August 7, 2025
Chester, Deep River, & Essex
Vol. XXV Iss. 32
Residents Weigh In on Cell Tower Location
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer CHESTER
A new cell tower is coming to Chester — the only question is where.
At a public hearing on July 29, residents gathered at Chester Town Hall to hear a presentation from Homeland Towers, the company proposing to build the tower, and to
raise questions about the project’s timeline, site selection, and potential health effects.
But by the end of the night, town officials made one thing clear: the public will have the chance to vote on whether to approve a tower on town-owned land at 16 Grote Road — but if that vote fails, the project will likely move to private land instead.
“There will be a cell tower in Chester,”
First Selectwoman Cindy Lignar told attendees. “This vote is about whether it’s placed on town property or not.”
The proposed tower — which would stand 130 feet tall and include an 8-foot fenced
See Residents Weigh In page 9
Dragon Sighting in Essex
Gracie the Water Dragon, an artistic sculpture by Christopher Owens, floats on Sunset Pond in Essex on Aug. 3. The eye-catching creation drew drivers to pull over and snap photos. Owens is also known for crafting the illuminated stars that appear in Chester each holiday season.
PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ ValleyCourier
Dave Viggiano: Old Saybrook’s Favorite Farmstand
By Eric O'Connell
Staff Writer
For the past 25 years, Dave Viggiano has been a proud steward of Viggiano Fruits and Vegetables, a farmstand that has been a staple of the Old Saybrook community for nearly 140 years.
Harbor News
“My grandfather was the one who started the stand in 1885,” Dave tells the , taking a break in the shade beside the stand. “He was a farmer and he had a vineyard; they’d go and sell their wine in New Haven or New London.”
Eventually, Dave’s grandfather opened a farmstand on Route One, approximately where the Cuckoo’s Nest restaurant stands today. Since 2007, the stand has been located in the parking lot of Atlantic Seafood at 1400 Boston Post Road. Open seasonally from May 1 to Halloween, the stand sells fresh fruits and vegetables, annuals, perennials, flowers, and plants. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Person of the Week
Though the 18-acre farm once owned by his grandfather is no longer around, the stand itself has stood the test of time. Ownership has remained in the family, and Dave took over about 25 years ago.
“Growing up I was always on the farm,” Dave says. “I took over running the stand in 2000, and we’re still here.”
Now retired, Dave previously spent four decades working in the insurance industry. Even then, he still made time for the family business.
“I worked at Liberty Mutual for 40 years, but even then, after working all day I’d come to the stand or the farm and help until about 6:00 with whatever needed
to be done,” he recalls.
Running the stand is no simple feat. Dave typically leaves his home in Chester around 4:45 a.m. to visit local growers in Old Lyme, Portland, and even Hartford depending on the crops he’s seeking. After picking up produce, he makes it to Old Saybrook to open the stand by 8 a.m. Most days, he doesn’t get back home until 6:30 p.m.
“It’s a lot of long hours and 13hour days,” he says.
But for Dave, it’s worth it.
“My favorite part is just working at the stand and dealing with the customers. Some of them are people I’ve been seeing for five months a year for many years,” he says.
Even some of the vendors he buys from have long-standing relationships with the Viggiano family.
“We buy a lot from Gotta’s Farm in Portland. We’ve been
See Dave page 6
Photo by Sharon Ruzycki
For the past 25 years, Dave Viggiano has been a proud steward of Viggiano Fruits and Vegetables, a farmstand that has been a staple of the Old Saybrook community for nearly 140 years.
Every few years, technology takes a significant leap forward. The Doctors of Audiology at County Hearing and Balance use this new technology to help improve your hearing in ways never even imagined just a few years ago. Sound is crisp, clear, and more natural, providing a truly advanced listening experience.
Trust your hearing to a Doctor of Audiology at County Hearing and Balance. We are the area’s oldest, locally owned, full service Audiology Center. We provide a professional and thorough assessment of your hearing ability and provide several options if improvement is needed. If hearing aids are necessary, we work with several of the largest manufacturers to ensure that you are getting the right instrument for your hearing loss, at the right price. Plus we participate or process most insurance and discount plans, including Medicare, Medicare supplements, Anthem, United Health, Tricare, Aetna, Sterling, Connecticare and AARP.
Waterford 167 Parkway North 860-443-6944 Old Saybrook 900 Boston Post Road 860-388-0022 Groton 495 Route 184
8:30-9AM
10AM NOW & PBA KIDS FUN RUN Start: Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center
10AM-2PM ART BY SIMONE FACEPAINTING 11AM-2PM BALLOONS BY BELLA
WONDERFUL WADDLE SCAVENGER HUNT - Win a BMX Bike & School Supplies
CELEBRITY DUNK TANK - $5 / 2 Throws or Guaranteed Dunk for $20
DUCK MOBILE Pluck A Duck Raffle Tickets, Cold Water for Sale + Stop for Photos
XEN’S CRITTERS PETTING ZOO, BOUNCE HOUSES, 15+ VENDORS,
Competing in Championships
Chester’s Emma Scherber was one of four swimmers from the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swim team to qualify for a championship meet after the long course swim season 12
Regulating Fishing
Ahoy! Check out a sneak peak of Captain Morgan’s weekly fishing column 14
A Rugby Star
Churchill Roberts found a passion for rugby in seventh grade, and he has become a standout for the Shoreline
13
have kids from all different socioeconomic, family, and religious backgrounds,
Local
Essex, Chester, & Deep River’s Hometown Newspaper
in 2001
Published by Shore Publishing, LLC ©2025 All
GrabaSpaceattheFallMarket
Winthrop Baptist Church, 444 Winthrop Road, Deep River, will host its Fall Community Market on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will feature handcrafted items, artisan goods, vintage finds, tag sale treasures, and more. Vendor spaces are available in two sizes: 10x10-foot spaces for $15 and 20x20-foot spaces for $30 during early bird registration. Prices increase after Aug. 16. Space reservations close on Sept. 13 or when full. The rain date is Saturday, Sept. 27.For more information or to reserve a space, visit www.winthropbaptist.org/fall-market, call 860-526-5241, or email office@winthropbaptist.org.
Wanted:SculptureSubmissionforArtontheLawn
The Essex Historical Society (EHS) is seeking sculpture submissions for the featured Art on the Lawn at Pratt House, 19 West Avenue, Essex, for the months of September and October. With the fall season, EHS has a preference for a display of a piece or pieces that reflect its spooky season programming. Works must be stable and able to withstand the elements, are subject to committee review, must be appropriate for public display, and may not have political affiliation. Works are not permanent. For more information, contact Kate Savage at 860-767-0681 or membership@essexhistory.org.
ESSEX TOWN MEETINGS
Tuesday,Aug.12
Thursday,Aug.7
Region #4 Board of Education
Tuesday,Aug.12
Stormwater (MS4) Working Group Retirement Board
Inland Wetlands Commission
Wednesday,Aug.13
Economic Development Commission
Thursday,Aug.14
Conservation Commission
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: : 4 p.m. (if needed) : 11 a.m. : 5 p.m. : 7 p.m. : 4 p.m. : 6 p.m.
DEEP RIVER TOWN MEETINGS
Board of Selectmen
Wednesday,Aug.13
Parks and Recreation Commission
Thursday,Aug.14
Housing Authority
Deep River Sustainable CT Committee
Thursday,Aug.7
Region #4 Board of Education
Firehouse Building Committee
Monday,Aug.11
Transfer Station Committee
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: : 4 p.m. (if needed) : 6 p.m. : 6:30 p.m. : 6:30 p.m.
Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission
CHESTER TOWN MEETINGS
Thursday,Aug.7
Region #4 Board of Education
Tuesday,Aug.11
Conservation Commission Energy Team Board of Selectmen
Wednesday,Aug.13
Citation Review Board
Thursday,Aug.14
Planning and Zoning Commission
Library Board of Trustees : 6:30 p.m. : 7 p.m. : 4 p.m. : 5 p.m. : 7 p.m.
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: : 4 p.m. (if needed) : 5:30 p.m. : 2 p.m. : 6 p.m.
Obituaries
Obituary
Robert Gustafson
Essex
Robert Walter "Bob" Gustafson, 90, of Essex, passed away on July 5, 2025. He was born on June 13, 1935, in Providence, Rhode Island.
Bob graduated from Cranston High School and received the Bausch & Lomb medal for science. He attended the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his degree in civil engineering with top honors and participated in the ROTC. There he met his future wife, Barbara Hopkins.
Bob served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, in the Army Corps of Engineers, where he trained recruits. He then proudly served six years in the Army Reserves.
He and Barbara settled in Milford, where they raised their family. He dedicated his career to Southern New England Telephone Company. The family moved to Guilford and then, upon retirement, moved to Essex.
Bob was passionate about woodworking and made anything from furniture to kitchen cabinets and porches for each
of his homes. Amongst his hobbies were gardening, fishing, and small boating. He actively supported his children’s interests in swimming and art. Bob and Barbara especially enjoyed visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, where he photographed ideas for restoring his historic home. His retirement years were spent traveling throughout the U.S., as well as the United Kingdom, Italy, and Austria.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Gustafson; his children, Dee Gustafson, (Andy Kaplan) of Cranston, Rhode Island, Sarah Gustafson-Spaner, (Michael Spaner) of Deep River, Susannah Gustafson Stout, (Graham Stout) of Glasgow, Scotland, and Gregory Gustafson (Caroline Cochran) of Memphis, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Sophie and Linette Spaner, and Matthew and Calum Stout. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sigfrid Gustafson and Agnes Martin Gustafson. Bob was known for his good nature and caring personality. He especially enjoyed time with his family and meeting new people. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Details regarding a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
RTPEstuaryCenterSummerCampBonusWeek
Registration is open for the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) summer camp bonus adventure week Monday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp will take place at RTPEC, 100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to register for just one day or an entire week of discovery. Spaces are limited. The camp is for children ages 5 to 10. The cost is $60 for each day or $300 for the week. For more information or to register, visit ctaudubon.org/rtpprograms-events.
GAL77thAnnualJuriedExhibitandSale
The Guilford Art League (GAL) welcomes exhibiting artists for its 77th annual juried exhibit and sale to be held at Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, from Monday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 27. The show is open to Connecticut artists working in all media including oils, watercolor, pastels, acrylics, sculpture, collage, mixed media, printmaking, and photography. It will be juried by Laura Leonard, curator at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. Several monetary prizes and notable awards will be announced at the opening reception on Friday, Sept. 12, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Artists are invited to enter up to two pieces of art. Entry fees for GAL members are $20 for one entry or $30 for two; for non-members, the fees are $30 for one entry or $40 for two. Entries must be delivered to the gallery at the Guilford Art Center on Saturday, Sept. 6, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Accepted works will be posted on the GAL website by Sept. 8. To download entry forms or the prospectus, visit guilfordartleague.org For more information, call co-chairs Brooke Sheldon at 203-745-7803 or Sheila Kaczmarek at 203-645-8827.
Contacting Valley Courier
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Civility is required. Letters with personal attacks, unsubstantiated allegations, or inflammatory language will be declined.
For letters endorsing a political candidate, Shore Publishing will accept one endorsement per writer per candidate. Letters with negative content are not accepted for the two issues preceding elections to allow for candidate rebuttal.
Letters must be received and verbally confirmed by 5 p.m. Thursday, seven days prior to publication. Confirmation does not guarantee publication. Publication is subject to approval by the editor.
Letter writers who knowingly violate this policy three times will be banned from submitting future letters to the editor.
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Dave Viggiano: Old Saybrook’s Favorite Farmstand
Continued from page 2
dealing with them for almost 60 years,” Dave says.
Customers aren’t the only ones who look forward to the farmstand reopening each spring. Dave proudly donates any produce that’s still good to eat but has a bruise or blemish to a local soup kitchen.
“About three times a week they come for donations,” he says. “It’s all good food that maybe has a blemish on it that people didn’t buy.”
Dave grew up in Old Saybrook but now lives in Chester. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time at his family’s property in Vermont.
“I have no exceptional hobbies I can think of,” he says with a laugh.
Asked what he likes most about the community he grew up in—and where his family’s farmstand has operated for more than a century—Dave doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s a nice summer environment with a lot of really friendly people,” he says.
Essex Library is hosting story time at Essex Island, 11 Ferry Street, on Saturdays through Aug, 23, at 9:30 a.m. Families are invited to bring a blanket to sit on and a snack to enjoy, while children read books, dance, and sing songs on the lawn. The event lasts approximately 30 minutes. No registration is required. Rain cancels the event. For more information or to register, contact the library at 860-767-1560 or staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.
SplashofMath
Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, announces its new Splash of Math Club for two groups of children—one for kindergarten through grade 2 at 1 p.m. and another for grades 3 to 5 at 2 p.m. The club will meet Saturdays through Aug. 16. Splash of Math is a math club that offers unique, high-energy math activities that appeal to children of all math abilities. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 860-767-1560.
FreeOnlineandIn-PersonGEDProgram
Middletown Adult Education offers a free online or in-person GED program to residents of Old Saybrook, Madison, and Westbrook, as well as Regional District #4 (Chester, Deep River, Essex, Centerbrook, Ivoryton) and Regional District #17 (Haddam, Higganum, Killingworth). The program provides instruction for participants to learn the skills necessary for employment. In-person classes take place at the Middletown Adult Education, 210 Main Street, Old Saybrook or at 398 Main Street, Middletown. For more information, call 860-343-6044 or visit www.maect.org.
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ESSEX ZONING BOARD OF
APPEALS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Zoning Board of Appeals will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, August 19, 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. 25-8 on behalf of 9197CCAS LLC, 91 Pond Meadow Ivoryton, CT, Assessor’s Map 88 Lot 2, RU District, requesting variances of Sections 40D, 40E, and 50C, modifying variance issued November 21, 2023 for the reconstruction and expansion of an existing single-family house on a lot with a second single family house where only one dwelling is allowed.
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
EssexIslandStoryTime
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Great Gatsby
Story by Carol Andrecs
Lover boy Gatsby is a handsome young male with white fur and unique tan markings. He is gentle, quiet and laid back, and loves attention from volunteers and visitors. Gatsby’s life would truly be great in a home of his own with someone who wants to reciprocate all the affection he has to give. For an appointment to meet this lovebug, apply online at www.forgotten felinesct.org.
FindYourMatchAtForgottenFelines:
Forgotten Felines holds an Open House every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary.
Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and much appreciated. Call the volunteer line at 860-669-1347 or send an email to volunteerinfo@forgottenfelinesct.org.
TOWN OF CHESTER LEGAL NOTICE
A certified list of Republican party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Chester for election as, Selectman (1), Town Clerk (1), Board of Finance (2), Board of Finance Vacancy (1), Chester Board of Education (2), Board of Assessment Appeals (1), Planning and Zoning Commission (2), Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate (1), Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate Vacancy (1), Zoning Board of Appeals (2), Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate (1), Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate Vacancy (1), Regional Board of Education (1), and Regional Board of Education Vacancy (1) is on file in my office at 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester Connecticut, and copies thereof are available for public distribution.
A Primary will be held September 9, 2025 if the required primary petition(s) for opposition candidate(s) is filed, pursuant to Sections 9-382 to 9-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes,not later than 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2025. Petition forms, instructions, and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidacies, including schedules, may be obtained from:
Tracey Ohaus, Republican Registrar of Voters, 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester Connecticut.
Kathryn Hair
Town Clerk
Town of Chester
Submitted this 24th day of July 2025
The Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, offers Buddy Up, a program that takes place on a select Saturday each month. Buddy Up features a teen volunteer paired with a younger reader (aged 4 to 8) for a relaxed hour of literacy fun. Teen volunteers share friendship, fluency, and confidence with an elementary-aged book buddy. For the month of August, the program takes place Saturday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. For more information or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560.
The Friends of the Essex Library holds its book sale for August in the foyer and on some shelves just inside the library, 33 West Avenue. The book sale focuses on art and coffee table books. Unless otherwise noted, hardcovers are priced at $3 each, or two for $5, and paperbacks are $2 each. For more information, visit the Friends tab at youressexlibrary.org.
AnnualFleaMarketWelcomesVendors
Vendor registration is open for the 2025 flea market to be held Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, and Marvin Field. Each space measures 20 feet by 20 feet and costs $35. The annual event features vendors offering for patrons a variety of items, from antiques to handcrafted goods. The event also includes food and beverages for sale. To rent a space, contact the church office at 860-526-5045 or officedrcc@deeprivercc.org.
StrategiesforManagingLifeTransitions
Women & Family Life Center (W&FLC), 96 Fair Street, Guilford, announces it will hold an eight-session support group called “Strategies for Managing Life Transitions” on Mondays beginning Sept. 8. The sessions are facilitated by Margo Merin, a certified practitioner in meditation and mindfulness, as well as grief and bereavement counseling. Services at the W&FLC are available at no charge to residents of Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. For more information or to register (required), contact 203-458-6699 or programs@womenandfamilylife.org.
TOWN OF CHESTER LEGAL NOTICE
A certified list of Democratic party-endorsed candidates for the Town of Chester for election as First Selectman (1), Selectman (1), Town Clerk (1), Board of Finance Vacancy (1), Board of Finance Alternate (1), Board of Finance Alternate Vacancy (1), Chester Board of Education (3), Board of Assessment Appeals (1), Planning and Zoning Commission (3), Planning and Zoning Commission Vacancy (1), Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate Vacancy (1), Zoning Board of Appeals (1), Regional Board of Education (1), Regional Board of Education Vacancy (1), Library Trustees (1), and Library Trustees Vacancy (1) is on file in my office at 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester Connecticut, and copies thereof are available for public distribution.
A Primary will be held September 9, 2025 if the required primary petition(s) for opposition candidate(s) is filed, pursuant to Sections 9-382 to 9-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes, not later than 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2025. Petition forms, instructions, and information concerning the procedure for filing of opposing candidacies, including schedules, may be obtained from:
Victor Fetter, Democratic Registrar of Voters, 203 Middlesex Avenue, Chester Connecticut.
Kathryn Hair
Town Clerk
Town of Chester
Submitted this 24 th day of July 2025
Photo by Tracye Mueller
BuddyUp
EssexLibraryHoldsAugustBookSale
Residents Weigh In on Cell Tower Location
compound — would be built on a cleared portion of town-owned land between the Chester Town Garage and Chester Point Marina. It is the result of more than two years of site analysis, negotiations, and discussions between the town and Homeland Towers. The project is designed to improve cell service in parts of Chester that currently experience spotty or nonexistent coverage, particularly in areas including downtown Chester and the Route 148/154 intersection west to Route 9.
Homeland Towers representative Raymond Vergati presented at the hearing, emphasizing that the 16 Grote Road site was selected after extensive evaluation and public discussion.
“When I do my site search and speak with private property owners, I usually have a lease in 60 days,” Vergati said. “I would not be wasting a year and a half of my time thinking that this site was inferior to another site.”
But several residents voiced concerns, particularly around the safety of long-term exposure to EMF radiation and the lack of transparency around alternative locations.
“There are people within the radius [of the tower] that will be exposed to this energy,” resident Kathryn Coles said.
“There is a lot of conflicting research, but I believe in the research I have been following. It is in everyone’s best interest to do their own research as well.”
Vergati responded by stating that any wireless carrier operating on the tower — such as Verizon or AT&T — must conduct a cumulative energy analysis to ensure emissions remain within FCC-mandated safety thresholds. He added that similar towers built by Homeland have routinely tested well below those limits.
Still, residents pressed for more information about other sites that had been considered — and why those options were ultimately rejected. Vergati said he could not publicly disclose information about private property owners without permission, but noted that if the town vote fails, Homeland will pursue one of those privately owned alternatives.
That possibility raised concerns for some, who felt they were being asked to choose between two unknowns.
“I don’t think people realize that we’re not voting yes or no on the tower itself,” one attendee said. “We’re voting on
whether to allow it here, on public land we own — or to let the company do it somewhere else that we can’t see or influence.”
Members of the Board of Selectmen — including Selectwoman Pat Bandzes and Selectman Paul Radicchi — acknowledged the complexity of the decision and said the vote date is still under discussion. One option being considered is placing the question on the November municipal ballot, which would allow for broader participation.
Homeland’s proposal would still need approval from the Connecticut Siting Council regardless of location. However, if the tower is placed on town-owned land, Chester would retain leverage in negotiating design elements such as setbacks, visual screening, and aesthetics. If the tower is instead built on private property, the town would lose that control — as well as the potential for revenue-sharing agreements — and the overall process could face further delays.
Additional details about the project, including a public meeting handout with
Playground Upgrade Aims to Help Kids Communicate
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer ESSEX
A new communication board designed to help nonverbal and speech-delayed children express themselves is now available at Grove Street Playground in Essex.
The brightly colored board, installed near the playscape, features images representing people, activities, emotions, and common phrases. Children can point to symbols to communicate wants and needs, while parents or caregivers assist with building simple sentence structures.
The board was developed through a collaboration between the Town of Essex and the Mayer Center, a facility located in Essex that provides care for children and adults with developmental challenges. The project was funded in part by Essex residents Sally and George Mayer, who were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Mayer Center is operated by Middlesex Health and is named for the Mayer family. Sally Mayer called the moment emotional, saying the project was especially meaningful to her and her husband as parents of a child who grew up nonverbal.
“We are just so excited to bring this into our community,” she said. “I know how hard it is to have a nonverbal child, and if we look at this as a tool, I hope the kids will look at it as a toy that helps them develop expressive language.”
Shannon McCabe, a speech pathologist at the Mayer Center, was also in attendance. As someone who works closely with the children who will use the board, she said she was thrilled to see the resource available outside of a clinical setting.
“To have something like this be in the park outside of therapy, and to include the kids that I work for, I was over the moon,” she said. “You can only dream about this as a speech therapist…to come out and see this as a door for them to better communicate is something that I always dream of.”
Also at the ceremony was Essex resident Renee Lockner and her son Danny, who helped cut the ribbon. Lockner shared that the board has already been a helpful tool for her son to build social connections with other children.
“He was able to go up to other kids and say things like, ‘I wanna play this,’” she said. “It’s helped him start to build sentences.”
The board is a permanent, weatherproof installation designed to withstand outdoor use and is mounted near the main playscape. Town officials and project partners hope it can serve as a model for other inclusive public spaces in Essex and surrounding towns.
CollectionofHouseholdHazardousWaste
The Lower Connecticut River Council of Governments announces a satellite collection of household hazardous waste 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, 860-581-8554 or jehlemeyer@rivercog.org.
Common Ground Party of Chester
The Common Ground Party of Chester will hold its annual meeting and nominating caucus on August 19, 2025 at 5:00pm at 41 Pleasant Street, Chester.
Nominations for new members will be accepted. Prospective new members may attend the meeting or send an email to the address below. All registered voters of the Town of Chester including registered Democrats and Republicans are welcome to join as members. Any member, other than those who are members of the Democratic Town Committee or Republican Town Committee, may vote on any matter.
Nominations will be accepted from the floor for candidates to run on the Common Ground Party line in the November 4 municipal election for the following position: Planning and Zoning Commission – Alternate.
Questions or comments may be directed to commongroundct@gmail.com
Michael Sanders, Chairman
WantHelpto GetintoArtSchool?
Spectrum Gallery is hosting a new program, Portfolio Development for Art Schools, to help young artists get accepted into their chosen art school. During these one-on-one, two-hour sessions, participants and their art instructor will investigate what each student’s specific art schools are looking for and how to achieve an art portfolio which will increase their chances of admission. The program helps clarify the requirements for the schools of interest, create the assignments accordingly, and review and improve participant skills like shading, coloring, composition, and basic design. The program takes place at Spectrum Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook. For more information or to register, email barbara@spectrum artgallery.org or visit spectrumartgallery.org.
Renee Lockner and her son Danny cutting the ribbon for the new communication board
By Gabby Maljanian
Sports Editor
Cards Claim First Place in Week 14 of the Deep River Horseshoe League
The meteorologist says this is normally the hottest week of the summer, but with the cooling breeze, it turned out to be the best night of the season for Week 14 of the Deep River Horseshoe League. The “B” division was the only one to take advantage of the ideal scoring conditions, as they averaged an 88-point series, up six points from last week.
Kris Toohey’s Cards took over first place in an upset of the Braves. The Pirates held onto third place with a 5-1 win over the Angels. The Yankees toppled the Dodgers 5-1, and the Tigers’ 4-2 win over the Reds stopped the Reds’ five-match win streak. The Orioles continued their winning streak on even numbered weeks in defeating the Marlins.
You could not have scripted it any better: with both teams tied for first place, Cards’ Kris Toohey is the league’s No. 1 scorer, Braves’ Frank Rausch is the No. 2 scorer, and Peter Furmonavicius is the top “B” scorer, and they lead the league in scoring, averaging 292 points per game. Handicaps would be a factor in the match. In two games, the handicap favored the Braves, while the other four favored the Cards. The key to winning the first five games was Toohey and his teammates Gary Stevens and Tanner Steeves. They all scored at or above their averages, while for the Braves, only Joe Machado matched his average. The Cards benefited from the handicap in two of those wins. In the last game, the Cards were down one point (with handicap) going into the last box, but Cards’ Steeves’s ringer and Stevens’s single point outscored the Braves 4-3 to give the teams a tie. This was the second week in a row the Cards have won 5.5-2.5. They are now in first place. Toohey’s 142-point series was the night’s top score. The Braves only managed to score 267 points. Furmonavicius’s 99-point series tied for the third highest “B” score. The scores for the A and B players were Cards 213 points to Braves 212 points. The difference in the match was Steeves outscoring Machado 66-55.
Both teams were trying to forget last
week – the Pirates got swept, and a tie prevented the Angels from getting swept. Skip Robinson felt relieved when the scoresheet showed the max handicap in any one game the Pirates would have to overcome was four points. In the first game, the teams traded the lead, but the Angels prevailed. In the next five games, the Pirates took the lead in every game by the third box and then went on to win, but the Angels’ 40 open boxes were the major contributor to the victories. Pirates’ Anthony Conkling finally topped the century mark with a season best 102-point series and was the top “C” scorer. Once again, the Pirates came within five points of all players topping the century mark. With 298 points, they tied with the Braves for total points for the season at 4100. The Pirates won 5-1 and are alone in third place.
Jeremy Davis’s Dodgers were looking to dampen the playoff hopes of the Yankees as they did the Pirates last week. However, Andy Turshen’s double in the 10th box of game one kept the Dodgers within one, but both teams matched scores, and the Yankees won by one. The Yankees eked out another three-point win in game two. Yankees’ Paul Stevens and Matt Valentin matched scores in game three for their third win. Stevens’ 31 points in game four led to another win. With the score tied going into the last box of game five, the Yankees outscored the Dodgers 4-3 for another one-point win. Ed Turner’s 29 points in the last game led to the Dodgers’ lone win. The Yankees won 5-1 and are alone in fourth place. Stevens’s 95-point series was the second highest “C” score. Frank Durinick substituted for Cubs’ Cody Layton. The Cubs picked up where they left off last week in their math against Mark Goodale’s Mets. They won the first four games, one by handicap. Warren Bellows and Paul Chrystal continued their hot scoring. Bellows missed his third century mark series with a 98-point series, and Chrystal’s 90-point series was the third highest “C” score. The Cubs’ easiest win came in game four, when the Mets
See Cards page 12
Photo courtesy of Joe Heery
Pictured are the first-place Cards of the Deep River Horseshoe League in Gary Stevens, Kris Toohey, and Tanner Steeves.
Chester’s Scherber Among Valley Shore Marlins Swimmers to Qualify for State, Regional, and National Long Course Championships
By Gabby Maljanian
Sports Editor
Four swimmers from the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swim team Long Course program advanced to various championship meets following the regular season, which ended on July 18.
Swimmers in the Long Course program compete in a 50-meter pool, compared to a 25-meter pool during the Short Course program. Event lengths include 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m for individual races.
Natalie Bezanson (Baltic) and Grace McDonald (Waterford) qualified for the Connecticut Senior Long Course Championships, held from July 10 to July 13 at Wesleyan University in Middletown.
Three Marlins in McDonald, Emma Scherber (Chester), and Vicky Van Berkel (Ivoryton) competed in the Connecticut Age Group Long Course Championships, also held at Wesleyan from July 24 to July 27.
Bezanson went on to represent the team at the 2025 YMCA National Long Course Swimming Championships in Ocala, FL from July 29 to Aug. 2.
McDonald is also competing at the Eastern Zone Long Course Age Group Championships, taking place in Richmond, VA from Aug. 6 to Aug. 9.
“I am extremely proud of these amazing athletes,” said Marlins Head Coach Teddy Weeks. “They are all hardworking, kind, and fun - the perfect combination for success in and out of the pool.”
Congratulations to the Marlins swimmers for a successful long-course swim season, and to Bezanson, McDonald, Scherber, and Van Berkel for earning spots in the postseason championship meets.
For those interested in joining the Valley Shore Marlins swim team, please reach out to Weeks at marlins@vsymca.org.
Cards Claim First Place in Week 14 of the Deep River Horseshoe League
Continued from page 11
had 17 of 24 boxes with a “one” or an open. The Mets finally got on the scoreboard in game five, thanks to Goodale’s 40-point game, and they also went on to win the last game. The Cubs won 4-2 and are in fifth place. Mets’ Mike Shashok’s 99-point series tied for the third highest “B” score. This was one of the closest scoring matches of the night. The Cubs finished with 281 points, 57 ringers, and three doubles, and the Mets scored 287 points, 55 ringers, and five doubles.
John Durinick’s Orioles have not lost a match when they play on an even numbered week. Mike Didomizio substituted for Marlins’ John Hutra, and Dennis Allen returned from his two-week vacation. This was the first match where every game had a 10-point handicap, and it favored the Orioles. Marlins’ Mike Beckwith’s single point in the last box gave the team a tie in game one. The Orioles went on to win game two. Allen’s first of two 38-point games gave them a win in game three. The Orioles made use of their handicap to win game four by four points and game five by one point. Allen’s second 38-point game led to the Marlins’ win in the last game. Allen’s season best 137 points, 37 ringers, and nine doubles was the top “B” score, and Didomizio’s 119-point series was the third highest “A” score. The Marlins had a season best team score of 338 points. The Orioles won 3.5-2.5, and the Marlins are in a tie for seventh place.
Tigers’ Sheryl Serviss got off to a slow start in game one against Chip Goodrich’s Reds, but she tossed eight ringers in the last six boxes to seal the win. In game two, Serviss and Harvey Strausser combined for 10 ringers in the first four boxes, as they cruised to their second win. The Reds rebounded to win the next two games with a one-point win using their handicap, and John O’Brien’s season best 29-point game for the other. The Tigers won the match 42, ending the Reds’ five-match win streak. Strausser’s 99-point series tied for the third highest “B” score.
Brady Miller’s White Sox and Joe Heery’s Rangers played one of the lowest games featuring the “A” and “C” players –the final score was 26–24 Rangers. The combined team scored of 441 points also ranks as one of the lowest of the season. Paul Noel substituted for White Sox’s Brian Walsh, and his 80-point series was the highest for the White Sox. Rangers’ Hunter Beckwith’s ringer in the last box of game two gave them their first of two onepoint wins, with the other coming in game four thanks to Andy Konefal’s ringer in the last box and the handicap. The White Sox used their handicap for their two wins. The Rangers won 4-2 and are in sixth place.
When the No. 3 and No. 5 scorers face each other, you would be looking for one or both players to be listed in the night’s top scorers. That was not the case for Giants’ Mike Zanelli Sr. and Red Sox’s Bill Beckwith. Zanelli had his first game of less than 20 points, and it took a double in the last box of his last game to hit the century mark – that may also be a first. As the league’s oldest member, Gerry Hines (84) continues to be a bright spot for the Red Sox, as he continues to score at or above the “C” division average of 60 points. The teams split their match, and the Red Sox are in a tie for seventh place.
The playoffs do not appear to be in the sites of either Mike Zanelli Jr.’s Diamondbacks or Damin Roberts’s Rockies. So, now they look to play the role of a spoiler, if possible, to work on their game and to just have fun. Kyle Sunderland substituted for Rockies’ Deb Scully. The Diamondbacks won the first two games: the first one on Zanelli Jr.’s 44-point game, and in the second one, it was Zanelli Jr. and Ted Dubay out-distancing Roberts and Vinny Jonynas. The teams ended up splitting the last four games. Zanelli Jr.‘s 136-point series was the second highest “A” division score, and Jonynas’ 113-point series was the second highest “B” division score.
For more information regarding the Deep River Horseshoe League, visit www.deepriverhorsehoes.com/contacts.
Photo courtesy of Jim Albright
Pictured are the four swimmers from the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swim team that qualified for postseason championship meets in Emma Scherber, Natalie Bezanson, Vicky Van Berkel, and Grace McDonald.
Deep River’s Roberts Finds His Passion with Spartans Rugby
By Jenn McCulloch
Special to The Courier
Growing up in Deep River, Churchill Roberts was never involved in sports. That changed in seventh grade when one of his friends invited him to join him at a rugby practice with the Shoreline Spartans.
“I didn’t really know the sport existed until my friend told me about it,” says Churchill. “I came to a practice and I loved it, and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Now Churchill is quickly approaching his senior year at Valley Regional High School and is looking forward to another successful year with the Shoreline Spartans rugby club team. He found that he not only loved the pace and intensity of the sport, but the bonds he formed with his teammates as well.
“This sport feels like a battlefield — there’s no breaks — just two 35-minute halves with a five-minute halftime,” says Churchill. “It’s so chaotic, and the game just keeps going. It’s so fun, and there’s a brotherhood with your teammates.”
Churchill has met many teammates over the years. This past season, the team competed as a co-op with a club from the Norwich area with 20 athletes on the roster. Churchill drives 40 minutes to the team’s home field, and some of his teammates come from as far as 90 minutes away.
“It’s really cool because it shows how much they love it, and they’d do anything to play,” says Churchill. “We have kids from all different socioeconomic, family, and religious backgrounds, but we’re one melting pot playing together for one goal.”
Churchill has seen continuous improvement, both individually and as a team, as he’s progressed through his years with the Shoreline Spartans, noting that this past spring season was “one of our best in the history of the team.” Now they are competing in the ‘Summer Sevens,’ a summer league that focuses on tournament play. The team competes with seven on the field instead of the usual 15 and plays sevenminute halves with a one-minute halftime.
Joe Falivene, head coach for Shoreline Spartans Rugby, has seen Churchill’s progress firsthand. He notes that when Churchill started with the program, it became “quickly obvious that he was too strong to continue playing U14 rugby.” By eighth grade, Falivene had Churchill practicing with the high school team. It paid off, as he then earned a starting spot as a freshman.
Churchill plays second row in the forwards and is the jumper on lineouts, which occur when the ball goes out of bounds and is thrown back in. The jumper is lifted by his teammates, and he is tasked with
Sports Person Week of the
catching the ball as it’s thrown in or stealing it from the other team’s throw in. This past season, Churchill scored two tries.
“He does a majority of the dirty work on the field, gets in on rucks — a ruck forms when a player is tackled — to protect the ball and maintain possession,” says Falivene. “He is by far one of the strongest players on the team, is in great shape, and could play multiple positions if needed.•He is a great teammate, encouraging other players at practice and• games, shakes every coach’s hand at the end of practice, and is very involved in the community service the club does throughout the year.”
Churchill’s efforts were recognized with the team’s Freight Train Award after the spring season. Falivene explains that the Freight Train Award•recognizes a player that can play in either the forwards or the backs and impacts the game in crucial moments, injects pace throughout set pieces (scrum/lineout/kickoffs/•returns), and whose attitude, attendance, and ability has bettered the team on and off the field.
Churchill also works to better his community. He is currently working toward his Eagle Scout badge and deciding on his final project. He is also busy working and running his own company.
He has worked for Just Dump It in Old Lyme for years, and after he got his license, Churchill got a pickup truck and started Roberts Removals, a junk-hauling and demolition company. Since starting it last year, he has grown to now have several employees and is looking to add another truck.
“When I was working with Just Dump It, I realized there was a lot of stuff I could do myself, so I started my own business,” says Churchill. “I still work with them now, and my boss has given me a lot of advice and really helped me out.”
Regional’s football team. The pair first met in the weight room, where Churchill was training for rugby.
enjoys being a part of the Shoreline Spartans program and credits its coaches for his growth and success.
In addition to his boss, Churchill notes that he has had a lot of support both on and off the field over the years, especially from his parents, who were supportive of his newfound passion for rugby. He is grateful to Mike Meyer, the founder and president of Shoreline Spartans, as well as Bryan Knudsen, who was not only Churchill’s first rugby coach, but his Boy Scout leader and family friend as well.
Churchill also found a mentor in Hill Gbunblee, a former coach with Valley
“He asked me to come to a practice, so I did, and it kept happening, and eventually I was on the team,” says Churchill. “Unfortunately he just left the program. He’s the only reason I started playing, and I don’t want to play for anyone else but him. He’s a really good man who helped me beyond football.”
While Churchill is leaving the gridiron behind, he is excited to continue his passion for rugby and has a goal of winning a state championship his senior year. He
“Spartan rugby is one of the best programs, and in one day, they taught me all the basics, and the coaches all work really hard, volunteer their time, and just really love the sport,” says Churchill. “Highlights of playing rugby for me are scoring tries to help my team win, and being able to play every second of every game of my rugby career. I love scoring, protecting people on the field, or rucking. I just love being in the game and being there for the team.”
Photo courtesy of Churchill Roberts
Deep River's Churchill Roberts found his passion with the sport of rugby and has been a big contributor with the Shoreline Spartans rugby program.
Dear Reader,
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the readers of Shore Publishing’s newspapers for your past contributions to our Voluntary Pay efforts. Your generosity has made a significant difference, and we are truly thankful for every donation.
Local journalism is a vital pillar of our communities, serving as the voice that shares the stories of our friends and neighbors, celebrates our successes, and addresses our challenges. Small businesses depend on local newspapers to connect with customers and promote their services. When local journalism thrives, so does our community and economy.
As the last independently owned newspaper in Connecticut, our mission has always been to provide local news, share meaningful stories, and elevate the voices within our community. Each week, you can count on our reporters for the latest coverage, including:
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While delivering news free of charge is our goal, it is costly. Unlike larger media outlets, we rely heavily on the support of readers like you. We are reaching out to ask for your continued support to keep Shore Publishing thriving and independent.
In 2015, we launched our Voluntary Pay program to help sustain our mission and enhance our resources for even better coverage. Due to the evolving media landscape and rising production costs, we now seek your voluntary contribution to help sustain our publication. Your donation will directly support printing and editorial work, continuing to maintain our editorial independence.
Thanks to your contributions, in 2024, we donated $40,150 worth of advertising space to several non-profit organizations, including Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. These donations allowed these vital organizations to promote fundraising events that support their initiatives.
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Fishing report CAPTAIN MORGAN’S
Fishing can only keep getting better! A pair of tarpon was observed swimming 25 yards off a South Hampton, Long Island Beach! This is the third year in a row that silver bullets ventured into the Northeast region. Add striped bass, bluefish, and sharks to an already varied mixture of common and unusual fish, warm temperatures, and the Gulf Stream that is bringing more surprises to our waters, and one has a Fisher’s Heaven. The briny is bulging with fishing opportunities - some of the recreational kind, others for the table. August is the month finfish and sea mammals arrive for a visit. It’s a month to observe these life forms up close, catch a new fish, and enjoy a Sound full of adventure. Step inland for countless freshwater fish to catch, rake the bays to collect clams, or venture into the wetlands for blue crabs, and you have yourself one heck of a good day. There is everything right with consuming clams on the half shell along with freshly caught marine fish stuffed with crab meat and a touch of lemon. For more on this exceptional fishing season, click over to Captain Morgan’s weekly column featured on zip06.com, and search for “Excellent Fishing Is Overshadowed By Regs.”
ShorelineArtsAlliance toHoldIMAGES2025
Shoreline Arts Alliance’s IMAGES will hold its 45th annual exhibition. IMAGES 2025, a jury-curated photography exhibition, from Saturday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 24, at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Avenue, New Haven. For more information, visit shorelinearts.org.
CallingAllArtists
Spectrum Gallery is seeking submissions from artists and fine artisans for the Madison Autumn Arts Festival to be held Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12. Artists and fine artisans are invited to submit their work to Spectrum Gallery, 61 Main Street, Centerbrook. Festival registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 1. Space is limited, so applicants are encouraged to register early to reserve space and be included in festival promotional materials. For more information, including a prospectus, email barbara@spectrumartgallery.org or visit the festivals link at spectrumart gallery.org.
Answers
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!
A Sole Mission
For Madison native Kendall Flynn, designing shoes is about more than fashion—it’s about confidence
By Wesley Bunnell
Chief of Photography
While many 29-year-olds are still figuring out their future, Kendall Flynn has already turned a lifelong passion into a startup built on the belief that beautiful, classic shoes never go out of style—and that the right pair can make a woman feel powerful.
This spring, the Madison native launched Kendall Louise, her own shoe company, online at kendalllouise.com. Her debut collection blends timeless design with modern comfort and reflects a mission to boost women’s confidence, one step at a time.
Flynn’s love of footwear started early. Her parents still tease her about a childhood collection of ruby slippers.
“Forever, I’ve been obsessed with shoes, like, since I was really little,” Flynn recalls. “My parents are like, you had a thousand pairs of ruby slippers, and you were just obsessed.”
But it wasn’t until college in Boston, about seven years ago, that she began to think more seriously about designing shoes herself.
“I started kind of just designing, like, literally drawing pictures of shoes—but I don’t draw. Like, I’m not artistic in any way,” she says, laughing. The pandemic gave her time to revisit those sketches, and by 2021, she was ready to start building a business plan.
What sets Kendall Louise apart, Flynn says, is her commitment to classic styles reimagined for today’s woman.
“I definitely am not trying to be, like, a trendsetter by any means,” she explains. “I think my designs are meant to stand the test of time.”
She draws inspiration from vintage films, interior design, and age-old patterns that have graced women’s shoes for generations.
“I like the classics, and I think classics are overlooked sometimes,” she says.
While working with a consultant, she noticed how uninspired many department store shoe sections looked.
“It literally was like someone just took a bunch of stuff and threw it on a desk,” she says. “It didn’t look like there was any meaning or any thought behind any of the shoes.”
Beyond aesthetics, Flynn’s message is deeply personal.
“The whole message behind Kendall Louise is about confidence and women being confident,” she explains. “High heels make me feel confident—they always have. And especially the ones I design—they’re very happy, and they’re fun, and they make me feel good and put me in a good mood. I want other people to feel that way.”
That desire to empower women drives her forward. To Flynn, a well-designed, beautiful shoe isn’t just a fashion choice—it’s a catalyst for discovering one’s strength.
“I kind of add that into my designs, and that’s how I want to live every day,” she says. “I hope other people feel good about what they’re doing.”
Balancing that vision with everyday reality means Flynn still works a full-time marketing job. Shoe design fills her mornings, nights, and weekends.
“If I could do this every second of the day, I would,” she says. “But, you know—gotta pay the bills.”
Still, she dreams of seeing her shoes on women across the country—and maybe one day, even on her fashion idol, Sarah Jessica Parker. For now, though, she’s happy to be hands-on with every part of the business, from designing to shipping, knowing each pair carries her message of timeless style and female empowerment.
“If anyone else is considering doing something that makes them happy, they just have to go for it,” she says. “You’ll be much happier for doing it.”
Photo by Wesley Bunnell
Kendall Flynn, founder of the Madison-based shoe brand Kendall Louise, shows off a pair from her spring 2025 launch collection. Flynn designs shoes with classic lines and a mission to empower women.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell
Shoes from the debut Kendall Louise collection surround the brand’s signature packaging, paired with lifestyle photos that reflect founder Kendall Flynn’s vision of timeless style and confidence.
Calendar for the Week of August 7, 2025
For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website, www.zip06.com.
THURSDAY, AUG. 7
Preschool Art with Shell & Bee
: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. Open to preschool age children. Features preschool art based on a classic picture book. For info or to register (required), call 860-526-6039 or visit deepriverlibrary.libcal.com.
Pop-up Events with OSYFS: Biking with Adam
: 1 to
3 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services (OSYFS), 322 Main St. Participants will ride to DQ for a sweet treat. For grades 5 to 8. Cost: $10. For info or to register, visit the summer programming 2025 link at osyfs.org.
: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Runs through Sunday, Sept. 7. Other showtimes available. For info, call 860-767-7318 or visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.
Opening Day for Thursdays on the Dock Series: 102D Army Band
: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Bring a blanket or chair. Free but donations can be placed in a hat that is passed around. No BYOB. Food, beer, and wine are available for purchase. For info, visit ctrivermuseum.org/events.
Deep River 2025 Summer Concert Series
Stuffed Animal Sleepover My Fair Lady : 6:30 p.m.
: 6:30 p.m. Westbrook Public Library Community Room, 61 Goodspeed Dr. Children are invited to bring their second favorite stuffed animal for an evening story time and a craft activity. The stuffed animal spends the night at the library for the children to pick up the following day at 9:30 a.m. For children ages 4 to 10. For info or to register, call the library at 860-3996422 or visit westbrooklibrary.org.
Deep River Town Landing, 174 River St. Music by Midnight Anthem. Presented by the Deep River Parks and Recreation. For info, visit deepriverct.us/parks-and-recreation-department.
2025 Michael B. Ierardi Jr. Memorial Fund Summer Concert Series
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Vece Gazebo and lawn, Abraham Pierson School, 75 E. Main St., Clinton. Music by The Mediums. Hosted by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. For info, contact the chamber at 860-669-3889 or chamber@clintonctchamber.com.
Shoreline Sailing Club Event
: 7 p.m. Old Elks Cottage, 142 Seaside Ave., Westbrook. For active singles 35 and over. New members are welcome and sailing experience is not necessary. BYOB. Cost: free for members and firsttime guests, $10 for others. For info, visit shorelinesailingclub.com.
See page 23
Broadway Classics, Theater Shakeups, and a Chorus Line Turns 50
By Karen Isaacs
Columnist
: I had a delightful time at the polished production of , now at Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, Connecticut, through Sunday, Aug. 10. Artistic Director Carl Andress has assembled a terrific cast of seasoned Broadway performers and others. This show doesn’t skimp on casting or musicians (10 off-stage players). The performers in all the principal roles were excellent. For tickets, contact SharonPlayhouse.org.
: I may not have loved everything about the production of at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, but I did love the fabulous tap dancing, as well as the performances of Daniel Plimpton, Robert Mintz, and Lindsay Gloriana Bohon. This is a scaled-down version of the classic movie, but it includes all the wonderful songs. It runs through Sunday, Aug. 19. Tickets are available at PlayhouseOnPark.org.
My Fair Lady
: The current production of at Ivoryton Playhouse, running through Sunday, Sept. 7, is being described as bringing a renewed focus to the relationship between Eliza and Henry. It will use a
Aisle
two-piano arrangement of the score. I look forward to seeing it and sharing my views with you soon. Tickets are available at IvorytonPlayhouse.org.
Schedule Change
White Christmas Mrs. Santa Claus
: The holiday show at Goodspeed this year has changed to . Originally, a new show, , was scheduled; it was based on the TV show of the same name that featured music by Jerry Herman. The press release stated that the change was due to “scheduling conflicts,” which can have various meanings. I won’t guess what the glitch was; there was no indication that the show might be scheduled in the future. will run from Nov. 14 to Dec. 28. It features all the glorious Irving Berlin songs. Goodspeed will most certainly do a fantastic production. Tickets are on sale at Goodspeed.org. If you already have tickets, they will be honored for the same date and time.
At the Bushnell
The Notebook
: Tickets for , the first show in the Bushnell’s Broadway series, are now on sale. The musical is based on the novel and later the film. The show played on Broadway in 2024, earning several Tony Award nominations. It runs from Tuesday, Sept. 30, to Sunday, Oct. 5. Tickets are at Bushnell.org.
Anniversary
A Chorus Line
: Last week, July 25, marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of , which ran through 1990 and has since been revived on Broadway. Goodspeed will open its production of the iconic show about Broadway chorus dancers on Sept. 5, running through Oct. 26. I can’t wait to see what director Rob Ruggiero does with the show. Tickets are at Goodspeed.org. It’s bound to be very popular.
Nearly Sold Out
A Chorus Line
: Legacy Theatre’s Sunday afternoon Broadway series is presenting Donna McKechnie, the original Cassie in , on Sunday, Sept. 7. Some tickets are available, but you can also purchase the livestream. Visit LegacyTheatreCT.org.
Another Casting Controversy
: Dar-
Maybe Happy Ending
ren Criss, who won the Tony Award for his performance in , leaves the cast on Aug. 31. As soon as his
Dear Evan Hansen Miss Saigon
replacement was announced, controversy arose. Andrew Barth Feldman is taking over the role of Oliver; he starred in . The controversy is because Feldman is not of Asian descent. The show is set in South Korea and is about two helper bots. Criss’s mother was born in the Philippines and is of Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish descent. His father is of Scottish, English, and Irish descent. Feldman is the boyfriend of Helen J. Shen, who plays Claire, the other helper bot in the show. After the casting announcement, multiple Asian American actors expressed disappointment. The most well-known casting controversy over Asian American actors was with the casting of British actor Jonathan Pryce as the Engineer in the original 1991 Broadway production of . Pryce had originated the role in London.
To check out her reviews for New York and Connecticut shows, visit 2ontheaisle.word press.com. She’s a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle, New York’s Outer Critics Circle, the League of Professional Theater Women, and the American Theatre Critics Association. Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident.
A Red-Haired Orphan
Great Tap Dancing
Henry Higgins & Eliza Doolittle
Annie
Singin’ in the Rain
White Christmas
‘Psych’ Star and Friends Bring Farce to Branford
The Legacy Theatre will present , the fast-paced farce that once called “as side-splitting a farce as I have seen,” from Sept. 18 to Oct. 5 at its Branford venue. The production is part of Legacy’s 5th Anniversary Season and features a cast packed with familiar faces from television and film.
“This is one of the funniest shows we have ever produced,” said Legacy Executive Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen. “We are thrilled that this stellar cast and crew will get the opportunity to present this production in such an intimate setting as Legacy. The audience will feel like they are a part of the show!”
The ensemble includes star James Roday Rodriguez, Kurt Fuller, Allison Miller, Michael Trotter, and Jamie Gray Hyder.
Psych A Million Little Things
Psych Evil Wayne’s World Scary Movie
Little Things
Rodriguez starred for eight seasons on USA Network’s and went on to lead the ensemble of ABC’s for five seasons. Fuller, a frequent collaborator of Rodriguez’s, appeared alongside him on and most recently was a series regular on CBS’s . His film credits include , , and more.
Kurt Fuller, whose credits include “Psych,” “Evil,” and “Wayne’s World,” joins the ensemble of “Noises Off” at The Legacy Theatre.
Jamie Gray Hyder, known for her work in “Law & Order: SVU” and the “Call of Duty” video game series, joins the cast of “Noises Off.”
A Million
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Law & Order: Organized Crime The Right Stuff Law & Order: SVU Call of Duty
Miller, who also starred in , returns to Legacy after appearing last season in . Trotter, known for roles in and , joins the cast alongside his wife, Hyder, who has appeared in and voiced characters for the video game series.
Noises Off Off New York Magazine
Nothing’s On
follows a group of actors rehearsing a play-within-a-play called . Slamming doors, backstage chaos, and theatrical mayhem abound in this beloved comedy.
Rounding out the cast are Emily Gardt, Jimmy Johansmeyer, Melanie Martyn, and Mariah Sage. Understudies include Dan Frye, Thomas Mulaney, and Indiana Weaver.
Baisden Knudsen will direct the production. Martha Becker will serve as cos-
tume designer, Rich Burkham as master carpenter, and Jamie Burnett as lighting designer. Colleen Callahan is prop designer, T. Rick Jones serves as both production stage manager and sound designer, and Kim Zhou is set designer.
Tickets are available at www.LegacyTheatreCT.org or by calling the box office at 203-315-1901.
Located just four minutes off Exit 56 on I-95, the Legacy Theatre is housed at 128 Thimble Islands Road in Branford’s Stony Creek Village, steps from the Long Island Sound. Fully renovated prior to its 2021 reopening, the historic building—formerly the Stony Creek Puppet Theatre—has hosted a century of theatrical luminaries, including Orson Welles and, in 2024, a musical directed by Julie Andrews.
The Legacy Theatre is a fully accessible professional company and training center dedicated to presenting both classic and contemporary works, nurturing emerging talent, and fostering a lifelong love for the arts.
Actor Michael Trotter, seen in “Law & Order: Organized Crime” and “The Right Stuff,” makes his Legacy Theatre debut in “Noises Off.”
Press Release from Legacy Theatre
Photo courtesy of the Legacy Theatre
Photo courtesy of the Legacy Theatre
Photo courtesy of the Legacy Theatre
James Roday Rodriguez, best known for his roles in “Psych” and “A Million Little Things,” leads the cast of “Noises Off” at The Legacy Theatre in Branford.
Photo courtesy of the Legacy Theatre Photo courtesy of the Legacy Theatre Allison Miller, returning to The Legacy Theatre following last season’s “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” co-stars in “Noises Off.”
A Killer Milestone for Local Mystery Author
Press Release from Lucy Burdette
The Mango Murders
The Mango Murders
Beloved mystery author Lucy Burdette, the pen name of Madison writer Roberta Isleib, is celebrating a major milestone this summer: the release of her 25th novel, . The newest installment in Burdette’s long-running Key West Food Critic Mystery Series (Crooked Lane Books), serves up a flavorful mix of tropical setting, culinary detail, and classic whodunit plotting—just in time for summer reading.
In this latest adventure, food critic Hayley Snow juggles a lavish cocktail party on a chartered yacht with preparations for her best friend’s 85th birthday celebration. But when an explosion disrupts the party, Hayley finds herself pulled into a dangerous mystery. Early reviews are already praising the novel’s charm and intrigue. International bestselling author Ann Cleeves called it “full of food and sunshine and friendship.”
Continued from page 21
A longtime resident of both Connecticut and Key West, Burdette draws inspiration from her love of the island’s culture and culinary scene—as well as her background as a clinical psychologist—to bring her smart, spirited protagonist to life. The series launched in 2012 with An Appetite for Murder and has since earned a loyal national following.
“It’s hard to believe this is my 25th novel—and my 15th set in Key West,” Burdette said. “I’m so grateful to the readers, librarians, and booksellers who’ve supported Hayley’s adventures through the years. Writing these books lets me share the colorful, sometimes wacky world of the island—and the food!—with people everywhere. I’m most grateful to our local bookstore, RJ Julia, which has hosted a book launch for all 25 novels.”
RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison will again host Burdette’s launch party on Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The celebration will include door prizes and the tradi-
: 7:30 p.m. Andrews Memorial Theater, 54 E. Main St., Clinton. Presented by the Opera Theater of Connecticut in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Matinee performances take place on Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10. Tickets: $60 for adults, $55 for seniors, and $35 for under 18. For info or tickets, call 860-6698999 or visit operatheaterofct.org.
: 7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Music by Jeff Pitchell. Free and open to the public. The show starts with the Pledge of Allegiance; music begins at 7:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale on the lawn. Bring chairs and blankets. For info, visit madisonbeachhotelevents.com/hotel/hotel-happenings.
tional cake. RJ Julia has hosted launches for every one of her books, beginning with her debut novel, Six Strokes Under, in 2002. For more information or to register for the event, call RJ Julia at 203-245-3959 or visit www.lucyburdette.com.
bestselling author Lucy Burdette (Roberta Isleib) is the author of 25 novels, including the Key West Food Critic Mysteries, the Advice Column Mysteries, two standalones, and the Golf Lovers Mysteries. Her books have received three Florida Book
USA Today Awards and been shortlisted for the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. She is a former president of National Sisters in Crime and the Friends of the Key West Library. She splits her time between Madison and Key West, Florida.
: 1 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For info, including the movie title, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit the events calendar link at youressexlibrary.org.
Friday Movie Matinee
: 2 to 4 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Play it Big: Life-size Angry Birds
: 3:30 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For ages 5 and 12. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Summer Concert Series 2025
: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Westbrook Town Green. Music by Southern Voice. Free. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic. No alcohol. No pets. Presented by the Westbrook Recreation Board. For info, visit the summer concert 2025 link at westbrookrec.com/info/activities.
All About Opossums
: 6 p.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Jim and Pam Lefferts of Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue. Free admission. No registration needed. For info, visit MeigsPointNatureCenter.org.
Chestnut Hill Concerts: All-Beethoven Program
:
7:30 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, visit chestnuthillconcerts.org or thekate.org.
SATURDAY, AUG. 9
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
: 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. Deep River Town Garage, 206 Winthrop Rd. (Rte. 80). Hosted by the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG). Free to residents of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, and other RiverCOG region towns. For info, visit rivercog.org/regionalservices/household-hazardous-waste.
Open Trails and Music
: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. I-Park, 428 Hopyard Rd., East Haddam. Features music by The Midnight Anthem at 11:30 a.m. and Local Honey at 1:30 p.m.; a hands-on art activity by Jeff Fast, owner of Into the Woods in Haddam; and more. Bring a picnic. Free admission. Families welcome. Due to the fragility of the artworks and the natural features at I-Park, pets are not permitted on the I-Park grounds. For info or to register (required), contact 860-873-2468 or events@i-park.org, or visit i-park.org.
The Butterflies of Salt Meadow
: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Rd., Westbrook. Features a nature walk in partnership with the Connecticut Butterfly Association. Led by naturalist Tom Kelly. Free admission. Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 10. For info or to register, email Visitor Services Manager Shaun Roche at shaun_roche@fws.gov.
Photo courtesy of Lucy Burdette
Local mystery author Lucy Burdette is celebrating the release of her 25th novel, "The Mango Murders."
Photo courtesy of Lucy Burdette
Die Fledermaus
The Gambler Returns (Tribute to Kenny Rogers)
2025 Grassy Strip Music Series
Book-to-Screen Movie Matinee
AUG. 8
Step Back in Time at Pardee-Morris House Family Day
Huzzah! Families are invited to experience colonial life at the 2025 Family Day celebration at the Pardee-Morris House on Sunday, Aug. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. The free event features Revolutionary War reenactments, fife-and-drum music, colonial games, crafts, and more as part of the NH250 programming series.
Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic lunches and chairs and enjoy the grounds of the historic home at 325 Lighthouse Road in New Haven. For weather updates, visit the New Haven Museum website or follow @NewHavenMuseum on Facebook or Instagram.
A highlight of the day will be performances by the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard, founded in New Haven in 1775. The company keeps the tradition of 18th-century field music alive with its rope-tension snare drums and shrill fifes. In the past, these instruments helped regulate daily military life; today, they bring history to life at parades, educational events, and reenactments.
Historical reenactors from the 6th Connecticut Regiment will demonstrate life as a Revolutionary War soldier, including musket drills and live demonstrations of musket cleaning and firing. A lieutenant will unpack the contents of a Continental soldier’s knapsack, and children will have the chance to take part in a mock drill using wooden muskets.
Steve Salisbury, portraying an 18th-
cup-and-ball, as well as crafts, including lavender sachet bags and tri-corner paper hats.
Guests are also invited to tour the Pardee-Morris House Colonial Herb Garden. UConn-certified Master Gardener Giulia Gambale will guide visitors in smelling and touching herb clippings, share how the garden was researched and planted, and offer tips for growing herbs at home. Select cuttings of lemon balm, oregano, and thyme will be available to take home. Gambale maintains three community gardens throughout New Haven and teaches gardening workshops at the New Haven Free Public Library and Stratford Library.
The New Haven Museum thanks the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut for supporting the 2025 Family Day program, and WSHU 91.1 FM and the Howard Gilman Foundation for their support of the summer season.
This event is part of NH250, a series developed by the New Haven Museum to complement the national America 250 initiative. The series highlights inclusive, local, and lesser-known stories leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
century sutler, will set up the Big Bear Trading Company, a colonial-era retail shop offering reproduction tools, utensils, trinkets, and curiosities once sold to soldiers and travelers.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy colonial games, such as hoop-rolling, graces, and
Located at 325 Lighthouse Road, the Pardee-Morris House dates to around 1780 and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Originally built by Amos Morris around 1750, the house was burned by British troops during their 1779 raid on New
Haven and later rebuilt by the Morris family. In 1918, William S. Pardee, a Morris descendant, left the property to the New Haven Colony Historical Society—now the New Haven Museum. To learn more or view the full summer schedule of events, visit newhaven museum.org/visit/pardee-morris-house. Founded in 1862 as the New Haven Colony Historical Society, the New Haven Museum is located at 114 Whitney Ave. in downtown New Haven. The museum preserves and interprets more than 375 years of Elm City history through its collections, exhibitions, and programs. For more information, visit newhavenmuseum.org, follow @NewHavenMuseum on Facebook, or call 203-562-4183.
Photo courtesy of the New Haven Museum
Photo courtesy of the New Haven Museum
Members of the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard perform with fifes and drums in New Haven. The historic unit will appear at Family Day, continuing a musical tradition dating back to 1775.
Reenactors from the 6th Connecticut Regiment fire muskets during a Revolutionary War demonstration. The regiment will appear at Family Day to showcase soldier life and drill techniques from the colonial era.
Press Release from the New Haven Museum
Photo courtesy of the New Haven Museum
An 18th-century-style sutler tent offers tools, wares, and curiosities for sale during Family Day at the Pardee-Morris House. Visitors can explore what a colonial shop might have looked like during the Revolutionary War era.
Photo courtesy of the New Haven Museum
Steve Salisbury, proprietor of the Big Bear Trading Company, portrays a colonial sutler offering goods typical of the 1700s, from tools and trinkets to period-appropriate accessories.
Celebrate Nature Stewards at the Whitfield Museum
Owls and turtles and bees, oh my! Visitors can meet all three—and more—during the third annual Nature Stewards Field Day at the Henry Whitfield State Museum on Sunday, Aug. 17, from noon to 4 p.m.
This free, family-friendly event brings together local organizations and conservationists who are making a difference and invites the public to explore how they, too, can become better stewards of the natural world.
Attendees can meet rescued and rehabilitating turtles from Turtle Haven and learn about caring for displaced or orphaned wildlife with Little Rascals Rescue at Raccoon Crossing. WellComb Home will offer a peek inside an observation beehive and sell local honey and beeswax products. The Menunkatuck Audubon Society will showcase its conservation work and offer native plants for sale from its UrbanScapes nursery.
Live animal presentations will take place throughout the afternoon. At 1 p.m., Rose Crisci of Blue Moon Raptors will introduce visitors to an American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and barred owl. At 2 p.m.,
Continued from page 23
: 11 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Volunteers ages 13 to 18 share friendship, fluency, and confidence with an elementaryaged book buddy, ages 4 to 8. For info or to register, call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
: Noon to 4 p.m. Main Street, Chester. Features live music, merchant pop-up events, a dunk booth, photo wall, and more. Rain date: Saturday, Aug. 16 For info, visit visitchesterct.com
Angelina Carnevale of Turtle Haven will share stories about her turtle ambassadors and explain how to help both wild and pet turtles thrive.
At 3 p.m., museum visitors can tour the museum’s native pollinator garden with Heather Bradley, who will offer tips for planting pollinator-friendly spaces at home.
Children and families are invited to get creative at a craft station featuring supplies and instructions for making nature shadow drawings. Visitors can explore the museum’s grounds to find inspiration—whether a branch from a red oak tree, a blooming swamp rose-mallow, or anything else that sparks the imagination.
Admission is free, including access to the Whitfield House and exhibit galleries. The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information, call 203453-2457, email whitfield museum@ct.gov, or visit portal. ct.gov/ECD-HenryWhitfield StateMuseum.
Van Gogh of Wheat Fields and Clouded Skies :
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Shown on The Kate’s big screen, in collaboration with the Florence Griswold Museum. Running time: 90 minutes. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
: 3 to 8 p.m. Marker 37, 72 Railroad Ave., Suite 3, Chester. Hosted by Connecticut State Police Troop F and Major Crime. Members of law enforcement will volunteer their time to work with restaurant employees and welcome customers, take orders, and serve meals to diners. Tips received by the officers benefit the Special Olympics Connecticut. For info, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or visit soct.org/event-calendar/fundraisers
Concert in the Garden: Christopher Abbott and Co.
7 to 9 p.m. Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio and Gallery, 1 Spring St., Chester. Cost: $20 suggested donation. Outdoor bistro-style seating in the amphitheater. BYOB and picnic. Gates open 6:30 p.m. First come, first to be seated. No pets. No unattended children. Rain or shine. For info, call 860-526-2077 or visit nilssonstudio.com.
: 7 to 9 p.m.
Departs from Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Bring a picnic basket dinner and favorite beverage. For passengers 12 years and older. No one under 12. Weather permitting, passengers will see the full moon rise. For info or tickets, visit ctrivermuseum.org.
Concert by Back to the Garden 1969: The Woodstock Experience
: 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, AUG. 9 AND
SUNDAY, AUG. 10
: 3 p.m. Andrews Memorial Theater, 54 E. Main St., Clinton. Presented by the Opera Theater of Connecticut in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Tickets: $60 for adults, $55 for seniors, and $35 for under 18. For info or tickets, call 860-669-8999 or visit operatheaterofct.org.
SUNDAY, AUG. 10
Cedar Lake Summer Concert Series
: 5 to 7 p.m. Pelletier Park, 218 W. Main St., Chester. Music by Shorebreak. Sponsored by Chester Parks and Recreation, Chester Public Library, Gwendolyn Orton-Jones Trust, Carol LeWitt in memory of Margaret Weisenburger, Essex Bank, and the Connecticut Water Company. Carpooling is encouraged. No dogs. Bring your own chairs and blankets. For info, visit chesterct.org/home/news/2025-cedarlake-concert-series or facebook.com/chesterct.
Concert by Texas Flood (Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan)
MONDAY, AUG. 11
Meditation Monday: Mindfulness and Meditation
: 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. : 9:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Second in a threepart series. The session covers the difference between mindfulness and meditation, how to incorporate both in life and practice, and a review of individual participants’ meditation experiences or challenges. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Press Release from the Henry Whitfield Museum
Photo courtesy of the Whitfield Museum
An American kestrel is among the raptors visitors can meet during a live birds-of-prey presentation by Blue Moon Raptors at Nature Stewards Field Day at the Whitfield Museum.
Photo courtesy of the Whitfield Museum
Heather Bradley leads a tour of the native pollinator garden at the Henry Whitfield State Museum, one of several interactive events during Nature Stewards Field Day.
Buddy Up: A Teen Mentor Service
The Chester Block Party
Frames in Film:
Tip-A-Cop
Full Moon Cruise on and
RiverQuest Onrust
Die Fledermaus
Horoscopes Crossword
For the week of August 7 - August 13
ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20
Try to get the whole picture before you proceed, Aries; otherwise, you may be moving along blindly and that can make matters worse. Patience is a valuable asset right now.
TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, sometimes a major conflict ends when one party walks away and finds something better to occupy them. Identify the source of your frustration and then decide if it’s worth it to proceed.
GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21
You can seemingly energize the people around you, Gemini. They will flock to you for inspiration this week, and you can make all sorts of connections this way.
CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, this week you may be able to see beyond the coincidences that keep cropping up and straight to the true meaning of things. Pay attention to your instincts right now.
LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, if you are called upon to tell a story or get people to see their common interests, your flair for drama should come in handy. Others will have so much fun being around you.
VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22
You and someone you work with are butting heads this week, Virgo. You want them to act in a certain manner, and it could be frustrating to you if they fall short of expectations.
AUGUST 7
Jalen Hurts, Athlete (27)
AUGUST 8
Roger Federer, Athlete (44)
AUGUST 9
Anna Kendrick, Actress (40)
AUGUST 10
LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23
A new opportunity pops into your life, Libra. You may rethink your current surroundings, whether at work or at home. This could be an exciting time for you.
SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22
Carve out some time for creativity, as it is what you are all about right now, Scorpio. Give in to the impulse to knit, paper craft or get involved in the theater. Stimulate your brain.
SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21
The right answer to the questions you have been seeking should appear exactly when you need the message, Sagittarius. You’ll have to be a little more patient for the time being.
CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, you have questions about how you can best help the people around you, and that is by being honest with yourself and your actions. Keep everyone in the loop.
AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18
You are ready for a break from your responsibilities, Aquarius, but something keeps dragging you back into certain tasks. Figure out a way to wrap up the to-do list, then escape.
PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, there are a million thoughts competing for space inside your brain. It may be best if you write things out and sort them so you can give everything the attention it deserves.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST 11
Chris Hemsworth, Actor (42) AUGUST 12
Tyson Fury, Boxer (37) AUGUST 13
Sebastian Stan, Actor (43)
Kylie Jenner, Reality Star (28)
CLUES ACROSS
1. Spiritual leaders
7. Salt
13. Fortified wine
14. Edible mollusk
16. They precede C
17. A way to compare
19. State lawyer
20. “Game of Thrones” actor Ciaran
22. Eighth month (abbr.)
23. Very willing
25. __ ex machina
26. Satisfies
28. Mountain in New Zealand
29. A doctrine
30. Popular Dodge truck model
31. Dekagram
33. Naturally occurring solid
34. Company officer
36. Villains
38. Cricket frogs
40. One of the founders of modern psychology
41. Endured
43. A female domestic
44. You can get stuck in one
45. Partner to feather
47. Passive optical network
48. French ballet dynasty
51. Employee stock ownership plan
53. Bottom layer
55. Sound
56. Yankee great Judge
58. Dickens character
59. Late beloved TNT sportscaster
60. South Dakota
61. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule
64. Gold
65. Longtime Braves hurler Julio
67. Humor
69. Shawl
70. Hospital unit
CLUES DOWN
1. Animal disease
2. Commercial
3. Necklace materials
4. Containers
5. Investment account
6. Colorado Heisman Trophy winner
7. Dipped down
8. Head injury category (abbr.)
9. Lay about
10. Intestinal
11. Not yes
12. Caused to be loved
13. Muslim spiritual leader
15. Showing sincere conviction
18. Not in
21. Number above the line in a fraction
24. Lawn pest
26. Pouch
27. Ancient language in India (abbr.)
30. Start over
32. Wild white flower
35. Fourteen
37. Visual way to interact with computer (abbr.)
38. Side by side and facing the same way
39. Religious conflicts
42. Touch lightly
43. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Gretchen
46. Violent seizure of property
47. One who supports the pope
49. Malaise
50. Body fluid
52. Inauthentic person
54. Title of respect
55. Chilean city
57. Japanese city
59. Silk garment
62. Draw from
63. Automobile
66. The man
68. Top government lawyer
Word Search
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, and diagonally throughout the puzzle.
EYE HEALTH WORD SEARCH
BACTERIA BLURRY CONTACTS CORNEA DISTANCE DROPS
EXAM EYES
GOGGLES HEALTH
LASHES
OPTOMETRIST PROTECT REGARD RETINA SAFETY SCRATCH SIGHT
SOLUTION TEARS
ULTRAVIOLET VISION WASH
Word Scramble
Word Scramble solution for July 31, 2025: PASTRY
Word Search solution for July 31, 2025
TUESDAY, AUG. 12
“Drive-in” Movie Night
: 3 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. For tweens and older children. Participants bring a favorite book and/or movie about spies to share with the group. Includes a discussion of the history of spies, the technology and gadgets used in spy work, and spy-themed games. For info or to register (required), call 860-6632000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org. : 5:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Popcorn will be served. Bring a blanket to sit on. For info, including the movie title, or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Weeknights with Giada: Quick and Simple Recipes to Revamp Dinner
: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Westbrook Public Library, 61 Goodspeed Dr. Book: by Giada De Laurentiis. 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.
Blue Ribbon Floral Arrangements
:
7 p.m. The United Church of Chester, 29 W. Main St., Chester. Presented by Trish Manfredi, floral judge and instructor. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Hosted by the Chester Garden Club. For info, email cgcchesterct@gmail.com.
Concert by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
:
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.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13
The Magic of Lyn, Master Illusionist: Junior Experience
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or to purchase a ticket, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
Crafternoon
: 2 to 4 p.m. Westbrook Public Library Community Room, 61 Goodspeed Dr. For children ages 5 and up. For info or to register, call the library at 860-399-6422 or visit westbrooklibrary.org.
Explore the Butterflies of Salt Meadow
Press Release from Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
Nature lovers are invited to join volunteer naturalist Tom Kelly for a free butterfly walk at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook.
The guided walk will take participants along refuge trails in search of local butterfly species, including the silver-spotted skipper, summer azure, and red-spotted
purple. Along the way, Kelly will share insights into these striking pollinators and their habitats.
The program is presented in partnership with the Connecticut Butterfly Association. In case of rain, the walk may be postponed to the following morning.
Registration is encouraged. To sign up, email Shaun Roche at shaun_roche@ fws.gov.
or tickets, contact Nancy McGee at 860526-3172 or nancy.o.mcgee@gmail.com.
Thursdays on the Dock Series: Parker's Tangent
: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Bring a blanket or chair. Free but donations can be placed in a hat that is passed around. No BYOB. Food, beer, and wine are available for purchase. For info, visit ctrivermuseum.org/events.
An Evening at Ivoryton Playhouse
: 6 p.m. Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Features appetizers, a silent auction, cash bar, and a performance of at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Tri-town Youth Services. Tickets start $80. Service fees apply. For info or tickets, visit ttysb.org.
My Fair Lady
Deep River 2025 Summer Concert Series
: 6:30 p.m. Plattwood Park, Winthrop Road, Deep River. Music by Andre and Friends. Presented by the Deep River Parks and Recreation. For info, visit deepriverct.us/parks-and-recreationdepartment.
ONGOING EVENTS
Farmers Market
Chester Sunday Market
: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 12. Chester Center, Main St. For info, visit chestersundaymarket.jimdo.com.
Deep River Farmers Market
: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 11. First Congregational Church in Deep River, 1 Church St. For info, contact Paul Santowski at 203-305-5429 or paulsantowski@outlook.com.
Durham Farmers Market
Level Up! Family Movie Series
: 3:30 p.m.
Essex Library, 33 West Ave. No registration needed. For info, including the movie title, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Essex Summer Concert Series
: 6:30 to
8 p.m. Essex Green. Music by Blues on the Rocks. Free. Presented by Essex Park and Recreation. For info, visit facebook.com/SXParkandRec.
THURSDAY, AUG. 14
Henna
: 3:30 p.m. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. Led by an artist from Jamilah Henna of East Hampton. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chester Public Library.
For info or to register, call the library at 860-526-0018 or visit chesterctlibrary.com.
Members’ Opening Reception for
: 9 a.m. to noon. Saturdays through Oct. 4. Durham Community Center grounds, 144 Picket Ln., or on the Town Green. For info, email farmersmarket@townofdurhamct.org or visit townofdurhamct.org/articles/summerfarmers-market-update.
:
4 to 5:30 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 19. The reception is followed by live music on the lawn from 5:30 to 7:30. Bring a lawn chair. For info, call 860767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.
: 5:30 to
Second Annual Peach Festival Watermark: Capturing the Connecticut
7 p.m. St. Joseph’s Church Rectory and church yard, 48 Middlesex Ave., Chester. Features peach cobbler, ice cream, and more. Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Only 100 tickets will be sold. For info
Old Saybrook Farmers Market
: 9 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays and Saturdays through October. Parking lot at 210 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-8330095.
To submit an event to the Living Calendar, send an email to news@shorepublishing.com. For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website zip06.com. The deadline for submissions is noon, eight days prior to the publication date.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern tiger swallowtail.
Spy Games
Cookbook Club
Incomparable Country Living
This private compound, situated on over 70 beautifully serene acres in the Killingworth and Haddam hills, offers an easy commute to Boston, New York, and the shoreline. Come home to this lovingly re-crafted antique Cape Cod.
This home features three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, including a private primary suite—wide pine floors run throughout, complemented by four fireplaces and a wraparound deck. The open-concept layout brings a sophisticated farmhouse feel, and the chef’s kitchen features handcrafted cabinetry, granite countertops, and Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. A main-floor laundry room adds convenience, and a bright sunroom opens to the deck with remarkable views of the surrounding land.
This property offers acres of fenced pasture ready for riding, including a full turnout, round pen, paddock, tack room, kitchen, bath, storage, and a gazebo. There’s space to restore the riding ring or to add a tennis court, pool, or gardens. Guests will love the inviting cottage, which features cathedral ceilings, a charming open floor plan, built-ins, walnut floors, and a private deck. A versatile two-story workshop features cherry floors, stained glass accents, and attached storage. A stunning meditative pond house with a dock invites peaceful moments by the water, often visited by local blue herons. Additional structures include a two-bay detached garage and other meticulously maintained outbuildings.
The farm adjoins 41.91 acres of Haddam land, allowing you to trail ride without ever leaving your property. Rolling woodlands, trails, and bridges provide endless opportunities for recreation and enjoying nature—a healthy, active lifestyle right in your backyard.
As a bonus, there’s gorgeous, partially cleared acreage above the pond, plus an additional 10 wooded acres teeming with wildlife across Jackson Road. This is incomparable country living in the quiet heart of Connecticut.
This home is being offered for sale by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties for $2,200,000. For more information or a showing, contact Sheila Tinn-Murphy at 203-915-7530.
This home features three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, including a private primary suite—wide pine floors run throughout, complemented by four fireplaces and a wraparound deck.
This property offers acres of fenced pasture ready for riding, including a full turnout, round pen, paddock, tack room, kitchen, bath, storage, and a gazebo.
Staff Report
This private compound, situated on over 70 beautifully serene acres in the Killingworth and Haddam hills, offers an easy commute to Boston, New York, and the shoreline. Come home to this lovingly re-crafted antique Cape Cod.
Real Estate Transactions
DEEP RIVER
KNOLLWOOD BEACH ASSOCIATION
WESTBROOK
: Pulcini
Dominic 3rd Est and Thomas Pulcini to Jacob Pulcini, $200,000 on July 16
: Estate of
John Bailey and Catherine A. White to Asylum Holdings LLC, $575,000 on July 15
: Kenneth and
Kimberly Bartlett to Pamela M Wertheim T and Pamela M. Wertheim, $1,300,000 on July 17
95 Castle Heights Mislick Drive
: Michele Talbot to Richard J. Lof, $95,000 on July 14
: Deep River Town Of to Olson Property Holdings L, $163,000 on July 14
: Marilyn A. Mason to Jason S. and Sarah E. Sidle, $415,000 on July 14
: James and Gina A. Vicino to Samuel J. and Mallory J. Angles, $715,000 on July 14
: Andrew R. and Emma M. Long to Jason S. and Kristin Brown, $815,000 on July 14
: Julie L. Lei to Gary T. and Diane C. Debrizzi, $552,000 on July 15
Kimberly A. Thomas to David E. Mclaughlin, $185,000 on July 16 17 Partridge Lane 15 Sunset Terrace Unit 10
: Pamela A.
Hunter to Kathryn and Peter Barcroft, $749,900 on July 17 :
OLD SAYBROOK
Mary Nocera to Uprise Dev & Const LLC, $390,000 on July 14
: Middle Post LLC to 5
Jade Court LLC, $10,000 on July 16
: Daniel E. and Carol E. Huntley to Gregory W. and Erin K. Warwick, $600,000 on July 18
:
Michael Fazio to Deborah L. Moeckel, $700,000 on July 16
: Amy H. Worman to James E. Litwin and Kathryn V. Wesbecher, $410,000 on July 15
: Judith Zurkus to Felicia A. Smith and Travis Gulick, $530,000 on July 17
: Ehrlich
Consulting LLC to Maxwell Ehrlich, $250,000 on July 18
: Joseph and Catherine K. Marganski to James Doran and Taryn Kelly-Doran, $732,500 on July 17
: John C. Motzer to Brandon Williams and Sophie Katz, $619,000 on July 17
: Robert A. Croce to Sarah and Bronson Iannacone, $525,500 on July 16
: Brian D. and Antoinette M. Corcoran to William N. and Lisa R. Obrien, $869,000 on July 16
: Ava Hill-Gaunt to Thomas Marchetti, $860,000 on July 16
: Kenneth F. and Melissa A. Scheve to Michael and Megan Pepe, $1,755,000 on July 18 : 410 Tanner Marsh LLC to Robert and Christine Croce, $2,098,696 on July 15 : Robert A. and Christine S. Croce to 416 Tanner Marsh LLC, $350,000 on July 15
