East Haddam Fire Department Engineer Rob Kolek stands outside the sign at Company 1. Submitted by the East Haddam Fire Department If you’ve driven past the East Haddam Fire Department in the last 10 months and found yourself laughing, smiling, or snapping a photo of the sign out front, you’re not alone. The witty, timely, and often hilarious messages are the work of EHFD Engineer Rob Kolek. What started as a fun way to engage the community has grown into something people now

Submitted by the East Haddam Land Trust A deep passion for birds and other native life of East Haddam has led to a gift of preservation that should protect and enrich our town’s natural spaces far into the future. The recent bequest of a small, privately accessed bird sanctuary — along with a generous monetary donation to care for this property and existing public preserves in town — will allow East Haddam Land Trust to uphold its highest tenet: to safeguard

Kimberly Kenna Submitted by Friends of Gillette Castle State Park At the visitor center of Gillette Castle on May 16, inventors and artists of all ages can try their hand at designing innovative doors like those inside the famous Castle. Local author Kimberly Kenna will be hosting a creative workshop inspired by William Gillette and the new middle-grade novel “Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances.” Attendees are invited to help re-imagine the castle’s famous 47 door

Jen and Kaylee Lowy and their dog Aria from Crafting For The Win at last year's event. Submitted by Lauren Pszczolkowski, Economic Development Coordinator After launching the East Haddam Heritage Markets last year, I’m excited to bring it back for a second season — with a few changes based on what we learned along the way. The markets will kick off in May and run on the last Wednesday of each month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Haddam Grange at 488 Town St. The goal is s

David Alexandre Winter is an acclaimed performer here and in Europe. By Nancy Thompson The Gold and Platinum records mounted on the walls of David Alexandre Winter’s recording studio at his home in Moodus tell the story of his international fame as a singer-songwriter with millions of records sold throughout Europe. They do not, however, tell of good fortune and bad, family lost and found and perseverance in the face of adversity that is the story of his life. Winter - then k

Submitted by EHFD EMS Captain Melanie Kolek On April 4, the East Haddam Fire Department, East Haddam Fire Department Auxiliary and East Haddam Economic Development Commission welcomed more than 200 families from across the community to its annual Easter Egg Hunt, held this year at Goodspeed Airport. On a gorgeous morning, and with the help of dedicated department members and volunteers, more than 10,000 colorful eggs were gathered up across the airfield grounds. Children of

Firefighter Vadj Parkus presented with 50 years of Service award. Submitted by EHFD EMS Captain Melanie Kolek The East Haddam Fire Department gathered for its annual awards night dinner to recognize the dedication, professionalism, and service of its members. The evening highlighted milestones in years of service, acts of heroism, and outstanding contributions to the department and community. Service Awards Members were honored for reaching significant service milestones: Fiv

River Valley Provisions Chili Champions Submitted by VFW Post 3336 On March 21, the East Haddam/Moodus VFW Post 3336 hosted their second annual Chili Cook-off and raised $2,654 for their Veteran Relief Fund. This fund provides emergency and short-term support for local veterans and active-duty service members (including their families) and spouses of deceased veterans in need (such as food, fuel, lodging). River Valley Provisions from Tylerville returned and defended their ti

By State Rep. Irene Haines After careful consideration and thoughtful discussions with my family, I have made the decision that I will not seek re-election as State Representative for Connecticut’s 34 th District when my current term concludes. Serving the residents of the 34 th District - East Haddam, East Hampton, and Salem, and previously Colchester prior to redistricting, has been one of the greatest honors of my life. When I first decided to run for office, it was root

Local Volunteers Kick Off Annual East Haddam Winter Clean-Up Effort Dozens of residents gathered Saturday morning to take part in East Haddam’s annual winter clean-up initiative, a volunteer-led effort focused on public spaces, trails, and roadside areas throughout town. Organizers described the event as both a practical cleanup and a chance to reconnect after the quieter winter months. Volunteers of all ages participated, reinforcing the town’s strong sense of civic pride an

EAST HADDAM — The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a series of planned improvements to the Village Green aimed at enhancing accessibility, seating, and landscaping ahead of the spring season. The project includes new benches, improved walkways, and updated lighting designed to support community gatherings, outdoor concerts, and seasonal events. Officials emphasized that the upgrades are intended to preserve the Green’s historic character while improving usability for