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The Source 03-12-26

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Proposed Town, School Budgets Total $103.9 Million

The combined town operating and education budgets total $103,890,099 in proposed spending for the next fiscal year, with highlights including staff additions, construction maintenance projects, and rising health care costs.

At a Board of Finance public hearing on March 5, Superintendent of Madison Public Schools Craig Cooke and First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons presented their respective budgets to illustrate the total spending proposed for 2026.

Cooke presented an outline of the education budget, which totals a proposed $67,589,794 in spending. The budget repre-

sents a 4.2% increase over the current year’s education budget, a significant portion of which is driven by increased health care costs and reflects a trend seen in other school districts along the shoreline.

The 21% increase in health care costs in the budget is “the highest increase I’ve seen See Proposed page 10

Cueing Up Fun

Bob Cohen lines up his next shot during a morning game of pool at the Madison Senior Center on March 10. Cohen is among a group of eight to 10 regulars who gather weekday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 for friendly games.

Jonnie Edwards
PhotobyWesleyBunnell/ TheSource

Jonnie Edwards: A Lifetime in the Saddle

From transportation to recreation, conflict, and agriculture, horses have been bred and used by humans throughout history for many purposes. One of those purposes includes therapy and the recognition that companionship between a human and a horse can be a special bond that improves a person’s mental state. One person very familiar with that is lifelong equine enthusiast Jonnie Edwards.

Jonnie grew up “in a little town called Wayne, Illinois,” where her lifelong love of horses sprouted, she says. Horses were commonplace in the town, and even though her parents were not particularly animal lovers, “as soon as we moved there, you just kind of had to have a horse” that could be used for various forms of recreation.

“Every day after school, we would meet on our horses down at the club and go play all over

Person of the Week

the town, which was 287 people,” she says. “I hunted two days a week before school, Tuesdays and Thursdays. So horses are in my blood, and have been my whole life.”

At barely two years old, Jonnie was already riding famous members of the equine species. She was the first person to ride the famous Misty of Chincoteague, a pony from eastern Virginia that was brought to Jonnie’s family barn. Misty was later the subject of a novel by Marguerite Henry.

“What horses do for them is just incredible,” she says. “It’s really the horses healing people.”

Jonnie is also an instructor of equine-assisted therapy at The Next Step in Sharon, where she specializes in the Equus Effect method of equine-partnered somatic teaching. Over five weeks, she witnesses the “amazing” effect the method has on helping veterans and first responders work through trauma by getting to know their own horse.

See Jonnie page 12

Following a 20-year hiatus from involvement in equine life, Jonnie had moved to her current residence in Madison and decided to return to working with horses, but with an additional purpose. She decided to become an instructor at the High Hopes Therapeutic Riding program in Lyme, where for 45 years she was involved in equine-assisted therapy specifically for people with physical disabilities. The benefits of this kind of therapy were palpable for Jonnie, who says “you just melt” when witnessing how it can emotionally support people with disabilities.

Photo courtesy of Lettie Teague
Jonnie Edwards says horses have been part of her life since childhood in Illinois. Today, she works as a riding instructor in Lyme.

Letters Editor to the

Deeply Grateful

We did not want more time to pass without expressing our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported our annual Harvest Festival this past October. From our generous sponsors to our dedicated volunteers, this cherished community event simply would not be possible without your time, energy and generosity.

Now in its 22nd year, the festival continues to draw thousands of visitors and reflects the small-town spirit that makes Madison so special. It is a day when families, friends and neighbors

gather to celebrate the season, enjoy oldfashioned fall activities, and connect with one another in a meaningful way. As a free event open to all, the Harvest Festival depends entirely on the goodwill and support of our community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helps make this beloved annual tradition possible and who ensures it remains a celebration for generations to come.

Ambulance Association Delivers During Blizzard

Despite the harsh conditions brought to Madison by last month’s historic blizzard, the Madison Ambulance Association was able to meet the needs of residents requiring assistance, its leadership said.

The association was contacted to assist with “a couple falls” involving seniors who had fallen while shoveling or walking in the wintery conditions of snow and ice, said EMS Director Russ Pierson.

EMS Deputy Director Joseph DeAngelis said the association was “in constant contact all weekend” while the blizzard occurred, “as well as here all day Monday.”

The ambulance association prepared for the incoming blizzard through communications with the town’s Emergency Management department and by closely following several online weather applications to form a “consensus” on how to manage the event, Pierson said.

“We were having Zoom calls prior to the blizzard and that helps out a great deal because we get all the updated information from the state,” Pierson said. “We’ll determine how much snow we’re going to get, and then we’ll decide whether or not to put on a third crew. Typically, on any given day, we have two crews; we have a paramedic and an EMT on two ambulances 24/7. Then, [we’ll consider], ‘Do we need to staff a third ambulance?’ It depends on the prediction, what type of snow we’re going to get, the amount of snow.”

In the case of last month’s blizzard, a

third ambulance and crew were deployed to the firehouse in North Madison so that residents in both halves of the town could have their medical needs met. This division of deployment can cut response time by several minutes.

The ability of the ambulance association—which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization—to reach people experiencing a medical emergency during extreme winter weather is partly thanks to its partnership with the Public Works Department and both of the town’s volunteer fire departments. The departments deploy payloaders and plow trucks to provide cleared paths for the ambulances.

“They’ll even shovel the walkways for us to get the patient in and out,” Pierson said.

Additionally, each of the association’s ambulances is equipped with a shovel and a five-gallon bucket of sand mix that provides immediate traction to more easily carry a patient to an emergency vehicle, Pierson said. Three of the association’s ambulances have some form of traction control, while one is equipped with Spoton tire chains for increased traction in snowy conditions. [brand capitalization unverified]

Extreme weather events, along with the need to meet medical needs in various parts of Madison, have spurred upgrades to the association’s ability to deliver its services. Over the years, it has acquired “a lot more space, state-of-the-art equipment,” and more advanced medical resources

See Ambulance Association page 8

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Obituaries

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deborah Davis on Feb. 26, 2026. Born in 1953, to her loving parents, Deborah was a lifelong resident of Madison before making Clinton her home in 1994. After graduating from Daniel Hand High School in 1971, she attended Curry College, graduating in 1975. She dedicated nearly four decades to the accounting field, retiring in 2022.

Deborah’s true joy, however, was found outside of the office. As a member of the Guilford Agricultural Society, she was a fixture at the Guilford Fair for decades, where her passion for canning and gardening led her to serve as the

GriefShare Meetings

chairperson for the canning department. An avid bowler, she spent years traveling across the country for competitions, returning home with more stories to share after every trip.

A beloved sister and aunt, Deborah’s favorite place was always at the "kids' table" during the holidays, where she could laugh and connect with her nieces and nephews. Her family will miss her smile, hugs, companionship, and sense of humor.

She is survived by her sisters, Beverly and Diane (Don); brothers, Harcourt (Michelle) and Andy; her nieces, Jennifer (Nick) and Christine; and her nephews, Daniel (Stephanie), Jonathan (Ali), Zachary (Emily), and Christopher. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Swan Funeral Home in Madison. A private burial will be held at a later date.

See Obituaries page 13

GriefShare, a faith-based bereavement support group sponsored by Christ Chapel, 1185 Durham Road, Madison, meets for 13 weeks to offer help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. The weekly format includes supportive discussion and a journaling book reinforcing each week’s topics. For more information or to register, call Joanne Baker Deal at 860-304-5695 or visit christchapelcma.org/grief-share.

MCRC 2026 Business Operating Grants Program

The application for the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission’s (MCRC) 2026 Business Operating Grants Program will open online through Sunday, March 15. The program, funded through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified small businesses in Middlesex County. The 2026 application is for the fourth year of a five-year program aimed at providing financial and technical assistance to business owners so they can continue operations and sustain—as well as expand—employment opportunities for Middlesex County residents. Applicants are encouraged to consider how the requested funds will positively influence the growth and development of their business or help mitigate the negative effects of any hardships they are currently experiencing. Grant funding can be used for equipment and/or technology, leasehold improvements, and other fixed costs—including expenses related to supply chain disruptions, increased employee travel time/mileage, higher vendor costs, loss of income, and additional marketing expenses. For-profit businesses that apply must be based in and have operated in a Middlesex County town for at least 24 months, have 50 or fewer employees, generate less than $8 million in revenue, and be in good standing with all municipal, state, and federal authorities. For more information on eligibility and application requirements, visit mxcrc.org.

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Madison Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charge

Staff Report

Guilford police arrested a Madison man Feb. 26 following an investigation that began in 2024 into the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.

Police said the department received a CyberTip on Oct. 1, 2024, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding an individual suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material.

As part of the investigation, detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in Madison, Connecticut, on Jan. 7, 2025, and seized numerous electronic devices.

Following the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Kenneth Sloan, 78, of Madison, charging him with possession of child sexual abuse material in the second degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes 53a-196e.

Sloan was arrested Feb. 26 and transported to New Haven Superior Court, where he was held on a $50,000 bond.

The Guilford Police Department said it worked with several agencies during the investigation, including the Madison Police Department, Wallingford Police Department, Westport Police Department, New Britain Police Department, Home-

land Security Investigations, the Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.

Middletown Adult Education offers a free online or in-person GED program to residents of Old Saybrook, Madison, and Westbrook, as well as Regional District #4 (Chester, Deep River, Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton) and Regional District #17 (Haddam, Higganum, and Killingworth). Adult education offers free high school completion programs, GED tutoring, and English as a second language classes to area residents. The program provides instruction for participants to learn the skills necessary for employment. In-person classes take place at the Middletown Adult Education, 210 Main Street, Old Saybrook, or at 398 Main Street, Middletown. For more information, call 860-343-6044 or visit www.maect.org.

Photo courtesy of the Guilford Polcie Department Kenneth Sloan, 78, of Madison was arrested Feb. 26 following a Guilford Police Department investigation into the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.

The best available cancer care is close to home. In fact, Smilow Cancer Hospital is conveniently located all across the region. So you can meet with our team of renowned cancer experts right away, develop a personalized treatment plan together, and have direct access to genetic testing, tumor pro ling, and clinical trials through our af liation with Yale Cancer Center, Connecticut’s only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Because at Smilow Cancer Hospital, we’re committed to treating you with the greatest of care.

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Guilford

Shoreline Medical Center

111 Goose Lane Guilford, CT 06437

For appointments and information: 203-453-9192

A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra

Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 PM Andrews

Described as “a refreshing corrective to classical music’s rigid hierarchies,” A Far Cry was recently praised for delivering “top-notch, finely crafted, precisely delivered, performances while retaining and exhibiting a robust communal expressiveness.”

A Far Cry was founded on the belief that every voice deserves to be heard; so instead of one artistic director, the collective of musicians (“Criers”) curate and submit program ideas inspired by individual curiosities, the greater musical community, and what is happening in the world at large. The March 22nd concert will include works by Copland and Beethoven.

Arlene Mingione, RN Medical Oncology
Su Hsien Lim, MD Medical Oncology
Elan Gorshein, DO Medical Oncology
Daniel Hicks, MD Radiation Oncology

Ambulance Association Delivers During Blizzard

Continued from page 4

such as video laryngoscopes and chest compression units.

The documentation of medical services has also become more efficient over the years, DeAngelis said. The process can now be done in real time between personnel in ambulances and staff at the association’s base on Route 79.

“Years ago, it was paper-run for us, and now everything’s on computers,” he said. “They have tablets in every ambulance [to] document right on the tablet. We can watch them transmit the calls. We can pull

them up right here on our screens.”

DeAngelis also continues offering CPR and AED classes to the Madison Police Department and volunteer fire personnel, forming an effective partnership for acquiring new and emerging technology to support the association’s services.

“We need CME (Continuing Medical Education) credit to keep our skills up, but also to keep our license and healthcare certification up,” Pierson said. “That’s worked out really well and that keeps us in tune with the cutting-edge technology that’s out there.”

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group

The Estuary, located at 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, holds the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group every fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services clinical staff, the group provides conversation, support, and resources for grandparents who—for a variety of reasons—become parents to their grandchildren. Registration is not required. All area towns are welcome. For more information, contact 860-510-5042 or heather.mcneil@oldsaybrookct.gov.

Goodspeed Seeks Local Girls for 50th Anniversary Production of Annie

Goodspeed Musicals will hold an Annie Audition Experience to find local Connecticut girls to play Annie and the orphans in its 50th anniversary production of Annie this fall. Children ages 8 to 12 may participate on Saturday, March 15 or March 22 at Goodspeed, 20B Norwich Road, East Haddam, or Saturday, March 29 at Hartford Stage Rehearsal Studios, 942 Main Street, second floor, Hartford. Registration runs from 9 a.m. to noon, or until 100 children have registered, with the first audition experience beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will take part in an acting game and learn a brief dance and song from the show. No preparation is required. Participants must be available for rehearsals and performances from Sept. 29 through Jan. 2, 2027. For more information, contact Jakob Harding at jharding@goodspeed.org or visit www.goodspeed.org.

Proposed Town, School Budgets Total $103.9 Million

ing a disruption to the educational process because of heat in the atmosphere.”

Professional Ear Examination

in my career,” Cooke said, and is one the Board of Education “worked really hard to mitigate … the best as possible.” The board was able to reduce what would have been a higher cost by allocating $800,000 from the district’s health care reserve fund into the budget.

“If we did not do that, we’d be looking at a 6% increase [in the budget] for next year, which we felt was not manageable,” Cooke said.

An increase in staffing costs is reflected by the hiring of three teachers at Neck River Elementary School. However, the “net addition of one elementary teacher is the entire increase for the whole district” after a reduction in staffing at Brown Elementary School, Cooke said.

An increase in utility costs, including a 3% increase in electricity and 5% in gas, is also reflected in the budget, mainly for new system upgrades at Polson, Cooke said. The upgrades will provide “air conditioning throughout the district, except for a few locations at Polson going forward.”

“That’s really exciting,” Cooke said, “because there’s nothing worse than hav-

Cooke also shared the “really good news” that there are “no longer” debt services in the budget, as the school district has paid off Daniel Hand.

He also highlighted the academic accomplishments of Madison Public Schools students, who are considered among the highest-achieving student bodies in Connecticut, he said.

“Very high SAT scores” achieved by Daniel Hand High School students and top-tier test scores achieved by students at Walter C. Polson Middle School put Madison “consistently in the top 10 of all school districts in Connecticut,” Cooke said.

Cooke also recognized the conference and state championships various athletic teams won last year and the “national recognition” achieved by the school musical ensemble.

“All this while we were moving every staff member from pre-K to five,” he added, referencing the opening of elementary education at Neck River and Brown elementary schools.

See Proposed page 11

MADISON INLAND WETLANDS & WATERCOURSES AGENCY

At a regular Zoom meeting held on March 2, 2026, the Madison Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency took the following action(s):

26-1. 131 Twin Bridge Road, Map 119, Lot 4/1, Owners/Applicants: Samantha Celentano and Austino Severino; Regulated Activity Permit for installation of a septic system, grading and plantings within 100ft inland wetland upland review area. APPROVED W/ CONDITIONS

26-2. 6-9 Campus Drive, Map 68, Lot 49, Owner: Town of Madison/Applicant: Regulated Activity Permit for pavement reclamation and repaving of existing paved lots at Town Campus within 100’ regulated review area. APPROVED W/ CONDITIONS

Dated this 3rd Day of March, 2026.

Kealoha Freidenburg, Chairman

LEGAL NOTICE

MADISON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Madison, CT

Notice is hereby given that the Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., Meeting Room B, Town Campus, 8 Campus Drive, to consider the following application:

#26-01. Boston Post Rd (CT Route 1), Britton Lane, and West Wharf Rd; Town of Madison; Application for Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of new concrete sidewalks, ADA compliant sidewalk ramps, curbing, crosswalks, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons

Copies of these applications are available for inspection in the Land Use Office and posted on the Town of Madison website, www.madisonct.org. All written correspondence can be submitted to the Land Use Department via email to landuse@madisonct.org. Dial 203-245-5631 for assistance.

John Lind, Chairman

Proposed Town, School Budgets Total $103.9 Million

“A lot of districts would use that as an excuse. We did not, and we achieved as well as we were going through a lot.”

Lyons presented the Board of Selectmen’s recommended budget, which totals $30,300,305 in proposed spending for 2026. The majority of the budget is the town operating budget, which recommends more than $27 million in spending, while the remaining roughly $3 million predominantly accounts for debt service.

Overall, the recommended budget reflects a 2.8% increase in spending over the current year’s budget.

Part of the debt service has been offset by a reduction in monies in the town’s Capital Improvement Program, which funds several town projects.

One capital project includes a $1 million allocation for major road reconstruction, an area of improvement being met with residential interest, Lyons said. The $1 million will require official approval at a town meeting following approval of the fiscal year budget, she said.

The recommended town budget comes at a time when the Board of Selectmen is planning “for future needs,” Lyons said. The board has been discussing concepts for the redevelopment and renovation of several currently closed or underutilized buildings in town and is awaiting the Surf Club Master Plan from the Beach and Recreation Department on potential upgrades to Madison’s largest and most popular public attraction.

“That planning process helps us look out more than just each year’s budget,” Lyons said. “We look out five years, and then we also tie that into the capital planning process.”

Lyons said “using all the tools in our toolbox,” including federal and state grants, capital and reserve fund monies,

and long-term planning, can help the town mitigate tax increases on residents and avoid “big spikes in the mill rate” that would otherwise be necessary to pay for future facilities and infrastructure projects.

However, resident Jim Schmaltz expressed reservations about the recommended budget prioritizing “nice-to-have projects without fully acknowledging critical needs up front.”

“Last year we ended up with $5.8 million in special appropriations for overruns that weren’t clear in the initial budget,” he said. “That diminishes transparency.”

Like the school district, medical costs are also rising for the town. While an 11% increase for health care costs is reflected in the budget, the use of reserve fund monies offset what would otherwise have been a larger increase.

This use of outside funding can also be seen in the hiring of a new social worker with the Madison Police Department, which had some of its costs offset by a grant from the United States Department of Justice, Lyons said.

These and other examples in the budget enumerate “all these different tools that we use to try to keep that mill rate down as much as possible,” she said.

“I think we’ve done a really good job of trying to be balanced with this budget,” Lyons concluded.

The Board of Finance will hold workshops on the budget proposals before they go to referendum on Tuesday, April 28. The board will set a new mill rate the following day.

More information on the proposed town budget can be found at madisonct.org under Budget Information. The proposed education budget can be found at madison.k12.ct.us under Board of Education budget information.

The Killingworth Library offers BookFlix for Kids, an online resource pairing classic video storybooks with related nonfiction e-books to spark a deeper discovery of a subject. For instance, a fiction book, The Very Impatient Caterpillar, may be paired with a nonfiction title, Caterpillar to Butterfly. It also includes Spanish versions for many titles and puzzles such as Word Matching, Which Came First, and Fact or Fiction. Children can explore further with approved websites that have been selected for each subject. BookFlix has just refreshed its selection, adding books on dinosaurs, dancing, toys, and more. Killingworth patrons use their library barcode number to access BookFlix. The link to BookFlix can be found on the left-hand side of the library’s home page at killingworthlibrary.org. For more information, call the Killingworth Library at 860-663-2000.

Jonnie Edwards: A Lifetime in the Saddle

Continued from page 2

Jonnie is also the owner of Riverfox Riders, which is located in Lyme and is where she offers riding lessons. With a scenic background provided by the Connecticut River along the property, Jonnie teaches cross-country riding—which she has been familiar with since childhood—complete with jumps and endurance.

Whether it is teaching riding or helping people with trauma through therapy, the beginning stages of the journey are the same for participants, which involves becoming more comfortable around horses. Like dogs and cats, horses have their own personalities, Jonnie says, something participants can sense. And while dogs are another animal known for their therapeutic effect, Jonnie likens the effect horses

have on participants to that of a cat.

“Dogs reward you with tons of affection, and they want to make you like them. Horses don’t care about that,” she says. “All they think about is surviving because they’re prey animals. They don’t hug you and kiss you and lick you and do anything like that.”

Jonnie helps participants become more comfortable around horses if they are fearful, especially since that fear can be sensed by the animal. Even from “30 feet away, they can sense your breathing, your heart rate, your breathing, your heart rate and your muscle tension.”

Once participants become more comfortable around horses and get a feel for their hair and physical structure, the horse becomes more comfortable as well, and the positive effects of the human-and-steed

Needed to Tutor Valley Shore Residents

companionship begin to reveal themselves. Jonnie herself can testify better than anyone.

“The horse changes their personality,” she says. “When I’m really filled with anxiety, which I can be, I get on my horse and [the anxiety] just goes out through the ground. I see them change that for the first time in [other people’s] lives. The horses show you who you really are. They’re amazing that way.”

Jonnie continues to ride horses every day, having five steeds on her property in Lyme. As stated earlier, the love of the animal is part of her being, as has been the case for people throughout human history.

“Horses have been in our lives from day one. It’s, to me, very natural that they’re with us.”

Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore (LVVS) is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Tutor Training Workshop to prepare volunteers to teach English to adult residents from around the world. No experience is required. The 12-hour training runs over eight sessions. Participants may attend morning sessions from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in person at the Westbrook Library or evening sessions from 7 to 8:30 p.m., offered in a hybrid format with Zoom. Sessions are scheduled for April 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, and May 7, 12, and 14. An online self-facilitated option is also available. A $40 donation is requested for materials. For more information, contact Joanne Argersinger at 860-399-0280 or jargersinger@lvvs.org, or visit www.lvvs.org.

Obituaries

Continued from page 5

Obituary

William Elder

Madison

The Ten Commandments

William Allison Elder, 84, of Madison, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 27, 2026, after a long and courageous decline due to complications of Alzheimer’s dementia. Surrounded always by the love of his family and sustained by a deep and abiding faith, Bill’s life was a quiet testament to devotion — to God, to family, and to community.

Born on Jan. 7, 1942, in Indianapolis, Ind., Bill was the son of the late Helen G. Costello and William H. Elder of Hamden. His early years were shaped by adventure and resilience as his family moved across the country, living in Pittsburgh, Pa. — his favorite city — and San Francisco, Calif. As a young boy in San Francisco, Bill had a paper route and proudly saved his tip money to return to Pittsburgh for visits. He loved to tell the story of delivering newspapers to baseball legend Willie Mays, recalling Mrs. Mays’ kindness and generosity to a young paperboy who never forgot the encounter. Bill remained a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates, loyalties that connected him to his childhood roots.

Between 1966 and 1967, Bill served a brief but meaningful stint in the National Guard, answering his country’s call with the same quiet sense of duty that would mark the rest of his life.

Bill met the love of his life, Joan Barny, while they both worked at Sec-

ond National Bank. He asked her to dinner, and on their third date — while watching at the Milford Drive-In — he proposed during the scene when Moses meets his mother. They had known each other less than a year when they married, beginning a partnership that would last more than 58 beautiful years. Their marriage was one of deep faith, laughter, shared purpose, and unwavering loyalty.

Professionally, Bill devoted 25 years to United Illuminating, ultimately serving as treasurer and assistant secretary before his retirement. He was respected not only for his integrity and competence, but for the fairness and compassion he brought to every decision. In public life, he served on both the Madison Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance. Troubled by extreme points of view, Bill worked tirelessly to bring people together for the common good. He was a master of compromise — a true peacemaker who believed in respect, dignity, and thoughtful dialogue. Bill was also a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 5780, serving as grand knight for five years.

Faith was the cornerstone of Bill’s life. He and Joan became deeply involved at St. Margaret Church, where Bill directed Religious Education, recruiting teachers and working closely with parents and children. Feeling called to deeper service, Bill entered the diaconate formation program, attending four years of study alongside Joan. He was ordained a permanent deacon in June 1992, and served faithfully for more than 34 years.

As a deacon, Bill assisted at Mass, celebrated weddings, presided at funerals, and offered comfort to families in

Shoreline Arts Alliance Announces Student Art Competition

Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) invites high school students in its 24-town region to submit artwork for its 42nd Annual Future Choices Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition. The exhibit will be held Wednesday, April 8, through Saturday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 22, through Monday, April 27, at Flat Rock Gallery, 314 Flat Rock Place, Suites F135 and F140, Westbrook. Artwork in ceramics, drawing, digital media, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video must be submitted by Friday, March 27, by either the student or a teacher. Cash awards will be presented in each category, along with special honors including Best in Show and the Earl Grenville Killeen Founders Award. For guidelines and submission information, visit www.shorelinearts.org/futurechoices. For more information, call 203-421-6739 or email office@shorelinearts.org.

their most vulnerable moments. Writing his homilies was a sacred labor of love — he would spend an entire week preparing, refining, and prayerfully revising each one, often making final adjustments just before preaching. After retirement, at the encouragement of Monsignor Shanley, Bill began visiting nursing homes, a ministry he cherished deeply. He brought compassion and presence wherever he was needed.

Bill was equally devoted at home and on the ball field. He coached Little League for both of his children, cherishing one particular championship day at Strong Field when his daughter Beth won her game playing second base on one field, while his son Bill pitched a victory on the other. It was a day that captured everything he loved — family, teamwork, and quiet pride.

He and Joan shared a lifelong love of Boston College football, returning year after year for over two decades to tailgate, reconnect with friends, and make new ones. Four of those years were especially meaningful when their son was a student there. Bill loved the Jesuit tradition of service and education, and often said, “The two best things a father can do for his children are to love their mother and educate them.” He lived those words every day.

Summer trips to Cape Cod, family travels to Indiana, Notre Dame and Boston College games, and a treasured journey to Ireland filled their years with memory and joy.

Above all, Bill adored his six grandchildren: Jeb, Sam — a proud Boston College graduate — and Tim, a student at Holy Cross; Jack, a senior at Iona College and member of the track team; Brigid, a senior at Penn State pursuing a career in law enforcement; and Meghan, a sophomore at Purchase Col-

Food Pantry Welcomes Those in Need

lege studying interdisciplinary design. Each of them carried forward his legacy of faith, education, and service. Nothing brought him greater happiness than sitting among them, listening, encouraging, and quietly loving them.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; his daughter, Elizabeth Maria O’Keefe, and her husband, Michael, and their children, John William, Brigid Clare, and Meghan Elizabeth; and his son, William Arthur Elder, and his wife, Joan, and their sons, Jeb, Sam, and Tim. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ellen, in 2017.

Bill was a gentle man — soft-spoken, attentive, and deeply kind. He always made time for anyone who needed him. He treated every person with dignity and respect, believing firmly in God’s goodness, and often remarking how blessed he had been.

He depended on God in all things and trusted Him until the very end. In life, Bill was a bridge over troubled waters for so many — steady, faithful, and strong. In death, he leaves behind a family and community forever shaped by his quiet example. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Friends are invited to calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 9, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford, CT 06437; stgeorgeguilford.org/online-giving-option-2/. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.

Killingworth residents with food insufficiencies can shop weekly for groceries on Thursdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the food pantry, 242 Route 81 (on the circle). The food pantry is manned by volunteers from the Killingworth Women’s Organization (KWO). It has nonperishable food, perishable/seasonal items, dairy, eggs, meat, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. Currently, shelves are stocked with pasta and vegetables, but other donations are also appreciated. The pantry can accept only unexpired items which can be placed in the donation bin outside the front door for anything nonperishable. Arrangements can be made to drop off donations as well. Anyone who cannot make the designated pantry hours for food can call to schedule an appointment for food pickup. Delivery is also available for those who are homebound. All information is confidential. For more information, contact 860-663-1765, ext. 401, or helpinghands@kwoct.org, or visit www.kwoct.org/helping-hands-food-pantry.

M: 860-287-8443 O:

c.breckheimer@shorepublishing.com.

r.angelastro@theday.com

Funny and animated Sammy is full of antics and quite entertaining. This handsome 3½-year-old tabby will keep you on your feet, as he performs tricks and plays with his toys. Sammy can be a little shy at first but warms up quickly for a game of interactive playtime. He is quick on his feet and quick to draw attention. When Sammy tires out, he is ready for cuddling and naps. This sweet boy would probably prefer a home with other cats but no dogs. Come meet silly boy Sammy at our open house or apply to adopt him online at www.forgottenfelinesct.org.

Forgotten Felines holds an open house every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary. Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and much appreciated. For more information, contact 860-669-1347 or volunteerinfo@ forgottenfelinesct.org.

MADISON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Notice is hereby given that the Commission will hold a public hearing(s) on Thursday, March 19, 2026 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room ‘A’, the James Madison Room, Town Campus, 8 Campus Drive, Madison CT 06443. This is a hybrid meeting and attendees may also join via Zoom webinar through either the webinar link or call-in information below.

www.zoom.us

Webinar ID: 915 8196 6735

Password: 452138 Or Call-in: 1 646 558 8656

The following application(s) will be heard:

#26-3+CSP. 0 Cottage Road; Map: 30, Lot: 35; Zone: C; Owner: Commerce Center of Madison LLC; Applicant: Gulick & Co, LLC; Special Exception application and coastal site plan application for the construction of a 8,706 square foot footprint mixed-use commercial and residential building which will primarily be used as a cabinetry business with retail and showroom space, workshop, inventory storage, supporting offices, and restrooms. The building includes two one-bedroom residential dwelling units on the second floor. The site improvements include access driveway, parking areas, sidewalk, building utility services, wastewater system, stormwater management system, exterior lighting, signage, and landscape improvements.

Copies of these applications are available for inspection in the Land Use Office. Further details on how to participate in the webinar are posted on the Town of Madison website, www.madisonct.org. All written correspondence can be submitted to the Land Use Department via email to landuse@madisonct.org. Dial 203-245-5631 for assistance.

Dated at Madison, Connecticut this 24th day of February, 2026

Carol Snow, Chair

Photo by Genevieve Ray
Story by Carol Andrecs

Hand Boys Fall to Trumbull in States

Some may say the Daniel Hand boys basketball team overperformed this season, while others may say the program underachieved. But even after losing standout guard Thomas McCullough at the start of the year, the Tigers left it all on the court before their season ended with a 59-54 loss to No. 2 seed Trumbull in the Division II State Tournament.

The Tigers concluded their season March 6 after falling to Trumbull in the Division II State Tournament. The matchup came after a 9-11 regular season, a Southern Connecticut Conference Tournament appearance, and a 59-53 qualifying-round victory over Wilbur Cross to kick off the state tournament.

Hand coach Jimmy Economopoulos said that despite the ups and downs of the season, he is proud of how the team has grown and the effort it gave in its final game. He said losing a player like McCullough threw a wrench into many of the team’s plans and forced the group to reset right out of the gate.

“We were a really young group. We really only had two kids returning who had significant varsity minutes, including Jonas Markovitz and Tim O’Malley,” Economopoulos said. “Coming into that first game at home against Fairfield Ludlowe, we were down 19-1 in the blink of an eye, and that was kind of when it really hit home to the rest of the coaches and me.”

Since that wake-up call, Hand focused on a game-by-game approach, and that mindset carried the team into the postseason.

In the qualifying round against Wilbur Cross, Hand jumped out to nearly a 15point lead. Its tough defense kept the athletic and talented Wilbur Cross at bay until late in the game. However, Hand maintained control throughout and had its way for most of the contest.

Against Trumbull, Hand anticipated a tough fight playing one of the top seeds on the road. But to the Tigers’ credit, the team battled. By the second quarter, Hand was down about 21 points but trimmed the deficit to 16 by halftime. Then, with just a minute left in the game, Hand trailed by only two points.

“You could tell that Trumbull was not

really expecting to be in a game with us. I think we made them nervous there towards the end of the game,”

Economopoulos said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to pull it out, but I just couldn’t be more proud of my guys and the fight that they showed and how they battled throughout the game and throughout the year.”

Economopoulos said Hand gave Trumbull a run for its money, and part of that

credit goes to the seniors on the team, including Markovitz, who led the team with 24 points.

The senior class includes Markovitz, McCullough, Clayton Cosgriff, Nicholas Maynard, Tyler Wohlgemuth, Drew Catala, Timothy O’Malley, and Andrew Yahara.

With everything the team battled through during the year and where it ended up by season’s end, Economopoulos

believes the season was a success—not just because of the win-loss record but because everyone on the roster improved from the beginning of the season to the end of the year.

“The way I’m judging it is really just the growth of the team and the growth of the guys,” Economopoulos said. “Did we maximize our potential? And I really think we got the most out of the group that we had.”

Photo by Serenity J. Bishop/The Source
Daniel Hand players huddle during their Division II State Tournament game against Trumbull. The Tigers’ season ended with a 59-54 loss.

Hand Saber Teams Take Third at States

The Daniel Hand High School fencing team traveled to Morgan High School March 7 to compete in the statewide team championships.

Despite finishing first in their conference in both boys saber and girls saber, the Hand teams were seeded third and fifth in their respective divisions. The girls epee team entered the tournament as the eighth seed.

The boys saber team fenced in the morning session and opened the tournament against sixth-seeded Fairfield. Hand

made quick work of the first round, winning 5-1. Junior Owen Swift won all three of his bouts, while seniors Josh Lee and Adam Stotz each added a victory.

In the semifinal round, Hand faced Western Conference champion Hopkins, which had advanced after defeating Norwich Free Academy 5-0. In what felt like a championship-level match, Hopkins edged Hand 5-3. Swift, Lee, and Stotz each contributed a win in the tightly contested bout.

Hand regrouped in the final round to face top-seeded Guilford. The Tigers delivered a strong performance, defeating Guilford 5-2 to capture third place in the

state. Hopkins went on to defeat Morgan 5-0 to secure the state title.

In the afternoon session, the girls saber team also opened against a fourth-seeded Fairfield squad. The Tigers delivered a strong performance, winning 5-2. Senior captain Kasey Chen won all three of her bouts, while juniors Neveah Hastings and Maewyn Griswold each added a victory.

In the semifinal round, Hand faced topseeded Morgan. It proved to be a tightly contested bout, and Morgan edged the Tigers 5-4. Despite the loss, Hand responded with composure and sportsmanship.

Fencing for third place, Hand faced the

School of Basketball Spring Clinics Begin March 17

The School of Basketball will be held at Adams Middle School, 233 Church St., in Guilford. These clinics give players in grades 3–8 the opportunity to improve their ball-handling skills and shooting form, build confidence, and make the game more fun for every participant.

Sessions begin March 17 and run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through April 10.

Each clinic meets from 5 to 6 p.m. Players may attend as many sessions each week as their schedule allows.

The cost is $20 per session. Payment is accepted by check, cash, or Venmo (203-824-8897).

Please feel free to invite friends to join us. With any questions, please call or text Coach Bill Barker at 203-494-6905 or email wab6933@gmail.com.

third-seeded Guilford Grizzlies. The Tigers responded with determination, defeating Guilford 5-2 to secure a thirdplace finish. In the championship bout, Morgan defeated Hopkins 5-4 to capture its first state title.

The girls epee team entered the tournament as the eighth seed and, in a quirk of the bracket, faced Western Conference champion Hopkins, which was seeded ninth. Hopkins won the match 5-0 to end Hand’s day.

The season will conclude Sunday, March 15, at the individual state championships at Southern Connecticut State University.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Hand High School
Photo courtesy of Daniel Hand High School
Members of the Daniel Hand girls saber team pose with their third-place trophy at the state team championships at Morgan High School. Pictured from left are JoJo Blankson, Neveah Hastings, Kasey Chen, and Maewyn Griswold.
Members of the Daniel Hand boys saber team pose with their third-place trophy at the state team championships at Morgan High School. Pictured from left are Owen Swift, Josh Lee, Adam Stotz, and Eli Boyer.

Captain Morgan Weighing Anchor: A Note to My Readers

For 30 years, we’ve shared the tides together. Since I first sat down to write about the fisheries and the fragile beauty of Long Island Sound, the world has changed more than a shifting sandbar after a nor’easter. We’ve seen seasons of plenty and seasons of scarcity; we’ve fought for the health of our tributaries and cheered the return of bunker and osprey. But after 1,500 weeks of deadlines, tide charts, stewardship calls to action, and much more, even the most seasoned captain eventually feels the pull of a quiet harbor.

It is time for me to take a breather from the wonderful, albeit transformational, folks at Shore Publishing who chronicled and shared my thoughts through the years, and to thank Lori (my First Mate) for her never-ending support.

Fishing report CAPTAIN MORGAN’S

A Battle Worth Fighting

The Beacon on the Horizon

Whenever I’ve been out on the water—navigating the complexities of fisheries management or the physical chop of a falling tide—I have always looked toward the silhouette of Faulkner’s Island. That historic “Inner Light” has been more than just a navigational aid; it is a statuesque reminder of our history and our permanence on this coast. Like that lighthouse, my goal has always been to provide a steady beam of information regarding our entire coastal ecosystem—sometimes warning of rocks ahead, sometimes guiding us toward better stewardship.

If there is one heartbeat that has pulsed through this column more than any other, it is that of the Atlantic striped bass (Morone saxatilis). The striper is the soul of our coastline, a silver ghost that embodies the constant battle for survival.

We have watched the populations swing like a pendulum. We have debated slots, gear, and seasons. But through it all, my heart has remained with the fish. Their survival is our survival; their health is the ultimate litmus test for the Sound. As I step back, I ask you to keep up that fight. Don’t let the pressure off. The bass don’t have a voice—they only have us.

The Course Ahead

This isn’t a permanent “goodbye,” but rather a “changing of the watch.” I’m step-

ping back only from the weekly grind of my featured newspaper column to spend a little more time on the water without a notebook in my hand. I want to see Faulkner’s Light from the deck of a boat without worrying about the word count of the sunset.

Atlantic fisheries, those of Connecticut, and the health of our inland waters and estuaries remain my greatest passion. I’ll still be around—likely at an unmarked hump, an island someplace, or a management or conservation meeting—watching the horizon with the same hope I’ve always had.

For now, I’m weighing anchor and heading for some open water. Keep your lines tight, your hearts open to the environment, and always keep an eye on the tide.

Hope Alliance Needs Volunteers

The Hope Alliance for Animals Incorporated, 2 Roast Meat Hill Road, Killingworth, seeks volunteers. For more information, contact 860-663-0324, 203-988-4654, or hopealliance@hotmail.com, or visit www.hope-alliance.org.

RogeR CRampton

PLUMBING HEATING l AIRCONDITIONING

Tanks, Waterfiltration,Faucets, Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

Fun By The Numbers

mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from

moment you square

so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to

How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

How did Dry Tortugas get its name? When Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered the island in 1513, he also found an abundance of sea turtles, leading him to name the island “Las Tortugas,” which is Spanish for “the turtles.” But as beautiful as the island was, it lacked one vital resource: fresh water. So, the word “dry” was added to the name to inform sailors and seafaring visitors to bring their own fresh water to drink.

Florida Keys Unlocked: Sailing Aboard American Pioneer

Postcards

from Afar: Second in a Two-part Travel Series on the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys, particularly Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park, have been on my to-do list for years. So are cruises—unpack once, visit different destinations, have tons of fun along the way. I particularly love small ships—hop-on hopoff, no “hurry up and wait,” more personal, go a bit off the beaten path.

So, when I learned that the small ship operator American Cruise Lines (ACL) offered a Florida Gulf Coast and Keys cruise, my bags practically packed themselves. Even better—the trip was aboard ACL’s brand new ship, .

The nine-day trip (round trip from St. Petersburg, visiting ports including Marco Island, Key West, and Punta Gorda) spends two full days in Key West, a rarity for cruises which typically stop for a few hours.

But why were Key West and Dry Tortugas on my bucket list, you ask? Two reasons: First, I’ve been a Jimmy Buffett fan for decades and second, I’m hooked on national parks.

Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S., is quirky and wild at times, but also has that laid-back live-andlet-live attitude. The “Conch Republic” has

The Southernmost Point Buoy claims to mark the southernmost point in the continental U.S. It’really a tourist attraction and not technically the true southernmost point.

historic charm, stunning turquoise waters, and endless sunshine. It’s also one of the warmest spots in the U.S., so visiting in February after the Arctic winter in the Nutmeg State, the timing couldn’t have been better. The sunsets are iconic—among the best in the U.S.—and celebrated every evening at Mallory Square with street performers, vendors, live music, and a festive crowd.

Though I really wanted to visit, I expected Key West to be crazy-wild and overcrowded, Times Square but tropical. Wow, was I wrong! Key West was

The author's husband, Bob,

America 2.0

. This boat operates in New York City from June through October and in Key West from November through May.

extremely clean and not at all crowded. While we were told there are roughly 500 liquor licenses in a compact area (less than 4 square miles), the legendary bar scene was completely under control. There are bars on top of bars, which is how there are so many licenses!

Speaking of counts, the more entertaining one is the number of free-roaming chickens and roosters strutting around streets, parks, and cafes—the population of “gypsy chickens” is estimated in the thousands. These characters certainly add to the island’s character.

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the lower 48 due to its isolation and access challenges. I felt fortunate to be one of the few who ever get to visit. Dry Tortugas is 70 miles west of Key West, 90 miles from Cuba, and accessible only by boat (the ferry, which takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way, or a private boat) or by seaplane (about 35 to 40 minutes from Key West). Both are pricey field trips, the ferry costing about $235 per person and the seaplane over

See Florida Keys page 25

American Pioneer
Photo by Susan Cornell
Photo by Bob Cornell
One of the attractions on Dry Tortugas is Fort Jefferson, shown here behind seaplanes.
Special to Living
Susan Cornell
Photo by Susan Cornell
Photo by Susan Cornell
steers schooner
Photo by Susan Cornell
The U.S. flag flies high at Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas.

For more Life & Style stories, visit our website, www.zip06.com. To submit events for the calendar, email news@shorepublishing.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

Great Decisions: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy

: 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Facilitated by Tom Lee, a member and moderator of the Great Decisions discussion group. Produced by the Foreign Policy Association. First of four Thursday sessions through April 9. The series has a morning and afternoon session and participants can enroll in either session for the series. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $40 for all four sessions and a 2026 briefing book that covers the topics. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Painting Treasure Boxes

: 6 to 8 p.m. BACA Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Led by Edith Reynolds. Participants will design decorative boxes for personal treasures. Cost: $45. For info or to register, text 203-232-4384 or visit branfordarts.org.

Community Navigator

: 2 to 4 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Farah, a community navigator with United Way of Greater New Haven, will provide information and connect community members with resources related to employment, financial assistance, and supportive services. No registration required. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

Mario Kart Tournament

: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Youth ages 10 to 14 are invited to play rounds of Mario Kart. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-4840469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Senior Series 3: Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind

: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The Orchard House, 421 Shore Dr., Branford. Cost: $10. Third in a sixpart educational series designed for older adults and the adult children who support them. Each session offers practical guidance on topics related to aging in place, downsizing, home care, and senior living options. Participants can attend any or all sessions; there is no obligation to attend the full series. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

The Monthly Slice: What’s Doug Got to Do with It? Everything!

: 6 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Features a conversation with Big Green Truck founder Doug Coffin on how he helped popularize the pizza truck industry in Connecticut. Part of The Monthly Slice program series and presented in conjunction with the exhibition Pronounced Ah-Beetz. Coffin will be joined by Colin M. Caplan, co-curator of the exhibition. Free with regular museum admission. For info or to register, call 203-562-4183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.

Tackling the Depths

Calendar for the Week of March 12, 2026

Box Painting Class

: 6 to 8 p.m. BACA Art Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Participants will paint a wooden treasure box using acrylic paint. Materials provided. Cost: $30. For info or to register, call 203-433-4071.

Secure Your Future: Retirement Planning

: 6 to 8 p.m.

Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Workshop presented by Lou and Jessica Pelletier covering Social Security options, recent government changes affecting non-spouse beneficiaries, retirement income strategies, and essential legal documents. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-4840469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Glass Art Workshop:

6 to 8:30 p.m. RiverFire Glass, 500 Main St., Deep River. Hands-on glass art class with instruction, tools, materials, and one kiln firing included. Additional project upgrades available for a fee. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 860864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.

Continued from page 24

$500 per person for a half-day, $890 for a full day, plus the national park fee. What you get, though, is spectacular and well worth every dime. The park is known as the home of the magnificent Fort Jefferson as well as natural wonders below the water’s surface. Dry Tortugas is widely known for its exceptional snorkeling; the park’s remoteness means less boat traffic and human impact, resulting in clearer visibility, healthier corals, and more diverse wildlife.

We booked the Seaplane Adventure to Dry Tortugas as pas- American Pioneer

American Perspectives with Tanya Pohrt : 6 to 7:30 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Workshop led by angler and educator Mark Gostkiewicz on bottom fishing in Long Island Sound. Sponsored by the Friends of the Blackstone Library. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

: 6 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Lyman Allyn Museum curator Tanya Pohrt presents an illustrated lecture in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting works from the museum’s collection. Free and open to the public. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn The Astral Library

: 7 p.m. Online event. Book: . Hosted by the Henry Carter Hull Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/hchlibrary.

See page 26

Florida Keys Unlocked: Sailing Aboard American Pioneer

sengers—this sold out quickly! Our other excursions in Key West included the classic sailing schooner, the Key West trolley tour, and four museums with a culture pass. What we didn’t have time for (and wish we did) were the Hemingway Rum Company and Cigar Rolling, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, an Old Town Literary Walking Exploration, and HydroThunder Electric Cars.

Of course, there were fantastic excursions in the other ports, including an Everglades and 10,000 Islands Exploration, a dolphin exploration, Iguanaland, Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Garden, and the Punta Gorda Artisans Village. America 2.0

On board there was just as much to do—enrichment presentations, games, crafts, and evening entertainment ranging from magicians to musicians.

I’ve sailed ACL from its most northern destination, Alaska, to its most southern, the Florida Gulf Coast and Keys, but nothing in between…yet. While I would gladly do both destinations again, I plan to cruise with ACL on the Columbia and Snake rivers or the Mississippi or Puget Sound. With over 50 itineraries and nine new ships under construction, the bucket list just keeps getting bigger.

For more information on this cruise as well as others, visit www.american

cruiselines.com

Susan Cornell, owner of Moppet Magic Publishing and Public Relations, is an independently contracted photographer, marketing and public relations consultant, and writer specializing in business, boating, home and garden, and, of course, travel. She handles public relations for several art galleries and is the author of the children’s book

Essex Ed’s Groundhog Day Parade

. In her free time, she hikes, kayaks, serves on the advisory board for the Connecticut Sea Music Festival, and is a steward for the Essex Land Trust. She has two grown children and lives in Essex with her husband and rescue Puggle.

Paul Revere Comes to New Haven Museum

“Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere… ”

On Saturday, April 18—the anniversary of the most famous horse ride in American history—author Kostya Kennedy will visit the New Haven Museum to present littleknown aspects of a beloved story in his talk, “The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America,” based on his book of the same title. The free NHM250 event will be held at 2 p.m. and preceded by a reception at 1:30 p.m.

Revere, a Boston-based silversmith, engraver, and staunch anti-British political operative, inspired the poem and legend of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.” But, according to Kennedy, the story of Revere’s ride to warn of approaching British troop is deeper and richer than previously assumed.

“That night in 1775 was 12 hours that changed the world,” Kennedy says.

Revere was not the only rider that April night in 1775, but he was by far the most critical. The patriots’ best and most trusted “express rider,” he had already completed at least 18 previous rides throughout New England, disseminating intelligence about British movements.

But this ride was like no other, Kennedy asserts, and its consequences in the months and years following—as the American Revolution transitioned from isolated skirmishes to a full-fledged war—became one of our founding tales.

“There’s a layered story to Paul Revere’s ride, a story that speaks directly to the tenor, values, and resolve of America’s founding,” Kennedy says. “Without the ride, the course of the nation’s history would have begun much differently than it did.”

Working from his dramatic new narra-

small actions, and a relatively small network of people, can have an enormous impact,” he adds.

This event is part of NH250, an ongoing series of programming developed by New Haven Museum to complement “America 250.” Culminating with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the series will highlight inclusive, local, and lesser-known stories, connecting past and present.

tive of Revere’s ride and informed by fresh primary and secondary research into archives, family letters and diaries, contemporary accounts, and more, Kennedy will show the historic event to be vastly more complex than usually portrayed.

It was a coordinated ride of some 40 men that included near-disasters, capture by British forces, and ultimately, success.

While Revere was central to the ride and its plotting, Kennedy will highlight myriad other men and women who proved crucial to the events that helped set in motion

what would lead to America’s independence. He will also dispel some of the myths around the legend, including that of Revere purportedly saying, “The British are coming!” during the ride.

The notion of acting at great personal risk for a principle much larger than oneself resonates through history. Kennedy notes that today, groups and individuals across the political spectrum and from any number of societal perspectives still cite Revere, and his ride, as inspiration.

“It’s another reminder of how relatively

Continued from page 25

Nite in Hand Auction Live Event

: 6 to 9 p.m. American Legion Post 79, 43 Bradley Rd., Madison. Annual fundraiser supporting Madison’s Project Graduation “Nite in Hand,” a substance-free, all-night celebration for graduating seniors. Features online, silent, and live auction bidding on donated items and experiences. Online bidding is open to the public and continues through the close of the live event. For info, tickets, or to register to bid, visit givebutter.com/NIHAuction.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Writers Writing

: 1 to 2:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81, Killingworth. Adult writing group exploring genres including memoir, essay, poetry, and fiction. Sharing is optional. For info or to register (required), call 860-6632000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Afternoon Movies

: 2 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Rated PG-13. Registration required. For info about the movie or to register (required), call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.

Sports Illustrated The New York Times 56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports Pete Rose: An American Dilemma True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson

Kennedy is editor in chief of Premium Publishing at People Inc., and a former senior writer at . He is the author of bestselling , , and . All three won the Casey Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year. He has taught at Columbia University and New York University.

About the New Haven Museum

The New Haven Museum has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history and heritage of Greater New Haven since its inception as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862. Located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue, the museum brings more than 375 years of New Haven history to life through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and outreach. As a Blue Star Museum, the New Haven Museum offers the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, free admission allyear. For more information, call 203-5624183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.

Open Mic Night

: 6:30 p.m. Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, 77 Whitfield St. Sign-up begins at 6 p.m. Names are selected at random. Hosted by GreenStage Guilford. Free and open to all ages. For info, email office@greenstageguilford.org or call 203-654-9482.

Last 6th Grade Dance of the Year

: 7 to 9 p.m. Madison Arts Barn, Madison. For grade 6 students. Features dancing with DJ Bry, open game tables, and a café selling treats and drinks. Financial assistance available. Admission required; tickets available online only. For tickets and info, visit madisonartsbarn.org.

About NH250
About Kostya Kennedy
Press Release from New Haven Museum
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , painted by Edward Mason Eggleston (1882-1941). Published by Beatrice Decker.
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Shoreline Soul Returns for its Choral Gospel Workshop and Concert

Are you ready to experience the uplifting power of gospel singing?

Join Shoreline Soul for an uplifting community choral gospel workshop and concert in Guilford. This workshop is primarily designed for adults, but youth who can follow a lyric sheet are also welcome to join the fun. All levels are encouraged to participate.

Led by professional singer Angela Clemmons, this five-session workshop explores the rich sounds of both traditional and contemporary gospel. All sessions are lively, fun, and taught by ear—there is no sheet music. Participants receive recordings to confidently practice at home.

“Our workshop sessions aren’t religious services—they’re joyful celebrations of gospel music that welcome everyone,” says Clemmons. “It’s all about the music, the energy, and the celebration of unity. By the end, you’ll be amazed at what we can achieve together.”

The five sessions take place from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Mondays, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 18, and June 1 at First Congregational Church, 122 Broad Street, Guilford. The concert will be held Sunday, June 14, at 3 p.m. with a pre-concert rehearsal at 1:15 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The workshop registration fee is $95,

Continued from page 26

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 AND SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Friends of APL Library Book and Bake Sale

tration is encouraged. Registration is only complete after payment has been received. For more information, contact 203-6191415 or shorelinesoul@gmail.com.

with an early registration of $85 (by Monday, April 6). The registration fee includes a guide vocal digital recording (CD available if needed). Some scholarships are available. Space is limited and early regis-

About Angela Clemmons

Angela Clemmons is a professional singer with a career spanning over four decades, performing with legends, includ-

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 THROUGH

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

“Wonderland Conundrum” Escape Room:

Ivoryton

: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Fundraiser featuring books, puzzles, and baked goods. Proceeds benefit library programs and resources. For info, email nancyaprescott@gmail.com or emilylebovitz@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Anastasia: The Musical

: 7 p.m. Friday; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. Sunday. Valley Regional High School, 256 Kelsey Hill Rd., Deep River. Presented by Valley Regional Musical Productions. Musical with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Tickets: $15. For info or tickets, call 860-526-5328 or visit hq.gofan.co.

Library, 106 Main St. Fourth annual escape room themed around Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Timed escape room experience for groups. Tickets required. For info or tickets, call 860-767-1252 or visit ivorytonlibrary.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Catch a Leprechaun 5K

: 10 a.m. Essex Town Hall, 29 West Ave., Essex. Presented by the Region 4 Education Foundation. Road race with age group awards from under 12 to 70 and older. Packet pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. on race day. For info or to register, visit runsignup.com (search “Catch a Leprechaun 5K”).

Hand Embroidery Workshop: Session One

: 10 a.m. to noon. BACA Art Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Session one of a two-part hand embroidery workshop led by Sally Strasser and Sharon Hart. Covers foundational embroidery stitches and techniques. Participants receive an embroidery kit to keep. For info or to register, call 203433-4071.

ing Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, and Steely Dan, and appearing on national television shows such as and the Tony Awards. As daughter of a Pentecostal pastor, she brings a deep love for gospel music and extensive professional experience to every workshop. Angela resides in Westbrook. Saturday Night Live

Squid Dissection for Tweens and Teens

: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Environmental educator Julie Ainsworth leads a hands-on squid dissection and discussion of cephalopod anatomy. For ages 9 and older. For info or to register (required), call 860663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

The Secret Garden

: 1 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Presented by the Missoula Children’s Theatre. For info, call 860-5100453 or visit thekate.org.

Saturday Cinema

: 2 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Free. Registration suggested. For info or movie title, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

How to Use ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence: A Basic Introduction

: 4 to 5 p.m. Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $35. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

page 28

Press Release from Angela Clemmons, Shoreline Soul
Photo by by Robin Buckley of Riverstone Images Shoreline Soul choral gospel group
Photo by Kelley Norcia Photography Angela Clemmons is a professional singer with a career spanning over four decades.

: 4 to 10 p.m.

Face Arts Music, 448 Main St., Bldg. 2, Deep River. Food-raiser concert to benefit the Deep River Food Pantry. Attendees are asked to bring 10 or more nonperishable food items and/or toiletries for admission. Proceeds benefit the Deep River Food Pantry. For info, call 860-5261190 or visit faceartsmusic.com.

: 5 p.m.

First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meetinghouse Ln., Madison. Features an evening of classical music performed by Yevgenia Strenger (violin), Dan Berlinghoff (piano), Sheryl Henze (flute), and Sander Strenger (viola), with works by Cesar Cui, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Julius Zellner. Proceeds benefit “Remember Us,” a nonprofit distributing aid in Ukraine. Minimum donation: $20; guests under 16 admitted free. For info, contact 203-245-2739 or mainoffice@fccmadison.org, or visit fccmadison.org.

Flights, Hotel Deals, and Grocery

: 5 to 6 p.m. Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $35. Features a beginner class and students are not required to have Prior knowledge of ChatGPT. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-4885693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

: 5 to

9 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Essex Library. Features casino-style games including blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps, with professional dealers and prizes awarded based on play. Includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Cost: $100 per person; adults only. Proceeds benefit library programs and services. For info or tickets, contact the library or visit its website.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

AND SUNDAY, MARCH 15

: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. Instructor Mace Vitale will lead a workshop on forging hand garden tools including a trowel made from a railroad spike, a hand rake, and possibly a weeding tool. Participants should bring safety glasses and leather work gloves and wear closedtoe boots. Bring a lunch. Tuition: $300 plus materials fees of $20 and $25. For info or to register, contact 203-453-5947 or info@guilfordartcenter.org, or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

Lecture Features the Golden Age of Spanish Painting and Collecting

Press Release from Shoreline Village Connecticut

The artistic treasures of the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain, are the subject of Marcie Slepian’s presentation at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street, on Tuesday, April 7, at 1 p.m.

“The Golden Age of Spanish Painting and Collecting” will highlight the career and works of Diego Valesquez as well as the works of Francisco Goya, Titian, and Rubens. Slepian will also discuss art collecting by the monarchy and some of the museum’s “misfortunes.”

Slepian holds a PhD from Yale University in the history of art. Her specialty is Renaissance and Baroque art.

The event is co-sponsored by the Guilford Free Library and Shoreline Village Connecticut. For more information, visit guilfordfreelibrary.org or shoreline villagect.org.

walk along the refuge trails at dusk to observe the courtship flight. Inclement weather may cancel. For info or to register (required), contact 860-399-2513 or Shaun_Roche@fws.gov.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

Madison Movie Chat

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Via Zoom. Virtual movie discussion hosted by E.C. Scranton Memorial Library. Film is available to stream on Kanopy, a free streaming service accessible with a library card. Participants can watch the movie at their leisure and participate in a patronled discussion via Zoom. Registration is preferred. For info, including the movie title, or to register, call 203-245-7365 or visit scrantonlibrary.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Working with Transgender Youth in Trying Times

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Concert at the Meeting House: Bards of Gungywamp

: 1 to 2 p.m. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Performance by the folk group Bards of Gungywamp, featuring styles including Celtic, sea songs, oldtime, and bluegrass. For info, call 860-5260018 or visit chesterctlibrary.com.

CPR Course

: 1 to 4 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1272 Durham Rd., Madison. Day two of a two-part babysitting and CPR course for Madison-area youth. Covers CPR and first aid. Participants receive a certificate of completion from ESRI. Tuition: $60. Bundle discount available for registering for both sessions. For info, contact 888-212-3837 or info@yourafterschool.com, or visit northmadisoncc.org/babysittingcourse.

(required), call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.

Ramblin’ Dan Stevens

: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe, 2 Wyassup Rd., North Stonington. Features an acoustic blues performance. For info, call 860-415-9941.

The Kate’s 16th Annual Oscar Night Party

: 10:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Presented by Dr. Stuart Weinzimer, professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Yale gender program, and Christy Olezeksi, associate professor of psychiatry; both are from the Yale University School of Medicine. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $3. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-4538086 or visit ssill.org.

Games at Gladeview

: 2 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Branford. Planting activity open to all ages. Free. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-

Paint a Pot and Plant a Seed 8702.

The Kerry Boys in Concert

: 2 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features a performance by The Kerry Boys, Irish balladeers. Registration required. For info or to register

: 6 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Hosted by the Kate’s Volunteer Guild and honorary chair Ann Nyberg. Emcee: Devin Carney. Features hors d’oeuvres, desserts, viewing of the 98th Academy Awards live on the Kate’s big screen, and a chance to participate in an online auction and participate in a raffle. Cash bar. Tickets: $75 for members, $85 for nonmembers. Proceeds benefit the Katharine Hepburn Museum and education programs. For info, call 860-510-0453 or visit thekate.org.

Free Nature Presentation: The American Woodcock

: 6 p.m. Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Rd., Westbrook. Features a presentation by naturalist Patricia Laudano on the American woodcock, a shrubland bird that returns to Connecticut in spring. Includes a PowerPoint on the bird’s natural history and behavior, followed by a

Shorebirds of Connecticut: Migration, Survival, and Conservation

: 2:35 to 4:30 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services, 312 Main St., Old Saybrook. For students in grades 5 to 8. Participants will walk from school to Youth and Family Services after dismissal and visit Gladeview Health Care Center to play games with residents. Pickup at 4:30 p.m. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-395-3190. : 4 to 5 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Presented by Joe Attwater of the Connecticut Audubon Society. Learn about shorebird migration, conservation efforts, and species found in Connecticut. Free and open to all. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.

Photo courtesy of Marcie Slepian
Marcie Slepian holds a PhD in history of art with a specialty in Renaissance and Baroque art.
20th Annual Jams for Cans
Harmonies of Hope for Ukraine
Cheap
Savings with AI
Casino Night at the Essex Library
Garden Tools Workshop

Old Saybrook Rotary Club Announces 2026 Events

The Rotary Club of Old Saybrook announces its upcoming events and fundraisers for 2026.

With a motto of “Service Above Self,” the Rotary Club of old Saybrook holds its events focused on developing fellowship, promoting local endeavors, and supporting education in Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, and Westbrook, as well as the international community.

Wine/Beer Tasting and Silent Auction

The Rotary Club of Old Saybrook will hold its 28th annual wine/beer tasting and silent auction on Friday, April 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, 2 Bridge Street.

Hosted by Scot Haney, Channel 3 meteorologist and TV host of , and Nicole Nalepa, TV personality and podcaster, the event features fine wine and craft beer tasting, exceptional food by Saybrook Point, and a silent auction with at least 3 “live” items. Haney serves as auctioneer for these “live” items. Music will be provided by Susie and The Q-Tips.

Great Day @9A Paradise Wines & Spirits, or from any Old Saybrook Rotary member. Tickets can also be purchased at www.osrotary.org.

For more information, call Marty Drobiarz at 860-391-3539 or Pete Zucco at 860-391-2438.

Shredding Day

Proceeds from the event benefit many community projects, including scholarships to graduating seniors from Lyme/Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook high schools; the Rotary Club Dictionary Program; the Estuary Council Meals on Wheels and Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries; community outreach; and many other community and international service projects.

Tickets cost $50 and are available from Seaside Wine & Spirits,

Continued from page 28

Read to a Therapy Dog

The Old Saybrook Rotary Club plans service projects that also focus on environmental sustainability. Part of the group’s mission is to enhance the capacity of communities to support natural resource management and conversation.

Members of the community can also do their part by participating in the eighth year of the Old Saybrook Rotary Shredding Day that takes place on Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon at Old Saybrook High School.

: 5 to 6 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Children in grades 3 to 5 will take turns reading to Libby, a trained therapy dog. Participants may bring a favorite book or choose one from the library. Registration required. For info or to register (required), email cveenema@nbranfordlibraries.org.

LEGO STEM Club:

5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Participants in grades 1 through 4 complete a STEM design challenge focused on wind racers. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

The shredded material collected on shredding day will be 100% recycled. This includes fullscale repulping into consumergrade content products, such as light-grade cardboard packages, pizza boxes, paper towel rolls, and low-grade paper (newspapers and thermal receipts).

The cost for shredding is a donation of $10 per box (copy paper size). The event takes place rain or shine. Proceeds from this event benefit the towns of Lyme/Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. In addition, the Rotary Club will be collecting nonperishable food items to benefit the Shoreline Food Pantries.

The Old Saybrook Rotary Club members are creating more ways to bring about positive change and increase impact on an everchanging environment. Rotary Clubs all over the world are involved in projects that provide clean water and fight diseases such as polio eradication.

For more information, contact John Aforismo at 860-794-5009 or johnaforismo07@gmail.com.

100-Year Birthday Celebration

The Old Saybrook Rotary Club will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2027, with plans already in the making.

For more information about the Old Saybrook Rotary Club,

Louie Listens: Read to a Therapy Dog

: 5:15 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Children and families may sign up for a private 15-minute session to read to and interact with Louie, a licensed therapy dog. Free and open to the public. Registration required due to limited space. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Handsewn Log Cabin Mug Coaster: America 250 Program

: 6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Hands-on sewing workshop led by Andrea Buka of Glimmering Girl Studio. Sponsored by the Friends of Acton Public Library. Free. For ages 14 and up. Registration suggested. For info, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Glass Art Workshops

: 1 to 3:30 p.m. RiverFire Glass, 500 Main St., Deep River. Hands-on glass art class covering glass history, safety, cutting, and design. Participants choose from beginner-friendly projects; materials and one kiln firing included. Additional project upgrades available for a fee. For info or to register (required), call 860-864-5004 or visit riverfireglass.com.

Press Release from the Old Saybrook Rotary Club
Photo by Marty Drobiarz
A teacup raffle is hosted by TV host Scot Haney and TV personality Nicole Nalepa
Photo by Marty Drobiarz
Photo by Pete Zucco
A tree of Connecticut scratch lottery tickets was part of a past wine tasting event.
Channel 3 meteorologist and TV host Scot Haney and TV personality and podcaster Nicole Nalepa
Photo by Marty Drobiarz
Old Saybrook Rotary Club members prepare boxes of material for shredding at a past shredding day event.

Continued from page 29

: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Killingworth Library, 301 Rte. 81. Participants create flower lanterns in celebration of the spring solstice. For teens through seniors. For info or to register (required), call 860-663-2000 or visit killingworthlibrary.org.

Spring Equinox Creative Awakening: Visions of

: 5:30 to 7 p.m. BACA Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Led by Asami Green. Features meditation and art journaling with mixed media. Cost: $44. For info or to register, text 203-232-4384 or visit branfordarts.org.

: 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Features a honey tasting with local beekeeper Tammi Worsham, followed by a documentary film screening. Registration preferred. For info or movie title, visit scrantonlibrary.org.

: 6 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Reception at 5:30 p.m. Presentation by Catie White, interim director of library services and college archivist at Albertus Magnus College. Concludes the “Celebrating a Century” lecture series and highlights key female figures in the history of Albertus Magnus College from 1925 to the present, including faculty, staff, and alumnae recognized for notable achievements and “firsts.” Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-562-4183 or visit newhavenmuseum.org.

Green Burials and Eco-Friendly End-ofLife Options: A Meaningful Return to Nature

Unforgettable Sister Amnesia: DeLaurentis Reprises Her Role in Nunsense

Press Release from The Legacy Theatre

Award-winning actress Semina DeLaurentis will reprise her famed role as Sister Mary Amnesia in The Legacy Theatre’s upcoming production of . The show kicks off the Mainstage Season which opens Thursday, April 23, at the Stony Creek venue.

DeLaurentis, a member of the show’s original cast, won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Debut Performance in 1985. Subsequently, she went on to film , , and with Rue McClanahan, firmly embedding herself in the show’s legacy.

Following her prized New York City debut, DeLaurentis brought to Waterbury in December 1989. The overwhelming success of the show led to the launch of the Seven Angels Theatre, a mainstay for theatrical productions in the Waterbury area. DeLaurentis served as artistic director at the organization for 35 years, having recently retired in 2025.

Legacy Artistic Director Eric Santagata says about the casting, “We are overjoyed to welcome Semina to our stage. Her performance as Sister Mary Amnesia is nothing short of exquisite, and we can’t wait for our audiences to experience it first-hand.”

by Shoreline Village CT. For info or to register (requested), contact 203-747-5939 or info@shorelinevillageCT.org.

Pottery Workshop: Session One

: 4 to

6 p.m. BACA Art Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Session one of a two-session pottery workshop led by Ken Hurd. Session two takes place Thursday, March 26. Participants will use quick-drying clay and rolling-pin techniques. Cost: $50 for both sessions. For info or to register, call 203433-4071.

Library Lab: Milk and Cookies

: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a hands-on science activity exploring the scientific method by predicting whether cookies will sink or float. For ages 6 to 12. Note: Program contains dairy and gluten. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Candle Making Workshop: Soy Wax Candle: Spring Tulip Bowl

: 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. North Branford Intermediate School, 654 Foxon Rd. Cost: $30 class fee plus a $20 materials fee (exact change requested). Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Great Decisions: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy

: 6 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features a seminar on sustainable end-of-life disposition planning. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org. : 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Facilitated by Tom Lee, a member and moderator of the Great Decisions discussion group. Produced by the Foreign Policy Association. Second of four Thursday sessions through April 9. The series has a morning and afternoon session and participants can enroll in either session for

As an artistic director, DeLaurentis produced more than 6,000 performances, approximately 250 plays and musicals, and over 45 world premieres. She is an actress, singer, director, and producer whose widely recognized cabaret work has been seen across the country.

Commenting on her return to the role that put her on the map, DeLaurentis says, “To have the opportunity to re-create Amnesia again is such a gift. I am so grateful to Eric and Legacy for asking me.” runs from Thursday, April 23, through Sunday, May 17.

Nunsense

the series. Sponsored by the Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning (SSILL). Open to SSILL members (with an annual membership of $35). Cost: $40 for all four sessions and a 2026 briefing book that covers the topics. For info or to join SSILL, call 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Theatre. Nunsense

The Legacy Theatre is located at 128 Thimble Islands Road, in the Stony Creek Village of Branford. Legacy is a fully accessible, nonprofit, professional theatre and training center along the Connecticut shoreline. The theatre, fully renovated prior to its opening in 2021, is housed in the former Stony Creek Puppet Theatre, a building with more than a century of rich history that includes performances by Orson Welles and, in 2024, a musical directed by Julie Andrews.

For tickets, call 203-315-1901 or visit LegacyTheatreCT.org. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the theatre on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Book Club

: Noon to 2 p.m. Atwater Memorial Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Book: by Jayne Anne Phillips. For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Tea and Talk Night Watch: A Novel

: 2 p.m. The Brownstone House, 961 Boston Post Rd., Guilford. Informal conversation gathering hosted

Author Event: Casey Elsass

: 6 p.m. R.J.

Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Madison Newcomers Club March General Meeting

: 6 p.m. Deux Bisous, 73 Wall St., Madison. Open to new and prospective members. Features light refreshments, fellowship, and a raffle of curated gifts from the shop. For info, visit www.madisonnewcomersct.com.

Growing Annuals from Seed: What Can I Bring?

6:30 p.m.

Clinton Town Hall Green Room, 50 E. Main St. Hosted by the Clinton Arbor Garden Club. Felicia Millet of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will discuss how to start annual plants from seed indoors and which varieties perform well when started this way. Growing from seed can reduce costs and provide more plant varieties than typically available each spring. Free admission. Refreshments included. For info, email ClintonArborGardenClub@gmail.com.

See page 31

Nunsense
Nunsense I Nunsense II Nuncrackers
Nunsense
Photo courtesy of The Legacy Theatre Semina DeLaurentis will reprise her role as Sister Mary Amnesia in at The Legacy
Flower Lanterns Craft
Healing Workshop
Movie Screening and Honey Tasting
Fearless Females of Albertus

Continued from page 30

Peaceful Pause

: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. North Branford Intermediate School, 654 Foxon Rd. Cost: $44. Bring a yoga mat, towel, blanket, and anything needed for a comfortable breathwork experience. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-4885693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

Music Professor to Present Opera Lecture on Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde

Chess Workshop Series

: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. Second in a three-class series featuring instruction from a professional chess coach. Open to children, teens, and adults. Funded by Deep River Cares and sponsored by the Community Foundation of Middlesex Country. For info or to register (required), call 860-526-6039 or visit deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

High School Lunch Power Hour: When and How to Let Go Without Losing Control During the High School Years

Wesleyan University professor of music

: Noon

to 1 p.m. Virtual event. Presented by Dr. Alicia Farrell, cognitive psychologist and parenting expert. Designed for parents and caregivers of middle and high schoolers. Hosted by Haddam-Killingworth Youth & Family Services. For info or to register, visit hkyfs.org.

Tween Time: Ultimate Oreo Taste Test

: 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Program for ages 8 to 12 celebrating National Oreo Day. Participants will sample Oreo flavors from around the world and vote for a favorite. Free and open to the public. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 22

: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Guilford High School Auditorium, 605 New England Rd. Presented by the Guilford High School Theatre Arts (GHSTA). Tickets: $22 reserved seating; $18 students, seniors, and Guilford Public Schools employees. The show runs through Sunday, March 29. For info or tickets, visit ghsta.weebly.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Early Childhood Expo

: 9 to 11 a.m. Deep River Elementary School. Hosted by TriTown Youth Services. Features information on preschool and child care options, local library offerings, art, dance, and music classes, community resources, and early intervention specialists. Includes lawn games, arts and crafts, and family activities. For info, call 860-526-3600 or visit ttysb.org.

Tristan und Isolde

Roger Matthew Grant will discuss the upcoming Metropolitan Opera performance of Richard Wagner’s on Thursday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. at the Guilford Free Library, 67 Park Street.

Grant is the deputy provost and dean of arts and humanities at Wesleyan University. A music theorist and cultural historian, he has worked on research that includes affect theory and the history of music theory.

He is the author of two award-winning books, and

Peculiar Attunements: How Affect Theory Turned Musical Beating Time & Measuring Music in the Early Modern Era

. He is currently completing a new book on mission music in 18th-century Bolivia.

A lifelong opera fan, Grant has held fellowships from the University of Michigan Society of Fellows, the Stanford Humanities Center, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundations.

The free program is co-sponsored by the Guilford Free Library, the Shoreline Opera Club, and Shoreline Village Connecticut. Registration for the lecture is at the library’s events webpage, guilfordfreelibrary.org/upcoming-events.

All Shook Up : 9:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. St. Patrick’s Day story time featuring stories and a craft, followed by participation in the Essex Go Bragh Parade at 11 a.m. Free and open to the public. Registration encouraged. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Essex Go Bragh Story and Craft Time

Roger Grant is a professor of music, deputy provost, and dean of arts and humanities at Wesleyan University.

Tristan und Isolde

The Metropolitan Opera’s production of will be broadcast live in theaters on Saturday, March 21.

For information on the Shoreline Opera Club, email Sheryl Culotta at shorelineoperaclub@gmail.com.

Veteran Fair and Open House

: 11 a.m. to

2 p.m. Haddam Community Center, 7 Candlewood Hill Rd., Higganum. Features resources and vendors including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Inc., Paws for War, Community Renewal Team, and Willow Clauson: Education for PTSD. TBI, and Suicide prevention. For info, call Sheldon Potesak at 475-2610232. :

Noon to 3 p.m. Main St., Old Saybrook. Hosted by the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Features chili tastings from participating restaurants and community voting. Ballots: $15 per person. For info or tickets, visit oldsaybrookchamber.com.

Volunteer Expo 2026

: 1 to 3 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Second annual Essex Library Non-Profit Volunteer Expo. Opportunity to meet representatives from local nonprofit organizations and learn about volunteer opportunities in the community. Free and open to the public. No registration required. For info, call 860-7671560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Piano Men: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

Saturday Sleuths Book Club

: 10 to 11:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: by Frieda McFadden. Snacks will be provided. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-7365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

Hand Embroidery Workshop: Session Two Never Lie

: 10 a.m. to noon. BACA Art Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Session two of a

two-part hand embroidery workshop led by Sally Strasser and Sharon Hart. Builds on foundational skills and focuses on embellishing personal items such as garments or tote bags. For info or to register, call 203-433-4071.

Wizard Head Bottle Openers Workshop

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. Participants will hand-forge bottle openers from mild steel while practicing blacksmithing techniques including drawing down, punching, chiseling, scrolling, and finishing. Instructor Greg AmEnde. Tuition: $175. For info or to register, contact 203-453-5947 or info@guilfordartcenter.org, or visit guilfordartcenter.org.

:

: 2 to 3 p.m. James Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Tribute performance featuring pianist and vocalist Jay Daniels. Sponsored by the David J. Hughes Memorial Fund. Free. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-488-1441, ext. 318, or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

The Art of Home Organizing

: 3 to 4 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Lecture presented by Stephanie of Mayflower Home Organizing. Focuses on strategies for home organization and practical tools that can be implemented in daily life. Includes discussion of organizing experiences and time for questions. Participants may bring questions and a photo of a problem area in their home for suggestions. Registration required. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org.

page 34

Press Release from Shoreline Opera Club and Shoreline Village Connecticut
Photo courtesy of Nico Sahi
29th Annual Old Saybrook Chili Fest

Horoscopes Crossword

For the week of March 12 - March 18

ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20

Sometime this week you may discover a hidden talent you didn’t know you have, Aries. Embrace this new aspect of your identity and put it to good use.

TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21

This is a time when you might feel grounded and secure, Taurus. Your inner strength will allow you to take a calculated risk that will pay off, either with your finances or relationships.

GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21

You might find that this week a mental fog will lift, leaving you with a crystal-clear vision for the future, Gemini. Start moving toward your goals as soon as possible.

CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22

Your emotional intelligence is your greatest asset right now, Cancer. You help a friend navigate a tricky situation with ease midweek, and by the weekend you’re still going strong.

LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23

Right now your confidence is unshakable, Leo. Use all of your energy to advocate for something you fully believe in. Chances are you will evoke some change as a result.

VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, order brings you joy, which means you may want to tackle transforming your work space into a more detailed operation. This will boost your mood and your performance.

MARCH 12

LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23

Romance is a priority right now, Libra. Whether you are single or in a relationship, expect a moment this week when the spark is ignited once more.

SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22

A small change in your routine may lead to a big increase in energy, Scorpio. Try rearranging your schedule to see what works best for you, and then make it a habit.

SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, a dream you had is more attainable than you might think. Take the first step and quickly the path will open up for you. Enlist friends to push you even further along.

CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20

Leadership comes naturally to you now, Capricorn. People will be looking to you for guidance this week. Try to deliver it with kindness and no sense of ego.

AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18

Your “Eureka!” moment might come sooner than you would imagine, Aquarius. Pay attention to the details this week and tune your way of thinking toward innovation.

PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20

Nature walks or creative hobbies may nourish your soul this week, Pisces. You might find yourself deeply attuned to the world around you and the beauty you discover.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

Malina Weissman, Actress (23) MARCH 13

William H. Macy, Actor (76) MARCH 14

Steph Curry, Athlete (38) MARCH 15

Kellan Lutz, Actor (41)

MARCH 16

Lauren Graham, Actress (59) MARCH 17

Rob Lowe, Actor (62) MARCH 18

Adam Levine, Singer (47)

CLUES ACROSS

1. Blockchain-based entity

4. A woolen cap of Scottish origin

7. Painted with glue

12. Legendary crooner

15. Structure made with strips of wood

16. Tropical fruits

18. Commercial

19. Comedienne Gasteyer

20. The Ocean State

21. Ancient Scot

24. Basics

27. Stated propositions

30. Scottish island group

31. Expression of annoyance

33. Large tree

34. Engine additive

35. Conspiracy

37. Drunkard

39. Someone who is morally reprehensible

41. Ancient Syrian city

42. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls

44. Carry (slang)

47. Sweet potato

48. European river

49. The Golden State

50. Windy City ballplayer

52. New Testament

53. Possess spiritually

56. A treeless grassy plain

61. Popular historical novel

63. In a law-abiding way

64. A place to sleep

65. Criticize

CLUES DOWN

1. Impression in a surface

2. Computer language

3. Relating to the ear

4. Occupant

5. Member of Great Plains people

6. Social media firm

7. Digital audiotape

8. Midway between east and southeast

9. Chronic, progressive disease

10. Chinese lute

11. Not wet

12. Moves wings up and down

13. Communication devices

14. Swiss river

17. Female sibling

22. Receive

23. Relating to a type

24. General’s assistant (abbr.)

25. Steep bank

26. Taxi driver

28. Moves into without difficulty

29. Bicycle manufacturer

32. Traditional rhythmic pattern

36. Fugitives are on it

38. Bitter-tasting organic substance

40. Die

43. Matched

44. Literary genre __-fi

45. Cannot

46. Pounded

51. British rock group

54. Debt relief order

55. 2006 NL Cy Young winner

56. Green vegetable

57. Tough outer skin of fruit

58. __ Spumante (Italian wine)

59. Ailments

60. Famed singer Charles

62. Camper

Word Search

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

HOME REPAIR WORD SEARCH

BACKSPLASH BUILDING CASING CIRCUIT CONTRACTOR CURB APPEAL DRAIN FLASHING GROUT JOIST LOAD

MOLDING OUTLET PERMIT PIPES

ROUGH-IN SHIM SIDING SILL SOFFIT

SUBFLOOR VALVE VENEER WALLS

Word Scramble

Word Scramble solution for March 5, 2026: DIGEST

Word Search solution for March 5, 2026

CBSRZ Hosts Exhibit of Chester’s Own Native Son

The Paintings of Malcolm Feinstein, Chester’s Native Son in Chester, Connecticut, living in the apartment above his family’s dry goods store at 1 West Main Street. His talent in the visual arts was recognized early. During his grade school years, he painted murals on many of the old school’s walls.

Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Chester, announces its newest gallery exhibition, , now on display through Thursday, April 30.

Feinstein developed a number of styles over his 65 years of painting, and three are featured at the exhibit: vibrant landscapes, bold figures, and geometric abstractions.

Feinstein, who passed away in 2014, said of himself, “I’m an expressionist by temperament, I’m seeking to develop an art that people at large can understand.”

The Chester Historical Society will be co-sponsoring the reception on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is a reform synagogue located at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester.

Malcolm Feinstein (1922-2014) grew up

Continued from page 31

After graduating from Chester High School in 1940, he attended Pratt Institute where he studied lettering and package design. During his long career as lead artist with Irv Koons Associates, he was involved in the design or redesign of some of the most recognizable products in America, including Mueller’s noodles, Dixie Cups, and Scotties tissues. Some, such as the redesign of the Good and Plenty box, are still in use today.

Feinstein’s first love, however, was painting. In 1947, following his service as a phototopographer in World War II, he used the GI bill to study painting at Ecoles d’Art Americaines, Palais de Foun-

tainebleau, and two years later, in Paris with Edouard Goerg at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. He would set up his easel along a Parisian street or country road and banter good-naturedly with passersby who did not hesitate to comment on his work.

Back in the U.S., he continued to paint at his studios in Connecticut and Massachusetts, creating a total of 300 paintings. He did not want to exhibit his paintings during his lifetime, but now that he has passed, his children, for the first time, are bringing his paintings into public view.

For more information about Feinstein and his paintings, visit malcolm feinstein.com.

For more information or to RSVP for the reception, email office@cbsrz.org.

For gallery inquiries and showings by appointment, email CBSRZgallery@ gmail.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Creek

: 4 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. Performance by Trolley Creek. Free. For info, call 860-6631234.

Frederick Lee Lecture: A Postcard History of Madison in the 20th Century

: 4 p.m. Hubley Hall, First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meeting House Ln., Madison. Presented by Madison Historical Society. Talk by Municipal Historian and MHS trustee Henry Griggs. Suggested donation: $10; free for MHS members. No preregistration required. Zoom access available. For info, visit madisonhistory.org.

: Session 1, 4:30 to 6 p.m. (ages 9 and under); Session 2, 7 to 8:30 p.m. (ages 10 and up). Madison Arts Barn, Madison. Features dancing with Royal Jester DJ Bry, open game tables, and a Sweets and Treats room with snacks and drinks. Guests are encouraged to dress in royal attire. Session 1 includes special princess guests. Each young attendee will receive a commemorative gift. Cost: $60 per adult-child pair; additional guests may be added. Tickets sold online only. For tickets and info, visit madisonartsbarn.org.

: 7 to 10 p.m. “Time to Dance” Ballroom Dance Studio, 45 NE Industrial Rd., Branford. Group lesson with Karen Pfrommer from 7 to 7:30 p.m., followed by open dancing. Light refreshments provided. Admission: $20. For info, contact 203-710-2805 or info@timetodanceballroom.com.

A Postcard History of Madison in the 20th Century

:

: 9 a.m. North Quarter Park, 145 Main St., Chester. Participants will remove barberry and other invasive plant species. For info, contact 860-526-0013, ext. 223, or parkrec@chesterct.org.

Invasive Party at North Quarter Park Stamp, Coin, and Collectibles Show

: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. YMA Annex, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven. Sponsored by the New Haven Philatelic Society. For info, visit nhps1914.com.

Invasive Party at North Quarter Park

: 1 p.m. North Quarter Park, 37 North Quarter Rd., Madison. Community volunteer event focused on removing barberry and other invasive plant species. For info, visit madisonct.org.

Essex Winter Series (EWS): French Impressions, American Echoes

: 3 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 E. Kings Hwy, Chester. Features Trio Animoso with artists Sophia Jean, flute; Julian Seney, viola; and Subin Lee, harp. Part of the EWS 2026 Season, in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. Tickets: $45, general admission; $5, students through college. For info or tickets, call 860-272-4572 or visit essexwinterseries.com.

Essex Winter Series: Trio Animoso

: 3 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 E. Kings Hwy., Chester. Performance by Trio Animoso featuring Sophia Jean, flute; Julian Seney, viola; and Subin Lee, harp. Program, French Impressions, American Echoes, includes Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp and works by Rameau, Ravel, and Bonis. Adult: $45; student: $5. For info or tickets, call 860-272-4572 or visit essexwinterseries.com.

4 p.m. Hubley Hall, First Congregational Church of Madison, 26 Meeting House Ln. Presented by Henry Griggs, Madison municipal historian and MHS preservation chair. Sponsored by the Madison Historical Society (MHS). Part of the 2026 Frederick Lee Lectures series. Admission: $5 suggested fee, free to MHS members. For info, contact 203-245-4567 or office@madisonhistory.org.

The George Flynn Classical Concerts Presents: A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra

: 4 p.m. Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 E. Main St., Clinton. Performance by A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra. The program includes works by Copland and Beethoven. Free tickets must be ordered in advance. Clinton residents may reserve tickets one month prior to the concert; non-residents may reserve two weeks prior, based on availability. For info or to order tickets (required), visit georgeflynnclassicalconcerts.com.

Work Like a Dog

: 4 p.m. First Congregational Church, Guilford Green. Cabaret performance by Schuyler Beeman featuring songs and stories from her work as a professional animal handler with William Berloni Theatrical Animals. Free-will donation to benefit the church’s music and deacon funds. For info, visit instagram.com/arborfarmct.

Introduction to Needle Felting Series: Spring Fox

: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. Cost: $45 class fee plus a $15 materials fee (exact change requested). Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

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

Press Release from Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek
Photo courtesy of Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek , 50 by 43 inches, by Malcolm Feinstein Landscape 39
Bluegrass Concert by Trolley
Ties and Tiaras Royal Ball 2026
Open Dance Party

Real Estate Transactions

BRANFORD

: Jennifer Viglione to Kendra A. Tyska and Benjamin I. Baril, $375,000 on Feb. 20

: Roy A. and Veronica D. South to Linda L. Romanowski, $358,500 on Feb. 17

: Kimberly Swann to Gita Pandey, $295,000 on Feb. 20

: Pyun Prop Holdings LLC to Sound View 49 LLC, $480,000 on Feb. 18

20 Carriage Drive

: James P. and

Kimberly A. Corbett to Francisca Ibarra and Edward P. Roosevelt, $385,000 on Feb. 18

: Gregory Pinski to Jacob F. Pickerell and Jesica Raingo, $330,000 on Feb. 17

: Better Buyer LLC to Michael A. Walsh and Andrea 15 Egypt Lane

19 Ironworks Road K. Scott, $400,000 on Feb. 17

3 Medley Lane

: Housing and Urban Development Of Washington D.C. to Rosa L. Sanchez, $310,000 on Feb. 18

: Carol Burghardt to Lillian T. Daniels,

39 Rocky Ledge Drive $320,000 on Feb. 17

Sterling Sand Village East Unit 11

: Resync Prop Solutions LLC to James and Deanna Mayer, $629,000 on Feb. 17

EAST HAVEN

60 Coleman Street Unit 15

Elizabeth J. Clark to Rochelle Bronit, $275,000 on Feb. 19

Estate of Mary A. Barile and John F. Williams to John Williams, $109,900 on Feb. 18

123 Cosey Beach Road Unit 1 17 Guilford Court

: Loandepot Com LLC to Elsa Rodriguez and Glenda Flores, $155,000 on Feb. 18

17 Guilford Court

: Estate of Paul M. Zachey and Elaine M. Fuller-Zachey to Elsa Rodriguez and Glenda Flores,

$155,000 on Feb. 18

118 Hellstrom Road

: Karen F. Wade to Dajanese Polk, $385,000 on Feb. 20

Dorothy A. Palmer to Darrell and Shannon Jones, $393,000 on Feb. 20

4 Sorrento Avenue: Estate of Clara Maruca and Louise M. Wood

NEW LISTING

Real Estate Transactions

GUILFORD

Discover the serenity of Ayers Point in this spacious 3400 sq ft home with captivating views of the CT River and surrounding marshland. Privately set with a beautiful inground pool and lush gardens, this retreat is perfect for those seeking a coastal lifestyle near boating and village charm. The home features both main and upper-level primary suites, offering flexibility and comfort for guests or multigenerational living. A chef’s kitchen anchors the generous living spaces.

With nearly $300 million in sales volume and helping almost 1000 happy buyers and sellers over 20 years on the shoreline, Joel’s experience is invaluable. Let him help you achieve your real estate goals. Contact Joel Lucas Today!

Serving

OLD SAYBROOK

: Overt Properties

LLC to Christopher Sluyter, $785,000 on Feb. 17

: Turner L. Carnes to Hope G. Dieffenbach, $20,000 on Feb. 18

: Paul W. Mei to Restfulbluff LLC, $103,000 on Feb. 20

: Jonathan A. and Mary-Ellen W. Flatow to Stephen Wenderoth and Jennifer Culhane, $15,000 on Feb. 19

MADISON

: Say Main LLC to Jerome Prop 162 LLC, $2,000,000 on Feb. 18

: Guthrie and Melissa Mitchell to Paul Stranieri, $675,000 on Feb. 20

: Big Y Foods Inc to Sam Center LLC, $457,004 on Feb. 17

: Sharon Shawn to Roberto and Stephanie Shaw Calvo, $240,000 on Feb. 20

Spencer Plains

: Estate of Jean Robinson and Christine Suntheimer to David R. Viracacha and Yeraldy R. Guzman, $500,000 on Feb. 17 : Real estate transactions are

: Gretta E. Macmillan to Samuel M. and Evguenia S. Winn, $535,000 on Feb. 17

: Rachel Nicoletti and Scott Janus to Graziella and Andrew Luzzi, $770,000 on Feb. 18

: George K. and Mary Jo Shuey to Joseph and Kellie Lombardi, $630,000 on Feb. 20

published using publicly available records and are matters of public record. Listings are not removed in response to general privacy requests. Removal will only be considered in cases involving a documented and credible personal safety concern. Requests may be submitted to zip06@shorepublishing.com

: Mary D. Sarubbi to Mamadou and Stephanie Hane, $675,000 on Feb. 20

Rarely is a Robert Page (AIA) designed coastal home available and this is one of his most compelling. A collaboration with master builders Baldwin and Baldwin and executed with precision, this 3300 sf home with three exterior decks, (including a ‘Skydeck’), unfolds over four levels. Finished in 2010, this 3(+) bedroom, 3.1 bath gem offers 3300 lifestyle driven sq ft unlike any other beach area home you have ever seen. $2,495,000 61hartfordavenue.com

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