Deep River officials are exploring whether to fine property owners whose buildings fall into disrepair — but how such an ordinance would be enforced remains an open question. The Board of Selectmen and Planning & Zoning Commission discussed the issue Aug.
6 at Town Hall, part of a broader look at local ordinances. Many Connecticut municipalities, including Hartford, have moved in recent years to address blight, which can include neglected structures, overgrown lots, or other unsightly conditions.
Several members suggested that fines could help encourage compliance, but Planning & Zoning member Alan Paradis urged
the group to consider how such penalties would affect residents who lack the means to make repairs.
“Fining someone who does not have the resources to fix their property or pay the fine for violation would not be beneficial to anyone,” Paradis said. “It is a matter of finding a See Officials Debate page 6
Music by the Water
The Dream Committee performs during the Cedar Lake Summer Concert Series on Aug. 10 as fans enjoy an evening of music by the water. The free concert series runs Sunday nights from 5 to 7 p.m., with the final show featuring Shorebreak on Aug. 17.
is crafting dragons and childhood dreams......2
Christopher Owens
PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ ValleyCourier
Christopher Owens: Crafting Dragons and Childhood Dreams
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer
When many people talk about the things that fulfill or satisfy them, their lists often focus on material possessions or money—owning a big house, driving a nice car, or landing a high-paying job. For Chester resident Christopher Owens, however, the most important things in life are experiences. He credits moments such as opening a pizza stand inside a firetruck, traveling to the Bahamas, and befriending Jimmy Buffett as the most valuable of his life.
Owens is the artist behind many projects in the Lower Valley, including the newest addition to Sunset Lake: , a wooden sculpture installed directly in the pond. It serves as a whimsical sight for those driving by or enjoying a walk along the grassy bank.
Gracie the Water Dragon
Owens originally hoped to display the sculpture in Chester, where he has lived for eight years. When told the piece could not be accommodated there, he expanded his search and found Sunset Lake in Essex. The new location gave Gracie a home and
Person of the Week
offered the public a fresh landmark to enjoy.
“To be adopted by Essex and appreciated is a real feather in my cap,” Owens said. “For me, crafting and coming up with the idea for this project was what I really enjoyed… I found a place where people could go and see it.”
Public art, Owens said, is something he remains passionate about, and he hopes to expand on his past work. He often draws inspiration from children’s ideas and from the joy families express when they encounter his sculptures.
“I’m fueled by the reaction that people have to my work,” he said. “My childhood wasn’t the best, and since then, I’ve spent most of my time trying to create with the imagination of a six-year-old. It’s the reason I have
done sculptures of things like dogs, dragons, and lighthouses.”
That process and mindset, however, does not always come easily. This past winter, Owens struggled to find inspiration and direction. For several weeks, he said, he could not settle on an idea—until Gracie came along. Planning and building the dragon, he said, was a turning point.
Gracie
“It was a cathartic couple of weeks for me creating ,” Owens said. “It was not just creating this wonderful creature that I could share with the people in town and beyond—it was me also getting myself back as an artist, which was really cool… It really felt to me like I was coming home. I had gone from wandering aimlessly like a guy without a country, and I was finally back.”
Owens traces his initial interest in sculpting and creating back to age six, when his favorite activities were building sand castles and studying lighthouses.
“I really am just self-taught,” he said. “I can imagine it, and the journey is how you get from imagining it
See Christopher page 6
Photo courtesy of Christopher Owens Chester artist Christopher Owens finds inspiration in childhood imagination, creating whimsical sculptures like his latest work, Gracie the Water Dragon, for the community to enjoy.
Essex, Chester, & Deep River’s Hometown Newspaper
Government Exists
Only to Help People
Chester voters have an opportunity to consider issues and concerns about the town’s recent past, present, and future, including two record-high 10+ percent annual tax increases, the need for truly affordable housing, especially for seniors, and an appropriate process for working with developers seeking to change existing neighborhoods. There are many other issues that also deserve debate.
That discussion will be possible before a Sept. 9 primary between me and the incumbent first selectman. Only Democrats — it’s a Democratic primary — and unaffiliated voters who switch to Democrat before the end of August will be able to vote. Republicans have no candidate for first selectman this year, and cannot change affiliation.
ESSEX TOWN MEETINGS
I made the decision to run for office with considerable relevant experience. I spent 15 years as a newspaperman covering government, sharpening my listening and communication skills. I then worked in Connecticut state government in economic development and environmental management, and in the private sector, managing government and community relations. I have an MBA with training in finance, human relations, and operations that dovetails with on-the-job training as a manager.
Chester is an extraordinary small town in which I have had a presence since 1987. That makes me still sort of a “newcomer.” One thing I’ve learned: If
Thursday,Aug.14
Conservation Commission
Tuesday,Aug.19
Wednesday,Aug.20
Thursday,Aug.21
Zoning Board of Appeals Board of Selectmen Capital Committee Board of Finance
NOTE: Call the town clerk at 860-7674340, ext. 129, or visit the Essex town website www.essexct.gov to learn how to participate in the following meetings: : 6 p.m. : 7 p.m. : 7 p.m. : 10:30 a.m. : 7 p.m.
DEEP RIVER TOWN MEETINGS
Tuesday,Aug.19 Thursday,Aug.21 Thursday,Aug.14
Monday,Aug.18
Thursday,Aug.14
Housing Authority
Deep River Sustainable CT 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. : 5 p.m. : 7 p.m.
Tuesday,Aug.19 Wednesday,Aug.20 Firehouse Building Committee Special Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Planning and
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: : 7 p.m. : 7 p.m. : 9:30 a.m. : 7 p.m.
Obituaries
Obituary Matthew Winkler
Essex
Matthew "Matt" Winkler passed away at home on July 8, 2025. Matt was born on May 14, 1938, to Matthew and Helen Winkler Glendale of Queens, N.Y.
He graduated from Polytechnic High School of Engineering and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Engineering. Matt worked at Pratt & Whitney and Turbo Power and Marine. With two other engineers, he started Seaworthy Engine Systems with offices in Essex, New York, and Washington, D.C.. After 35 years, they sold the company to Rolls Royce Navel Marine. Matt worked for several more years until he retired. During his professional career, he published 65 technical papers, provided expert witness services in 24 legal arbitrated cases, and was included in four hardcover teaching textbooks. In retirement with his wife and son Matthew, he started JB Filtration in July 2011, which continues today. Matt was active in the community.
He was president of the Old Saybrook Racquet Club, a past member of the Essex Tree Committee and Pettipaug Yacht Club, and a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club until his passing.
Matt enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, his home and cat, and his Corvettes.
Matt was predeceased by his son Christopher. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judith; his son Matthew and wife Megan; his granddaughter Nora and her husband Collin Sembler; his great-grandson Westin Sembler; his granddaughter Maeve Winkler; his sister Phyllis Pellach; his sister-in-law Lois and her husband John Reilly; his nephews, Scott and John Reilly. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Old Lyme Congregational Church, Ferry Road, Old Lyme. Memorial contributions in Matt's name may be sent to Old Lyme Congregational Church or Essex Land Trust.
See Obituaries page 7
Letters Editor to the
Continued from page 4
you move to a wonderful place, don’t try to change it to suit yourself. I have no personal agenda running for office. I am fiscally responsible, care about helping people, and believe we should leave behind things better than we found them.
GAL
77thAnnualJuriedExhibitandSale
In the very short campaign leading up to Primary Day, Sept. 9, a theme I will strike is “government exists only to help people, and never to hurt them.” I would appreciate your consideration and vote. Joe Cohen Chester
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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 203745-7803 or Sheila Kaczmarek at 203-645-8827.
Find Obituaries
Posted Daily Online
While our press schedule often does not allow us to publish death notices in time to announce memorial services, readers can find obituaries posted to the Valley Courier website, www.zip06.com, five days a week as they arrive.
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Officials Debate Blight Enforcement, Fines
Continued from page 1
solution where the resources to help the individual may exist. Instead of this, we may have to have a panel of representatives from places like the Board of Selectmen, Planning & Zoning, Public Works, Housing Authority, and Social Services.
That way we have a group who will be able to find the means to a solution.”
First Selectwoman Carol Doak-Jones cautioned that a large, multi-board panel could make residents uncomfortable sharing personal details about their finances or property issues.
“There might be a level of embarrass-
ment, airing your personal business out to a whole bunch of people,” Doak-Jones said. “We may have to limit it to a smaller group of people instead.”
No ordinance was adopted, and the discussion is expected to continue in the coming weeks. Any final action will be taken by the Board of Selectmen.
Christopher Owens: Crafting Dragons and Childhood Dreams
Continued from page 2
to eventually becoming a new creation. I feel like that has always been the case for me since I was a kid.”
Today, Owens has sculptures and projects scattered across his home, studio, and
even his lawn. He said he has no plans to slow down, whether he remains in Chester or eventually moves elsewhere.
“My early life taught me that life is so fragile, and I was the black sheep of my family,” Owens said. “Now I try to be an adult, but I never want to lose my creative
spark or anything that comes with it.”
Owens’s hope is to keep “going with the flow,” seeing where inspiration takes him next—and giving the public more moments of delight like those sparked by Gracie the Water Dragon
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.
Obituaries
Continued from page 5
Obituary
James Paul Carini
Chester
Rev. Msgr. James Paul Carini passed peacefully from this life at his home in Chester. He was born July 26, 1939, in Middletown, son of the late John F. Carini and Katherine (Scallia) Carini of Chester. He attended Chester Grammar School and Valley Regional High School, Deep River, graduating in 1957.
During his early teenage years, young Jimmy was a member of the Chester Fife and Drum Corps as a fifer along with his father, John, a bass drummer, and his uncle, Vic, a fifer. In 1956, he attended Boys State at UConn sponsored by the American Legion. He received a B.A. degree from St. Francis University, Loretto, Pa., an M.A. in counselor education from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.Div. from Christ the King Seminary, St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Norwich on May 27, 1965, by Bishop Vincent J. Hines. Father Carini was temporarily assigned to St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, St. Peter Church, Higganum, and then St. Patrick Church in Mystic for five years. During his time in Mystic, Father Carini was chaplain to the Catholic deaf students at the Mystic Oral School and catechetical director of their religious education program. Some years later, he developed the first Ministry to the Deaf in the Norwich Diocese, celebrating Masses in sign lan-
guage throughout the Diocese. He continued his education at the Deafness and Research Center at New York University.
In 1970, Bishop Hines assigned Father Carini chaplain to the students at St. Bernard High School, Uncasville, and resident chaplain to the Christian Brothers. He also became a part-time staff member of the Emmaus Spiritual Life Center in Uncasville, having received a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Diocese of Bridgeport.
In February 1982, Father Carini accompanied Bishop Daniel P. Reilly on the first diocesan missionary trip to the island of Haiti. He was instrumental in setting up two follow-up trips in 1983 and 1984, and in 1985 resided in Haiti for three months researching possibilities of a permanent presence in Haiti for the Diocese of Norwich. Returning to the Diocese, Father Carini used his fluency in Haitian Creole to minister to the growing local Haitian community in Norwich with occasional Masses in their native language.
In 1986, he became pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Preston. After his 25th anniversary in 1990, he participated in a sabbatical program at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Christian Formation in Ministry in the spring of 1991.
Subsequently, in 1996, Father Carini was assigned pastor of St. Matthew Church, Tolland, by Bishop Daniel A Hart. During his pastorate there, he led the construction of the parish center and a new rectory. He retired in July 2015 after 50 years of active ministry and returned to live in his hometown of Chester in the house where he grew up. In January 2014, prior to his retirement, His Holiness Pope Francis
LEGAL NOTICE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS, ESSEX CT
All owners of motor vehicles registered in the Town of Essex are hereby warned that the Board of Assessment Appeals of the Town of Essex will hold motor vehicle only hearings at the Essex Town Hall, on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 8:30am to 10:00am. All persons claiming to be aggrieved with regard to motor vehicle assessments on the grand list of October 1, 2024 are hereby warned to make their appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals at this meeting.
If you feel the assessment of your vehicle is incorrect, you have the right to appeal the assessment to the September meeting of the Board of Assessment Appeals. Hearings will be by appointment. All parties should contact the Assessor’s office at 860-767-4340 x123 to make an appointment in advance. Vehicles should be present for evaluation, as appropriate.
Keith Russell, Chairman
Board of Assessment Appeals, Essex, CT
appointed him Chaplain to the Papal Household with the title of Reverend Monsignor.
During his 50 years of priesthood, Msgr. Carini was a member of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, the Liturgical Commission, and the Lay Ministry and Deacon Advisory Boards. He was also active as a member of the Presbyteral Council and on the Corporate Board of Outreach to Haiti. Nationally, he was a member of the National Federation of Priests Councils representing the Hartford Province. In the Norwich Diocese, beginning in 1981, Father Carini was director of the Emmaus Spirituality Program for Priests and participated as a national team member of the program, preaching retreats and leading presbyteral assemblies and convocations throughout the United States.
Msgr. Carini was predeceased by his sister Frances Ann Carini. Msgr. Carini is survived by his sister Geradine Carini Garcia and numerous cousins, particularly the six Doak cousins and their families, who were so supportive, caring, and loving to him and his sisters.
Donations may be made to Outreach to Haiti, 815 Boswell Ave., Norwich, CT 06360, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, 61 Main Street, Suite 5, Centerbrook, CT 06409, or to a charity of one’s choice.
The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. A public visitation was celebrated on Aug. 8 at St. Matthew Church, 111 Tolland Green in Tolland. A funeral Mass followed. Burial took place following Mass at St. Joseph Cemetery, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester, in the Carini family plot.
LEGAL
EssexLibraryHoldsBookSales
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. The book sale continues from Monday, Sept. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 18, with a focus in humor, literature, poetry, politics, and religion. 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.
EnjoyaCruiseonRiverQuestorOnrust
The Connecticut River Museum announces it has two vessels for cruises on the Connecticut River: , a recreation of the vessel Adriaen Block built in 1614, and , a tour boat that explores the river’s ecology, history, and wildlife. The boats leave from the docks at the museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, and are open for public and private cruises through October. For more information or to make a reservation, call 860-767-8289 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.
RTPEstuaryCenter SummerCampBonusWeek
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/rtp-programs-events.
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
Installation | Service | Sales (860) 357-4952
• Regular maintenance on all makes/ models: gas, oil or electric
• Frozen or broken pipes
• Winterizing home heating systems
• Venting for dryers & exhaust systems
• Gas fireplace inserts & piping
• Pool heaters; service and install
• Complete residential and commercial HVAC system change outs (including ductless splits and heat pumps)
• Air purification systems, water heaters, commercial rooftop units and water heaters, custom duct work, processed piping
• …and so much more!
Classic Tabby Patrick
Story by Carol Andrecs
Although Patrick is 2 years old, he has the energy and playfulness of a young kitten. He is a very busy boy who loves to play and amuse volunteers and visitors with his funny antics. Since Patrick loves to be the center of attention and is not a fan of his roommates, he would most likely be happiest as an only cat. For an appointment to meet this stunning, playful boy, apply online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.
Find Your Match At Forgotten Felines:
Forgotten Felines holds an Open House every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary. Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and much appreciated. Call the volunteer line at 860-669-1347 or send an email to volunteerinfo@forgottenfelinesct.org.
COME SING WITH US!
Announcing Auditions to Join Con Brio
Con Brio is delighted to announce its 2025 Christmas Concerts (12/12 and 12/14), under the baton of new Music Director, Dr. Chris Shepard. (Dr. Shepard also continues as the Artistic Director of the celebrated chorus CONCORA.)
Con Brio welcomes new members for all voice parts!
Auditions take place Monday, August 25, at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main St., Old Saybrook, from 7:00-8:30 pm.
Please call 860-575-1533 to schedule a time. Full information at www.ConBrio.org/audition
Weekly rehearsals begin Monday September 8.
Notice of Decision
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Essex Planning and Zoning Commission at their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 via in-person and virtual meeting, took the following actions:
- PZC #25-5 Request to modify the Declaration of Restrictions and Covenants to remove the prohibition on additional subdivision of existing lots of the Hashagen Subdivision located off River Road Applicant/Owner: Serrano and Mercadante DENIED
- PZC #25-6 Text Amendment under Section 8 of the Essex Subdivision Regulations to add the Essex Conservation Commission to the list of commissions and boards for reviewing development applications. Applicant: Essex Conservation Commission APPROVED WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 29, 2025
- PZC #25-7 Text Amendment under Section 123 of the Essex Zoning Regulations to modify 60-1 Village Residence -1 (VR-1) to correct the coverage allowed in the VR-1 to 15% or 4,000 square feet whichever is less. Applicant: Planning and Zoning Commission APPROVED WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 29, 2025
- PZC #25-8 Special Exception under Section 70A.2(C) of the Essex Zoning Regulations to change the use from office to retail on the first floor at 3 Essex Square Essex. Applicant: JM Soper; Owner 3 Essex Square LLC APPROVED
- PZC #25-9 Site Plan under Section 45-1 of the Essex Zoning Regulations to change the use from office to one residential unit with two bedrooms at 3 Essex Square Essex. Applicant: JM Soper; Owner 3 Essex Square LLC APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
Respectfully Submitted,
Photo by Tracye Mueller
Hair Stylists Team Up for Free Back-to-School Cuts
By Christian Maldonado
Staff Writer REGIONAL
With the 2025-’26 school year fast approaching, some families are feeling the pressure to make sure their children have the right supplies. One local hair stylist is teaming up with Tri-Town Youth Services to make at least one part of the back-toschool process a little easier.
On Sunday, Aug. 24, the day before schools in the Valley reopen, Aurora Roccapriore and five other stylists will offer free haircuts for children outside Tri-Town Youth Services, 56 High St., Deep River. Appointments are available from noon to 5 p.m., and a limited number of slots remain.
Roccapriore, a cosmetology school graduate who works at Leah’s Bella Vita salon in Deep River, said she hopes the event will help kids feel ready for a successful school year while also building connections in the community.
tion will also have a chance to win prizes, including a new Xbox or tickets to a Hartford Yard Goats baseball game.
The response has been encouraging, Roccapriore said. “People say this is such a gift to the community, and so many of the stylists were so excited when I brought it up to them.”
Her mother, Abby Roccapriore, who is program manager for Positive Youth Development at Tri-Town, said there will also be a “Junk in the Trunk” event next door, where residents can park, open their trunks, and offer items for others to take for free — “essentially a free tag sale,” she said.
In addition, Tri-Town Youth Services will have back-to-school items and other giveaways available during the event.
“I thought, working with Tri-Town Youth and other hairdressers I know, it would be great for the kids,” she said. “I want to meet people and help out my community.”
Roccapriore said she was inspired by salon owner Leah Kisselbrack’s annual “Polar Plunge” fundraiser, which collects nonperishable food items for those in need.
Following that model, Roccapriore is asking participants to bring a nonperishable item instead of payment. All donations will be collected by Tri-Town Youth Services to support local families.
Those who bring a nonperishable dona-
Parents and guardians who would like to reserve one of the remaining haircut slots can sign up at www.signup genius.com/go/10C054CAEA62AA0FEC 43-55907953-back# or visit www.ttysb.org and the Tri-Town Youth Services Facebook page at facebook.com/tritownysb.
Horoscopes Crossword
For the week of August 14 - August 20
ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20
This week you are unstoppable, Aries. Your confidence will be shining brightly for all to see, and the right people are bound to take notice. Expect to tackle some projects.
TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, small comforts will bring big happiness to you this week. Plus, your natural charm will draw others in. A surprise in your home life will make your heart soar. Enjoy the moments.
GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, your words will be magical this week whether you’re pitching ideas or chatting with friends. There’s not much you can’t say that people will not hear and take to heart.
CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, this week you may be building something meaningful, whether it is in love or work. All of the steps you are currently taking will help establish security and happiness in your life.
LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23
Your creativity is on fire right now, Leo. People are drawn to your warmth and charisma. This is a great time to start something new or share a talent with others.
VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22
Something that felt out of place begins to align perfectly right now, Virgo. You might be tapping into your inner wisdom, and it’s guiding you toward some much-needed success.
LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, new connections will be coming your way, meaning that you may have different avenues for social connections. Get out and meet people as much as you can.
SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22
Your drive is unmatched right now, Scorpio. Whatever goals you have established you are pushing through faster than would seem possible. Stay focused, but celebrate your progress.
SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21
Adventure is calling, Sagittarius. You might be planning a trip or diving into a new study subject. This week a fire will be lit and your optimism is contagious.
CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, a breakthrough in your life may be brewing. You are increasingly making smart choices that can offer long-term dividends. Stay open and trust the process.
AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18
Connections with others are a primary focus for you this week, Aquarius. Whether you are exploring love, friendship or new business opportunities, fresh energy comes into play .
PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20
You are in your element this week, Pisces. A creative idea or unexpected kindness makes the week extra special. Focus on some self-care and keep giving off positive vibes.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST 14
Doechii, Rapper (27)
AUGUST 15
Jennifer Lawrence, Actress (35)
AUGUST 16
Madonna, Singer (67)
AUGUST 17
Austin Butler, Actor (34)
AUGUST 18
Andy Samberg, Actor (47)
AUGUST 19
John Stamos, Actor (62)
AUGUST 20
Demi Lovato, Singer (33)
CLUES ACROSS
1. Auto manufacturer
4. The 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet
7. Two-year-old sheep
10. Member of indigenous people in Asia
11. Airborne (abbr.)
12. Actress de Armas
13. Not moving
15. Cool!
16. Plants of the arum family
19. Perceptible by touch
21. Rorschach test
23. Monetary units
24. Art
25. Cardinal number
26. Dueling sword
27. Hates
30. Fixed in one place
34. Pie _ __ mode
35. Moved on foot
36. Passenger’s spot on a motorcycle
41. A way through
45. “Rule, Britannia” composer
46. Leader
47. Flowing
50. Common greetings in Arabic countries
54. Solution for all difficulties
55. Soft clothing fabric
56. Building material
57. Sea bream
59. A way to cause to be swollen
60. One and only
61. Skin color
62. Wreath
63. Nevertheless
64. They __
65. Sea eagle
CLUES DOWN
1. Policemen (French)
2. Toy dog
3. Inflamed colon disease
4. Muscular weaknesses
5. Helps little firms
6. References
7. Takes down
8. Facilitates
9. One-time empress of the Roman Empire
13. Engine additive
14. Chemistry solution
17. Written account
18. Consumed
20. Coming after all others
22. No (slang)
27. Government lawyers
28. Super Bowl winner Manning
29. Small amount
31. A way to save for your future
32. A way to travel behind
33. Midway between northeast and east
37. Head pain
38. Loud lawn insect
39. Actress Hathaway
40. Boat race
41. About fish
42. Nursemaid in India
43. Marketable
44. Tinier
47. Parts per billion (abbr.)
48. Paddle
49. Oneness
51. Bitter compound
52. Not around
53. Very fast airplane
58. Swiss river
Word Search
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, and diagonally throughout the puzzle.
FAMILY FUN WORD SEARCH
ADVENTURE
BARBECUE
BIRTHDAY
BOARD GAMES CAMPING CELEBRATION
DANCE GAME HIKING
LAUGHTER
LOVE MEMORIES MOVIE PARK
PICNIC PLAY
PUZZLE
ROAD TRIP
SEASIDE
SWIMMING
TOGETHER
VACATION
Word Scramble
Word Scramble solution for August 7, 2025: IRIS
Word Search solution for August 7, 2025
Local Athletes Compete on National Stage at Senior Softball Little League World Series
By Jenn McCulloch
Matt Reed has been involved with Old Lyme Little League for the past 14 years, coaching both baseball and softball, and serving as president of the league for the past 10 years. As the postseason approached, he began reaching out to some of his former players to see if they would be interested forming a tournament team.
While Reed knew he was fielding the team with talented players from throughout the area, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He knew his team had a chance at the state title — which it claimed — but he had no idea his newly formed group would go on to win Regionals and travel to the Little League World Series.
“As I look back on it, you realize when we got to the World Series, we were the youngest team in history to compete at that level of play with an average age of 14.2 years old,” said Reed. “We were also the only non-district team to make it — just a small town in Connecticut with a couple of additions playing against girls with major DI scholarship offers.”
At the senior age group, which is ages 12 to 16, Little League allows teams to have players from multiple towns. As word spread, Reed ended up with a team consisting of players from Old Lyme, Westbrook, and Deep River. The team’s roster included Josie Arndt, Sawyer Barreto, Paige Erwin, Victoria Glaras, Avery Goiangos, Molly Mones, Brooke Ouellette, Emma Reed, AJ Scrivo, Mia Stokes, Kaylyn Vernon, Teya Vernon, Reagan Weinstein, and Avery Zbierski.
As he confirmed players, he also built out his coaching staff, which included Nicole Barreto, Donna Glaras, and Ron Mones,
accommodations provided by Little League. As the team’s bus headed out of town, the Lyme/Old Lyme Fire and Police departments escorted the bus from the high school to the highway with lights and sirens blaring.
Reed, who noted he’d participated in the World Series as a player three times when he was young, was not only impressed by the community support, but by the experience as a whole.
“It was a tremendously run tournament — everything from the travel and accommodations to the merchandise and the entertainment outside of competition,” said Reed. “Competing in the World Series was truly the cherry on the top.”
Old Lyme’s team included three players who are rising sophomores and the rest of the roster are rising freshmen. Many players on the other teams already had vast high school experience.
who had worked with several of the players on his Shoreline Breakers travel team in the past.
The team began practicing several times a week in preparation.
Unlike the Majors Division (12U) where teams need to advance through Sectionals and Districts, the Seniors entered right into state tournament play, as there were no other District entries at their age level. The team beat Willimantic and then had to face three-time state champs, Bristol, three times. Old Lyme beat them each time to claim the state championship.
“Going into the season, the state championship was our target,” said Reed. “We said, ‘Let’s get after it,’ and we did.”
The win sent the team to Regionals in Worcester, Massachusetts. Old Lyme began pool
play against Rhode Island, winning 17-6 to set up a game against the host team, Worcester, which took a 14-7 win over Old Lyme. Reed noted that game gave the team “a little bit of a taste of a district team that was handpicked and very good, very big.”
Next up, Old Lyme beat Maryland 6-3 to advance to the semifinals where they faced Delaware, last year’s regional champions. Old Lyme was down 2-1 heading into the seventh inning but scored two runs to advance to the finals where they faced Rhode Island and came out with a 10-0 shutout victory, the Regional title, and a berth in the World Series.
“Sawyer [Barreto] pitched all seven innings in semifinals and then later pitched a five-inning shutout,” said Reed. “Next thing
you know we’re going to the World Series.”
Mones was not only thrilled with the World Series-clinching win, but with the support his team received as well.
“Clinching a spot in the Senior Softball Little League World Series was surreal — the team was ecstatic,” said Mones. “We had a great turnout of fans for that final game since Worcester is only an hour away. Family, friends, and some of our other Breakers teammates came up to watch and support us. It was amazing.”
The support continued as the team prepared for the World Series that was held in Sussex County, Delaware. The families, fans, and community stepped up to help with fundraising for expenses outside of the travel and
“For us, at an average age of 14.2 playing against 16- and 17year-olds, the speed became very great, and it was a big stage with very bright lights,” said Reed. “By the time it was ending and we were playing Canada, though, you could see the adjustments we’d made and the growth from the first game against Delaware to the last game where we competed. We got better, and that’s the only thing I could ever ask for.”
Mones agreed that it was a great experience for the newly formed team.
“Our goal was to win a state championship — we met and exceeded our goal tenfold,” he said. “Just going to the Little League World Series is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Special to The Courier
Photo courtesy of Ron Mones
Pictured is the Old Lyme/Westbrook/Deep River senior softball team that advanced to the Little League World Series this year.
White Sox Pull off an Upset in Deep River Horseshoe League
By Gabby Maljanian
Sports Editor
The Canada wildfires blocking the sun’s rays made for comfortable playing conditions in Week 15 of the Deep River Horseshoe League, and as play was finishing, players were greeted with the red moon.
The Cards increased their lead to six games with a 5-1 win over the Dodgers. The White Sox shocked the Cubs 51. The Yankees handed the Angels another 5-1 loss, and the Tigers kept the playoff hopes alive with a 5-1 win over the Rockies. The Braves returned to form with a 4-2 win over the Pirates. With only two weeks left in the season, teams are all focused on the playoffs.
When you face the last place team and your team has been on a roll for the last couple of weeks, you are looking to come away with an easy win. However, Cody Layton’s Cubs did not expect Brady Miller’s White Sox to score 312 points after the previous week’s low of 207 points. Miller’s 126-point series was his second best of the season, and Brian Walsh’s 117-point series was the second highest series for “C” division this season. In addition, he was also the top “C” scorer for the night. The White Sox started their record scoring night by winning the first two games by double-digits, thanks to Walsh’s 33 points in game one and Miller’s 38 points in game two. Cubs’ Warren Bellows and Paul Chrystal, who have been scoring about 27 points above their average during the past three weeks, teamed up in game three to give the Cubs their lone win. The White Sox completed the night by winning the final three games all by double digits. The Cubs are now in sixth place and face one of the hardest closing schedules, the third place Yankees and the first place Cards.
Jeremy Davis’s Dodgers were looking to take on the role of spoiler and put a dent in Kris Toohey’s Cards’ first place lead. However, the results of game one indicated that it would not be happening. As has been the norm in several of Toohey’s first games, he outscores the opponent, and last week, it was the Dodgers. Surprisingly, the Dodgers won game two for their lone win without having to use the seven handicap points. The Cards used their one-point handicap to win game three and then went on to win the next three games handily. This was the third week in a row that the Cards have won five games, and they increased their first-place lead to six games. The Cards’ 292 points were their second highest of the season. Toohey matched the previous week’s 142-point series and was the second leading scorer. The “B” players for each team, Dodgers’ Ed Turner and Cards’ Gary Stevens, split in their head-to-head match, with Turner edging Stevens 87-86.
Which team has the advantage, Todd Nuhn’s Yankees who just won five games, or Tony Cutone’s Angels who just lost five games the previous week? It should favor the Yankees, since the Angels have had trouble scoring and have seen their team average score drop by 30 points during the last few weeks. Frank Durinick substituted for Angels’ Scott Allen Jr. Nuhn’s doubles in two of the last three boxes led to the Yankees winning game one. Cutone and Nuhn matched scores in game two, so it was Durinick who led the Angels to their lone win. After winning the next two games by double-digits, the Yankees had to use their five handicap points to win game five. The Yankees won game six and the match 5-1 and moved up to third place in the standings. Over the last three weeks, the Yankees’ most consistent scorer has been Paul
Stevens. His 95-point series was the second highest “C” division score. The Yankees outscored the Angels 277–226.
Since Week 10, Sheryl Serviss’ Tigers have climbed from 14th to ninth in the standings and are looking at a potential spot in the playoffs. Mike Didomizio was a substitute for Rockies’ Damin Roberts. Serviss’s four doubles in game one made for an easy Tigers win. Vinny Jonynas and Didomozio teamed and scored 66 points in game two for the Rockies’ lone win. With the game tied after eight boxes of game three, Harvey Strausser’s double gave the Tigers the lead, which they held onto for the win. They also won the next three games all by double-digits. Serviss’s 129-point season best series was the third leading “A” division score. The Tigers won 5-1 and are only one-and-a-half games out of eighth place.
Frank Rausch’s Braves did not give Skip Robinson’s Pirates a chance in winning the first two games by double-digits. Rausch threw 12 ringers in the first 11 boxes leading to 39 points in game one, and he followed it with another 38-point, 10-ringer game. The Pirates rebounded by winning the next two games, as the Braves were unable to utilize the handicap to their advantage. Rausch and Peter Furmonavicius showed why they are the top scoring duo in the league with 67 points to overcome the eight-point handicap in game five. The Braves won the last game and with their 4-2 win remained in second place, while the Pirates dropped to fifth in the standings.
Rausch and Furmonavicius combined to score 244 points. Rausch’s 148-point series was the top “A” score, and Furmonavicius’ 96-point series was the third highest for the “B” division. The Braves took the league lead in total points by outscoring the Pirates 296–264.
The word around the league is if your team needs a win, play John Durinick’s Orioles on an odd numbered week. Last week, it was Joe Heery’s Rangers’ turn. The teams split the first two games. Rangers’ Andy Konefal’s ringer in the 11th box of game three led to a three-point win, and the Orioles responded in game four, as Durinick’s four points in the last box gave them a threepoint win. In game five, Heery capped his season best 125-point series with a season best 41-point game. The Rangers went on to win the last game and the match 4-2, and they are in fourth place.
Bill Beckwith’s Red Sox have been in either seventh or eighth place since Week Seven, as they faced Mike Zanelli Jr.’s Diamondbacks. In need of a substitute, Beckwith recruited Donna Zanelli, Mike Zanelli’s wife, who had just come to watch. The team exchanged wins and losses in the first four games before the Red Sox went on to win the last two games. Zanelli Jr. and Beckwith are the No. 4 and No. 5 top scorers in the league. In their head-to-head match, Beckwith won 3-1 and outscored Zanelli Jr. 127–118. With the 4-2 win, the Red Sox moved up to seventh place.
Mark Goodale’s Mets have an outside chance of making the playoffs but would need a big win against John Hutra’s Marlins. The Mets got off to a good start, as Goodale’s 38 points in game one came within a point of outscoring the Marlins. However, Marlins’ Dennis Allen countered with 40 points in game two for their win. Marlins’ Mike Beckwith and Allen overcame the handicap to win game three. The Mets were not giving up, as Goodale and Leif Selander combined for 60 points to win game four by double-digits. Game five came down to the last box – Goodale and Mike Shashok outscored the Marlins 7-2 for the win. The Marlins overcame the handicap in the last game to earn a split. The Marlins are in eighth place.
Chip Goodrich’s Reds are another team that needs a big win and help to make the playoffs. However, after the first two games, they may be a spoiler in the final two weeks, as will Mike Zanelli Sr.’s Giants. The Giants used the handicap to win game one and had to overcome the handicap to win game two. Reds’ John O’Brien’s ringer in the last box of game three gave them a one-point win, and they followed it with a three-point win. The teams split the last two games and the match.
In the next two weeks, six of the top eight teams play each other next week, and based on the current standings, there will be six playing each other in the final week. The results will affect how the teams will be seeded in the playoffs. Here is the current standings of the top eight teams:
1. Cards 60.5-29.5
2. Braves 54.5-35.5
3. Yankees 53-37
4. Rangers 51-39
5. Pirates 50.5-36.5
6. Cubs 48.5-41.5
7. Red Sox 47.5-42.5
8. Marlins 46.5-43.5
For more information regarding the Deep River Horseshoe League, visit www.deepriverhorseshoes.com.
Photo courtesy of Joe Heery
Pictured is Brian Walsh from the White Sox of the Deep River Horseshoe League.
Cownose Rays Have Returned
Quiet for the past couple of seasons, cownose rays have returned to the hunting grounds of Long Island Sound. Rhinoptera bonasus generally travel in large schools, which explains why recent catches seem to be grouped together. They do migrate and can be found throughout our Atlantic Ocean coast down to the Caribbean Sea. Take one look at their unique notched head, and one can instantly see why the name cownose was given. They mature late (six to eight years) and have a low reproductive rate (one pup per year after 11-month gestation), which makes them vulnerable to overfishing. Currently, they are listed as nearthreatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and are experiencing fishing pressure, including targeted recreational fishing and commercial bycatch. Effort is underway by some states (Maryland, Virginia) to develop fishery management plans to protect and ensure long-term sustainability of the cownose ray, but there is a data deficiency to overcome.
When hooked, they really hug the bottom and eventually put a hurting on any gear and tackle not up to the task. Yes, like any stingray, their long tail is equipped with a single or double venomous barb spine located at the base, capable of puncturing and injecting venom. However, although the sting can be very painful (more like a bee sting), it is not generally considered dangerous to humans because the venom is usually not fatal. However, caution is advised when releasing, considering their long tails in themselves can cause injury if an angler is whipped.
Cownose rays can be found in shallow, brackish waters near the coast and estuaries - a common habitat along the Connecticut shoreline. They are active swimmers and normally will not be found loafing on the sea bottom. If you are interested in hooking up with one, try fishing near the bottom with chunks, squid, other soft baits, and mollusks.
CAPTAIN MORGAN’S
Fishing report
On The Water
High pressure remained in effect as air temperatures and humidity slowly rose. Sun eventually gave way to a mix of sun and clouds, as temperatures rose into the high 80s before moderating, while pre-dawn temperatures vacillated from the low 60s into the 70s. Air quality was fair to moderate, while visibility was partly obscured by smoky conditions pushed down to the shore from northern brush fires. Long Island Sound had days of haze with mostly light northerly winds before shifting to east/southeast, water temperatures in the low to mid-70s, and relatively calm seas. Conditions greatly improved, as outstanding weather under the Full Sturgeon Moon greeted the weekend and fishers alike.
Warm water and pH conditions comparable to those of adjacent coastal waters just beyond the Sound are encouraging more species to explore this habitat. The avenue most traveled is the Gulf Stream - although many migrate following the coastline. We are seeing this with cownose rays, cobia, black drum, spot, sheepshead, several shark species, and recently re-occurring tarpon, to name a few.
This is the time of year that surprise swim-throughs, like bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, and giant ocean sunfish pop up, which add to the fishing experience. Heading out in August to catch and release overthe-slot striped bass, one is focused on productive spots, water temperature, and tidal conditions. Having a school of bonito or a 25-foot humpback surface nearby can throw a fisher with a plan off-course long enough to upset the task at hand.
The presence of such an encounter can also put down the action or misdirect it. So it is not just overall sea and weather conditions that a fisher needs to be aware of, but also anything in the food chain that can change
behavior. Name the fish species and it can be affected in this manner. Fluctuations in weather fronts and barometric pressure drops have been an influencing factor lately, however, there has been an increase in shark activity now that water temperatures have risen. Like certain fish species that have been learning to avoid seals as best as they can, stripers are learning to avoid confrontations with sharks in the Sound using their biological senses. Consequently, they may move into shallower or deeper water, where astute anglers will move until the linesiders are located. Lately, bass have been avoiding open water in favor of the protective cover of reefs. Trolling and jigging will most likely get them to move - particularly up from the cooler water. Live eels and chunks (even a topwater) have been the baits of choice, especially during the recent Full Sturgeon Moon.
It has been a fairly good week for average size weakfish that were caught from shore and vessels fishing the mid-Sound avenue. Regardless, adding a strip of squid - and even a scented teaser - to the rig, jig, or other setup made the difference, as did fishing the lower part of the water column. Average sized bluefish are taking baits and artificials and bending rods, but consistent top water chopping has yet to materialize to any degree. Menhaden, squid, silversides, sandeels, etc. will get their attention. Chunks, spoons, and jigs have gotten attention!
It is still the bottom fishery that is getting much of the attention - excluding, of course, the offshore bite. After wrapping one’s head around shark and tuna, it may be difficult to get excited about scup, spot, and black sea bass, but that is not the case with scup bangers. When porgies are running full bore, they definitely attract a following, and now is the time to catch some. Summer blackfish have not totally moved out to deeper water but are feeding near-shore, close to rocky cover. Another good bottom feeder, they are making a very
good showing this season.
Connecticut black sea bass waters are producing these tasty fish, as anglers deal with a large crop of small ones. It will not take much to hook and haul them up, unless the fight is with ultra light gear - a fun thing to do nowadays. The interest in summer flounder is higher in proportion to the number of anglers catching doormats and mini-doormats. The reduced 17” minimum size is fine for the enhanced areas, but for the boaters, 19.5” is over-the-top for what fish are seemingly available. Fish them deep or in the rivers, the result has been about the same for the average angler. However, fluke are a popular fish, and they are being caught. Clammers are making up for lost time on Guilford’s open beds, be it because of work or the weather. Generally, an average shellfisher can achieve a limit in under an hour. Switching rakes for crab nets, blue crabbers are in the midst of a good run!
A bit repetitive, inland fishing remains above average for midAugust. That includes lakes and ponds where bass, pickerel, and panfish are feeding, while river trout have been more finicky but quite catchable. Catfish and carp round out the key species sought. Overcast days, lowlight of sunrise, and sunset hours are best for the bassers.
Tuna Closure: Per National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Western Atlantic was closed in all sizes and all areas effective Aug. 12 at 11:30 a.m. until Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and International fishing friends who keep up with the latest fish-
another outstanding day of catching and releasing striped bass while fishing the waters off of Block Island•.
ing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy, including the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, 2025 licenses/permits, and much more, swing by the shop located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison, or call 203-245-8665 for updated summer hours. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, and promoter of the Daiwa Tournament Program, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.
Tight Lines, Captain Morgan captainmorganusa@ hotmail.com captainmorgan-fish. blogspot.com X (formerly twitter) @captmorgan_usa
Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan Rick Goodwin of Branford had
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Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
Last Week’s Answers
Here’s How It Works:
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
Something About Clams
By Liz Egan
Special to Living
Growing up on the South Shore of Long Island, seafood was a staple in our home. The varieties changed with the seasons, but the supply was always abundant. Among the many options, clams were a particular favorite for our large family. Whether served on the half shell with homemade horseradish cocktail sauce and a squeeze of lemon, tucked into a Manhattan clam chowder, or—my personal favorite—baked and stuffed, we never had enough to satisfy our voracious appetite for clams.
Each preparation brings memories and stories. We all have opinions about who makes them best and what little tweaks are acceptable, but one thing we agree on: my father’s Baked Stuffed Clams were a prized recipe and an anticipated treat.
Several of my brothers were Bay Men—clammers, as we called them. They learned quickly that a day on the bay could earn more than a day at the caddy shack. The Great South Bay runs along the South Shore of Long
Island, similar to how the Sound lines the Connecticut shoreline. Captree Island State Park runs parallel to the bay, and the Fire Island Inlet cuts through the barrier beach before reaching Fire Island, accessible by a series of causeway bridges designed by Robert Moses.
Clamming methods vary. The simplest is standing in shallow water with a floating basket tied to an old inner tube, using your feet to find the clams. In the mid1970s, when my older brother Peter finally took me out on his clam boat, he had me wear thick socks to protect my feet from sharp shells and other debris. He used to say, “Clamming is like
picking up nickels.” These days, it might be more like picking up quarters or more. Back then, the beds were plentiful, and clamming was common summer work for students and seasoned pros alike.
Harder work—yet more efficient—is using a clam rake from a flat-bottom boat. That’s the method Peter used when he
taught me. In the 1970s, the beds were so dense that dozens of boats could harvest all summer without running dry.
My father, Joe Bermel, was a weekend warrior in the kitchen. Sunday dinners were his
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
A historical view of clam boats crowding the Great South Bay under the Robert Moses Causeway, where the author’s brothers worked as Bay Men.
A family tradition takes shape as dozens of Baked Stuffed Clams are assembled with fresh clams, vegetables, and plenty of Parmesan.
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
The finished clams, golden and bubbling from the oven, are served with a wedge of lemon—just like Daddy made them.
Hal Beckley, owner of Bud’s Market in Branford, helped supply the clams and shells for the author’s latest batch of baked clams.
The man behind the recipe—Joe Bermel, father of eight, weekend chef, and creator of the beloved Baked Stuffed Clams.
Something About Clams
Continued from page 20
specialty, but in summer, when clams were plentiful, he loved to experiment. He went clamming with each of my brothers in turn—Joey, Tommy, Jimmy, then Peter. When he stopped clamming himself, he would ask one of the boys to bring home a half-bushel of cherrystones. He’d eat them standing at the sink, prepping one of his splendid dishes.
Over the years, he perfected his Manhattan clam chowder using fresh tomatoes for a rich broth. But our family’s favorite was always his Baked Stuffed Clams. With just a few ingredients, he created a recipe that lives on through us. When I recently asked my siblings about variations, my younger brother John replied simply, “Standard recipe.” Like my father’s chestnut dressing for Thanksgiving turkey, some things just don’t need to be messed with.
My older sister Dolores makes large batches and freezes them to serve with sports broadcasts, special events, or whenever company comes. She adds sautéed mushrooms and celery to minimize breadcrumbs in the filling. For the batch I made here, I included fresh garlic, added more clams, and pureed part of the mixture—a tip from my friend Mike Corcoran—to create a richer texture.
Back in the 1970s, clamming was mostly unregulated despite requiring a license. The bays were cleaner, and pollution was less of a concern. These days, it’s a different story. Mike Corcoran, who sits on the Clinton Shellfish Commission, explained that after any significant rain, the clam beds are closed and tested for safety. Clams and water samples are sent to the Department of Agriculture’s aquaculture division in Milford. Beds can’t reopen until a new sample passes testing. Clinton’s beds are stocked for recreation, and clams help clean the water by filtering photoplankton. A clamming license is easy to get—just $25 for adults and $15 for seniors, available at Clinton Town Hall or online at clintonshellfish.org.
When my backup plan to harvest clams fell through due to closed beds, I turned to Bud’s Market in Branford. Hal Beckley, whose father Bud started the market in 1948, knew just what I needed. Hal, now in his late 60s, grew up working in the shop and even swam in the lobster tanks as a boy—without the lobsters, of course. He sold me the clams, the juice, and the shells, along with a few pieces of fresh Block Island swordfish I couldn’t resist.
Shops like Bud’s and Atlantic Seafood in Old Saybrook help keep fresh seafood a
part of everyday life here in Connecticut. And Mike tells me that new shellfish cultivation businesses are taking root, reviving an industry with deep ties to the shoreline.
My sister Sheila and I have started a summer tradition. We return to Long Island each year, staying at the Ocean Bay House Bed and Breakfast and relaxing on the beaches of Robert Moses State Park where we grew up. Each evening includes an order of Baked Clams—this year’s standout was from Captain Bill’s in Bayshore, where many of my siblings once waitressed.
Back home in Clinton, I felt compelled to make my father’s Baked Clams. Sheila had the handwritten original, and the rest of my siblings chimed in with their “secret” touches. My friends Mike and Barbara Corcoran were my taste testers, along with my own well-trained palate. When Mike texted me, “Excellent,” I knew I had done Daddy proud.
Now I have a taste of home in my freezer, ready to share with friends and family. Sometimes, the flavors of our past make the warmest memories in our present.
Daddy’s Baked Clams
Joe Bermel’s family-favorite recipe, with a few updates from the next generation.
1 bottle Snow’s clam juice (or buy fresh juice and shells from the fish market)
2 medium onions, finely chopped ¼ large green pepper, diced Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons oil
Garlic powder to taste Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
Shredded Parmesan Paprika
A new tradition—sun, sand, and seafood—Sheila and Liz on Long
Instructions
Adds Liz’s Adds
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small package mushrooms, chopped
Splash of sriracha (or extra Worcestershire)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
Additional 1 cup chopped clams
Salt, pepper, garlic salt as needed
Mike’s Tips
Add rough-cut parsley for crunch
Blend extra clams with sauté mix to reduce breadcrumbs
Keep some clams and veggies unblended for texture
Sauté veggies in 2 tablespoons oil with a little clam juice.
Blend 2 cups clams, sautéed vegetables, and seasonings with clam juice until thick but not too smooth.
Return mixture to pan, add remaining chopped clams, parsley, Worcestershire, more clam juice and breadcrumbs as needed to reach a moundable texture.
Boil clam shells, rinse in cold water, and dry. Rub with olive oil.
Fill each shell with a heaping tablespoon of mixture. Top with Parmesan and paprika.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve hot.
Note: Dolores freezes extras and bakes them as needed. Two to four clams make a serving—but honestly, they’re good enough for a meal.
Dolores’
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
The author’s brother Peter, a longtime Bay Man, on the beach in his clamming days.
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
A typical scene from the Great South Bay in the 1970s, where Long Island’s Bay Men raked for clams.
Photo courtesy of Liz Egan
Island’s Robert Moses State Park beach.
For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website, www.zip06.com.
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
Tickets start $80. Service fees apply. For info or tickets, visit ttysb.org.
Author Event: Jessica Francis Kane in Conversation with Janice Nimura
: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
Deep River 2025 Summer Concert Series
Calendar for the Week of August 14, 2025
2025 Summer Concert Series
: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Harveys Beach, 29 Plum Bank Rd., Old Saybrook. Music by Acoustic Marshpit. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic. No alcohol, smoking, or vaping. Presented by the Old Saybrook Rotary Club. Sponsored by Middlesex Health. For info, call 860-395-3152 or visit the link for the Summer Concert Series at oldsaybrookct.myrec.com.
Chestnut Hill Concerts: Reger, Ravel, and Brahms
:
: 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 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.
16th Annual Madison Beachcomber Night
: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Boston Post Road and Wall Street, Madison. Features food trucks; beer, wine, and spirits tastings from local breweries and distributors; live music; entertainment; and more. Sponsored by the Madison Chamber of Commerce. For info or tickets, contact the Madison Chamber of Commerce at 203-245-7394 or chamber@madisonct.com, or visit madisonct.com.
: 5:30 to 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 or tickets, contact Nancy McGee at 860-526-3172 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.
Family Night Sing-along
: 6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Presented by Two of a Kind (David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans). In case of inclement weather, the show will move indoors. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Library. Free and open to all. For info or to register (required), call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.
An Evening at Ivoryton Playhouse
Watermark: Capturing the Connecticut My Fair Lady
: 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.
: 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-andrecreation-department.
Concert by Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers
: 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.
2025 Grassy Strip Music Series
: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Music by Lee-Ann Lovelace Band. Free and open to the public. The show starts with the Pledge of Allegiance; music begins at 7:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale on the lawn. Bring chairs and blankets. For info, visit madisonbeachhotelevents.com/hotel/hotel-happenings.
FRIDAY, AUG. 15
Book-to-Screen Movie Matinee
: 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.
Children's Clothing Swap
: 1 to 3 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Bring and swap clean, wearable items for children ages 15 and younger. Participants need to stay for the event and take clothes that are not swapped back home. For info, call 860-6692342 or visit hchlibrary.org.
Summer Concert Series 2025
: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Westbrook Town Green. Music by Rock Station Band. 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.
Lectures Underway: Gillette Castle
Fonseca: A Novel RiverQuest
: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Aboard , Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Features Paul Schiller, tour guide, archivist, and educator for Gillette Castle Park. Cost: $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers. For info, visit ctrivermuseum.org/events.
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.
Family Astronomy Night
: 8:30 p.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Led by the Astronomical Society of New Haven, Shoreline Astronomical Society, and Thames Amateur Astronomical Society. Registration not required. Sponsored by the Friends of Hammonasset. Bring binoculars if preferred. Cover flashlights with red cellophane or red plastic to preserve everyone’s night vision. For info, call 203-245-8743 or visit meigspointnaturecenter.org/calendar.
FRIDAY, AUG. 15 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUG. 17
Sidewalk Sale 2025
: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Businesses and shops in Old Saybrook and surrounding towns. Features a three-day shopping event that includes specials, sales, and promotions from merchants across Old Saybrook, from Boston Post Road (Route 1) to Main Street, and places in between. For info, visit goschamber.com/sidewalk-sale.
SATURDAY, AUG. 16
Conquer the Current Paddle Regatta 2025
: 8 a.m. to noon. Starts at Eagle Landing State Park (gazebo), 14 Little Meadow Rd., Haddam, and ends at Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. The event is a nine-mile, one-way race. Open to all nonmotorized, safe, and seaworthy paddle craft including, but not limited to, canoes, kayaks, stand-up/prone paddleboards, rowboats, surf skis, shells, and currachs. All paddlers must wear a USCGapproved personal flotation device. All stand-up paddleboarders must have a PFD and leash. Bring your own hydration and nutrition. Cost: $60 per solo vessel, $80 per multi-person vessel. Registrants must plan to arrange for transportation back to their cars. For info, call 860767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.
See page 23
Second Annual Peach Festival
Continued from page 22
: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Deep River Congregational Church lawn, 1 Church St., and Marvin Field, Rte. 154, Deep River. Rain or shine. Features vendors of various items, from antiques to handcrafted pieces. Refreshments available for purchase. For info, contact the church office at 860-526-5045 or officedrcc@deeprivercc.org.
: 10 to 11:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: by Sarah Penner. Snacks will be provided. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
Open House and Summer Market
:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allis-Bushnell House, 853 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Hosted by the Madison Historical Society (MHS). Features handcrafted jewelry, soap, art by local artisans, and more. Visitors are free to explore the first floor of the museum and the maritime exhibit in the annex. Free admission. For info or to register, call 203-245-4567 or visit madisonhistory.org.
Met in HD Summer Encore:
The Lost Apothecary Lucia di Lammermoor
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Shown on The Kate’s big screen. Running time: 164 minutes. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
George Flynn Classical Concerts Presents Anita
Graef and Chelsea Wang
Press Release from George Flynn Classical Concerts
George Flynn Classical Concerts Presents Anita Graef and Chelsea Wang
The George Flynn Classical Concerts series continues its 2025 season with a special performance by cellist Anita Graef and pianist Chelsea Wang on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m. at The Morgan School Auditorium, 71 Killingworth Turnpike.
info, visit chesterct.org/home/news/2025cedar-lake-concert-series or facebook.com/chesterct.
2025 Summer Concert Series
: 6 to 8 p.m. Madison Town Green. Music by Backstage Pass. Free. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic. No alcohol. Sponsored by Madison Beach and Recreation. For info, visit madisonct.org/710/Summer-Concerts.
Concert by Tinsley Ellis
: 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.
MONDAY, AUG. 18
Meditation Monday: Creating Your Meditation Practice
: 9:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Third in a three-part series. The session covers the benefits of regular meditation, details on the frequency and length of time, and more. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Stand Up Speak Out Workshop
: 10 a.m.
End of Summer at Scranton Block Party
: 10 to 11:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Features music, yard games, a petting zoo, video games, bingo, food, ice cream, a photo booth, and more. Free and open to the public. No registration needed. For info, call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.
Concert in the Garden: Someone You can Xray
: 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.
Sweet Saturday Nights: Paul Loether and Jim Lampos
: 7 to 9 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe, 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Tickets: $10. Service fees apply. Refreshments are available for purchase. For info or tickets, visit musicnowfoundation.org/events.
American cellist Anita Graef has earned acclaim for her expressive artistry and versatility, performing a wide-ranging repertoire that spans classical masterworks to modern compositions. Her notable appearances include Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and the Library of Congress, along with concerto debuts with the Louisville Orchestra and the Arkansas Philharmonic.
Concert by Joe Bouchard Band
: 8 p.m.
Chelsea Wang, an accomplished pianist, has performed internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician. Her credits include Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Konzerthaus Berlin, Seoul Arts Center, and the Taipei National Concert Hall. This event is free to the public, but tickets are required and must be reserved in advance through the concert series’ website: www.georgeflynnclassicalconcerts.com.
Clinton residents may request tickets starting one month prior to the concert; non-residents may request tickets beginning two weeks before, subject to availability.
For more information, visit www.george flynnclassicalconcerts.com or follow the series on Facebook at facebook.com/ GeorgeFlynnClassicalConcerts.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Participants ages 10 to 14 will step into the shoes of different characters, analyzing their perspectives, motivations, and challenges in a deep dive into a pivotal scene from the show. Participants should arrive at 9:30 a.m. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
Stand Up Speak Out
New Voices Summer Luncheon: Summer of Suspense
Food Person The Bombshell My Train Leaves at Three
SUNDAY, AUG. 17
Museum Talk: From Screen to Seam
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org. : 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Features a talk on the work that goes into caring for and exhibiting textiles. Presented by Jean Druesedow, director emerita of the Kent State University
Museum (KSUM), and Claudia Iannuccilli, owner of Studio of Textile Arts and conservator emerita at MFA Boston. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
Cedar Lake Summer Concert Series
: 5 to
7 p.m. Pelletier Park, 218 W. Main St., Chester. Music by The Dream Committee. 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
Everything Here is Under Control The Second Season Daughterhood
: Noon. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Features three authors and their works: Adam Roberts ( ), Darrow Farr ( ), and Natalie Guerrero ( ). Moderated by Emily Adrian, author of , , and . Tickets: $90, includes admission for one, lunch, and a choice of one of the featured books. Presented by R.J. Julia Booksellers. For info or tickets, call 203-2453959 or visit rjjulia.com.
Beginners Ukulele Workshop
: 1:30 p.m.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Presented by Jim Beloff, author, composer, and performer. For info or tickets, call 860-5100453 or visit thekate.org.
Photo courtesy of George Flynn Classical Concerts
Cellist Anita Graef (left) and pianist Chelsea Wang (right) will perform Sunday, Sept. 14, at The Morgan School Auditorium in Clinton as part of the George Flynn Classical Concerts series. Admission is free with advance ticket reservation.
nnual Flea Market
Saturday Sleuths Book Club
Celebrate Summer’s End with a Paddle and Picnic in Essex
Celebrate Summer’s End with a Paddle and Picnic Wind down summer with the Essex Land Trust on Saturday, Aug. 23, with a morning paddle on Turtle Creek followed by an afternoon picnic featuring live jazz at Main Street Park.
The day begins with a guided kayak and canoe paddle from 10 a.m. to noon, launching behind the Essex Post Office on Middle Cove. Paddlers will explore Turtle Creek, part of the recently acquired Turtle Creek Preserve. The paddle will be led by Essex Land Trust President Jeff Croyle, an avid paddler. Participants should bring their own boats and equipment and arrive by 9:45 a.m. to check in and sign a waiver. Boat drop-off is at the public access launch behind the post office; limited parking is available in the lot, with additional street parking nearby.
At noon, the celebration continues at Essex Main Street Park with a bring-your-own-picnic social and live music by the Corinthian Jazz Band. Guests are encouraged to bring lunch, refreshments, blankets or chairs to enjoy the music and mingle with fellow land trust supporters. Information on the Essex Land Trust’s recent acquisitions—including the Turtle Creek and Toby Hill Ridge preserves—will be on display, and members will be on hand to answer questions.
Both events are weather dependent. Dogs are welcome but must be secured while on the water and leashed on land. For updates, follow the Essex Land Trust on social media.
Continued from page 23
Advanced Beginners/Intermediate Ukulele Workshop
: 4 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Presented by Jim Beloff, author, composer, and performer. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
2025 Old Saybrook Chamber Golf League
: Tee times start 4:30 p.m. Fenwick Golf Club, 580 Maple Ave., Old Saybrook. Open to chamber members only. Space is limited. Last date is Monday, Sept. 15. Cost: $250 per golfer. For info, email judy@oldsaybrookchamber.com or visit business.goschamber.com/events.
TUESDAY, AUG. 19
Paddlers
WEDNESDAY,
AUG. 20
Wednesday Paint Out 2025
: 9 a.m. to noon. Bauer Farm, 257 Copse Rd., Madison. Sponsored by the Madison Art Society (MAS). Open to all MAS members. Nonmembers are welcome to join for one or two paint outs as guests but are requested to become members to continue with other paint-out events. For info, visit madisonartsocietyct.org/plein-air.
Double Author Event: Liv Constantine and Peter Swanson
Don't Open Your Eyes Kill Your Darlings
: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Books: (Constantine) and (Swanson). For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
2025 Summer Concert Series
Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction with Casey McQuiston
The Pairing
: 7 p.m. Online event. Book: . Hosted by the Essex Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860-7671560 or visit libraryc.org/essexlib.
Concert by Richard Smith: Art of the Guitar Series
:
7 p.m. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Features the opening night of Art of the Guitar, a new concert series presented by AcousticMusic.Org. Sponsored by Wyeth Architects. Tickets: $25. Service fees apply. For info or tickets, visit acousticmusic.org/art-of-the-guitar.
Twin Peaks
: A Conversation with the Stars
: 7:30 p.m.
Free Financial Workshops for Young Adults: Creating Resumes that Stand Out and Interviewing Tips
: 6 p.m.
Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. For participants ages 17 to 25. Light supper provided. Sponsored by Clinton Go in partnership with Guilford Savings Bank and Junior Achievement. For info or to register (required), call or text 860-395-8588.
Concert by Jake Shimabukuro
: 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.
: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Old Saybrook Town Green. Music by Nightshift. Free. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic. No alcohol, smoking, or vaping. Presented by the Old Saybrook Rotary Club. Sponsored by Old Saybrook Town Committee and Old Saybrook Republican Women's Club. For info, call 860-3953152 or visit the link for the Summer Concert Series at oldsaybrookct.myrec.com.
Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction with Casey McQuiston
The Pairing
: 7 p.m. Online event. Book: . Hosted by the Chester Public Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/chesterctlibrary.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. VIP add-ons are available for additional cost. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21
Grove Street Story Time
: 10 a.m. Grove Street Park, 16 Grove St., Essex. For children of all ages and their caregivers. Bring a blanket and snacks. In case of rain, the event takes place at the Essex Library, 33 West Ave. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
See page 25
Press Release from the Essex Land Trust
Photo courtesy of the Essex Land Trust
explore the lush shoreline of Turtle Creek during a guided outing hosted by the Essex Land Trust.
“SEASONS” Art Exhibit by Ann Grasso Opens at Mercy by the Sea in Madison
“SEASONS” Art Exhibit by Ann Grasso Opens at Mercy by the Sea in Madison “SEASONS,” a new art exhibit by Cromwell-based artist and retired architectural designer Ann Grasso, is now open at the Mary C. Daly RSM Art Gallery at Mercy by the Sea. The show runs through Sunday, Sept. 14, and concludes with a closing reception from 2 to 4 p.m., where Grasso will speak about her work.
The exhibit features 42 works, including a series of four-piece compositions organized around 11 unique themes. While the title may evoke the familiar passage of nature’s seasons, Grasso’s vision of “SEASONS” encompasses a broader range—temporal transitions, emotional states, spiritual reflection, and the rhythms of human life.
“While the word seasons, especially for those who live where nature’s visuals change, brings to mind winter, spring, summer and fall,” Grasso says, “the offerings in this installation explore a variety of themes... weather, temporal passage of 24 hours, the human life cycle, states of awareness, emotions and spiritual quests.”
She encourages viewers to slow down and engage deeply with each piece. “What
the artist intended is not important,” she says. “What is important is what the viewer thinks and feels. This ‘conversation’ with oneself and with others is the aim of my work.”
Grasso’s creative roots stretch back to childhood, from building dollhouses to designing greeting cards. After founding her own architectural design firm in 1981 and balancing work with raising two sons, she eventually shifted her focus to book arts and fine art. She studied at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and with master bookbinder Daniel Kelm in Massachusetts.
In 2000, she returned to Connecticut to care for her mother and ultimately retired from architecture in 2024 to pursue art full time. Her work reflects a lifelong interest in design, equality, and the details of the natural world. “My making is an investigation of my own questions and concerns,” she says, “and to help clarify my thinking and promote conversation with others.” Mercy by the Sea is located at 167 Neck Road in Madison and offers programming in a contemplative coastal setting. The art gallery is open to the public; for more information, visit mercybythesea.org or follow @mercy.by.the.sea on Instagram.
Continued from page 24
End-of-Summer-Reading Field Day
:
1 p.m. Main Street Park, 14 Main St., Essex. Features games, contests, prizes, face painting, and more. Hosted by the Essex and Ivoryton libraries. Registration encouraged but not required. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org or ivorytonlibrary.org/childrens-room.
Hollywood Gems:
12 Angry Men
: 1 p.m.
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info or tickets, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.
End-of-Summer-Reading Field Day
: 1 to
3 p.m. Main Street Park, 12 Main St., Essex. Features games, face painting, book prizes, and more. Co-hosted by the Essex and Ivoryton libraries. Free and open to the public. For info or to register, call 860767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Thursdays on the Dock Series: Local Honey
: 5:30 to 7:15 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.
Author Event: Nalini Jones
: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book:
The Unbroken Coast: A Novel
. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.
Concert by Ruthie Foster
: 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.
2025 Grassy Strip Music Series
: 7:30 to
Vista Life Innovations Graduation Ceremony 2025
: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Vista Life Innovations is a nationally accredited post-secondary program that supports the personal success of individuals with disabilities. Free and open to families and friends of the graduates as well as community members. Seating is limited. For info or to RSVP, visit vistalifeinnovations.org/graduation.
Writers Writing
: 1 to 2:15 p.m. Killingworth Library, 31 Rte. 81. For teens through seniors. Features a writing workshop with a focus on personal writing, memoirs, and personal essays. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.
Friday 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 203-2457365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.
Back-to-School Book Bingo
: 3 to 5 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Features rounds of Bingo, and winners choose a book from a selection of children and teen titles. No registration required. For info, contact the library at 860-767-1560 or staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Summer Concert Series 2025
: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Westbrook Town Green. Music by Train Wreck. 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.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22
Book-to-Screen Movie Matinee
9 p.m. Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. Music by Gold Dust Woman (a Stevie Nicks tribute). 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. : 12:30 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.
: 6 p.m. Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Free admission. No registration needed. For info, visit MeigsPointNatureCenter.org.
2025 Summer Concert Series
: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Harveys Beach, 29 Plum Bank Rd., Old Saybrook. Music by Kathy Thompson Band. Bring a blanket, chairs, and a picnic. No alcohol, smoking, or vaping. Presented by the Old Saybrook Rotary Club. Sponsored by Sharon Linder of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties. For info, call 860-3953152 or visit the link for the Summer Concert Series at oldsaybrookct.myrec.com.
Photo courtesy of Mercy by the Sea
Ann Grasso’s exhibit at Mercy by the Sea includes a series of small, intricately detailed circular works that invite viewers into personal reflection.
Press Release from Mercy by the Sea
Frogs with Ranger Russ
Page Turners
MeanMoms byEmmaRosenblum
Real Housewives
Mean Girls
Fans of the series and will love this drama-filled story featuring a cast of outrageous characters. It’s a spot-on depiction of ultra-wealthy Manhattan moms who appear to have perfect lives—yet each one is hiding secrets and gossiping about the others behind closed doors. When terrible events start occurring within the group, the quest to uncover who is behind them adds a layer of mystery. Filled with extravagant parties and scandalous affairs, this one kept me entertained till the very end.
— Tijae P.,
R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Every other week, we invite local booksellers to submit suggestions for the best books on shelves now—it’s all part of our mission to keep our readers informed, up-to-date, and entertained. View previous Page Turners at www.zip06.com/pageturners.
UndertheStars byBeatrizWilliams
Beatriz Williams has become a go-to summer author for me. This time she returns to the fictional Winthrop Island off the New London coast with a juicy, page-turning story about the sinking of the steamship Atlantic in 1846, its survivors, and its reverberations to the present day. It’s full of family secrets and complex relationships. A perfect beach read!
— Karen F., R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
TheArtofaLie byLauraShepherd-Robinson
In 18th-century London, a romantic con man has set his sights on recently widowed Hannah Cole, hoping to steal her fortune. But Hannah is no fool and is hiding a dark secret. Enter author/magistrate Henry Fielding, who is determined to solve a murder. With its clever blend of fictional and real characters, this is a fantastic historical fiction murder mystery!
In 1974, music critic Jon Landau proclaimed, “I saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen.” One year later, the release of Born to Run catapulted Springsteen and his band to stardom. Fifty years later, Peter Ames Carlin’s captivating book tells the story behind the legendary album. Music fans will love this book!
— Marilyn N., R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Page Turners
Continued from page 26
Fahrenheit-182 byMarkHoppus
They say to never meet your heroes. If this was the equivalent of meeting mine, I’d be just fine. Blink-182 was an incredibly formative band for me, and getting a look at where Mark Hoppus came from and his journey made it even more important to me. The behind-thescenes of your favorite music will never get old.
— Rhiannon T., R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
Codebreaker byJayMartel
Encrypted messages starting with a puzzle box, political conspiracy theories, and a little romance—stop! This is too wonderful! I loved every page and hope we’ll get a sequel. Perfect for Inheritance Games fans.
— Jamie, R.J. Julia Booksellers, Madison
This is the seventh novel by the awardwinning, best-selling author Rachel Joyce, who wrote The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. The Homemade God tells the story of four siblings—Netta, Susan, Goose and Iris—who travel to Italy after learning that their artist father, Vic Kemp, has suddenly died. Their father (76) had recently married Bella-Mae (27) and was living at his lakefront villa, where the siblings spent their childhood summers. Now, their father is dead, his will is missing, and so is the famous painting he was working on before he died. This character-driven story explores the tangled relationships within a dysfunctional family.
— Sue, Breakwater Books, Guilford
FRIDAY, AUG. 22 AND SATURDAY, AUG. 23
Shakes-faire
As You Like It Twelfth Night Hamlet
Continued from page 25 : 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Shoreline Theater Academy lawn, 61 E. Main St., Clinton. Features a trilogy of 30-minute Shakespeare plays: , , and . Presented by Shoreline Theater Academy Advanced Musical Theater Troupe. Free. Includes face painting and other medieval-style activities as well as intermission entertainment from the Magic of Bob Hale. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs, blanket, and bug spray. For info, contact 860-227-2363 or shorelinetheateracademy@gmail.com or visit shorelinetheateracademy.org.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22
THROUGH
SUNDAY, AUG. 24
Chester Fair
: Friday, 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chester Fairgrounds, 11 Kirtland Terr. Features live music, food, animal
SATURDAY, AUG. 23
16th Annual Saybrook Point 5K Road Race
shows, tractor and horse pulls, amusement rides, exhibits, children’s games, and more. Tickets: $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and military with ID, free for children 12 and under, $25 for a threeday pass. For info, call 860-526-5947 or visit chesterfair.org. : 7:30 a.m. Race begins at Fort Saybrook Monument Park, 150 College St., Old Saybrook. Check-in and race-day packet pickup starts 7:30 a.m.; the race begins 8:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Old Saybrook-Westbrook Exchange Club and the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Online registration only. Cost: $25 per person. Proceeds benefit the Exchange Club Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (ACE) scholarship program and the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce C. Wilfred Hunter Memorial scholarship for deserving college-bound seniors from Old Saybrook and Westbrook high schools. For info or to register, visit oldsaybrookchamber.com.
TheHomemadeGod byRachelJoyce
Continued from page 28
ONGOING EVENTS
Art Exhibits
Connecticut River Museum
: 67 Main St., Essex: For info, call 860-767-8269 or visit ctrivermuseum.org.
Nightingale’s Acoustic Café:
68 Lyme St.,
Old Lyme. Donation $5 to $10 at the door. For info, email gstevens@musicnowfoundation.org or visit musicnowfoundation.org.
Tuesdays: 6 to 8 p.m. Ramblin’ Dan Stevens.
: Runs Aug. 15 through Oct. 19
Essex Library Buel Room
: 33 West Ave.: For info, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.
Watermark: Capturing the Connecticut Connecticut Valley Camera Club Exhibit
: Runs through Aug. 27.
Lyme Art Association
: 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme: For info, call 860-434-7802 or visit lymeartassociation.org.
104th Elected Artist Exhibition
: Runs through Sept. 4.
Red Hot
: Runs through Sept. 4.
New Haven Paint & Clay Club Select Members Exhibition
: Runs through Sept. 4.
Mary C. Daly Art Gallery at Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center
: 167 Neck Rd., Madison: For info, visit mercybythesea.org.
Seasons
: Runs through Sept. 14.
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church
: 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. For info, visit facebook.com/ StAnnsEpiscopalChurchOldLymeCt or bethgreen.com.
Beth Green: Fine Art Photography
: Runs through Sept. 1.
: 61 Main St., Centerbrook: For info, call 860-767-0742 or visit spectrumartgallery.org.
Thread & Paper Art
: Runs through Sept. 6.
: 679 Boston Post Rd., Madison: For info, call 203-318-0616 or visit susanpowellfineart.com.
Summer in New England
Music
Bill’s Seafood Restaurant:
: Runs through Sept. 28. Rte. 1, Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-7224 or visit BillsSeafood.com.
First and third Wednesdays: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Corinthian Jazz Band. Fridays: 7 to 9 p.m. Bill’s Seafood All-Star Jazz Band.
Saturdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Various performers.
Sundays: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Various per-formers.
Last Friday: 7 to 9 p.m. Teen Open Mic. Sweet Saturday Nights: 7 to 9 p.m. Various performers.
Seaview Bistro at Water's Edge Resort & Spa
: 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. For info, visit watersedgeresortandspa.com. Fridays and Saturdays: 9 p.m. to midnight. Various performers.
Sunset Bar and Grill at Water's Edge Resort & Spa
: 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. For info, visit watersedgeresortandspa.com.
Monday through Sunday: 6 to 10 p.m. Free live music through Aug. 31. Various performers.
Shoppers browse vendor booths on the green during a previous Flea Market at
Congregational Church. This year’s event will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the church grounds and Marvin Field.
2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook. For info, call 860-395-2000. Thursdays and Sundays: 6 to 9 p.m. Live music.
The Choo Choo Lounge at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina: The Highliner III:
139 Essex Rd., Westbrook. For info, call 860-399-5042 or visit thehighliner3.com.
Fridays and Saturdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Live music.
Second and fourth Thursdays: 7 to 10 p.m. Open mic.
The Tap Room at The Griswold Inn:
36
Main St., Essex. No cover charge. For info, call 860-767-1776 or visit griswoldinn.com.
Fridays: 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Psychedelic ‘60s.
The Wharf:
Madison Beach Hotel, 94 W. Wharf Rd. For info, call 203-350-0014 or visit thewharfmadison.com.
Fridays: 8 to 10 p.m. Acoustic Fridays. Various performers.
Annual Flea Market Returns
Aug. 16
The Deep River Congregational Church will host its Annual August Flea Market on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the church grounds and Marvin Field, located at 1 Church Street. This long-running community tradition draws dozens of vendors offering a wide array of treasures—from antiques and collectibles to handmade crafts and household goods. Visitors can also enjoy a tempting selection of fresh baked goods, lovingly prepared by church members and friends.
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.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day, including coffee and doughnuts in the morning, and grilled favorites like hamburgers and hot dogs during lunchtime.
A limited number of 20-by-20-foot vendor spaces are still available for $35 each. To reserve a spot, contact the church office at 860-526-5045 or email officedrcc@deeprivercc.org. Reservation forms and vendor maps can also be downloaded at www.deeprivercc.org.
Come browse, eat, shop, and connect with neighbors—it’s a great way to spend a summer Saturday in Deep River!
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.
Theater
Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Runs through Sept. 7. For info, call 860-767-7318 or visit ivorytonplayhouse.org.
My Fair Lady: The Father
: Drama Works Theatre Company, 323 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Runs Sept. 5 through Sept. 14. For info, contact 860-876-2020 or info@dramaworkstheatre.org, or visit dramaworkstheatre.org.
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.
Madison Farmers Market
: 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays through Thanksgiving. Madison Green. For info, visit madisonctfarmersmarket.com.
To submit an event to the Living Calendar, send an email to news@shorepublishing.com. For more events, both local and farther afield, or to enter your event online, visit our website zip06.com. The deadline for submissions is noon, eight days prior to the publication date.
Photo courtesy of the Deep River Congregational Church
Deep River
Press Release from the Deep River Congregational Church
Spectrum Art Gallery
Susan Powell Fine Art
Tri-Town Youth Services has funds available for children from Chester, Deep River, and Essex entering preschool this fall for families that qualify. The Preschool Tuition Assistance fund seeks to assist families in financial need to provide their child or children with a structured preschool experience prior to entering kindergarten. Partial assistance may be awarded up to but not exceeding $2,000 to offset tuition costs depending on the availability of funds. Priority for tuition assistance will be given to children entering kindergarten the following year who have not previously had a preschool experience; tuition assistance may be available to 3-year-olds only as funding allows. For more information or an application, email info@ttysb.org.
The Deep River Junior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps is seeking new members. The corps offers specialized music instruction in fifing, bass drumming, snare drumming, and marching for young people ages 8 to 18 years. No experience is necessary. The group meets at Deep River Elementary School, 12 River Street, on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact info@drja.org or visit www.drja.org.
SingingVoicesWanted
The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords, conducted by Samuel Tucker and accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra under the direction of Alan Dougherty, is currently seeking individuals to join its expanding alto, tenor, and bass sections. No auditions or prior experience are required—only a passion for singing and a commitment to the ensemble is necessary. Rehearsals will start Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 6:45 to 9 p.m. at St. Francis Church, Msgr. Fox Parish Hall, 10 Elm Street, Middletown, in preparation for the spring concert scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at Portland High School. New members may enroll through Tuesday, Sept. 16. For more information, call 860-342-3120 or visit vocalchords20.org.
ConBrioChoralSocietyAuditions
Con Brio Choral Society will hold auditions for all voice parts on Monday, Aug. 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main Street, Old Saybrook. The season features Chris Shepard as the group’s new music director. Con Brio rehearses on Monday evenings in Old Saybrook. To book an audition time, call 860-575-1533. For more information, visit conbrio.org/audition.
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:
• Person of the Week Profiles
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A Madison Landmark with Timeless Charm
Beautifully aligned with the neighboring Congregational Church, the home shares architectural harmony through its grand columns and elegant two-story shutters.
Staff Report
Once known as Hartsbourne, this storied Madison residence is celebrated for its premier location overlooking the town green and its timeless architectural presence. A true local landmark, the home is distinguished by its curved eaved roofline—reminiscent of a pagoda—with a unique flat-seamed copper roof center.
Beautifully aligned with the neighboring Congregational Church, the home shares architectural harmony through its grand columns and elegant two-story shutters. The architect, Volney Pierce, was commissioned to design both this exceptional residence and the church that stands beside it.
Inside, the home boasts over 3,900 square feet of living space. The main level features soaring ceilings over nine feet high. The second floor includes five generously sized bedrooms and five working fireplaces. The third floor contains a spacious attic with unlimited potential.
At the back of the 1.5-acre property are a three-car garage and a small coop or shed. Throughout, Hartsbourne displays an abundance of historic character. Set in the heart of Madison’s charming village, this is a rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of local history.
This home is being offered for sale by Coldwell Banker Realty for $1,995,000. For more information or a showing, contact Cathy Lynch at 203-627-2331.
Inside, the home boasts over 3,900 square feet of living space. The main level features soaring ceilings over nine feet high.
Hartsbourne displays an abundance of historic character.
A true local landmark, the home is distinguished by its curved eaved roofline—reminiscent of a pagoda—with a unique flatseamed copper roof center.
Real Estate Transactions
Jain, $656,000 on July 22
: Diane M
: Richard Lemieux to Kristen Lemieux and Connor Crean, $375,000 on July 22
Bailey T and Diane M. Bailey to Kenneth G. and Kimberly A. Bartlett, $3,400,000 on July 22
: K & Albert
Belmont Lt and Karen C. Belmont to Anthony M. and Giovanna Lepore, $1,050,000 on July 22
: Phyllis Grandberg to Donna Caruso, $550,000 on July 25
: Kevin M. Cloutier and Cara L. Cassella to Osama and Jessica Kandalaft, $880,000 on July 22
: Shane N. Vernon and Talia M. Spera to Daniel H. Cohan and Miki Naito, $588,000 on July 24
: Marley R. Brown to Brett R. and Rosemary Overacker, $1,300,000 on July 21
: Arthur J. Pascoots to Arrian Derakhshani and Beth L. Kolakoski, $870,000 on July 21
: Nancy D Wahl
and Nancy D. Wahl to Michael B. and Kelly Looney, $1,025,000 on July 25
: Joanne Virarelli to Shari L. Cavallari, $805,000 on July 21
: Ayer Debra Real Estate Trust and Debra Ayer to Carl L. Casella and Kevin M. Cloutier, $600,000 on July 23
: Elizabeth A. Couture and Marilyn G. Marencik to Jhonny F. Jara, $925,000 on July 21 :
: Kathryn A. Lanfair to Michael Querfeld, $660,000 on July 23
:
Bruce G Morin T and Bruce G. Morin to John Parks and Kimberly Stasiak, $525,000 on July 24
: Ferris M. Nasser to Jackson Kalver, $132,000 on July 25
: Ferris M.
Nasser to Jackson Kalver, $132,000 on July 25
: Wayne P. and Jenny Cooper to Robert W. and Pamela C. Cimino, $655,000 on July 23
: Ted and Ruth M.
Zito to Family Properties LLC, $330,000 on July 23
: Jay and Toni Bloom to Thomas F. and Rita Neal, $480,000 on July 23
: Suzanne Warner Real Estate Trust and Samantha Gibson to Tammy A. Gavin, $288,000 on July 21
: Elizabeth S. Lane to Mirra LLC, $1,275,000 on July 25
: Aleta A. and Kenneth G. Anderson to Douglas and Katharine Barnett, $425,000 on July 22
A. Fatula to High Street Invs LLC, $75,000 on July 25
