Community Music School
Con Brio Choral Society, Inc. • Connecticut River Museum (Connecticut River Foundation at Steamboat Dock • The Country School, Inc. CT Cancer Foundation, Inc. • Connecticut Theater Women Network • Deep River Ambulance Association, Inc. • Deep River Fire Department
Deep River Land Trust, Inc. • Deer Lake Outdoor Center (Pathfinders, Inc.) • Essex Ambulance Association, Inc. • Essex Art Association, Inc.
Essex Elderly and Affordable Housing, Inc. • Essex Elementary School PTO • Essex Fire Engine Co. No. 1 • Essex Historical Society, Inc.
Essex Land Trust • Essex Library Association • Essex Winter Series, Inc. • The Estuary, Inc. (Meals on Wheels)
FISH (Friends in Service Here) for C, D, & E, Inc. • Families Helping Families • Forgotten Felines, Inc.
Fountain Hill Cemetery Preservation Society, Inc. • Friends of Chester Public Library • Friends of Hamburg Fair • Friends of Hammonasset, Inc.
Friends of the Acton Public Library • Friends of the Lyme Public Library • Friends of Westbrook Library • Guilford Youth Mentoring
Henry Carter Hull Library • High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. • Homeward Bound Adoptions CT, Inc.
HOPE Partnership (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere), Inc. • Ivoryton Library Association • Ivoryton Playhouse
Ivoryton Village Alliance • Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Inc. • Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT, Inc. • Lumibility, Inc. (formerly SARAH)
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts • Lyme Ambulance Association, Inc. • Lyme Art Association • Lyme Fire Company
Lyme Public Hall and Local History Archives, Inc. • Lyme/Old Lyme Food Share Garden • Lymes’ Elderly Housing, Inc. (Lymewood)
Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau • Madison Cultural Arts • Madison Emergency Medical Services (Madison Ambulance Association, Inc.)
The Madison Foundation, Inc. • Madison Historical Society, Inc. • MusicNow Foundation, Inc. • Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center, Inc.
Old Lyme Fire Department • Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc. • Old Lyme Land Trust • Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Old Lyme Rowing Association, Inc. • Old Saybrook Education Foundation • Old Saybrook Fire Company No. 1, Inc. • Old Saybrook Garden Club
Old Saybrook Historical Society • Old Saybrook Land Trust • Pettipaug Junior Sailing Academy • Region 4 Education Foundation
Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation, Inc. • Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife & Drum Corps • Shoreline Arts Alliance, Inc.
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries • Study Hall, Inc. • Traveling Toys, Inc. • Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc.
Valley Baseball-Softball Booster Club • Valley Shore YMCA • Valley Soccer Club, Inc.
Vernon A. Tait All-Animal Adoption, Preservation, and Rescue Fund, Inc. (dba TEAM) • Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Westbrook Historical Society, Inc. • Westbrook Project Graduation, Inc. • Westbrook Youth and Family Services, Inc.
Women & Family Life Center of Guilford, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Regina von Gootkin Essex attorney and parent Regina von Gootkin is working to raise awareness about the effects of cell phone use on students and is advocating for a bell-to-bell phone policy in schools.
Letters
to the
Editor
Lingers to This Day
During the Depression, the two ivory companies, Pratt Read of Deep River and Comstock Cheney of Ivoryton, were failing. To save themselves, they merged and ended many benefits that had accrued to the workers during the past 40 years.
The Community Hall was one of the benefits that was sold.
The hall had been built for the workers as the place for dances, performances, meetings, clubs, movies, potluck dinners and even organized, spectator-sport wrestling matches. The eighth grade graduation ceremony was held there, as were other meaningful social events.
The building was designed by an architect — the most impressive building in the village, a source of pride, the main gathering place.
The building was rented and then sold in the early 1930s to a theater owner from New York and converted to a playhouse with summer shows that people in Ivoryton rarely, if ever, attended. It was for people outside of the
village, mostly people who owned waterfront summer houses.
My mother told me the one time the villagers took advantage of the playhouse was when the musical came to town for one week.
Each night they would gather outside the four exit doors (always open because there was no A/C) just before the internationally famous Black bass-baritone Paul Robeson sang “Old Man River.” When he finished, they would go home, go to bed and sleep until they got up for work in the morning.
I think there is a psychology of “they took it away from us and gave it to someone else” in Ivoryton that lingers to this day.
There is no need to regret or apologize for such feelings, especially when they are honestly and sincerely expressed. Feelings of loss affect us deeply, and expressing them is a tribute to what was good, appreciated and treasured.
Nominations Open for 14th Annual Beacon Awards
Since 2013, the Beacon Awards have been our way of pausing to say thank you to the people who quietly hold our shoreline communities together.
What began as a small effort to recognize a handful of extraordinary neighbors has grown into an annual tradition. Over the past 13 years, Shore Publishing and Zip06.com have honored nearly 200 individuals whose generosity, compassion, and commitment have strengthened our towns in ways both large and small. In 2026, we are proud to continue that tradition with the 14th annual Beacon Awards, to be held Wednesday, June 24, at Woodwinds in Branford.
Beacon Award honorees are not chosen for accolades or titles. They are chosen because they show up—consistently and selflessly. They lead food drives, mentor young people, advocate for neighbors, preserve local history, protect vulnerable populations, and give their time without expectation of recognition. These are the people who make our shoreline a place of opportunity, well-being, and connection.
As a local news organization, we have the privilege of telling many meaningful stories throughout the year. But the Beacon Awards are special. They are shaped directly by the community through nominations submitted by readers, neighbors, coworkers, and friends. You are the ones who know who is making a difference, often quietly and sometimes without thanks.
We invite you to submit your nominations for the 2026 Beacon Awards at www.beaconawardsct.com. Nominees must be at least 18 years old and have a strong connection to one of our shoreline communities, including Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Old Saybrook, or Westbrook. Nominations are due by Friday, March 13.
To our past honorees, nominees, sponsors, and nominators: thank you. The Beacon Awards endure because of your belief that service matters and that those who give of themselves deserve to be seen. Who inspires you? We’re looking forward to hearing their story.
Show Boat
Gary Comstock Ivoryton
Managing Editor
Laura Robida
Christian Maldonado Valley Courier
Betsy Lemkin The Sound Guilford Courier Ext. 6130
Cindy Breckheimer The Source Ext. 6140
Lori Gregan Valley Courier Ext. 6167
Maria Caulfield Living Editor
Alicia Gomez Specialty Publications Editor
Laura Giannelli Chief Revenue Officer Ext. 4304
Laura Robida Managing Editor Ext. 6119
Alan C. Ellis Production Director
Lisa Martin Real Estate Advertising Ext. 6122
Eric O’Connell Harbor News
Serenity Bishop Sports Editor Ext. 6141
Rita Christopher Senior Correspondent
Kristen Lennon Circulation Advertising Assistant
Aaron Rubin The Source Guilford Courier
Wesley Bunnell Chief of Photography
Editorial Staff
Obituaries
Obituary
John J. Molloy III
Chester
John J. Molloy III, born Nov. 22, 1941, passed away peacefully Jan. 22, 2026, at the age of 85.
John was born and raised in West Hartford, and in his adult years worked for Hartford National Bank. He would later attend the Hartford Art School, where he began his interest in sculpture. In the early 1990s, he was a founding member
Obituary
Jennie Makowicki
Centerbrook
of the Society of Connecticut Sculptors (SCS) along with famous sculptors Stanley Bleifeld and Lloyd Glasson. John worked hard for the society and served as its president for many years.
A longtime friend to many, he was known for his kindness and his quiet sense of humor. John will be deeply missed. He will be buried in his family’s plot at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Brookfield.
Contacting Valley Courier
As your hometown paper, the Valley Courier welcomes reader contributions and questions. If it’s important to you, we want to know about it. Here are the best ways to bring matters to our attention.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR The ValleyCourier encourages letters to the editor that offer a uniquely local perspective on local issues.
Writers may submit letters as often as every two weeks. Letters must include the writer’s full name, street address, and phone number for verification purposes. Letters submitted under pseudonyms, anonymously, or through third parties will be declined. Letters must be written by the submitter. No more than four signees are permitted per letter.
Letters must be 300 words or fewer and are subject to editing for clarity, style, and adherence to policy. Letter writers may be asked to supply sources to corroborate information presented as fact in letters.
Civility is required. Letters with personal attacks, unsubstantiated allegations, or inflammatory language will be declined.
For letters endorsing a political candidate, Shore Publishing will accept one endorsement per writer per candidate. Letters with negative content are not accepted for the two issues preceding elections to allow for candidate rebuttal.
Letters must be received and verbally confirmed by 5 p.m. Thursday, seven days prior to publication. Confirmation does not guarantee publication. Publication is subject to approval by the editor.
Letter writers who knowingly violate this policy three times will be banned from submitting future letters to the editor.
Letters may be submitted at www.zip06.com or email to shoreletters@shorepublishing.com.
Jennie (Carfi) Makowicki passed away peacefully at the amazing age of 103. Jennie was a local hairdresser, starting her business in the 1950s as a single woman. She met her husband, Ted, at the restaurant next to her business; they were married until his death in 2011. A true local, Jennie was born in the family house in Centerbrook, graduated from Pratt High School, raised her family, and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows in Essex.
nie’s first great-grandchild, Edward Yencken, was born shortly before her passing on Jan. 23, 2026.
Jennie will be dearly missed. She brought love and kindness to her family, always delivered with the unmistakable “Nana look.”
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR To have your item considered for print, please email news@shorepublishing.com. Announcements and calendar items are printed as space allows. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday at noon, nine days before publication.
These are just a few ways to get involved in your newspaper. If you have an idea for a story, a question about news deadlines, or any other news-related inquiry, email news@shorepublishing.com or call the News Department at 203-245-1877, ext. 0.
Jennie was predeceased by her husband, Ted; her brothers, Charlie and Turie; her sisters, Josephine “Josie” and Rose “Rosie”; Ted’s 12 brothers and sisters; her daughter-in-law, Gretchen (Tom’s wife); and her grandson, Tyler. She is survived by her sons, Thomas of Deep River, and Paul and his wife, Margo, of Seattle, WA; her grandchildren, Sarah, Malia and her husband, Louie Yencken, Simon, and Evan; along with many nieces and nephews. Jen-
Take
Off Pounds Sensibly
Jennie’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Gladeview Healthcare in Old Saybrook, who truly became family to her. The care she received was exceptional and provided a wonderful atmosphere during the final years of her life. Jennie could be found holding court with staff and residents—telling stories, calming nerves, and welcoming new residents. Everyone had a “Miss Jennie” story to tell; she was truly a legend at Gladeview.
Jennie was frequently asked what the secret was to living such a long life; she would shrug her shoulders, throw out her hands, and say, “Who knows.” Her family attributes her long life to the two daily servings of ice cream—prescribed by doctor’s orders—she preferred strawberry. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.
OBITUARIES The ValleyCourierpublishes paid obituary notices in print and at Zip06.com. Obituaries should be sent to obits@theday.com. The deadline for all obituaries is Wednesday at 4 p.m., eight days prior to publication date. Obituaries will also be posted as quickly as possible at Zip06.com.
ADVERTISING To speak with someone about newspaper and online advertising, contact the Sales Department at advertising@shorepublishing.com or 203-245-1877. All advertising is subject to the approval of Shore Publishing. Shore Publishing shall have the right to revise, reject or cancel, in whole or in part, any advertisement at any time for any or no reason.
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TOPS Club CT 84 hosts a weekly weight support meet to help those who want to shed off pounds sensibly. The meet takes place at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at St. Marks Church (basement), 222 McVeagh Road, Westbrook. Attendees weigh in from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m., followed by a meeting with motivation speakers. For more information, call 860-767-0705.
While our press schedule often does not allow us to publish death notices in time to announce memorial services, readers can find obituaries posted to the Valley Courier website, www.zip06.com, five days a week as they arrive.
Stories and features denoted with the Shore Publishing “Sponsored” icon are sponsored by advertisers. Sponsored content is content created or commissioned by advertisers in collaboration with Shore Publishing’s marketing team. As with all advertising, sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views of Shore Publishing. Shore Publishing will ensure the treatment and design of Advertising and Sponsored Content is clearly differentiated from its editorial content.
MCRC 2026 Business Operating Grants Program
The application for the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission’s (MCRC) 2026 Business Operating Grants Program will open online from Sunday, Feb. 15 to Sunday, March 15. The program, funded through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified small businesses in Middlesex County. The 2026 application is for the fourth year of a five-year program aimed at providing financial and technical assistance to business owners so they can continue operations and sustain—as well as expand—employment opportunities for Middlesex County residents. Applicants are encouraged to consider how the requested funds will positively influence the growth and development of their business or help mitigate the negative effects of any hardships they are currently experiencing. Grant funding can be used for equipment and/or technology, leasehold improvements, and other fixed costs--including expenses related to supply chain disruptions, increased employee travel time/mileage, higher vendor costs, loss of income, and additional marketing expenses. For-profit businesses that apply must be based in and have operated in a Middlesex County town for at least 24 months, have 50 or fewer employees, generate less than $8 million in revenue, and be in good standing with all municipal, state, and federal authorities. For more information on eligibility and application requirements, visit https://mxcrc.org.
Taxi Vouchers Make Trips More Affordable
The Estuary Transit District and 9 Town Transit announce that people with disabilities and seniors ages 60 or over are eligible to use the Taxi Voucher Program. Taxi voucher service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Connecticut. Taxi vouchers allow riders to purchase taxi fares at half price. The vouchers may then be used for transportation to anywhere in Connecticut and at any time that the participating taxi company provides service. A participant must be aged 60 or over, certified for ADA paratransit, have a Connecticut statewide reduced fare ID, or have a Medicare card to be eligible for the Taxi Voucher Program. The participant must complete the Taxi Voucher Application form with payment to begin using the program. The Estuary Transit District’s Taxi Voucher Program provides accessible transportation outside of the 9 Town Transit service area and hours of operation. For a participant to use the Taxi Voucher Program, the trip must either begin or end in one of the following towns: Clinton, Chester, Durham, Essex, East Haddam, East Hampton, Deep River, Durham, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. The other end of the trip can be anywhere that Curtin Transportation is able to travel within Connecticut. To obtain a copy of the application, call 860-510-0429, ext. 106 or visit 9towntransit.com. For more information, visit estuarytransit.org/schedules-services/taxi.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ESSEX ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by in person meeting at Town Hall (see agenda on Town’s website www.essexct. gov for further details), at 6:00 p.m. to hear the following applications:
Application No. 26-1 on behalf of All Waste Incorporated, 25 Industrial Park Road Centerbrook, CT, Assessor’s Map 54 Lot 9, LI District, requesting variances of Sections 40C, 40D, 40E, 40I.1, 50C, 50D, and 90E for the construction of an office addition to the existing non-conforming building located within the front yard setback.
Copies of the application are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office and Land Use Department at Essex Town Hall and can be viewed on the Town’s webpage.
Essex Bank Marks 175th With Yearlong Nonprofit Giving
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
Essex Bank is marking its 175th anniversary by giving back to the community—one nonprofit at a time.
The bank announced it will make 12 monthly donations of $1,851 this year, totaling more than $22,000, to local nonprofit organizations as part of its yearlong anniversary celebration. In January, TriTown Youth Services became the first recipient, receiving a $1,851 donation announced by Essex Bank President Diane Arnold.
The donation amount reflects the year the bank was founded, 1851, and follows the recent announcement that the institution has changed its name from Essex Savings Bank to Essex Bank.
Arnold said the bank has already selected all 12 nonprofit recipients but will not release the full list in advance. She said the goal was to spread the donations among a wide range of organizations and causes across the bank’s market area.
“A lot of thought went into the selections,” Arnold said. “We wanted to make sure we were supporting different types of organizations and spreading the donations demographically as equally as we could.”
Arnold said she and the bank’s marketing team identified four categories of nonprofit organizations to support during the year: housing, elderly services, youth services, and culture. There will be three recipients in each category.
“We have already selected the recipients, and we will be rolling them out one
by one,” she said.
The anniversary donations are separate from the bank’s long-standing Community Investment Program, which donates up to 10% of yearly after-tax profits to local nonprofits. The program has been in place for 31 years and has contributed $6.5 million to organizations serving the Chester, Deep River, and Essex area.
“We know that a lot of funding has been cut for nonprofits,” Arnold said. “We also know that there is a lot of need out there.”
Arnold said she is grateful to help lead an initiative that supports organizations providing critical services in the community.
“It is incredibly gratifying to be able to walk into an organization that you know needs funding and be able to hand them that check,” she said. “They support our community, and we know that we have common interests and goals.”
Tri-Town Youth Services Executive Director Rob Bibbiani said the organization was honored to be selected as the first recipient.
“Essex Bank has been a long-standing and generous supporter of Tri-Town Youth Services and what we do,” Bibbiani said. “We will have a board meeting soon to decide what the money will fund and who it will benefit. We know there is no shortage of needs in our community.”
Essex Bank officials said they expect to announce the February recipient later this month, continuing the rollout of donations across the four nonprofit categories throughout the year.
Notice of Decision
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Planning and Zoning Commission at their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 via in-person and virtual meeting, took the following actions:
- PZC #25-19 Special Exception under Section 101J of the Essex Zoning Regulations for construction of a single-family home exceeding 4,000 sq ft of total area, inground pool and associated improvements within the Gateway Conservation District at 11 Clark Lane Essex. Applicant/Owner: Eric and Amy Nordquist APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
- PZC #25-20 Coastal Site Plan under Section 102 Coastal Management District of the Essex Zoning Regulations for construction of a single-family home within the coastal boundary at 11 Clark Lane Essex. Applicant/Owner: Eric and Amy Nordquist APPROVED
Details of these decisions can be found at the Land Use Office at Town Hall 29 West Avenue Essex CT.
Respectfully Submitted, Chairman Smith
Carey Duques, Land Use Official
The Perfect Valentine: Hoping for a Home
Story by Carol Andrecs
Beautiful Hope has been waiting for her forever home for many years. She was rescued as a very pregnant stray and gave birth shortly thereafter. Her kittens were adopted several years ago, and she has been patiently waiting for her own loving home. Hope is quiet and a little shy, but warms up nicely when she is petted. She will blossom in a quiet home without dogs or young kids. Adopting one cat may not change the world, but for Hope, her world will change forever. Come meet Hope at our open house or apply to adopt her online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.
Find Your Match at Forgotten Felines
Forgotten Felines holds an open house every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary.
Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and
much appreciated. For more information, contact 860-669-1347 or volunteerinfo@forgotten felinesct.org.
Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, continues its series of Little Learners story times with stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts around a designated theme. Children and their caregivers can enjoy story time on Fridays at 10 a.m., with the theme of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 13 and dental health on Feb. 20 (in celebration of National Family Dental Health Day). The program is best for children ages 2 to 5 to learn early literacy concepts of colors, shapes, opposites, the alphabet, and more. Little Learners story times take place at the library, 33 West Avenue. For more information or to register, contact the library at 860-767-1560 or staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Photo by Genevieve Ray
Little Learners at the Library
Regina von Gootkin: A Voice for Phone-Free Schools
and researching existing rules governing cell phone use in schools. While her own children are not yet old enough to have phones, Regina says she is thinking ahead about how widespread device use could affect them and their peers. She and other parents, staff, and community members are advocating for a bell-to-bell cell phone ban across all grades. While elementary and middle schools currently have such policies in place, Regina believes stronger and more consistent enforcement is needed.
To support the effort, Regina launched a mailing list and a petition calling for a K–12 bell-to-bell ban. A separate Region 4 statement of support circulating locally has drawn roughly 150 participants, while her statewide Change.org petition currently shows 66 verified signatures.
“We have a multiple step approach to this,” Regina says. “I think the phones are getting a lot of traction throughout the state and the country, so that is what we are really focused on now.”
The issue has also reached the state level. During his recent State of the State address, Governor Ned Lamont expressed support for a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools, citing concerns about distraction and student mental health.
“Connecticut was a leader in getting these phones out of the classroom. Let’s go one step further — no phones bell-to-bell in any of our schools,” Lamont said.
Regina says she is encouraged by the growing attention to the issue and believes a statewide policy would provide consistency across districts. Region 4 Superintendent Brian White recently told the Valley Courier there is no immediate plan to change the district’s current policy, though
that could shift if the board determines a change is needed or if state legislation is enacted.
Professionally, Regina is a business and intellectual property attorney and has served as Of Counsel at Baldini Lang LLC since 2018. She previously taught as an adjunct at the University of Connecticut School of Law’s Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic and is the author of two books examining notable Connecticut court cases. Regina says her legal and analytical background informs how she approaches the issue of phone use in schools.
Regina says she plans to continue advocating for stronger phone policies and encouraging community involvement. For more information, including ways to participate and links to both petitions, visit screensmartinitiative.com.
‘Remember the Ladies!’ as Edna Takes the Spotlight
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
If a groundhog sees its shadow but no one is around to watch, does it still count?
According to the Essex Board of Trade, yes.
While this year’s Essex Ed Groundhog Day Parade was canceled due to severe weather, organizers said, “Yes—she did see her shadow.”
Residents of Essex and visitors from around the state were disappointed to learn that the beloved Essex Ed Groundhog Day Parade was called off this year after nearly 50 years as a town tradition. The Board of Trade canceled the event because of extreme cold, strong winds, and uncertain road and staging conditions.
Essex Board of Trade Administrator Sarah Grote said forecasts showed the potential for dangerous weather, making safety the primary concern for participants and spectators.
“Two storm models were shaping up; both put the Connecticut River Valley at the edge of the snow boundary,” she said. “Winds have increased a bit … this could see wind chills at or below zero for the duration.”
Grote said even without significant snowfall, icing and water conditions in the staging area could not be predicted until shortly before the event.
“Even if we don’t receive any snow, we won’t truly know until Sunday afternoon
the impact of icing and/or water conditions in the staging area,” she said. “We know for certain that it will be brutally cold and blustery, which is unstable for moving Ed and unhealthy for participants and spectators.”
The parade—typically held rain, snow or shine—begins at Essex Boat Works and proceeds up Main Street, where Essex Ed, dressed in a costume created in secret by a local organization, is revealed to the public.
Despite the cancellation, organizers still prepared this year’s costume. As Essex approaches America’s semi-quincentennial in 2026, the Town of Essex 250 Commission and the Essex Historical Society dressed “Essex Edna” in 18th-century attire and a mobcap to honor women of the Revolutionary era.
“In a year that will surely focus on the Founding Fathers and other male figures of the Revolution, this year’s ‘Edna’ reminds everyone to live up to Abigail Adams’s words, ‘Remember the Ladies!’ as we mark this milestone year,” the commission wrote in a Facebook post.
Although the parade did not take place, organizers noted that clearer weather the following morning allowed for Edna’s journey—and she did see her shadow.
The Essex Board of Trade said it is now turning its attention to upcoming community events, including the Essex Go Bragh Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 21.
Life is Sweet: Can You Guess How Many Treats?
Essex Library is holding a hard candy contest through Saturday, Feb. 28. Participants of all ages can come to the Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, to guess the number of candies in the jar and win a small prize. One winner will be selected per age group: 11 years and below, 12 to 18 years, and 19 years old and up. The closest guess in each age group wins. Winners will be announced on Feb. 28. All of the library’s programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Weekend Wiggle Worms
The Essex Library offers Weekend Wiggle Worms, an added session of Wiggle Worms, the library's regular Tuesday story time. Weekend Wiggle Worms is a play-based music and movement story time for children ages 3 and younger and their caregivers. Siblings are welcome. Weekend Wiggle Worms takes place at the Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays through Feb. 28. For more information or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560.
Q: Dear Linda- I have heard that Sprigs & Twigs has an Organic Lawn Care Program and I’d like to know more about it. My husband puts down bags of stuff on our lawn and I’m worried he’s doing something harmful. Thank you, - Kathy
A: ANSWER #5 (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK):
Hello Kathy- Sprigs & Twigs offers the only true, 100% Organic Lawn Care Program in the area; we would be happy to visit with you and explain it in more detail.
Let us take a closer look at the drawbacks of synthetic chemical lawn care programs offered by others (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK…):
#6 “Weed and Feed” products are a combination of herbicides and fertilizers which are intended to kill both weeds and fertilize grass in one “easy” application. There are many on the market, but they all contain toxins that are poisonous to a wide range of living things. Children and pets that play or crawl on lawns treated with weed and feed products can easily absorb the toxins through their skin or by licking their fingers (or paws). Both pets and people track them into the house. In Canada, all combination weed and feed products have been banned as well as in a number of cities and towns in the US.
#7 “Weed and Feed” products apply herbicides and toxins over the entire lawn, including where it is not needed. The combination of fertilizer and herbicides in one bag puts two incompatible products together. Fertilizer is intended for the entire lawn and herbicides are intended to kill weeds that may only be on 5 percent of the lawn, but unnecessarily get spread on the entire lawn anyway.
In summary, the major difference between a natural, organic lawn care program that we offer and a synthetic, chemical lawn care program offered by others is the attention paid to the health of the soil. Chemical programs work directly on the grass plants by overdosing them with frequent, high levels of nitrogen, basically “hooking them on drugs” and sterilizing the soil. Our Organic Lawn Care Program: 1) is a science-based approach that focuses on building a healthy eco-system in the soil that promotes robust growth of grass plants, 2) fertilizes the grass plants with natural, organic fertilizers that are completely safe for people and pets and 3) promotes healthy turf management practices. Give us a call and we would be happy to visit with you and explain it in more detail.
CES Launches ‘Library of Things’ for Students
Bake Oven with cookbook, digital camera, and a frozen yogurt and ice cream maker. Additional items are expected to be added in the future.
“It seems like everyone is really excited for this,” Parodi said. “This is really meant for students to be able to think, play, question, and experiment. We want to help them be thinkers and dreamers.”
Funding for the project was provided by the Chester PTO, which reserves grant money to help supply schools with items not always covered by the school budget. The organization awarded a $775 grant to support the Library of Things. Parodi worked closely with the PTO to bring the initiative to fruition.
PTO President Jen Rice said the organization is looking forward to seeing how the program operates at the school.
“The PTO mini-grants program helps fund projects, programs, and services that spark student learning and are not currently covered by the school budget,” Rice said. “We’re excited to support the school library with the addition of a Library of Things and look forward to hearing about
Library. She noted that the school year is limited and encouraged students to take advantage of community resources yearround.
“I hope that this really inspires the students and their families to use their local libraries,” Parodi said. “This is something that not many schools and libraries are using, and we want to inspire the students’ ability to be creative.”
Parodi said parents and students must sign a permission slip when checking out an item, acknowledging responsibility for its care. She said she will work with families on a case-by-case basis if an item is misplaced or broken, with the goal of encouraging fair and responsible use.
all the fun things the students learn with these new items.”
CES Principal Tyson Stoddard said the Library of Things is a tremendous initiative and credited Parodi and the PTO for bringing the program to life.
“She does a great job of making the library a great place to learn and grow,” he
said. “This provides a great opportunity for kids to have hands-on learning outside of the classroom.”
While Parodi is enthusiastic about the new program, she also emphasized the importance of families continuing to use their local public libraries, including the Library of Things at the Chester Public
The Library of Things is not tied to any specific class, and Parodi hopes it will allow students to explore and experiment with projects outside of school. The first circulation period began Feb. 4, when students were able to check out items for the first time.
There are currently 15 items available, and students may borrow one item at a time. Due to strong interest, Parodi said, waiting lists for many items are already long, with hopes to expand the collection in the near future.
PhotocourtesyofChesterElementarySchool
Chester Elementary School Media Specialist Susan Parodi poses with students participating in the school’s new Library of Things, which allows students to borrow
Valley Courier
Valley Courier
Thursday, February 12, 2026
By Kellyn Kolber
Special to The Courier
“Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior:” VRHS Student Athletes Make it Official
Valley Regional High School student-athletes Rowan Herlihy and Taylor Zduniak officially committed to collegiate athletics on National Signing Day, Feb. 4.
The Valley Regional standout is now thrilled to continue her volleyball career at Suffolk, confident that it’s a perfect fit.
Still, Zduniak recognized that the recruitment process is not without its challenges. She explained that communication
“I chose Suffolk because it truly felt like the right place for me in every way. I knew from the start that Boston was the city I wanted comed, and could genuinely see myself growing, competing, and building lifelong friendships there.”
the process taught me resilience, how to handle disappointment, and how important it is to trust myself and wait for the place that truly felt right.”
Looking ahead, Zduniak is most excited to compete at the collegiate level and fully embrace
The next, and final athlete honored on signing day was Rowan Herlihy, who is committed to Gettysburg College to compete at the Division III level in both cross country and track. She was accompanied by her parents, Marcy Herlihy and Rory Herlihy,
themselves. He said they represent their family, their school, and everything they’ve worked for.
“We are incredibly proud of you, and we’re excited to see what the future holds,” he said. “Once a warrior, always a warrior.”
Photo by Kellyn Kolber
Valley Regional Sophomore Spencer Surpasses 500 Career Points
By Serenity J. Bishop
Sports Editor
The job of a point guard is usually to initiate the offense and set up their teammates to take shots. Scoring is typically a secondary role, but other times, when a player is hot, they’re hot, and Valley Regional sophomore Juliana Spencer could not miss the other night against Portland.
Valley Regional traveled to Portland, and she finished the night scoring 42 points. While Valley Regional ultimately fell 56-55, the standout sophomore’s performance proved to be a historic moment in her career.
The 40-point performance is her first such game of the season and doubles her season average. The night also marked when she crossed over 500 career points.
Valley Regional Athletic Director Lewis Pappariella said Spencer’s 42 points are likely the school record for most points in a single game.
“Five hundred points is the halfway point to my big goal of hitting 1,000. It’s definitely a big milestone for me, especially as a sophomore. That’s huge for me,” Spencer said. “My team and coaches have definitely supported me and given me open shots. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
Spencer said it’s been all about practicing and working hard that keeps her head up and her confidence up. A night as she had against Portland is the one other reason why her confidence is high.
“Portland has always been a close competitor, so I knew going to the game I would really have to step it up and put my team on the back,” she said. “At halftime, I was at 20 points. I knew that this was going to be a huge game for me, and my confidence just kept going up. I was just on fire.”
After the first quarter, Spencer already had 12 points, and Portland made adjustments to try to limit the young standout. The
defense switched to a box-andone defense, they picked her up full court, and even tried to play trap defense
However, to her coaches and teammates’ credit, they kept setting screens and drawing up different plays to get Spencer open. She even helped herself by not settling for jump shots. The point guard kept putting the ball on the ground to either get to the basket or to draw fouls.
Spencer’s 42 points are just one of many memorable nights in her quest to become the school’s alltime leading scorer. The young baller is on pace to score 1,500 points in her career, which will be higher than the school’s record for girls basketball at 1,100 and the boys’ record at 1,400.
She said the goal to become the all-time leading scorer began after her freshman year, when she finished with nearly 300 points
“I thought in my head that if I could keep this up, I could get to 1,000 points,” Spencer said. “It would definitely mean a lot because it definitely shows the hard work that I’ve put in off and onto the court.”
Spencer added 1,000 points isn’t just a couple of numbers; it’s dedication.
“All the hard work that I’ve put in since freshman year, and just having that record be in and showing my name next to that record is just huge for me, especially at a small school,” Spencer said.”It just shows a lot of representation of our town.”
The Valley Regional scoreboard is largely laid out by the gameplay of Spencer. Whether she is scoring her average of 20 points per game or also leading
the team in assists, she’s responsible for getting the offense flowing.
Warriors coach Patrick Sirois said it’s one of the things that is so special about her career milestone. He said she reached the halfway point to be a 1,000-point scorer quickly, while also having added responsibility to her plate.
He said she found her niche this season and has a knack for scoring.
“The major career milestone in high school is 1,000, and to be at the halfway point with six games left and hopefully one or two tournament games left this year puts her in a good position to hit the major milestone of 1000, but also potentially be one of the leading scores in school history,” Sirois said. “Setting an ambitious goal. is a sign of a good athlete. It gives you something to strive for.”
Sirois added that the most impressive trait about Spencer is that, even with her individual scoring ability, she is all about the team first. It’s about wins and losses at the end of the day for her. Spencer’s work ethic and her ability to adapt to each in-game situation are other traits the Valley Regional coach acknowledged
“She’s a three-sport athlete that still finds lots of time to work on her basketball craft, and she’s just going to improve in the next two years,” he said. “Whatever in a particular game she needs to do, whether that’s facilitating or whether that’s scoring, is what we’re looking for her to do.”
The Valley Regional Warriors are currently 5-12 and sit one game out of the playoffs. Despite the losing record, the Warriors have made a big jump from last season, where they finished 1-19. The team will have its hands full coming down the stretch of the season, with its final three games coming against North Branford, Cromwell, and Haddam Killingworth
The focus at the beginning of the season for the team was on
establishing the new culture at Valley Regional. The young, developing unit led by Spencer is right on the cusp of doing that by punching their ticket to the postseason.
“It would definitely mean a lot, especially since last year other teams were going into the season thinking of us as one of the weakest teams,” Spencer said.
“Proving that we can make states opens up a lot more opportunities for us and shows that we’re not just some small team that they can mess around with. It can really prove that we’re able to win and we’re able to grow from there.”
Valley Regional returns to court Friday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m. versus Cromwell.
Photo courtesy of Juliana Spencer Valley Regional sophomore Juliana Spencer during a recent game. Spencer recently scored 42 points and surpassed 500 career points.
Ugly as Sin, Shocking as a Socket
Based on cold-water activity in February, arguably the most interesting fish found in Long Island Sound is the Northern Stargazer (Astroscopus guttatus). If one values bizarre, electric, ambush predators as opposed to traditional, cold-hardy staples like white perch, Atlantic herring, and holdover striped bass, then this is the fish to add to your bucket list.
These highly curious and intriguing fish are practically alien-looking from the first sighting to the last. They are interesting because they bury themselves completely in the sand, leaving only their eyes and upward-facing mouths visible to ambush prey. Mostly, they can be found from Connecticut and New York south to North Carolina. Growing on average to 22 pounds, to only 8-18” long and maxing out at 22”, they are dark brown with white spots on their head and pack quite a punch.
These Stargazers are a benthic species, meaning that they frequent the ecological region, the lowest level of a water body. For them, that generally means they can be found at depths of up to 120 feet, much shallower, and even in the surf. What makes them unique is that they possess specialized, defensive electric organs behind their eyes that can deliver 50 volt electric shocks. If that was not enough, they have poisonous spines by their pectoral fins as well. Adding their looks, a set of menacing chops, electric organs, and venomous spines, it is no wonder this species has been labeled ’the meanest fish in creation’ and sometimes referred to as a “toe-grinder.”
Friday, Feb. 13: at Cromwell at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19: vs. Canton at 7 p.m.
CAPTAIN MORGAN’S
Fishing report
On The Water:
Northern Stargazers can easily electrocute a fish, or their venom can cause intense pain, swelling, and in severe cases, muscle paralysis due to their ciguatoxin, that cause ciguatera. As anyone allergic to seafood can testify, it’s no fun! In some parts of the world, though, they are considered a delicacy, and when prepared properly, they are not poisonous when eaten or, for that matter, not fatal to humans if accidentally contacted. Be careful not to confuse the northern stargazer (shocking) with the oyster toadfish (non-shocking), but both are similarly ‘ugly’ and have venomous spines - typically not fatal to humans.
Even though northern stargazers are being caught and interacting with people in the Long Island Sound and surrounding New York waters, they are considered common, though they are rarely seen. An International Game Fish Association (IGFA ) all-tackle record of 11Lbs, 12oz was reeled in off Long Island by Daniel Gilmore, Jr., of Oceanside, NY on May 5, 2024. Caught on a round jig head and soft pink plastic, his catch was monumental! Another one weighing 9Lbs.13oz was caught in the Sound while “bouncing a bucktail for fluke.” Being that northern stargazers can tolerate the cold February water temperatures of the Long Island Sound, and if you are up for a winter challenge, go for it!
Tuesday, Feb. 17: vs. Haddam Killingworth at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13: vs. Cromwell at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17: at Haddam Killingworth at 6 p.m.
A strong low passed well southeast of the waters, casting down the reality of another winter storm hitting our shores. Weak pressure then built in and remained in control until a weak low passed not too far to the south. Bone-chilling temperatures held tight but then gradually climbed into the 30’s, opening the way to another short threeday thaw before reversing the trend that eventually brought some more snow. More sun broke through during this latest stretch of weather; however, pre-dawn temps did dip into single-digits (20ºF wind chill), though mostly remaining in the teens. Meanwhile, Long Island Sound, after days of small craft and gale force warnings, calmed down from gusty 50 knot northwesterly/westerly winds to more manageable 5-10 knot winds, 6foot to 1-2 foot seas, and water temps settling between 30-32ºF. Anglers did take advantage of some recent trout stockings prior to the weather complicating fishing plans. That included popping ice holes or refreshing those previously drilled in lakes and ponds that continued to give up multiple trout species, heavy chain pickerel, large yellow perch, oversized black crappie, and bluegills that this time around played hard to get. Atlantic salmon catches were a little tougher, Seeforellen brown trout catches were hit or miss, but striped bass in select coves were considered a bonus. There were a few largemouth bass brought up, but not many. Hard water still remained ‘iffy’ south of I-9,5 but farther north, ice thickness was much
better as long as temperatures held, wind remained calm, and snow packs were workable. It should be about a week before we see signs of another thaw.
Ready for the spotlight? Email us your fishing photos to share with our shoreline and worldwide community. Through our comprehensive involvement, we live and breathe inland and marine fishing, delivering weekly
columns that don’t try to ‘create’ the fisherman, but instead strive to inform and empower the one you already are. Tight Lines, Captain Morgan captainmorganusa @hotmail.com captainmorganfish.blogspot.com X (formerly twitter) @captmorgan_usa
12 to Feb. 18
Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan Weighing in an all-tackle IGFA record, Daniel Gilmore, Jr., of Oceanside, NY reeled in this outstanding northern stargazer.
860-434-2200
Here’s How It Works:
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Orchestra New England Brings BaroqueFest to Battell Chapel March 7
Orchestra New England (ONE) eagerly anticipates the arrival of spring with a “BaroqueFest” concert featuring two concertos by Antonio Vivaldi and one each by J.S. Bach and his son Carl Philip Emanuel Bach.
The concert takes place Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Battell Chapel, located at the corner of Elm and College Streets on Yale’s Old Campus.
ONE’s concertmaster Raphael Ryger will play “Spring” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and will be joined by ONE principal oboist Stephen Wade in J.S. Bach’s Concerto in D minor for Violin and Oboe.
Vivaldi is known for his concertos, especially those for violin, but he wrote almost 40 concertos for bassoon. Rémy Taghavi will solo in the Concerto in E-flat.
ONE flutist Adrianne Greenbaum will perform a showpiece by C.P.E. Bach, Concerto in D Minor.
Viewing a performance in Battell Chapel includes the great joy of experiencing the remarkable acoustics. In many ways, it is the finest performance space in the greater New Haven area.
A celebratory, catered, postconcert reception will take place just across Elm Street in Yale’s Berkeley College Common Room.
Tickets cost $50 reserved seating, $30 general admission, and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the door. Media sponsors are WSHU and WMNR.
For more information or
tickets, contact 203-777-4690 or info@orchestranewengland.org, or www.orchestranewengland .org.
About Orchestra New England
Orchestra New England is one of the most versatile and exciting orchestras in America. The orchestra is committed to quality and innovation, a commitment that has made its artistic achievements possible by generating and nurturing an unusual
workplace and a remarkable orchestra.
ONE was founded in March 1974 as the Yale Theater Orchestra, adopting the name Chamber Orchestra of New England in 1975 and the name Orchestra New England in 1985. Early in its history, ONE began to establish itself as one of the most innovative and critically acclaimed orchestras in the Northeast.
Immediately following its premiere concert, the orchestra and
its founding music director, James Sinclair, recorded an album of premieres for CBS Masterworks.
That was the beginning of a tradition. Today, ONE is unsurpassed among musical ensembles between New York and Boston in the number of commercial recordings it has created. These include CBS Masterworks’s world premiere recording of the Villa-Lobos folk opera, Magdalena, New World Records’s
release of Cole Porter’s first Broadway hit, 50 Million Frenchmen, and both Naxos’s and Koch International Classics’s world premiere recording of orchestral music by Charles Ives. These recordings have met with extraordinary and unanimous critical praise. In June 2023 Naxos released ONE’s new recording of Charles Ives’s complete Sets for Chamber Orchestra.
About the Soloists
Violinist Raphael Ryger was born in Israel and grew up in New York City before returning to Israel and later returning to the U.S. for graduate study in philosophy at Yale. His violin training included some of the greatest pedagogues and mentors in both countries, among them Josef Gingold, Ilona Feher, Dorothy Delay, and Isaac Stern. He has been soloist and concertmaster with many orchestras in Israel and in Connecticut and, since 1988, has been in those capacities with Orchestra New England, with which—then as the Chamber Orchestra of New England—he first performed the Vivaldi “Spring” concerto in the spring of 1983. He appears regularly as a chamber musician in the Lillibridge Ensemble, founded by piano virtuosa Madeleine Forte. In other lives, Ryger has academic publications in computer science and patents in software engineering for patent search.
See page 20
Photo by James G. Henkel
Photo courtesy of Orchestra New England
Photo courtesy of Orchestra New England
Photo by Brandon Ilaw
Stephen Wade, oboist Adrianne Greenbaum, flutist Rémy Taghavi, bassoonist
Raphael Ryger, violinist
Press Release from Orchestra New England
Photo by Harold Shapiro
James Sinclair and ONE musicians perform in Battell Chapel.
For more Life & Style stories, visit our website, www.zip06.com. To submit events for the calendar, email news@shorepublishing.com.
THURSDAY, FEB. 12
Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic with Lindsey Stewart:
2 p.m. Online event. Book: The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic. Hosted by the Essex Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit libraryc.org/essexlib.
Black
Calendar for the Week of February 12, 2026
: 6 p.m.
New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave. Features a presentation by Ainissa Ramirez on Black inventors who contributed to everyday innovations, including New Haven’s Sarah Boone. Preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Free with regular museum admission. Part of the NH250 series. For info or to register, call 203-5624183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.
Hollywood Gems: Tips for Managing Loneliness
The Three Musketeers
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
: 1 p.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. Presented by Wendy Hurwitz. Covers strategies for managing isolation and loneliness followed by a discussion with audience questions. Registration is required. For info or to register, call 860-5266039 or visit deepriverlibrary.libcal.com.
2026 Internship and Career Fair
: 1 to 4 p.m. 101 College St., New Haven. Free admission. Features networking opportunities with more than 30 organizations. Hosted by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. For info, visit gnhcc.com/events.
a
: 5:30 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Features a concert by the Entwyned Early Music group, presenting Free and open to the public. Space is limited; registration is suggested. For info or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Growing Annuals From Seeds Gracias a la Vida: Spanish and Latin Songs of Life and Romance.
: 6 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Covers plant selections, materials needed, and scheduling, including which annuals are suitable to start indoors. Hosted by the Essex Library in collaboration with the Essex Garden Club. For info or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Drive-In Movie Night
: 6 to 6:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Children decorate cardboard cars and watch a short film. Smartfood popcorn provided. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Guilford Poets Guild: Patricia Cleary Miller
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Features an open mic followed by a reading from Patricia Cleary Miller, author of , , and Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
Starting a Swan Dive Can You Smell the Rain? Warmer Than Yesterday.
Orchestra New England Brings BaroqueFest to Battell Chapel March 7
Continued from page 19
Oboist Stephen Wade has performed throughout New England with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Opera Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Pro Musica, Monadnock Music Festival Orchestra, Nashua Symphony Orchestra, Boston Virtuosi, Cape Ann Symphony, Orchestra New England, and Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been the featured soloist in concerti by J.S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Vaughn Williams, Samuel Barber, and William Bolcom. In 2011, he premiered the Concerto for Oboe and Wind Ensemble by Thomas Briggs with the United States Coast Guard Band. He and violinist Katheryn Winterstein have recorded Bach’s Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Strings, BWV 1060, with Boston Virtuosi. Wade retired as principal oboe of the U.S. Coast Guard Band in 2012 after a 30year career. He is currently assistant principal oboe of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and principal oboe of Orchestra
Classical Review
See page 21
Washington
New England, as well as president of the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association, the largest of the five Player Conferences of the American Federation of Musicians. Praised for his “precise fingerwork…and impeccable breath support” ( ), Re•my Taghavi is a highly sought-after bassoonist based in the Northeast. Taghavi is principal bassoon of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra New England, and he has performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and Las Vegas Philharmonic, among others. An active chamber musician, he is co-founder of the Annapolis Chamber Music Festival, a member of the “explosive” New York-based chamber ensemble Frisson, and an alumnus of Carnegie Hall’s teaching artist and chamber music program, Ensemble Connect. He has given chamber performances at the Library of Congress, Chamber Music Northwest, and Morgan Library, among others. Rémy has performed as a soloist with the New York Symphonic Ensemble,
Pierre Monteux Festival, and the Stony Brook Symphony. Taghavi is assistant professor of bassoon at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and faculty at Rocky Ridge Music (Colorado). He completed degrees at the University of Southern California, The Juilliard School, and Stony Brook University.
Adrianne Greenbaum, professor of flute at Mount Holyoke College and pioneer of the klezmer flute tradition, is a nationally acclaimed flutist and clinician, performing on historical instruments of the 18th and 19th centuries. Her classical training and career ranks among the finest flutists of her time. As a classical musician, she performed as soloist and orchestral musician in all of New York’s major concert halls and in many major U.S. cities. She appeared with such prestigious orchestras as New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival, Berlin Ballet at the Met, Period Orchestra of the Fairfield Academy and, for many years, performed with the New York City Ballet Orchestra. She is solo flutist with the Wall Street Chamber Players and
maintains an active freelance life in the U.S. and Canada. Greenbaum’s decadeslong symphonic career was as principal of the New Haven Symphony for over three decades and happily maintains her principal position with Orchestra New England. Her college/university positions are many, including faculty positions at Wesleyan and Yale universities and at Smith College. She also enjoys giving master classes in klezmer techniques, traverso exploration, and improvisation across genres. She can be heard in recording on the Koch and Music Masters labels as well as her own solo classical album “Sounds of America” and her three FleytMuzik records. Her last klezmer flute record, on the BorshtBeat label is “Di Klezmer Flute Nisht Fargesen.” She has received acclaim for her “flying-finger performances and unique, soulful, and sparkling klezmer style: “Adrianne is a force of nature. Nobody plays like her. If Jethro Tull played klezmer, the energy would be there—but not her skill,” writes Ari Davidoff (Klezmershack, 2025).
Gracias
la Vida Concert
Inventors Who Made the Stuff Around Us
Ivoryton Playhouse Announces America 250 Season
Over the past 96 years, the Ivoryton Playhouse has showcased onstage a wide variety of stories and music from around the world.
In 2026, Ivoryton Playhouse will present a special season, an American celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will be a tribute to American history, music, and shared experiences in a theatre that feels like home.
The America 250 season opens on Thursday, March 26, with an old favorite—a hilarious celebration of the Nutmeg State. is a wacky, sweet, romantic comedy by Connecticut native Mike Reiss, who has been making viewers all laugh for years as a writer with . Why does sweet, kind Marc struggle to find love? Because he comes from Connecticut, a land of steady habits, sanity, and politeness. The show runs through Sunday, April 19.
The
unlikeliest of places. The show runs Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 6.
Piece of My Heart
This year is also the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Honoring the veterans who served and continue to serve this country reminds all that patriotism is not just a sentiment but a practice. by Shirley Lauro follows the true stories of six women—five nurses and an entertainer—who served in Vietnam. The significant role that women played in the war is often unacknowledged. Their stories and music are powerful, a reminder of the human cost of war and the scars that still remain. The show runs Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 25.
Playhouse Holiday Jamboree
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
On Thursday, May 7, Ivoryton Playhouse takes a step back in time to South Philadelphia in 1959. by Lanie Robertson is a Tony Award-winning play that brings to life the soul and struggles of jazz legend Billie Holiday. Featuring a selection of Holiday’s iconic songs, including “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child,” this acclaimed play with music transports the audience on a spellbinding journey for one of the jazz legend’s final concerts.
In June and July, Ivoryton Playhouse celebrates America 250 with the founding fathers who come alive in the glorious musical by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone. This powerful, award-winning Broadway show brings the story of the nation’s founding to life. The show highlights John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they fight for independence against a dead-
Continued from page 20
Bird Migration in Offshore Wind Energy Areas: Informing Collision Risk and Mitigation
: 7 p.m. Webinar. Presented by Shannon Curley, a migration ecologist studying offshore bird movements using weather surveillance radar to help inform wind energy development. Part of the 2026 Young, Gifted, and Wild About Birds series. Hosted by the Connecticut Audubon Society. Cost: $9 for members, $12 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit the Connecticut Audubon Society conservation programs. For info or to register, visit ctaudubon.org/2026.
Come From Away
locked Continental Congress in a retelling filled with humor, romance, pathos, and nail-biting tension. It’s revolutionary! The show runs Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, July 26. by Irene Sankoff and David Hein tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. In a moment filled with fear and uncertainty, joy and resilience prevail as the tiny community of Gander pulls together and strangers become friends. Through exuberant music, humor, and heart, this show celebrates the power of human connection, proves that kindness can bring people together in the most difficult of times, and affirms that hope can arise in the
Cost: $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers For info or to register, visit oldsaybrookchamber.com/events.
Writers Writing
: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Features an adult writers group exploring various genres. Sharing optional. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Drop-in Poetry Workshop
: 5 to 7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Led by Branford Poet Laureate Judith Liebmann. To register, call 203-488-8702. For info, visit wwml.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 13
: 7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org. : 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saybrook Point Resort and Marina, 2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook. Features a talk by Linda Albright of Albright AI Agency on "AI Without the Hype: How Women Business Owners Are Using AI to Grow Their Companies and Free Up Time.” Hosted by the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber.
“Gracias a la Vida” Concert
: 5:30 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Features a concert by the Entwyned Early Music group, presenting Spanish and Latin songs of life and romance, performed on reproduction historical instruments. Free and open to the public. Space is limited; registration is suggested. For info or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
6 to 8 p.m.
Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. For participants ages 21 and up. BYOB. No partner needed. No art skills required. Cost: $27 for members, $30 for nonmembers. To register, visit guilfordartcenter.org. For info, call 203453-5947.
Playhouse Holiday Jamboree
The Playhouse also continues its tradition with the holiday show, by Katie Barton and Ben Hope, which features festive tunes, family stories, and some new surprises. Inspired by classic radio shows and old-time musical revues, is the perfect holiday show for the whole family. What better way to end a special birthday year! The show runs Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 20.
Gift certificates and subscriptions are on sale now. Subscriptions are a great way to save money and support live theater, and they make great holiday gifts. Six- and three-play subscriptions are available now. Single tickets will go on sale Tuesday, March 3.
About Ivoryton Playhouse
Ivoryton Playhouse, located at 103 Main Street, is a renowned small professional theater on the Shoreline. It is known for its exceptional productions and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for audiences of all ages.
For more information or tickets, call 860-767-7318 or visit www.ivorytonplayhouse.org. A
Valentine Portraits: BYOB Paint and Sip: : 5:30 to 7 p.m. Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Features new work by 50 artists in painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, turned wood, textiles, and jewelry. Light fare and refreshments will be available. Free. For info, visit bacagallery.org.
: 6 to 9 p.m. RiverFire Glass Studio at SoMA, 500 Main St., Deep River. Features three mini workshops for participants to create winter watercolors landscape with Shell & Bee, make a glass fusion dish with RiverFire Glass, and learn from an introduction to social dance with River Valley Dance Project. Cost: $72. Service fees apply. Child care available through Artsistic Babysitter. For info or to register, call 860-864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.
Author Event: James Ponti
: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
I’m Connecticut
Press Release from the Ivoryton Playhouse
Photo courtesy of Ivoryton Playhouse
Concert by Stephane Wrembel
Women in Business Luncheon
Opening Reception for BACA Winter ’26 Art Show
SoMA Creative Crawl
New Haven Museum Marks America’s 250th Year with Triple Events
In what amounts to a “250 trifecta,” New Haven Museum kicks off a lively, yearlong celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial with the first of three presentations offering fresh perspectives on the American Revolution. From social movements co-opting the concept of liberty, to little-known tales of Paul Revere, to neoclassical fashion from the somewhat cynical perspective of John and Abigail Adams, the thought-provoking NH250 series will appeal to anyone who has ever marveled at the “great American experiment” of democracy, freedom, and self-governance.
The series begins with historian and author Michael D. Hattem presenting “An Unfinished Revolution at 250” at the New Haven Museum on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. Hattem will discuss the unique role that the Revolution has had in American life and the longstanding tradition in American history of remembering the nation’s founding as an “unfinished revolution.” The free event will be preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. Hattem notes that the principles of the Revolution have been constantly redefined to fit the needs of the times. “Countless social movements—including abolitionists, suffragists, and the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s—have tried to win popular support by depicting their causes as attempts to fulfill the ideals of the American Revolution,” he says. He notes that abolitionists were the first Americans to celebrate the Declaration of Independence specifically for its preamble and the statement that “all men are created equal.”
On Saturday, March 28, textile expert Lynne Bassett will present “Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers: The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams.” Using letters, garments, portraits, fashion plates, and satirical cartoons
from the period to keep things buoyant, Bassett will demonstrate how both early and contemporary Americans have expressed their national and personal character through their clothing choices. The free event will be held at 2 p.m. and preceded by a reception at 1:30 p.m. Bassett maintains that fashion isn’t frivolous. “It’s an important document manifesting a period’s culture, economy, and labor,” she says, “and a valuable means of examining women’s history.” She notes that John and Abigail both expressed their personal and national character through their choice of clothing. Their judgment of people’s choices in fashion, though, brings some levity to the subject. One example includes a letter in which Abagail quips, “Most of [the Ladies]…wear their Cloaths too Scant, upon the body & too full upon the Bosom for my fancy; not content with the Show Which nature bestows, they borrow from art, and literally looke like Nursing Mothers.”
On Saturday, April 18, the anniversary of the most famous horse ride in American history, author Kostya Kennedy will present little-known aspects of the story in “The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America,” based on his book of the same title. The free event will be held at 2 p.m. and preceded by a reception at 1:30 p.m.
Revere, the Boston-based silversmith, engraver, and staunch anti-British political operative, inspired the poem and legend of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.” But, according to Kennedy, the story of Revere’s ride to warn of approaching British troop is deeper and richer than previously assumed.
“That night in 1775 was 12 hours that changed the world,” Kennedy says.
Revere was not the only rider that April night in 1775, but he was by far the most critical. The patriots’ best and
most trusted “express rider,” Revere had already completed at least 18 previous rides throughout New England, disseminating intelligence about British movements.
But this ride was like no other, Kennedy asserts, and its consequences in the months and years following—as the American Revolution transitioned from isolated skirmishes to a full-fledged war—became one of our founding tales.
This event is part of NH250, an ongoing series of programming developed by New Haven Museum to complement “America 250.” Culminating with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the series will highlight inclusive, local, and lesser-known stories, connecting past and present.
The New Haven Museum has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history and heritage of Greater New Haven since its inception as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862. Located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue, the museum brings more than 375 years of New Haven history to life through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and outreach. As a designated Blue Star Museum, the New Haven Museum offers the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, call 203-562-4183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org or Facebook.com/NewHaven Museum.
About NH250
About the New Haven Museum
National Portrait Gallery, London
Photo courtesy St. Martin’s Press
The HMS Somerset on the Charles River , James Gillray, National Portrait Gallery. This engraving caricatures the loosely clinging Empire/Regency styles, worn with few layers of stiffening petticoats.
The Graces in a High Wind
Press Release from the New Haven Museum
Music and Poetry Mark International Women’s Day
The Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is hosting an afternoon of music and poetry for healing and hope from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
The event features Grammy Awardwinning flutist Rhonda Larson, whose multilayered performances have earned international praise, and poet Jude Rittenhouse, whose poems have been awarded the Joy Harjo Poetry Prize, Margaret Gibson Award, and the Tiferet Poetry Prize.
After winning first prize in the National Flute Association Young Artists Competition at the age of 22, Larson was invited to join the Paul Winter Consort—and thus began a global journey which led six years later to winning a Grammy Award. Her performances have been described as transformative as she “wields her instruments like a blow torch.”
A Montana native, Larson has charmed audiences across the country and abroad. She plays a variety of flutes from around the world including ones made of glass. She has perfected the unusual technique of producing vocal sounds while playing the flute using the voice as melody and flute as harmony. With home base now in Killingworth, she has become a mentor for the next generation of flutists while keeping a full performance schedule.
Rittenhouse has spent decades in the fields of trauma recovery and domestic violence, using writing with her clients as a source of empowerment. She is a poet, short story and nonfiction writer, teacher, speaker, counselor, mental health professional, and lifelong activist.
Continued from page 21
: 7 to
9 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Café, 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Minimum three songs for each performer, more if time allows. House piano and sound system available. Admission: $5 donation at the door. For info, visit musicnowfoundation.org.
7:30 to 10 p.m. Woolsey Hall, 500 College St., New Haven. Features a performance with Thomas C. Duffy, music director. Free admission. For info, call 203-432-4111 or visit bands.yalecollege.yale.edu.
: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
SATURDAY, FEB. 14
37th Annual Eagle Watch on the Connecticut River
Kids Create: No-Sew Heart Pillow
: 10:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For ages 5 to 12. Participants will cut, tie, and stuff a heart-shaped pillow—no sewing required. Free. Registration is required. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Bird Valentines
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children up to age 8 and their families. Participants make pine cone and Victorian-style bird-themed Valentines. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Stop Motion Animation Workshop
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. Drop-ins welcome but space is limited. Participants may stay longer to finish their projects. For info or to register, contact 860-526-0018 or ChesterKidLib@gmail.com.
Cool-ology: Valentine’s Day Science
Tiferet Nimrod International Journal Connecticut River Review Cutthroat The Tiferet Talk Interviews
Nimrod International Journal
Her poems have appeared in , , , and , among others. She was featured in , along with Julia Cameron, Edward Hirsch, Robert Pinsky, and Bernie Siegel (2013). Awards include a writer’s grant from the Vermont Studio Center, second place in the 2023 Margaret Gibson Award, honorable mention in the 2025 Joy Harjo Awards, and finalist for the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry by and the Tiferet Poetry Prize. In fluid language, Jude’s poems merge feminine imagery with nature and will be a perfect pairing with Larson’s music, especially on International Women’s Day.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, March 8
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Place: Congregation Beth Shalom
Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway, Chester.
Admission: $10 members/ $15 nonmembers
For more information or to pre-register, contact 860-526-8920 or office@cbsrz.org.
: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at The Audubon Shop, 907 Boston Post Rd., Madison at 7:45 a.m. or the first stop at Haddam, Eagle Landing State Park, at 8:30 a.m. Features a land-based trip along the shore of the Connecticut River to spot bald eagles and other wintering birds from a variety of locations and discuss the birds’ natural history. Not a boat trip. Led by Jerry Connolly of The Audubon Shop. Cost: $33, includes soup and sandwich lunch at Otter Cove Restaurant, Old Saybrook. Binoculars recommended and available to rent. Pre-payment required. For info or to register (required), call 203245-9056 or visit theaudubonshop.com/events.
: 10 to 11:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: by Nita Prose. Snacks will be provided. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. Participants will use 100% cotton loop materials from a New England family-owned mill and a sturdy metal peg loom to create a coordinating pair of potholders. Printed weaving charts and cotton weaving loops are included in materials fee. Bring embroidery scissors. Metal peg loom and hooks will be available in class for $20 purchase. Cost: $37.80 for members, $42 for nonmembers. Materials fee of $12 is payable with the tuition. To register, visit guilfordartcenter.org. For info, call 203-453-5947.
: 11 a.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features hands-on science activities themed for Valentine’s Day, including chemistry experiments and engineering challenges. For grades 1 to 5. Registration is required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
Met in HD Encore:
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Shown on The Kate’s big screen. Running time: 210 minutes. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
Saturday Cinema
: 2 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Tea and light refreshments served. Free and open to all. Registration suggested. For info, including the movie title, or to register (required), call 860-3953184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
Movie Screening
: Noon to 3 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Screening of a musical film. Registration is required. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Jazz Trio at Henry on Main Cinderella
: 4 p.m. Henry on Main, 10 W. Main St., Clinton. Features live jazz with Ciara Garcia on baritone sax, Eneji Alungbe on bass, and Ohm Soni on drums. Cost: $10 at the door. For info, call 860-669-2342.
See page 24
Press Release from Melanie Greenhouse
Photo by Kurt Rauschenberg Jude Rittenhouse
Photo by Steve Winslow Rhonda Larson
Open Mic with Terri Lachance
Yale Concert Band Winter Concert
Concert by Mullett
Saturday Sleuths Book Club
Sweetheart Twill Weaves Workshop
The Mystery Guest
Continued from page 23
: 5 to 6 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Children ages 2 to 10 may bring a stuffed animal or doll for a pretend medical checkup using tools such as stethoscopes and bandages. Registration is required. For info or to register, call 203315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Tickets: $45. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
SATURDAY, FEB. 14 AND
SUNDAY, FEB. 15
: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Dudley Farm Museum, 2351 Durham Rd., Guilford. Weather permitting, volunteers will demonstrate traditional maple sugaring methods at the sugar house behind the Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum and Munger Barn. Features sap collection and syrup-making using a historic “cooker,” along with woodfired cooking, stories, and hands-on opportunities. Continues Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 22. For info, call 203-457-0770 or visit dudleyfarm.com.
: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dudley Farm Museum, 2351 Durham Rd., Guilford. Features a pop-up exhibit of Victorian-era valentines, including German and Austrian paper-engineered designs popular from the 1890s through the 1920s, as well as Vinegar Valentines, also known as Mock Valentines. For info, call 203-4570770 or visit dudleyfarm.com.
SUNDAY, FEB. 15
: 1 to 3 p.m. Main Street, Chester. Tractors roll at 1:30 p.m. Includes music and chili. Proceeds benefit the Chester Hose Company. For info, visit facebook.com/chesterct.
: 1:30 to 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Beginner-friendly project. Limited spots.To register (required), call 203-488-8702. For info, visit wwml.org.
Film Screening and Q&A:
: 3 p.m. Oliva Hall, Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College, New London. Free screening of the documentary , followed by a question-and-answer session with director Steve McCarthy and co-producer Susan Kerner, moderated by Rabbi Jessica Goldberg. Presented by the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut and Connecticut College. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. For info or to register, contact 860-443-2545, ext. 2129, or info@lymanallyn.org.
Concert by The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
: 7 p.m.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
Ash on the Dash
MONDAY, FEB. 16
Youth Art Class: Artistic Penguins
: 10 a.m. to noon. Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery, 1004 Main St. Features a winter-themed art class where participants will create an artistic penguin project. For ages 8 to 12. Led by artist Sharon Hart. Cost: $10. For info or to register, contact 203-232-4384 or baca06405@gmail.com.
Teen Drawing Class
: 1 to 3 p.m. Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Features a drawing skills class where participants refine their techniques and explore creative expression. For ages 12 to 18. Led by instructor Edith Reynolds. Cost: $10. For info or to register, contact 203-232-4384 or baca06405@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, FEB. 17
Afternoon Pick Your Project
: 1 to 3:30 p.m. RiverFire Glass Studio at SoMA, 500 Main St., Deep River. Features a beginner to advanced beginner class depending on what the participant wants to make. Closed-toe shoes, long pants, and safety glasses are required. Bring an N95 facemask in case glass powder is involved in the class. No prior experience required. Cost: $64. Service fees apply. Some beginner projects may require additional fee paid in cash, check, or Venmo on the day of class. For info or to register, call 860-864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.
Comic Crew:
Morning Glory
: 2 and 7 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
: 4 to 5 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Elementary-age students will play math games with the theme of Abe Lincoln and money. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Kate Classic Film: Math Mania LEGO STEM Club
: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For grades 1 to 4. Participants will explore engineering concepts with a focus on "logo shadows." For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Calligraphy that Inspired a Nation
: 6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Features a 90-minute workshop on colonial calligraphy using dip nib and ink. Includes signature-making activity. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Public Library. Free and open to all. Registration suggested. For info, call 860-3953184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
Pickin’ Party
: 6 to 8 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe, 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Features a performance by blues musician Ramblin’ Dan Stevens. Tickets: $5 at the door. For info, call 860-434-1961 or visit danstevens.net or musicnowfoundation.org/events.
Author Event: Rick Tulsky in Conversation with Emily Bazelon
: 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.
: 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For ages 8 to 12. Features games, contests, crafts, and activities inspired by the graphic novel series. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Injustice Town: A Corrupt City, a Wrongly Convicted Man, and a Struggle for Freedom : 7 to 8 a.m. North Branford Congregational Church, 1680 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80), North Branford. Drive-through Ash Wednesday observance offering ashes in the church parking lot. For info, email nobfdcong@sbcglobal.net.
Annual Madison and Clinton Chamber Joint Business After Hours Event
: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Donahue’s Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Co-sponsored by the Madison and Clinton Chambers of Commerce. For info, contact the Madison Chamber at 203-245–7394 or chamber@madisonct.com, or visit madisonct.com.
Family Paint Night: Tiny Art Returns
: 6 p.m. Acton
Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Participants create tiny art pieces for the community exhibit. Supplies provided. Free and open to all. Registration suggested. For info, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
Books and Boos
: 6 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers. For info or to register, call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
10 Things Every Baby Boomer Should Know About Cremation
: 6 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features an informational presentation on cremation planning for adults born between 1946 and 1964 and their families. Registration is required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
Writing Injustice Book Discussion: Warrior Cats Their Eyes Were Watching God Warrior Cats
: 7 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Guilford. Led by Hazel V. Carby and Donna Daniels, this session explores Zora Neale Hurston’s 1937 novel about independence, love, and self-discovery. Copies available at the Reference Desk. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, visit scrantonlibrary.org.
page 29
Teddy Bear Clinic
Concert by Roomful of Blues
Maple Sugaring Time
Victorian Valentine Pop-up Exhibit
Tractor Parade
Sewiong Sunday: Make Your Own Heart Bag
Horoscopes Crossword
For the week of February 12 - February 18
ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20
You have the cosmic green light to start that major project you’ve been planning or to take a leap in your career, Aries. Trust your intuition–it’s sharper than ever.
TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21
Abundance is knocking, Taurus. Your hard work is translating into tangible rewards, and you may receive unexpected good news regarding finances or resources.
GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21
Your mind is sparkling, Gemini, making you the most magnetic person in the room. Use this vibrant energy to connect, share ideas and lead discussions.
CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, a feeling of emotional security empowers you to tackle any professional challenge with grace and confidence. You are totally centered right now, so go for it.
LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, you are radiating charisma this week and attracting positive attention wherever you go. Use this incredible visibility to network or showcase your talents.
VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22
You’ll find great satisfaction in clean, organized work that earns sincere praise this week, Virgo. Your dedication is about to unlock a significant reward. Surprises are in store.
FEBRUARY 12
Josh Brolin, Actor (58)
FEBRUARY 13
Kelly Hu, Actress (58)
FEBRUARY 14
Cadel Evans, Athlete (49)
FEBRUARY 15
Ross Duffer, Producer (42)
LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23
Relationships are the key to your happiness this week, Libra. Expect delightful interactions, smooth negotiations and the forging of beneficial alliances.
SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22
This week is all about your own transformation, Scorpio. You feel a surge of internal power and clarity that allows you to confidently pursue deep, personal goals.
SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21
Your sense of optimism and love for exploration is fully charged, Sagittarius. Even if you can’t take a trip, your mind is open to exciting new philosophies or ideas.
CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20
Your professional reputation is soaring, Capricorn. Key figures at your job are recognizing your dedication and leadership. Expect exciting opportunities for advancement.
AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18
Your network is buzzing with opportunities, Aquarius. Collaborative efforts are highly favored, and you’ll find incredible support for your most innovative ideas.
PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, your intuition is a superpower that guides you toward fulfillment and emotional satisfaction this week. Embrace your artistic side and allow your imagination to lead the way.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
FEBRUARY 16
Elizabeth Olsen, Actress (37) FEBRUARY 17
Michael Jordan, Businessman (63) FEBRUARY 18
Matt Dillon, Actor (62)
CLUES ACROSS
1. Breezed through
5. Consumer protection agency
8. Criminal syndicate
11. Moves back from
13. Satisfaction
14. Feel concern or interest
15. Monetary units
16. Congressman (abbr.)
17. Israeli city
18. Restaurants
20. 2,000 lbs.
21. Grandmother
22. North, South and Central
25. In an early way
30. Foes
31. Social networking platform
32. Early term for basketball player
33. Another name for sesame plant
38. Disallow
41. Provide greater detail
43. Inaccessible
45. Evoke emotions
47. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea
49. Celtic punk rockers
50. A fencing sword
55. Actor Idris
56. Affirmative (slang)
57. Afflicted in mind or body
59. One point north of northeast
60. Born of
61. Social media hand gesture
62. Hong Kong food stall __ pai dong
63. Opposite of beginning
64. Email function
CLUES DOWN
1. Sign language
2. Fashionable
3. Borough in Helsinki
4. Inability to hear
5. More quickly
6. An idea accepted as a demonstrable truth
7. Shrewdly
8. Rooney and Kate are two
9. Mediterranean port
10. Benedictine monk
12. Midway between south and southeast
14. Town in Galilee
19. Satisfy
23. Mice genus
24. Brass instrument
25. Chest muscle (slang)
26. Transmits genetic information from DNA
27. Records electric currents generated by the brain
28. Woman (French)
29. Short route aircraft
34. Pitching statistic
35. Pointed end of a pen
36. Popular sports league
37. Body part
39. Inoffensive
40. Yellowish cotton cloth
41. Feline
42. Does not tell the truth
44. Seduced
45. Spiritual leader
46. Abba __, Israeli politician
47. Repair
48. Olive genus
51. Swiss river
52. Prejudice
53. C. European river
54. Keep under control
58. Father
Word Search
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, and diagonally throughout the puzzle.
Word Scramble solution for February 5, 2026: KISSES
Word Search solution for February 5, 2026
Saint Ann’s Griswold Forum
Hosts Decoda
Saint Ann’s Parish in Old Lyme presents members of Decoda at the church’s Griswold Forum on Sunday, Feb 22, at 9:30 a.m.
Members of Decoda, affiliate ensemble of Carnegie Hall, will talk about their unique group and their ongoing creative community projects in prisons, community centers, hospitals, and shelters, with a special focus on their community engagement work for Musical Masterworks, a chamber music series in southeastern Connecticut.
Attendees will learn about the songwriting workshop that Decoda will have just concluded during their weeklong residency at Cheshire Correctional Institute and the challenges associated with working in incarceration facilities in general. Decoda will also share some lyrics from the inmates’ newly written songs and perform some of the music, in arrangements for an ensemble of oboe, bassoon, viola, and cello. Members will also share reflections on their experience presenting workshops at Vista Life Innovations, a community center for adults with chronic neurological impairments located in Madison. As Musical Masterworks’ ensemble-in-
Continued from page 24
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
Book Club
: Noon to 2 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Book: by Ariel Lawhon. For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Our Salt Marshes and the History of Salt Marsh Haymaking in New England
The Frozen River: A Novel :
6:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Guilford. Presented by Shaun Roche of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. Features historic images and stories of sustainable farming along coastal marshes. Co-sponsored by the Guilford Conservation Commission. Free. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Shoreline Village Tea and Talk
: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Shoreline Diner, 345 Boston Post Rd. Guilford. Features a conversation with members of Shoreline Village CT (SVCT). For info or to RSVP, contact 203-747-5939 or info@ShorelineVillageCT.org.
Junior Librarians
: 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Second in a four-session program for ages 8 to 12 offering a behindthe-scenes look at library operations with the children’s and teen librarians. Participants will learn how librarians select books for the collection, how much they can spend, and how they decide when it is time for a book to retire. Free. Commitment to all four sessions and celebration is expected. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Senior Series 2: All About Senior Living Communities
Shoreline Sailing Club Event:
7 p.m. Clark Memorial Field, 210 Elm St., Old Saybrook. For active singles 35 and over. New members are welcome and sailing experience is not necessary. Cost: free for members and first-time guests, $10 for others. BYOB. For info, visit shorelinesailingclub.com.
residence for community engagement for the past four years, Decoda has worked with students at Fitch High School in Groton, as well as with students at Waterford Country School. All these residencies help to build confidence, trust, and skills in the participants, proving that music is a force for connection, empowerment and transformation.
“For four years, Decoda has helped Musical Masterworks deepen its commitment to community engagement, using music as a bridge between people, experiences, and voices that are too often unheard,” said Mic Herring, executive director of Musical Masterworks. “Their work shows the extraordinary impact that creativity can have in fostering empathy and belonging.”
Rev. Anita Louise Schell, Saint Ann’s rector, added, “Saint Ann’s is delighted to host Decoda in this Griswold Forum, where we can shine a light on the remarkable work that they and Musical Masterworks have been doing in our communities.”
Saint Ann’s Church is located at 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme. All are welcome to attend this presentation.
For more information, call 860-4341621.
: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The Orchard House, 421 Shore Dr., Branford. Cost: $10. Second in a six-part educational series designed for older adults and the adult children who support them. Each session offers practical guidance on topics related to aging in place, downsizing, home care, and senior living options. Participants can attend any or all sessions; there is no obligation to attend the full series. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
Chinese New Year
: 6 to 6:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For elementary-age students. Includes story time, a horse decoration craft, and noisemaking to welcome the Year of the Horse. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org. :
Art Talk with Curator Mallory Mor-tillaro: Exciting Discoveries in Art History
6:30 p.m. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Second in a two-part series. Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit the events calendar link at youressexlibrary.org.
: 7 to 8 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Book: . Held in the Keyes Gallery. For info, call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org.
Author Event: Gish Jen in Conversation with Barbara Pearce Concert by Journeyman (Tribute to Eric Clapton)
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
Crescendo and Cayenne: A Mardi Gras Epicurean Dinner and Blues Revival
: 7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860510-0453 or visit thekate.org. : 7 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd., Madison. Features a multicourse Mardi Gras–inspired dinner with wine pairings and live blues by Paul Gabriel. Cost: $150. For info or reservations, visit madisonbeachhotel-curio.eventbrite.com or madisonbeachhotelevents.com/hotel/ hotel-happenings.
: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Tickets: $50. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
To submit an event to the Living Calendar, send an email to news@shorepublishing.com. For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website zip06.com. The deadline for submissions is noon, eight days prior to the publication date.
Photo courtesy of Saint Ann's Church Decoda musicians
Press Release from Saint Ann's Church
Concert by Lunasa
Bad Bad Girl
Real Estate Transactions
BRANFORD
: 5 Beachwood LLC to Paul Matute, $200,000 on Jan. 21
: Todd and Shannon Hamilton to Michele L. Jokl, $365,000 on Jan. 21
:
Thanh C. Pham to John Macdonald, $230,000 on Jan. 23
: Estate of Alice East Stanley and Alice S. Mandel to Cheryl Lipka, $399,000 on Jan. 20
: Leo J.
Bombalicki to Lindsay A. Ronshagen, $430,000 on Jan. 23
:
Anthony R. Caramanica and Hannah M. Theriault to Jit B. Gurung, $310,000 on Jan. 23
: Far
Mill Riv Re Hldg LLC to Ann C Billings Real Estate Trust and Ann C. Billings, $395,000 on Jan. 21
: Better Buyer LLC to Kevin P. and Maureen Noonan, $320,000 on Jan. 21
: Linda Mcauley to Christopher Bronander and Samantha Anastasio, $342,000 on Jan. 23
: Estate of Joann South Onofrio and Pamela Katynski to Tule Riv Hmbuyer Earned E, $489,000 on Jan. 20
: Robert G. Grether to Carlos and John Betancourt, $415,000 on Jan. 22
: Alton Prperties LLC to Christopher and Carlos Tapia, $320,000 on Jan. 20
: Jill and Benjamin Franco to Veronica Melendez and Cierra Alvarado, $412,000 on Jan. 23
: Bsm Hsh LLC to Nelsy Badia, $215,000 on Jan. 23
: Estate of Elaine M. Rubino and Frank N. Rubino to Zebcon LLC, $224,500 on Jan. 20
: Paul J. Hyatt to Hillyn Natter, $319,900 on Jan. 20
CHESTER CLINTON
: Donna L. Haas to Matthew J. Jansen, $140,000 on Jan. 22
: George and Kimberly Grieco to Gregory and Kristin Webster, $1,160,000 on Jan. 22
: Jillian Mondaca to Michael R. Boller and Elizabeth Allen, $575,000 on Jan. 23
: Peter R. and Constance M. Gallagher to Michael Andal and Nina Liang, $1,000,000 on Jan. 22
: Edgar Patino to Jose F. Torres-Torrens and Kevin Damian, $388,000 on Jan. 23
: Helem J. Datica and Wilson G. Palacios to Stephan Siebel, $460,000 on Jan. 20
: Richard and Kimberly Speed to Jennifer and Kevin Roukous, $1,425,000 on Jan. 21
Real Estate Transactions
GUILFORD
: Joseph R. Ricigliano to Jose Mendoza and Esperanza Castillo, $320,000 on Jan. 20
: Matthew and Lori Cattaneo to Phoebe and Matthew Miller, $595,000 on Jan. 20
62 Hahn Road
: Daniel M. and Melissa A. Reiner to Staci Fernandez, $370,000 on Jan. 20
59 Hoadley Creek Circle
: Jeffrey M. Niro and U South Bank Na to Juan Escalanate, $330,500 on Jan. 23
Hoop Pole Road
: Kenneth J. Pardee to Joseph Lombardo, $419,000 on Jan. 23
231 Nortontown Road
: Matthew
Ramadanovic to Rajiv C. and Victoria F. Dua, $1,385,000 on Jan. 20
: John L. Tarutis and Paula R. Deveau to Michael A. Dechello, $780,000 on Jan. 21
: Philip D. and Stephanie M. Johnson to Sarah D. Johnson and Ethan J. Long, $550,000 on Jan. 20
: Freedom
Property LLC to Chris and Roberta Fernau, $551,000 on Jan. 20
: Maureen J Lage
T and Maureen J. Lage to Francis X. Foley, $1,600,000 on Jan. 22
: Stanley J. and Mary P. Griskewicz to Kyle Butler, $775,000 on Jan. 20
SUSAN A. MALAN
: Audrey E.
Cameron to David A. Facini, $343,000 on Jan. 21
OLD SAYBROOK
: Joseph E.
Smith to Linda J. and Robert M. Guilmette, $320,000 on Jan. 20
: Donna Jones to Robin Staplins, $400,000 on Jan. 21
: David W. Frasco to Melina Q. Usher, $941,500 on Jan. 23
: Gerald J. Wilson and Kevin G. Ferrigno to Robert and Megan E. Falcigno, $860,000 on Jan. 20
: Estate of
Nancy C. Desnoyers and Diana J. Desnoyers to Matthew Akehurst, $410,000 on Jan. 23
WESTBROOK
: James Neil to Matthew and Carly Terracezigni, $525,000 on Jan. 20
: Real estate transactions are published using publicly available records and are matters of public record. Listings are not removed in response to general privacy requests. Removal will only be considered in cases involving a documented and credible personal safety concern. Requests may be submitted to zip06@shore publishing.com
Copyright material of Banker and Tradesman / the Commercial Record and The Warren Group.
For past transactions, visit zip06.com/ realestate.
NOTHING COMPARES TO EXPERTISE IN ACTION. DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT.
Jodi Strycharz Gold Award
Alex Brigandi Gold Award
Phil Warner Silver Award
Melissa Pardi Bronze Award
Jennifer Caulfield Gold Award
Erin Borruso Silver Award
Bonnie Foster Bronze Award
Cynthia Sigurdson Bronze Award
Robin Linares Silver Award
Tim Boyd Bronze Award
Peter Zucco Bronze Award
Jamie Childs Silver Award
Kathy Schellens Gold Award
Rick Weiner Platinum Award #2 in Rentals, Essex Brokerage
Kevin Geysen Platinum Award #2 in Units, Essex Brokerage
Tina Rupp Platinum Award
Kristina Quinones Bronze Award
Linares & Foster Team of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty #1 Team in Revenue and Units, Essex Brokerage
Teri Lewis Diamond Award #2 in Revenue, Essex Brokerage
Colette Harron Diamond Award
Susan Malan Diamond Award #3 in Revenue, Company-Wide #4 in Units, Company-Wide #1 in Revenue and Units, Essex Brokerage #2 in Rentals, Company-Wide #1 in Rentals, Essex Brokerage
