February 19, 2026
Chester, Deep River, & Essex
Vol. XXVI Iss. 8
State Budget Cuts Could Hit Local Libraries
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
Libraries in Chester, Deep River, and Essex could feel the effects of a proposed 20% cut to statewide library services under Gov. Ned Lamont’s fiscal year 2027 budget—part of a reduction that has the Connecticut
Library Association deeply concerned.
The Connecticut Library Association (CLA) earlier this month released a briefing outlining how public libraries across the state would be affected by the proposed reduction in support for statewide library services.
Among the programs most at risk is “borrowIT CT,” formerly known as Connecti-
card. The program allows library cardholders to borrow materials from public libraries outside their home towns. When a library lends an item to a patron from another community, the state reimburses that library for the transaction.
See State Budget Cuts page 10
Tractors Take Chester
Henry Fischer of Vista Life Innovations sits atop a tractor during the annual Chester Tractor Parade on Feb. 15. The winter celebration features live music and a chili sale benefiting the Chester Hose Company, while local businesses offer food and drink specials throughout Chester.
is helping lead the Essex Winter Series into a new season..................................2
Facing Adversity
The Warriors boys basketball team is searching for its new identity ahead of the postseason..............12
Tara Helen O’Connor
PhotobyLauraMatesky/ ValleyCourier
Tara Helen O’Connor: New Head for Essex Winter Series
By Rita Christopher
Courier Senior Correspondent
What happens when an unmarried person meets the perfect unmarried mate? If love conquers all, they marry — even if it seems improbable. And so it was for Daniel Phillips and Tara Helen O’Connor, who married despite a noticeable disparity. She is 5-foot-10; he is 5-foot-3.
Far more important than their height difference is their shared love of music. Tara, a flutist, and Daniel, a violinist, once played the same passage from a Bach cantata together at rehearsal with exactly the same interpretation. In that moment, they knew they belonged together.
This is Tara’s first year as artistic director of the Essex Winter Series. She takes over the role after Mihae Lee’s 15 years at the helm.
Tara is no stranger to music festivals and concert series. She and Daniel run a summer festival
Person of the Week
in northern New Mexico called Music from Angel Fire, which presents about 10 concerts over two and a half weeks. She has also performed at music festivals across the United States — from California to New England — as well as in Canada, Europe, and Asia.
She is an artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and was the first wind player selected for its Bowers Program, which supports the careers of outstanding young chamber music performers. She is an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and has been nominated twice for a Grammy Award.
Tara currently teaches flute and coaches chamber music
ensembles at the Yale School of Music. The Fenton Brown Emerging Artist Concert on March 22 will feature a young chamber group, Trio Animoso, which she worked with during their student days at Yale.
“They were so fabulous, so fantastic, that they just had to stay together,” she says.
The trio will remain after the concert for a four-day outreach residency, visiting local schools to give students a more personal introduction to classical music.
“Music for kids in school is a win-win,” Tara says. “It works the brain, helps coordination, makes a happier, smarter child.”
The Essex Winter Series has faced challenges this year, though not from the music itself. The weather has been uncooperative. The opening concert of the season — a tribute to Mihae Lee — was canceled because of a snowstorm and has been rescheduled
See Tara page 9
The Chester and Deep River Sustainability Teams will host an information session about Home Energy Solutions assessments and services on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m., at the Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St., Chester. The program is part of the towns’ HeatSmart campaigns in partnership with the sponsors of Energize Connecticut, Eversource, and Southern Connecticut Gas’ Community Partnership Initiative. Representatives will explain the Home Energy Solutions assessment and weatherization process, answer questions, and assist residents with signing up. The session will address ways to reduce energy consumption, save money, and improve home comfort. For more information, call 860-304-6184, email lcwahle@gmail.com, or visit HeatSmartCT.org/Chester or HeatSmartCT.org/DeepRiver.
Photo courtesy of Tara Helen O’Connor
Tara Helen O’Connor, newly appointed artistic director of the Essex Winter Series, brings decades of performance, teaching, and festival leadership experience to the role this season.
Letters Editor to the
Preserve Our Historic Character
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for our beautiful historic town and to highlight the importance of preserving the character that makes it so special. In an era when many communities are losing their unique identities to rapid development and uniform design, our three villages continue to stand out as a place where history is not only remembered but lived in every day. Over the winter, as we settled under a soft blanket of snow, I was reminded once again of just how beautiful and unique our historic community truly is. The snowfall seemed to highlight every architectural detail — rooflines softened by white drifts, old brick and wood glowing warmly against the winter light, and our historic streets transformed into something timeless.
Our architecture tells the story of generations who built with care, craftsman-
ship and a sense of place. These buildings are more than structures; they are benchmarks of our shared heritage. They give our streets charm, our neighborhoods warmth, and our individual communities a visual identity that cannot be replicated.
Preserving that architectural heritage is not about resisting change; it is about ensuring that change enhances the beauty and spirit we already cherish. Our town is never more magical than when the snow reveals its history in such a rich way. Let’s ensure that future generations can experience that same sense of wonder.
I encourage my fellow residents to remain vigilant stewards of our communities.
David Kirsch Essex
Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, hosts Signs of Love through Saturday, Mar. 14. The seven-week exhibit celebrates love through romantic relationships and shared connections among people, animals, and the world around us. For more information, call 860-767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org.
MCRC 2026 Business Operating Grants Program
The application for the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission’s (MCRC) 2026 Business Operating Grants Program will open online through 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.
Correction
Three calendar items that ran on Feb. 12 had the incorrect venue. The Writing Injustice Book Discussion Series: “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston on Wednesday, Feb. 18; Salt Marshes and the History of Salt Marsh Haymaking in New England on Thursday, Feb. 19; and the Staying Strong and Steady: Fall Prevention with Dr. A.J. Gagliardi and Dr. Jill Caruso on Monday, Feb. 23, will all be held at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street.
Spectrum Art Gallery: Signs of Love
Christian Maldonado Valley Courier
Betsy Lemkin The Sound Guilford Courier Ext. 6130
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Lori Gregan Valley Courier Ext. 6167
Maria Caulfield Living Editor
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Rita Christopher Senior Correspondent
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Wesley Bunnell Chief of Photography
Editorial Staff
Obituaries
Obituary
Abbie S. Saglimbeni Deep River
Abbie S. Saglimbeni passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her loving family after a five-year battle with lymphoma on Jan. 24, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born Abbie Jo Shay in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Samuel J. and Josephine Willis Shay.
Abbie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Anthony Paul Saglimbeni of Deep River; their son, Samuel Saglimbeni; daughter, Emily Archer and her husband, Graeme, as well as their children, Sidney and Aaron. In addition, she leaves her brothers, Henry Shay of Livermore, California, and Bruce Shay of Ashland, Oregon, along with their respective spouses, Ernestine and
Pamela; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jason Haldas and the nurses and staff of The Smilow Cancer Hospital, Waterford, as well as the special teams of physicians, nurses, and aides at Yale New Haven Health for their tireless efforts on Abbie’s behalf.
Abbie was a lifelong supporter of St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, and so we ask that any donations be made to this wonderful organization in Abbie’s memory.
As was Abbie’s expressed wish, there will be no viewing or service either preceding or following cremation. However, the family will hold a special celebration of life for our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother in the coming spring—a special time of hope, renewal, and rebirth.
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Obituary
Paul Harrington
Ivoryton
Paul Harrington, 72, of Ivoryton, passed away on Jan. 22, 2026, at Yale after a short illness.
Paul was a lifelong resident of the Tri Town area, where he graduated from Valley Regional High School in 1971. He was a longtime member of Essex Veterans Memorial Hall, where years ago he could be found bartending on weekends. In recent years, he enjoyed going to Friday lunches with his three Best Buddies, Grit, Big Dope, and Hammer.
Paul made a point to “record” his UConn girls basketball, New York Yankees, and New York Giants in case he couldn’t be home in time to watch them.
Paul played second base in baseball
for Valley Regional, softball for the Essex/Deep River League, and was always ready for a pick-up game of hockey with his buddies.
Paul was predeceased by his father, Earl Harrington; his mother, Louva “Dee Dee” (Peterson) Harrington; and his longtime partner for more than 20 years, Linda Clark. Paul is survived by his daughter, Alyssa Harrington Loiler (Kevin); two grandchildren, Jackson and Daisy; sister, Lynne Harrington Wheeler (Heath); niece, Jaime Oliver; and nephews, Ryan Wheeler and Gary and Kim Clark.
There will be a celebration of Paul’s life at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28, at the Essex Veterans Memorial Hall (EVMH), 3 Westbrook Road, Centerbrook. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to “EVMH Sunshine Fund,” P.O. Box 142, Centerbrook, CT 06409.
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Gala to Launch Essex America 250 Events
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
The Essex Semiquincentennial Committee will kick off the town’s America 250 celebration with a gala at the Essex Steam Train on Friday, April 18, marking the start of what organizers hope will be a yearlong series of commemorative events.
According to committee chair and Essex Selectwoman Stacia Libby, the event is intended to launch a busy and memorable year for both the town of Essex and the country as a whole.
“When putting this all together, the committee and I thought ‘let’s find a way to celebrate the town of Essex, as well as America 250,” she said. “The initial messaging that came out from the federal government regarding America 250 was to talk about diversity and inclusion…for me, it makes sense to continue that sentiment, and find how we continue to celebrate
what is awesome about America.”
Libby said the Essex Foundation played a significant role in helping move the gala from concept to reality, assisting the committee, which operates with a limited budget.
The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. and will feature “dancing, music, and a community spirit,” according to the event listing on the committee’s website. Attendees are encouraged to dress cre-
LAST CHANCE
TO
For Your Favorite Non-Profit is February 28
Essex Bank customers still have time to vote for their favorite non-profit organizations but only until February 28! These votes will help to directly determine a portion of the Bank’s allocation of charitable funds through the Bank’s 2026 Community Investment Program.
Not a customer? Open an account and you, too, can participate!
To vote, customers can log into their Essex Bank online account or visit any of our six branches for a paper ballot.
atively; period attire and black tie are welcome but not required.
The Essex Semiquincentennial Committee was established near the end of 2024, nearly a year in advance of the celebration. Libby said members have partnered with organizations and nonprofits throughout Essex to build awareness and encourage collaboration. Participants include representatives from the Essex Historical Society, Essex Parks and Recre-
ation, the Ivoryton Alliance, and the Essex Board of Trade, among others.
In addition to the gala, Libby said no other individual events have been finalized, though the committee hopes proceeds from the event will help fund additional programming. The committee will have a presence at the upcoming Essex Go Bragh Irish Parade on Saturday, March 22, serving as Grand Marshals.
Members also plan a significant role in the annual Independence Day Parade in July, which will serve as a special America 250 edition.
“We hope that this upcoming event gives us the funds to be able to put on more events throughout the year,” Libby said.
Among the ideas under consideration is a red, white, and blue “Touch a Truck” event for children and families, featuring vehicles from organizations such as the Essex Police Department and Essex Fire Department.
The committee continues to meet on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to the public for residents interested in learning more about the group’s plans and potential events throughout the celebratory year.
Tickets for the gala are available at www.essexct.gov/221/ Semi-Q-Committee
2026 Community Investment Program Participants
Education and Scholarship Program • Act II Thrift Shop • Bikes For Kids
Bushy Hill Nature Center • 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 Historical Society • Deep River Land Trust, Inc. • Deer Lake Outdoor Center (Pathfinders, Inc.) • E.C. Scranton Memorial Library
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
Image courtesy of Essex Semi-Q Committee
Motley’s Legacy Lives On in Chester
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
Chester’s history includes many notable residents, but few have had the national impact of civil rights attorney and federal judge Constance Baker Motley, whose legacy remains visible in the town today.
Motley maintained a home in Chester from 1965 until her death in 2005, including during her tenure as a federal judge and later as a senior judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The town is home to the Motley Preserve, a trail named in her honor that was added to the Connecticut Freedom Trail in 2019 and is now owned by the Chester Land Trust.
Motley is also the subject of an exhibit at the Chester Historical Society museum, where she served as a founding trustee in 1970. The exhibit features archives from her life and work, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to learn more about her story and her connection to the town.
Marta Daniels, a local historian who has studied Motley’s life through the Historical Society, said her introduction to the former civil rights attorney came unexpectedly after watching the film Justice Is a Black Woman, produced by Quinnipiac Univer-
sity in Motley’s hometown of New Haven.
“Even a person like me who is so interested in civil rights and other political topics, did not know who Constance Baker Motley was in her earlier life, I just knew her as the federal judge from New York,” she said. “…She was the face in the southern courtroom, helping to integrate kids in schools.”
Motley rose to national prominence as a civil rights attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, working alongside Thurgood Marshall during the height of the civil rights movement. She played a significant role in school desegregation efforts following the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education and represented clients across the South during the era of segregation, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Her legal work helped advance civil rights in education and public life and contributed to the broader movement to dismantle segregation in the United States.
In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Motley to the United States District Court for the Southern District of
See Motley’s Legacy page 10
Photo courtesy of Constance Baker Motley stamp by the United States Postal Service
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.
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.
Cuddle Up with Alfa
Story by Carol Andrecs
• Visit sights like the historic starting point of Route 66 in
the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and the “End of the Trail” sign in Santa Monica
• Explore natural wonders of the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, and the Painted Desert
• Discover Seligman, known as the “historic birthplace of Route 66.”
• Marvel at Alaska’s natural beauty in Denali National Park
• Visit Alaska’s most famous locals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Cruise past the glaciers of Glacier Bay and Wrangell St. Elias National Park
• Travel through the legendary Inside Passage
Alfa is a stunning 2-year-old, black-andwhite long-haired girl. She was trapped while living among a colony of cats and arrived at Forgotten Felines during the recent cold weather. Alfa loves being petted and brushed, as well as sitting on a comfy lap. This beauty will definitely keep you warm on chilly nights. Wouldn’t you love to cuddle up with Alfa? Come meet her 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.
Ivoryton Library will host its fourth annual escape room fundraiser, “Wonderland Conundrum,” from Friday, March 13, through Sunday, March 29, at Ivoryton Library, 106 Main St., Ivoryton. This year’s theme is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The interactive experience challenges participants to solve puzzles and clues as part of a timed adventure. Proceeds benefit the Ivoryton Library. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, call 860-767-1252 or visit ivorytonlibrary.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 playbased 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.
Photo by Tracye Mueller
Ivoryton Library Hosts ‘Wonderland Conundrum’ Escape Room
Tara Helen O’Connor: New Head for Essex Winter Series
for Nov. 8, 2026. That concert will feature Tara on flute, violinist Ani Kavafian, cellist Peter Wiley, and pianist Shai Wosner.
On Feb. 22, the Stu Ingersoll Jazz Concert will feature Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks performing music from the 1920s. On April 12, Chanticleer — the acclaimed a cappella ensemble that has previously appeared in the series — will return with a program of American songs.
In fact, all of this season’s concerts highlight American themes in different ways as part of a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Tara loves combining classical orchestral and chamber music repertoire with works by new composers.
“After all, music is a continuum,” she says. “Bach was a new composer once.”
She has also performed on several film and television soundtracks in a very different musical vein, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Barbie, and Respect.
by 5 she is already composing her own songs. She wants to play the flute after hearing a neighbor practice, but at her ele-
mentary school in Hauppauge, Long Island, students cannot begin flute instruction until fourth grade. Although Tara is already accompanying the school chorus on piano in third grade, no exception is made, and she waits another year.
As a high school senior, Tara is selected to participate in a master class led by noted flutist Paula Robison with the Long Island Philharmonic. Robison asks what Tara plans to do after graduation. Tara says she has considered becoming a lawyer, following other family members.
Robison has other ideas. She encourages Tara to pursue music professionally and suggests she audition for Sam Baron, a noted flute instructor at the State University at Stony Brook.
Tara follows that advice, knocks on Baron’s door, and asks if she can play for him. He is initially incredulous when he
sees the difficulty of the music, but after hearing her perform, he becomes her teacher for the next 11 years.
Tara and Dan live in Manhattan with their two dachshunds, Ava and Chloe, but she is already familiar with the Shoreline area. She has performed at Musical Masterworks in Old Lyme and also has a cousin in Clinton.
Her schedule is busy, but she relishes its variety.
“I love teaching; I love performing; I love mentoring young artists,” she says. “I love sharing great music. Music is important to all of us, even if we have different beliefs. We can all come together over great music.”
For more information about the Essex Winter Series and to purchase tickets, visit essexwinterseries.com.
John Winthrop Middle School Quarter 2 Honor Roll
Grade 8 High Honors
Aley, Deanna; Allard, Sarah; Bachand, Avery; Belcher, Ngaire; Boulanger, Luc; Brennan, Parker; Carangelo, Kylie; Carangelo, Mia; Carlone, Gerald; Case, Isabella; Chester, Ayla; Cheung, Wing San; Cohen, Sadie; Comerford, Ethan; Conklin, Eleanor; Cozza, Wyatt; Dean, Carter; Dias, Arthur; Edwards, Abigail; Elliott, Emma; Farrell, Lillian; Ferretti, Caroline; Fomenko, Stella; Gosnell, Chase; Hollister, Fiona; Hupkau, Harmony; Jewczyn, William; Josse, Dominic; Kolb, Gretchen; Kronholm, Esme; Larson, Lucille; Maheu, Rosalie; Majors, Juliet; McAndrew, Joseph; Nesdale, Ella; Nieuwoudt, Zuhany; Nygard, Lillian; Palumbo, Brayden; Paulin, Virginia; Pavon, Mia; Richards, Emily; Severance, Sophie; Smith, Jackson; Torres, Isabel; Trippconey, Hannah; Ung, Colleen; Wright, Mirai; and Ziemann, Ava.
Grade 7 High Honors
Albright, Olivia; Bauer, Ivy; Bean, Madelyn; Bell, Gavin; Belloni, Quinn; Calandruccio, Mae; Clarke, McKenzie; Conlan, Claire; Dowling-Moreno, Emmeline; Freeman, Avery; Giacobbe, Daniel; Graham, Ashlyn; Herrera Mulhern, Amelia; Hidalgo, Jason; MacLean,
Andrew; Matute, Salvador; Mirante, Logan; Morris, Ian; Morrow, Everly; Needleman, Mason; O’Neal, Eve; Okasha, Dylan; Ortiz, Mason; Padelli, Cora; Phillips, Amelia; Pillion, Addison; Rheinheimer, Stanley; Rioux, Arden; Seidman, Keira; Smith, Nathaniel; Voitans, John; and Woitovich, Georgiana.
Grade 8 Honors
Alvarado, Benjamin; Cannan, Grayson; Glowac, Briar; Guzzo, Julia; Houston, Imogen; Hunt, Alyssa; Iverson, Frank; Jaramillo, Ethan; Karol, Jacob; Ludwig, Atreus; Masalski, Reid; Miers, Nicholas; Mwasekaga, Johnson; Nischan, Atticus; Perry, Chase; Puorro, Alexa; Ryan, Luke; and Tressel, Henry
Grade 7 Honors
Arsenault, Lillian; Carlone, Paul; Galberth, Charlotte; Graham, Owen; Hagert, Carl; Harp, Jayda; Hesser, Josephine; Holmes, Rowan; Hughes, Lucas; Kerop, Celia; Knoop, Marnix; Koskie, Jordan; Lambert, Roary; Lamparzyk, Eli; Long, Quentin; Majors, William; Martorelli, Ava; Merrill, Riley; Nichols, Hutchinson; Poulard, Ellianna; Remache, Helen; Resnisky, Andi; Ryan, Katherine; Whaley, Kallan;and Wilkens, Jasper
Notice of Decision NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
That at the Essex Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission took the following actions:
- IWWC #26-2 6 Beechwood Drive, Ivoryton, construction of a single-family home and associated septic system within 100 feet of wetlands. Applicant: Angus McDonald, Gary Sharpe, and Associates; Owner: Charles Burdick IWWC ALLOWED FOR WETLANDS AGENT TO REVIEW
Respectfully Submitted, Michael Furgueson, Chairman
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
ESSEX PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Planning and Zoning Commission will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Essex Town Hall 29 West Avenue Essex, CT (see agenda on Town’s website www.essexct.gov for further details), at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following application:
- PZC #26-1 Special Exception under Section 80A.2(D) of the Essex Zoning Regulations for construction of a 50’ X 80’ rehearsal and storage building at 122 Main Street Ivoryton. Applicant/Owner: Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation Inc.
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 Planning and Zoning Commission Russell Smith, Chairman
State Budget Cuts Could Hit Local Libraries
Continued from page 1
In the briefing, CLA President Erin Dummeyer said the program promotes equal access for residents to books and materials statewide and warned that reducing support would shift costs to local libraries.
“Reducing or destabilizing this program will force local libraries to bear the full cost of sharing resources, threatening access to millions of items and diminishing the value libraries provide to their communities,” she said.
Essex Public Library Director Ann Thompson said the reimbursement, while modest, remains an important part of the library’s budget.
“While the reimbursement that we get for the ‘borrowIT CT’ program is not a huge amount of money, we still do count on it,” Thompson said. “It frightens all of us here to see funding potentially
chopped…as with any budget, we have to find a way to make up for it.”
Susan Rooney, director of Deep River Public Library, said a 20 percent reduction in support could create a “snowball effect” for smaller libraries and others statewide.
“A 20 percent cut further reduces these reimbursements, which are already significantly below the actual cost of transactions (when it comes to books and other materials),” she said. “If state funding for statewide delivery services is compromised, the ‘seamless’ sharing of books between towns may slow down or become more expensive for the local library to maintain.”
The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget must be approved by the legislature later this year. Until then, library officials say they are watching closely, concerned about what the reductions could mean for nearly 200 public libraries across Connecticut.
Motley’s
Legacy Lives On in Chester
Continued from page 7
New York, making her the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge. She later assumed senior status and continued serving on the bench for decades.
Since learning more about Motley’s life, Daniels said she has grown to admire both her accomplishments and her humility.
“This was a very versatile person, and she never tooted her own horn,” Daniels said. “You didn’t read much about her because of the privacy of the courtrooms of the time, but she was very careful about what she said and did.”
The Motley Preserve and her inclusion
on the Connecticut Freedom Trail continue to reflect her lasting connection to Chester, where her legacy remains a source of local pride. In January 2024, the United States Postal Service honored her with a stamp in its Black Heritage Series. Those interested in learning more about Motley’s life and her connection to Chester can visit the Chester Historical Society at 9 West Main Street. The museum is open Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 860558-4701 or visit chesterhistorical society.org.
Little Learners at the Library
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.
Valley Regional High School Quarter 2 Honor Roll
Grade 12 High Honors
Gavin H. Abderhalden, Emma Abramson, Sofia Amaya, Emily R. Bachand, Tyler W. Benson, Sophie T. Bowers, Ava B. Cannan, JacAlan Cecchini, Joshua Clark, Kaleigh A. Dugan, Bethany Erkkila, Patrick S. Finnegan, Cody J. Frost, Owen J. Gallagher, Catalena Goldberg, Kellen Graham, Addie Jane Guzallis, Sebastian I. Heredia, Rowan Herlihy, Madeline K. Hollister, Sadie Iselin, Aldino Jasavic, Chase King, Kellyn P. Kolber, Aemelia Z. Kostek, Justin N. Lenda, Sydney Liggett, Nyla Maignan, Antonia Rose Marchese, Anahi Matute, Payton May McIntyre, Nathan Mezick, Anthony Thomas Miers, Hallie Victoria Moore, Gavin Nadolny-Pallatto, Garrison Nankee, Braeden A. Nunes, Ava Parker, Ryan Poulin, Isabel Rice, Madelyn Riebold, Tsering Samphel, Cody Saunders, Leanne May Sedgwick, Anna Cloe Sheikowitz, Hannah O. Smith, Tristan Peter Walmsley Spallone, Charles Spinelli, Jared W. Valakos, Connor Walden, Tula J. Whitbeck, Cooper James Wrubleski, Sonya Xaypanya
Grade 11 High Honors
Sophia Abramson, Luke Jacob Beighau, John Blalock, Kai Andrew Carlin, Naiomi Cokas, Mark Anthony Condon, Madison A. Czepiel, Ethan Dean, Sara Abigail Delouchry, Avery Katherine deMik, Cameron Donoghue, Megan Joy Dugan, Julius Samadhi Duncan, Charles Edwards, Addison Marie Hardman, Jalen
Jay Harrell, Jonathon Charles Louis Howley, Abigail Innamorato, Aaron Johnson, Violet Adeline Keyes, Charlotte Elsie Kolb, Hawley Kornacki, Penelope Ludwig, Fernanda Luna, Julian Mardjekaj, Marina Grace Morgan, Erza Morina, Jonah William Morrissey, Alanna Grace Nye, Elleigh Alivia Ortola, Camille Grace Pagliuco, Noah Plancon, MaiLi Quale, Emma Reilly, Sway Daniel Riechel, Julianna Amelia Robinson, Emma Li Schultz, Talia Shankar, Benjamin D. Snyder, Avery Davis Soares, Theodore Vari, Vincent Vari, Abigail J Vilca, Kajsia Wright
Grade 10 High Honors
Jacob Matthew Allard, Sydney Larkin Archambault, Jane Elena Barnard, Grace Ellin Bauer, Reagan Belloni, Adam Michael Brown, Lyra Bruce, Madison Brzozowy, Dakota Camire, Elijah Christian Carter, Daniel Ray Charbonnier, Winghei Vincy Cheung, Emily Collins, Grace Lily Conlan, Shayla Cronan, Mariaclara Evangelista Dias, Kali Shea Dorso, Bella Sophia Florentino, Emma Jean Gallagher, Isaac Gardner, Katie Gerl, Thomas Chad Guillerault, Landon Heft, Sara Heiser, Claire Johnson, Kirstin Elin
Lenda, Cole Gianni Ludovico, David Willard Maynard, Tanner McIntyre, Abigail Muggleston, Charlotte Ava Parker, Susanna Ray, Boden Rice, Payton Riebold, Aviana Makena Santangelo, Olivia Faith Shorey, Oliver Daniel Smith, Phoebe Rose Walmsley Spallone, Carley Spearrin, Auri Rose Vacirca, Grayson Michael Walden, Tage Wright, Abigail Yurasek
Essex Library will present a five-week Italian language class for adult beginners beginning Monday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m., at Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. The class will meet on Mondays, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, and April 13. Instruction will be led by Middletown Adult Education instructor Mary Saraceno, who lived and studied in Sicily for 12 years and has taught Italian since 1994. Participants will learn practical vocabulary and expressions for travel situations and cultural understanding. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required due to limited seating. For more information or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit essexlib.org.
Essex Historical Society Seeks Artists for ‘Art on the Lawn’
Essex Historical Society seeks sculptors for its 2026 Art on the Pratt House Lawn exhibition at 19 West Ave., Essex. Four artists will be selected to display up to three outdoor sculptures for two-month periods: June 1 through July 31; Aug. 1 through Sept. 30; and Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. (The April 1 through May 31 session is filled.) Participation is free. Works must be suitable for outdoor display and approved by the selection committee. Artists are responsible for installation and removal. Submit images to Kate Savage at membership@essexhistory.org. For more information, call 860-767-0681 or visit essexhistory.org.
Grade 9 High Honors
Aaron A. Archer, Killian Blalock, Dean Bostrom, Alexzander Bubie, Sawyer Maddox Castellano, Miette Cecelia Chapados, Annabell L. Chapman, Lila Summer-Rose Connelly, Holland Grace deMik, Sawyer Fernandez Devin, Paige Erwin, Robert Peter Giacobbe, Siorcha Gretta-King, Silas Grisky, Hutch Guzallis, Kaye Hagert, Brayden Scott LaCross, Lyla Marie Lopez, Caitlyn Rose Lunz, Jahnie Maignan, Paul Malaguti, Macie Elizabeth Morgan, Siena Grace Nardizzi, Brooke Ouellette, Olivia Rand, Caroline Rayner, Wyatt Renner, Kinzy Louise Reynolds, Ella Richardson, Cassian Rivera, Jacob Jeffrey Rowland, Tristen Piper Samuelson, Broden Schulte, Alexandra Scrivo, Jonathan Shomo, Maxwell Graydon Slocombe, Jameson Allen Smith, Sofia Josephine Spagnola, Jasper Stack, Caitlin Sullivan, Nicolena Mae Torre, Sofia Yumbla
Grade 12 Honors
Elijah W. Arsenault, Jhostyn Alexander Balbuca Villavicencio, Jedidiah David Blinn, Scarlett E. Boland, Caitlin E. Brady, Jonas Campion, Camille M. Cobbs, Connor Dickson, Noah C. Dolinsky, Lucas Fox, Amelia Giantonio, Lucca B. Giordano, Corallina Giuliano, John Finnian Heiser, Jack P. Helsel, Owen Lee Ingram, Rinze Knoop, Jack Knudsen, Samantha Jane Moore, Abigail Noll, Logan Prue, Alan Jared Rivera, Reed Schmelzer, William Sicignano, Ella R. Smith, Jayden A. Vasquez, Rowan W. Wyrebek-Brasky
Grade 11 Honors
Mackenzie Josephine AnselmoDePasquale, Derek James Beaudoin, Eleanor Grace Collins, Karlee Diana Cutler, Alexa Escarraman-Andujar, Daisie Jones, Kalonji Joyce, Anne Keck, Owen Constantine McCuin, Elliott Paradis, James Pinski, Sarah Pinski, Macy Kelly Rock, Riley Russell, Madelyn Stone, William Ung
Grade 10 Honors
Keenan C. Covey, Adriana Dos Santos, Zoe Dumas, Canyon Erkkila, Tucker Ferretti, Alex C. Holcomb, Sadie A. Ingram, Bieler Lopez, Madison Moisa, Josephine Porter, Varrick Recchia, Juliana Spencer, William Tressel, Lila Jane Young
Grade 9 Honors
Thomas Bargelski, Connor Bean, Joshua Jared Beaudoin, Austin Ryan Brown, Owen Bryan, Devon Carson, Matthew Lorillard Dahl, Quinn DeBartolo, Jillian DeLorso, Sienna Mare Dorso, Brooke E. Guyer, Desmond Keyes, Trevor Michael McMorran, Giuliano Juan Molina, Rylan Nadolny-Pallatto, Dylan Charles Nye, Christopher James Price, Zoe Radiyah Ray, Ashlen Schmelzer, Elinor Shomo, Eliza Hope Vecchiarino, Brennen Wilcox
The Chester Public Library offers Tech Help with Liz, a program to help those who need technical/computer assistance, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Patrons can call to make an appointment or stop by the library, 21 West Main Street, during open hours. For more information, call the library at 860-526-0018 or visit chesterctlibrary.com.
The Estuary Offers Fitness Classes
The Estuary Center, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook offers a variety of exercise classes for those 50 years and older, suitable for all individuals with or without restrictions. Classes include strength and stretch, balance, yoga and chair yoga, tai chi, tap dance, and qigong. For more information or to register, call 860-388-1611 or visit www.yourestuary.org.
Tuition-Free Program at CBSRZ
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway, Chester, offers Pathways for Jewish Youth for families with children 16 and younger. Families with children in 3rd grade and younger have the option of freewill tuition. For more information, contact Belinda Brennan at 860-526-8920 or edcant@cbsrz.org, or visit www.cbsrz.org.
Learn Italian at Essex Library
Tech Help with Liz
Warriors Search for Identity Ahead of Postseason
By Serenity J. Bishop
Sports Editor
The Valley Regional boys basketball team has faced adversity all season long, and now will have to find a way to be resilient again as injuries have riddled through the team’s roster just before the postseason.
Several of the Warriors’ standout players are currently sidelined by sickness, nagging injuries, and even a broken foot, an injury Tavis Filacchione suffered Monday in Valley Regionals’ 38-37 loss to North Branford.
The season-ending injury of Filacchione is crucial for the Warriors, as the junior was a key part of the two-headed scoring duo of he and Noah Dolinsky. The team is not forced to find a new identity quickly with the regular season winding down, and the postseason just on the horizon.
Valley Regional coach Kevin Woods said the team is currently focused on two main objectives right now; find a new identity and find a way to end the season with a winning record.
The Warriors are currently 10-8, with two games left in the regular season. Valley Regional has already punched its ticket to the conference and state tournament, but a winning season is still up in the air.
“We’re trying to find a new identity of who we are without him and how we can be successful without them, and we’ve been working hard at that, so that’s kind of our focus right now,” Woods said. “Then our other focus is right now, we’re sitting at 10 wins. If we can win one of the next two would give us a winning regular season. We’re coming off two years in a row where we haven’t had a winning season. Woods added that a winning season would be the mark of building the program back up. However, one positive that the Warriors have is that they know what it’s like to play without one of their best players.
To start the season, Valley Regional played its first three games without point guard Brady Evans. The situation forced the rest of the team to do more. Woods called this year’s roster one of the most resilient that he has had in his 22 years of coaching.
“Our players don’t get rattled. They just keep playing. We don’t make excuses, and we just go out, and we do the best we can
The Valley Regional boys basketball team is 10-8 entering the postseason push and seeking its first winning season in three years.
with the situation we’re given,” he said. “I’m super proud of how we’ve dealt with adversity throughout the season…they have nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain. It’s one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had as a coach in all my years of coaching. I’ve been doing this a long time, and that’s from the heart.”
As the Warriors conclude the regular
season, they will also be holding senior night on Thursday, Feb. 19, against Canton. The Warriors’ senior class includes Noah Dolinsky, Logan Prue, Micahel Spencer, Cody Saunders, Eli Torres and Tsering Samphel.
Dolinksy has surpassed 900 points this season and is drawing near to the major milestone.
“They’re going to be impossible to replace next year,” Woods said.
Woods is hoping that the team can send the seniors out on a good note before heading to the postseason and taking it gameby-game. For Dolinsky, an extended season would certainly help him in reaching the 1,000-point milestone.
Photo courtesy of Valley Regional High School
Valley Regional’s Pagliuco Earns Outstanding Honors
By Serenity J. Bishop
Sports Editor
The Southern Connecticut ConferenceShoreline Conference Gymnastics Championship earlier this month featured a lot of exciting and memorable moments for the competitors and spectators.
For Valley Regional, the team walked away with a number of individual achievements and team achievements. The team finished as the runner-up to the eventual conference champions, Daniel Hand, but individually, Valley Regional junior Camille Pagliuco was named the Most Outstanding Performer.
Pagliuco finished third in vault (8.95), sixth in bars (8.2), fifth in beam (9.0), third on the floor (8.95), and first all-around (35.1).
It is the second consecutive year that she earned all-around. Last season, when the conference championships were separated, she earned the award in the Shoreline Conference Championship.
Pagliuco said she was shocked to have won the award for a second consecutive time since the pool of competitors was even bigger.
“It was very exciting. Having fallen on bars, I didn’t expect it at all, and I know the competition at that meet was really good. I’ve competed against almost all the teams previously, so I knew who was there,” Pagliuco said. “I did not expect it. Getting it was so exciting. My team cheered so loud, and they were so supportive. I was almost in shock. It was so much fun.”
The junior standout said she went into the conference meet the same way she does with all meets. She tried to keep it light-hearted and kept the focus on having fun instead of getting too high or too down on herself.
“Despite the pressure of the competition being bigger than normal, I’ve learned to
Sports Person Week of the
be excited for success and take not doing as well lightly,” she said. “I went with a good attitude. I was excited. I like competing, and the pressure is fun as a team.”
Pagliuco’s mindset was beneficial for her overall success. She said her fall in the bars is the least likely event for her to fall. It threw her for a loop, but she held true to her mindset.
The Most Outstanding Performer shrugged it off and continued to focus on her next routine. By the end of the day, she forgot about the fall and walked away with another piece of hardware.
“It really shows you that you can come back from difficult times in competition,” Pagliuco said. “It doesn’t ruin your entire day.”
When it comes to which routine she felt that she did better at from last year to this year, it is this year’s conference championship meet that she favors. She said the level of pressure with the increase in talented competitors allowed her to thrive under the pressure.
“It’s a big win if you win because there are so many people. It was a different level of intensity,” she said. “It’s really exciting and motivating to see that clear progress. Putting in new skills to your routine. The pressure, the adrenaline, the motivation, the drive to keep going and make the skills the next time or score better or qualify for opens, or whatever your goal is, it’s easy to become obsessed and really just keep on driving for it.”
Girls Ice Hockey
Photo courtesy of Valley Regional High School
Valley Regional junior Camille Pagliuco was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the Southern Connecticut Conference-Shoreline Conference Gymnastics Championship.
203-245-8647 email. rcsllc64@gmail.com
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Fun By The Numbers
Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
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!
Madison Lyric Stage Announces 2026 Shows
Madison Lyric Stage (MLS), a professional theater company now entering its 14th year, announces its 2026 season will feature a new format and a new venue. Returning to one of its original homes, MLS will become the theater-in-residence at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, for a monthlong summer festival of popular and classical music and drama. Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society is located at 297 Boston Post Road, Madison.
The summer festival will feature three major events: Barry & Bette, a tribute concert to Barry Manilow and Bette Midler; Outcasts & Innocents, celebrating the musical world of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears; and a fully staged production of Shakespeare’s .
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“This summer, discover three must-see events spanning popular music, theatre, and opera,” said Marc Deaton, artistic director of Madison Lyric Stage. “It’s a festival designed for those who crave powerful storytelling, gorgeous music, and extraordinary performances. We are also offering a summer festival pass for all three events of our whirlwind season, a great way to take part in our entire celebration of the arts here on the shoreline.”
Outcasts & Innocents: The Musical World of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears
July 10 at 7 p.m. and July 12 at 4 p.m.
Viewers will journey deep into the hauntingly beautiful realm of Benjamin Britten and his muse, tenor Peter Pears. In this cinematic, semi-staged experience, tenor Marc Deaton—drawing on his fourdecade international career—transforms into more than 10 of Britten’s unforgettable characters, supported by a company of eight guest artists with music direction by Jill Brunelle. Tickets cost $40.
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26
June 27 at 7 p.m. and June 28 at 4 p.m.
The festival lights up with a tribute to two icons: Barry Manilow and Bette Midler. Tenor Marc Deaton, a cast of six singers, and a band led by pianist Jill Barry & Bette: The Music of Bette Midler and Barry Manilow
Brunelle ignite the stage with soaring renditions of beloved hits including “Mandy,” “Could It Be Magic,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” and “The Rose.” This high-energy celebration captures the glittering heart of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Tickets cost $40.
The show features a world of shimmering fairies, tangled romance, and hilarious mischief—all brought to life in a visually rich staging. Shakespeare’s beloved comedy for all ages is a forest tale of order and disorder, reality and appearance, and love and marriage. The evening will be preceded by an entertaining pre-show of merriment with singers, food, and drink. Tickets cost $45.
For more information or tickets, visit madisonlyricstage.org.
Photo courtesy of Madison Lyric Stage
Photo courtesy of Madison Lyric Stage Madison Lyric Stage presented in 2025. The Medium was a 2025 production. A Memory of Truth?
Press Release from Madison Lyric Stage
Photo courtesy of Madison Lyric Stage was presented by the Madison Lyric Stage in 2025. Amadeus
For more Life & Style stories, visit our website, www.zip06.com. To submit events for the calendar, email news@shorepublishing.com.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
Our Salt Marshes and the History of Salt Marsh Haymaking in New England:
Calendar for the Week of February 19, 2026
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
37th Annual Eagle Watch on the Connecticut River
:
: Noon to 2 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Book: by Ariel Lawhon. For info or to register, call 203315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
6:30 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Presented by Shaun Roche of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. Topic covers the vital role of coastal marshes as habitat for unique species, along with historic images and stories of the farmers who once produced sustainable livestock fodder. Co-sponsored by the Guilford Conservation Commission. Free. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
The Frozen River: A Novel
Book Club 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 behind-the-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.
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.
Author Event: Gish Jen in Conversation with Barbara Pearce
Bad Bad Girl
: 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.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 AND SATURDAY, FEB. 21
Stage Door Medium Live With Jimmy Moses
: 7 p.m.
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. Jerry Connolly of The Audubon Shop leads this 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. Cost: $33, includes soup and sandwich lunch at Otter Cove Restaurant, Old Saybrook. Binoculars recommended and available to rent. Pre-registration and payment required. For info or to register (required), call 203245-9056 or visit theaudubonshop.com/events.
Lay Home Housewarming: Yoga, Music and More
: Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Marks the reopening of the historic Lay Home on the museum campus following renovations. Schedule includes a guided yoga session from 10 to 11 a.m.; a Lay Home sneak preview tour at 11 a.m.; an open house from 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and a musical performance by Ben Cosgrove from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost: Free for yoga session for members; $10 for nonmembers. Concert tickets: $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Other activities are free. For info, visit ctrivermuseum.org.
Painting a David Hockney Landscape
Senior Series 2: All About Senior Living Communities
: 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 Mortillaro: 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.
The Legacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Features live audience readings and an interactive Q&A with Stage Door Medium Jimmy Moses. For info or tickets, call the box office at 203-315-1901 or visit legacytheatrect.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20 THROUGH SUNDAY, FEB. 22
Blacksmithing: Forging a Kitchen Knife
: 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. Three-day blacksmithing workshop covering foundational forging techniques while creating a kitchen knife. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-4535947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
The Occasional Coffee House: Rees Shad
: 7 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd. Features live music, coffee, and a relaxed evening with friends. Tickets: $20, available online or at the door. Space is limited. For info or tickets, call 203-421-3241 or visit northmadisoncc.org/occasional-coffeehouse.
: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. Painting workshop inspired by the landscapes of David Hockney. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-4535947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.
Metalsmithing: Stacking Rings Workshop
: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. Introductory metalsmithing workshop focused on creating stacked rings. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-453-5947 or visit guilfordartcenter.org.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse: Lunarfest 2026
: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave. Hosted in partnership with the Yale-China Association. Free, all-ages celebration featuring art, music, dance, hands-on workshops, and cultural activities marking the Lunar New Year. For info, contact 203-562-4183, ext. 20, or matockarshewsky@newhavenmuseum.org, or visit newhavenmuseum.org.
Create a Succulent Terrarium
: 10:30 a.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Hosted by the Old Saybrook Garden Club. All supplies provided. For grades K to 4. Registration required. For info, call 860395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
See page 21
Two Irish-inspired Productions Plus Plays by Arthur Miller and August Wilson Make for a Busy Schedule in Early March
Inside notes and comments about Connecticut and New York Professional Theater
By Karen Isaacs
Columnist
Broadway Concerts
: Matt Doyle opens The Legacy Theatre’s Sunday afternoon Broadway Concert series on Sunday, Feb. 22, followed by Patti Murin on Sunday, March 8. Doyle, who grew up in Weston, won a Tony Award for his performance in the revival of . Murin originated the role of Anna in the Broadway production of , among numerous other credits. Contact LegacyTheatre CT.org for tickets.
Aisle ON THE
Farce of Nature
Rhinoceros
production, from Thursday, March 6, to Saturday, March 28, is Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist comedy, . The play, a cautionary tale of the seduction of power and the willingness to surrender to it, is about one man standing up as his neighbors succumb, becoming a crashing herd of rhinoceroses. Reg Rogers, a Tony-nominee, leads the cast. The adaptation by Frank Galati is one-act. For tickets, visit YaleRep.org.
streaming on multiple sites, including Apple TV and Prime Video. , about lyricist Larry Hart, is also streaming. Ethan Hawke, who stars is nominated for an Oscar.
Wicked
Blue Moon Jersey Boys
Back to the Waterfront Brothers Company Frozen Gem of the Ocean
Waterbury, replacing . It’s the New England premiere of the play set in Ireland overlooking the Irish Sea. Two brothers who have long lived together have their relationship shaken after one makes a startling revelation. It is described as darkly funny and a deeply moving exploration of brotherhood and grief. It runs from Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 22. Tickets are available at SevenAngelsTheatre.org.
: Long Wharf’s production of August Wilson’s marks a return to the Canal Dock Boathouse, where was staged. The Wilson play, which is chronologically the first in his 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle that explores the African American story, runs from Friday, Feb. 27, to Sunday, March 15. For tickets, visit LongWharf.org.
The Wearing of the Green
A View from the Bridge Ya Patrick Swayze?”
: has been added to the schedule at the Seven Angels Theatre in
The One Good Thing or “Are
Continued from page 20
The Irish…and How They Got That Way
Angela’s Ashes
: Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) in Norwalk is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with , which is billed as an irreverent history of the Irish through the 20th and 21st centuries as written by Frank McCourt, author of . It runs from Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 22. The March 8 performance is already sold out. Contact MusicTheatreOfCT.com for tickets.
Absurdist Comedy
: Yale Rep’s next
: 10:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Free and open to children in ages 5 to 12. Participants will conduct an experiment to make fake snow that even feels cold. Seating and materials are limited. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For ages 5 and older. Led by Bauer Park educator Julie Ainsworth. Includes interactive learning stations and puppet-making. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. First in a three-class series featuring instruction from a professional chess coach. Open to children, teens, and adults. Funded by Deep River Cares and sponsored by the Community Foundation of Middlesex Country. For info or to register (required), call 860-526-6039 or visit deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com.
Three Musketeers: 1941
Death of a Salesman The Mountaintop
Busy Schedule SummerSong
: Connecticut’s theater critics have a jam-packed schedule the weekend of March 6 to 8: opens at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre on the UConn campus; the plays at Long Wharf, MTC, and Seven Angels that I mentioned above open; and there are the openings of at Hartford Stage and at Playhouse on Park.
: Goodspeed has inaugurated a summer youth program, SummerSong, for kids 9 to 14. It will culminate with a production of for friends and family. The one-week program runs from July 6 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Terris Theatre in Chester. For more information or to register, visit Good speed.org/SummerSong. Space is limited. : The Broadway revival of Sondheim’s , which was filmed with the original cast, is now
NYC Notes
Annie Jr.
Merrily We Roll Along
Punk Taco Adventures: Interactive Author Talk
Parenting Power Hour Elementary School (K-5): Encouraging Independence and Building a Healthy Relationship with your Children
: Noon to 1 p.m. Virtual event. Presented by Alicia Farrell, cognitive psychologist and parenting professional. Designed for parents and caregivers of elementary and intermediate school children. Hosted by Haddam-Killingworth Youth & Family Services. For info or to register, visit hkyfs.org.
Chess Workshop Series : 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Author-illustrator Adam Wallenta and his son read from their graphic novel, share their creative process, and lead a drawing demonstration. Book signing follows. For info or to register, call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Souper Bowl X
: Noon to 2:30 p.m. Downtown Madison, Boston Post Rd. Hosted by the Madison Chamber of Commerce. Features chili, soups, and chowders prepared by local chefs, fire departments, EMS teams, and cooking enthusiasts, with tasting and voting. For info, contact 203-245-7394 or chamber@madisonct.com.
After the success of the two films (though the second part did not garner the praise nor box office of the first), composer Stephen Schwatrrtz has hinted there will be a new film about the gender nonconforming Princess Ozma. will launch a 20th anniversary tour this fall. The off-Broadway revival of has extended through Sept. 6. , an off-Broadway show I hope to see, about Marcel Marceau and his actions during WWII, will run through March 22. Sean Hayes is doing a solo show, , off-Broadway through April 12. It’s about a playwright who is stalked by an actor. The long-running will close on Broadway on July 26 after more than 2,250 performances.
The 25th Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident.
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Marcel on the Train The Unknown Moulin Rouge
To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle.word press.com. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle, Connecticut Theater Women’s Network, and the American Theatre Critics Association.
Local Author Talk:
Musical Women Marines
: 1 to 2 p.m.
Musical Women Marines: The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve Band in World War II
James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Guilford author Ellen Creane discusses her book , which examines the only allfemale Marine Corps band, active from 1943 to 1945. Registration is not required. For info, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.
Winter Creature Features
: 1 to 2 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Features live ambassador animals and a presentation on how native wildlife adapts to cold New England weather. Presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. No registration required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Cross Stitch Bookmark
: 1 p.m. Chester Public Library, 21 West Main St. Participants will create a cross-stitch bookmark using provided designs. Open to tweens, teens, adults, and families. Space is limited. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-526-0018 or email library@chesterct.org.
See page 23
STEAM Saturday: Make Your Fake Snow
Polar Bears and How They Live in the Arctic
Page Turners
It'sNotHer
ByMaryKubica
What begins as a relaxing family vacation at a quiet lakeside resort turns into a terrifying ordeal when two family members are murdered and one disappears. Told from multiple points of view and shifting between past and present day, you won’t know who to trust or believe as you turn the pages of this twisty thriller.
— Marilyn
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Every other week, we invite local booksellers to submit suggestions for the best books on shelves now—it’s all part of our mission to keep our readers informed, up-to-date, and entertained. View previous Page Turners at www.zip06.com/pageturners.
Escape!
ByStephenFishbach
An emotional and wild story that follows the contestants and producers of a groundbreaking survival reality show who are willing to do anything for redemption and fame. Packed with unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this story will keep you guessing until the very last page.
— Tijae
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Vigil
ByGeorgeSaunders
BlackDahlia
ByWilliamJ.Mann
George Saunders’ asks, “How do you comfort someone who doesn’t want to be comforted?” This novel is inventive and formally interesting, with writing that renders the world both familiar and uncanny. It grapples with the ramifications of progress: capitalistic greed, environmental deterioration, and personal pride. A meaningful read!
—
Vigil Marisa
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Reading William Mann’s book transports the reader back to postwar 1940s. The murder victim, the Black Dahlia, was given that moniker by the press in an attempt to sell more newspapers. Mann argues the victim should be remembered in life, not in her death. Elizabeth Short was a 22-year old from Medford, Massachusetts, trying to find her place in the post-war world of 1947. The author carefully pieces “Betty’s” life together without blame or shame for the victim as many in the media have done.
—
Black Judi
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Dahlia
Page Turners
Continued from page 22
ByTracyWolff
— Heather R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison TheAftermyth
TheExes ByLeodoraDarlington
Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter (with a dash of Mean Girls). With lots of adventure and puzzles to be solved, this book shows how a sense of belonging and a little fun can be just as important as perfect grades.
If this book were an emoji, it would be the exploding head. At no point in time while reading this book did I know what would happen next. You are in for a wild ride.
— Julie G. R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
TheWidow ByJohnGrisham
Bestselling author John Grisham has truly outdone himself in his latest novel, . Grisham, who is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller, is back with his first-ever who dunit. Small-town lawyer Simon Latch is living in Virginia and making barely enough to pay his bills while trying to hold his family together. Into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune and no one knows about it. What ensues next is an unexpected series of events, and Latch finds himself on trial for a murder he claims he did not commit. The writing is superb, and fans of legal novels will find themselves on the edge of their seat until the very last page. Magnificent!
— Widow Christine Griswold Inn Store, Essex
Continued from page 21
Rent: In Concert
: 7 p.m. Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven. For info or tickets, call the Shubert Box Office at 203562-5666 or visit Shubert.com.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21 AND SUNDAY, FEB. 22
: 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 wood-fired cooking, stories, and hands-on opportunities. For info, call 203-457-0770 or visit dudleyfarm.com.
Victorian Valentine Pop-up Exhibit
: Sat-
urday, 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 203-457-0770 or visit dudleyfarm.com.
SUNDAY, FEB. 22
Stamp, Coin, and Collectibles Show
: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. YMA Annex, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven. Sponsored by the New Haven Philatelic Society. For info, visit nhps1914.com.
Presentation by Decoda, Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall
: 9:30 a.m. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. Presented by Steve MacAusland. Part of the church’s Griswold Forum series of lectures. For info, contact 860-434-1621 or office@saintannsoldlyme.org.
An Afternoon of Music with Joe Flood:
2 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Features songs from Flood’s upcoming 2026 album and past works. Free. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
See page 24
Maple Sugaring Time
New Year in New Haven: Lunarfest 2026 Marks the Year of the Horse
New Haven Museum and the Yale-China Association host Lunarfest 2026, a celebration of the Year of the Horse, on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The free event offers at various New Haven venues activities and programs for all ages, featuring art, music, literature, and dance.
The event schedule is as follows:
10 a.m.: Lunarfest begins with a colorful lion dance and performances on Whitney Avenue.
Noon to 4:30 p.m.: Attendees are welcome to write their hopes for the coming year on a leaf to hang on the Community Wishing Tree in the New Haven Museum rotunda.
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Yale’s Red Lantern dance troupe brings centuries-old traditions to life. Attendees are invited to the interactive workshop to learn foundational techniques, including throwing handkerchiefs and waving dance fans.
1:45 to 2:45 p.m.: Sifu Shirley Ha and students of Tai Chi United hold demonstrations of authentic tai chi walking. Attendees can stay for a workshop to learn the basics of tai chi walking using sacred geometry in motion principles. Participants can also experience fitness and
Continued from page 23
Information Session on Home Energy Solutions Assessments
: 2 p.m. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St., Chester. Hosted by the Chester and Deep River Sustainability Teams as part of their HeatSmart campaigns and participation with the Sponsors of Energize Connecticut. Features an overview of Home Energy Solutions assessments and services, including weatherization, energy efficiency, and available incentives. Vendor representatives will answer questions and assist with sign-ups. Free and open to the public. For info, contact 860-3046184 or lcwahle@gmail.com, or visit HeatSmartCT.org/Chester or HeatSmartCT.org/DeepRiver.
classical internal martial arts to improve balance, increase functional mobility, and boost their energy.
2 to 3 p.m.: Students from Yale-China’s YUNA exchange program demonstrate the intricate art of Chinese papercutting. Participants can create designs to decorate their space with symbols of luck and happiness for the Year of the Horse.
3 to 4:30 p.m.: Apprentices from the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop host a hands-on workshop. Participants can craft their choice of a rolling-drum horse or a festive Year of the Horse lantern.
For more information, including details on other activities and programs, visit www.yalechina.org/lunarfest.
About Yale China
Yale-China bridges American and Chinese cultures by creating lasting, transformative partnerships and experiences in education, health, and the arts. The group believes in global citizens who have experienced daily life and language, friendships, professional cooperation, and insights in a very different culture—as a way to discover commonality and respect for different peoples. The group
Essex Winter Series (EWS): Hot and Sweet Music of the 1920s and '30s
: 3 p.m. Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River. Features Vince Giordano and the jazz orchestra The Nighthawks. Part of the EWS 2026 Season, in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. Tickets: $45, general admission; $5, students through college. For info or tickets, call 860-272-4572 or visit essexwinterseries.com.
Madison’s Role in the Civil War
: 4 p.m. Hubley Hall, First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meeting House Ln. Presented by Charlie Fischer, former Daniel Hand High School history teacher. Sponsored by the Madison Historical Society (MHS). Part of the 2026 Frederick Lee Lectures series. Admission: $5 suggested fee, free to MHS
also believes that developing a community of such global citizens on both sides is crucial to a prosperous, healthy, and safe 21st century, in which the U.S.-China relationship is one of the most important engines of cooperation, growth, and peace. The Yale-China community has modeled this vision for 120 years.
About the New Haven Museum
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 203-5624183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org or Facebook.com/ NewHavenMuseum.
members. For info, contact 203-245-4567 or office@madisonhistory.org.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser
: 4 to 8 p.m. Landing & Main, 77 Main St., Deep River. Fundraiser benefiting the Rotary Club of Deep River Scholarship and Food Sustainability Programs. Cost: $20 per person. Tickets available online or at Landing & Main. For info, contact 860-481-9031 or deepriverrotaryct@gmail.com.
See page 25
Photo by Defining Studios
Photo by Defining Studios
Lunarfest 2025
Scene from 2025 Lunarfest
Branford Land Trust Holds
Second Lecture in Winter Series
The Branford Land Trust Winter 2026 Speaker Series on Tuesday, Feb. 24, will feature the topic, “Singing and Listening with Whales: Exploring Human and MoreThan-Human Musicalities” with Marie Comuzzo.
This second lecture takes place at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the James Blackstone Memorial Library. The talk is free and open to the public.
Attendees will explore how sound mediates the relationship between humans and whales, and how the recognition of whales’ vocal expressions as music shapes a person’s perception of them.
How are whale songs understood and produced across different cultures and disciplines? How does connecting with whales through sound carry different meanings depending on cultural context?
Comuzzo’s talk will examine some of the interactions between First Nation communities and whales, the ways in which the songs of whales are studied within Western scientific communities, and the creative engagements between whales and musicians, both in live performances and recorded sound.
“Studying human-whale interactions across diverse cultures and disciplines highlights values of care, curiosity, and reverence for whales’ lives and their cultural participation,” Comuzzo explains.
“Arguably, hearing whale songs as music in the 1970s had—and continues to have—a tremendous political power in the anti-whaling and ocean protection campaigns,” she adds. “These have led to remarkable global change, establishing considerable limitations on the capitalistic exploitation of whales’ lives. This shift underscores the way Western cultures often equate complex melodic musicality with intelligence and emotional depth—qualities that can render a species more worthy of empathy, protection, and even survival.”
By examining these sound-based connections, Comuzzo asserts that direct and indirect sonic exchanges function as vessels for ecological and cosmological repair, transmitting ancestral lessons that invite people to challenge extractive systems of life, reimagine gender and relationship to the ocean and the Earth, and reconsider what it means to be human.
About the Speaker
Marie Comuzzo is an ACLS/Mellon innovative dissertation fellow and a Ph.D. candidate at Brandeis University. Her
research examines how sound mediates the relationship between humans and whales and the political power that recognizing whales’ vocalization as music had in ecological conservation and multispecies kinship within and beyond Western imaginaries. She also holds a master’s in musicology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a masters in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Brandeis University. She has presented at conferences in the United States and New Zealand (Aotearoa), and has been invited to give talks in the U.S., New Zealand, and Italy.
The upcoming Branford Land Trust Winter 2026 Speaker Series includes these events: Tom Cleveland, ““Fish Ladder, 20th Anniversary, History, Stories, and How It Came To Be” on Tuesday, March 24; Two Coyotes Wilderness School, “Raising Our Future Ancestors” on Tuesday, April 28; and the annual meeting in May featuring “Access to the Outdoors: Disability, Grit, and Belonging in Nature” with Justin Brownell.
About the Branford Land Trust
The Branford Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, established in 1967 to protect Branford’s open space and natural resources. Run by volunteers and supported by member families and businesses, the Branford Land Trust maintains more than 30 miles of hiking trails, manages and protects over 1,000 acres in more than 130 parcels, and holds conservation easements on another 400 acres in Branford.
For more information or to become a member, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Continued from page 24
MONDAY, FEB. 23
Artist2Artist Enrichment Program: Macro Photography Workshop
: 10 a.m.
to noon. Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA), 1004 Main St. Presented by photographer Robert Thomas. Part of a program of free workshops covering various aspects of professional art practice. For info or to register, contact 203-2324384 or baca06405@gmail.com.
Staying Strong and Steady: Fall Prevention:
3 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Presented by Dr. A.J. Gagliardi and Dr. Jill Caruso. Participants will learn ways to improve hip bone density, enhance balance, and build strength—all leading to reduced fall risk. Free. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.
Tech Education Workshop: Introduction to Email
: 4 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Presentation covering how to use email to communicate, receive updates, and stay connected. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
Author Event: Deborah Goodrich Royce in Conversation with Luanne Rice
:
Emeritus Tom Crouch
: 2 p.m. Online event. Book:
Smithson's Gamble: The Smithsonian Institution in American Life, 1836–1906
. Hosted by the Essex Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-7671560 or visit libraryc.org/essexlib.
Art With Kristin
: 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Monthly art program led by artist and educator Kristin Cafferty. This session focuses on creating a Van Gogh–inspired watercolor painting. For grades 1 to 5. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
Singing and Listening with Whales: Exploring Human and More-ThanHuman Musicalities
: 6 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Part of the Branford Land Trust Winter Speaker Series. Lecture by Marie Comuzzo exploring how sound mediates relationships between humans and whales across cultures, science, and music. Free and open to the public. For info, contact 203-483-5263 or info@branfordlandtrust.org.
American Girl Doll Club
Best Boy: A Novel
6:30 p.m. RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
TUESDAY, FEB. 24
Rep. Renee Lamark Muir:
: 6 to 6:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For grades 1 to 4. This session focuses on Ivy Ling. Participants should bring a doll (it does not have to be an American Girl doll) and join in story time, activities, and a craft. For info or to register, call 860-6632000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Deep River Ambulance Barn, 284 West Elm St., Deep River. Features a question-and-answer session with Renee Lamark Muir on her role and responsibilities as Deep River’s state representative. Sponsored by the Deep River 60 Club. For info, call 860-767-2302. : 2 p.m. Online event. Book:
Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch
Smithson's Gamble: The Smithsonian Institution in American Life, 1836–1906
. Hosted by the Chester Public Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/chesterctlibrary.
Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator
Getting Your Estate Plan Right: How to Create the Best Plan for You
: 6 to 7 p.m.
Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $20. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
Popcorn and PJs: Virtual Family Story Time:
Pout-Pout
Fish Goes to the Dentist The Pout-Pout Fish and the Can’t-Sleep Blues
7 p.m. Online event. Features author Deborah Diesen reading and , discussing her creative process, answering questions, and leading a brief drawing activity. Cost: $10 for the link to the live event; $30 for the full package, which includes the link, a signed copy of the book, popcorn, crayons, sketch pad, and additional materials shipped to the provided address. Presented by Read to Grow in Branford. For info or to register, call 203-488-6800 or visit readtogrow.org.
See page 26
Press Release from the Branford Land Trust
Photo courtesy of the Branford Land Trust
Marie Comuzzo
Continued from page 25
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25
Let's Make Bagels!
: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. Cost: $30 class fee plus a $30 materials fee (exact change requested). All ingredients provided. Bring an apron, a clean dish towel, and a sponge for cleanup. Each student will take home the six bagels they made and three large almond croissants. Take-home bags will be provided. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
Tabletop RPG Game Night
: 6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Participants can play or plan games like Zombiecide or MTG. Facilitated by librarian Brian Story. Free and open to all. Registration suggested. For info, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
An Unfinished Revolution at 250
: 6 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave. Features a talk by historian and author Michael D. Hattem on the role of the American Revolution in U.S. history. A reception precedes the free event at 5:30 p.m. Part of NH250, a series highlighting local and lesser-known stories connected to the semiquincentennial. For info, call 203-562-4183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.
Book Art Workshop
: 6 to 8 p.m. Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Participants will transform old books into usable and decorative art pieces. Led by artist Sharon Hart. Cost: $10. For info or to register, contact 203-232-4384 or baca06405@gmail.com.
Your Guide to Menopause: Symptoms, Safety, and Therapy Options
: 6:30 p.m. Chester Meetinghouse, 4 Liberty St. Presented by Jill McEachern, a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner. For info or to register (required), contact the Chester Public Library at 860-5260018 or library@chesterct.org.
Author Event: Anna Quindlen in Conversation with Beatriz Williams
: 7 p.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Book: . Cost: $33, includes admission for one to the event and one copy of . Sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
More Than Enough
More Than Enough :
Guilford Job Network Meet
: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Via Zoom. Includes guest speakers. All job seekers welcome. For info or to register and receive the Zoom link, contact Russ Allen at 203-457-0121 or RussAllen2@aolcom.
THURSDAY, FEB. 26
Scrapbooking Class:
6 to 8 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Participants will work on personal scrapbooking projects using provided stickers, paper, and decorative scissors. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
East Shore Health District Information Session
10 a.m. to noon. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Representatives from the East Shore Health District will provide information on local social support resources, personal preparedness, and overdose prevention. Questions and discussion welcome. No registration required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.
Pump Up Your Heart: Nutrition Talk
: 11 a.m. to noon. Congregational Church in Killingworth, 273 Rte. 81. Presented by Natalie A. Webb, consulting dietitian for Big Y. Covers eating plans for heart health, including tips for those with high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation. Hosted by the Killingworth Women’s Organization (KWO). Free. For info or to register (required), visit facebook.com/kwo06419.
“Billy Winter’s Neighbors”
: 7 p.m. Deep River Historical Society Carriage House, 245 Main St., Deep River. Presentation by Rhonda Forristall on Billy Winter, a self-emancipated slave who made his home in Deep River, and the contributions of African American families in the town’s history. For info, call 860-541-1247.
Osprey Die-off: What We Know and What We Need to Learn
: 7 p.m. Webinar. Presented by Osprey researchers Michael Academia from the William & Mary University and Ben Wurst from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey along with Connecticut Audubon’s Milan Bull and Matt Joyce. 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.
When the Cranes Fly South
Willoughby Book Talk: by Lisa Ridzen
When the Cranes Fly South
: 7 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Book discussion on by Lisa Ridzen. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-4888702 or visit wwml.org/events.
Willoughby Book Talk
: 7 to 8 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Book: by Lisa Ridzén, translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies. Held in the Keyes Gallery. For info, call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org.
When the Cranes Fly South FRIDAY, FEB. 27
Little Learners: Things that Go
: 10 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Open to children ages 2 to 5. Features a story time, songs, rhymes, and crafts. Free and open to the public. For info or to register, contact the library at 860767-1560 or staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.
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.
Tween Time: Pokémon Party
: 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Open to children ages 8 to 12. Features a Pokémon-themed scavenger hunt, a game of Bingo, Pokémon trivia, and a Pokémon craft. For info or to register, contact the library at 860-767-1560 or staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Meet The Met at Lyme Academy: Helene Schjerfbeck Lecture
SATURDAY, FEB. 28
Kids Create: Dragon Eggs
: 5 p.m. Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, 15 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Guest lecture and book signing by Dita Amory, Robert Lehman Curator in Charge at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, introducing the Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946). Tickets: $30 for lecture; $65 for lecture and book. For info or tickets, visit lymeacademy.edu. : 10:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For ages 5 to 12. Participants will create magical dragon eggs using clay, beads, and jewels. Free. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
29th Annual Old Saybrook Chili Fest
: Noon to 3 p.m. Along Main Street, Old Saybrook. Participants sample a variety of chili recipes and vote for their favorite to determine “Best Chili.” Tasting ballots may be purchased at ballot stations along Main Street and at the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce office, 1 Main St. Each ballot allows guests to sample registered chilis and vote for their top choice. To ensure fair judging, a minimum of 10 chilis must be sampled for a ballot to be counted. Proceeds benefit the C. Wilfred Hunter Memorial Scholarship for graduating high school seniors attending post-secondary school. For info, visit goschamber.com/chilifest.
Creative Writing Workshop and Book Signing with Catherine Con Morse
The Notes The Summer I Remembered Everything
: 1 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Creative writing workshop for students in grades 6 and up, followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing with YA author Catherine Con Morse. Focuses on character development and descriptive writing through guided exercises. Books: and . Registration is required. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Shoreline Day of Yoga and Peace Within
: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Trinity Church Hall, 1109 Main St., Branford. Led by certified yoga instructors sharing their approaches toward holistic healing. Open to all adults. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat. Cost: monetary and canned goods donations. No cash, only Venmo or checks. Proceeds benefit the Branford Community Dining Room. For info, call Gina Macdonald at 203-710-6665.
Paint Along with Natalie: Winter Cardinal Canvas
: 2 to
3:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No experience needed. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
See page 27
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Hosts Lectures by Met Curators
The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts presents two ticketed events featuring curators from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
At 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, the Lyme Academy offers “An Introduction to
Seeing
Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck
,” a guest lecture and book signing with Dita Amory, Robert Lehman curator in charge at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tickets are available for the lecture at $30 and for the lecture and book at $65. This lecture introduces the Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946), renowned throughout Finland but little known in the U.S. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the first major U.S. museum to present her work.
On Saturday, March 7, the Lyme Academy hosts another special guest lecture, “Portrait, Likeness, Type: Jean-Léon Gérôme’s ,” presented by Asher Miller, Eugene V. Thaw curator of European art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Bashi-Bazouk
The 5 p.m. lecture will be followed by a brief conversation with Emily M. Weeks, Lyme Academy’s principal art historian, and a preview of Lyme Academy’s forthcoming exhibition,
The New Bronze Age: Masterpieces of 19th- and Early 20th-Century Sculpture
from the Karlheinz Kronberger Collection.
Continued from page 26
A reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will conclude the evening. Tickets for the exhibition preview event with guest lecture and reception are available for $100 per guest. Proceeds from this event benefit Lyme Academy’s ChaunceyStillman Exhibition Program and all future >Lyme Academy exhibitions.
Molecules of the Mind: Designing PsychedelicInspired Medicines on a Computer
: 3 to 4 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Presented by Asher Brandt, professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of St. Joseph. Sponsored by Tilde Café, an interactive platform to demystify science and make it more accessible to the community. For info or to register (required), email admin@tildecafe.org or visit tildecafe.org/home.
Stony Creek in Song: A Village Gathering to Make Music
: 6:30 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Features the Musicians of Stony Creek. Refreshments will be served. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Babysitting Course
: 1 to 4 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1272 Durham Rd., Madison. Day one of a two-part babysitting and CPR course for Madison-area youth. Covers childcare and safety skills. Participants receive a certificate of completion from SafeSitter. Tuition: $60. Bundle discount available for registering for both sessions. For info or to register, contact 888-212-
For more information about the guest lecturers or tickets for both events, visit www.lymeacademy.edu.
About Lyme Academy
The mission of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts is to teach the foundational skills of drawing, painting, and sculpture in the
3827 or info@yourafterschool.com, or visit northmadisoncc.org/babysittingcourse.
How to Grow Your Small Business:
10 to 11 a.m. Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $35. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.
A Wonderful Struggle: Local Jewish Women in the Labor Movement
: 2 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave. Part of the Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program. Features speakers on the 1975 New Haven teachers strike and the 1983-’84 Yale clerical and technical workers’ movement, plus live music by the Nu Haven Kapelye Allstars. Free. The event will also stream on Facebook Live. For info or to register, visit newhavenmuseum.org.
MONDAY, MARCH 2
From Cosmos to Compost: Our Place in the Universe
:
11 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Presented by Yale Science in the News. Explores connections between astronomy, biology, and ecological systems, from stars and galaxies to the recycling of matter in ecosystems. Free. For info, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
figurative tradition. By its commitment to training students in these skills and an engagement with contemporary discourse, the academy will empower a new generation of artists. Through its programs, Lyme Academy is committed to enriching the cultural life of the community.
Movie Matinee
: 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Free. For info or movie title, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Non-Combat Life of the Civil War Soldie
r: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Meeting starts 6:15 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m. Features a talk by historian Jerry Richard. Part of the Shoreline Civil War Roundtable monthly meeting. Free and open to the public. For info, contact the group’s facilitator at 860-395-1124 or olivia.jean@sbcglobal.net, or visit facebook.com/shorelinecivilwarroundtable.
Author Event: Rachel Rueckert The Determined
: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . Features a discussion by Rachel Rueckert of her historical novel set during the Golden Age of Pirates and centered on Anne Bonny and Mary Read. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
To submit an event to the Living Calendar, send an email to news@shorepublishing.com. For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website zip06.com. The deadline for submissions is noon, eight days prior to the publication date.
Press Release from The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
Photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art , oil on canvas by Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, Vesoul 1824–1904 Paris).
A gift of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2008. On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 804.
Bashi-Bazouk
Photo courtesy of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
Dita Amory, Robert Lehman curator in charge at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Horoscopes Crossword
For the week of February 19 - February 25
ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20
Unleash your inner architect, Aries. Your focus is laser sharp this week. Use this incredible mental clarity to map out a long-term goal that can lead to professional success.
TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, you might uncover a previously unnoticed talent or find a fantastic, easy way to increase your income stream. Your instincts about finances are particularly sharp.
GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21
You are stepping into a week of elevated confidence and personal magnetism, Gemini. It’s the perfect time to make a splash, meet new people or launch a personal project.
CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22
This week brings soothing energy, allowing you to find deep comfort and resolution with any lingering personal matters. A moment of quiet reflection will bring a profound realization about your path forward.
LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23
Your social connections are bringing incredible joy and opportunity, Leo. A friend or colleague has valuable information that can directly benefit your goals.
VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22
All eyes are on your professional achievements, and recognition is due, Virgo. Expect positive feedback, a nod from an important figure or a chance to take on more responsibility.
LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23
This week ignites your desire for learning and adventure, Libra. If you’ve been putting off a trip or a new course of study, the time to commit is now.
SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22
Complex issues feel manageable this week, Scorpio. You have the emotional intelligence to navigate and resolve long-standing challenges in shared resources or relationships.
SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, your one-on-one relationships, both personal and professional, are reaching a new peak of understanding and support. A shared goal with a key person becomes much clearer.
CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20
You feel a vibrant surge of energy and vitality this week, Capricorn. It’s an ideal time to commit to a new health routine or simply enjoy the ease and flow of your daily tasks.
AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18
Dive into what sets your soul on fire, Aquarius. Your creative imagination is running wild, delivering innovative solutions and exciting ideas for self-expression.
PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20
The cosmos is supporting your home and emotional life, Pisces. You feel a wonderful sense of security and belonging. It’s a great time for connecting with your roots.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
FEBRUARY 19
Millie Bonnie Bongiovi, Actress (23)
FEBRUARY 20
Rihanna, Singer (38)
FEBRUARY 21
Jordan Peele, Comic (47)
FEBRUARY 22
Drew Barrymore, Actress (51)
FEBRUARY 23
Emily Blunt, Actress (43)
FEBRUARY 24
Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Boxer (49)
FEBRUARY 25
Sean Astin, Actor (55)
CLUES ACROSS
1. Cut quickly
5. A way to state clearly
11. River in NE Scotland
14. Expansive
15. Lacking social polish
16. Amount of time
17. Frame
19. Automobile
20. Toadstools
21. High school dances
22. Utilize
23. Experimented with
25. One-sided
27. Acquisitive
31. Potted plants
34. Everyone has one
35. Kalahari Desert lake
38. Unidentified flying object
39. People 65 and over
41. Small amount
42. Daughter of Acrisius
44. Ornamental box
45. Government agents
46. Uncertain
49. A cotton fabric with a satiny finish
51. Treeless plains
55. One’s sense of self-importance
56. Consumer advocate
60. Type of lounger
61. Body part
62. Can be persuaded
64. Woman (French)
65. Ready and willing to be taught
66. Arab ruler title
67. Unhappy
68. Gradually went away
69. Able to think clearly
CLUES DOWN
1. Brushed
2. Small water spirit (Germ.)
3. Heroes
4. Monetary units
5. Some don’t want to share theirs
6. Free-swimming invertebrate
7. Litigates
8. Outer
9. Parallelograms
10. Uneasy feelings
11. Cross
12. A way to remove
13. Pages can be dog-__
18. Ukrainian city
24. A citizen of Denmark
26. Month
28. Hindu queens
29. Group of chemicals
30. Rider of Rohan
31. Wet dirt
32. Southwestern Russia city
33. Observed
36. Angry
37. Drivers’ licenses
39. Musical composition
40. Auction
43. They __
45. Women
47. Be filled with love for
48. Thick-soled sock
49. Appears
50. Old World lizard
52. The leading performer
53. Protein
54. “Gunga Din” script writer
57. Art __, around 1920
58. __ Blyton, children’s author
59. Abnormal breathing
63. A place to rest
Word Search
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, and diagonally throughout the puzzle.
LIBRARY VISIT WORD SEARCH
ARCHIVES ARRIVAL AUDIOBOOKS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CATALOG CHECKOUT
CIRCULATION COLLECTIONS
DATABASE DESK
LIBRARIAN LIBRARY LOAN
MICROFICHE
PERIODICALS
QUIET
READING REFERENCE RESERVE RETURN SHELF STACKS STUDY SYSTEM
Word Scramble
Word Scramble solution for February 12, 2026: WEIGHT
Word Search solution for February 12, 2026
Real Estate Transactions
BRANFORD CLINTON
: Ann O Richards
: Paps LLC to 115 Chestnut LLC, $150,000 on Jan. 29
: Glaser Lt and Herman A. Glaser to Maureen J Lage T and Maureen J. Lage, $2,075,000 on Jan. 27 : 321 Investments LLC to Golden Prop Solutions LLC, $310,000 on Jan. 29
: Regina R. Wohlke to 321 Investments LLC, $275,000 on Jan. 29
: George Gerl to Kjs Interests LLC, $470,000 on Jan. 28
Real Estate Trust and Mark Richards to Holbrook T and Paul R. Holbrook, $550,000 on Jan. 27
: Nancy Lyon and Joan F. Oshea to Bridget A. Cunningham and Daniel Santiago, $343,000 on Jan. 28
: Danielle L. and Jason Rodriguez to Jesus Melecio and Geovanna G. Jara, $440,000 on Jan. 29
: Canterbury Fund LLC to Misahel J. Gonzalez, $270,000 on Jan. 28
: William J. and Joanne C. Hastings to James Luce, $2,245,000 on Jan. 28
: Mark J. and Mary E. Oneil to Steven Stainbrook and Guillermo E. Gonzales, $1,285,000 on Jan. 28
: Estate of
Barbara A. Fulller and Keith L. Ridenour to Caroline A. Kupiec, $418,000 on Jan. 29
: Drive K. Keszler to Essex 39 Court LLC, $1,050,000 on Jan. 28
GUILFORD
: Raymond W. and Francine A. Fucci to Sutman T and Heston Sutman, $235,000 on Jan. 30
: John G. and Mary A. Humphrey to Maria CalamitoProto Real Estate Trust and Maria Calamito-Proto, $605,000 on Jan. 29
MADISON
: Christopher G. Walther to Mia P. Estadella, $567,000 on Jan. 30
: Matthew J. Dellecave to Kevin J. Johnson and Lori A. Dodd, $500,000 on Jan. 29
Real Estate Transactions
OLD SAYBROOK
: Matthew and Maria Aquino to Tamberlyn Chapman, $715,000 on Jan. 28
: Robin
Kempner and Mary A. Noa-Kempner to Jeffrey and Candace Johnson, $660,000 on Jan. 29
: Damen Inc to Francis J. Marfyak, $14,292 on Jan. 28
: Wheeler Anna T to Ott Ft, $1,800,000 on Jan. 29
: Helena
Machain to Luka LLC, $1,100,000 on Jan. 28
: Jay F. Malcynsky to Fortitude Marine Ent, $25,000 on Jan. 28
WESTBROOK
: Westbrook
Placeaceace LLC to Fratelli Hld Co LLC, $1,000,000 on Jan. 28
Duck Island Yacht Condo Unit
: Glen M. and Debra L. Ballou to Brian and Amy Mclaughlin, $52,500 on Jan. 28
: Ronald
Belcourt to Donald F. Tedford, $672,000 on Jan. 28
: 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
