Milford Living Autumn 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Departments

Publisher’s Letter

Readers’ Letters

Milford Spotlight

This Season

Around Town

Family Time

Arts and Artisans

Milford Morsels

Destination Devon

By Cindy Papish Gerber

By Shaileen Kelly Landsberg

About the cover: Milford’s downtown autumnal landscape painted by nature’s palette. Photo: Maryalice Manning

Eye On Business

Helping Hands

At Your Service

Wellness

Community Education Notebook

Historical Perspective Legends and Lore Milford’s Attic

Over There

Congratulations Greetings From Milford

Where is It?

Carlson Insurance Agcy Inc Wanda Carlson, Agent 415 Boston Post Rd Milford, CT 06460

Bus: 203-877-9203

State Farm

State Farm Indemnity Company

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company

State Farm General Insurance Company Bloomington, IL

State Farm Florida Insurance Company Winter Haven, FL

State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas

State Farm Lloyds Richardson, TX 2101550

AUTUMN 2022

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 3

Publisher/President Suzanne Cahill Suzanne@milfordliving.com

Editorial Director

Ann McGuire

Art Director

Ryan Swanson

Associate Publisher

Susan Carroll Dwyer

Advertising Director

Joy Haines

Contributing Photographers

Susan Carroll Dwyer, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg, Maryalice Manning, Gerry McGuire

Contributing Editors

Tracy Farricker

Contributing Writers

Angela Arpino, Amanda Duff, Susan Carroll Dwyer, Susan Glennon, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg, Jason Marchi, Marilyn May, Gerry McGuire, Cindy Papish Gerber, Haley McNish

Production Assistance

Kevin Maher, Wendy Macomber, Todd Manning, Tamara Simpson

Interns

Bridget Dwyer, Maryalice Manning

Milford Living Magazine 162 Bridgeport Avenue Milford CT 06460 203-283-5290 http://www.milfordliving.com

Milford Living Magazine (ISSN 1547-4429) is distributed quarterly by Red Mat Publishing. P.O. Box 2387 Milford, CT 06460. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher. Subscription Rates: U.S. $23.96. Newsstand: $5.99. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Milford Living Magazine P.O. Box 2387, Milford, CT 06460. Please allow six to eight weeks for subscription processing. Copyright 2003-2022 Red Mat Publishing.www.redmatpublishing.com

Opinions expressed in Milford Living Magazine articles and advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, respectively, and should not be considered as expressions of management or official policies of Milford Living Magazine.

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Printed in the USA.

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St. Mary School

publisher’s letter

Celebrating

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the autumn issue of Milford Living. The summer sun has set, ushering autumn’s arrival. We knew it would come, the time to trade our beach balls and lemonade for school supplies and apple cider. We pick up the pace of our busy lives, complaining just a little, as we fall back into the rhythm of our earnest Yankee ways. Tomorrow we’ll wake, now accustomed to the early morning routine, and take notice of how the light cast by early rays seems to have softened. We’ll happily peek outside, and silently note the radiant colors and picturesque landscape that have been painted by nature’s hand. We’ll grab our sweaters and step outside—our favorite fall activities await: apple picking, corn mazes and hayrides, cool evening walks, hiking, fireside chats with loved ones, leaf peeping and pumpkin picking, pies, and more pies. There is so much to do, and such a short season!

Of course, there is no end to the bounty Milford brings in the fall. Grab the kids and your four-legged friends and watch the Green change to golden hues. Celebrate Oktoberfest and feast with friends on a seasonally inspired charcuterie board! Stroll across the Hotchkiss Bridge and give a thought to the Milford man who made it possible.

We hope you take the time to do all the things you love to do, and encourage you to share those memories with us. We’d love to know what makes autumn so special to you.

Looking for the perfect gift this season? We’ve got you covered. Give the gift of Milford all year long to friends and family with a Milford Living Gift Subscription. You’ll find a subscription card inside. Once we receive your order, a gift card will be sent out to your recipients.

As always, we welcome your comments, and story suggestions.

Wishing you and yours all the best in this season of Thanksgiving.

With Gratitude and Thanks, Suzanne

Come

the difference a

education can make in your child’s future.

Christmas tree season Opens on Black Friday! We are Open Monday thru Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9am-8pm. We will have fresh cut trees from Canada and northern Maine, wreaths, roping and arrangements! We carry large cathedral ceiling Christmas Trees. On the weekends we will have the fire pit to warm up by and if you get lucky you may even spot Santa walking around! We hope from our family to yours you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season!

readers’ letters

The maritime history of Milford made it an ideal place to set up our classic boat restoration and yacht woodworking shop. Thank you for sharing our time-honored trades with your readers.

—Andrew Robb, President, North Country Boatworks, Milford, CT

The on the water and wildlife articles are always my favorites to read. Wonder if you would ever do something profiling local fishermen for spring or summer? They all have great stories and pictures of their big catch!

—-John Swan, Branford, CT

Great idea. Milford is indeed home to many men and women who know the waters of the Sound and Housatonic like the roads of town. We’ll look at profiling some in an upcoming issue.

This poem is dedicated to my neighbors in Laurel Beach. It’s like being at a resort year round and everyone is so helpful.

A Lil O’ Bit of Heaven Lies Outside my Door Peering down the street each Day

I really see much more Dogs on leashes sniff the Grass

Smiling Walkers as they Pass School bus coming into Sight Shouts of Laughter and Delight Baby Rabbits crossed my Lawn

The Red Cardinal Sang his Song Years of Friendships, and Much More

A Lil O’ Bit of Heaven Just Outside My Door

—Marge Damiani, Milford, CT

Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem with us Marge. You captured the essence of one of Milford’s remarkable neighborhoods. I’m sure Milfordites across the city will identify with your words and feel the same way about their own patch of “heaven”.

Drop us a line… Please send your comments, contributions, suggestions, and questions to Milford Living Magazine P.O. Box 2387, Milford, CT 06460 or email our publisher at: suzanne@milfordliving.com

Kathy Anderson

Sandy Burnell

Peter Chapman Judie DiFranco Sue DuBrow Kelly Durrschmidt Lisa EnglishSarah Ferrante

Ken Hawkins Kelly Hill-Mihalyak Donna Howe Ruth Korpita

Beth Lopez Debi McGinley Sophia Messore

Lorna Nichols Barbara Oliver

Christine Shaw Victoria Stillings Donna Tartagni

Colleen Zacarelli Barbara Zink

Linda WilsonRick Vazzano

Katie Anderson

Ken Burton

milford spotlight

Members of American Legion Post 196 march in the 2021 Milford Veterans Day Parade.

everyone—individuals and groups—are invited to march.

Celebrate Milford Veterans

Tom Jackson wants to make it clear that Veterans Day is a celebration. “It’s not a somber event, like Memorial Day,” says Jackson, who is both chairman of the Veterans Commission and Parade Committee (VCPC) and commander of American Legion Post 196 on Merwin Avenue.

He notes that while Memorial Day is meant to honor the dead, Veterans Day lauds those who served and are still with us. So, when this year’s Veterans Day Parade steps off Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Wasson Field, it will do so loudly and cheerfully.

Parade watchers “can expect the high school bands and military equipment,” says Johnson. “We have a group that likes to ride with us, they have Jeeps. There’s probably 30 to 40 Jeeps in this line.”

Jackson, a Marine Corps veteran who spent more than 10 months fighting in Vietnam, said members of all five veteran groups in Milford are expected to march in the parade. They include American Legion Post 196, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7788, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Connecticut Chapter 31-2, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 251.

Members of all the scouting groups in Milford are also expected to march, he said. Since the parade is a community event,

If previous years are an indicator, expect motorcyclists cruising the parade route flying the American flag, politicians and dignitaries speaking of war heroes and sacrifices, and revelers dressed in red, white, and blue, cheering the aging service men and women who will be marching proudly.

The parade steps off at Wasson Field on West River Street, continues onto West Main Street, turns on River Street, goes under the railroad tracks, then turns onto Broad Street where it will end at the gazebo on the Green.

The Milford Concert Band always schedules a patriotic concert to go with the parade. Although not firmly scheduled at press time, Vera Tisdall, a band board member, said it

Flags flying, a veteran rides by enthusiastic crowds on Broad Street during the 2021 Milford Veterans Day Parade.

intends to perform again this year.

In the days leading up to the parade, Jackson said he and other veterans are invited by the city schools to talk with the students about

their service experiences and the meaning of Veterans Day.

He admits they often have to prod the kids to answer questions. “We ask them a leading

The city’s multiple veterans associations proudly march in the parade each year and celebrate their service with a grateful community.

question where they have to give an answer of more than yes or no, like ‘What would you do if you were in that situation?’” says Jackson. “The kids enjoy it. They’re shy but they respond well.”

On November 11, the official Veterans Day, Jackson says the VCPC plans a more solemn event. As is tradition, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War I Memorial—the Doughboy statue—outside City Hall.

For more information about the parade or to participate, visit facebook.com/MilfordVCPC.

—Mike Patrick

COURTESY OF THE VETERAN’S

PARADE COMMITTEE

this season

Oktoberfest Time

Many people will argue that summer is their favorite time of year. Their list of reasons denoting summer as the greatest season are usually as follows: It’s warm, it’s sunny, there’s the beach, swimming, boating, etc. To this, I say, “Hogwash!” Summer is too hot, too humid, and way too itchy. The far superior New England season is autumn, with positives as numerous as the stars in the firmament, including temperate weather, colorful fall foliage, pumpkin picking and carving, warm apple cider, football, baseball playoffs, Halloween, Thanksgiving, crisp, mosquito-killing air, and—the reason I’m writing this—one of the best events known to mankind: a celebration named after October, actually celebrated in Sep tember by drinking a style of beer brewed in March. I speak, of course, of Oktoberfest.

Throughout Connecticut and the United States, Oktoberfest celebrations have become increasingly popular. Breweries, restaurants, towns, and civic organizations sponsor Oktoberfest celebrations. The original Okto berfest started in the German state of Bavaria and dates all the way to back to October 12, 1810—the celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The royal couple invited the whole city of Munich to celebrate their union with food, drink, music, and horse races on the fields outside the city gates. The wedding party was such a success that the people of Munich decided to make it a yearly event.

and since, the Germans brought their skills, languages, religions, food, and drink with them. Ac cording to the U.S. Census, more than 43 million Americans trace their roots back to Germany. Connecticut alone lays claim to some 300,000 of those German Americans.

Over the years, Oktoberfest changed and grew. Out was the horserace, in were parades,

agricultural expos, food, games, traditional music and dress, amusement park rides and of course, beer tents. But all was not well within the German states of Europe. A few years after the initial Oktoberfest, large num bers of Germans started emigrating to the United States. The Napoleonic wars, revolutions of 1848, crop failures of the 1880’s, and the wars of the 20th century brought waves of Germans by the millions to America. Like every other group of immigrants before

10 Milford Living • Autumn The Annual Milford Oktoberfest is held at Fowler Field and is hosted by the Rotary Club of Devon.

Waterbury, Hartford, and New Haven had large enclaves of German immigrants who worked as laborers, factory workers, farmers, mechanics, carpenters, furniture makers, tailors, deli owners, and restaurateurs. German immigrants brought their expertise in science, mechanical engineering, and farming which helped America grow to be an economic force, while German brewers and their German-style lager beers ruled the American beer market and created some of America’s most successful corporations. Even German-inspired foods such as the hamburger, frankfurter, potato salad, and sauerkraut have their place at every

American’s Fourth of July barbeque table. With all this German culture in our midst, it’s not surprising that sooner or later, Oktoberfest would start to find its place among American celebrations.

The first major Oktoberfest to take place in the United States was in 1961 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Since then, they have spung up everywhere as a combo celebration of the sum mer harvest, German music, German food, and German Beer. The annual Milford Oktoberfest has been sponsored by the Devon Rotary for more than 30 years. It takes place this year on September 23rd and 24th at Fowler Field. Just like the real Oktoberfest in Germany, Milford’s Oktoberfest celebration starts with a ceremo

nial tapping of the first keg by the mayor and a hearty shout of “Prost!”— German for cheers!

No matter where it is held, Oktoberfest is a celebration right fully associated with the consumption of beer. It’s such an integral part of both German and American cultures that Oktoberfest in the United States usually goes hand-in-hand with a special beer. Whether they call it a Marzen (because it’s traditionally brewed in March), a FestBier, or an Oktoberfest, the local breweries in Milford and the surrounding areas brew

Oktoberfest or other German-inspired beers. The brewers at Tribus Beer Company (100 Raton Drive) learned their trade in Germany and offer a German-inspired pilsner called Biër made of only German malt, hops, and yeast. Both Tribus and Dockside Brewery (40 Bridgeport Avenue) host yearly Oktoberfest

parties. Tribusfest took place on September 10th. Dockside brews a special Oktoberfest beer just for their celebration and offers a full German-inspired menu for the festivities, this year to be held October 8-9.

Stratford’s Athletic Brewery makes a non-alcoholic Oktoberfest, while New England brewing Company in Woodbridge brews a Fes tbier called “Schnitzengiggles” with a picture of the overeating German child, Augustus Gloop, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the can.

If German beers from Germany are more to your liking, Milford’s package stores, including Total Wine and More (230 Cherry Street) and Wines and More! (243 Boston Post Road) both have great selections of

hard-to-find German Beers. In fact, of the six Munich breweries that supply beer to Munich’s Oktoberfest—Hoffbrau, Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Lowenbrau, and Augustiner—only Augustiner is unavailable in our parts.

Oktoberfest might appear to be just a silly way to dress up like a Bavarian sheep herder

and overindulge in beer and bratwurst. But it is also a last chance for people to get together while the weather is still relatively warm, celebrate another cultural ingredient that helped make the American melting pot great, and offer our fellow citizens, no matter where they come from, a hearty “Prost!”

—Gerry McGuire

Milford,

around town

The Tale of Hamlet & Porkchop

This Hamlet does not reside at Castle Elsinore in Denmark. This Porkchop is not for dinner. These adorable porkers reside at Napoli Motors at 241 Boston Post Road. They are Lenny Napoli’s pets. “It started as a long-time joke,” Napoli explains. “For many years I’ve wanted a small mini pig.” When his wish finally came to fruition it wasn’t quite what he expected.

Sales manager Ashley DeFilippo picks up the story. “I went with my daughter to a farm and saw them and we fell in love. I asked Lenny if we could have one and he said yes, and thought we should get two. He was under the impression they would stay small,” DeFilippo laughs. “We got them in September of last year, so they are already a year old.”

Napoli’s Kunekune pigs are a domestic breed from New Zealand. They are known for their sweet temperament, with rotund bod ies, stubby legs, and short snouts. Full-grown, they can weigh between 200-400 pounds!

(The indigenous Maori of New Zealand named them Kunekune, which means “fat and round.”)

“They bring so much joy to us at work,” DeFilippo says. “They are not small but, honestly, they are the most loving animals. For being so large, they are very charming and smart. If you have a tough day and see them, your day gets better.”

Although clients flock to purchase cars, they delight in Napoli’s beloved Hamlet and Porkchop. “They seem to brighten up everyone’s day, even my own,” Napoli says.

Porkchop and Hamlet as piglets, enjoying a day in the Napoli showroom.

“We often keep them inside so the customers can see them, and we can give them as much attention as possible.” DeFilippo agrees. “It is great to watch people smile and giggle. Just about any time you touch them they oink.”

During the warmer months the pigs spend most of their days in a pen at the back of the dealership and move inside for the colder months. The duo is fed an all-vegetable diet according to DeFilippo. “It keeps them from getting a bit too porky,” she jokes.

“Napoli Motors has been part of the Milford community for over 60 years. We are supporters of many local charitable organiza tions, and we like to think of Hamlet and Porkchop as another way to make a people happy,” says Napoli. “Our customers love to visit them. Kids and grown-ups alike really get a kick out of them.”

Should you consider a Kunekune of your own? “I would say to anyone, get them if they have the time and space for them,” says Napoli. “We here at Napoli love our pigs. It was a joke that turned into a reality, and we wouldn’t change it for anything.”

—Susan Carroll Dwyer

COURTESY OF NAPOLI

The former Casanova Candy building now sells sweet rides.

ONE OF A KIND

The current Kia and Napoli Classics dealership has been located at the old Casanova Candies building since 1996. “Our family already owned a dealership in Milford since 1959. It began as a Pontiac and Datsun (now Nissan) dealership,” Lenny Napoli explains. “I had a vision to sell cars indoors and thought it would be a unique marketing advantage. I owned a number of classic cars and put them in the showroom. To my surprise people were buying them and so for the past 26 years we have been selling them.”

The Classic’s showroom is a sight to behold, a timeline of the coolest cars you grew up with. As of this writing, it features the one-of-a-kind 1964 Pontiac Banshee coupe. An experimental prototype designed

The storied Banshee is sleek, swift, and screams down the straightaways.

by the infamous John Delorean, it never went into production, but influenced

Living, working and supporting the Milford community

generations of GM’s car development. This museum-quality beauty sells for $1.2 million.

family time

The Giggling Pig

The Giggling Pig is an art studio where children of all ages can express their individuality and creativity. Derived from Hannah Perry’s children’s book entitled The Giggling Pig and Friends, A Whimsical Tale of Friendship and Adventure, author Perry opened the first location in Shelton 11 years ago. It has since spread to three other locations (Bethel, Seymour, and Milford) to reach more children.

The mission of The Giggling Pig (44 Nau gatuck Avenue) is to offer children a creative outlet where they can learn and build upon their artistic skills. It promotes both fun and education. Regular classes are divided into three levels for children to take: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. “At The Giggling Pig, we make everyone feel comfortable and welcome, and they get to be as creative as their heart desires,” says Makayla Silva, who runs the Milford location. “We try to not show the end result of any particular project, but, rather, we create together at the same time, so as not to discourage any young artists along the way. Everything is taken step-by-step through slow, understandable instruction. All of our classes and programs are child-focused, playing into the curiosity and creativity of the children at the studio,” Silva says.

Beginner-level classes are geared toward understanding the simplicities of art. It is

From beginner to advanced, child-focused programming encourages creativity.

important for children to gain a set of skills to be able to bring their creative projects to life. This includes basics like blending and composition; further exploration of mediums

COURTESY OF THE GIGGLING PIG(2)

Offering a creative space for children of all ages, The Giggling Pig opened in the Walnut Beach Arts and Business District in Spring 2022.

and techniques occur weekly.

The 1.5 hour long intermediate class brings this skillset to the next level. Students can work with additional mediums via new and refined techniques to create more complex and detailed artwork. “We like to expose the students to all types of art so that they can find something they love,” explains Silva. “This class also teaches students about composition, values, and color theory. Students will explore a variety of mediums such as watercolor, chalk and pastels, acrylic on canvas, and clay to name a few!”

The Advanced Art class, a 2-hour session for preteens and teens, “is a dream come true for budding artists,” says Silva. Teachers supply an in-depth analysis of art skills, like how to play with values and shades, as well as how to create a more detailed composition. The children can work individually, applying their newfound skills with their inner artistic aura. Silva con cludes, “It is our message to young artists that the way they see the world is important and we never do a child’s work for them. We guide our students and show them new techniques and encourage self-expression.”

COURTESY OF THE GIGGLING PIG

For children under the age of five, the Mommy + Me class is perfect for a hands-on experience that includes parents as well as their kids.

An important aspect of the learning process is that teachers be attentive and hands-on with students. Classes at the Giggling Pig typically have a 1:6 instructor-to-student ratio. Instruc tors meticulously work with kids to ensure they have an enjoyable process as well as love for their creative vision. “Creating art in a fun way is important to us,” affirms Silva. “We can make mistakes, and everything will still turn out great.”

Both afterschool and weekend art lessons are available, so there’s plenty of room to fit classes into busy schedules. Seasonal camps are offered on school breaks—a fantastic way to fill time off in a fun-loving and creative way. Paint nights are offered and there is also the opportunity to participate in Giggling Pig fun through an in-school afterschool program. And in 2022 Giggling Pig was named the “Best Place for a Kid’s Party” in Milford!

If finding the time to head to a class is the only thing stopping you from attending, fear not: the Giggling Pig offers an at-home option. The Art Box is full of crafts for children to explore—from a preprinted canvas to color as they desire, or a wooden character cutout to bring to life—children will have fun on their own time.

Art is necessary in human life. It exists ev erywhere and can be created any time. Unleash

your child’s inner artist via The Giggling Pig. —Haley McNish

The seaside studio offers year-round classes and camps during school vacations and summer.

Meet Me at the Bench

When is a bench more than a bench? When it’s also art, sculpture, and fun.

As autumn’s leaves transform from shades of green to eye-popping reds, oranges, and yellows, summer’s biting bugs wane, and the air turns crisp and fresh, the time for outdoor strolls calls us forth from our homes and businesses.

This year, something unique awaits pedestrians on the sidewalks of downtown Milford who are seeking a place to rest their feet, kick back, and people watch.

In 2019, thanks to a grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development: Office of the Arts, the Milford Arts Council (MAC) was awarded grant money to build five new benches in downtown Milford that would be more than nondescript places to sit. Those involved wanted the benches to also function as works of art.

“We really wanted to create a project in the arts that would bring the community

closer together and celebrate what we have as amenities in our downtown area,” states MAC executive director Paige Miglio.

Milford’s location in Connecticut is unique. “We are the only community along the shoreline, that we are aware of, that you can enter by car, train, bus, foot, bike, or boat,” explains Miglio. “So, we wanted to create an art trail that was attached to Founders’ Walk, which was another state project that was founded by State Senator James Maroney.”

(Upper left) Sailboat “Replicant,” site: Milford Historical Society. (Above) “Sitting in the Shade,” site: Milford Green, artist Sonny Cardinali (seated above.) (Left) Paige Miglio, executive director of the MAC.

Maroney wanted an art trail in downtown Milford, and the Meet Me at the Bench art and craft project “gave that vision teeth,” says Miglio.

The idea was to bring the community together to celebrate Milford’s historic areas and show off a beautiful downtown that people will want to visit and explore. “Providing this art trail gives people an excuse to linger, to explore, to walk around, to create memories, and to meet new people to share experiences,” says Miglio.

Those involved at the MAC took the idea of the park bench and recreated it as a public front stoop, inviting artisans and craftspeople to come up with unique designs that would be both fun and practical.

“We reached out to our woodworkers, metalsmiths, architects, engineers, contractors, and photographers to recreate the park bench as

ROBERT CREIGH

an art and community experience,” notes Miglio.

Author Ray Bradbury wrote about front porches and stoops in his seminal novel, Fahrenheit 451, where he described the front porch as the place where neighbors stroll by and stop in to visit one another.

Post-WWII, front porches and social gatherings on front stoops became a fixture

(Above) “Community Blocks,” MAC Board mem ber Megan Laudenslager and daughters (seated above); site: Lisman Landing. (Right) Question mark, “Why Are We Here?”, site: Founders Walk.

of the past, replaced by backyard decks and patios where people hid from their neighbors. Today, young people are inside much of the

time—often to the chagrin of parents—playing computer games and donning 3D virtual reality headsets, making the outdoors even more of a strange environment to some.

Venturing outdoors to meet people face-to-

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face in our community is more important than ever, and Milford, with the Meet Me at the Bench arts and crafts project, is providing just that sort of activity with the recently installed art benches.

All five benches are now in place. The first three were installed in March and April and the remaining two benches were installed in June.

“We’re really excited,” notes Miglio. “It really is about not only artists but craftspeople— those people who are artists who don’t necessarily come to mind when somebody considers an artist.”

A committee of local artists, city representatives, downtown businesses, and service organizations reviewed the

submissions and matched them to suggested bench sites. “We’re really hoping at some point that our local artists, performers, and poets will create many events that can happen in these places,” concludes Miglio.

So set out for a stroll in downtown Milford this autumn and pull up to one of the five new art benches, take a seat, and soak in the vibrant community and its people.

—Jason J. Marchi

(Left) Masks: “Face to Face,” site: rear of Milford Public Library. (Right) Installation helper Steve Fowler with artists Bob Gregson and Gerry Kelleher.

Charcuterie Craze Captivates Milford

In the beginning days of the pandemic, Milford’s Veronique Stocks began making char cuterie boards. “It was fun making something beautiful during such a crazy time. And I love snacking, so charcuterie boards were a perfect fit for me,” she says. Stocks snapped photos of a few of her boards showed them to her best friend, Carlos Pabon. He was really impressed by her creativity and encouraged her to make more. Fast forward two years and Stocks and Pabon are now business partners in Captivating Charcuteries, an artisanal char cuterie business that produces everything from personal charcuterie picnic boxes to large scale grazing tables. “The response from the Milford community has been amazing,” says Stocks.

Charcuterie’s evolution from a necessity in 15th-century France—when meat was cured so that families could eat every last bit of it—to a modern day social media darling is truly incredible. Today, eye-catching charcuterie photos dominate Pinterest and Instagram, and videos of people making their own charcuterie boards captivate TikTok audiences.

“All the marketing I’ve done has been through social media,” says Stocks. “I started

by posting photos of some of my boards to the Milford Moms Facebook page. Kate Hostetler, Nicole Classy Wilhelm, and Danielle Valenzano, the ladies who run the Facebook page, have been so supportive. I started getting requests for charcuterie boards immediately.” Her most popular social media platform is Instagram, where Captivating Charcuteries’ videos are seen by thousands of viewers. One recent video was viewed nearly 10,000 times.

For longtime Milford resident Kim Dolan, charcuterie boards were a way to get her daughters to finish their meals. “When my girls were in elementary school, they were very picky eaters and they were also vegetarians,” Dolan recalls. “They weren’t really into sandwiches, so charcuterie boards always worked well. I’d incorporate fruit, vegetables, nuts, and cheeses—really, just any items that together would make a balanced lunch.” About a year ago, Dolan started making charcuterie boards for friends and family. She, too, shares photos of her picture-perfect boards on Instagram. “I hope to grow All Aboard Charcuterie Co. into a larger business,” says Dolan.

“I’m actively reaching out to commissary kitchens and other local businesses to explore partnerships.”

CAPTIVATING

Like a beautiful French pastry, or expertly balanced sashimi platter, charcuterie is the perfect fusion of food and art. Pleasing to the eye and palate, modern day charcuterie boards offer way more than just meats and cheeses. Dolan recently made an ice cream charcuterie board, which included different types of ice cream, toppings, waffle cones, and bowls. She’s also made brunch boards which boast scones and other baked goods, fresh fruit, and yogurt in addition to the standard meats and cheeses. “You can really make anything into a charcuterie board,” says Dolan.

Stocks, who also makes a variety of themed boards, says one of the things her Milford

customers love most about her boards is the surprise element. “My customers say my boards are like a treasure hunt. They love picking through the board and finding surprises like different candies and jams. They end up trying things they wouldn’t buy themselves but end up loving.”

While creating expert charcuterie boards like Stocks’ and Dolan’s may not come easy to all, a few things can be done to create fun, eye-catching charcuterie boards at home. “Start small,” says Stocks. “Get a tiny board and choose one thing you’re going to focus on, like color or texture. Don’t try to incorporate

too many different elements, just choose one thing and take it from there.” Dolan is a fan of moving things around and confesses to doing it often when she’s creating her boards. “Place something on the board and if you don’t like it, move it,” she shares. “Especially with garnishes like flowers, moving something even a little bit can make a big impact. Most of all, have fun with it!”

—Amanda Duff

YOU CAN FOLLOW Milford’s charcuterie makers on Instagram at captivating_charcuteries and allaboardcharcuterieco

ALL

CO.

eye on business Economic Development isa Local Game

It is generally accepted that what we now know as “economic development” was established by the real estate industry to work with local governments to assist in new development and real estate transactions with various city departments integral to the success of a project. It has also been said that more than 100 years ago, railroads and electric companies were the driving forces behind economic develop ment—pushing the creation of entirely new towns and cities. Established communi ties reacted to these “newcomers” by establishing their own programs to spearhead growth and be more competitive with other communities. Both stories ring true.

What once was, is no longer. Economic development has vastly outgrown its root definition and now encompasses arts, culture, population growth, education, environmental impact, business expansion, affordable hous ing, tourism, job creation, and so much more.

In Milford, we define economic develop ment as quality of life. Are the people in Milford employed, housed, educated? Do they have ac cess to healthcare and transportation? Can they build wealth? Do they have access to quality arts and exposure to culture? Are the businesses in Milford thriving? Do we have enough visitors to supplement their growth? Are there enough properties to offer expansion? Are there too many vacant properties or not enough? The questions and study of economic development is limitless. Quality of life to some may be vastly different for others. Balancing the needs of a diverse constituency is ever-challenging.

Economic development is a popular bullet point on brag sheets at election time, when incumbents can boast of success while op posing candidates call for change in practices.

However, economic development is not a biannual showcase; there is a daily offering of statistical analysis of current conditions along with developing programming and strategic practice to enhance our community.

COMMUNITY GROWTH

The Milford shoreline has buoyed economic development for centuries via water channels for moving goods. As we grew, train lines and highways made Milford even more acces sible Milford has more highway on/off ramps than any other city in the state and arguably the longest shoreline. Accessibility to and from metro areas via Metro-North also proves attractive to businesses looking to relocate. We continue to have record-breaking new business starts. Aside from these inherent features, what has made Milford a sought-after place to do business, live, and visit? The community; the relationship between the city, non-profits, organizations, citizens, businesses, and people who love and care about the city. Milford has a unique sense of community, created and

fostered through continued partnerships, that sets us apart from other municipalities. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. Milford businesses foster cooperation through ongoing collaboration holding economic roundtables where stakeholders can support each other’s efforts.

I once asked a tech business owner why they located in Milford as opposed to one of the larger cities considered a hub for technology. The owner cited the endless creative possibilities that could be born in an office situated alongside the water versus stuck in a concrete jungle. I thought that was a very interesting take from an industry we assume is only attracted to major cities.

BUILDING A MILFORD BUSINESS

There are many ways for individual business owners to get involved in the Milford business community. Joining the Milford Regional Cham ber of Commerce, Downtown Milford Business Association, or Devon’s burgeoning business association affords an invaluable network. On a larger scale, industry-related trade organizations like the CT Restaurant Association, CT Retail Merchants Association, CT Grocers Association, and many more, also provide support.

Another important part of being involved in the Milford Business Community is aligning with the right charitable partner. These days it is

Julie Nash, Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development, City of Milford.

KARA FLANNERY

important for a business to be socially conscious and have an active presence in the community to maximize customer attraction and retention.

In Milford, we have many charitable organiza tions ready to partner with businesses for the sake of the community. The city’s Office of Economic and Community Development can help facilitate those relationships.

In fact, the Office of Economic and Com munity Development can be a crucial partner for business assistance. When the office “digs in” to a business, they often find it is not financial assistance they need, but a better payroll system or marketing plan. Referring people to the Connecticut Economic Development Department to access various programming like the Small Business Express Program or the Manufacturing

Innovation Fund can be a business game changer.

STAYING LOCAL

People often make the correlation that support ing small businesses means buying products local. But in truth it’s more than that. Using in-town doctors, supporting local theater, getting your taxes done by a local accountant or driveway paved by a local contractor that’s shopping local.

During the pandemic, as a result of many retail shops or restaurants pivoting to digital sales or take-out to stay afloat, many business owners said they had their best year ever. That is because the folks in Milford are loyal and community-focused. We have, collectively, done a great job in creating that sense of community.

The city created Discover Milford right before the pandemic to not only help tourism, but prompt locals to become a tourist in their own town— reminding everyone of the many services, events and resources we have here in Milford.

These efforts continue as we navigate away from the innovative approaches borne of the pandemic. The Office of Economic and Community Development is ramping up that effort to highlight local dentists, car mechanics, pool designers, insurance agents, landscapers, and more. Staying local helps the people in your neighborhood. Your neighbor’s success is also yours.

—Julie Nash

Julie is the Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development, City of Milford

BY CINDY PAPISH GERBER

When I wrote Devon Dreams for this magazine in 2003, Devon’s redevelopment was in the planning stages. Founding members of the original Devon/West Shore Association used words like, “possibilities” and “potential” to describe their objectives. In the Autumn 2011 story entitled Devon Delights, the Devon Revitalization Committee celebrated “phase one” of their visionary project: sidewalks with granite curbs, brick inlays, landscaping, lampposts, signage, and a clock tower transforming this formerly blighted district into the new “Village of Devon.”

Former Milford Chamber director Bob Gregory recounts: “When Jim Amann became Speaker of the CT House, a $5 million grant was secured for Devon with another $1 million for Walnut Beach.” Amann, together with dedicated committee members and volunteers, led a grassroots effort that facilitated Devon’s Cinderella-like renewal. “Now, a new group of individuals has taken over the development of Devon,” Gregory notes. And once again, Amann is leading the charge.

As chairman of the Devon Merchants Association, Jim Amann is encouraged by Devon’s momentum. In fact, he’s confident. “We can accomplish much more than maintain past upgrades. A lot of the business owners who’ve made investments are regrouping, and our association is being reestablished as a non-profit.” Amann’s committee hopes to receive enough infrastructure dollars to fund

two major projects to be completed within the next decade: a manmade waterfall on the right side of the Devon Bridge next to Dockside Brewery, and a river walk that would begin at the bridge alongside the marina, ending at the I-95 Bridge. “It’s a tall order,” Amann admits, pointing to the “major Silver Sands overhaul” as a comparable benchmark. But, he adds, “If you have the passion, interest, involvement, will, and the money, it can be done—one brick at a time.”

Amann’s Devon roots go way back. “I have always loved Devon,” he says. “I have great memories of playing with friends at my mother’s house on Oldroyd Street, behind Liberty Rock. I grew up in Peter Prudden Village, directly across from Jonathan Law. Later on, my father-in-law owned Imperia Furniture, on the corner of Naugatuck and Bridgeport Avenues.”

It was this intimate knowledge of his

(Top) A view of the Devon marina at sunset from Dockside Brewery; (Bottom) The Washington Bridge on the Boston Post Road (Route 1) connects the Village of Devon with Stratford.

neighborhood that led Amann to become Devon’s “voice” when he entered politics. “I first became an elected official in ’82, and then

MARYALICE

Residents and visitors are first welcomed to the “Village of Devon” with a beautiful clock tower.

went on to represent Devon on the local and state level for a total of 18 years (1991-2009),” he says. During this period, Amann witnessed Devon’s downward trajectory. “When the Devon Bridge got stuck for months due to disre pair during the mid-90s, this main artery from Stratford to Milford was severed; traffic stopped and businesses died. We did everything we could to help, but the area became run down; storefronts emptied. Merchants, shoppers, and commuters were equally upset.” This situation prompted Amann to form the Devon Revitaliza tion Committee in the early 2000s. “We were an inclusive, bi-partisan group. Every meeting was open to the public.”

Libby Ditchkus, of Ditchkus Real Estate, was one of Devon’s earliest advocates. “I was the committee chair and I’m still on the board. Our focus is to keep the business community together and move forward,” she says. Ditchkus recognizes how Devon’s facelift catalyzed development. “There are new business, remod eled storefronts, and restaurants attracting not just visitors, but new residents. Homes here were once underappreciated, but now they’re well-maintained and sought after. If you go to the Village of Devon during the night, the din ing scene is active. During the day, it’s packed.

I see moms with strollers, seniors, joggers, walkers—people enjoying the park and views of the bridge that connects with Stratford. It’s quite picturesque.”

Joe Carrano and Julianna Shabarekh choose the 248 Bridgeport Avenue as their first brick-and-mortar location for their professional wholesale candle and apothecary studio. “We fell in love with the space and neighborhood, and opened Legrify Inspired, our manufactur ing and event space, in June,” says Carrano. “We were drawn to Devon because it’s up and com

ing,” Shabarekh says. “We hoped our events would draw people here.” As newer Devon Committee members, they feel welcomed by the community. “We are absolutely happy with our choice to locate our business here,” Carrano confirms. “There’s activity up and down our street on evenings and weekends. Everything’s within walking distance.”

On Bridgeport Avenue, Hair House, Route 1 Guitar, and Bel Air Auto Sales are just a few of the local businesses in Devon that have been servicing customers for many years.

Longtime Devonites share their enthusi asm. Carol Eaton, owner of Corp-Decor, “takes great pride” in establishing the village’s holiday lights and banners. “I created the Devon Farmer’s Market and designed the ‘Welcome to Devon’ sign,” she says. “All these things have made a big difference. Presently, we’re trying to expand the entrance park by the clock into an artsy center where we can hold events that attract more people. It’s totally changed from what it was before.”

Greg D’Agostino explains why he, along with his brother Stephen and wife Jennifer, decided to locate Bel-Air Auto in Devon.

“Twenty-one years ago, when the property was for sale, we knew we wanted to revitalize that corner of Lenox and Bridgeport Avenues into a family-owned and operated body shop and dealership of pre-ownership trucks and SUVs. When Jimmy [Amann] obtained the grants, we remodeled and cleaned our building, installed our authentic 1950’s sign out front, and basi cally put our blood, sweat, and tears into it.” On their Devon wish list, the D’Agostinos would like to see more village parking, increased beau tification, and “a concerted effort from ALL our business owners to beautify the storefronts.”

“The Bridgeport Flyer, a family-owned busi ness going on four generations, was the first local business to take on a major renovation in 2010,” says current owner Dennis Kokenos. “We built a new addition, added more seating and bathrooms, outdoor patio, larger foyer, and a handicapped ramp. We were humbled when The Milford Chamber recognized our project by honoring us with a Beautification Award.” He believes that Devon’s “mom & pop” neighbor hood feel “sets it apart” from the rest of Milford.

A Devon resident for over 30 years, Gloria Krouch remembers when “there was little to do in this area.” Well, fast forward to 2022 and she says, “we now have Hair of the Dog, Dockside Brewery, Bridge House, Liberty Rock Tavern, and our anchor, The Bridgeport Flyer, that has been here longer than I have lived here.” In 2017, Krouch opened the lifestyle

(Top) The Bridgeport Flyer is the neighborhood go to for bringing friends and family together. (Bottom) The Village of Devon Farmer’s Market provides locally sourced fresh produce and more.

COURTESY OF THE BRIDGEPORT FLYER

store Bohemian High with her husband Rich ard at 156 Bridgeport Ave, influenced by the “great location” and nearby public parking lot. “It is our understanding that roughly 1200 cars go past us every hour of every day. Bohemian High ran the Good Vibes Music Festival in Devon from 2017-2019, to thank you, our com munity and customers,” and Krouch envisions planning similar events. “The Village of Devon Business Council successfully organized a Holi day Stroll in December 2021. Moving forward, we are working to put together a 3-day event where we plan on having different activities at locations throughout Devon.”

“Devon has all the elements of a thriving business community, and I am hoping to foster that with the start of the Devon Business Council,” says Simon McDonald, the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, director of membership and marketing. He anticipates the Council will “foster further growth and create a sense of continuity.” After living here for two decades, McDonald witnessed the area’s transformation in real time. “There was an

element of a drooping business atmosphere,” he says. “When Bridge House Restaurant first opened, it was a breath of fresh air. The area has “become a magnet for entrepreneurs with a vision.” (It was 2007, the same year Bridge House opened its doors, that Milford Living moved into our Devon office.)

“We helped put Devon on the map,” says Bridge House owner Frank Basile who, in partnership with Rick Jurzyk, Chris Saley, and Robert Cyr, are justifiably proud of their popular venture. “To date, we’re seeing substantial growth. People are drawn to Milford…and Devon rode the coattails of that.” Basile acknowledges his restaurant’s success has benefitted other Devon establishments, particularly Dockside Brewery, situated directly

across Bridgeport Avenue. “We couldn’t ask for a better neighbor,” he says. “We’re both busy and drawing a diverse clientele. There’s a posi tive symmetry between our two restaurants.”

Dockside Brewery’s owner Dan Bagley echoes this sentiment. “We love watching people walk back and forth between our place and Bridge House. People are discovering Devon.” Bagley previously operated Devon’s Al Dente Restaurant for 15 years. “I was very involved since the revitalization’s early days. When I took over Flagship Marina in 2009 and ran it as a full-service marina, hosting summer parties with live bands, I still knew that space was underutilized. “My biggest dream from day one was to make it into a destination marina and restaurant.” Finally,

(From left) Bohemian High, USPS Devon branch, the popular Devon Duckpin Bowling, and Dulin Automotive.

after partnering with a Florida brewery owner and waiting out construction delays, Bagley opened Dockside Brewery at that location in April 2020. “It’s much more than just a beer bar”, says marketing manager Mackenzie Frank, who says Dockside’s “extensive menu, multi-level decks, indoor and outdoor bars,

waterfront biergarten, and sandy beach area has room for everyone!”

“My dream has been realized, and it feels great,” Bagley says. “It’s really happening; boats are coming in from Long Island, New port, New Jersey, and Maryland and stay the night. Friends tell their friends and have cre

ated a buzz. I love walking around the tables and meeting new and repeat customers. Jim Amann, myself and others have been having conversations about Devon for so long. People don’t realize how much we went through to make this happen. Many didn’t believe it…and now we just look at each other and smile.”

Abby the Labby was a social media sensation and a true companion to owner Shaileen Kelly Landsberg. Milfordites knew Abby well and miss the joy of her presence.

LEGGED fun

Anyone spending time in town can tell that Milford is a dog-friendly community and has much to offer our four-legged friends. Dog owners abound and can be found walking their pups on our miles of sidewalks, visiting the West River Street Dog Park, taking in the trails at one of our many wooded parks, and even hanging out with their dogs at local restaurants.

Our pets are so much a part of our community that we’ve put together a guide just for them to ensure they’re living their best lives. After all, with so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Milford is such a great Small City with a Big Heart for both its human and canine residents!

First and foremost, keeping a pet healthy is important for any owner. Regular checkups are a must, as is keeping current with vaccinations. “Autumn is a time of increased risk for leptospi rosis [a bacterium that can be found in wildlife urine] since many people spend time outdoors in nature with their dogs,” shares veterinarian Jourdan White, DVM, of Milford Animal Hospi tal. “Luckily there is a good vaccine to help prevent a dog from getting it.”

BY SHAILEEN KELLY LANDSBERG

This is Janet James’ dog Tilly and her younger sister Ivy. Tilly passed away recently, but spent her life in Milford chasing frisbees. Tilly will be missed!

Domino, one heck of a dog. —Kayla Lembo

SUSAN CARROLL DWYER

“Tick diseases are common in the fall as well,” continues Dr. White, “but there are some great topical and chewable preven tives, and owners should speak with their vets to see which is best for their dog. Dogs should also receive their Lyme vaccine when recommended by their veterinarian.”

EXERCISE

“Fall is a perfect time for your dog to get outside for some exercise,” says Dr. White. “Sniff walks—where pups are allowed to explore with their nose—are great to exercise their bodies and minds. Exercise can

also help keep the dog lean, which will help them stay healthier through the winter.”

TRAINING

“A trained dog is a happy dog,” is a popular saying, and registered Master Dog Trainer Gus Marnel from Milford-based K-9 Communication agrees. “Every dog needs leadership and guidance, and the most important part of dog train ing is for the owner to learn to be the leader.” Marnel’s philosophy, along with most trainers, is to make the training fun and help dogs learn what the expectations are for them.

SOCIALIZATION

Since dogs are pack animals, most benefit from socialization, and there are many options in Milford for dogs to make and play with “friends”.

DOG PARK - Milford’s dog park, located at 1001 West River Street, is a popular destination for dogs and their owners. There is a large fenced in-area, totaling more than an acre, for all dogs to enjoy, with a smaller fenced-in section for small er dogs. The large area includes a water fountain, rocks to climb on, and plenty of space to run.

Local dog owner Monique Duhaime Root enjoys taking her pup to the dog park. “I have found that the dog park has done wonders for my shy pup’s confi dence and social skills,” she says. “By following the other dogs’ lead, he is coming to realize that new people aren’t so scary.” She also shares that an added benefit is “he comes home worn out and calm…a bonus for me!”

Bridie Boo, a social butterfly about town, enjoys a pup cup at Milford Landing with owner Shaileen Kelly Landsberg.

DAYCARE - Doggy daycare is beneficial to most dogs, allowing them to spend the day playing with their “friends” in a super vised setting. They enjoy the socialization, stimulation, and exercise, while their owners can attend to other matters, know ing their pup is in good hands.

Dogs must be fully vaccinated

to attend daycare. The starting age can vary, and it is recom mended that the pooch have an interview and trial day to see if they are a good match for the particular program. There are several daycares to choose from in Milford, including Who’s Your Doggie at 65 Woodmont Rd (203283-5311), Dogtopia of Milford at 40 Quirk Road (203-951-9971), and Black Birch Farm at 44 Old Gate Lane (203-874-0084) among others.

DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Many dog owners love to bring their four-legged friends out and about, spending time with their dog while enjoying a nice meal

Dr. Jourdan White and canine companion Gemini hit the trails. Milford has great spaces to enjoy with our four-legged friends.

or treat. Here in Milford, there are several dog-friendly locations that allow well-behaved pups to join their owners in outdoor seating. (Only service animals are allowed indoors at these restaurants.)

SCOOPY DOOS - Located at Lisman Landing, this popular ice cream shop offers a pet ice cream

for its canine customers, and happy pups are often seen enjoy ing their own frozen treat on the nearby patio on the harbor.

HAIR OF THE DOG - A favorite Devon venue (128 Bridgeport Avenue) for many, this local eatery allows owners to bring their polite leashed pups into the restaurant’s outdoor courtyard while din ing and enjoying drinks.

THE GREEK SPOT - This beach side restaurant (726 East Broad way) serves delicious Greek foods

Gus Marnel, owner of K9 Communications, trains his Doberman along with his canine companions.

in a casual setting, and they welcome their customer’s wellbehaved pooches on their patio.

TRIBUS BEER COMPANYLocated at 100 Raton Drive, this brewery welcomes canine guests (with their owners) on its outdoor patio.

LAWS & LICENSES

Pet owners strive to be good citizens, and it’s always helpful to stay up to date about what is expected of them and their pup. All dogs 6 months of age or

Cooper is a 7-month old German shepherd mix (lab, boxer, collie, and super mutt). He LOVES going for long walks on Fort Trumbull beach, birdwatching, and his rope toys! —Shelby DeRosa

Eowyn enjoys strolls around the neighborhood with owners Darlene and Ryan.

2022 • Milford Living 37 DARLENE HULTGREN

SHELBY DEROSA

older must be licensed by June of the year. The dog license, renewed yearly, can be obtained from the City Clerk’s office at the Parson’s Complex (70 West

River Street) and requires a cur rent rabies certificate. (Having an up-to-date rabies vaccine is mandatory for all dogs and cats in Milford, including indoor pets.) Costs can be found online at https://www.ci.milford. ct.us/city-clerk/pages/doglicenses, and are significantly less expensive for a dog who is spayed or neutered.

Lilly came from Ireland just 8 weeks ago to enjoy her retirement here in Milford. —JoAnn Kudola

The City of Milford requires all dogs to be leashed when off their owner’s property, includ ing in the city’s many parks and trails. The exception to this law is when visiting the dog park, which is full enclosed by a fence for the safety of all. The city also has what is referred to as the “Pooper Scooper Law,” requiring owners to pick up and properly dispose of their pet’s waste.

This is Harvey our beloved chocolate lab! Harvey is a celebrity in our neigh borhood and brings smiles to everyone he meets. We are blessed to have his unconditional love in our life! —April Bryant

Dr. White of Milford Animal Hospital cares for Winston Chau the gray Frenchie. Woof!

Altaira Morbius, a black german shepherd, has a gentle soul and she loves heavy metal! —Susan Carroll Dwyer

APRIL BRYANT

SUSAN CARROLL

DWYER

38 Milford Living • Autumn JOANN KUDOLA

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helping hands

You can make a difference.

Looking for an opportunity to spend your time giving back to the community? There are plenty of volunteer options for you to lend a hand for Milford residents in need.

Each option yields happiness and comfort to all parties involved. Here are just a few opportunities where you can help make a difference.

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CONNECTICUT

1 Plymouth Place

Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 877-287-3327

Website: https://www.redcross.org/ volunteer/become-a-volunteer/urgentneed-for-volunteers.html

Trained Red Cross volunteers work to prevent, prepare for and respond to local

and national disasters; teach first aid, CPR, swimming and other health and safety skills; perform administrative tasks at blood drives; help deliver emergency family messages to people serving in the armed forces; help with Chapter clerical tasks; and work on special events to raise funds.

BETH-EL CENTER

90 New Haven Avenue Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 203-876-0747

Email: info@bethelmilford.org

Website: https://www.bethelmilford. org/website/publish/help/index.php?8

The Beth-El Center offers various programs to aid those in need of food and shelter. Volunteer in the soup kitchen, in housing shelters, and in community outreach to help people connect.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MILFORD

59 Devonshire Rd

Milford, CT 06460

Email: meganaltomare@ boysandgirlsclubofmilford.com

Phone: 203-713-8055 Website: http://www. boysandgirlsclubofmilford.com/whatwe-do.aspx

The Boys & Girls Club is a place for the community youth to get ready for what the adult world has to offer. You can help these children in various ways: education, career paths, leadership, life skills, arts, recreation, and more.

CARING HOSPICE

SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT

456 Glenbrook Road Stamford, CT 06906

Phone: 203-674-8380

Website: https://caringhospice.com/ volunteer/volunteer-sign-up/

As a volunteer, you can help increase the well-being of a patient and their loved ones by offering emotional support and fulfilling specific non-medical needs.

CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY

1 Milford Point Road

Milford, CT 06460

Website: https://www.ctaudubon.org/

Volunteers are needed for trail walking, special events, committee work, and to assist with administrative duties.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT

16 Dixon Street

Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 203-878-1080 Website: https://lvsct.org/

Become a volunteer Literacy Tutor, read to children through their preschool program, work on a fundraising event, hold a book drive, or donate a book.

MILFORD ARTS COUNCIL (MAC)

40 Railroad Avenue Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 203-878-6647 Website: https://milfordarts.org/ volunteer-with-us

This is a wonderful place where people of all ages can learn and experience art and creativity through galleries, classes, lectures and more. You can help via exhibits, marketing, fundraising, concessions, and more.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER OF MILFORD

70 West River Street Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 203-874-8712 Website: https://www. rapecrisiscenterofmilford.org/

Volunteers provide counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual assault and their families, work as group facilitators and community educators, and help with fundraising and legislative activities.

SAVE: SUICIDE AWARENESS VOICES OF EDUCATION

7900 Xerxes Avenue South Suite 810, Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone: 952-946-7998

To fill out an application: https://save.org/what-we-do/publicawareness/national-outreach-network/ non-charter-application-form/ You can become a volunteer to ensure the safety and well being of those in your community by setting up a group in Milford. Take the first step to help others in need today.

UNITED WAY OF MILFORD

20 Evergreen Avenue Milford, CT 06460

Phone: 203-874-6791 Website: https://www. unitedwayofmilford.org/ The ALICE program of the United Way of Milford is specifically designed to aid people

Wendy Weir REALTOR

Direct: 203-668-0509

WendyWeir.realtor@gmail.com

Gianni Viscuso REALTOR

Directl: 203-868-1298

GianniVsellsct@gmail.com

who are (A)sset (L)imited, (I)ncome (C) onstrained, and (E)mployed. There are people who fall above the Federal Poverty Level who still need assistance with basic necessities like food, shelter, and water. Reach out for more information on how you can lend a hand.

THE CURE STARTS NOW

Website: https://thecurestartsnow.org/getinvolved/chapters/connecticut-milford/ Raising funds to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer, the Milford Chapter was formed in honor of Serena Mulligan. A Coin and Bottle Drive takes place every second Sunday from 8am - 12pm at either Milford Bank Downtown or Beachside Nutrition.

Where Friends Meet Since 1973

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @ thecurestartsnowmilford for locations. To volunteer or donate contact stacey.arisian@ thecurestartsnow.org

UR COMMUNITY CARES, INC.

Manchester, CT

Phone: 860-430-4557

Email: info@urcommunitycares.org

Website: https://urcommunitycares. org/home/volunteer

This is the perfect opportunity for students in need of fulfilling community service hours for school. There are yardwork, housework, companion, and transportation opportunities available to assist your neighbors.

WALNUT BEACH ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 2279

Milford, CT 06460

Email: president@ walnutbeachassociation.com

Website: https://walnutbeach association.com/volunteers/ Calendar events are always in need of

volunteers. Concerts, festivals, and other events are popular, and in order for them to be free to the community, your help is needed. Offer your time for the duration of an event or for just a free block of time you have to spare. Help is always welcomed!

Haley McNish

Seth Hershman

Seth Hershman 203-676-8193

Frank D’Ostilio 203-641-7072

Battling Depression One Note at a Time

Believing that music has charms to soothe the beast of depression and other mental health issues, William Jamieson, Jr. founded a nonprofit to do just that. The Alexander Jordan Jamieson (AJJ) Foundation was established in September 2019, mere months after Jamieson’s brother Alex, 22, died by suicide.

“I would see my brother go from unconfident and sad to being his true, talented self while performing in his band at local bars,” says Jamieson. The foundation offers the possibility of transformation to children

and teens fighting mental health diseases by providing free musical instruments and lessons. Area residents donate the instruments and local musicians offer the lessons free of charge. Currently, there are 16 students learning

and performing in Milford and the surrounding area. “Instead of crashing into depression and self-harm, they jam with their instruments,” Jamieson says. Cynthia (not her real name), a mom and admirer of the AJJ Foundation’s services, agrees and shares her story. “When my daughter was in 6th grade a few years ago, social media and

The healing power of music drives the foundation Will Jamieson founded in memory of his brother Alex.

bullying started her depression and she attempted suicide. It was difficult to find a therapist for her at first, but I did.” She adds, “I stumbled across the AJJ Foundation earlier this year while looking for help for teens.”

To Cynthia’s amazement, as soon as her daughter picked up a guitar, she played it. After eight lessons and only three months later, she performed with a local band. “She was in her glory. The praise from the concert crowd, her new friends, and an invitation to perform again have become new tools to build her self-confidence,” Cynthia says.

Jaimeson credits his friend and Foundation board member Steve Gourdier as “the man behind the lessons.” Gourdier is a member of

COURTESY

AJJ

Donated instruments of all kinds provide kids easy access to music that can be a transformative mental health tool.

COURTESY OF THE AJJ FOUNDATION

the well-known local rock band The Navels, and he coordinates instructors with the students. The instructors are music professionals and college students who share their time and talents about once a week. Jaimeson’s wife, Blakely, is also active in the foundation, pursuing education and resources regarding suicide prevention and mental health first aid. Nicole Wilkes volunteers as the foundation’s secretary and marketing guru and maintains their website, AJJFoundation.org.

The Foundation team originally focused its attention on eliminating the stigma of mental health issues, but now sees the dire need for promoting the profession as a viable career choice.

“The problem for many now is finding help. Our mental health facilities and programs are underfunded and underemployed,” says Jamieson.

The AJJ Foundation continues to expand its services through music and other creative avenues in an effort to serve—and save—more young people. In addition to playing instruments, several students are writing songs and are interested in music production. Also, a local photographer is now offering lessons as another outlet.

Milford residents can support the foundation’s mission in the following ways:

• Donate gently used musical instruments for both the foundation and local school system.

• Volunteer as an instructor. Music professionals are always welcome to share their talents.

• Storage for the musical instruments that have been donated. Are you a property owner that has proper storage facilities? Contact the Foundation if you can help in any of these areas.

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vendors, and performances by several local bands make this a fun way to support the cause.

If you have thought about suicide or someone you know has mentioned it, please seek help immediately by dialing “988,” the national helpline launched earlier this year, or call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255

—Angela Arpino

• Most importantly, the public is invited to attend the AJJ Foundation’s annual concert and fundraiser on Saturday, October

15, at the Alexander Jordan Jaimeson Memorial Skate Park on Washington Street in Milford. Recognizing Alex’s other love,

skateboarding, the Milford Skate Park was renamed in 2019 and has been home to this fundraiser ever since. Food trucks, crafts,

TO MAKE A DONATION OF ANY KIND, please visit: https://www. ajjfoundation.org/

Landscaper

The Milford skate park was renamed the Alexander Jordan Jamieson Memorial Skate Park in 2019.

COURTESY OF AJJ FOUNDATION

Fall into Family Wellness

“A

n ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This adage remains true to this day, especially when it comes to our health and that of our loved ones. With autumn here and winter on its way, there are measures we can all take to stay healthy as the weather cools. As always, these are just general guidelines, and we recommend you speak with your physician for medical advice.

EXERCISE

The thermometer drops, days get shorter, and we are tempted to bundle up and hibernate, sitting on the couch and bingeing our favorite show. While this can be a good way to relax

and wind down, too much sedentary time can lead to health issues, weight gain, mood changes, and just plain not feeling great.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “staying physically

active is one of the best ways to improve your mental and physical health and keep yourself on track to reach your fitness goals.” This is true of all age groups, from young children to older adults, and can take place indoors or out. The CDC recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity for adults, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities per day for children ages 6-17, and that kids ages 3-5 be active throughout the day. Physical activity can actually help to keep the immune system strong.

There are many options for fall and winter exercise, indoors and out, including one of the many gyms in Milford, or the YMCA, which caters to the wellness and fitness of all age groups

NUTRITION

Proper nutrition benefits not just physical health, but can help with emotional health and immune function. During the spring and summer, the focus is often on fresh, vitaminrich foods, but that focus should not end with the coming of the autumn and winter.

Chloe Cerino, MS, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian and owner of Chloe Cerino Nutrition, a non-diet nutrition practice based in Milford,

shared that “fresh, seasonal produce isn’t just reserved for summer. Even in the fall and winter, there are tons of in-season fruits and vegetables. Fall is rich with apples, collard greens, and many types of squash, while winter offers Brussels sprouts, parsnips, and other root vegetables. Take your family out to the farmer’s market to see what local, in-season produce you can find.” Fresh, seasonal produce can also be found at local grocery stores.

SLEEP

Adequate sleep is important for wellness the whole year round. With all the school, work, sports, and holiday commitments everyone has, sleep is often sacrificed to make time for an obligation. This can be detrimental to the

health of people of all ages, leading in the short-term to crankiness, daytime drowsiness, decreased attention, and more. According to the Sleep Foundation, long-term sleep deprivation can sometimes lead to serious health conditions like cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and immune dysfunction in adults, and “decreased brain development,” learning difficulties, and mood swings in children.

The Sleep Foundation shares that babies and toddlers require the most sleep, and 12-16 hours of sleep per day are optimal for their well-being. The number of hours of sleep needed decreases with age, and by high school age, 8-10 hours per day are recommended. The Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night.

VACCINATION

While there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, there are a few recommended shots to help keep away some winter illnesses.

The CDC recommends a flu shot developed to prevent influenza, also known as the flu, for everyone 6-months of age and older unless contraindicated, and encourages people to speak to their physician to determine if it is appropriate. Influenza is a respiratory virus passed from person to person and can cause fever, cough, chills, and more, and can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought vaccination into the spotlight, and the CDC has shared that being up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help reduce risk of

wellness

infection, help to reduce the chance of serious illness from the SARS-2 Coronavirus, and to potentially mitigate the spread of the virus.

Children and adults 6-months and older are eligible for the COVID vaccine, and it is advised to speak with your physician to determine whether you or your loved ones are due for a vaccine or booster.

HANDWASHING

“Handwashing is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of infections.”

This old saying is well-known to those in the healthcare field and should be taken to heart by everyone. Disease-causing microbes, from pathogenic bacteria to viruses, can be carried from person to person, or even

surface to person, by the hands.

The Mayo Clinic recommends washing hands with plain soap and water, vigorously rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds, then rinsing with running water. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also acceptable when soap and water are unavailable.

MASKING

While controversial, wearing a mask around others can potentially be effective

at preventing the spread of illness during times of increased transmission. The CDC advises that “wearing a well-fitted mask, along with vaccination, self-testing, and physical distancing, helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.”

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

There is a plethora of medical information to be found online and in publications, but not all info is appropriate for everyone.

Health and well-being are a crucial part of life, and each person should partner with their physician for health care decisions for themselves and their families.

—Shaileen Kelly Landsberg

community

Conversations for You and Your Teen Driver

Parents: your young person has reached a significant milestone earning their driver’s license, which could represent more freedom. You have been there to show them the way to all the other landmarks in their young lives like walking, reading, learning a sport, and riding a bike. This milestone could prove a little scarier for you due to the staggering statistics related to teen driving.

As you prepare your young driver for this freedom, you must factor in your child’s maturity and confidence in having this

meaningful conversation. You can prepare for this conversation by considering how long it took you to feel comfortable driving safely

and competently. Keep driving skill competency to a reasonable expectation by being honest and speaking confidently. Remind them that being on the road requires the other drivers to drive safely. Here are some key topics to cover:

TOO MANY PASSENGERS

The debate is still ongoing on whether new or young drivers

get more distracted when too many passengers are in the car than all other drivers. You likely can recall a recent situation where a minor distraction caused you to slam on the brakes. It’s easy to imagine how conversations or laughter in a car can distract your young driver.   Consider setting a passenger limit in the car for a while. Remind your driver that they are responsible for all people in the car.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Keep this topic simple. Driving is the primary activity taking place while they are behind the wheel. This means no phones or texting while driving—also, no eating or drinking where their eyes can be taken off the road. About 10% of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in recent years were distracted at the time of the crash. Have your teen activate the “do not disturb” feature on their phones to eliminate the distractions notifications cause.

IMPAIRED DRIVING (FATIGUE AND DRINKING)

Sleep is essential for all ages, but more importantly for young people who juggle many responsibilities and put in long nights. Remind your young driver of the importance of a good

night’s sleep and the dangers of drowsy driving.

Now, to the subject of drinking. It’s illegal to drink before they’re 21, and driving drunk or high is unacceptable at any age. In 2019, 16% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.

FOLLOWING SPEED LIMITS AND TRAFFIC SIGNS (PEER PRESSURE)

Your young driver may receive peer pressure because they adhere to traffic signs and follow speed limits. They may be teased that they aren’t cool. Tell them how much you want them to come

home safely every time you hand over the car keys.

PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. Like everything else, we improve by practicing. Driver education courses are great but don’t always simulate real situations. Take an hour or two and hand over the keys to the car while you and your driver practice getting on and off highway ramps, coming to a complete stop, making left turns, and so on. Tell them it’s ok for them not to have total confidence with driving under all circumstances.

It’s important to establish an educated driving foundation. Find a driver safety course with a focus on defensive driving. Many, if not all, insurance companies provide a discount to any driver that completes a circuit. The impact of poor driving decisions can stay with you and your young driver for years, and can include costly annual premiums. Speak to a licensed insurance professional for examples of what this means.

Parents, you are a role model. When a young driver sees you obeying the rules of the road, they see your commitment to safety

first-hand. Likewise, if you roll a stop sign and blow it off, they may adopt those behaviors on the road. Check yourself: assess how you’re driving (whether you’re following the laws of the road). Remember when your little one used a swear word for the first time because they heard you use it? It’s the same with driving. It’s essential to keep learning about teen driver safety topics and keep the conversation going year-round. For even more information, visit www.nhsta.gov/ road-safety/teen-driving.

—Wanda Carlson, State Farm Insurance

Lenny Napoli

education notebook

Community Connection Center

On a breezy evening this past June, more than 100 people from 30-plus families sat on a hillside at Pumpkin Delight School to celebrate the end of the school year. Blankets and picnic baskets were spread on the ground as children and adults sang, danced, and clapped their hands to the beat of musician Liz McNicholl at what was the last of a series of seven musical performances meant to enhance the partnership between family and school. Mary-Kate Williams smiled and circulated among the crowd, encouraging all to participate. Williams is the coordinator of the Community Connection Center within Milford Public Schools. The program, dubbed CCC for short, is designed to help support families by encouraging their involvement in their children’s education and by making connections to wrap-around services that can help their children be more successful in school.

Community schooling is a concept that has been around for many years. It centers on the idea that a strong relationship between schools and local resources benefits everyone and is seen as one strategy for removing barriers to academic success. This holistic approach considers the needs of the whole child. While Milford Public Schools has a Family Resource Center (FRC) that has been in

existence for decades, it caters to preschoolers. The CCC is dedicated to school-aged children. Seeing the need for services that go beyond the scope of public schools, the district created the program in 2019, using a federal grant, and hired Williams to run it. Williams, a former preschool teacher and family resource center coordinator, prefers the slightly different format of the CCC and her ability

Mary-Kate Williams, the coordinator of the Community Connection Center, with the Center’s lending library.

to differentiate referrals to any number of community agencies based on a family’s specific needs. She says she enjoys listening to families and likes that she can spend quality time with them while building a meaningful relationship.

It is sometimes difficult for families to open up, says Sean Smyth, a supervisor of Student Development and Wellness for the school district. “Mary-Kate is a great listener and has the knack of getting families to share what they are struggling with,” he says, adding that parents and caregivers often do not recognize what their needs are or what is available in the community to help them.

Williams creates an informative weekly newsletter and maintains a comprehensive website that includes a detailed list of resources that families can refer to, covering areas like assistance with bills and utilities, food assistance, emergency services, health related issues, childcare, clothing needs, employment resources, family fun, and more. When social workers and other staff members

come to her with a family in need, Williams has a bank of agencies for referral. Some of the partners she stays in close contact with are Bridges, Milford United Way, Milford Youth and Family Services, and local food pantries.

Even parents themselves will pick Williams’ brain for suggestions to a difficult problem.

Williams recounts a situation during the height of the pandemic where a child was struggling with online learning and the parent wanted to connect him with other students.

Williams discovered the child loved Legos and, after some research, found an age-appropriate virtual Lego-building group where he excelled.

The center, housed at Pumpkin Delight

School, is set up like a living room, with a comfortable and homey feel and the intent to give families ownership of the space. While initially stymied by the pandemic—which forced Williams to offer services virtually—the center is finally open for in-person visits. A computer area offers the school’s parents and caregivers access to the internet and the ability to hone their technology skills, or work on job resources.

Another corner is filled with books and other reading materials where Williams runs an eight-week family book club she calls Raising Readers. Using a different book and topic each week, she models techniques that

encourage families to share books together, with the goal to build memories. They explore topics such as culture, the importance of reading with children, and different genres of literacy. Williams also provides engaging activities parents and caregivers can do with their children. The families get to keep the book at the end of each weekly session. The area has also become part of the fabric of the school where both adult volunteers and fifth grade students get involved helping with a free lending library and raising awareness about food insecurity by soliciting donations for Milford’s Purple Pantry Boxes.

This fall, Williams will conduct a Circle

education notebook

of Security parenting program designed to help parents and caregivers learn to interpret their child’s emotional needs, help children manage their emotions and build self-esteem, and develop a strong and secure relationship with them. The program is based on the simple premise that all caregivers want what is best for their children and that children must feel safe and secure if they are to thrive and learn.

The future hope is to broaden the program’s reach by opening a second Community Connection Center at Calf

Pen Meadow School, and to continue to collaborate with and complement other parenting education programs in the school district, such as the Parent University. The key point for Mary-Kate Williams is that

parents and caregivers can be active participants in their children’s schooling.

“Everyone has strengths,” she says. By building a trusting relationship with a family first, she can find their strengths and then support their needs, which will lead to better outcomes for their children.

—Susan Glennon

MORE INFO ON THE CCC can be found online at https://sites.google.com/milforded.org/mps communityresourcepage/home

The Center’s space at Pumpkin Delight School is designed to make everyone feel at home.

historical perspective

A Builder’s Legacy

Albert “Al” Knox Hotchkiss was a son of Milford. Born and raised in town, Hotchkiss spent his years as an adult giving back to the community he loved. From replacing docks in Milford Harbor damaged by hurricanes (sometimes with his own money) to conceptualizing the Hotchkiss Bridge footbridge in downtown Milford, Al Hotchkiss left behind a wondrous legacy that benefits Milford residents today.

Hotchkiss passed in 2006 at the age of 93, leaving behind a memory of an American work ethic that’s reflective of the time in which he was born a raised. An only child, Hotchkiss experienced the full force of the Great Depression as a teenager and young adult. He was nearly 30 by the time the United States came out of the Depression with the advent of WWII.

“He grew up in a time when you wasted nothing,” states Lesley Hamel, Hotchkiss’ daughter. “And he loved to build.” In fact, Hamel still resides in the house her father built in 1945, albeit with recent modernization upgrades.

“He was really a simple man,” says Hamel. “He was not good socially. He did not drink or smoke, although he did go to church on Sunday mornings, otherwise, he worked all the time. ‘Wear out don’t rust out,’ he used to say.” A teenager

when the Depression hit, Hamel says, “his dad died when he was young, so he started taking care of his mother and never had the chance to go to college. But he could build anything.”

Hotchkiss worked two jobs for all the years Lesley was growing up. “He worked night times for 25 years at Southern New England Telephone Company and then in his early 40s started his own marine construction business in Milford Harbor. He built most of the docks and pilings throughout the years.”

One of the greatest creations Al Hotchkiss left behind is the pedestrian bridge that, in 1998, was officially dedicated as the Hotchkiss Bridge.

“He pushed for years to have a pedestrian bridge over the harbor,” explains Hamel. “One day it came to pass they were going to have a harbor awareness day, to allow people to learn more about the marine life and beauty of Milford Harbor. So, my father strung a bunch of docks across the harbor and made a helium balloon archway. My girls were young, so it was probably 45 years ago. That day hundreds of people got to walk across the harbor from one side to the other. There was an old bridge by the old mill and there was a waterfall, so it was a beautiful sight. After that day he built a 30-foot model,” which he displayed to sell the idea of a full footbridge to residents and political leaders.

A portrait of Al Hotchkiss in his 80s wearing the infamous long-billed khaki hat that he became known for.

Soon after, the mayor, and others launched a harbor restoration project, removed the old sewer plant, and beautified the harbor.

The last of the harbor beautification

elements was the stately Hotchkiss Bridge that stands today at the top of Milford Harbor as a testimony to Al Hotchkiss’s selfless spirit.

“People use it every single day, all year long, to walk from one side of the harbor to the other, to get to the train station or into town,” says Hamel. “It was his crowning glory, but he never wanted any glory or recognition for it. It really made the downtown come alive.”

Benjamin Franklin, in his book The Way to Wealth, promoted the idea of being industrious and yet frugal, and Franklin’s philosophies fit Al Hotchkiss like a tailored suit. Al lived judiciously during a time in America when “do it yourself” was necessary if not mandatory, rather than the fun, hobby-type activity it is today.

Hotchkiss continued to build docks until

pedestrian bridge crossing Milford Harbor was dedicated in August 1998 as the Hotchkiss Bridge to

Albert (Al) Knox Hotchkiss, a Milford native.

the age of 92, a year before his death. His greatest legacy, according to all who knew him, is the people whose lives he touched. A man of generosity and oldworld honesty, his word was as good as a written contract—if not better—and he loved helping others.

Well-made structures outlast their creators. The Hotchkiss pedestrian bridge is just such a structure, engineered by a man who loved his hometown of Milford. Al Hotchkiss left behind a practical and beautiful footbridge for others to use and enjoy for generations to come.

J. Marchi

Scoliophis Atlanticus sunbathes in the sand dunes.

From the Depths

“They say the sea has the hottest blood of all.”—D.H. Lawrence

Created by a glacier about 18,000 years ago, Long Island Sound was carved from the earth by the tremendous force of ice. The result is a 110-milelong marine sound filled by fresh waters from river tributaries and salt water from the Atlantic Ocean. At 300 feet deep in places, it may make one wonder…what lurks below?

Tales of sea serpents have been documented for thousands of years across the globe, these storied creatures becoming part of cultures in Norway, ancient Rome, the Far East, Africa, and here along the shoreline of Connecticut. Sea monsters were well known to the Algonquin natives in the area. There are tales of encounters with a ferocious beast named Mishipeshu that reigned the waters here. Although they advised the seafaring settlers of this peril, the newcomers dismissed the monster as a mere fable.

As settlements took hold, ports were built to expand opportunities for trade routes. Vessels navigated the Sound, carrying goods and people to and fro. Fishing the bountiful waters became an essential enterprise. Ships sailed the waters, and mariners spent days, weeks,

and often months aboard traversing up and down the Sound.

In August of 1817, residents and seafarers reported encounters with something otherworldly off the coast of Gloucester,

legends & lore 64 Milford Living • Autumn A depicition of Mishipeshu from the Smithsonian collection.

Massachusetts. The natural history-based Linnean Society of Massachusetts issued an astonishing report after interviewing sailors and those on shore who purported to see a dark, sinuous animal that moved vertically up and down in the water like a caterpillar. Sailors described a giant snake-like creature with the head resembling the shape a horse, moving high above the surface as its long body moved across the water. The Linnean Society believed it to be an as yet undiscovered species they named Scoliophis Atlanticus.

More sightings were documented after the scientific report was published. All along the Eastern seaboard dozens of ships gave testimony of these creatures, as well as witnesses along the shores. In 1818, Captain Joseph Woodward and the sailors aboard the schooner Adamant were shaken by an encounter. Captain Woodward testified they shot a cannon at the monster. “The serpent shook its head and its tail in an extraordinary manner and advanced toward the ship with open jaws. The crew were seized with terror. He almost touched the vessel, and if I had not tacked as I did, he would have certainly come on board. He remained five hours near us, only going backward and forward.” Woodward’s report was published in the British Literary Gazette in 1818.

The crew of the HMS Daedalus encountered an animal in 1848. A drawing of the incident in The Illustrated London News sent shockwaves throughout Europe and the Americas. The portrait of the enormous menacing beast distressed the public.

Sightings have been reported all along the Connecticut coast, with citizens of sound minds and reputations sharing their encounters of these foreboding creatures. In town after town, sightings were imparted to local newspapers, and citizens grew fearful that such goliaths lurked offshore.

Long Island Sound is a haven for an incredible diversity of sea life. The Race, where the currents are fierce as the Atlantic Ocean literally races into the Sound creating a migratory passage

mosaic of Cetus decorated the walls of a villa in Sulzano Italy.

through our waters. The idyllic conditions offer sustenance and habitats that make the Sound an appealing place to be for species known, and those yet to be discovered. Watch the waters

with unclouded vision, and an open mind. Perhaps you may see something incredible, something that does exist in the depths.

—Susan Carroll Dwyer

in Milford and Orange

HELLO DOLLY!

Oh, you beautiful dolls! Imagine the fun children had playing with these elegant dolls. On the first step is a 12-inch bisque doll wearing lace over a yellow gown with a lace bonnet that has yellow velvet ties. Her birthday was somewhere around 1906. The doll on the next step at the left is 16-inches tall with an unglazed head, blond wig, and blue sleepy eyes. She is quite fashionably dressed in a semi-sheer cotton gown with lace ruffles at the hem and sleeves. Her bodice is vertically tucked, and she wears a flannel under petticoat with a feather stitch edge. She has a crocheted ivory sweater with blue

trim to match her blue beaded bracelet. She was made in the late 1800s or at the turn of the 20th century.

The lovely bisque doll, c.1912, sitting on the second step at the right is dressed in homemade clothing of vintage fabrics. She is 19-inches tall, and her dark blond wig of human hair has a braid in the back tied with a tartan ribbon. She has dark green tie shoes, black knee length stockings, dark green velvet coat with snap-front closure, tartan ribbon at low waist, and matching cap with tartan bows. She was made c.1912.

On the top step left is a doll from c.1865. She has an unglazed head, molded blond hair, blue eyes, and blushed cheeks. She

has a cream cotton jacket with a jewel neckline and bishop sleeves that are trimmed with three rows of fine brown soutache braid. Her petticoat has three rows of tucks and a wide ruffle at the hem.

The smart-looking doll at the top right is 26-inches tall. She has a glazed porcelain head with molded black hair parted in the middle, brown eyes, and pink cheeks. She has brown kid laced boots and attached stockings. Her cotton dress has an eyelet collar, long sleeves, smocking across the chest, and an embroidered top edge of the hem. She dates to the late 1800s.

—Marilyn May

Photographer: Maryalice Manning

over there

NSF Diego Garcia SAAPM Proclamation

In support of the 21st Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month, Milford resident Captain Richard D. Payne, commanding officer of Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, signed the SAAPM proclamation. Payne also spoke about the observance and the role the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Unit Victim Advocates (UVA) have in the Diego Garcia community.

The proclamation and SAAPM’s purpose is to raise awareness and prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse from happening amongst civilians and military members.

The SAPR UVAs are at the forefront of Diego Garcia’s effort to prevent sexual assault and to support anyone affected

by it, and with more than 25 UVAs who stand always ready to assist, their invaluable support and dedication to the SAPR program helps to create an environment where sexual assault is not tolerated, condoned, nor ignored.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jan Mercado

Congratulations to the Milford Little League Softball Junior All Star Team of 2022 who made it all the way to the Little League World Championships in PA this summer. The team proudly represented Milford in the championship against teams from Curacao, Czech Republic, Las Vegas and Texas. We congratulate them for their team spirit and effort. Let’s Go Milford!

Braces are cool... but the results are cooler!

Philip A. Caporusso D.M.D • 1 Golden Hill Street, Milford • 203-874-5400

DrCapOrtho.com

PLAYERS: Hana Beauregard, Madyson Bull, Abby Corris, Sarah Donegan, Charlotte Doyle, Erika Fabian, Maya Fallon-Silva, Olivia Gregory, Alyssa Joye, Lilly Olmstead, Cassandra Rodriguez, Emily Roos, and Sophia Scarpa, Manager Margaret Bull, Coaches Brian Corris and Scott Beauregard.

greetings from milford

Group Shot, 1908

t was a brisk autumn day, but that didn’t stop the church group from capping their annual pancake breakfast with bracing trip to the beach. Sporting their crisp fall finery—from striped hatbands and skimmers to checkered suits—the group turned their faces to the sun and huddled against the chill. “Would you like a postcard photo?” asked the passing photographer. “Boy howdy would we!” they crowed, settling in a heap and smiling broadly. Poor Madge (center against the fence) was so busy paying the assistant she missed the shot!

Ann McGuire

where is it?

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Answer to last issue’s quiz:

The vault alarm pictured in the Summer 2022 issue is located on the side of the Milford Bank located at 33 Broad Street.

?

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