The modern acoustic band On The Trail opens the 2026 Music on the River Concert Series July 13. Submitted by the Parks and Recreation and Music on the River Committee The parks and recreation department and the Music on the River committee warmly invite you to our 19th annual Music on the River Concert Series. Featuring evenings filled with the incredible sounds of award-winning artists, MOTR is one of East Haddam’s most cherished traditions. These FREE concerts take place on

Submitted by the town of East Haddam Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary during East Haddam’s signature day-long Semiquincentennial Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. You’re welcome to come dressed as your favorite revolutionary hero/heroine or wear red, white, and blue. This memorable event begins at the Historic First Church Meeting House, 499 Town St. or Route 151, with live music per

Students Isabella Laban, Jayden Posas, and Connor Kittelmann pose with their senior projects during the Hale-Ray Senior Expo. By Anthony Stone Nathan Hale-Ray High School recently welcomed families, staff, and community members to its annual Senior Capstone Expo where seniors proudly presented the culmination of months of research, job exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. The event highlighted the wide variety of interests and future career paths being explored by

Emmett J.Lyman III, an avid student of American History, has dedicated 30 years of service to the town on its planning and zoning commission (18 years), the board of selectmen (eight years), and as the town’s First Selectman from Dec. 2016 to November 2019. (Photo credit: Susan R. Waide) By Emmett J. Lyman, III As Americans prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is worth asking a simple but profound question: How did it all begin? Th

Sarah Evans was awarded the $7,500 East Haddam Scholarship by Patti Stricker. Nathan Hale-Ray High School has officially released the complete list of recipients for its 2026 scholarship and senior awards. The annual honors celebrate the exceptional academic achievements, artistic talents, athletic excellence, and civic leadership of this year's graduating class. School administration and faculty extend their deepest gratitude to the local civic organizations, legacy foundati

Lt. Michelle Walker conducts child passenger safety clinic with Lt. Eric Walker assisting. Submitted by EMS Captain Melanie Kolek The East Haddam Fire Department is proud to announce that Lt. Michelle Walker has secured more than $10,000 in grant funding and equipment to expand child passenger safety resources for families throughout the community. Lt. Walker became a certified child passenger safety technician through “Safe Kids Worldwide” after completing an intensive 40-ho

Submitted by Kirstin Stewart, Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supplies Store Manager For 40 years, Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supplies has been more than just a local business. Since serving its first customer in 1986, Shagbark has been a place where relationships are built, neighbors can gather, and community has always come first. What started out as Uncle Bud’s small dairy farm turned farm supply business by Fred Hunt and his sister Joanna Hunt, has now grown into a cornerstone of Eas

American bullfrog by Tess Jette. Submitted by East Haddam Land Trust It’s all about capturing the magic of the moment. That’s the way one East Haddam amateur photographer describes the appeal of taking pictures of nature. Tess Jette, 65, lives on Upper Moodus Reservoir and is co-owner of the business Netting Now, which makes custom nets for debris containment and safety purposes. Jette is one of dozens of people who have emailed their photographs to East Haddam Land Trust to

Ribbon cutting from left to right: Mike Robidoux, East Haddam economic development commissioner, Bob Casner, Chairman of East Haddam economic development commission, Gretchen Teran, I-Park board of director, Ralph Crispino, Jr. I-Park board president and co-founder, Tamara Dimitri, Connecticut Office of the Arts. Photo by Frank DiNardi. Submitted by I-Park The nearly completed “Comfort Station” was unveiled during the Friends & Supporters Gathering and ribbon cutting ceremony

By Peter Marteka A $15 million proposal to build a new East Haddam Fire Company 2 building is in its final planning stages with a referendum scheduled for Sept. 15. The Moodus Firehouse building committee recently held a public hearing on the proposal to demolish the current firehouse on William F. Palmer Road and replace it with a 14,500-square-foot facility bringing it up to 21st century firefighting standards. The proposed facility would include five drive-through apparatu

Under the solemn serenade of Taps played by bugler Aaron Bochman (U.S. Marine Corps veteran), First Selectman Todd Gelston cast a wreath into the Connecticut River in memory of those who died at sea, and the rifle team of the American Legion Post 156, led by Jaron Sweet Post 156 Commander, performed the three-volley salute. (Photo by Noreen Blaschik.) Submitted by Susan R. Waide East Haddam residents and friends gathered on a rainy Memorial Day even though the parade was canc

For more information or to place an order, call 860-891-8024 or visit www.thenapitabar.com By David DeLucia There's a new restaurant in town that fills a long-standing absence - authentic Greek cuisine made from scratch and lovingly prepared. Thena Pita Bar on 25 Falls Rd. in Moodus is the brainchild of Niko Papathanasiou and Sarah Turker. They were married in 2019 in Greece and have a two-year-old girl, Penelope. Since 2016, their award-winning food truck, Greekin' Out, has

Submitted by I-Park I-Park, an international, multi-disciplinary artists’ colony set within a 450-acre nature preserve in East Haddam, will be participating in Connecticut Trails Day on June 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 428 Hopyard Rd. This will mark I-Park’s first Open Trails Day of our 25th anniversary season, featuring live music, a guided hike, crafting and a garden educational session. This is a free, family‑friendly event. Walk-in registration will be allowed, but

Fred Frese with his former Old Saybrook High School students who designed and raced human-powered submarines. By David DeLucia A packed audience was enthralled by a fascinating May 17 presentation at the East Haddam Historical Society & Museum by Fred Frese and Roy Manstan. Their talk covered the first known submarine - a submersible christened the “Turtle.” To fully appreciate the history of the Turtle it is necessary to go back to the Revolutionary War. The British Navy wa

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

Austin Lesch and the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Diane Sobolewski By Peter Marteka Before finding my seat at The Goodspeed, I found myself recollecting all I knew about Jesus Christ Superstar. It wasn’t much – the chorus from the main title song sometimes pops in my head over the years and I’ve always loved the Helen Reddy version of the ballad “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.” After the show? I felt like I had participated in a religious awakening disguised as a m

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

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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

EHFD Drill In Action Submitted by EMS Captain Melanie Kolek Captain Nathan Botting and Engineer Spencer Laddy-Locks led the East Haddam Fire Department in its monthly drill for April, surprising personnel with an unannounced scenario. Captain Botting organized a mock two-car motor vehicle accident involving fire and two trapped patients. Personnel were instructed to report to the fire house without prior knowledge of the drill details. The simulated call was dispatched via ra