I‑Park’s annual Illuminations benefit returns on Sept. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., marking a milestone year: the organization’s 25th anniversary, celebrated through the shimmering theme “An Evening of Silver.” This once‑a‑year event culminates in a special residency session featuring eight Connecticut‑based artists, each selected for a fully funded residency at I‑Park. Featured artists include Jennifer Allen, D Derek, Karen Kratzer, Cynthia MacCollum, Vedran Mehinovic, Kaitl

Franklin Academy Head: Dr. Alexander Morris-Wood addresses students and family during opening day ceremonies. The school welcomed a record 105 students this year. Franklin Academy has selected Tecton Architects to lead the development of a comprehensive Campus Master Plan, launching a collaborative process that will help shape the long-term future of the school’s East Haddam campus. Made possible through a generous anonymous philanthropic gift, the initiative represents an im

Steven Fasano and Jennifer Dugan at the Rathbun Library. By David DeLucia Exciting things have been happening at St. Stephen's church in East Haddam. Two new employees have joined the ranks. Jennifer Dugan is the new director of children's ministries while Steven Fasano is the recently appointed director of music. Dugan originally attended the University of Connecticut to study nursing, then decided to switch gears. She became the Head Teacher at Young Horizon's D

Submitted by Recreation Director Lisa Conroy And just like that the 2026 Music on the River Summer Concert Series has concluded. ThisEast Haddam tradition is a beautiful example of community, collaboration, friendship, and a love of music. Thank you for sharing your Monday evenings with us and celebrating 19 years ofsinging and dancing together in one of the most stunning settings in all of Connecticut.We extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing musicians who joined us…On

The tee box for the former third hole at Black Birch Golf Course is overgrown. By Peter Marteka The town shouldn’t get into the business of driving ranges, fairways or greens. That was the recommendation from the Black Birch Golf Course Feasibility Study Committee. The seven-member committee was formed last winter to evaluate the potential purchase and restoration of the 18-hole course for use as a municipal or public golf course. They made a report to the board of selectmen

The wreck of the Aunt Polly as the MV Selden III crosses the Connecticut River in the background. By Peter Marteka The MV Selden III has been making trips across the Connecticut River between Chester and Hadlyme for the past 76 years. It’s time for a long rest. The state will replace the vessel after securing $8 million in funding, according to Gov. Ned Lamont. The state Department of Transportation is being awarded $6.4 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administrat

The 30th annual Venture Smith Day Connecticut Freedom Trail Celebration will be held on September 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the First Church Cemetery, 499 Town St. (Route 151) in East Haddam where Venture Smith (1729-1805) is buried. Son of an African king, Venture Smith (Broteer Furro) became the first Black man to document his capture from Africa and life as an enslaved person living in colonial Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut and as a successful Black freeman in

Submitted by the East Haddam Land Trust After years of battling invasive plants with loppers, saws, flamethrowers, volunteer work crews, and the occasional muttered complaint, East Haddam Land Trust has announced a bold new strategy: hiring a highly motivated herd of goats. The goats, collectively known as “Billy and the Kids,” have been contracted to tackle dense patches of invasive vegetation on one of Trust’s preserves. Their primary targets include multiflora rose, bitter

Charles Denler has won five Emmys and several gold medal awards for his compositions. By Nancy Thompson You may not have heard of Charles Denler, but chances are you have heard his music. One of the town’s newest residents, Denler has composed more than 200 film and television scores and his combination of classical and modern music can be heard throughout the world. He’s an accomplished carpenter, currently in the process of restoring his family’s home, the Oliver Green Hous

Ashlyn Maddox and cast rehearse for Goodspeed's The Snow Goose. Photo by Katie Desjardins. Submitted by Goodspeed Musicals Goodspeed Musicals proudly welcomes The Snow Goose as its third production of the 2026 season. An unforgettable new musical with a soaring score, The Snow Goose will run from Aug. 28 to Oct. 18 at The Goodspeed. “The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico has been a favorite of mine for over 40 years,” said Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton. “In 2022, Goodspeed opt

By Peter Marteka A $15 million proposal to build a new East Haddam Fire Company 2 building was reviewed during a public hearing before the board of finance Aug. 3. No decision was made on the proposal with the board of finance expected to vote on sending the proposal to the board of selectmen to schedule a public hearing and town meeting next month. Craig Mansfield, chairman of the East Haddam Company #2 Firehouse Building Committee and David Stein, an architect with Silver P

By Lauren Pszczolkowski, East Haddam Economic Development Coordinator The East Haddam Economic Development Commission recently invited residents and businesses to show their patriotic spirit through the Paint the Town Red, White & Blue Contest, held between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Throughout East Haddam, participants decorated their homes and businesses in red, white, and blue, helping bring the community together whi

Josh Weissbach, coordinator of the Franklin Academy cinematic arts residency. By David DeLucia Franklin Academy has the right to be very proud lately. The institution was recently named “best private school” in the state by Connecticut Magazine. In addition, from July 11 to 24, the first ever cinematic arts residency was offered by the school, expertly coordinated by Josh Weissbach. Weissbach wears many hats at Franklin having been the Associate Dean of Students for eight yea

Submitted by the Parks and Recreation and Music on the River Committee Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the United States and on the country’s premier folk stages. Their original song “Banks of the Brandywine” was a grand prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” amassed more than 16 million views on Facebook. Whether they’re ripping through a set of orig

Submitted by the East Haddam Land Trust Small curiosities have always had a hold on Faith Kalisz. The 18-year-old, who was awarded this year’s $2,000 scholarship from East Haddam Land Trust, will begin her freshman year in September at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. She plans to major in environmental science and hopes to work one day with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, maybe as an analyst. She thinks her focus will be on the protection a

Submitted By Craig Mansfield, Chairman East Haddam Company #2 Firehouse Building Committee Every time someone in East Haddam calls 911 for a fire, medical emergency, or rescue, they expect firefighters and EMS personnel to respond immediately with the equipment, training, and facilities needed to do the job safely. Most people never think about the building those emergency responders operate from — until that building itself becomes part of the problem and that is exactly whe

Submitted by Mike Toomey The July 4 Moodus Reservoir Preservation Group’s third annual boat parade had a patriotic theme with boats ranging in size from a repurposed sand box to ski boats to full-sized pontoon boats, all with flags aplenty. Judging was headed by Melisssa Ziobron, currently running to fill Ireine Haines position as our Representative in the Connecticut House. The winners receiving gift certificates were: First Prize, $100: Ira and Carol MacCollum with a pontoo

Guests watched the program in the pews of the historic First Church Meeting House. By Susan R. Waide About 350 East Haddam residents and visitors celebrated America’s 250th Anniversary during East Haddam’s signature day-long Semiquincentennial Celebration on July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This memorable event began at the historic First Church Meeting House at 499 Town St. with live music performed by the Moodus Drum & Fife Corps and the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard B

Alison Guinness, a.k.a. Major General Joseph Spencer at the East Haddam Historical Society Museum. By David DeLucia The East Haddam Historical Society Museum is planning a series of summer presentations on local historical figures. On June 28, speaker Alison Guinness expertly recreated the long life of Joseph Spencer (1714-1789) to an appreciative audience. Guinness, who wrote her master's thesis on the Moodus Noises, portrayed herself as Spencer and was both convincing and i

Will Burton and the cast of Goodspeed's Crazy For You. Photo by Diane Sobolewski With the celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial on July 4 marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there has been a renewed sense of American history. In the lobby of the Goodspeed Opera House, a display marks “150 Years on the River.” “William Goodspeed builds an ornate Victorian opera house for East Haddam,” reads the first entry from 1876, “envision