Valley Courier 04-02-26

Chester, Deep River, & Essex Vol. XXVI Iss. 14

Historic Home at Center of Preservation Fight

By Aaron Rubin

Staff Writer

An historic home in Essex is facing possible demolition by its new owner, raising concerns among local residents and historians about preserving buildings tied to the town’s past.

The home in question is the Captain Alvah Post House, constructed in 1835 and located

at 40 Prospect Street. The structure was purchased last month by Steven Bogan, and a sign stating the intent to demolish has been placed outside. Bogan also owns the historic Pratt Village Smithy Home adjacent to the Alvah house.

According to town records, the total valuation of the Alvah House property, including the land, is $677,600.

While there are currently no firm plans for what the new owner intends to build in place of the structure, the plan to demolish the historic building has drawn opposition from the Essex Historical Society. The society’s board president, Lou Mezzarese, told the Valley Courier that the group “want[s] to do the

See Historic Home page 6

Setting Sail for Spring

Visitors take in the view from the dock at the Essex boat launch as sailors from the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club navigate the Connecticut River on a sunny afternoon, March 29.

all-conference accolades.............11

A multi-part series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence kicks off......................................20

Cameron Evangelisti: Stormy Weather

By Rita Christopher

Courier Senior Correspondent

Oh yes, this was quite the winter, especially if you were a member of one of the local Department of Public Works (DPW) crews. But Cameron Evangelisti, the Director of Chester’s DPW, and the town DPW team will have something to remember besides blizzards and snow: the group has just been named Public Works Department of the Year by the New England American Public Works Association.

The award, Cam emphasizes, belongs to the entire DPW team, which consists of Steve Pytlik, Bruce Sypher, Ryan Malcarne, Josh Villa, James Smullin, and Terry Hannah.

First Selectman Cindy Lignar nominated the group for the award last year. “I wrote, answered their questions, but heard nothing back,” she said. Then she received an email asking if she would like to nominate Chester’s DPW again for the award this year.

“They are a small but mighty

Person of the Week

crew,” Lignar said.

Cam, 44, has headed DPW for some five years. Before that, he worked for the town of Old Saybrook, dividing his time between DPW and the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Cam is the first DPW head in Chester to have the title Director. That is a reflection, he points out, of the changing nature of the job.

It is not only about traditional functions such as plowing, mowing, and groundskeeping. There are OSHA requirements to fulfill, environmental concerns to manage, and a series of trainings all members of the staff must complete within two years of their hiring.

Cam knows the value of the trainings from personal experience. He was roadside mowing in

a tractor with a closed cab when a tree branch fell, taking down electric wires on top of the vehicle. There were sparks and flames. The natural thing to do might seem to be to get out of the cab and run, but instead Cam backed the truck to a safe place before exiting. A training he had attended taught him to do that because the downed wires could have created an electric field around the truck.

All the DPW staff have to take a one-day course in snow management given by the state called Green Snow Pro, focusing on best practices for preparing for snow removal, using the most environmentally friendly salt-sand mixtures, and communicating goals to the public.

Cam, in fact, has ordered what he hopes will be all the salt he needs for next winter already. There was a serious scarcity of road salt this year, and he does not want Chester to be caught short next year.

See Cameron page 4

Essex, Chester, & Deep River’s Hometown Newspaper Founded in 2001

Cameron Evangelisti: Stormy Weather

Continued from page 2

How much salt, sand, and plowing depends on where you are in Chester. Cam says that Turkey Hill Road and Goose Hill Road get more snow and need far more attention than some other parts of town.

When it snows, Cam gets up at 3:30 a.m. to drive town roads and make plans for the DPW crew’s plowing. He also has to let Superintendent of Schools Brian White know about conditions to decide if school will go as planned, there will be a delay, or a cancellation.

Plowing roads is likely what town residents think of when they think of DPW, but the department’s work encompasses many other areas. Cam has whiteboards at the town garage listing tasks for the week so everybody on the crew knows, barring emergencies, what they will be doing and when they will be doing it.

DPW is responsible for grounds on all town properties except schools, including town parking lots, the Chester Meeting House, the boat launch, the village area, and, with the help of volunteers, the three town cemeteries. A bulletin board in Town Hall shows photographs of DPW completed jobs.

The department sets up and cleans up after town events. They are, for instance, at the Chester Sunday Market by 5 a.m. to start emptying trash and putting up barricades to stop traffic from interfering with the event. On a recent day, Cam was in a meeting at Town Hall with members of

Chester Rotary planning for the annual rubber duck race fundraiser.

“There are lots of events in town, family events. We want everybody to be safe,” he says.

Cam grew up in Old Saybrook. He is a graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown and St. Joseph’s College of Maine, achieving honors at both schools. He has taken additional college courses, one at Yale School of Forestry that qualified him to be a Tree Warden and another at Southern Connecticut State University that qualified him as a sanitarian, able, for example, to inspect septic systems.

On weekends, the place to find Cam is in the seat of a snowmobile. He races all year, on snow in winter and grass in summer. His late father, Mike Evangelisti, who had a construction company in Old Saybrook, also raced. In fact, to honor his passing, there was a memorial race in Mike’s honor.

Cam met his wife Michelle, to whom he has been married for four years, because her family was also part of the racing community. She is now a member of his pit crew, but that is an avocation. During the week, she is chief radiation therapist at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Waterford.

Cam is a champion in the world of snowmobile racing. His name and face are on T-shirts, posters, and magazine covers. But that is only for weekends.

During the week, it is a different story: “I drive slowly,” he says.

Essex Historical Society seeks sculptors for its 2026 Art on the Pratt House Lawn exhibition at 19 West Ave., Essex. Four artists will be selected to display up to three outdoor sculptures for two-month periods: June 1 through July 31; Aug. 1 through Sept. 30; and Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. (The April 1 through May 31 session is filled.) Participation is free. Works must be suitable for outdoor display and approved by the selection committee. Artists are responsible for installation and removal. Submit images to Kate Savage at membership@essexhistory.org. For more information, call 860-767-0681 or visit essexhistory.org.

VRHS Trades Award Fund Accepting Applications

The Valley Regional High School (VRHS) Trades Award Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) is accepting applications for its annual trades award through the VRHS School Counseling Office. Two awards of $2,000 each will be presented on VRHS Awards Night in the spring. Established by members of the VRHS Class of 1982 to encourage careers in the trades, the award is open to VRHS seniors pursuing employment in the trades and/or entrepreneurship. Applicants must be in good academic standing and demonstrate a commitment to positive community involvement and service to others. Students may obtain applications and additional information through the VRHS School Counseling Office. The VRHS Trades Award is an educational award fund of CFMC. For more information about the fund or to support it, call 860-347-0025 or visit MiddlesexCountyCF.org.

Obituaries

Obituary

Bryan Perkins Clinton

Bryan Perkins passed away peacefully March 17, 2026, surrounded by family, after a prolonged illness.

Bryan was born in Middletown to Barbara Netsch (Doug) and Jerry Perkins Sr. (Diane). He was one of four siblings: Jerry Perkins Jr. (Barbara), Ricky Perkins, and Deborah Reznik (Eben).

From a young age, Bryan had a sparkle of mischief in his eyes and caused quite a ruckus with his brothers. In school, he gravitated toward the arts—particularly theatre and music. Never one to follow a conventional path, Bryan earned his GED so he could travel with a rock band.

As he matured, he learned the craft of stone masonry from his father and excelled. His work—ranging from landscape architecture to fieldstone and bluestone fireplaces, and even a stone Christmas tree—earned him a reputation as one of the best in his field.

Bryan’s love for music was at the heart of his life. He attended countless concerts and always had music playing—usually pretty loud. His children, Tosh Urbowicz (Keith) and Forrest Perkins, are forever grateful for the passion he shared with them and cherish

memories of singing in the car and dancing together.

Bryan also loved to travel, with Nova Scotia holding a special place in his heart. He and his former wife turned close friend, Ginny Perkins, would travel with their two dogs and explore. He took his children on many vacations, often centered around the beach and spirited water balloon wars.

Bryan lived life to the fullest. He was active in his recovery and spent 39 years, off and on, in the fellowship.

To know him was to love him—and to accept his imperfections.

He is survived by his children; his beloved grandson, Beckett Urbowicz; his parents and stepparents; his brothers and sister; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his former mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ernie and Ellen Bauer, whom he loved very much.

"Then as it was, then again it will be / And though the course may change sometimes / Rivers always reach the sea." — Ten Years Gone, Led Zeppelin

A visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook, followed by a prayer service at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hazelden Betty Ford, a program which focuses on mental health and recovery.

See Obituaries page 7

SPONSORED CONTENT:

Find Obituaries

Posted Daily Online

While our press schedule often does not allow us to publish death notices in time to announce memorial services, readers can find obituaries posted to the Valley Courier website, www.zip06.com, five days a week as they arrive.

Stories and features denoted with the Shore Publishing “Sponsored” icon are sponsored by advertisers. Sponsored content is content created or commissioned by advertisers in collaboration with Shore Publishing’s marketing team. As with all advertising, sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views of Shore Publishing. Shore Publishing will ensure the treatment and design of Advertising and Sponsored Content is clearly differentiated from its editorial content.

Contacting Valley Courier

As your hometown paper, the Valley Courier welcomes reader contributions and questions. If it’s important to you, we want to know about it. Here are the best ways to bring matters to our attention.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The ValleyCourier encourages letters to the editor that offer a uniquely local perspective on local issues.

Writers may submit letters as often as every two weeks. Letters must include the writer’s full name, street address, and phone number for verification purposes. Letters submitted under pseudonyms, anonymously, or through third parties will be declined. Letters must be written by the submitter. No more than four signees are permitted per letter.

Letters must be 300 words or fewer and are subject to editing for clarity, style, and adherence to policy. Letter writers may be asked to supply sources to corroborate information presented as fact in letters.

Civility is required. Letters with personal attacks, unsubstantiated allegations, or inflammatory language will be declined.

For letters endorsing a political candidate, Shore Publishing will accept one endorsement per writer per candidate. Letters with negative content are not accepted for the two issues preceding elections to allow for candidate rebuttal.

Letters must be received and verbally confirmed by 5 p.m. Thursday, seven days prior to publication. Confirmation does not guarantee publication. Publication is subject to approval by the editor.

Letter writers who knowingly violate this policy three times will be banned from submitting future letters to the editor.

Letters may be submitted at www.zip06.com or email to shoreletters@shorepublishing.com.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALENDAR To have your item considered for print, please email news@shorepublishing.com. Announcements and calendar items are printed as space allows. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday at noon, nine days before publication.

These are just a few ways to get involved in your newspaper. If you have an idea for a story, a question about news deadlines, or any other news-related inquiry, email news@shorepublishing.com or call the News Department at 203-245-1877, ext. 0.

OBITUARIES The ValleyCourierpublishes paid obituary notices in print and at Zip06.com. Obituaries should be sent to obits@theday.com. The deadline for all obituaries is Wednesday at 4 p.m., eight days prior to publication date. Obituaries will also be posted as quickly as possible at Zip06.com.

ADVERTISING To speak with someone about newspaper and online advertising, contact the Sales Department at advertising@shorepublishing.com or 203-245-1877. All advertising is subject to the approval of Shore Publishing. Shore Publishing shall have the right to revise, reject or cancel, in whole or in part, any advertisement at any time for any or no reason.

LEGAL NOTICES To place a legal notice, email legal@theday.com or call 860-701-4410.

CLASSIFIEDS To place an ad in the Classifieds section or in the Classifieds Service Directory, call 860-701-4200 and/or email classifiedads@theday.com.

CIRCULATION To speak with someone about receiving or canceling the paper, please call 203-245-1877, ext. 6 or email shorecirculation@shorepublishing.com.

Valley Courier

200 State Street, New London, CT 06320

news@shorepublishing.com

203-245-1877

Fax 203-245-9773

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF CHESTER WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

Legal notice is hereby given to all users liable to pay a usage fee to the Chester Water Pollution Control Authority that the second installment of the usage fee for the period October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 is hereby due and payable on April 1, 2026. Failure to make payment on or before May 1, 2026 will result in an interest charge of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month from the due date of April 1, 2026 with a minimum charge of $2.00 per bill.

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

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

Emily J. Vetter-Haupt Tax Collector

860-526-0013 Ext. 513 taxcollector@chesterct.org

Historic Home at Center of Preservation Fight

Continued from page 1

most that we possibly can to preserve a house of that type,” given its historic, cultural, and aesthetic significance within Essex.

“To tear it down we think would really be a disservice to the community,” said Mezzarese.

The house once belonged to former sea captain Alvah Post, whose role in the cotton trade along the East Coast is part of the “significant” maritime history of Essex, including shipbuilding and trade, said Melissa Josefiak, director of the historical society. Several other centuriesold sites are located within the same neighborhood, and losing the house would remove a piece of a preserved historical narrative, Josefiak said.

“Every time a house disappears, it lessens the quality of the neighborhood. It lessens the stories that we can tell when structures are replaced. It alters the complexion of the streetscape, and it’s harder to imagine what the neighborhood would have looked like 100 or 200 years ago,” said Josefiak.

While it is within the property owner’s rights to demolish the house, a town ordinance requires a 90-day delay following the filing of a demolition notice. The ordinance states that “any building or any portion…constructed 75 years or more prior to the date of acceptance by the Building Official of the completed Notice of Intent to Demolish

form shall be considered a ‘historic building,’” and demolition must wait 90 days from the acceptance date.

While town historians have voiced concerns, other Essex residents have taken action at Town Hall, forming the ad hoc Historic Preservation Study Committee, on which Josefiak sits. The committee was formed last year with the objective of developing “a strategy for promoting and realizing historic and architectural preservation efforts,” according to its webpage, and integrating those efforts into the town’s updated Plan of Conservation and Development. According to its Feb. 9 meeting minutes, one of the committee’s goals is to establish “a small district that would be protected from significant alteration of the historic buildings,” including the Captain Alvah House.

First Selectman Norm Needleman said this district could be part of a “Federal Historical Designation,” and that its legal framework could allow the town to offer tax incentives to property owners to restore and maintain the historic facade of buildings. While this could discourage demolition, “the designation is not terribly restrictive” in its goals.

However, “there are lots of different options,” said Mezzarese, who added that he and his colleagues would like to “at least get the owner to be willing to discuss the whole subject.”

The committee’s next meeting will be held Monday,

April 20, at 5 p.m. at Essex Town Hall.

The historical society said it would like to see an open dialogue among Essex residents, as well as neighboring communities such as Deep River and Chester, on what it recognizes as a complicated issue of balancing individual property rights with historic preservation.

Needleman confirmed that the town has already received several letters following the initial demolition notice, including some in opposition. Discussion on social media has also emerged. Such public response reflects what the first selectman described as a “very divisive” debate between property owners’ rights and preserving the historic character of the neighborhood, one that is likely to continue.

“I think the problem is upon us, and I think that it’s going to be incumbent on us to figure out what to do,” said Needleman. “We’ve also been concerned that it’s a very slippery slope from trying to protect the architectural character of the village, versus really restricting people’s rights to do with their property what they want.”

The historical society also acknowledges the complexity of the issue but is ultimately seeking a middle ground between the two perspectives.

“Our feelings are: let’s try and see if we can marry the rights of an owner with the community,” said Mezzarese. “We’re trying to be a bridge between the owners and the community.”

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

Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, continues its series of Little Learners story times with stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts around a designated theme. Children and their caregivers can enjoy story time on Fridays at 10 a.m., with Farm Animals on April 10 and All About the Ambulance on April 17. The program is best for children ages 2 to 5 to learn early literacy concepts of colors, shapes, opposites, the alphabet, and more. Little Learners story times take place at the library, 33 West Avenue. For more information or to register, contact the library at 860-7671560, staff.essexlib@gmail.com, or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Obituaries

Continued from page 5

Obituary

Charlotte Walters

Norwalk

Charlotte Hayes Walters, age 97, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed peacefully on March 20, 2026, in Norwalk. She was the sixth of seven children born on Feb. 6, 1929, in Arlington, MA, to Gladys and Edmund Hayes.

She graduated from St. Joseph College in 1950 with a teaching degree and began her career at the lower elementary grade level.

Her love of the mountains, nature, and skiing led her to Denver, CO, where she taught in the Denver public school system. It was there she met the love of her life, Robert Guy Walters Sr., and were married on Dec. 30, 1954. Together they had five children. In 1963, she and her husband, Robert, were transferred to Lincoln, NE, and resided there until 1984. She supported her husband throughout his career, and his advancements lead them back to Connecticut, living in Stamford and later her “happy place,” Dickinson Lane in Essex.

Charlotte was known for her incredible knowledge of history and art, and that, along with her zest for international travel, made her conversations

enticing, interesting, and memorable. She was a dedicated docent and volunteer at the Florence Griswold Museum, the Connecticut River Museum, and The Pratt House Museum. She will forever be remembered for her flare of making her homes a showcase of the things she loved most, art and history.

Charlotte was also blessed with a creative mind, and it was apparent in everything she touched. She was loved and adored by many, and nothing made her happier than sing-a-longs and tending to her garden.

Charlotte was predeceased by Robert Guy Walters Sr., her beloved husband. She is survived by her five children: Robert Guy Walters Jr. (Patricia), Sunrise, FL; Ann Scott (Patrick), Clarendon Hills, IL; Gini Way (Radd), Overland Park, KS; John Walters (Laura), Foster City, CA; and Julia Walters Curanaj (Peter), Stamford; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A public visitation was held on March 27 at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 28 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street, Essex. Burial followed at the Riverview Cemetery, North Main Street, Essex. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Charlotte may be given to www.ctrivermuseum.org/memorialgifts.

Horoscopes Crossword

For the week of April 2 - April 8

ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you are catching a second wind this week that could rival a hurricane. No one can slow you down right now. Channel this energy into a passion project.

TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, your eye for recognizing the beauty in things or items that are fashionable is unmatched. This week is the perfect time to curate your space or your wardrobe.

GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, the connections in your brain are firing at a rapid pace this week. It is only a matter of time before you solve a problem that has been plaguing you and everyone for weeks.

CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22

You are feeling more secure in your skin this week, Cancer. People are flocking to you for comfort and advice because you give off a warm energy.

LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, accept recognition for your hard work when it comes your way in the coming days. Don’t be humble; take the bow that you have earned over these last few months.

VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22

Everything is falling into place for you now, Virgo. Your routine feels like something you can do with your eyes closed. Find the perfect shortcut this week.

LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23

A friend of a friend is about to become a very important person in your life, Libra. It’s important to keep your heart open to all possibilities. An unexpected invitation pops up.

SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you don’t have to try to impress. People are mesmerized by you. You can use this charm to negotiate for something you want this week. A welcome surprise pops up midweek.

SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21

Your thirst for knowledge leads you to a new obsession, Sagittarius. Diving into a new hobby, career path or volunteer experience could be the way to go.

CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you are making the impossible look easy right now. Take a moment to see how far you have come and review your accomplishments.

AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18

Your innovative ideas are officially trending around the office or workplace, Aquarius. Don’t be afraid to lead the pack, as everyone is just trying to keep up.

PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, you are walking on sunshine this week. Your creative output is at an all-time high. Paint, write, sing, or engage in anything else you enjoy.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

APRIL 2

Zach Bryan, Singer (30)

APRIL 3

Eddie Murphy, Comic (65) APRIL 4

Natasha Lyonne, Actress (47) APRIL 5

Pharrell Williams, Producer (53)

APRIL 6

Peyton List, Actress (28)

APRIL 7

Russell Crowe, Actor (62)

APRIL 8

Matty Healy, Singer (37)

CLUES ACROSS

1. Absence of difficulty

5. Preserve a dead body

11. Gratitude

14. The act of coming together again

15. More cushy

18. Visionaries

19. Large fish-eating bird

21. Indicates near

23. Former CIA and CIA critic

24. Icelandic poems

28. Pop

29. Hammer is one

30. Selfs

32. Thyroid-stimulating hormone

33. Nowhere to be found

35. Electronic data processing

36. Drivers’ licenses and passports are two

39. Snake-like fishes

41. Air Force

42. Popular personal computers

44. Stages in ecological succession

46. Wings

47. In the center

49. Pleasantly smooth

52. Jeweled headdress

56. In slow tempo

58. __ Falls

60. Reiterations

62. Eras

63. Hyphen

CLUES

DOWN

1. Body part

2. Mimics

3. Expel or eject (variant sp.)

4. Sea eagle

5. Taxonomic category

6. Chinese languages

7. Mr. T’s “A-Team” character

8. Consumed

9. Chinese dynasty

10. NFL legend Randy

12. Ireland

13. Palm trees with creeping roots

16. Fungal disease

17. Tall, slender-leaved plants

20. Affirmative! (slang)

22. It says who you are

25. Atlantic coast state

26. Grow older

27. Associations

29. Woman (French)

31. Sunscreen rating

34. Brew

36. Leader

37. Indigo bush genus

38. Burn with a hot liquid

40. Junior’s father

43. Mackerel genus

45. Morning

48. Straight line from side to side (abbr.)

50. Type of molding

51. Small, thin or twisted bunch

53. Worn by exposure to the weather

54. Mars crater

55. Humanities

57. Relating to the ears

58. “To the __ degree”

59. Residue when something is burned

61. It cools a home

Word Search

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

LOVE FISHING WORD SEARCH

ANGLER BAG BAIT BOBBER CAST CATCH CHUMMING DRAG FISHING HOOK JIGGING LEADER LIMIT LURE RELEASE SIGHT SINKER SKUNKED SPAWNING STRIKE STRUCTURE TACKLE TERMINAL TROLLING

Word Scramble

Word Scramble solution for March 26, 2026: MENTAL

Word Search solution for March 26, 2026

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

Goofy Gizmo

Story by Carol Andrecs

Gizmo is a small cat with a big personality. At only 4 years old, he is playful and loving, and craves attention from his humans. His long white fur with brown and black tiger markings makes him extra stunning and unique. Gizmo is not a fan of all the other cats in his room and wants nothing more than a loving home with his own people. Are you able to give Gizmo this gift? Come meet this sweet and affectionate boy at our open house or apply to adopt him online at www.forgotten felinesct.org.

The Estuary, 220 Main Street, Old Saybrook, offers wellness services to adults aged 50 and over living in the estuary region. Services are by appointment and include footcare (Mondays), haircuts (Tuesdays and Thursdays), massage (first Tuesday of each month), Medicare counseling (first Tuesday of each month), hearing clinics (last Wednesday of each month), and mental health support. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 860-388-1611, ext. 202.

2026 Forgotten Felines Mother’s

Day Plant Sale

Forgotten Felines will hold its annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All plants must be preordered. To place an order, please fill out the form found on www.forgottenfelinesct.org and return it with a check to Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413 by Monday, April 20. Plants must be picked up on Saturday, May 9 at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. For more information, please leave a message on the fundraising line at 860-669-1347.

Find

Your

Match At Forgotten Felines

: Forgotten Felines holds an open house every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2

p.m. at 153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook. No appointment is necessary. Forgotten Felines is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with no paid staff. We are always in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats and keep our facility clean and organized. If you can donate your time, it will be very rewarding and much appreciated. Call the volunteer line at 860-669-1347 or send an email to volunteerinfo@forgottenfelinesct.org.

Calls for Artists: Essex Summer Arts Festival

Artists and craftspeople are invited to participate in the Essex Summer Arts Festival, scheduled for June 20 through June 21 on the Essex Green in Essex. The outdoor event features fine art and crafts displayed in the historic walkable town overlooking the Connecticut River. Essex is a popular tourist destination known for its restaurants, coffee shops, and marina, and the festival typically attracts strong visitor traffic. Space is limited and early reservations are encouraged. For more information or to reserve a spot, email barbara@spectrumartgallery.org.

By Serenity J. Bishop

Sports Editor

Filacchione, Evans, and Dolinsky Receive All-Conference Recognition

The Valley Regional boys basketball team finished a successful season that saw the Warriors host a state playoff game in the Division V state tournament. Despite not advancing beyond the next round, the program took steps in the right direction this season.

Throughout the year, Valley Regional also received strong individual performances from several players on the roster. In fact, fans were not the only ones to recognize the standout play.

Junior Tavis Filacchione, sophomore Brady Evans, and senior Noah Dolinsky each received Shoreline Conference honors. Filacchione earned first-team all-conference, Evans earned second-team allconference, and Dolinsky received honorable mention.

Filacchione said the all-conference honor meant a lot to him and reflected his development throughout his high school career.

“It means a lot. I’ve been a part of the team for three years, and I’ve been battling injuries ever since I was in middle school,” Filacchione said. “It’s a big accomplishment, but my biggest focus is on winning the state championship, the shoreline championship, and just taking the team as far as we can go.”

This season, Filacchione became the go-to player for the Warriors. He and Dolinsky formed an effective duo that allowed Valley Regional to compete at a high level each game. Filacchione was the team’s leading scorer, while Dolinsky finished his high school career just a couple of baskets shy of 1,000 points.

Filacchione’s recognition as one of the top players in the conference underscores his impact. The junior said this season was his breakout year.

“Points are pretty cool, but once again, it was just a part of the team,” he said. “I feel like we were having a breakout season… I think we could have gone a lot further, but I do feel like individually I had a great season.”

The Warriors finished the regular sea-

son at .500 and qualified for both the Shoreline Conference tournament and the state tournament. The team also faced significant adversity throughout the season.

That adversity came at one of the worst times, late in the year, when Filacchione suffered an injury just before the postseason. The untimely setback forced Valley Regional to find a new identity heading into the playoffs.

“The season went really good overall. We showed a lot of character and development throughout the season,” Filacchione said. “We started 0-3. We had some players in and out. We faced a lot of adversity, and I think that we showed a lot of character. We really pulled together toward the end of the season.”

One player who made a key difference when in the lineup was point guard Brady Evans. The sophomore missed the first few games of the season, but once he returned, Valley Regional began to take off.

Filacchione said Evans is a vital piece of the roster. He said Evans’ ability to run the offense effectively has a major impact on the team’s success.

“I’ve been playing basketball with Brady ever since I could remember,” he said. “Brady really does bring a lot to the team. You can tell there’s such a difference when he’s not on the floor. He’s our primary ball handler. I would take him over anyone else on the first team. I feel like Brady should be up there with me in that category.”

This offseason, Filacchione will spend time rehabbing his injury and working to return to form. As he focuses on recovery and skill development, he said he is looking forward to next season.

“I can’t wait. Our team is pretty young, with a lot of sophomores. We have a freshman who was starting all year,” he said. “Obviously, I’m going into my senior year, but I feel like we are going to make a lot of noise next season, and I feel like we are going to be one of the better teams in Division V.”

Valley Regional-Westbrook Baseball Builds on Last Year’s Success

By Serenity J. Bishop

Sports Editor

The goal for Valley Regional and Westbrook baseball is to compete for a Shoreline Conference and state title every season, regardless of personnel. However, this season the team is ahead of the curve, returning several players from a successful team last season.

The Valley Regional and Westbrook coop is coming off a 15-5 regular season, an appearance in the Shoreline Conference championship game, and a trip to the quarterfinals in the state tournament.

Baseball coach Patrick Sirois said that despite needing to fill key spots at pitcher and catcher, the team is in a good position to make another run at both titles.

“We’re looking to build on that this year with another strong run, but that’s going to take a lot of new pieces to step up,” Sirois said. “This year’s focus will be pitching and defense. We were a really strong offensive team last year, and we’re hoping to be again this year, but what we know we can be and what we have to be good at to be as successful as we were last year is making the plays routine.”

Sirois said that, as simple as it sounds, the team will have to make the game as simple as possible. That includes making routine plays on defense, while pitchers pound the strike zone and avoid walking opposing batters.

“If we can do that, I think we’re going to put ourselves in position to win a bunch of games,” he said. “It sounds pretty cliché. Throw strikes and play defense, but that is the baseline for us this year.”

Despite holes from last year’s lineup, the team has eager players ready to fill the gaps. At pitcher, junior Jacon Knox is primed to take over the ace role. Knox is a seasoned pitcher for the club, having pitched for the team since his freshman year. He will likely take on the bulk of the innings this season.

At catcher, Sirois plans to use a committee approach with sophomore Tage “Brannick” Wright and senior John Finn Heiser.

Other top returners include last year’s

Volunteer Opportunity to Help Others

first-team all-conference shortstop, senior Kyle Leandri; first-team all-conference center fielder, senior Logan Prue; and three-year varsity starter, senior second baseman Patrick Finnegan.

Valley Regional will open the regular season on Saturday, April 4, on the road at East Hampton. [Check date/day accuracy]

Sirois said he is looking for intensity and leadership in the first few games as the

team settles into the season and finds its rhythm.

“We had a lot of great natural leaders last year who just fit into the leadership role and kept our intensity up every day,” Sirois said. “We’re having new guys step into those roles this year, so sustained intensity and focus for the first week or two of the season is what we’re focusing on.”

The nonprofit hospice program of Yale Health at Home has volunteer opportunities in the following areas: patient/caregiver companions; complementary therapies, including massage, Reiki, reflexology, pet therapy, art, and music; bereavement and spiritual support; and veteran-to-veteran. Volunteers receive free mandatory screenings, training, the support and appreciation of a team, and more. Volunteers can choose their preferred towns from those served by the hospice program, which include Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Northford, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. For more information, contact Ericka Copeland at 203-453-7659 or Ericka.copeland@ynhh.org, or visit ynhhs.org/health-athome/about/volunteer.

Sirois added that the first few weeks will be about playing a complete game and maintaining focus throughout.

“Not just showing up for an inning or two when our backs are against the wall, but playing seven innings of baseball as hard and as focused as we possibly can is really what we’re looking for,” he said. “It’s the first step in the first couple of weeks of the season when the games start.”

Shoreline Deck Company, LLC

Father &

RogeR CRampton

RogeR CRampton

RogeR CRampton

RogeR CRampton

RogeR CRampton

PLUMBING l HEATING AIRCONDITIONING NEWINSTALLATIONSORREPAIRS

PLUMBING l HEATING l AIRCONDITIONING NEWINSTALLATIONSORREPAIRS

PLUMBING l HEATING l AIRCONDITIONING NEWINSTALLATIONSORREPAIRS

RogeR CRampton PLUMBING HEATING AIRCONDITIONING NEWINSTALLATIONSORREPAIRS

Boilers, terHeaters,Wa llpumps,We llWe nks,Ta terfiltration,Faucets,Wa Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

Boilers, WaterHeaters, Wellpumps, Well Tanks, Waterfiltration,Faucets, Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

ogeRR RamptonC

Boilers, WaterHeaters, Wellpumps, Well Tanks, Waterfiltration,Faucets, Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

RogeR CRampton PLUMBING l HEATING AIRCONDITIONING NEWINSTALLATIONSORREPAIRS

Boilers, WaterHeaters, Wellpumps, Well Tanks, Waterfiltration,Faucets, Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

Boilers,

Boilers, WaterHeaters, Wellpumps, Well Tanks, Waterfiltration,Faucets, Leakingpipes,Gaspiping 860-434-2200

www.RogerCramptonLLC.com

fill each

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!

Remembering the Revolution: Minister From Old Lyme

Wrote Memorably Against the Stamp Act

Stephen Johnson’s arguments embodied opposition to tax that paved the way for revolution

By John Ruddy

Editor’s note: This story is the first in “Remembering the Revolution,” a series that will appear throughout 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

In 20 years as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lyme, the Rev. Stephen Johnson hadn’t had much to say publicly about current events.

That changed abruptly in the fall of 1765, when the clergyman started writing on an issue of burning importance to Britain’s American colonies. People were outraged, and Johnson was stirred to break his silence.

A tax had been approved by Parliament that required printed materials to be produced on paper that included an embossed revenue stamp. The Stamp Act marked the start of colonial discontent with the mother country that would explode into revolution a decade later.

The act affected legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards, and its purpose was to pay for British troops stationed in America after the French and Indian War. In addition to the financial burden, colonists objected to being taxed without their consent.

There were petitions, street protests, and a Stamp Act Congress, in which the colonies voiced their objections in a Declaration of Rights and Grievances sent to Parliament and King George III.

Among those incensed over the measure was Johnson, an obscure minister who had been serving quietly in Lyme (now Old Lyme) since 1746. As uproar spread, Johnson consulted with a friend, John McCurdy, who lived next to the church.

The minister put his thoughts to paper, and McCurdy, a wealthy shipping merchant, used his influence to get them published in the New London Gazette, the local newspaper.

Looking back in 1882, local historian D. Hamilton Hurd called them “two sagacious and audacious men trying to kindle a fire, one feeding it with the chips of

genius and strong nervous magnetism, the other fanning it with the contents of his broad purse.”

Hurd relates that Johnson wrote his first anti-Stamp Act missive in McCurdy’s home.

“It was a fiery article, designed to rouse the community to a sense of the public danger,” Hurd wrote. “Others of a similar character soon followed.”

On Sept. 6, 1765, two months before the Stamp Act took effect, an article, signed “Addison,” appeared in the four-page Gazette. Addressed “to the freemen of the colony of Connecticut,” it got to the point in plain language.

“My dear Friends, It is the most critical Season that ever this Colony or America saw, a Time when every Thing dear to us in this World is at Stake: The Stamp Act is past, and Officers appointed to carry it into Execution. The Courts of Admiralty are vested with Power to try and determine all Matters relating to it, without JURIES. By the essential, fundamental Constitution of the British Government, no Englishman may be Tax’d but by his own Consent, in Person, or by his Representatives — Privileges extorted by the brave People of England from their Monarchs by slow Degrees, and the effusion of Rivers of Blood. — We have no Representatives in Parliament; we never gave a Vote for one, nor have we a right to do it: We know them not, nor do they know us.”

“Addison” was Stephen Johnson, and he went on to urge his fellow colonists to strive for the well-being of the British Empire but not at the cost of surrendering their rights.

“If you tamely part with them,

It’s worth noting that even as Johnson invoked the dark possibility of “Slavery,” McCurdy was among those benefiting from the real thing.

Johnson also urged his countrymen to pick their representatives with care.

“Let me humbly advise and you are accessory to your own Death, and entail Slavery on your Posterity.”

intreat you, for God’s Sake, for your own, and for Posterity’s Sake, to chuse Men of Wisdom, Courage and Resolution, true Englishmen, who will not be bo’t nor cow’d into the tame Submission of fawning Place men.”

Johnson’s article was followed by five more of growing length that eventually filled the Gazette’s front page. The last

See Remembering page 21

On a Mission: The History of U.S. Women Astronauts

Create Zentangle Easter Eggs

Calendar for the Week of April 2, 2026

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

Great Decisions: U.S.-China Relations

: 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. Third 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 203453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Maundy Thursday Service

: Noon. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church Chapel, 45 Tabor Dr., Branford. For info, call 203-488-2541 or visit taborchurch.net.

Online event. Book:

On a Mission: The History of U.S. Women Astronauts with Smithsonian Curator Emerita Valerie Neal

: Noon, Stations of the Cross; 7 p.m., Good Friday liturgy. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. For info, email shariya@standrewsmadison.org.

On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of U.S. Women Astronauts

with Smithsonian Curator Emerita Valerie Neal

Online event. Book:

. Hosted by the Chester Public Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. For info or to register (required), visit libraryc.org/chesterctlibrary. : 2 p.m.

On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of U.S. Women Astronauts

. Hosted by the Essex Library through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. For info or to register (required), call the library at 860767-1560 or visit libraryc.org/essexlib.

Creative Crafts with Jesse: Spring Cards

: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Participants will make three spring and Easter-themed cards using die cuts, embossing folders, ink blending, and stamps. Materials provided. For ages 18 and older. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.

Drop-In Tech Help

Good Friday Services : 2 p.m.

: 2 to 5 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features individual technology assistance sessions on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited to 30 minutes per person. Bring a personal device. Free. For info or to register, call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

: 2:45 to 4 p.m. Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services. Features an art program creating patterned Easter egg designs using Zentangle techniques. For grades 5 to 8. Free. For info or to register (required), contact 860-510-5042 or yfs@oldsaybrookct.gov.

Maundy Thursday Liturgy

: 3 p.m. Stations of the Cross; 6 p.m. Agape Meal; 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist with washing of the feet and stripping of the altar. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. For info, call 860-434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Mission: Ready

: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School, 80 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Hosted by Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services. Features an after-school program with activities focused on building confidence, problem-solving, and community engagement. For grade 4 students. Cost: $20 for four-week session. For info or to register (required), contact 860-510-5050 or jessica.wood@oldsaybrookct.gov.

Willoughby Writers Group

: 5 p.m. Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Rd., Stony Creek. Features a writing group for fiction and nonfiction writers. Meets twice monthly. For info, call 203-488-8702.

See page 22

Remembering the Revolution: Minister From Old Lyme Wrote Memorably Against the Stamp Act

Continued from page 20

appeared Nov. 1, the day the Stamp Act took effect.

That day, Connecticut Gov. Thomas Fitch prepared to take an oath to enforce the act. But most of his councilors walked out rather than administer it. Newspapers refused to carry stamps. The colony was in revolt.

Earlier, a mock trial in Lyme for the tax official, stamp collector Jared Ingersoll, sentenced him to death. Referring to him as as “J—d Stampman,” the trial convicted him of conspiring with Satan to murder his mother, “Americana.”

“The Weapon he obtain’d was called a Stamp, which came from an ancient …

Seat in Europe,” read an account of the trial published in the Gazette the same day Johnson’s first article appeared. Johnson was probably the author, Jim Lampos and Michaelle Pearson say in their book “Revolution in the Lymes.”

Two weeks later, Ingersoll faced a more tangible threat when he was overtaken while traveling. A mob of the Sons of Liberty, a loose band of Stamp Act opponents, gave him a stark choice: resign his office or dangle from a noose. He resigned.

Johnson’s six articles were reprinted in other newspapers, but he wasn’t done inveighing against the Stamp Act. On Dec. 18, 1765, he gave a sermon that continued the attack, and it was published as a pamphlet.

Reacting to America’s hostility, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act on May 1, 1766, six months after it took effect.

Historian Bernard Bailyn contends that the two versions of Johnson’s diatribe were remarkable for their style and scope.

“Written in colorful prose, the two publications anticipate almost the entire range of arguments that would be debated in the coming decade, and they anticipate, too, the fear of civil war between England and America,” he wrote in his book “Faces of Revolution.”

Johnson’s words were also noteworthy in that the newspaper articles made secular arguments while the sermon framed them in religious terms.

“The two publications, seen as products

of the same clerical mind at almost the same moment, illustrate with rare precision the relationship of religious and secular thought in the ideological history of the Revolution,” Bailyn wrote.

After the Stamp Act’s repeal, Johnson returned to obscurity, continuing to serve the First Congregational Church of Lyme until his death in 1786. His few other known writings are unremarkable.

Bailyn wrote that “Johnson’s mind and imagination simply took fire in the explosive atmosphere of the Stamp Act crisis and burned, briefly, with a hard and brilliant flame.”

j.ruddy@theday.com

Goodspeed Will Rock, Gardening Leads to Conflict, and Disney’s First Broadway Musical Stops in Hartford

Inside notes and comments about Connecticut and New York professional theater

By Karen Isaacs

Columnist

Special Limited Presentation

Aisle ON THE

tioned performance is on Saturday, May 4, and an audio-described performance is on Saturday, May 9.

Grant for Discussion Series

: The-

Little Bear Ridge Road in October

Circus Fire

Disney Favorite Dedication Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

: , a special three-performance presentation at TheaterWorks Hartford, sounds like it should be emotional. It is a one-person show by pianist Roger Peltzman that tells the story of his family before World War II and his mother’s escape when Nazis raided her family’s hiding place. It combines monologues, images, and Peltzman at the piano. It will run from Thursday, April 30, to Saturday, May 2. For tickets, contact TWHartford.org. : A new generation of children can see Disney’s stage musical when the current tour comes to the Bushnell in Hartford. The show runs from Tuesday, April 7, through Sunday, April 12. was the first Disney show to make it to Broadway. The Bushnell requests that all attendees be at least 6 years old. You can purchase tickets at Bushnell.org.

Continued from page 21

Blackstone Game Group

Mame, Dolly, and More

: CenterStage

Jerry’s Girls

Hello, Dolly! Mame La Cage aux Folles

Flowers and Comedy

Native Gardens

Theatre in Shelton will have your toes tapping with its production of , a revue of Jerry Herman’s music. Herman wrote , , and , among many shows. You will hear all his iconic songs and some lesserknown ones you will love. The show runs from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 29, weekends only. Information and tickets are at CenterStageShelton.org. : It’s spring, and people are planning their gardens. But what if you and your neighbor disagree about the type of garden or yard it should be? That’s the premise of the comedy at Hartford Stage from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, May 10. The old-time traditional gardeners are aghast when the new neighbors aim for a more natural yard. You can purchase tickets at HartfordStage.org. An open-cap-

: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Adults are invited for an evening of board games; participants may bring their own games. Sponsored by the Friends of Blackstone Library with support from Lotus Games. No registration required. For info, call 203-488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

Senior Series 4: Downsizing 101: Practical Tips for Seniors Considering a Move

: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The Orchard House, 421 Shore Dr., Branford. Cost: $10. Fourth in a six-part 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: Keeping It All in the Family: A Conversation with Modern Apizza’s Bill Pustari

: 6 p.m. New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Discussion with Bill Pustari of Modern Apizza moderated by filmmaker Gorman Bechard as part of “The Monthly Slice” series and the exhibition . Free

Pronounced Ah-Beetz

aterWorks Hartford has received a grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council to support the TWTalks series scheduled during its production of . On Saturday, April 25, Judge Henry S. Cohn will lead a discussion on the aftermath of that tragedy and its influence on the concept of “mass torts.” The talk is at the Hartford Public Library’s Center for Contemporary Culture. While it is free, an RSVP is required. Contact TW Hartford.org.

Rock at Goodspeed

Jesus Christ Superstar

: Rehearsals are underway for the opening production of Goodspeed’s new season. The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice hit rock musical begins performances Friday, April 17. It runs through Sunday, June 7. It features well-known songs, including the title song and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.” Tickets are available online at Goodspeed.org or from the box office at 860-873-8668.

Next Season at TheaterWorks

: TheaterWorks Hartford’s season often seems out of sync with most theaters that either plan seasons on the calendar year or from

with museum admission. For info or to register, contact 203-562-4183 or matockarshewsky@newhavenmuseum.org, or visit newhavenmuseum.org.

Thursday Agape Service

: 6 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. For info, call 860-663-1800.

“Artificial Intelligence is Everywhere” with Dennis Gleeson

: 6 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Former CIA strategy director Dennis Gleeson will present an overview of generative AI tools such as Claude and ChatGPT. Free and open to the public. Registration required. For more info, call 203-453-8282 or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org.

: 6 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Hosted by Madison Poet Laureate Ed Lent. Features a “Celebration” themed evening of poetry, music, comedy, and other performances. Cake and soda served. For info, visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.

: 6 to 8 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a guided craft using diamond painting techniques to create an image. All supplies provided. For info or to register (required), call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

September to June. Its season runs from October to August. The upcoming season begins with the recent Broadway play . Then it is the 25th anniversary production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning in February, followed by the Tony Awardwinning Best Play in April. A Connecticut premiere follows in June, and the season ends with 73 Seconds by multimedia artist Jared Mezzocchi in August. Information on the season and subscriptions is available at TWHartford.org.

A Show to See

Topdog/Underdog

The Lehman Trilogy

: I had a delightful and emotional experience watching the superb Daniel Radcliffe in , now on Broadway for a limited run. It’s not technically a one-man show, but it depends on his acting chops — he has them in abundance — to tell the story of how a 7-year-old’s response to his mother’s illness expanded into a lifelong quest.

Every Brilliant Thing

Karen Isaacs is an East Haven resident.

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

Shoreline Sailing Club Event

: 7 p.m. Clark Memorial Field, 210 Elm St., Old Saybrook. Social gathering for singles age 35 and over hosted by the Shoreline Sailing Club. First-time guests free; $10 for others. BYOB. For info, visit shorelinesailingclub.com.

Maundy Thursday Stripping of the Altar Service

:

7 p.m. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church, 45 Tabor Dr., Branford. For info, call 203-488-2541 or visit taborchurch.net.

Maundy Thursday Service

: 7 p.m. Christ Church Anglican, 965 W. Main St., Branford. For info, call 203-671-3028 or visit cca.life.

Tenebrae Service

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Community Good Friday Worship Service

: 7 p.m. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. For info, email shariya@standrewsmadison.org. : Noon. St. Mary’s Church, 731 Main St, Branford. Community service hosted by Branford churches as part of Holy Week observances. For info, call 203-488-2541 or visit taborchurch.net.

See page 24

Clear Sailing: Connecticut Spring Boat Show Returns

The 10th Connecticut Spring Boat Show will take place Friday, April 24, through Sunday, 26, at Safe Harbor Essex Island. This in-water boat show is the first of the season in New England. Visitors will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and pre-owned power and sailboats ranging from 20 feet to larger than 65 feet from leading boat brands.

The boat show features some of the newest boats on the market including center consoles, fishing boats, luxury cruisers, and sport and sail boats.

In addition to boats on the dock, the show will have yacht brokers, gear, artists, accessories, and service companies exhibiting on the lawn. Connecticut bands provide music throughout the weekend.

This year’s boat show seeks to raise $30,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a nonprofit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention, and research.

“Last year, $17,000 was raised at the 2025 show from a wide range of activities as well as the gate.” said Bob Davis, CEO of the charity. “We benefit from 50% of ticket sales proceeds plus we will be onsite with additional fundraising opportunities throughout the weekend. It’s one of our biggest opportunities of the year.”

“The show keeps evolving in ways that are both exciting and encouraging,” said Ben Cesare of Cat’s Paw LLC, owner and manager of the show. “With strong

LLC. Show sponsors include Essex Boat Works, Maritime Insurance International, Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, The Griswold Inn, Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA), Risk Strategies, Cohen’s Bagel Company, Saybrook Ford, Surfridge Brewing Co., Experience Essex, Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina, and

WindCheck Magazine

Advance three-day tickets are available now through Thursday, April 23, at $22 per adult. After that, three-day tickets are $26. Tickets are free for children 13 and under.

Tickets grant access to the show all weekend long. Free parking is available.

Half of the ticket proceeds benefits SU4C.

For more information about participating exhibitors and boats or to purchase tickets, visit ctspringboatshow.com. For dealer and vendor application information, email Ben Cesare at ben@ctspring boatshow.com.

About Sails Up 4 Cancer

exhibitor participation and attendees coming from throughout New England, it’s become a place where the boating community connects, explores what’s new, and kicks off the season together.”

Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre private island,

accessed by a complimentary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200 feet. The resort marina is family-friendly and offers food, beverages, and music throughout the weekend. The show takes place, rain or shine.

The show is a production of Cats Paw,

Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C) is a nonprofit organization based in Mystic. SU4C has been dedicated to supporting cancer care, education, prevention, and research along the Shoreline and southeastern regions of Connecticut. For more information, visit SU4C.org.

Hospital Vocal Group’s “Tribute to America”

The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords (MHVC) will perform “Tribute to America” in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026. The concert will be held at Portland High School, 95 High St., Portland.

The community is invited to an afternoon of music featuring the 80-voice chorus, directed by Samuel Tucker, and a 10piece orchestra, directed by Alan Dougherty. The program includes a selection of patriotic, pop, rock, Broadway, jazz, and gospel pieces.

A “Tribute to the Armed Forces” medley serves as a powerful homage to service members, past and present. Additional selections include “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert,” and “Beatles in Revue,” showcasing the texture, dynamics, and range of the ensemble. A few surprises are also in store.

This season’s special guest is Todd Allan Herendeen, a triple-platinum country and gospel artist from Indiana who performs ••• across the United States, particularly in Panama City, Florida, and Memphis, Tennessee. Known for his powerful voice and engaging stage presence, Herendeen has entertained audiences nationwide with performances that honor legendary artists. He will perform one of his signature songs, “My Name Is America.”

Tickets are $25 and nonrefundable. For more information, visit vocalchords20.org or call 860-342-3120 or 860-347-2787. The group can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Middlesex Hospital

to America” in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2.

Sip and Shop Fundraiser

Good Friday Liturgy

: Noon service with reserved sacrament; 3 p.m. Stations of the Cross. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. For info, call 860-434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Good Friday Service

: Noon. Christ Church Anglican, 965 W. Main St., Branford. For info, call 203-671-3028 or visit cca.life.

Good Friday Services

: Noon, Stations of the Cross; 7 p.m., Good Friday liturgy. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. For info, email shariya@standrewsmadison.org.

Chester First Friday Night Art Stroll

: 5 to 8 p.m. Main Street, Chester. Hosted by the Merchants of Chester. Features extended hours at shops, galleries, and restaurants, with art exhibits, live music, and special events throughout town. For info, visit visitchesterct.com.

: 5 to 8 p.m. Participating Chester bookstore. Features a fundraiser benefiting the Chester Land Trust, with a portion of sales donated and information on membership. For info, visit visitchesterct.com.

Maundy Thursday Agape Service

: 6 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. For info, call 860-663-1800.

Live Music with Andie Arel

: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Little House Brewing Company, 16 Main St., Chester. Features a performance of original songs and covers. For info, call 860-322-4153 or visit littlehousebrewing.com.

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

: 7 p.m. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church, 45 Tabor Dr., Branford. Evening Tenebrae service as part of Holy Week observances. For info, call 203-488-2541 or visit taborchurch.net.

Good Friday Tenebrae

: 7 p.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd., Madison. Features a candlelight service reflecting on the crucifixion through readings and music. For info, contact 203-421-3241 or office@northmadisoncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 AND SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Easter Bunny Trolley Rides

: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven. Ride a historic trolley along the Branford Electric Railway to visit the Easter Bunny. Includes photos with the Bunny, an egg and rubber duck hunt, and a door prize drawing. Allow about one hour for the visit. Event held rain or shine. Advance reservations encouraged. For info or tickets, call 203-467-6927 or visit shorelinetrolley.org.

Continued from page 22 See page 26

Art, Pilgrimage and Reflection: Patricia Wild’s Work on View at Mercy by the Sea

Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center presents “Reflections and Visions,” a multiseries exhibition by artist Patricia S. Wild, on display at the Mary C. Daly, RSM Art Gallery through April 28.

The exhibition brings together three distinct bodies of work, each rooted in pilgrimage, poetry and contemplation. The pieces draw on Wild’s travels to the Scottish island of Iona, her engagement with the medieval “Book of Kells,” and a decades-long meditation on stillness and movement inspired by the “Tao Te Ching.”

A pilgrimage to Iona

An art workshop on the remote island of Iona, Scotland, first drew Wild across the Atlantic. What she found was more than instruction — it was a personal pilgrimage.

“It opened something in me,” she says.

Returning home to Pembroke, N.H., Wild felt compelled to create a series inspired by Iona — and to return to the island itself. The resulting Iona series forms the first thread of the exhibition.

From Iona to the “Book of Kells”

Wild’s experience on Iona sparked a chain of creative discoveries. A conversation with a gallery owner in Laconia, N.H., led her to the poetry of James Harpur, whose long poem about the “Book of Kells” — the illuminated manuscript begun on Iona in the ninth century — inspired a new body of work.

Wild selected 32 lines from Harpur’s poem.

“The lines spoke to me,” she says.

She created a mixed-media piece in response to each line, working in the spirit of a medieval illuminator. She then wove

those same 32 lines into an original poem of her own, displayed alongside the artwork.

The Stone Girl series

The third component of the exhibition, the Stone Girl series, traces back to a single line from Stephen Mitchell’s translation of the “Tao Te Ching” that captivated Wild nearly 30 years ago: “In complete stillness, a stone girl is dancing.”

The challenge of expressing movement and stillness at once lingered for decades before taking form. Working on a foundation of copper paint, Wild layers words, textures and collage elements to give voice to an imagined stone girl. Each piece offers a glimpse into what such a figure might think or feel.

Wild hopes viewers will form their own connection to the work.

“That they’ll have a personal connection that inspires them in some way and that they’ll look at things differently tomorrow,” she says.

“Reflections and Visions” is on view through April 28 at the

Mary C. Daly, RSM Art Gallery, open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

Patricia S. Wild holds an undergraduate degree in fine arts with a concentration in painting, drawing and printmaking; a master’s degree in art education; a doctorate in education; and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in expressive arts. A lifelong artist and former educator, she lives in Pembroke, N.H.

Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center is set on 33 acres along the shore of Long Island Sound in Madison. The center offers programs and a seaside setting designed to foster contemplation, personal growth and professional development in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Its natural setting provides opportunities for reflection and connection with the outdoors, while its mission emphasizes hospitality and meaningful relationships with self, others and the natural world.

For more information, visit mercybythesea.org or call 203245-0401.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Easter Bake Sale

: 9 to 11 a.m. Stanley T. Williams Community Center, 1332 Middletown Ave., Northford. Hosted by the Branford Compassion Club. Features homemade baked goods, crafts, Easter baskets, coffee, and a roulette wheel game. Proceeds benefit the Branford Compassion Club’s Feline Rescue and Adoption Center. For info, email branfordcompassionfundraising@gmail.com.

Tie Dye Drawstring Bag

: 10:30 a.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Children will create a tie-dye drawstring bag with supplies provided. Dress for a messy activity. For ages 5 and older. For info or to register (required), call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Cookie Decorating

: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chester Public Library, 21 W. Main St. Participants may stop by to frost and decorate a sugar cookie. Sponsored by the Friends of the Chester Public Library. For info, call 860-526-0018 or visit chesterctlibrary.com.

Resin Trinket Dish Workshop

: 11 a.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. Hosted by Shell and Bee artists. Features a hands-on workshop creating resin trinket dishes with dried flowers and decorative elements. For ages 12 and up. Free. For info or to register (required), call 860526-6039 or visit deepriverlibrary.libcal.com.

Open House: A Town Named Madison: Celebrating 200 Years

: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allis-Bushnell House Museum, 853 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Hosted by the Madison Historical Society. Features exhibits highlighting local history through photography, poetry, and philanthropy. Free. For info, call 203-245-4567 or visit madisonhistory.org.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

National Poetry Month Kickoff

: 1 to 4 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features a bilingual celebration of poetry in Spanish and English with a brief opening ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by an open house with activities for all ages and refreshments. For info or to register (required), call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.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.

Holy Saturday Service

: 5 p.m. Memorial Garden, Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. For info, call 860434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

ChatGPT Side Hustle: 20+ Ways to Make an Income with ChatGPT, Working from Home

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

Easter Vigil Services

: 7 p.m. at St. John’s, Essex; St. James, New London; and St. John’s, Niantic. For info, call 860-434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Easter Vigil

: 7 p.m. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. Features an outdoor service of light followed by worship and communion. For info, email shariya@standrewsmadison.org.

Easter Morning Service

: 6:30 a.m. Tabor Cemetery, 36 Tabor Dr., Branford. For info, call 203-488-2541 or visit taborchurch.net.

Easter Sunrise Service

Author Signing: Stuart Greenblatt and David Connell

: Noon. Chester Firehouse front lawn, 6 High St. Presented by the Chester Hose Company Auxiliary. Features three fields for egg hunting. For ages up to 10. Rain or shine. Hot dogs available for purchase. For info, visit chesterct.org. :

August Greenleaf’s Last 7,000 Days

Noon to 2 p.m. Breakwater Books, 81 Whitfield St., Guilford. Authors will sign copies of , a fictional memoir set in Brooklyn and Branford. Drop in anytime during the event. Free. For info, visit breakwaterbooks.net.

Shakespeare’s Fools

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Romeo and Juliet As You Like It

: 1 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Rebecca Salomonsson portrays Anne Hathaway Shakespeare in an interactive program featuring characters from , , and . For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

The West Wing: The Sorkin Years

: 1 to 3 p.m. Atwater Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Features an illustrated lecture by Stephen Spignesi on the first four seasons of . For info or to register (required), call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

The West Wing

MONDAY, APRIL 6

Easter Sunday Festival Eucharist: Easter Monday Service

: 7 a.m. Summer Hill Cemetery, 564-598 Old Toll Rd., Madison. Features a sunrise service with music, readings, and prayer. Hosted by North Madison Congregational Church. For info, contact 203-4213241 or office@northmadisoncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

Easter Services

: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Anglican, 965 W. Main St., Branford. For info, call 203671-3028 or visit cca.life.

Easter Day Services:

8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Saint Ann’s Church, 82 Shore Rd., Old Lyme. Features Festival Eucharist with choir. For info, call 860-434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Easter Sunday Service

: 10 a.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 50 Emmanuel Church Rd., Killingworth. For info, call 860-663-1800.

Easter Sunday Worship Service SUNDAY, APRIL 5

: 10 a.m. North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd., Madison. Features a worship service celebrating the resurrection. For info, contact 203-421-3241 or office@northmadisoncc.org, or visit northmadisoncc.org/lent.

10 a.m. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. For info, email shariya@standrewsmadison.org.

: 11 a.m. Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Rd. For info, call 860-434-1621 or visit saintannsoldlyme.org.

Tea Time with Teddy Movie Matinee

Continued from page 24 See page 27

: 1 to 2 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a program on the history of teddy bears and Victorian tea traditions, with a display of children’s toys. For grades K to 5. For info or to register (required), call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

: 3 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Screening of a feature film. For info or movie title, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

: 6 to 8 p.m. Fired Up Studio, 1060 Main St., Branford. Cost: $39. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

Pottery Painting with Fired Up! Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People:

6:30 to 9 p.m. Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $69. Students need a piano or electronic keyboard at home and access to an internet connected device. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

How Dogs Experience the World Through Their Senses

: 10 a.m. Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church St., Guilford. Presented by Dr. Lauren Price, veterinarian and owner of Clinton Veterinary Hospital. 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 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Pop-in Program: Lego Building

: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a drop-in building activity with creations displayed in the Children’s Room. No registration required. For info, call 203484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Art History Lecture: The Golden Age of Spanish Painting and Collecting

: 1 p.m. Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St. Features a presentation by Dr. Marcie Slepian on masterpieces of the Prado Museum in Madrid, including works by Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, Titian, and Peter Paul Rubens. Also discusses royal art collecting and the museum’s history. Cosponsored by the Guilford Free Library and Shoreline Village Connecticut. For info, contact 203-393-5395 or mabfilkins@gmail.com, or visit guilfordfreelibrary.org or shorelinevillagect.org.

Madison 200 Celebrations Continue at the Madison Historical Society

The Madison Historical Society continues its Madison 200 celebrations throughout April with a new exhibit at the Madison Center for History & Culture at Lee’s Academy.

A Town Named Madison: Celebrating 200 Years highlights Captain Frederick Lee’s contributions to the town, as well as Madison’s efforts during the Revolutionary War. The exhibit will be on view during Lee’s Academy open office hours, Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is also invited to a welcome reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Lee’s Academy. Admission is free.

April is also an active month at the society’s historic Allis-Bushnell House Museum, 853 Boston Post Road. The museum will host open houses from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 4 and April 18, free of charge. Visitors are invited to explore the current Madison 200 exhibit, which highlights individuals who shaped the town

Continued from page 26

Lego WeDo Coding

Madison: Celebrating 200 Years.

Trivia Night

: 4:15 to 5 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Lego building and coding. For grades 2 to 6. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.

Wacky Wildlife: Narwhals

: 5:30 to 6 p.m. Atwater Library, 1720 Foxon Rd., North Branford. Features a program on narwhals with a related craft. For ages 6 to 11. For info or to register (required), call 203-315-6020 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Create a Kentucky Derby Headpiece

: 6 to 8 p.m. The Morgan School, 71 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Cost: $25 class fee plus a $25 materials fee (exact change or payment by Venmo requested). Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

Madison Soldiers: Civil War

: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Meeting starts 6:15 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m. Features a talk by educator and Civil War historian Charles Fischer. Part of the Shoreline Civil War Roundtable monthly meeting. Free and open to the public. For info, contact the group’s facilitator at 860-395-1124 or olivia.jean@sbcglobal.net, or visit facebook.com/shorelinecivilwarroundtable.

: 6:30 p.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton. Registration required. For info or to register, call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.

Author Event: Annabelle Gurwitch in Conversation with Illeana Douglas

The End of My Life Is Killing Me

: 6:30 p.m. R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: . For info or to register (required), call 203-2453959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Start the Conversation: Your Body, Your Journey

: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Old Saybrook Middle School, 322 Main St., Old Saybrook. Program for female Old Saybrook residents in grades 5 to 8 and their female caregiver or role model covering puberty, hormones, relationships with family and friends, self-care, and consent. Participants receive a puberty book and first-time bag with feminine products. Light refreshments served. Cost: $25 per duo. For info or to register, visit oldsaybrookct.gov.

Adult and Pediatric CPR Awareness Training

: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. No certification is available with this class. Cost: $25. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

through photography, poetry, and philanthropy. New displays and audio recordings honor these notable Madison figures.

The society will host its first History Happy Hour of 2026 at 6 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the AllisBushnell House Museum. Charlie Shafer will present “Ironwoods Preserve,” taking guests on a virtual walk from the top of the ironworks down to Greist Pond, with historical insights along the way. Tickets for both members and the general public are available at www.madisonhistory.org. The suggested donation is $15 for general admission and $10 for members. Advance registration is requested.

These programs are part of the ongoing Madison 200 anniversary celebration. The Madison Historical Society looks forward to exploring 200 years of local history with the community through a dynamic lineup of History Happy Hours, an engaging exhibit at historic Lee’s Academy, and open houses at the AllisBushnell House Museum.

Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People

: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Via Zoom or Google Meet. Cost: $69. Students need a guitar at home (acoustic or electric) and access to an internet connected device. For ages 13 or older. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

Space Exploration

: 10 a.m. Evergreen Woods, 88 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford. Presented by Mike Turk, senior engineer at the Hamilton Standard division of United Technologies where he worked on several elements of the Apollo astronauts’ life support systems. 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 203-453-8086 or visit ssill.org.

Pop-in Program: Friendship Bracelets

: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a dropin craft to create friendship bracelets. No registration required. For info, call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Injury

: 12:30 p.m. St. George’s Parish Hall, 33 Whitfield St, Guilford. Dr. Papayani-Szabo, a physical therapist and owner of Bodies in Balance, will discuss common gardening injuries and demonstrate proper posture, body mechanics, and exercises to improve balance and prevent strain. Hosted by the Guilford Garden Club. Free and open to the public. For info, email guilfordgardenclub06437@gmail.com or visit guilfordgardenclub.org.

: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. BACA Gallery, 1004 Main St., Branford. Opening reception for an exhibition of artwork created by Ukrainian service members participating in an art therapy program at Zhytomyr Military Hospital. Proceeds support the program as well as medications and medical equipment for wounded soldiers. Presented by NHCT UAHA Fund and hosted by the Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance. Free and open to the public. For info, call 718-986-0026.

: 6 p.m. Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Collaborative event presented by Chester Library, Chester Historical Society, and Chester Parks and Recreation. Features an American history trivia competition with cash prizes. Limited to 13 teams. Registration begins Feb. 16. For info or to register (required), visit chester.recdesk.com.

:

6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Features Ryan Mitten presenting Seeger family songs as part of the Acoustic Artists Storyteller Series. For info or to register, call 860-3953184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

Understanding Medicare

: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. Covers Medicare parts A, B, C, and D; expected cost of specific services; prescription drug coverage; and enrollment information. Cost: $10. Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

American History Trivia Night:

6:30 p.m.

Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty St. Trivia night focused on American history, held as part of Chester’s America 250 programming. Cash prizes awarded. Doors open at 6 p.m. For info or to register, visit chester.recdesk.com.

Create a Kentucky Derby Headpiece

:

6 to 8 p.m. Branford High School, 185 E. Main St. Cost: $25 class fee plus a $25 materials fee (exact change or payment by Venmo requested). Sponsored by Shoreline Adult Education. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-5693 or visit shorelineadulted.org.

Confluence Ensemble Concert

: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Features traditional Celtic, Nordic, and Appalachian music performed by Jim Sirch, Willow Sirch, and Gary Wikfors. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.

Kratom and Smoke Shop Drugs Information Session

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Great Decisions: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation

: 7 to 8 p.m. Via Zoom. Features a presentation by Dr. Mark D’Agostino of MD Behavioral Health PLLC on smoke shop drugs, including kratom, and recovery from substance use. Hosted by Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services. Free; registration required. For info or to register, contact 860-510-5050 or jessica.wood@oldsaybrookct.gov. :

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. Fourth 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.

Colonial Escape Room

: Sessions at 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., and 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Smith Library, 3 Old Post Rd., Northford. Features a puzzle-based activity focused on colonial America. For ages 8 and up. For info or to register (required), call 203-484-0469 or visit northbranford.librarycalendar.com.

Submissions Open for Connecticut’s Oldest Statewide Photography Competition

Shoreline Arts Alliance is now accepting digital submissions for IMAGES 2026, Connecticut’s oldest statewide photography competition. The jury-curated exhibition will be held Aug. 8–30 at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave., New Haven.

evolved from an arts-presenting organization into one focused on professional arts development, creating supportive communities in which artists thrive through recognition, mentorship, networking, and education. These communities encourage, empower, and develop talented artists while helping transform their lives.

See page 29

Connecticut photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit their work through the Shoreline Arts Alliance website by noon on June 11, 2026. For submission guidelines and entry fees, visit shorelinearts.org or email office@ shorelinearts.org.

Since 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance has

Shoreline Arts Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the Connecticut Office of the Arts-designated regional service organization for the shoreline.

For more information, visit www.shore linearts.org, email office@shorelinearts .org, or call 203-421-6739.

Continued from page 28

Mission: Ready

: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School, 80 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Hosted by Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services. Features an after-school program with activities focused on building confidence, problem-solving, and community engagement. For grade 4 students. Cost: $20 for four-week session. For info or to register (required), contact 860-510-5050 or jessica.wood@oldsaybrookct.gov.

5:30 to 7 p.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Medical biller and coder Lauren Ganino will explain medical insurance terminology, common mistakes, and strategies for navigating insurance plans. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 203-488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

: 6 p.m. Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Sound bath meditation with crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, Native American flute, and other instruments. Presented by Kristina Quinones. For info or to register, call 860-395-3184 or visit actonlibrary.org.

: 6 p.m.

Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Tom Kelly leads a discussion on Raymond Carver’s short story “Neighbors” and the author’s narrative style. Free and open to the public. For info or to register, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

: 6 to 9 p.m. Saybrook Point Resort & Marina. Supports the museum’s collections and archives. Features a lecture by Amy Kurtz Lansing, curator at the Florence Griswold Museum, on the Wiggins family of artists and their legacy in southeastern Connecticut. Dinner included. Tickets available beginning Feb. 16. For info, contact 860-767-8269, ext. 113, or jrosenthal@ctrivermuseum.org, or visit ctrivermuseum.org.

: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park St., Guilford. Features a screening of excerpts from the documentary followed by a panel discussion with Ernie Stevens, Officer Michael Fumiatti, Wanda JoFre, and filmmaker Jenifer McShane. Suggested for ages 15 and up. Free and open to the public. For info, contact 203-453-2279 or admin@christchurchguilford.org.

: 6:30 to 9 p.m. VFW Post 7666, 104 Mill Rd., Guilford. Hosted by the Guilford Community Fund. Features line dancing with music by John “Cadillac” Saville and instruction by Kickin’ It Line Dance. Includes a 50/50 raffle and cash bar. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For info or tickets, visit zeffy.com.

: 7 p.m. Online via Zoom. Hosted by Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library. Features a talk by Michael Dorf on constitutional challenges and interpretation. Registration required. For info or to register, call 203-488-8702 or visit wwml.org/events.

The U.S. Constitution Today Paint Night

: 7 p.m. Stony Creek Church Fellowship Hall, 192 Thimble Island Rd. Cost: $35 suggested donation. All supplies and light refreshments included. Proceeds benefit Cure Rare Disease. For info, contact 203-488-7827 or office@stonycreekchurchct.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

Blackstone Library Tour

: 10 to 11 a.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Learn about the library’s history and daily operations during a guided tour. Registration encouraged; drop-ins welcome. For info, call 203488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.org.

Piece by Piece: A Community Puzzling Group

: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Participants can work on jigsaw puzzles together or individually and take part in a puzzle swap. No registration required. For info, call 203-488-1441 ext. 318 or visit events.blackstonelibrary.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.

Author Event: Dav Pilkey

Dog Man Captain Underpants Cat Kid Comic Club

: 6:30 p.m. Lyman Center, 501 Crescent St., New Haven. Doors open at 5 p.m. Author and illustrator of the , , and series. Features a visual presentation, live drawing session, trivia, and photo opportunity. Cost: $20 includes admission for one and a pre-signed copy of and a limitededition Captain Underpants hypno ring. Sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison. For info or to register (required), call 203-245-3959 or visit rjjulia.com.

Ready to Read!

: 9:30 a.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Features a story time program focused on early literacy skills through reading, play, and interaction. For ages 5 and under with caregivers; siblings welcome. Free. No registration required. For info, call 860-767-1560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Spanish-English Storytime

Flutter and Hum / Aleteo y Zumbido

: 10 a.m. Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton. Features poetry readings from the children’s book , followed by an activity. For ages 4 to 8. Registration required. For info or to register (required), call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org.

From Pets to Wildlife: Be Kind to Animals

: 1 to 3 p.m.

The Greater New Haven Cat Project Center, 1874 Middletown Ave., Northford. Hosted by The Greater New Haven Cat Project in partnership with Green Chimneys. Features a presentation by Leslie Roe, volunteer coordinator at Green Chimneys, and hands-on activities focused on fostering compassion and respect for animals, from household pets to local wildlife. Free and open to the community. Children ages 10 and older welcome with a parent or guardian. For info, contact 203-782-2287 or rise@gnhcp.org, or visit gnhcp.org.

Opening Reception:

Recent Oil Paintings by Sherry Solow: Exploring Light and Atmosphere

: 1 to 3 p.m. Clinton Art Gallery, 20 E. Main St., Clinton. Opening reception for a solo exhibition of oil paintings by New York artist Sherry Solow. Free and open to the public. For info, call 860-552-3239 or email clintonartgallery@gmail.com.

Topically Ted: Titanic and Her Sisters

: 2 to 3 p.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd. Philip Vitiello of the Titanic Historical Society presents the story of the Titanic and its sister ships, Olympic and Britannic. Part of the “Topically Ted” lecture series honoring Ted Mallory. For info or to register (required), visit scrantonlibrary.org/events.

Tween Dungeons and Dragons Club

Get Published on Amazon in 24 Hours

: 8 to 9 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.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clinton Public Works Garage, 117 Nod Rd., Clinton. Hosted by the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Features free disposal of residential household hazardous waste. Open to RiverCOG region residents only; no commercial or industrial materials accepted. For info, visit rivercog.org/hhw.

Saturday Sleuths Book Club:

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga Beautiful Ugly

10 to 11:30 a.m. E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Book: by Alice Feeney. Snacks will be provided. For info or to register (required), call 203-2457365 or visit scranton.librarycalendar.com.

: 2 to 4 p.m. Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Features a role-playing game session where participants create characters, solve problems, and explore a collaborative story. For ages 8 to 12. Free. For info or to register (required), call 860-7671560 or visit youressexlibrary.org.

Bingo Bash

: 5 to 8 p.m. Swede Club, 10 Riverview Ave., Deep River. Fundraiser benefiting the Rotary Club of Deep River Scholarship and Food Sustainability Programs. Cost: $20 per person, includes four bingo cards. Tickets available online or at Landing & Main. For info, contact 860-481-9031 or deepriverrotaryct@gmail.com.

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

NEW LISTING

$1,849,000 Overlooking its own private sandy beach with breathtaking

views in every direction, this beautifully renovated 1,652 sq ft year-round beach home offers the perfect blend of comfort and coastal luxury. Ideal for a second-home buyer or those looking to downsize in style, this property delivers an exceptional shoreline lifestyle.The home features a bright, open-concept layout with great flow, highlighted by hardwood floors on the main level and a spacious living area that captures sweeping views of Long Island Sound.

Real Estate Transactions

BRANFORD

: Fmp

Properties LLC to Dwight Waller, $340,000 on March 13

: Estate of Arthur Sagella and Frank Bonito to Shawn D C. Beckman, $341,000 on March 13

: Hamre Lane LLC to Noah Rattet, $170,000 on March 9

: Margaret

Crowley to Kessler-Manning Lt and Edward Kessler, $2,500,000 on March 13

: Daniel and Aubrey Verna to Katrina Consiglio, $290,000 on March 12

: Thomas

Abbate to Michael S. Boyle and Alla Tsipenjuk, $827,500 on March 13

:

Estate of Lois M. Bellamy and Viola Carter to Patrick Lillis, $315,000 on March 10

:

Thomas P. Tierney to Michael A. Dodd, $120,000 on March 9

: Janice A. Seeds to Haven Hunters LLC, $242,000 on March 11

: Valerie J Paul T and John M. Mckittrick to Veronica East T. Muriel, $640,000 on March 12

CHESTER

: Nancy S.

Cadley to Brooke Fairbanks and Steven Buxbaum, $715,000 on March 10

: Vopi LLC to 12-14 Main Chester LLC, $695,000 on March 12

: Vopi LLC to 1214 Main Chester LLC, $695,000 on March 12

CLINTON

: Kevin S. Johnson and Erin R. Mccue to Rita I. Adkins, $275,000 on March 13

: Connor Eastman to Leah Frascarelli, $360,000 on March 9

: Deanna L. Daricek to Nicolette Molnar and Wyatt Sihvonen, $459,000 on March 12

DEEP RIVER

: River Trust 2021 Real Estate Trust and Mark Botta to David Matthew Pucillo and Sarah Rose Hanks, $495,000 on March 11

EAST HAVEN

: Brenda Dejesus to Terraceris Sewell, $205,000 on March 13

: Wanning Cheng to Cristian I R. Contreras and Digna South G. Arcentales, $345,000 on March 9

: Daniele Cesarato to Katyanne Shoemaker, $411,400 on March 10

: Martin E. and Linda D. Carpentino to Mohammad Ishaq, $417,000 on March 10

: Darryl K. and Frances Delia to Raymond Johnson, $456,000 on March 11

: Holly L. Cole to Anthony Annunziato and James Kottage, $135,000 on March 9

Real Estate Transactions

ESSEX

80 Seaview Terrace Unit 7

: Elaine

Corning to Erin Marino, $540,000 on March 13

: James D. and Michelle A. Duffy to Stephanie E. Fernandes, $1,150,000 on March 13

KILLINGWORTH

14 Ely Lane

: Lynn A. and James P. Ricci to Michael Scally and Susannah

Childress-Scally, $1,250,000 on March 10

North Roast Meat Hill Road

:

Judith R. Brown to Evan Francis Fair, $430,000 on March 13

: Mandel & Stevens LLC to Bnw LLC, $135,000 on March 11

: Nancy G.

Bagnoli to James P. and Lisa H. Cantey, $170,000 on March 9

: Gowrie Office LLC to Danka 3 LLC, $471,500 on March 11

: Jane A. Dow to Gary Dorbrindt, $650,000 on March 12

: Kristen E. Gorecki to Richard Sandmann and Abby Price, $410,000 on March 11

:

Estate of Debera V. Barnes and David Van Vleck Barnes to Louis and Nancy Chupak, $570,000 on March 11

: Estate of David East Schancupp and Jason Kahn to Ida Sadeghi and Ali Talebinejad, $458,000 on March 12

: Andrew Roestenburg and Anne Rowlenson to Edward L. and Alexandra C. Otoole, $1,100,000 on March 9

Apple Way

: Estate of Patricia J.

Lincoln and Mary A. Cohagan to David F. and Sally D. Howe, $561,500 on March 9

WESTBROOK

: Cms Real Estate LLC to Danka 3 LLC, $678,500 on March 11

: Jeffrey S. Dunn and Pnc Bank Na to Mermaid Properties LLC, $910,000 on March 11

: Real estate transactions are 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@shore publishing.com