Valley Courier 04-03-25

April 3, 2025

Valley Regional Students Cut Harmful Vines from Trees at Sunset Pond

By Christian Maldonado

Staff Writer

On March 29, students from Valley Regional High School (VRHS) were up early and ready to do some work on a Saturday morning. That’s because the members of the

VHRS Environmental Club understand the type of harm which vines can cause to the older trees in their community, and these students are attempting to put a stop to that.

cause, decided to collaborate with VRHS teacher Kathryn Ryan and her students to help these older trees in Essex live longer. Fleischer is originally from New York, where

Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXV Iss. 14 has put his passion for crafting to good use in Ivoryton...........................2

Peter Fleischer, a new Essex resident who is familiar with the harm these vines can

See Valley page 10

Passion for Fashion

Clinton Kelly, former co-host of 'The Chew' and 'What Not to Wear,' spoke to attendees and answered fashion questions during the RiverLane Spring Styling Makeover event and STAUD trunk show in Essex on March 29. Kelly also randomly selected and styled five guests during the fashion event, which featured catering from Coffee's Country Market and Olive Oyl's with drinks provided by Whimsically Tipsy. All ticket proceeds benefited Dog Days Adoption Events, LLC.

The Valley softball team sports a young roster this spring, and it hopes to stay competitive and build for the future...................................14 Building Blocks

The first blooms of spring are starting to appear.........25 1-2-3-4 Spring

PhotobyLauraMatesky/ ValleyCourier

Russell Stone

Russell Stone: A Helping Hand

Rita Christopher

Senior Correspondent

Russell Stone once lived in Centerbrook. Now, he lives in Ivoryton, but he has not moved. Something else moved—the road sign marking the start of Ivoryton was transferred a few feet down from one edge of his property to the other.

Russ is actually responsible, in part, for one of Ivoryton’s bestknown landmarks: the gazebo on the Ivoryton Green. Despite its look of permanence, it has not always been there. When Russ led a local boy scout troop, two young men headed the construction for their Eagle Scout project.

“We raised money for it,” Russ recalls. “It was Alaskan white cedar. We laid it out and cut it.”

With his two sons now grown, Russ is no longer a troop leader. He works at CW Resources in New Britain. The organization, with branches in over 20 states, employs workers with disabilities. Its contracts often come

Person of the Week

through Ability One, an independent federal agency which is dedicated to providing jobs for people with various kinds of disabilities, many of them veterans.

Russ credits the work he did as a member of the Essex Ambulance Association for some of the in-service training and experience which has proved useful in his present job.

Russ says that the CW in CW Resources stands for Creative Workshops.

“The idea is to get people off the couch. Empowerment through employment,” he says.

Russ is the operations manager at a facility in New Britain which does, among other things,

a job for the military which many would argue makes all other jobs possible. The factory roasts, packages, and ships all the coffee which is used in military facilities all over the world.

“All military, everywhere,” Russ emphasizes.

An engineer by profession, Russ was semiretired when he visited CW some five years ago.

“I saw the plant. I heard about the mission. My heart melted,” he says.

Russ wishes that more people knew about the many kinds of work which CW employees do and do successfully.

Russ is planning to retire this coming October—sort of. He will stay on to expand a copackaging project for CW with private industries. The facility already does some packaging of delicate spices for a Connecticut company in situations where machine work would not be feasible.

See Russell Stone page 5

The Town of Essex is in the process of updating its 10-year Plan of Conservation& Development. This Plan is important to the Town in setting new policies and regulations, establishing priorities in open space, roads, housing, and municipal facilities. The Town will work diligently to implement the priorities of this Plan-and they need your input!

Photo by Rita Christopher/Valley Courier Russell Stone has a passion for crafting and put those skills to good use by leading an effort which led to the construction of the gazebo on the Ivoryton Green.

Fishing the Web

Ahoy! Check out Captain Morgan’s weekly fishing column

Turning the Table

Living SportS

The season has flipped from winter to spring, and so have the sports seasons. Check out this week’s upcoming schedules .....................................................

Celebrating a Milestone

The Deep River Horseshoe league is gearing up for its 70th season, and it is looking for interested participants

“It’s going to be mentally challenging for the younger athletes to play up against 18-year-olds sometimes. That’s what the season is really aboutto learn to be competitive and hang with the best.”

Volunteers Needed

The Connecticut River Museum (CRM), 67 Main Street, Essex, is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring history, arts, and ecology to life. Opportunities include welcoming guests, supporting events, assisting with collections, doing maintenance projects, and leading guided tours as part of the CRM's new Docent Program where volunteers lead guided tours. Training and support are provided. Flexible schedules available. For more information, contact Geraldine Spiegle at 860-767-8269 or  gspiegle@ctrivermuseum.org.

ESSEX TOWN MEETINGS

Thursday, April 3

Joint Boards of Education

Region #4 Board of Education

NOTE: Call the town clerk at 860-7674340, ext. 129, or visit the Essex town website www.essexct.gov to learn how to participate in the following meetings: : 6:30 p.m. Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details. : 6:45 p.m.

Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details.

Tuesday, April 8

Retirement Board Inland Wetlands Commission

Wednesday, April 9

Economic Development Commission

Thursday, April 10

Planning and Zoning Commission: Plan of Conservation and Development Meeting

Board of Finance: Board of Education Budget 2025-’26

Conservation Commission

DEEP RIVER TOWN MEETINGS

NOTE: Call the town clerk at 860-5260013, ext. 511, or visit the Chester town website www.chesterct.org to learn how to participate in the following meetings:

: 5:30 p.m. : 6:30 p.m. Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details. : 6:45 p.m. Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details.

Thursday, April 3

Firehouse Building Committee Joint Boards of Education

Region #4 Board of Education

NOTE: Call the town clerk at 860-526-6024 or visit the Deep River town website www.deepriverct.us to learn how to participate in the following meetings: : 6 p.m. : 6:30 p.m. Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details. : 6:45 p.m.

Visit www.reg4.k12.ct.us for login details.

Monday, April 7

Water Pollution Control Authority Board of Fire Commissioners

Tuesday, April 8

Board of Selectmen Board of Finance Budget Workshop

Christian Maldonado Valley Courier

Chris Piccirillo Deputy Editor

Betsy Lemkin

Russell Stone: A Helping Hand

Continued from page 2

Russ gave himself six months to find a replacement and six months to train the new person. So far, he has not located the right candidate.

“It needs to be somebody who knows how to interact and support our people. I’m looking diligently,” he says. “It took me 40 years to learn all the things I need for this job.”

Russ was born in New Haven and grew up in Shelton, but the Ivoryton house where he now lives has been something which members of his family have occupied for well over a century.

“We’ve been in and out of this house since 1850,” he says.

On his living room wall, Russ has framed pictures of two former residents: his great-grandparents, John and Maude.

Russ says that he did a significant rebuild to the house when he and his wife Linda moved in 40 years ago.

In fact, Russ knows quite a bit about rebuilding. Some 25 years ago he saw an old boat; not in the water, but at an antique shop. The owner was going to chop it up to use as scrapwood. Instead, Russ made an offer and bought it.

Russ’s grandfather was a shipfitter and knew about working on boats. He rebuilt the craft, a 32-foot Friendship sloop, but admits that he doesn’t use it to sail much these days.

“I like looking at it. Go out, sit in it, and have a cup of coffee,” he says.

Russ’s passion for rebuilding is actually more focused on cars—Jeeps to be precise.

“Rebuilding has always been a passion,

ever since I was a child. I have an engineering mind, and I know about cars,” he says.

Over 20 years ago, Russ saw a Jeep he rebuilt at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven and asked the owner if he would sell. The man invited him to his house and did what amounted to a detailed interview of Russ and his wife Linda before agreeing to the purchase.

Russ has restored the vehicle to military specifications and has loaned it to groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars for parades.

It is, however, more than a show car. Russe once drove the Jeep cross-country with his family. He recalls off-roading in the Mojave Desert.

“We all survived,” he adds.

Restoring the cars is fun, but Russ says that something else is involved.

“It’s not really all about the Jeeps. It’s about the people you meet,” he says.

Russ also has an antique Plymouth with special emotional significance.

“That car went to my wedding,” he says.

Russ and Linda have been married for 46 years. They have two adult sons, a daughter, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Russ says he does not have a bucket list of life experiences which he is hoping to fulfill.

“If I had a wish, it is to remain healthy and make people happy,” he says.

Still, Russ has an idea about what happiness is and, more importantly, what it is not.

“Happiness—that doesn’t mean everybody talking on a cell phone,” he says.

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LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF CHESTER WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

Legal notice is hereby given to all users liable to pay a usage fee to the Chester Water Pollution Control Authority that the second installment of the usage fee for the period October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 is hereby due and payable on April 1, 2025. Failure to make payment on or before May 1, 2025 will result in an interest charge of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month from the due date of April 1, 2025 with a minimum charge of $2.00 per bill.

Payments may be made online (fees apply), at the Office of the Tax Collector, Chester Town Hall, 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester or mailed to: Tax Collector, PO Box 314, Chester, CT 06412. Checks should be made payable to Town of Chester.

Office hours: Monday through Thursday 9-12 and 1-4. Closed Fridays.

Emily J. Vetter-Haupt Tax Collector 860-526-0013 Ext. 513 taxcollector@chesterct.org

Valley Regional High School Quarter 2 Honor Roll

Grade 12 High Honors

Amy Alberto, Luke Rafal Baczewski, Holly Board, Sophia Bonanno, Aiden Boxwell, Lilly Ann Bragdon, James Brzozowy, Kobe Castellano, Cameron Costanzo, Kendall Costello, Andrew Dowie, Hannah Faucher, Jasmine M. Ferguson, Laura Gessner, Emma Gibson, McCoy Gosman, Rex Grabowski, Stella Reilly Greenawalt, Regan Grow, Savannah Grace Hanley, Daeveon Harrell, Kaeden Harrell, Niki Hashimoto-Kehayias, Edward Johnson, Abigail Jones, Michael Lelyo, Delny Marsden, Amelia Martinez, Campbell Massey, Tucker Norton, Gavin Ortola, Nataly Pavon-Avila, Lyle Pitman, Hailey Gail Lucibello Plano, Kevin Remache, Adam Schmelzer, Lauren Verhagen, Noah Joseph Lee Walls, Joseph Welch, Birch Whitbeck, Shepard Whitney, Cecilia Wilkens, Caleb Winkley

Grade 11 High Honors

Gavin H. Abderhalden, Abigail K. Alexander, Sofia Amaya, Elijah W. Arsenault, Emily R. Bachand, Tyler W. Benson, Sophie T. Bowers, Caitlin E. Brady, Ava B. Cannan, Jackson Carson, JacAlan Cecchini, Noah C. Dolinsky, Kaleigh A. Dugan, Bethany Erkkila, Patrick S. Finnegan, Owen J. Gallagher, Amelia Giantonio, Lucca B. Giordano, Catalena Goldberg, Addie Jane Guzallis, Sebastian I. Heredia, Rowan Herlihy, Owen Lee Ingram, Sadie Iselin, Aldino Jasavic, Rinze Knoop, Kellyn P. Kolber, Aemelia Z. Kostek, Justin N. Lenda, Sydney Liggett, Antonia Rose Marchese, Alana E Martinez, Ella J. Martinez, Anahi Matute, Payton May McIntyre, Nathan Mezick,

Little Learners at the Library

Gavin Nadolny-Pallatto, Garrison Nankee, Ava Parker, Ryan Poulin, Isabel Rice, Alan Jared Rivera, Tsering Samphel, Cody Saunders, Anna Cloe Sheikowitz, Tristan Peter Walmsley Spallone, Charles Spinelli, Gabriella Rose Sweet, Jayden A. Vasquez, Tula J. Whitbeck, Sonya Xaypanya

Grade 10 High Honors

Sophia Abramson, Amelia C. Athay, Derek James Beaudoin, Luke Jacob Beighau, John Blalock, Kai Andrew Carlin, Mark Anthony Condon, Madison A. Czepiel, Ethan Dean, Madelyn J. DeLorso, Sara Abigail Delouchry, Avery Katherine deMik, Cameron Donoghue, Megan Joy Dugan, Charles Edwards, Alexa Escarraman-Andujar, Addison Marie Hardman, Jalen Jay Harrell, Lyrical Lee Hupkau, Aaron Johnson, Daisie Jones, Kalonji Joyce, Anne Keck, Violet Adeline Keyes, Jacob Knox, Charlotte Elsie Kolb, Hawley Kornacki, Fernanda Luna, Ronin Magee, Julian Mardjekaj, Penelope Martell, Owen Constantine McCuin, Josephina Umbria McGee, Erza Morina, Jonah William Morrissey, Alanna Grace Nye, Elleigh Alivia Ortola, Camille Grace Pagliuco, Elliott Paradis, Noah Plancon, MaiLi Quale, Finnegan H. Recchia, Lily Resnisky, Sway Daniel Riechel, Julianna Amelia Robinson, Riley Russell, Emma Li Schultz, Talia Shankar, Benjamin D. Snyder, Avery Davis Soares, William Ung, Theodore Vari, Vincent Vari, Abigail J Vilca, Kajsia Wright

Grade 9 High Honors

Essex Library continues its series of Little Learners story times with stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts around a designated theme. Children enjoy story time at 10 a.m. on Fridays with a theme of daffodils April 11, frogs April 18, and in the garden April 25. 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.

Spectrum Gallery Workshops and Classes

Spectrum Art Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, is holding virtual and inperson art classes and workshops that include yoga and movement for ages 7 through 11 on Fridays, April 4 through Aril 25; tales and treasures, a creative writing class for storytellers ages 9 to 12 on Thursdays, April 10 through May 1; fashion camp for ages 10 to 12 from Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18; and fashion camp for ages 13 to 15 from Monday, July 21, through Friday, July 25. For more information, including class schedules, material lists, and costs, call 860767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org.

Archambault, Levi S. Batt, Grace Ellin Bauer, Reagan Belloni, Adam Michael Brown, Madison Brzozowy, Dakota Camire, Daniel Ray Charbonnier, Winghei Vincy Cheung, Emily Collins, Grace Lily Conlan, Keenan C. Covey, Shayla Cronan, Adriana Dos Santos, Tucker Ferretti, Bella Sophia Florentino, Isaac Gardner, Thomas Chad Guillerault, Landon Heft, Claire Johnson, Kirstin Elin Lenda, David Willard Maynard, Tanner McIntyre, Abigail Muggleston, Charlotte Ava Parker, Josephine Porter, Susanna Ray, Varrick Recchia, Boden Rice, Oliver Daniel Smith, Carley Spearrin, Auri Rose Vacirca, Abigail Yurasek

Grade 12 Honors

Kenneth Batt, Lily Belcher, Tyler Brown, Phoebe Bryan, Sean Paul Catota Balbuca, Rubee Cecchini, Rigo ChirinosIzaguirre, Lyla Colomb, Nathan Crown, Chloe Rose DeFelice, Bryan Fabian, Geffen Foggitt, Elizabeth Natalie Irons, Braden Karcich, Grace Matute-Ishman, Joseph Medel-Herrera, Alessia Pisanzio, Nathan Rowland, Gavin William Shkutzko, Sofia Skorbezh, Tristan Lawrence Smith, Madeline Sonn, Alyssa Swerling, Caden Villegas, John Wadle, Tyler Welch

Grade 11 Honors

Emma Abramson, Scarlett E. Boland, Joshua Clark, Camille M. Cobbs, Cody J. Frost, Corallina Giuliano, Kellen Graham, John Finnian Heiser, Jack P. Helsel, Madeline K. Hollister, Nyla Maignan, Anthony Thomas Miers, Hallie Victoria Moore, James M. Preston, Madelyn Rie-

bold, Reed Schmelzer, Leanne May Sedgwick, Hannah O. Smith, Jared W. Valakos, Connor Walden, Cooper James Wrubleski, Rowan W. Wyrebek-Brasky, Taylor Julia Zduniak

Grade 10 Honors

Mackenzie Josephine AnselmoDePasquale, Charlotte Louise Bach, Eleanor Grace Collins, Kayleigh Nicole Cornett, Karlee Diana Cutler, Jenna Fowler, Abigail Innamorato, Christopher Kostek, Clementine Lavezzoli, Marina Grace Morgan, Sarah Pinski, Alan Jhosue Pinto Correa, Emma Reilly, Macy Kelly Rock, Haven Rayne Sarafin, Makaylah Spencer, Madelyn Stone, Hope Trippconey

Grade 9 Honors

Lyra Bruce, Zoe Dumas, Canyon Erkkila, Emma Jean Gallagher, Phoebe Gerl, Sara Heiser, Sadie A. Ingram, Cole Gianni Ludovico, Olivia Faith Shorey, Phoebe Rose Walmsley Spallone, Grayson Michael Walden

The Lower Connecticut River Council of Governments announces a satellite collection of household hazardous waste on Saturday, April 19, at the Clinton Public Works Garage, 117 Nod Road, and on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Deep River Town Garage, 206 Winthrop Road (Route 80). The collection runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to residents in the RiverCOG region towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook. For more information, contact RiverCOG, 860-5818554 or jehlemeyer@rivercog.org.

Jacob Matthew Allard, Sydney Larkin

The Estuary Announces Day Trips

The Estuary announces two curated trips for this spring for adults 50 and over. These all-inclusive day trips provide an opportunity to explore new destinations, try new food, and make lasting memories. The first trip is to Deerfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, April 16. The trip features a guided tour of the Smith College Arboretum, lunch at Champney’s Restaurant, a self-guided visit to the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens, and a stop at the Yankee Candle Village. The cost for the trip is $185 per person. The second is a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, June 18. This event features a narrated lighthouse and mimosa cruise aboard the Coastal Queen, lunch at the Brick Alley Pub, and a guided tour of Newport. The cost for the trip is $169 per person. The price for both trips includes a round-trip motor coach, a tour director, all gratuities, and all listed activities. Spots are limited, so early reservation is advised. To sign up, stop by The Estuary, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, with cash or check. For more information, call 860-388-1611, ext. 236.

John Winthrop Middle School Quarter 2 Honor Roll

Grade 8 High Honors

Killian Blalock, Emily Cotton Blicharz, Owen Bryan, Alexzander Bubie, Devon Carson, Sawyer Maddox Castellano, Miette Cecelia Chapados, Annabell L. Chapman, Lila Summer-Rose Connelly, Matthew Lorillard Dahl, Jillian DeLorso, Holland Grace deMik, Dean Demond, Sawyer Fernandez Devin, Josh Anthony Elliott, Paige Erwin, Robert Peter Giacobbe, Zandra Golkowski, Siorcha GrettaKing, Silas Grisky, Brooke E. Guyer, Hutch Guzallis, Kaye Hagert, James Michael Holmes, Bradford Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Emma May S. Lee, Lyla Marie Lopez, Caitlyn Rose Lunz, Jahnie Maignan, Paul Malaguti, Macie

Elizabeth Morgan, Siena Grace Nardizzi, Livinia Vaune Osinski, Brooke Ouellette, Christopher James Price, Olivia Rand, Sebastian Quinn Raney, Caroline Rayner, Wyatt Renner, Kinzy Louise Reynolds, Ella Richardson, Cassian Rivera, Cullen

Thomas Rotella, Jacob J. Rowland, Tristen Piper Samuelson, Emma Scherber, Ethan Scherber, Broden Schulte, Alexandra Scrivo, Elinor Shomo, Jonathan Shomo, Maxwell Graydon Slocombe, Jameson Allen Smith, Sofia Josephine Spagnola, Jasper Stack, Christopher Strempel, Caitlin Riley Sullivan, Nicolena

Mae Torre, Eliza Hope Vecchiarino, Sofia Yumbla

Grade 7 High Honors

Sarah Margaret Allard, Ngaire May Belcher, Luc Boulanger, Parker Malcolm Brennan, Gerald Thomas Carlone, Isabella Hailey Case, Wing San Cheung, Sadie Cohen, Ethan Joseph Comerford, Eleanor Conklin, Wyatt Cozza, Carter Dean, Arthur Evangelista Dias, Emma Madeline Elliott, Lillian S. Farrell, Caroline Ferretti, Stella Catherine Fomenko, Briar Michael Glowac, Chase Gosnell, Fiona Irene Hollister, William Jewczyn, Dominic Josse, Esme Kronholm, Rosalie Maheu, Juliet Lee Majors, Reid Lucien Masalski, Joseph McAndrew, Ella Nesdale, Zuhany Caylen Nieuwoudt, Brayden Palumbo, Virginia Ruth Paulin, Stella Anne Raney, Emily Richards, Luke Ryan, Jackson Smith, Isabel Torres, Hannah Trippconey, Colleen Ung, Ava Ziemann

Grade 8 Honors

Brayden Alston, Aaron A. Archer, Eimy Mairely Balbuca Villavicencio, Thomas Bargelski, Haden Barriera, Connor Joseph Bean, Joshua Jared Beaudoin,

Applications Open for VRHS Trades Award

The Valley Regional High School (VRHS) Trades Award Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County announces that applications are now being accepted for its trades award at the VRHS counseling office. Two awards of $1,500 each are being offered and will be given out on VRHS Award night this spring. Established by VRHS class of 1982 graduates to encourage careers in the trades, the fund is open to VRHS seniors who are pursuing employment in the trades and/or entrepreneurship, are in good academic standing, and have demonstrated a commitment to positive community involvement and to service for the benefit of others. The 2025 application deadline is Wednesday, April 30. For an application, students are encouraged to contact the school counseling office at VRHS. For more information, visit bit.ly/cfmc-vrhs-trades.

Kelicha Bernadel, Jade Pilar Anabella Boutilier, Austin Ryan Brown, Santiago Angulo Cote, Brayden A. Czepiel, Vincent Daniels, Quinn DeBartolo, Sienna Mare Dorso, Jackson Dunsing, Henry Gerl, Desmond Keyes, Brayden Scott LaCross, Trevor Michael McMorran, Rylan Nadolny-Pallatto, Dylan Charles Nye, Ashlen Schmelzer, William J Spearrin, Alanna K. Thompson, Ty Spruce Whitbeck, Brennen Wilcox, Briana Noel Yoneda

Deanna Aley, Benjamin John Alvarado, Avery Anne Bachand, Grayson Robert Cannan, Mia Grace Carangelo, Ayla Chester, Davin Gram Dziurgot, Abigail Mae Edwards, Charles Germini, Julia Reese Guzzo, Ryenne Olivia Hastings, Imogen Houston, Alyssa Hunt, Harmony Daniela-Rosa Hupkau, Frank Iverson, Jacob Karol, Gretchen Elizabeth Kolb, Sophia Emeline Kumpitsch, Jack Ryder Lifland, Atreus Ludwig, Joshua Lundgren, Nicholas Miers, Richard Miles, Atticus Nischan, Brooklyn Ortiz, Mia Pavon, Luca Thornton Raney, Sophie Lynn Severance, Izabelle Evelyn Smith, Mirai Wright

Wanted: Volunteers for Spectrum Gallery and Arts Center

Arts Center Killingworth, 276 North Parker Hill Road, and Spectrum Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, are seeking volunteers to help at events and programs throughout the year. No experience is necessary. Teens can earn community service credit. For more information, contact 860-663-5593 or artscenterkilling worth@gmail.com, or visit the volunteer page at spectrumartgallery.org/volunteer.

Wellness Services for Older Adults Offered at The Estuary

The Ivoryton Library announces the return of its escape room fundraiser for 2025, “The Mystery of Poe's Revenge.” Participants have an hour to put their problem-solving skills to the test and find a missing manuscript. Teams of three to six people can join in a one-hour adventure and are advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to their reserved time. The escape room is recommended for ages 12 and up. One adult is required for every two children under the age of 14. (The adult counts in the maximum limit.) The cost is $180 per team. Service fees apply. The event runs from Friday, April 18, through Sunday, April 27, at the Ivoryton Library, 106 Main Street. For more information, visit ivorytonlibrary.org/escape-room.

The Estuary, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, offers wellness services to adults aged 50 and over living in the estuary region. Services are by appointment and include footcare (Mondays), haircuts (Tuesdays and Thursdays), massage (first Tuesday of each month), Medicare counseling (first Tuesday of each month), hearing clinics (last Wednesday of each month), and mental health support. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 860-3881611, ext. 202.

Grade 7 Honors

Mystery of Poe's Revenge: The 2025 Ivoryton Escape Room

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Valley Regional Students Cut Harmful Vines from Trees at Sunset Pond

Continued from page 1

he held numerous events with local residents to try to save trees there, as well.

“These vines are especially harmful to trees all over the Northeast,” he said. “Nobody really notices the harm that they cause because they blend in so well.”

Fleischer, Ryan, and the VRHS students met at Sunset Pond in Essex, equipped with helmets, gloves and other tools needed to cut harmful vines from trees in the area. Ryan said that the students are excited and passionate about the work they’re doing, referencing a similar event which they held in November 2024.

“A lot of the students here were with us in November, when we came to cut down these vines for the first time,” she said. “We had a forester from the UConn extension program come in and talk with the students about what to look for and to prepare them for this.”

The students are showing their excitement and desire to make a positive difference in their community. Delny Marsden, a student at VHRS and the copresident of the Environmental Club, said that she feels like the issue of invasive and harmful vines is a big issue in her community, and she wants to do her part to make a difference.

Ultimately, the members of the VRHS Environmental Club are hoping to help as many trees as they can and do whatever they can to keep the mature trees at Sunset Pond safe and allow them to grow.

“You don’t really notice it unless you look because they blend so well,” Marsden said. “Once you see it, you see that it is a huge problem in this area…I wanted to come back to finish what we started and try to maximize our ability to save these trees. These mature trees sequester so much carbon, and these vines prevent them from growing.”

Chester Rotary Preparing to Unveil New Pavilion

Staff Writer By Christian Maldonado

After months of planning and preparation, the Chester Rotary Club is just about ready to unveil a new pavilion which is being added to North Quarter Park. For many years, the Rotary has helped to fund and work on community projects in the Chester area and even outside the town, with the pavilion being the next big project on the list. Ted Taigen, president of the Chester Rotary, said that the project began from a financial standpoint a long time ago, prior to construction.

“We had received a donation of $20,000 decades ago that was meant for our gazebo project that came in late, so we decided to hang on to it,” Taigen said. “We worked towards trying to find a way to use the funds towards a public service project right here in Chester…Aaron [Page] was appointed as director of Parks and Rec and immediately began a dialogue with us about the pavilion project.”

Greg Haymond, the pavilion project’s coordinator, followed up Taigan’s point by acknowledging the other people which helped the club and the department with construction and in order to make this idea come to life.

“We had local contractors who are giving us a cheaper rate on doing the work and helping us to make a bigger pavilion than if we had to use typical retail rates,”

Tuition-Free Program at CBSRZ

Haymond said. “People contributing their time makes it a much-better project for the community.”

Some of the people who offered to do a lot of the work for this project include residents and Rotary Club members. Bob Callahan, Frank Corrado, and Bob Babicz are credited with doing a lot of the physical labor which it took to get this project off of the ground and turn it into a reality. The pavilion is set to be officially open with a ceremony in late April, with members of the Rotary, Parks & Recreation, and Chester First Selectwoman Cindy Lignar set to be in attendance.

The Chester Rotary will not be stopping after this project is complete. The Rotary has numerous projects, events, and fundraisers upcoming in 2025, and encourages anyone in the area, young or old, to consider getting involved in their local Rotary.

“We invite everyone to our meeting…We invite them to come and listen to the dialogue and our projects,” Taigen said. “They get a chance to see who we are and see if it is a good fit for them. They make the decision on if they want to continue on this journey with us.”

For more information, visit the Chester Rotary club website, its Facebook page, or email Ted Taigen to learn how to make an impact in the Town of Chester.

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.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, by in person meeting at Town Hall (see agenda on Town’s website www.essexct.gov for further details), at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following applications:

Application No. 25-2 on behalf of Gregory and Mary-Jo Toczydlowski, 175 Saybrook Road Essex, CT, Assessor’s Map 74 Lot 11, Rural Residential District, requesting variances of Sections 40C, 40D, 40E, 40I.1, 40I.2, 61B, and 101E for an existing pergola roof 19.2 feet from the side property line where 30 feet is required and within 100 feet of the coastal jurisdiction line.

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.

Carey Duques, Land Use Official

A Special Shelter Bromance!

Story by Carol Andrecs

Although they are not related and were not rescued from the same location, these two young boys have a blossoming bromance which gets stronger each day.

Wolfie (left) is a short-haired and sleek black cat with golden eyes, and his buddy Gucci (right) is a long-haired black beauty. They can always be found with their heads resting against each other, as they quickly became the best of friends.

Wolfie and Gucci love affection, interactive playtime, treats, and cuddling in the warmth of the sun. They would be heartbroken if they were separated and would probably be happiest in a quiet home with no young children or dogs. Are you looking for a bonded pair of very handsome boys? Stop by our open house to meet these snuggle buddies or apply to adopt them online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.

Day Plant Sale

Forgotten Felines is holding its annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All plants must be pre-ordered. To place an order, please fill out the form found at www.forgottenfelinesct.org and return with a check to Forgotten Felines, PO Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413 by Monday, April 21. Plants must be picked up on May 10 at 153 Horse Hill Road in Westbrook. For more information, please leave a message on the fundraising line at 860-669-1347.

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 in Westbrook. No appointment is necessary.

The Pete Mezzetti Show announces it is airing Monday, April 7, with Commissioner Mark Boughton. The show is taped at Valley Shore Community TV, a nonprofit organization for the community. It airs on Mondays at 7 p.m. on Channel 19, Frontier 6089, video on demand at www.vsctv.com, and on the VSCTV App for Apple TV Roku and Fire TV. For more information, visit www.vsctv.com.

Future Choices 2025

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

2025 Forgotten Felines Mother’s

Photo courtesy of Tracye Mueller

The Pete Mezzetti Show

Horoscopes Crossword

For the week of April 3 - April 9

ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20

This week you are going to take action on a project that has been on your mind for awhile, Aries. Trust your instincts, but make sure you are not moving too fast.

TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21

This week brings an opportunity for intellectual pursuits, Taurus. You might think to enroll in a higher education class or a take a course on a specific hobby that has been on your mind.

GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21

Partnerships are key right now, Gemini. You might want to pursue new professional relationships. Embrace your ability and willingness to adapt and facilitate change.

CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22

You need to take care of your body and mind, Cancer. Now is as good a time as any to begin this pursuit. Even small adjustments can lead to longterm health benefits.

LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, this is your week to look into matters of self-expression and creativity. Pour your energy into anything that gets you excited. Your enthusiasm may draw others in as well.

VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, home life takes center stage this week, and you might feel a strong desire to nurture your space. Decluttering and organizing could bring more harmony to your home.

LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, you are able to express your thoughts with clarity and charm, which is why personal relationships often come easy to you. This week you may use this superpower to make friends.

SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22

You may soon find yourself reevaluating how you spend your money or what you value most in life, Scorpio. This is a good time to check financial goals and adjust them.

SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21

There is a sense of fresh energy surrounding you this week, Sagittarius. If you have been putting off something, now is the time to take the leap.

CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, focus on rest and relaxation in the days ahead. You have been putting in a lot of work lately and now is a time to focus on your inner self and recharge.

AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18

Collaborations with others could prove fruitful this week, Aquarius. Don’t hesitate to lean on your social network when you need to get something done.

PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20

You might be presented with a way to take your professional life to the next level, Pisces. Strategize about how to move forward in this regard, and think through all decisions.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 3

Paris Jackson, Model (27)

APRIL 4

Robert Downey, Jr., Actor (60)

APRIL 5

Lily James, Actress (36)

APRIL 6

Candace Cameron-Bure, Actress (49)

APRIL 7

Francis Ford Coppola, Director (86)

APRIL 8

Skai Jackson, Actress (23)

APRIL 9

Elle Fanning, Actress (27)

CLUES ACROSS

1. Narrow piece of wood

5. African desert

11. Waxy covering on birds’ beaks

12. Sour

16. Infrequent

17. Former AL MVP Vaughn

18. Policemen wear one

19. Out of the question

24. Used to chop

25. Symptoms

26. Not moving

27. Folk singer DiFranco

28. Comedian Armisen

29. Quantitative fact

30. Incline from vertical

31. Scottish musician

33. Rooney and Kate are two

34. Positioned

38. A very short time

39. Tropical American shrubs

40. Yemen capital

43. Spanish municipality

44. Medical professionals

45. Fibrous material

49. Confined condition (abbr.)

50. Without covering

51. “Mad Men” honcho Don

53. Hockey position

54. Taste property

56. Fertile spots in a desert

58. They precede C

59. “Requiem for a Dream” actor Jared

60. Try a criminal case

63. Liberal rights organization

64. Spoke

65. Insect repellent

CLUES DOWN

1. Unshaven facial hair

2. More thin

3. Show up

4. Seethed

5. Ancient Greek city

6. Poisonous plant

7. Hello

8. College sports official

9. Monetary unit of Russia

10. Wings

13. Take too much of a substance

14. A citizen of Uganda

15. Most appealing

20. Atomic #18

21. Global investment bank (abbr.)

22. Jewish calendar month

23. Popular sandwich

27. Swiss river

29. Incorrect letters

30. Popular entree

31. Foot (Latin)

32. A driver’s license is one form

33. Extinct flightless bird

34. Appetizer

35. After battles

36. It neutralizes alkalis

37. Beverage container

38. Partner to “Pa”

40. Gray American rail

41. Salt of acetic acid

42. Canadian province

44. Dish made with lentils

45. Narrative poem of popular origin

46. For each one

47. Come to terms

48. Test

50. More dishonorable

51. Unit of loudness

52. The Ocean State

54. Monetary unit in Mexico

55. Lying down

57. Thus

61. Where LA is located

62. Western State

Word Search

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, and diagonally throughout the puzzle.

DISTRACTED WORD SEARCH

ACTIVITY ATTENTION COGNITIVE CRASH DANGEROUS DISTRACTED DRIVER DROWSY EATING HIGHWAY INJURY MANUAL NOISY

PASSENGER

RADIO

READING

SAFETY SPEED

TALKING

TEXTING

VEHICLE VISUAL

Word Scramble

Word Scramble solution for March 27, 2025: EQUITY

Word Search solution for March 27, 2025

Valley Softball Focused on Staying Competitive and Building for the Future

By Maria Cipriano

Sports Reporter

Heading into the 2025 season on the diamond, the Valley Regional softball team is hoping to form a solid foundation that will last well into the future. While the Warriors don’t house a lot of veterans on their roster, they know this spring can serve as a key opportunity to grow the program with the younger players.

Head Coach Olivia Whitehead, who is heading into her third season at the helm, plans to utilize every athlete at her disposal this spring.

“My goals for this season are to be more competitive and to build a really strong core with the incoming freshmen. It’s a blessing in disguise when you really only have two seniors graduating - it allows you to have a whole season to use them to build,” said Whitehead. “We want to build a really strong core this season. I really want to be able to go and have a really strong core nine, but also to be able to keep that nine for next season.”

As Whitehead looks to mold her team into a strong and confident group of players, senior Natalie Pavon (out-

fielder/utility) will serve as the lone captain for the club.

“Natalie really stepped up as a junior last year. She connects with the girls really well. She leads by example and is always a player that has everything that takes no talent, everything that a coach wants in an athlete,” said Whitehead.

“She hustles, she’s dedicated, asking questions, always the first one to do duties, checking in with players and me. She advocates for her teammates and is the one that rallies the team when we’re down.”

In addition to Natalie, Whitehead hopes to see some of the other upperclassmen step up - a group she feels a close connection with because they’ve been there since the beginning of her journey.

“The current juniors have been with me since I started at Valley. The way we run practices, our plays, even just the way our strategy is going into games, they’re very well-versed, and we are really all on the same page,” said Whitehead. “The returners are very confident in what we can do

See Valley Staying page 17

Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier Amelia Giantonio is a returning junior for the Valley softball team this spring who hopes to serve as a strong leader for the underclassmen.

Senior Miley Prue plays first base for a Valley softball team hoping to build a strong core this spring.

Fishing the Web Comes up Short

Today, when fishermen and women want to be entertained, learn, or chat, they generally turn to the web or open their favorite computer application. Interactions are brief, less personal, and, at best, slightly ambiguous and loaded with likes and bursts of icons. The flavor of thought is missing - often replaced by confusing and unwanted junk. Needless to say, personal touches are minimal, while thoughts and ideas are reduced to acronyms.

If looking for a meaningful conversation, one should seek out a fisher who has been around the block a few times. There are fewer tackle shops around compared to several years ago - even a couple of years ago - leaving would-be fishers to re-invent the wheel. Numbers of in-person fishing shows have trended downward. It is amazing that some of the simplest things young anglers learned about pre-social media are hardly utilized or even recognized today.

There used to be many fishing clubs that not only dotted the shoreline but also cropped up inland. The closest things to those today would be dockside huddles and in-house seminars. As older generations slip by, the available pool of knowledgeable fishermen dwindles. Times are changing, and the demand for hands-on, inthe-water fishing experience is up.

Looking at the bright side, the interest in fishing has grown exponentially. In many cases, the fishery has also grown, but not without pain. Species become overfished before management successfully tackles the problem. Yet, our fisheries manage to sustain themselves through those ups and downs. Waters are cleaner, and more anglers are out on it. To overcome this cycle of fewer in-person exchanges, we need more younger fishers to step up to the plate to carry on what our fathers and forefathers accomplished. We fish for recreation and for food. Eventually, our younger generation will become the educators who foster tradition and not clicks.

CAPTAIN MORGAN’S

On The Water

Weakened low pressure tracked across eastern Canada, sending a surface trough or weak cold front across the area. Low pressure moved off the midAtlantic coast and passed well south and east of the area. A secondary cold front or trough then pushed through before high pressure built from the southwest. It passed to the south as a weak disturbance passed by to the north. A frontal system that was forecast brought precipitation that impacted the area. A stretch of milder weather brought daytime air temperatures into the high 60s and kept pre-dawn temperatures on the high sides of 30s and 40s. Long Island Sound water temperatures hovered around 42 degrees, while westerly winds gusted up to 25 knots, and seas generally ranged around one to two feet. Some days battled with early morning fog but dissipated as the day progressed.

Open season for blackfish and winter flounder was April 1. Nearshore water temperatures rose to 43 degrees - a bit warmer around the rocky breakwaters that absorbed the heat from the sun and warm water outflows from power plants and shallower muddy bottoms from tidal rivers. Water temperatures in the coves and bays, where clear, moving water aerate eggs, may be more conducive to right-handed flatfish at this time rather than stirring up an early tog bite, but that remains to be seen.

In either case, soft natural baits generally have the edge this time of year for these bottom feeders. Rocks and boulder fields that toggers target - as well as the flatter bottoms targeted for winter flounder - are the areas most likely to yield eye-candy fish such as a colossal tog or nice blackback. To fish for and catch these early season fish requires minimal gear, tackle, and natural

baits. For an additional edge, add a chum pot filled with chum consisting of a mix of bi-valves. Cherry blossoms are blooming. We are edging closer to when more holdover striped bass will be filtering into Long Island Sound. Key tidal rivers are already seeing activity, prompted by a rise in water temperatures and the movement of early baitfish. Loading up lightweight gear with soft plastics, hard swimmers, small topwaters, and bucktails can result in catches and releases of early springtime feeders. Breaking out the eight-weight on calmer days would be a good choice along beaches, where baitfish could be corralled.

Inland waters are just asking for anglers to hit the trout waters. We are still in catch-and-release territory for most waters, with the exception being trout management lakes where one fish at 16” through the second Saturday in April is the limit. Catches overall continue to be on a fast track. Stocking is the primary reason. Inline spinners, swimmers, Gulp, and natural baits, like worms and grubs, are connecting with good fish. Fly fishers have also been taking advantage of the calmer days and are hooking up using nymphs, streamers, and dries on hatch-filled days. In addition to the popularly stocked rivers, check out the backwater pools for native brookies.

Anglers should be paying attention to lakes and ponds for largemouth bass, smallies, pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, etc. Carp and catfish can be found in the brackish to fresh parts of the upper main tidal rivers. Atlantic salmon in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers are in play. Although white perch are a semipelagic schooling fish, they prefer the tidal estuaries, are widely spread out, and could be caught on a worm in early spring. Check out your closet tidal river, where it becomes brackish, and perhaps, nudges a cove.

Northeast Saltwater Fishing Club is seeking serious recreational fishers to bolster this wellestablished, traditional organization involved with all aspects of

marine fishing: dynamic tournaments, seminars, and in-house charity/social functions, as well as community service events supporting cancer foundations, Vets, kids, etc. With an eye to the future, these individuals will be brought into the fold with the idea of future growth for themselves and the club. Become one of the ten! Interested parties should contact President Robert Fischbach at fischbach@ccsu.edu or 203-605-6995.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.

For all things fishy, including

the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, 2025 licenses/permits, and much more, swing by the shop (203-2458665), located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.

Tight Lines, Captain Morgan captainmorganusa @hotmail.com captainmorganfish.blogspot.com X (formerly twitter) @captmorgan_usa

Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Brian Card of Clinton caught and released this fine brown trout while fishing Lake Pattaconk in Chester using a Gulp worm.

Deep River Horseshoe League

Ready to Celebrate its 70th Season

By Gabby Maljanian

Sports Editor

The Deep River Horseshoe League (DRHL) begins its 70th season this year. The DRHL will host league play at 5 p.m. every Thursday beginning on Thursday, April 24 at Deep River’s “unofficial town green” on Main Street adjacent to the First Congregational Church. The league is open for men and women of all ages. The DRHL has 18 teams that compete on nine pits. Each team features three players from each of the A, B, and C Divisions, and they play six matches per week. The objective is to toss the shoe around or

within six inches of a metal stake from 40 feet away. Putting the shoe around the stake (ringer) is worth three points, and getting it within six inches is worth one point. Men 70 years old and women are allowed to toss from a distance of 30 feet. Each game consists of 12 innings, after which the scores are totaled at the end. Scoring is done using a handicap system. The season ends in the third week of August, with the top eight teams competing for the league championship. Anyone who is interested in playing in the DRHL this year or would like more information can visit www.deepriverhorseshoes.com/ contacts.

Schedules

Saturday, April 5: vs. East Hampton at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, April 7: vs. Morgan at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9: at Haddam-Killingworth at 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8: vs. Cromwell at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, April 10: at Montville at 5 p.m.

Valley Softball Focused on Staying Competitive and Building for the Future

Continued from page 14

this year. They’re very excited about the eight new freshmen that are going to be playing. We are looking for a redemption season. We had a really tough year last year just numbers wise. They are really ready to embrace the small but mighty mindset and take on this team.”

On the field, Valley sports several talented players looking to make a big impact this campaign, including the pitcher and catcher duo of Paige Williams (pitcher) and Carley Spearrin (catcher), Helen Manco (junior, outfielder), Julianna Spencer (freshman, shortstop), and Pavon.

has not been the case for the last four seasons at Valley. The goal is really to just to have that .500 record and make a run for Shorelines.”

Whitehead is assisted by Ryan Spearrin, Faith Mauri, and Julia Labbadia.

Saturday, April 5: vs. East Hampton at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, April 7: vs. Morgan at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9: at Haddam-Killingworth at 3:45 p.m.

Lacrosse

Tuesday, April 8: at Cromwell at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 10: vs. Norwich Tech at 4 p.m.

Lacrosse

Saturday, April 5: vs. Morgan at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, April 7: at Old Lyme at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9: at Coginchaug at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, April 7: vs. Old Lyme at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 9: at North Branford at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9: vs. Old Saybrook, Westbrook at 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8: vs. Portland at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 9: vs. Old Lyme at 3:15 p.m.

“Paige and Carley are players that are very experienced in softball, and although they are freshmen, they come with a wealth of knowledge. They are a huge addition to our team and are going to be a game-changer for us,” Whitehead said. “Helen is taking over a primary position. While she has always been a leader in the outfield, she’s also going to be in our top of lineup. Julianna is someone to keep an eye out for. She’s going to have a fabulous four years with us. I would also say Natalie, being a true utility player. I mean, she may play a different position every game, and she’s going to thrive in it. She was our most consistent hitter last season, and I’m ready for her to continue that.”

The Warriors are well aware of the fact that they’re less experienced than some of their adversaries may be, but Whitehead sees it as a chance for the girls to face challenges head-on and learn to grow stronger by facing the best that both the Shoreline Conference and state have to offer.

“I think that the biggest challenge right now is that we lost some really key players to graduating last year and really filling those gaps because our team is so young. Our team is built of pretty much all underclassmen - I only have four upperclassmen on my entire team,” said Whitehead. “We are young, and that’s going to be challenging, and it’s not just going to be physically challenging. It’s going to be mentally challenging for the younger athletes to play up against 18-year-olds sometimes. That’s what the season is really about - to learn to be competitive and hang with the best. We’re going to be more competitive when it comes to pitching as well. I’m looking forward to competing with some of the more competitive teams. The girls are really excited to get above a .500 record, which

The Warriors roster is comprised of Pavon, Miley Prue (senior, first base), Rorie Czenthe-Wickland (junior, third base), Amelia Giantonio (junior, third base), Manco, Megan Dugan (sophomore, pitcher), Addison Hardman (sophomore, pitcher), Anastasia Hashimoto-Kehayias (freshman, outfield), Elleigh Ortola (sophomore, second base), Linnea Winkley (sophomore, catcher), Grace Bauer (freshman, outfield), Dakota Camire (freshman, second base), Kali Dorso (freshman, outfield), Claire Johnson (freshman, first base), Abby Muggleston (freshman, outfield), Spearrin, Spencer, and Williams.

2025 Valley Regional Softball Regular Season Schedule

Saturday, April 5: vs East Hampton at 10:30 a.m.

Monday, April 7: vs Morgan at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9: at HaddamKillingworth at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, April 11: at North Branford at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16: at Old Lyme at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 17: vs OSW at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, April 21: vs Portland at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23: at OSW at 4 p.m.

Friday, April 25: vs Hale Ray at 4 p.m.

Monday, April 28: at Coginchaug at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 29: at Somers at 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 1: at East Hampton at 4 p.m.

Monday, May 5: at Morgan at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 7: vs HaddamKillingworth at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, May 9: vs North Branford at 4 p.m.

Monday, May 12: at Cromwell at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14: vs Cromwell at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, May 16: vs East Windsor at 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 17: vs Somers at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 20: vs Bacon Academy at 4 p.m.

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!

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!

1-2-3-4 Spring!

By Liz Egan

Spring is a time of preparation and transformation. As the weather warms and the days grow a bit longer, I try to spend more time outdoors, removing the leaves and debris from a windy winter. Small daffodil shoots have emerged from the soil. Snowdrops, the first blooms of spring. A smattering of crocus among the greening myrtles.

The work of spring brings satisfaction and beauty. Often, my enthusiasm to complete the many chores required has physical consequences for this aging body. This year, I have decided to start early and set smaller goals for each day’s yard work. I choose a single flower bed or patch of lawn or simply blow off the patio, deck, or driveway. Seeing the results is very satisfying.

My home in Clinton was purchased in 2004 “as is.” In addition to the many renovations my husband and I made inside the house, we improved the property. My hus-

band Paul loved the outdoors. He would stay outside working in the yard until dark on many days. His was the lawn, trees, and perimeter beds. My purview was the flower beds. In his honor, I chose to clean, thatch, and reseed the 20’ x 30’ area that was his garden this past weekend. Day one - picking up the many fallen twigs and debris, then raking. Day two –thatching and stiff raking to break up the soil. Day three – seeding. The progress I made each day was rewarded with a daylong rain. Combining this endeavor with raking off a small flower bed or a section of a larger bed provided me with the “I can do this” attitude I needed.

So much of spring is awareness. The rain, combined with the increased warmth of the sun, transforms the landscape. I see a hint of green in my lawn and notice the budding trees as well as the new growth at the base of many small shrubs. Removing the leaves from the base of the shrubs gives them the air they need to blossom again. One hour a day, one day at a time, I do my part to help the

My friend Bev often makes her family’s recipe for 1-2-3-4 cake. She grew up having it for all occasions. When she contributed it to a recent dinner party, I was reminded of the Hurry Up Cake my mother used to make.

flora and fauna I am charged with thrive. recipe for 1-2-3-4 cake. She grew up having it for all occasions. When she contributed it to a recent dinner party, I was reminded of the Hurry Up Cake my mother used to make. This easy recipe

cious cake. Served with fruit and whipped cream, it is a no-fail dessert. I love the way baking and gardening are metaphorically

See 1-2-3-4 Spring page 26

Photo by Liz Egan

Photo by Liz Egan

Photo by Liz Egan

I found a beautiful yellow feather. Larger than the finches that populate my yard, I took it as a sign from my husband that he was with me. His favorite color was yellow.

Snowdrops, the first blooms of spring.

A smattering of crocus among the greening myrtles.

Special to Living

Photo by Liz Egan

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

Opening Day for Hank Williams: Lost Highway

: 2 p.m. Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Runs through Sunday, April 27. Other showtimes available. For info, call 860767-7318 or visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.

Transportation Options with River Valley Transit

: 2 to

3 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. River Valley Transit will discuss the details of XtraMile, a new, on-demand service that picks up and drops off riders anywhere in Madison and Guilford for $1.75 one way, and provide an overview of other transit options besides XtraMile that are available to Madison residents. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Small Business Sales Techniques

: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Online event. Participants will learn how to listen to the needs of their customers, establish trust, make their pitch, and more. Presented by SCORE mentor Eric Munro. Free. Hosted by SCORE Eastern Connecticut. For info or to register, visit score.org/easternct.

Open Mic Night

: 6 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Led by Madison Poet Laurate Ed Lent. Sign-ups begin 5:45 p.m. The first 12 to sign up are guaranteed a spot. For info or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Shoreline Sailing Club Meeting

: 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. For info, visit shorelinesailingclub.com.

Concert by Donna the Bull

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Five Fridays Lenten Concert Series

: 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Features a performance on the church’s 1929 Möller pipe organ by Walden Moore, former director of music at Trinity Church in New Haven. Sponsored in part by the New London County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Attendees listen in the sanctuary or on the Town Green as the music is broadcast through the church speakers. Third of five Fridays through April 18. Free and open to all. For info, call 203-245-2739, ext. 14, or visit fccmadison.org.

Popcorn Palooza: Family Movie

: 1 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Free and open to all. No registration needed. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Artist Reception: Michele F. Tycz

: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Masonicare at Chester Village West, 317 W. Main St. Free and open to the public. For info, call 860-531-1400.

Calendar for the Week of April 3, 2025

hosts: meteorologist Scot Haney and television host Nicole Nalepa. Presented by Old Saybrook Rotary Club. Tickets: $50 per person, must be 21 or older. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s projects, including scholarships to graduating seniors from Lyme/Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook high schools. For info or tickets, visit osrotary.org.

Concert by Kathleen Edwards

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 6

Urinetown

: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Guilford High School Auditorium, 605 New England Rd. Presented by the Guilford High School Theatre Arts (GHSTA). For info or tickets, visit ghstaps.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Goodwin Gallop 5K

: 9 a.m. Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School, 80 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Features a 5K at 9 a.m. and a kids' run at 8:30 a.m. Arrive early to check in and get a bib. Cost: $30 for the 5K, free for the kids run. Discount for early signup. Service fees apply. The race starts and ends at Goodwin Elementary School and features a fast and flat course through the Old Saybrook shoreline. Hosted by the Kathleen E. Goodwin School Parent Teacher Association. Presented by Whelen Engineering. For info or to sign up, visit runsignup.com/goodwingallop5k.

1-2-3-4 Spring!

Continued from page 25

entwined in how I live my life. Move a muscle, change a thought. To heal from a recent period of loneliness and despair, I did as my sister instructed and picked up sticks. After every storm, there are many sticks to pick up — the consequence of the gift of a beautiful yard with many trees. At the end of one such session,

27th Annual Wine/Beer Tasting and Silent Auction

: 6 to 9 p.m. Saybrook Point Resort and Marina, 2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook. Features wine and craft beer tasting, hors d’oeuvres, music, an auction, and a raffle. Guest

I was headed indoors when I found a beautiful yellow feather. Larger than the finches that populate my yard, I took it as a sign from my husband that he was with me. His favorite color was yellow. In the many months since his passing, I have found feathers at significant milestones in my grief journey. I took a picture of the feather and texted my sister, Sheila. No sooner was I finished when I found

another, and then, looking down, found another. Hadn’t I just scoured the area picking up sticks?

Recently, I have become aware of how challenges have strengthened me. The care of my yard, as well as many trips to the Y, have made me physically stronger. Self-care, quiet reflection, a willingness to ask for help, and some much-needed rest have improved my outlook. Attention to

the wonder of nature, the joy of a child’s laughter, and spiritual guidance have buoyed my soul. The renewal of spring transforms for all parts of my life when I take a moment, step out of the distractions and busy-ness which occupy my mind, and notice the growth that surrounds and is within me.

Living Hacks: Tips to Grow a Green Thumb

Living Editor Maria Caulfield

I love plants. I kill plants. No two sentences written on this paper are more antithetical.

But I have to admit that I’m a notorious plant killer—a walking, talking Ortho weed killer, but only for plants. Not the good kind of garden killer.

Unfortunately, I have three favorite plants, all very tough to keep alive: tulips, orchids, and bonsais.

Tulips bloom only a few weeks in spring before they wilt. You need to wait until the following year for any hope to see them again.

Orchids are beautiful exotic plants, but I just can’t seem to get them to bloom again once the flowers fall off the stems. I’ve tried small humidifiers, encased shelters, orchid fertilizers, and all the tips I could find on YouTube. I’ve even talked to them, pleading for them to bloom. No dice.

And bonsais are just in a class all their own. On one recent Christmas, I received a beautiful bonsai from an uncle who told me to put it outside for a bit of time each day. I followed his advice and placed it on my deck—in the middle of February.

I guess he meant when the weather was nicer. Needless to say, what happened to that poor, hapless bonsai.

I’m so bad at gardening that I once killed a hard-to-kill lucky bamboo plant. My husband called it “the unlucky lucky bamboo plant.”

So, I’m probably the last person on Earth with any authority to give any kind of gardening hacks.

But because it’s spring, I sought the help of members of local garden clubs to offer Living hacks to make gardening a little more successful—maybe even for hopeless gardeners like me.

Garden tools should be kept clean to keep plants healthy. Use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) to wipe blades and metal parts of your tools to kill bacteria and fungi. Clean your pruners after using on each plant to prevent the spread of disease between plants.

Eliminate weeds between pavers by boiling water; it’s an organic, nontoxic way to kill small weeds between pavers. It is not necessary to poison your soil with toxic chemical weedkillers. Be careful not to splash good plants nearby.

Use a natural remedy for powdery mildew on plants by mixing 1 tablespoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon liquid Dawn soap, and 1 gallon water and placing the

solution in a sprayer bottle. Use this spray late in the day when the air is still (no breeze) and after the pollinators are gone for the day.

Tips From Guilford Garden Club

Save your eggshells. Crush them in a paper bag or between two sheets of wax paper, or blend them even finer in your food processor. Add them to any seedlings or transplanted plants. This source of calcium is good for houseplants, too. Add a spoonful to the soil two to four times a year. Crushed crab shells, rich in calcium and chitin, boost the calcium in the soil and keep tomatoes from getting blossom end rot.

Save your coffee grounds to spread on the soil around acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, conifers, evergreens, laurels, and rhododendrons. Left on the soil surface, it

may also provide a barrier to slugs and snails.

Grow garlic or chives among roses and flowering shrubs to keep Japanese beetles away. They don’t take up much space, add iodine to the soil, and are a good anti-fungal agent.

Keep a roll of Velcro tape and a pair of scissors in your garden tool carry-all. You can cut a strip of Velcro to safely tie up or hold back unruly vines and shrubs during the growing season.

Do you have powdery mildew or black spots on plants, especially on your roses? Try this easy spray: Mix two 325 mg. tablets of uncoated aspirin per quart of water and ¼ teaspoon liquid dish soap. Shake well and apply as a spray in the morning before the sun gets too high.

For spot applications, spray white vinegar on weeds to kill them.

The best tip for healthy plants is to add compost to your soil. If you have an aged

compost pile that you have started using, don’t forget to keep it covered with a tarp so the nutrients will be available wherever you place it and they don’t leech into the soil right beneath the pile during rains.

Sprinkling baby powder on veggie seedlings may deter rabbits, giving the seedlings a chance to grow strong.

If you don’t want to use a DDT-containing spray to keep away bugs while you garden, try crushing or rubbing the leaves of an aromatic plant on your skin and scalp. You can try sweet basil or any of the mints, including catmint or lemon balm.

One last piece of gardening advice, this time from this humble writer: If you’re a hopeless gardener but want to grow a green thumb, reach out to your local garden club. Members help the community in many ways and are always willing to assist individual gardeners blossom on their own.

Tips from the Garden Club of Madison

Photo courtesy of the Guilford Garden Club

Pollution: Minimizing the Adverse Consequences

: 10 to 11 a.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Leo Smith, chair of the Connecticut chapter of DarkSky International. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-8743 or visit meigspointnaturecenter.org/calendar.

: 10:30 a.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For ages 3 and up. Participants will work in groups to make collages of earth-related images, then individually write a letter to share their thoughts to the Earth, and craft small globes for display in the case. The work will be on display for library visitors during the month of April. Space and supplies are limited. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Rd., Westbrook. Features a free walk led by Ranger Shaun Roche to see three unique historic buildings on the property, discuss why Eleanor Roosevelt and her friends enjoyed it there, and look for early spring wildlife along the trails. For info, contact 860-399-2513 or Shaun_Roche@fws.gov.

: Two sessions: 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Connecticut River Museum (CRM), 67 Main St., Essex. For children ages 4 and up and their caregivers. Features a story, a craft activity, and more. Book: The Day the River Caught Fire by Barry Wittenstein. Tickets: $3 per learner, free for members. Museum admission is not included with the ticket purchase. For info or reservations (required), call 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.

: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allis-Bushnell House, 853 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Hosted by the Madison Historical Society. Visitors can explore the exhibit in the dining room, featuring the Munger family’s early dustless crayons and Reuben Shaler’s 1858 carpet sweeper. Docents are available to provide information and guests can view artworks and artifacts. Free admission. For info or to register, call 203-245-4567 or visit madisonhistory.org.

Concert by Hot Peas 'N Butter: The Ultimate Family Music Experience

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

The History and Future of Offshore Wind Energy in Connecticut

: 1:30 to 3 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Attorney Charles Rothenberger from Save the Sound. Sponsored by the Shoreline Group of the Sierra Club. Free and open to all. For info or to register, email wildwoodsiv@comcast.net or visit connecticut.sierraclub.org/outings.

Tie Dye Drawstring Bags

: 2 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. For ages 5 and up. Supplies provided. Wear clothes that can get stained. Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

We've Only Just Begun: A Celebration of The Carpenters

: 4 p.m. Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by the Madison Lyric Stage. Tickets: $45. Services fees apply. For info or tickets, call 203-215-6329 or visit madisonlyricstage.org.

Vista Life Innovations Starlight Benefit 2025

: 6 p.m.

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. Features cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. The event honors Helen Bosch, CEO of Vista Innovations. Attire: floral-inspired outfit or accents to align with the theme of "Blossom and Bloom." Tickets: $150, sponsorship levels available. Proceeds benefit Vista Life Innovations. For info or tickets, visit https://bit.ly/Blossom-Bloom.

Sixth Annual Lantern Illumination Celebration

: 6 to

Concert by Beau Soleil avec Michael Doucet with Special Guest Richard Thompson

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 6

Books by the Sea

The Stolen Queen: A Novel

Hot Air: A Novel

: Saturday, check-in 11 a.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check-in at R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Second venue is the First Congregational Church (FCC) of Madison, 26 Meeting House Ln. Features the following highlights: an author event with Fiona Davis ( ) on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the FCC; pastries and prose on Sunday at 10 a.m. at R.J. Cafe and Bistro; an author event with Marcy Dermansky ( ) on Sunday at 11 a.m. at R.J. Julia Booksellers; and a send-off party at 1 p.m. Cost: $160, includes admission, a copy of the books at the event, pastries, and a tote bag. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Con Brio Choral Society Spring Concert 2025

: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. Features the Con Brio Festival Orchestra and Con Brio Chorus conducted by Dr. Stephen Bruce. Includes guest soloist Ransom Bruce, tenor. For info or tickets, call 860-526-5399 or visit conbrio.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6

: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils, 489 Candlewood Hill Rd., Higganum Includes a selection of D'Amico's art pieces for sale. Refreshments will be served. Rain date: Sunday. April 6. For info, visit halfingerfarms.com.

Author Event: Rebecca Podos in Conversation with

Madison Inventors Homegrown Magic

: 1 p.m. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Book: co-written by Jamie Pacton. Presented by the Montgomery & Taggert Bookshop and the Chester Public Library. Copies of the book are available for purchase in advance for signing at the event. For info or to register, contact 860-526-0018 or library@chesterct.org or visit chesterctlibrary.com.

8 p.m. Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River. Features music, family activities, lantern decorating, sensory-friendly spaces, neurodiverse artists' showcase, and more. Free admission but donations are welcome. Hosted by A Little Compassion Inc. and its flagship program, The Nest Coffee House. For info or to register, call The Nest Coffee House at 860-322-8090 or visit alittlecompassion.org.

Open Mic Night

: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Flat Rock Gallery, 314 Flat Rock Place, Suite F135, Westbrook. Hosted by Shoreline Arts Alliance’s junior board of directors on the Shoreline. Features performances by high school students from Shoreline Arts Alliance’s 24 town region. Ticket: $5 students, $10 adults. Available at the door or online. For info or tickets, visit shorelinearts.org/open-mic-night.

Sweet Saturday Nights: Kala Farnham, Connecticut State Troubadour

: 7 to 9 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe, 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Tickets: $15. Service fees apply. Refreshments are available for purchase. For info or tickets, visit musicnowfoundation.org/events.

An Evening of Songs from Hilarie Clark Moore's New Musicals

The Fishergirl Jeannie

: 7:30 p.m. United Church of Chester, 29 W. Main St. Features performances from musicals and . Admission: Freewill donations. For info, call 845-220-8239 or visit hilarieclarkmoore.com.

Through the Centuries: Music of Inspiration and Peace Bunnies and Blooms

: 10 a.m. North Madison Congregational Church (NMCC), 1271 Durham Rd. Features a performance by the NMCC choir. For info, contact the church at 203-4213241 or office@northmadisioncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

: 10 a.m. to noon. Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils, 489 Candlewood Hill Rd., Higganum. Guests can hand-gather daffodils; visit the local rescue bunnies, guinea pigs, and chickens; and shop the pop-up farm stand curated by Merryweather Farm. For info, visit halfingerfarms.com.

Concert by the Sensational Soul Cruisers: Destination Soultown

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

Essex Winter Series (EWS): Tara Helen O’Connor with Eight Emerging Artist Alumni

Continued from page 26 See page 29

: 3 p.m. Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River. Features Tara Helen O’Connor, flute; Tai Murray, violin; Edson Scheid, violin; Keiko Tokunaga, violin; Stephanie Zyzak, violin; Luke Fleming, viola; Brian Hong, viola; Andrew Janss, cello; and Mihai Marica, cello. Part of the EWS 2025 Season. Tickets: $45, general admission; $5, students through college. For info or tickets, call 860-272-4572 or visit essexwinterseries.com.

Light

Letters to the Earth

History and Nature Walk

River Tales

Open House

Artist Reception: Mary D'Amico

Lenora Woods

Collaboration, Classics, and A Country Legend

Inside notes and comments about Connecticut and New York Professional Theater

By Karen Isaacs

Columnist

Hartford Partnership

Aisle ON THE

the audio-described performance is Saturday, May 10.

Iconic Country Singer

Hank Williams: Lost Highway!

Sweeney Todd A Chorus Line

: TheaterWorks Hartford and Hartford Stage are co-producing the Sondheim musical as part of their 2025-’26 seasons. The show will be directed by Rob Ruggiero (artistic director of TheaterWorks Hartford), who has directed multiple musicals at Goodspeed, among other locations. In fact, he is directing at Goodspeed this season. The show will be presented at Hartford Stage, which has substantially more seats and a larger stage. Even an intimate production of the show is costly; the co-production will allow each theater to present the show to its subscribers. It will run from June to July 2026 and be part of each theater’s subscription series. This is not the first time that Hartford Stage has partnered with another Connecticut theater; they partnered with Long Wharf in the early 2000s.

Continued from page 28

Author Event: Peter J. Emanuel, Jr.

Pulitzer Winner

: Last year, by Eboni Booth won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Beginning Thursday, April 10 (through Sunday, May 11), you can see a production at TheaterWorks Hartford. The premise is that a 38-yearold bookstore worker must confront a world he has avoided with comic results after he is laid off. Tickets are available at TWHartford.org.

Shakespeare Classic Primary Trust

: If you love songs like “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” you will want to see Ivoryton’s opening production. is more than just a collection of his songs. It tells the story of his brief life (he died at 29) and his legacy. The show, which is tagged for mature audiences, runs from Thursday, April 3, through Sunday, April 27. Tickets are available at IvorytonPlayhouse.org.

New Musicals in Chester

Romeo and Juliet

: Hartford Stage is presenting Shakespeare’s from Thursday, April 17, through Sunday, May 18. The production will be directed by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. It stars Niall Cunningham as Romeo and Carmen Berkley as Juliet. Tickets are available at Hartford Stage.org. Multiple student matinees for school groups are scheduled. The open captioned performance is Sunday, May 4;

: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn, 36 Main St., Essex. Book:

Course Change: The Whaleship Stonington in The Mexican-American War

. Features a talk and book signing. The purchase of the book through Goods & Curiosities at The Griswold Inn Store, 47 Main St., Essex, will serve as admission and reservation for a seat. Cost: $32.95. For info or to RSVP, call 860-767-0210 or visit griswoldinn.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 7

Mary’s Culinary Class: April Fool's Meatball "Cupcake" and Sunny Side Up "Eggs" Cupcakes

TUESDAY, APRIL 8

Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club Meeting

: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Indian River Recreation Complex Multipurpose Room, 201 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For ages 6 to 14. Hosted by the Clinton Parks and Recreation. Open to Clinton residents and nonresidents. Cost: $40. For info or to register (required), contact 203-464-8447 or marysculinaryclassesllc@gmail.com, or visit the class schedule link at marysculinaryclassesllc.com. : 9:30 a.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Route 81. Includes planning for the May plant sale and scheduling cleanup in

About Time Starting Here Starting Now Closer Than Ever.

: Goodspeed has announced two new musicals for the Terris Theatre in Chester. The season opens with a new musical revue, , by the well-known team of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire. They wrote , , and It runs from May 24 to June 15. The season concludes with which was launched at Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals. It runs Oct. 3 to 26. Seasons tickets are on sale now, with tickets for individual shows available on Tuesday, April 8, at Goodspeed.org.

NYC Notes

The Great Emu War Othello

: The new production of starring Denzel Washington and

the circle and town hall. All are welcome. For info, email Sue at susan.adinolfo@comcast.net.

The Stories, Science, and History of Trees with Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming

: 2 p.m. Online event. Book:

The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees

. Hosted by the Chester Public Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/chesterctlibrary.

The Stories, Science, and History of Trees with Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming

: 2 p.m. Online event. Book:

The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees

. Hosted by the Essex Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit libraryc.org/essexlib.

Wildlife Detectives

: 4 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For children in grades K through 4. Participants will learn how to read animal tracks, signs, and movements, then make their own wildlife track to take home. Presented by Emily Nelson, director at Bushy Hill Nature Center. For info or to register (required), call 860-6632000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Jake Gyllenhaal may have the highest listed prices (some seats are over $900), but the critics were decidedly lukewarm on the Kenny Leon-directed production. The Broadway musical may be based on the TV series about the creation of a fictional musical about Marilyn Monroe, but producers say it will be significantly different. While character names may be the same, their portrayals and characteristics will be different. New characters are also introduced and a changed storyline. The show is now in previews; it opens Thursday, April 10. Upcoming Broadway openings include the revival of , the Broadway debut of , George Clooney’s Broadway debut in , the musical about Betty Boop, and . Smash Glengarry Gleen Ross The Last Five Years

Goodnight and Good Luck, Boop! Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident.

To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle. wordpress.com. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle, the League of Professional Theater Women, and the American Theatre Critics Association.

Cookbook Club

Soup of the Day: 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year

: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Westbrook Public Library, 61 Goodspeed Dr. Book: by Kate McMillan. Attendees make a dish of their choosing from a recipe in the cookbook and bring it to the meeting. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-399-6422 or visit westbrooklibrary.org.

Pickin’ Party

: 6 to 8 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe, 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Features a performance by blues musician Ramblin’ Dan Stevens. Tickets: $5 at the door. For info, call 860-434-1961 or visit danstevens.net or musicnowfoundation.org/events.

Yoga with Martha

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Martha Smith, a certified yoga instructor and chair yoga practitioner at Body Karma Studio in Clinton. Bring a yoga mat. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Butterflies and Their Gardens

: 7:15 p.m. United Church of Chester, 29 W. Main St. Presented by John Himmelman, author, illustrator, and naturalist. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chester Public Library. For info, contact 860-526-0018 or library@chesterct.org.

See page 32

Page Turners E

very 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.

— Roxanne, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison Lion bySonyaWalger

WaitingontheMoon byPeterWolf

I picked up the book for its cover and was rewarded with exquisite writing, energy, and style that was fresh and fabulous. A story of how we navigate and love a parent despite...Wonderful!!

Peter Wolf is famous as the legendary lead singer of the J. Geils Band, but did you know that he is also a fantastic storyteller? His memoir flows as a series of vignettes that evoke not just the time and place but the mood. A great read!

— Marilyn, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

Superbloom byNicholasCarr

If you’re one of the many currently reconsidering your relationship with technology and social media, Nicholas Carr’s is a must-read! From the telegraph to Facebook, Carr takes a closer look at the promise these technologies held versus their imperfect realities. really inspired me to be more intentional about my communication and more mindful about how I spend my time.

Superbloom

Superbloom — Abby, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

Kate&Frida byKimFay

This epistolary novel follows two young women in 1990s Seattle and Paris who discover the power of books and friendship as they struggle to find their place in the world. It’s as uplifting and comforting as a warm hug.

— Karen, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

Page Turners

Continued from page 30

NineteenSteps byMillieBrown

NoneofThisisTrue byLisaJewell

Nellie Morris lives in East End London during WWII. Dreaming of a bigger life, she finds herself in the midst of war, surrounded by tragedy, love, and hope. Inspired by Millie Bobby Brown’s family experience during the Bethel Green tube station disaster in 1943, is a coming-of-age story showcasing resilience and community.

—Jackie, Griswold Inn Store, Essex

Nineteen Steps

A psychological thriller, an unreliable narrator, and twists and turns that don’t stop are what you can expect from Lisa Jewell’s latest book. Alix, a popular podcaster, meets Josie, a stranger who convinces her to make it on the podcast. First impressions are of perfection, but quickly, Alix starts to question what’s real, and the reader starts to question Josie’s intentions.

— Jackie, Griswold Inn Store, Essex

Abundance byEzraKleinandDerekThompson

This is the next current issues book that every citizen should read—right before calling your state and local reps. There is enough to go around as long as we embrace this ideology right away.

— Mel, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

TheStorySheLeftBehind byPattiCallahanHenry

Another enchanting novel of historical fiction by Patti Callahan Henry! Clara is 8 years old when her mother—a child prodigy author—disappears, leaving Clara and her father heartbroken. Now, with a daughter of her own, Clara is an illustrator, living quietly in a place she loves until she receives a phone call that will take her to England in search of her mother. A beautiful story of love thought lost and love found.

— Marilyn, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison

Venezuelan Trumpet Virtuoso Pacho Flores

Headlines Woolsey Hall

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will kick off summer concerts with ”Danzas Sinfónicas,” a program highlighting the rhythmic and expressive power of Latin American symphonic music, on Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m. at Woolsey Hall. Under the direction of Music Director Perry So, the concert will feature internationally renowned trumpet soloist Pacho Flores, a three-time Latin Grammy nominee making his highly anticipated NHSO debut.

Celebrating Latin America’s rich musical and dance traditions, the concert will feature elegant Cuban danzón in Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, energetic tango in Daniel Freiberg’s Historias de Flores y Tangos, and Andean folk influences in Gabriela Lena Frank’s Escaramuza. Silvestre Revueltas’s Sensemayá will pulse with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and Alberto Ginastera’s Four Dances from Estancia will evoke the powerful malambo dance of Argentina’s pampas.

Music Director Perry So says “We open our summer programming with a blockbuster concert constructed from the powerful symphonic repertoire of our closest geographical neighbors - Latin America. Dance music is everywhere on the program, and the essence of this music is how carefully poised it is between dance on the one hand and impeccable artistry on the other. I am always initially drawn into this music by the driving rhythms

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Concert by the Yardbirds

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9

Community Forum with First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons and Comptroller Sean Scanlon

: 7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org. : 8:30 to 10 a.m. Madison Senior Center, 29 Bradley Rd. Covers key updates on the town of Madison, Connecticut’s economic outlook, and additional insights from the comptroller’s office about the state’s labor and housing markets, as well as projections for the General Fund, Special Transportation Fund, and Budget Reserve Fund. Includes light breakfast and beverages. For info or to register, visit madisonct.com.

How Shall We Live?

: 9:30 a.m. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. Presented by Terri Eickel, executive director of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network. Part of the church’s Griswold Forum series of lectures. For info, contact 860-434-1621 or office@saintannsoldlyme.org.

Volunteer Open House

: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hills Academy History Center, 22 Prospect St., Essex. Features a meet-and-greet event to welcome individuals who want to volunteer with Essex Historical Society. No registration needed. For info, visit essexhistory.org/events.

and soaring melodies but find myself digging deeper and deeper into their engagement with some of the weightiest chapters of our shared hemispheric history. We are joined in the second half by my friend and hermano, Pacho Flores, the trumpet virtuoso with the most beautiful, heartbreaking tone I know, and he brings with him two concertos written especially for him to close this season.”

Pacho Flores will make his NHSO debut, performing two concertos written especially for him by Arturo Márquez and Daniel Freiberg, showcasing his extraordinary technical command and expressive artistry. Flores has established himself as one of the foremost trumpeters of his generation. He was awarded first prize in the Maurice André International Trumpet Competition, the most prestigious competition of its kind, along with top prizes in the Philip Jones and Cittá di Porcia competitions. A product of Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema music program, Flores has performed as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide, including the NHK Orchestra of Japan, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kyiv.

Flores has received multiple Latin Grammy nominations for his albums, which feature collaborations with major composers such as Arturo Márquez, Paquito D’Rivera, Roberto Sierra, Efraín Oscher, Christian Lindberg, and Daniel Freiberg, and performances with renowned orchestras including the Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin, Arctic Philharmonic, Real Filharmonía de Galicia, and Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería.

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

: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School, 80 Old Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook. For grades 2 to 4. Led by Old Saybrook High School senior Lila Cadley and assisted by Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services staff. Snacks and juice provided. Student pickup will be in front of the school at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited. Other dates: Wednesdays, April 23 and April 30. For info or to register, visit the link for afterschool clubs/half-day trips at Goodwin at osyfs.org.

: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. For children ages 8 and older to learn basic cooking skills and new recipes to make for the family. All supplies provided. Parents of participants are requested to disclose any allergies during registration. Funded by the Old Saybrook Public Health Nursing Board, Presented by public health nutritionist Kathy Cobb. Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Market Your Small Business Using Podcasts:

5:30 to 7 p.m. Online event. Presented by podcast producer Jason Connell. Free. Hosted by SCORE Eastern Connecticut. For info or to register, visit score.org/easternct.

Celebrate Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Phoebe and Her Unicorn

: 4:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For children ages 10 and up. In celebration of National Unicorn Day and the books by Dana Simpson. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Lenten Soup Supper

: 6 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 109 Main St., Centerbrook. Features a light supper and fellowship, followed by a Lenten message. Takes place Wednesdays through April 9. All are welcome. For info, call 860-767-0228 or visit tlccenterbrook.org.

Reusable Bag Printing with Shell & Bee

: 6 to 7 p.m.

Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. For ages 12 and older. Led by instructors from Shell & Bee. No previous experience needed. For info or to register (required), call 860-526-6039 or visit deepriverlibrary.libcal.com. : 6 to

Tired but Trying: Taming the Flames of Burnout

7 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services (OSYFS), 322 Main St. Facilitated by Brittany Eckert, certified prevention specialist. For adults only, no children. No registration required. For info, contact 860-510-5051 or brittany.eckert@oldsaybrookct.gov.

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Press Release from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra

Photo courtesy of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra Trumpet virtuoso Pacho Flores will headline the NHSO's “Danzas Sinfónicas” at Woolsey Hall.

Hollywood Gems: Swing Time

Mighty Mindsets

Grub Club

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Fused Glass Garden Panel

: 6 to 9 p.m.

RiverFire Glass Studio at SoMA, 500 Main St., Deep River. Features a two-part class. After the first firing, participants will bring everything together in the second session (Wednesday, April 16) and assemble their full garden panel before its final firing. Once complete, the glass garden will be ready for pickup in about 10 days. Closedtoe shoes, long pants, and safety glasses are required. Bring an N95 facemask in case glass powder is involved in the class. No prior experience required. Cost: $190. Service fees apply. For info or to register, call 860-864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.

Preparing for the Golf Season

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by physical therapist Corey Podbielski. For info or to register (required), call 203-2457365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Author Event: Barbara “Babs” Costello

:

7 p.m. First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. Book:

Every Day with Babs: 101 Family-Friendly Dinner for Every Day of the Week

. Cost: $38 admission for one and a copy of the book, $5 companion ticket. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

National Theatre Live in HD:

Dr. Strangelove

: 7 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Shown on The Kate’s big screen. Running time: 180 minutes. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

Vincent Van Gogh: From Paris to Arles to Eternity

: 11 a.m. Via Zoom. Presented by Bob Potter, art historian at the Lyme Academy of Art and docent at the Yale Center for British Art. Hosted by Madison Art Society. For info or to register (required to receive the Zoom link), email Marianne@RTDTECH.com.

Small Business Loans: Issues and Options

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

Sara Levine Helps Kick Off National Library Week

Local author Sara Levine will help kick off National Library Week at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, on Sunday, April 6. Levine will read from her latest book, Hello Dog/Hello Human, plus her award-winning picture book Bone by Bone. Afterward, kids will be invited to participate in an activity involving animals and their skeletons. Breakwater Books will be on hand with plenty of Sara’s books for sale and signing. Registration is requested. This event is free, for all ages, and all are welcome. For more details and to register, call 203-488-8702, email staff@wwml.org, or visit www.wwml.org/events/author-event-saralevine.

Local author Sara Levine will help kick off National Library Week at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, on Sunday, April 6. Photo courtesy of Sara Levine

: Noon to

3 p.m.

Fused Glass Garden Panel the class. No prior experience required. Cost: $190. Service fees apply. For info or to register, call 860-864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.

RiverFire Glass Studio at SoMA, 500 Main St., Deep River. Features a two-part class. After the first firing, participants will bring everything together in the second session (Thursday, April 17), and assemble their full garden panel before its final firing. Once complete, the glass garden will be ready for pickup in about 10 days. Closed-toe shoes, long pants, and safety glasses are required. Bring an N95 facemask in case glass powder is involved in

Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder/ Asperger Syndrome. Free and open to residents of Old Saybrook and surrounding towns. For info, or to register, call OSYFS at 860-395-3190 or email counselor Joanne Baker Deal at joannebakerdeal@gmail.com.

Homeschool Day: Little Universes

: 1 to 3 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Features a hands-on lesson to peek into the lives of insects, baby insects, and microscopic critters that call the Connecticut River home. Part of Homeschool Days, a drop-off program for homeschool learners ages 6 to 12 and their families to learn about the history and natural environment of the Connecticut River through hands-on activities. Refunds will be given with a 24-hour notice. Payment will be refunded in the event of a weather-related cancellation. For info or reservations (required), call 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.

Container Gardening

: 6 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Covers how to select the best containers, choose the right plants, and design a layout that showcases a specific style. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Life and Loss Along the Connecticut River

: 6 to 7 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Presented by Ben James, an audio and print journalist based in western Massachusetts. Part of the Live from the Boathouse lectures. Cost: free for members, $5 for nonmembers. Virtual participation via Zoom is an option. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 13

Con Brio Choral Society Concert with Festival Orchestra and Soloist Ransom Bruce

: Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. In honor of the retirement of Stephen Bruce, music director, and Susan Saltus, associate music director. Tickets: $40. For info or tickets, call 860-526-5399 or visit conbrio.org.

: 12:30 to 2 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services (OSYFS), 322 Main St. A second session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. also takes place via Zoom. Part of the monthly support group meetings for parents and grandparents of children diagnosed with Transitions into Adolescence and Adulthood

page 34

Book cover courtesy of Sara Levine

Press release from Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library

Photo courtesy of Sara Levine

Continued from page 33

ONGOING EVENTS

Art Exhibits

Andrews Memorial Town Hall:

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

Clinton Art Society 2025 Winter Juried Members Artists

: Runs through April 24.

Chauncey Stillman Gallery

The Highliner III:

139 Essex Rd., Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-5042 or visit thehighliner3.com. Fridays and Saturdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Live music. Second and fourth Thursdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Open mic.

The Tap Room at The Griswold Inn:

36 Main St., Essex. No cover charge. For info, call 860-767-1776 or visit griswoldinn.com.

Fridays: 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Psychedelic ‘60s.

Bingo:

6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The Estuary, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook. Cost: $12 per person. For info, call 860-3881611.

: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Third Thursday. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. All ages welcome. For info, contact 860-526-0018 or ChesterKidLib@gmail.com.

Show True to Form: Academic Figure Studies from the Late 19th to Early 20th Centuries

The Wharf:

: Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, 84 Lyme St., South Lot, Old Lyme: For info, visit lymeacademy.edu.

: Runs through April 27.

Connecticut River Museum

River Ballads: Artwork by Barbara Hocker

: 67 Main St., Essex: For info, call 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org. : Runs through May 18.

Flat Rock Gallery

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

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

Spectrum Art Gallery

: 61 Main St., Centerbrook: For info, call 860-767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org.

Good Morning, Good Night

: Runs through May 3.

Susan Powell Fine Art

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

Spring into Art

: Runs through April 26.

Vincent Giarrano: City Color

David Dunlop: Quest for Radiance

: Runs May 2 through May 31. : Runs June 6 through July 6.

Village Herbery

: 14 Union St., Deep River: For info, visit rivervalleyartists.com.

8x8 Paintings by the River Valley Artists

Music

Bill’s Seafood Restaurant:

: Runs through May 11. Rte. 1, Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-7224 or visit BillsSeafood.com.

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

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

Nightingale’s Acoustic Café:

68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Donation $5 to $10 at the door. For info, email gstevens@musicnowfoundation.org or visit musicnowfoundation.org.

Tuesdays: 6 to 8 p.m. Ramblin’ Dan Stevens. Last Friday: 7 to 9 p.m. Teen Open Mic. Sweet Saturday Nights: 7 to 9 p.m. Various performers.

The Choo Choo Lounge at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina:

2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-3952000.

Thursdays and Sundays: 6 to 9 p.m. Live music.

Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. For info, call 203-350-0014 or visit thewharfmadison.com. Fridays: 8 to 10 p.m. Acoustic Fridays. Various performers.

Board Game Club Books on Tap Book Club:

6 to 7 p.m. Second Wednesday. Myrcene Ale Co., 39 Ragged Rock Rd., Old Saybrook. Free and open to patrons ages 21 and up. Sponsored by the Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Groups and Activities

A Journey Through America’s Past:

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

Acoustics Club:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. On temporary break for winter. Bring your own acoustic instrument. No registration required. For info, call 203245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group:

5 to 6 p.m.

Second Tuesday. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Free. No registration. For info, call 860-767-1560.

American Girl Doll Club:

6 to 6:45 p.m. First Thursday. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children in grades 1 through 4. Dolls don’t have to be American Girl. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Art Critique Series (General Critique Session):

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

Art Critique Series (Special-Themed Session):

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

Arts and Entertainment with Deborah Gilbert:

6 p.m.

Tuesdays. Valley Shore Community Television Inc., 1587 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. For info, call 203-912-2319 or visit vsctv.com.

Ask-A-Lawyer: A Free Legal Clinic:

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Second Tuesday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Bereaved Parents USA and PS It Hurts Support Group:

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

Chair Yoga with Martha:

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

Chester Blood Pressure Clinic:

2 to 3 p.m. Third Tuesday. Chester Town Hall community room, 203 Middlesex Ave. Free for Chester seniors and community members. For info, contact Public Health Nurse Sherry Carlson at 860-661-3300 or Scarlson@crahd.net.

Coastal Camera Club Meeting:

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

Coloring and Conversation:

2 to 3 p.m. First Monday. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Registration is suggested. For info or to register, contact Cindy Baklik at 860-395-3184 or cbaklik@actonlibrary.org, or visit actonlibrary.org.

Community Breakfast

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

Compassion Kits:

4 p.m. Wednesdays. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Participants knit and/or crochet items for charity. Needles, yarn, and patterns are provided, but participants may bring their own. For info, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Cookbook Club:

6 to 7:30 p.m. Fourth Tuesday. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Free and open to all. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

6 p.m. Third Tuesday. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Free and open to ages 14 and up. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Craft Night: Craft of the Month:

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

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Future Choices 2025 Exhibition

Goodspeed Musicals Announces 2025 Season at Terris Theatre

Press Release from Goodspeed Musicals

Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals announces a season of two brand-new musicals at the Terris Theatre in Chester. One is the latest from a Tony, Oscar, and Grammy-winning songwriting team who have a long history with the theatre, and the other is a new musical homegrown through Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals. Both musicals are at the early stages of their lives, and the teams will focus on developing the work throughout their time at the Terris. With audience feedback, changes will be made to both the book and score, which is a hallmark of the Terris Theatre. To allow as much flexibility for change as possible, the set and costumes will be kept simple so the show can change daily if necessary. The season will open with the heartfelt new musical revue , which will run from May 24 to June 15. At first, they were . After a few years, they were Now, decades later, the legendary awardwinning writing team of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire complete the trilogy they didn’t know they were creating... . From long-ago love affairs and ambitions of the past to techsavvy grandkids and lost keys, this funny and touching revue features all new songs about people navigating the joys and challenges of growing older while staying young in spirit.

About Time

Starting Here, Starting Now Closer Than Ever

About Time

About Time

Baby Big

Starting Here Starting Now Closer Than Ever Norma Rae

Saturday Night Fever

The Story of My Life The 60’s Project Miss Saigon The Story of My Life Fosse Big Baby Ain’t Misbehavin’

About Time

Starting Here Starting Now Closer Than Ever

features music by Academy and Grammy Award-winner David Shire (Broadway: , ; Off-Broadway: , ; ; Film: (Academy Award for Best Song), (two Grammy Awards for Album Of The Year)) with lyrics by Tony Award-winning director Richard Maltby, Jr. (The Terris: , ; Broadway: , , , , , (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical)). Maltby will also direct the musical. completes a trilogy about life by Maltby and Shire that began in 1976 with , , and continued in 1989 with . The production will feature choreography and musical staging by Tony-nominated Marcia Milgrom Dodge (The Goodspeed: , Broadway: ).

The Great Emu War

On the Town Ragtime

The Great Emu War

The season will conclude with a new “EMUsical” comedy, , which will run Oct. 3 to 26. Remember that one time that the Australian government sent their army with machine guns

to wage war on emus in Western Australia? Neither do most people…but when Edith, the headstrong warbler, and her flock begin to feed on the wheat of local farmers—the humans take up arms against Australia’s favorite feathered friends. Think of it as Cats but with emus. It’s the most emusing 90 minutes you’ll have in any theatre…don’t miss it! features a book by Cal Silberstein, a West Australian writer, performer, producer, and dramaturg whose works have been performed in the United States and beyond. Music and lyrics are by Paul Hodge, an award-winning writer-composer from Brisbane whose work has been produced Off-Broadway, in London, Edinburgh, and Australia, including at the Sydney Opera House. The Great Emu War will be directed and choregraphed by Amy Anders Corcoran

(The Goodspeed: Christmas in Connecticut; Broadway: Escape to Margaritaville, associate director; Off-Broadway: Unexpected Joy).

“We are proud to play a significant role in the future of musical theatre through our commitment to new musical development,” said Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton. “At The Terris Theatre, there is a wonderful synergy of writers putting their work in front of an audience for the first time and an audience that is eager to see something new and help shape it through their feedback. The result is not just an entertaining evening, but an investment in the future that comes with bragging rights to tell the world, ‘I saw it first at Goodspeed!’”

For the past 41 years, The Terris Theatre has been Goodspeed’s home for developing fresh, innovative, and original new

musicals. Many new and reimagined musicals have been developed in Chester before moving on to Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, and other regional theatres. Audiences are invited to “see it here first” and enjoy being part of creating brand-new musicals.

Season tickets for shows at The Terris Theatre are on sale now for just $66. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, April 8. Goodspeed Memberships for 2025 are available now and provide many benefits to donors at both the Terris Theatre and Goodspeed. For more information, call the Goodspeed box office at 860-873-8668, open weekdays 10 a.m to 5 p.m., or visit www.goodspeed.org.

The Terris Theatre is supported by The Norma Terris/Albert D. Firestone Foundation.

Image courtesy of Goodspeed Musicals

Image courtesy of Goodspeed Musicals The season will conclude with a new “EMUsical” comedy, The Great Emu War, which will run Oct. 3 to 26.

The season will open with the heartfelt new musical revue About Time, which will run from May 24 to June 15.

Continued from page 34

Creative Craft Night

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

Creative Writing Group:

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

Discussion Group: The Atlantic Magazine:

10:30 a.m.

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

Duplicate Bridge:

6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. First Church of Christ in Saybrook, Congregational, 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-388-0693.

Ekphrastic Poetry Trust:

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

F3 Shoreline Men’s Bootcamp Workout:

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

Family Support Group:

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

Fiber Arts Club:

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

Forever Young: A Young Adult Book Club:

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

French Conversation Group:

3 to 4 p.m. Mondays. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Drop-ins welcome. For info, call 860-767-1560.

Friday Movie Matinee:

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

Future Artists:

9:30 to 10 a.m. Fourth Monday. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560.

Genealogy Interest Group:

2:30 to 4 p.m. Second and fourth Tuesdays. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Drop-ins welcome. For info, call 860-767-1560.

Genealogy with Marcy Fuller:

6 to 8 p.m. Fourth Tuesday. Westbrook Public Library, 61 Goodspeed Dr. No appointment necessary. For info, call the library at 860399-6422.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group:

5:30 to 7 p.m. Fourth Monday. The Estuary, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook. Facilitated by the Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services clinical staff. Hosted by The Estuary in collaboration with the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Registration is not required. For info, visit events.hchlibrary.org.

Guitar Club:

12:30 p.m. Mondays. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Bring your own instruments. No registration required. For info, call 203245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

iPhone Photography Collaborative:

6:30 p.m. First Monday. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. All levels are welcome. No registration required. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Jigsaw Puzzle Meet Up and Swap:

Noon to 3 p.m. Second Sunday. Myrcene Ale Co., 39 Ragged Rock Rd., Old Saybrook. No cost to join but must bring a jigsaw puzzle to swap. Co-hosted with Old Tyme Toys. For info, visit oldsaybrookchamber.com.

La Leche Virtual Meetings:

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

Lego Club

: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. For info, contact the library at 860526-0018 or library@chesterct.org.

Lego STEM Club:

5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Second or fourth Tuesday. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children in grades 1 through 4. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Letter Writing Social:

1 to 5 p.m. First Friday. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Writing implements, stationery, postcards, and stamps available. No registration. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Love2Sign with Jaye:

10:45 a.m. Thursdays. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children ages 6 months to 6 years. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Madison Movie Chat:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. First and third Mondays. Via Zoom. Sponsored by the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Maker Meet-up:

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

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays. Green Hill Martial Arts, 273 Rte. 81, Killingworth. For ages 13 and up. For info, visit greenhillmartialarts.org.

Martial Arts Class: Adult Combat Hapkido Master Gardener Clinic:

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

Meditation Class:

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

Meet-up Mondays:

1:30 p.m. Mondays. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Features board games, coloring, puzzles, and more. Light refreshments. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Mindful Monday Meditation:

9:30 a.m. Mondays. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Presented by the Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. For info or to register, call the library at 860-526-0018.

Mini and Me Yoga with Samantha:

9:30 a.m. Mondays. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. Space is limited. For info, contact 860-526-0018 or ChesterKidLib@gmail.com.

Mommy and Me: Music and Movement:

9:30 a.m. Fridays. Ivoryton Library, 106 Main St. Dads and grandparents are welcome, too. For info, contact the library at 860-767-1252 or staff@ivorytonlibrary.org.

Music with Margie:

11 a.m. Fridays. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For children and their family members. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Needlework Group:

4 p.m. Mondays. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Drop-ins welcome. For info, call 860-767-1560.

Theater

Annapurna

: Drama Works Theatre Company, 323 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Runs through April 6. For info, contact 860-876-2020 or info@dramaworkstheatre.org, or visit dramaworkstheatre.org.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway:

Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Runs through April 27. For info, call 860-7677318 or visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.

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

Real estate

A Sanctuary of Convenience and Elegance

Staff Report

Experience the convenience of one-level living in this impeccably maintained home, where pride of ownership shines in every corner.

A gracious entry welcomes you into the open and airy floor plan of this bright, classically designed residence. The heart of the home is the great room, bathed in natural light from numerous windows and anchored by an inviting wood-burning fireplace made more captivating by its floor-to-ceiling stonework.

Entertaining is a delight in the state-of-the-art kitchen, featuring a large granite island, chef-grade stainless appliances, gas range, wine fridge, and functional pantry. The generous dining area is perfect for hosting large gatherings or enjoying intimate dinner parties.

Sliding glass doors off the dining area open to a private rear deck and sunroom, offering a serene retreat during the warmer months and easy access to leisurely swims in the pool. The primary bedroom suite on the main level is a haven of luxury, complete with a luscious bath and sliding doors leading to private deck—fulfilling the high demand for one-level comfort. A spacious mudroom with laundry and half bath complete the main level’s thoughtful layout.

Descend the handsome staircase to the lower level, where flexibility meets function. Two well-sized bedrooms and large full bath are complemented by two additional flex rooms, perfect for a home office, craft room, or exercise space. Summer days are a dream with the above-ground pool and outdoor shower, set within easy reach of the Connecticut shoreline’s many delights. This property is a sanctuary of convenience and elegance. This home is being offered for sale by William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty for $875,000. For more information or a showing, contact Amy Kirst at 203-641-6000 or Sue Knapp at 203-824-4452.

Entertaining is a delight in the state-of-the-art kitchen, featuring a large granite island, chefgrade stainless appliances, gas range, wine fridge, and functional pantry.

The heart of the home is the great room, bathed in natural light from numerous windows and anchored by an inviting wood-burning fireplace made more captivating by its floor-toceiling stonework.

Experience the convenience of one-level living in this impeccably maintained home, where pride of ownership shines in every corner.

CHESTER

: Shirley B Miceli Lt and Nancy M. Watkins to Sandra Krasnitski, $280,000 on March 10

: Christopher P. and Patricia A. Buiten to Carley J. Buiten, $276,000 on March 10

: Frank C. Twombly and Joseph E. Olson to Kaitlyn H. Cherry and Kathryn M. Kelly, $750,000 on March 11

: Wtby 5 Dev LLC to Anthony M. and Sheila M. Serra, $465,000 on March 13

59 Shailer Pond Road

: Brian R. and Melissa L. Schenck to Shawn and Sarah Gray, $725,000 on March 11

181 Westbrook Road

: Daniel S.

Savoie to Manuel Poguio and Monica Gonzalez, $250,000 on Feb. 3

ESSEX

WESTBROOK

15 Economy Drive Unit 8

: Peter J.

Pielli to Teresa Munson, $184,000 on March 14

OLD SAYBROOK

7 Falls River Circle

: Mitchel Seven

LLC to Aaron C. and Teresa A. Von Staats, $295,000 on March 14

121 Saybrook Road

: Us Bank Na to Jennifer V. Scoter, $745,000 on March 12

1 Connolly Drive

: Estate of

Wilhelmina J. Sieffert and Douglas A. Sieffert to Adam Szirtes and Mariya E. Moskovets, $397,000 on March 10 : Sylvia Tungvaag to Barry Weissman, $400,000 on March 11

9 Deerfield Road

35 Sherwood Terrace

: Marjorie G. Hart to Richard C. and Lisa M. Parmelee, $610,000 on March 11

CLINTON

24 Beach Road

: Shawn Gray to Bernard Campbell and Bryan P. Kupke, $359,000 on March 10

22 Ben Merrill Road

: Amanda Gamache and Ryan S. Mitchell to Matthew J. Amatruda and Hannah Hoxworth, $460,000 on March 13

14 Chittenden Hill Road

: Kendra Tyska and Benjamin Corbett to Carmine and Carmine P. Valentino, $317,500 on March 12

Lantern Court Unit 205

: Lgdbgd LLC to Carol Wheeler, $330,000 on March 11

16 Woodland Drive

: Mark S. Koelle to Michael W. Allen and Yohana F. Ramirez, $370,000 on March 11

KILLINGWORTH

: William Farrow to Curtis Gonzalez and Alyidar

LUCAS, REALTOR®