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TABLE OF CONTENTS Feature
34
Home, Sweet Homes
Celebrating Milford’s many architectural styles By Cindy Papish Gerber
Departments 4 6 8 12 16 18 20 22 28 40 44 48 50 54 56 58 62 64
Publisher’s Letter Readers’ Letters This Season At your Service Milford Spotlight Around Town Milford Green At Home Milford Morsels Arts and Artisans Education Notebook Historical Perspective Legends and Lore Greetings From Milford Celebrations Crossword Puzzle Expressions Where is It?
About the cover: The iconic waterfall of the lower duckpond in downtown Milford. Photo by Cathy Leite. Her photography may be experienced at www.cathyleitephotography.com
2019 • Milford Living 1
OUR 20TH YEAR PROUDLY SERVING MILFORD!
AUTUMN 2019 VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 3 Publisher/President Suzanne Cahill Suzanne@milfordliving.com
Editorial Director Ann McGuire
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Contributing Writers
Cheryl Cappiali, Susan Carroll Dwyer, Brian Creevy, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg, Frank Farricker, Cindy Papish Gerber, Susan Glennon, Judy Goldwyn, Todd Manning, Ann McGuire, Gerry McGuire, Makayla Silva
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Milford Living Magazine 162 Bridgeport Avenue Milford CT 06460 203-283-5290 http://www.milfordliving.com
Milford Living Magazine (ISSN 1547-4429) is distributed quarterly by Red Mat Publishing. P.O. Box 2387 Milford, CT 06460. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher. Subscription Rates: U.S. $23.96. Newsstand: $5.99. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Milford Living Magazine P.O. Box 2387, Milford, CT 06460. Please allow six to eight weeks for subscription processing. Copyright 2003-2019 Red Mat Publishing.www.redmatpublishing.com Opinions expressed in Milford Living Magazine articles and advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers, respectively, and should not be considered as expressions of management or official policies of Milford Living Magazine. www.redmatpublishing.com
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2019 • Milford Living 3
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publisher’s letter Dear Friends & Neighbors, Welcome to the autumn issue of Milford Living! Autumn is truly one of the most picturesque seasons to enjoy Milford. Our once long sunny days at the shore slowly shorten, and our view and focus turn to the radiant golden hour that harkens the cooler twilight evenings. Now is the time where we gather to enjoy the warmth of family and friends and reflect upon a season of Thanksgiving. In this issue of Milford Living we focus on home, community, service, and history—the people, the places, and the landscape that make Milford the special place we all are blessed to be a part of. I hope you enjoy this issue and share it with those you love and those that love Milford most. Gift subscriptions
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this issue. Give the gift of Milford Living early and your recipient will receive a card with all the details. For faster service, call our office at 203-283-5290, or visit us online at www.milfordliving.com to place your order. As always, we welcome your comments, stories, and suggestions. Drop me a line at Suzanne@milfordliving.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
With appreciation and gratitude,
Suzanne 4 Milford Living • Autumn
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readers’ letters A friend always gives me Milford Living
Magazine after she reads it. Two years ago I was
reading an article about Drive-in movie theaters when I spotted the picture of me, 40 some odd years ago, at the Milford Drive-in Flea Market. My friend Ray Z is to the left of me.
number. To my surprise and delight he
Thank you Bambi for sharing your
weekly pinochle game. We went to a different
We are so happy we could be a part of
answered the phone. He has since joined our flea market to re-create the original picture. We haven’t changed a bit!
—Bambi McDonald, Milford, CT
wonderful story and image with us.
you reconnecting with an old friend. Wishing you a treasure trove of new memories and flea market finds!
COURTESY OF BAMBI MCDONALD
I hadn’t seen him in at least 20 years, but
I took a chance and called his old phone
Drop us a line…
Please send your comments, contributions, suggestions, and questions to Milford Living Magazine P.O. Box 2387, Milford, CT 06460 or email our publisher at: suzanne@milfordliving.com
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this season
The Glory of Bulbs
W
hile traditionally recognized as a time of harvest, autumn is, for many flower gardeners, planting season. The glory of next year’s garden will be determined by the bulbs that go into the ground in early fall. The general rule when it comes to knowing what to plant when is this: if it blooms in the spring, plant it in the fall. Since spring bulbs need to “chill out” before they can bloom, you want to plant about six weeks before you expect the ground to freeze.
Giant alliums, also known as Ornamental Onions, are show-stopping sensations in the garden bed. Most flower bulbs sold commercially
Today, exotic varieties of bulbs from
originated in the Middle East or southern
around the world are easy to find, but why
Europe, particularly the Mediterranean area.
not consider adding some native species
Many bulbs were first introduced to Europe
bulbs to your garden? When you plant
by soldiers returning from the Crusades. In
native you contribute to maintaining the
some areas, flowers drove regional econo-
balance of our natural ecosystem. As a
mies. When tulip mania swept the Dutch
bonus, every native plant has at least one
people in the 1630s, a single bulb could fetch
specific native insect that is a specialist in
more than 10 times the annual living of a
pollinating it.
skilled worker.
PLANTING SUCCESS
What is commonly called a bulb can be classified as a true bulb, corm, rhizome, or tuber. • A true bulb is a reduced stem with modified fleshy leaves, which are tightly folded around one or more flower buds (tulip, narcissus, lilies, allium) • A corm is a rounded, vertical, swollen underground stem base covered with scale leaves (crocus, gladiolus, ixia, sparaxis) • A rhizome is a swollen stem lying horizontally at or below ground level (bearded iris, lily of the valley) • A tuber is the swollen end of an underground stem or root with a bud or buds Narcissus, a.k.a. daffodils, welcome the coming spring when planted in the fall.
8 Milford Living • Autumn
(dahlia, day lily, begonia)
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) Red Trillium (rillium erectum) Fern leaf bleeding heart (Dicentra eximi) Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Milford Yacht Club Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica)
Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)
“Not your grandfather’s Bloodrootclub” (Sanguinaria canadensis) Camas(Camassia leichtlinii)
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www.milfordyachtclub.com 2019 • Milford Living 9
this season Whatever the type of bulb, use the “three
can consume an entire bed. Planting in cages
times” rule when planting them in beds: plant
with 1/2 inch opening mesh hardware cloth
at a depth three times the height of the bulb and
can help deter the squirrels and voles. Laying
space them three times their width apart.
hardware cloth on the top of the entire bed
The foliage of many spring blooming bulbs
at ground level and securing with heavy
dies back without a trace in summer and the risk of digging in that spot in the fall when look-
weights on the corners can also prevent One of the first signs of spring are colorful crocus.
ing for a place to plant more bulbs is consider-
digging dogs from ruining your chances of having a colorful spring. Foraging animals
able. One tip is to mark the location of each bulb
Agriculture Experiment Station (CAES) in New
tend to stay away from bulbs planted near
by planting a grape hyacinth bulb nearly on
Haven and the UConn Soil Lab in Storrs test
the house, but hungry deer may be enticed to
top of the larger bulb. The grape hyacinth sends
soil. If the results show that phosphorus is low,
eat your tulips anyway!
up leaves in the fall, clearly indicating where
bone meal is a great addition if you intend to let
you’ve already planted.
bulbs naturalize in an area. To improve poor soil,
and stems mature and fade to yellow before
add compost, well-decomposed horse or cow
removing them—at least six weeks—to
manure, or leaf mold.
allow the bulb to store enough food for next
Most bulbs thrive in a humus-rich, sandy loam soil with excellent drainage and a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.3. Have your soil tested to see if any amendments are needed. Both the CT
Burrowing rodents are a bulb garden’s most troublesome pests and in winter they
As the flowers bloom, wait until the foliage
season’s spectacular show. —Cheryl Cappiali
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at your service
Thank Every Vet!
V
eterans Day is just around the corner and that means its time to celebrate those who have served. On November 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., a celebration in honor of veterans will be held in the downtown Milford area. The Thank Every
all-day Veterans Day event. There are over 2,000 veterans in the city of Milford who served in their country
Vet Festival is the new name for Milford’s annual Veterans Day celebration. Not only is
both here at home and in places including
there a parade, but also a host of family friendly activities that will be fun for everyone.
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations. Veterans organizations within
With the change in name comes a new
Milford, including VFW Post 7788, American
feature an array of activities including face
Legion Post 196, The Milford Elks, Combat
Field, continue to West Main Street, West
painting, music, food trucks, and more. This
Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter
River, North Street, and end where it began
“Thank Every Vet Festival” is Milford’s first
31-2, and the Disabled American Veterans
ROBERT CREIGH (4)
at Wasson Field. At parade’s end will
parade route that will step off at Wasson
The annual parade honoring Milford veterans is now part of the Thanks Every Vet Festival.
12 Milford Living • Autumn
of Milford will all be participating in the Thank Every Vet Festival. Milford has a long history of honoring those who have served, dating back to the heroes who helped secure American independence. The Liberty Rock monument in Devon was dedicated to the “Liberty Boys,” later called Minute Men, who used the site as a lookout post. Since then, generations of Milford men and women have served during ROBERT CREIGH
times of war and peace. On Armistice Day, November 11th, Milford holds a wreath laying ceremony at each of the memorial monuments on the Milford Green to honor those who paid the
The next generation of cadets training to serve our country.
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2019 • Milford Living 13
at your service beginning of the Milford Green. Next
ceremony occurs on the 11th hour of
is the Veterans Memorial Flagpole,
the 11th day of the 11th month, which
the tallest flagpole in the state, with
marked the end of the first World
tributes inscribed on its concrete base.
War. Local dignitaries, veterans, the
The fourth stop is at the Soldiers and
American Legion, and members of
Sailors Monument which was erected
area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops
in honor of those men who fought
will participate in the ceremony. Each
during the Civil War. The fifth and
of the monuments list those who
final stop is at the Vietnam and Korean
have died while on active duty. The
War Monument, which was dedicated
ROBERT CREIGH
ultimate sacrifice. The wreath laying
ceremony begins at City Hall and then moves to the “Doughboy” monument, dedicated to those who served in the First World War. The second stop is
The Milford Fife & Drum Corps are always a favorite at
at the World War II Monument at the
Milford parades.
on Veterans Day 1986. Join your Milford community as we Thank Every Vet who has sacrificed so much in the name of American freedom. —Todd Manning
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2019 • Milford Living 15
milford spotlight
Making Music in Milford
W
hile there are a variety of venues in town COURTESY OF MAC
to hear music, why not make it yourself? Opportunities for locals to sing and play
their instrument of choice continue to evolve and grow. Milfordites and visitors alike have seized upon the chance to make music here in Milford. The Milford Arts Council (MAC) has been
The piano on the Milford Green has become a place to meet new friends and make music. director Paige Miglio. “He stopped in and
concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across
hosting open mike nights for a few years.
asked what the place was. We chatted, him
the city.” The success of this event ensures it
Beginning as a series several summers ago,
asking various questions about what we do,
becoming an annual tradition here in town.
its popularity, packed houses, and long list of
different upcoming events promoted by flyers
performers prompted the MAC to schedule a
in our lobby...especially Open Mic. He spent
this past summer—an initiative spearheaded
winter series as well. The events continue to
the rest of the afternoon on our patio playing
by the MAC—has been wildly successful. Gina
flourish with bigger audiences and more and
his guitar.” It wasn’t the last Miglio would
Bonfietti, a local piano technician, was integral
more musicians and singers.
see of the man. “The next Wednesday, he was
in getting the piano in place. “I wanted a piano
back on the patio, playing guitar and singing
to be available to anyone at any time. An
as we walked up to the front door. He was
outdoor piano can inspire others and provide
“Last spring, the MAC was visited by a man
COURTESY OF CITY OF MILFORD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
we knew as Craig,” recounts MAC executive
Make Music Day had musicians performing all across Milford.
16 Milford Living • Autumn
The addition of a piano on the Milford Green
excited and practicing for Open
spontaneous joy,” says Bonfietti. “There is
Mic, which was that night.”
something special about seeing and playing
There are several restaurants and bars in town that also offer open mic nights, expanding the
an instrument that is usually indoors and is now under the sun and stars.” The piano—and its many players—were
opportunities for those of us who
a huge hit with residents of all ages. Many
usually only sing in our cars to test
Milfordites and tourists alike lined up to
our pipes on a live audience.
play and listen to the waterproof Wurlitzer,
New this year was the Make
a delightful addition to downtown which
Music Milford event which Milford
will hopefully return next summer. Novices
Community Development director
playing chopsticks or impresarios playing
Julie Nash describes as, “a live, free
Bach make the Green sing its own song.
musical celebration on June 21—the
longest day of the year—with
For those needing a little percussion in their lives, summer drum circles are held
28 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m., musicians of all calibers
always draws a crowd. The B.Y.O.D. (bring
signed up to play on one of dozens of porches
your own drum) nature of the event welcomes
around town. The concept began more than
all comers. As Mark Zarillo, who hosts drum
10 years ago in upstate New York as a way for
circles throughout the area explains, “We’re
neighbors to connect. Milfordites volunteered to
creating a safe space for people to come
host on their porches, and a map was available
together and just be whoever and whatever
for people to follow the performances. “With the
they want to be for a while.”
success of Make Music Day, it made sense to add
COURTESY OF MAC
once a month on Sundays at Gulf Beach and
Locals look forward to the drum circles. Bohemian High owners Rich and Gloria Krouch have attended many. “We love it and the
PorchFest to the lineup,” says Julie Nash, Milford Community Development director. “We want to make Milford the most vibrant we can to
grandkids love it. Lots of dancing around in the
Open Mic night offers performers the perfect
continue to attract more business, visitors, and
center of the circle,” says Rich. For two hours
opportunities to make music here in Milford.
residents to our city.”
prior to sunset the attendees drum down the sun. Crowd size varies but each circle is unique. “It depends on who shows up, belly dancers, sword balancing, capoeira exhibitions, you
No matter the venue—even singing in never know who will be there,” says Gloria. Another new addition to Milford’s music
your car—take some time to make music in Milford!
events this year was Porchfest. Held September
—Susan Carroll Dwyer
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around town
MARYALICE MANNING
Reclaiming Beaver Brook
T
he spectacular 2012 fire that consumed acres of property at Beaver Brook Nature Preserve devastated more than just trees and bushes. The property on West Avenue was officially classified as “vacant,” but according to Steve Johnson, Milford’s Open Space and Natural Resources agent, the land offered shelter to “more life than most developed property.” The forest and marshes provided home, nourishment, and safety to dragonflies, butterflies, frogs, birds, and countless other varieties of wildlife. The wooden boardwalk that spanned the marsh wetlands provided access to visitors who came to enjoy the abundance of natural life thriving there.
The recently rebuilt walkway at Beaver Brook Nature Preserve welcomes walkers once again. access compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The mayor praised Johnson’s efforts in leading the renewal efforts. “Steve Johnson has done a fantastic job,” Blake says. “He is thoughtful and knowledgeable and he puts
the boardwalk, the company was contracted
his heart and soul into everything he does for
supported plans to rebuild the destroyed
to enhance the lower trail area and mow the
the city.” Johnson came to Connecticut from
bridge and increase the opportunity for
invasive phragmite common reed in order to
Michigan and Indiana where he spent most of
citizens of Milford to enjoy the peace and
provide a temporary protective buffer. Mayor
his childhood. As a child, Johnson developed
quiet the area afforded. “When you’re on the
Blake explained the
Beaver Brook trail, you feel like you’re in the
need for eliminating the
deep woods of Maine,” says Mayor Blake.
phragmites and other
Steve Johnson led the way to reclaiming
invasive weeds. “We aren’t
Beaver Brook, writing a grant for $500,000 from
sure how the fire started,”
the Small Town Economic Assistance Program.
he says, “but we know that
Another $45,000 came from the Community
their presence contributed
Development Block Grant program. When
to its spread.”
contractors bid on the project, it became clear
MARYALICE MANNING
Mayor Ben Blake enthusiastically
Phase 3, scheduled for
that the job would have to be divided into three
the this fall, will improve
phases. During this summer’s record-breaking,
the parking lot and
Millenium Builders (the company that dredged
provide a paved walkway
the pond on North Street) began work on Phase
to the lower loop trail.
A walk along the boardwalk enables you to experience the fullness
1. In Phase 2 of the project, along with building
This will make parking lot
of the Nature Preserve.
18 Milford Living • Autumn
an interest in nature and conservation but he
and explaining its place
didn’t expect it to become his career. While
in the environment. The mutual goal of
MARYALICE MANNING
he was a marketing major at the University of Connecticut, Johnson volunteered in the
Steve Johnson, Mayor
early days of the local Environmental Concerns
Blake, and other city
Coalition and for several conservation projects
residents and officials is
and groups. His interest and curiosity about
to present Milford with
our ecosystem ultimately turned into a passion,
another venue where
The long walkway is an easy stroll through woodlands and protected
inspiring him to change his career path. “He’s a
city pride is justified. The
marsh areas.
Renaissance man,” Blake says.
new boardwalk measures
Now, as he walks the muddy, uneven paths
1,134 feet in length—slightly longer than the
Johnson continues to seek funding to
that will be replaced by visitor-friendly stone
original—and features a bump-out where
help future restoration efforts in the Milford
dust, Johnson identifies each plant, explaining
people can stand and enjoy their surroundings.
conservation area. Until that time, the
its purpose in the area’s ecosystem, and points
It’s also slightly wider than the original,
boardwalk stands ready for visitors.
out flying and crawling wildlife, naming each
making it accessible to wheelchairs.
—Judy Goldwyn
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milford green
Recycle Smart
T
he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that in the United States, over 262 million tons of municipal solid waste is produced each year. That is an average of almost 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day. The biggest percentage of waste is paper and cardboard, followed by metal, glass, plastic, and wood. Approximately 23 million tons is yard trimmings and food waste. Out of all of that, a little over 90 million tons is recycled.
Winter Brothers Waste Systems, in Shelton. RecycleCT Foundation, Inc, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, was “created to help bring Connecticut from an estimated 35% to a 60% diversion of solid waste disposal by 2024.” The nonprofit has a comprehensive website (www.recyclect.com) that describes what can and cannot be included in the bin. They stress that the items must be “empty, rinsed, clean, and open,” and that residents should not “shred, box, bag, or bundle”
The non-recycled waste is handled in a few different ways: the EPA says 13% of total waste generated is burned to generate energy and 53% makes its way to landfills. Environmental concerns about these measures are abundant, however. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, leaching of toxic chemicals, unpleasant odors and more make burning and landfills environmentally unfriendly and electronics, appliances, clothing, and many other household items add to the detrimental conditions. Recycling can help mitigate many of these issues. Milford has long embraced recycling. The city’s official program began in 1991, when residents were
COURTESY OF CITY OF MILFORD
potentially dangerous. Batteries, tires,
The new Curbside Clothing Recycling initiative will help keep soft goods like clothing out of landfills.
provided the original “blue bins” and were notified of the statute on recycling,
recyclables are placed together in the same
their recyclables. The website has written and
which reads “…each person who generates
container and sorted at a processing facility,
video educational materials and includes a
solid waste from residential property within
rather than by the consumer. The city can sell
“Recycle Wizard” that allows visitors to enter an
Milford shall separate from other solid waste
these materials and earns about $20 per ton.
item to see if it can be recycled.
all items required to be recycled…” At that time,
When the large green bins were rolled out
This past July, a brand-new type of
recyclables were to be separated and organized
to replace the smaller blue bins, they included
supplemental recycling program was rolled
by category. For example, glass with glass,
a sticker to indicate what was recyclable and
out in Milford which allows residents to recycle
plastic with plastic, newspapers all together, etc.
should be included in the bin. It’s important to
“soft” goods like textiles. Called “Curbside
only include what is actually on the list since the
Clothing Recycling,” the program is run by the
stream recycling, which began in the city in
Over time, the program morphed into single
city can be fined if too many unrecyclable items
independent company Simple Recycling. They
2013. Single stream is a program in which all
are in the loads brought to the sorting facility,
note that “the average person throws away 68
20 Milford Living • Autumn
pounds of clothing each year,” and that a
local thrift outlets, mid-grade is
huge percentage of clothing is not donated
exported to international markets
or recycled. When thrown away in the
and ‘unusable’ items are processed for
municipal waste stream, the clothing
raw materials.”
ends up being combusted or placed in a
The benefits of recycling are
landfill, both of which can have negative
multifold. Less material being
environmental impacts.
placed in landfills and burned
Curbside Clothing Recycling is a free
means a reduction in cost for the
service to the City of Milford and its
city; selling the recyclable items can
residents. Households are provided with
bring Milford some revenue, and of
pink bags which can be filled with textiles
course, the environmental stress is
(clothing, towels, sheets, etc.) and placed
reduced, leading to less pollution and
by the curb on the usual recycling day.
greenhouse gas emissions. Participating
Simple Recycling picks up the bag and
in the program can help our Small City
leaves a new one. The textiles collected
with a Big Heart remain a great place for
are sorted. According to the company,
all of us to live!
the highest quality items are “sold to
—Shaileen Kelly Landsberg
2019 • Milford Living 21
COURTESY OF BOHEMIAN HIGH
at home
Do it Yourself
E
very month, more than 200 million people open their phones and start scrolling through Pinterest and other online pin boards. While some are searching for fashion ideas, a new recipe, or home design tips, many are on the virtual hunt for another kind of inspiration: crafts.
DIYers spend an evening at Bohemian High for a paint and sip social, where friends find joy creating art together. the joy of creating something and connecting
The crafting industry is worth more than $40 billion and continues to climb. As
Bohemian High, after it opened in April 2017. “We believe that people are looking for a
with people.” Tania Lopez of Milford has taken two
result, businesses across the country are
better constructive and creative ways to spend
painting classes at Bohemian High. “The
clamoring to secure a piece of that pie, one
their non-working hours,” Richard Krouch
instructor is a very talented artist that gives
painted pallet sign at a time. Their goal is to
says. His wife Gloria picks up the conversation:
you plenty of helpful instruction, but also
gather those DIYers together in studios and
“When we sit down to do any type of artistic
lets you put your own artistic vision in your
storefronts and provide them with the tools,
project it allows us to slow down a beat. We are
painting if you want. And taking a little break
space, and social setting they need to bring
allowing ourselves to focus on something other
to shop in the store is super fun,” she says.
their ideas to fruition.
than our everyday pressures and deadlines,”
From dream catcher weaving to wooden sign
Offering these DIY workshops at a reasonable
she says. “We can paint or work with our hands
cost, Bohemian High lends itself as a hub
making, Milford offers a host of DIY classes to
while still connecting with another person in
for inspiration, conversation, and a place to
get people out of the house, off the screen, and
a manner that is more present. For a couple of
escape the pressures of everyday life. Classes
in a room together with other creative-minded
hours there is no focus on anything other than
are intimate, materials are provided, and
people.
BOHEMIAN HIGH
instructors bring plenty of experience. Visit the shop’s website for an event schedule.
156 Bridgeport Road, Milford www.bohemianhigh.com
FIREHOUSE GALLERY FIGURE DRAWING
Husband and wife team Gloria and Richard
81 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford www.milfordarts.org/mac-thefirehouse-gallery
Krouch began hosting workshops from painting to belly dancing, dream catcher weaving, and Pysanky egg decorating
Providing audiences, students, and artists
to draw people into their eclectic shop,
with opportunities and experiences in the
22 Milford Living • Autumn
arts that enlighten and enrich, the Milford Arts Council (MAC) is on a mission to make the city a thriving destination community for In collaboration with the Coastal Arts Guild of Connecticut, the Firehouse Gallery is bringing people together to study one of art’s greatest icons: the human being. “This course offers explorations into
COURTESY OF MAC
arts and culture.
Students unleash their inner Picasso at one of MAC’s drop-in art sessions at the Firehouse Gallery.
drawing foundations in an expectation-free environment. The goal is for students to
the human figure presents many technical
new skills and make new connections while
integrate art into their lives in a meaningful
problems—form, structure, foreshortening,
doing something creative.
way, expanding process into practice,” says
and so on—this class offers wonderful training
Paige Miglio, MAC executive director.
and allows the artist to display their skill.
The cornerstone of artistic training for
“Last Spring, when this class was announced, I was excited to have an
Held on the second and fourth Wednesday
opportunity to experience a bit of the visual
centuries, figure drawing is popular with
of the month, these figure drawing sessions
arts world,” says MAC marketing director
amateur artists as well as professionals. Since
provide artists with the opportunity to build
Lorie Lewis. “I learned a lot about shading,
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2019 • Milford Living 23
at home perspective, and other basics of drawing. I wasn’t very good, but I am definitely going to take Foundations II in the fall. For me, it’s all about expression and having as many creative outlets in my life as possible.” COURTESY OF PAINTED PLANK
THE PAINTED PLANK STUDIO 554 Boston Post Road, Milford www.thepaintedplankstudio.com The Painted Plank Studio is a DIY creative space where you can spend an evening constructing
Friends enjoy a night filled with music, conversation, and creativity at The Painted Plank.
and painting your own wooden sign. “Fun music is playing, good conversations
“The relaxed carefree environment provides
Before arriving, visit thepaintedplankstudio.
are happening, and people can use the
a foundation for fun and creativity. There is
com website where you can pre-register for
experience as a way to spend time and catch
no pressure and we like to think we make the
a specific class and date or schedule your
up with their friends,” says owner Luci Brown.
process as easy and enjoyable as possible.”
own special event. During the registration
24 Milford Living • Autumn
process you’ll select a project from the studio’s
Brown. “I do not think many people realize
guests through the steps of distressing and
extensive gallery; customize your selection
how creative they are or can be…
painting a beautiful customized board for
with a name, date, initials, or monogram. When
how much reward they can receive
your home while you enjoy the freedom of
you show up at the studio on your registered
by doing something creative that
bringing snacks, sweets, and cocktails from
date and time, all the project materials of your
displays their artistic side. Our process
home,” she says.
choice will be waiting for you.
takes the fear out of the equation.
Open studio classes take about 3.5 hours.
It removes the stress, constraints,
Projects are guided by instructors to assist
and difficulties associated with
you in transforming your bare wood to a
creating something from scratch.”
painted design.
For Missy Dubin of Milford,
TERI ANNA’S CERAMIC STUDIO 554 Boston Post Road, Milford www.teri-annas-ceramic-studio. com/home
“People like personalized pieces in their
The Painted Plank is the
home and to have the opportunity to make
perfect place for a night
something themselves appeals to many people,”
filled with creativity
paint-your-own pottery studio
says Brown. The studio offers an outlet for
and laughter. “Milford
offering both open studio
creativity—even for the most novice artist. “Art
is lucky enough to have
hours and classes in ceramic
is hard...what I found is that there are very few
Lucy and her wonderful staff
creative outlets for the average person,” says
at The Painted Plank walk
painted
Teri Anna’s Ceramic Studio is a
arts. Taught by award-winning ceramics arts teachers with more
PERSONALIZED DIY WORKSHOP WOOD SIGN DÉCOR
Girls Night Out Date Night Team Building Fundraisers Birthday Parties (Youth or Adult)
Easy and no-fail, no experience necessary. Open Studio or Private Workshops offered, our 3.5 hour workshop sessions are offered multiple days and evenings during the week. Over 300 designs to choose from and custom design available. Snacks and BYOB welcomed (and encouraged).
554 BOSTON POST ROAD, MILFORD | THEPAINTEDPLANKSTUDIO.COM | 203.464.0031 2019 • Milford Living 25
at home than 50 years of experience, Teri Anna’s studio is open to all ages. Drop in for open studio hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays between 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. and spend the afternoon creating. Choose from over 1,500 pieces starting at $4 and nourish your
COURTESY OF TERI ANNA’S CERAMIC STUDIO
creative side making beautiful personalized treasures. The studio also offers weekly classes for those interested in learning more about the ceramic arts. All levels are welcome, from novice to professional. Classes include the use of acrylic stains and specialty glazes, working with greenware, and hand building with clay. —Makayla Silva
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crispy beer-batter coating and cooked to
Yankee Fare
A
s the days get cooler and the leaves start to change, traditional New England meals return to our plates. This fare—hearty and filling—is comfort food, and our local restaurants embrace the opportunity to offer their guests these dishes that speak to the region’s Yankee roots.
BIN 100 RESTAURANT 100 Landsdale Avenue 203-882-1400 www.bin100.com Open 7 days a week for dinner
in a scoop bowl, is brought to the table. A chowder fit to make a meal, its blend of flavors of the sea and sweetness, along with varied texture, make each bite interesting and delicious. With the crunchy sweetness of the corn, hearty chunks of potato, silky
SEAFOOD CORN CHOWDER
scallops, calamari, and chunks of succulent
WITH PICKED LOBSTER
lobster meat in a thick, creamy broth,
A mouth-watering aroma greets the diner
this New-England inspired dish is sure to
as this special dish, presented attractively
delight. $12.00
28 Milford Living • Autumn
perfection. The tangy house-made tartar sauce accentuates the flavor of the cod, and freshly prepared coleslaw—a balanced blend of cabbage, carrots, and mayo— complements the dish. Served with strips of sliced fried potatoes. $18.00
GUSTO TRATTORIA 225 Boston Post Road 203-876-7464 www.gustotrattoria.com Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner, Sat-Sun for dinner
STONEBRIDGE RESTAURANT
BRAISED SHORT RIBS
FRESH-SHUCKED LOBSTER ROLL
OVER MASHED POTATOES
A heaping mound of succulent lobster—
Mouthwatering, fork-tender short
claws and hunks of tail meat—fills a
ribs in a delectable sauce are served
toasted split-top roll in this hyper-local
over smooth mashed potatoes in this
New England dish, created right here in
delicious dish. Each bite is packed
Milford in the 1920s. Every hot, buttery bite
with flavor, showcasing the quality
of Stonebridge’s lobster roll showcases the
which takes a full 72-hours to make, accentuates the robust flavors of the short ribs and gives flair to the backdrop of mashed potatoes. $29.00
SHAILEEN KELLY LANDSBERG (2)
of the slow-cooked meat. The sauce,
50 Daniel Street 203-874-7947 www.stonebridgerestaurant.com Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner
delicious flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tender chunks of succulent lobster meat. Once just a summer dish, Stonebridge has made this popular meal available yearround. Market price.
Accepting Holiday Reservations Now
If you’re looking to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve,or to book your 2019 Holiday Event, Stonebridge provides a perfect setting. We can accommodate large groups for every holiday.
Early Bird Prix Fix Dinner $17 2019 • Milford Living 29
milford morsels COSTA-AZZURRA RESTAURANT 72 Broadway 203-878-6688 www.costaazzurrarestaurant.com Open Tues-Sun for lunch and dinner LOBSTER BISQUE One of New England’s favorite foods is used to create the stock for this delicious soup. Silky-smooth and creamy, with a generous quantity of lobster meat, Costa-Azzurra’s lobster bisque is a savory dish redolent of the sea. Served piping hot with traditional oyster crackers, this bisque is a great way to start a meal at the seaside restaurant. Cup/$4.50, bowl/$5.75, to-go quart/$12.95.
s ’ n C i a a t tch p a C seafood restaurant Fried Seafood
Burgers & Dogs
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Fresh Grilled Seafood options available
LOBSTER ROLLS Hot or Cold
$15.99
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LUNCH SPECIALS
1366 New Haven Ave. Milford 203-876-7707 www.CaptainsCatchMilford.com Like us on Facebook!
$5.95
30 Milford Living • Autumn
11-4 Tuesday-Saturday
CAPTAIN’S CATCH SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1366 New Haven Avenue 203-876-7707 www.captainscatchmilford.com Open Tues-Sun for lunch and dinner
POP’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 134 Old Gate Lane 203-876-1210 www.popsfamilyrestaurant.com Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
RHODE ISLAND CLAM CHOWDER Chunks of meaty clams and hearty
BLUEBERRY PIE
in this classic New England chowder.
Tiny Maine blueberries, sweet with a hint
Hailing from the shore of Rhode
of tartness, fill this traditional New England
Island, the clam stock base of the soup
dessert pie. The deep blue filling, encased in a
is delicate yet flavorful, shining the
sturdy yet flaky crust, is a perfect way to end
spotlight on the star of the show, hard shell New England clams. Served with oyster crackers on the side. $3.99/bowl, $10.99/quart
SHAILEEN KELLY LANDSBERG(2)
potatoes float in a delicious clear broth
a meal at Pops, and can be enjoyed cold with a dollop of whipped cream or warmed and accompanied by a scoop of local Buck’s ice cream. $3.79 —Shaileen Kelly Landsberg
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Accommodating private parties of 10-130 Visit Bin100.com for menus & pricing
2019 • Milford Living 31
Downtow Get To Know
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CELEBRATING MILFORD’S MANY ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
BILL CANFIELD
By Cindy Papish Gerber
HOME, SWEET HOMES
34 Milford Living • Autumn
R
ecent real estate data maps for Milford indicate nearly 3,000 real estate transactions over the past few years. Homes bought, sold, and rented vary dramatically in price, provenance, and style. Zooming in on the digital
map, it’s not uncommon to click on a vintage 1850s Queen Anne home nestled between a 1960s Ranch and a 1940s Colonial…right down the road from a tri-level waterfront estate. BILL CANFIELD
In 2006, a comprehensive “Phase 1 Historic and Architectural Resource Survey” was completed by Stacey Scheller Vairo, MFA, and was sponsored by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. According to the report, which includes listings and photos of 412 sites, “housing stock in Milford can be broken into three periods: the first
Narrow overhangs, a paneled door
capes, and Federal-style homes. The next period (1830-1900) includes
139 North Street (1750 construction methods/1790s)
New England vernacular homes with Greek Revival and Italianate
This beautifully preserved one-
grace the exterior of this home which
embellishments. The third period (1890-1965) covers shingle, Colonial
room, two-story 18th century red
once belonged to the Bryan family.
Revival, and American Foursquare styles.”
Saltbox was saved from demolition
The Architectural Resource Survey
in 2014. Saltbox homes are char-
cites it as a good example of the
acterized by a prominent center
classic New England Colonial, char-
includes houses built from 1700-1830, such as New England colonials,
Here is a small sampling of the many different types of architecture found in Milford.
71 Chapel Street (1790) and double hung sash windows
chimney and sloping gabled roof,
acterized by symmetrical windows
Eels-Stowe House (1700)
practicality. As Vairo notes in the
resembling actual wooden salt
and a prominent chimney placed
Believed to be Milford’s oldest
Architectural Resource Survey,
boxes found in Colonial kitchens.
in the center of a wood frame. The
house, the Eels-Stowe House is one
“Up until the 18th century, most
This house has historical signifi-
central hearth helped to circulate
of three that makes up the campus
Capes were characterized by low
cance, as John Downs, a weaver,
heat during New England winters.
of the Milford Historical Society
eaves and 8” tall corner posts,
schoolteacher, and soldier who
Homes like this one often, “began as
on Wharf Lane. Ownership of this
which afforded very little useable
served as a Milford Minutemen,
one room and chamber and were ex-
Saltbox-style home passed from
space on the second story.”
once resided here.
panded upon as families prospered.”
Colonel Samuel Eels, to his son Nathaniel, and then to Stephen Stow. In 1930 the house was saved from destruction by the Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), which carefully restored it using much of the home’s original materials and building techniques.
176 North Street (1744) Clad in simple wooden shingles, this New England Colonial Cape is a mere 11/2 rooms deep by two rooms wide. It is associated with in the French and Indian wars. Like many other capes of this period, it is unadorned and built for
BILL CANFIELD
Samuel Merchant, who served
2019 • Milford Living 35
BILL CANFIELD
JJ RICHARDS
COURTESY OF CODY WHITE
Sanford-Bristol House, 111-113 North Street (1790)
New England,” says Platt. The
which borrows architectural details
it as “the largest and most impres-
property was once the home of Hen-
such as columns, heavy cornices,
sively designed Greek Revival-style
ry Botsford, one of Milford’s original
and gables from ancient Greek
homes in Milford and is one of the
According to former City Histo-
free planters. The front entrance
temples—is the most prevalent
finest in Southern CT.”
rian Richard Platt, this Dutch Half
is shielded by a flat-roofed portico,
style seen in Milford. This example,
Gambrel Saltbox “represents the
topped by a projecting cornice sup-
originally a private residence built
most outstanding example of
ported by fluted columns. As Vairo
for former Connecticut Governor
this particular style…of which
explains, “The entrance is the focal
Charles H. Pond, is no exception. The
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 71 River Street (1851)
Milford originally had 6 houses.
point of all Federal buildings…
Architectural Resource Survey lists
Designed by Frank Willis, a
The construction and design were
typically subdued with minimum
influenced by Dutch carpenters
classical elaboration.”
who visited in the 18th century. saved from demolition.”
84 Gunn Street (1822)
Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 North Broad Street (1845) When viewing this impressive
This 2 /2 story clapboard house, occu-
white building from the Green,
pying the corner of Gunn and Ford
one can’t help but admire the six
Streets, “is an excellent example of
Ionic fluted columns spanning
a classic Federal house in Milford,
the sprawling 7-bayed façade. The
similar to others built throughout
Greek Revival style in all its forms—
1
36 Milford Living • Autumn
BILL CANFIELD
Fortunately, it too was recently
prominent British architect of
built this Fort Trumbull
Gothic Revival churches, the
Beach mansion to use
rough-cut brownstone used to
as his summer home.
construct St. Peter’s was brought
Despite being remodeled
in from Portland, CT.
The in-
and converted into a
terior includes magnificently
nine-unit condo complex,
restored Tiffany windows. It is
it is still Milford’s best
the only remaining structure of
example of Shingle style.
its kind within the downtown
Architectural Digest dis-
distinct.
tinguishes Shingle style, “by wood cladding, asym-
10-12 Lafayette Street (1870)
metrical façades, gambrel
Not only is this home listed
verandas.”
roofs,
and
welcoming
by Vairo on the Architectural of
architecture was originally built
dormers, this is one of the few
the most elaborate and best
Survey
as the carriage house for Henry G.
remaining examples of Second
Vairo refers to this Victorian-era
examples
Lafayette
Thompson’s Morningside estate.
Empire–style homes remaining
stunner as an, “Exotic Revival
Street ‘development’ houses’, it is
Converted into a residence in 1942,
in Milford. This architectural style
former hotel that was built in a
a prime example of Gothic Revival
signature Stick-style elements are
can be directly traced to France,
Chateauesque style…based on 16th
architecture.” Heavily influenced
represented by decorative stick
specifically to the reign of Napo-
century French hunting lodges
by Great Britain country manors,
work (wood trim) applied horizon-
leon III, 1852-1870. It became quite
and castles.” The exterior is clad
castles, and churches, identifiable
tally, vertically, and diagonally to
popular in the Northeast during
in wooden shingles and stone.
features include scrollwork, a
the exterior. The carpenter Miles B.
this period.
Features include a tall, hipped
steeply pitched roof, gingerbread
Plumb and mason James L. Miles
trim, and arched windows, similar
are credited with the impressive
to the double pane units found on
handiwork.
of
as the
“one
this stately white home.
405 Gulf Street (ca. 1880s)
Fowler Memorial Building, 45 New Haven Avenue (1870)
Originally built to take advantage
Vairo cites this one-time home
of views of Long Island Sound, this
as an “excellent example of a
is “a good example of the Queen
Colonial Revival-style house” that
Anne-style homes so popular during
was, and still is, a favorite. Like
the turn of the century,” wrote Vairo.
many in Milford, these homes
Typically asymmetrical in plan,
intentionally
they include steeply pitched hipped
elements of a New England farm-
irregular roof lines with towers,
house or historic Colonial home.
wraparound porches, and decorative
Traditional features such as white
woodwork. The roof of this pictur-
wooden shingles, exterior brick
esque clapboard house has turned
chimneys, two stories, and front
finials edged with scalloped trim.
bay windows are omnipresent.
115 Ridgewood Drive (1860)
158 S. Broad St (1880)
This superb example of Stick-style
its mansard roof and hooded
mimic
1 Anderson Ave (c.1890)
roof tower, two exterior stone
Henry A. Taylor Summer Home, 6 Seaside Ave (1890)
chimneys,
faceted
windows,
With its sweeping views over the
symbol of Milford’s resort-era
Sound, it’s easy to see why railroad
past”; a true standout in the
magnate Henry Augustus Taylor
Borough of Woodmont.
and a wide central entrance. This building, “is significant as a
classical COURTESY OF WEICHERT ON THE MARK REALTORS
Resource
Are we in Milford or Paris? With
2019 • Milford Living 37
Taylor Memorial Library, 5 Broad Street (1895)
preceding and following WWI. The
Villa Rosa and Villa Rosa Terrace
overhanging eaves and enclosed
boxy style was economical and
was built to impress by theater
cobblestone porch.
easy to reproduce (think pre-fab
impresario Sylvester Poli. Vairo
Pioneered
Hobson
Sears Roebuck). This early 2 /2 story
describes, “its size and level of
Richardson, famed architect of
Foursquare has a central dormer,
detail comparable to contempo-
Paul’s Hamburgers, 831 Boston Post Road (1946)
Boston’s Trinity Church, this im-
paired windows, open porch, and
rary mansions build in Beverly
Straight out of a scene from The
posing fieldstone, red sandstone,
minimal detailing.
Hills in the 1930s.” Cream stucco
Jetsons, Vairo points to this com-
masonry, terra cotta roof tile,
munity landmark’s iconic sign.
and
by
yellow
Henry
brick
1
Richardson
Romanesque structure was a
Milford Photo, 22-28 River Street (1912)
wrought iron entrance gates, and
Under that sign is a simple concrete
gift from philanthropist Henry
leaded glass windows enhance
building that once housed a very
Taylor. This centrally located
Not only is this building an im-
the 15-room main house. The
popular burger joint. The large,
building, now housing Milford’s
portant example of the classic
seaside complex, that includes 10
modernist, boldly angled sign is
Chamber of Commerce, features
Beaux Arts style, its origins as the
other villas, adds a bit of La Dolce
“significant for its Googie archi-
several unique design elements
first commercial bank building in
Vita to Woodmont.
tecture, which came out as result
inspired by French,
of
Spanish, and Italian
space-age culture that
Romanesque
developed in the ‘50s
archi-
tecture, including a
the
car-centric,
and ‘60s.”
conical roof flanked by turrets, massive arches, detailed ma-
40 Tall Pine Road (1967)
sonry, and jalousie
Vincent Amore, a lo-
windows.
cal architect known for his Modernist de-
14 Charles Street (ca. 1910)
signs and creative use
Retaining much of its
masonry,
original
ornamenta-
this hip, sprawling
tion, this Carpenter
home in the Interna-
Gothic is representa-
tional Design style.
tive of other homes
Amore set this flat-
that formerly existed
roofed, boxy dwelling
of steel, concrete, and
throughout Fort Trum-
designed
into a solid rock ledge;
bull in the early 1900s. The decora-
Milford “makes a statement” and
the rock blasted from the ledge
adds to its prominent placement
85 Governors Avenue (1922)
tive woodwork, balusters, and two-story porch framed by fanci-
on River Street. Its Beaux-Arts
This well-preserved 1 /2 story rect-
interior chimney and fireplace.
ful white posts evoke the popular
features and forms include four
angular home possesses signature
Influenced by well known post-
cottage chic style reproduced by
Doric columns, five bays, and
American Craftsman style ele-
modern architects such as Phillip
modern furniture makers.
decorated cornered masonry.
ments. The bungalow style devel-
Johnson, this distinctive home is
oped in California between 1900-
a rare of example of International
1930, eventually became popular
Design in Milford.
structure, symmetrical four-room
Villa Rosa and Poli Compound, 33 Abigail Street (1917)
floor plan and low-pitched, hipped
An “exotic” Italianate Revival
it is a part, began in Boston) thanks
31 Robert Treat Parkway (1979)
roofs, Foursquare homes were well
mansion, this landmark resem-
to its livable design and Asian-
Definitely “Deco,” this single-
suited for small lots that sprung
bles an Italian Villa embellished
inspired woodwork. This Milford
story concrete/stucco Art Moderne
up around Milford in the years
with Spanish Colonial accents.
Craftsman has a low-pitched roof,
house with a two-story tower
27 Green Street (1900) Characterized by its simple square
38 Milford Living • Autumn
1
was repurposed to construct the
on the East Coast (although the Arts & Crafts Movement, of which
wouldn’t seem out of place in Downtown Miami Beach. Instead, it sharply stands out from all the other ‘60s ranches and capes in this busy Milford neighborhood. Fred H. Merwin was inspired to design it based on an illustration printed in a BILL CANFIELD
1920 copy of Shelter Magazine. With its curved walls and smooth surfaces decorated with intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, this house is one of a kind in Milford.
MARGEAUX SETTINERI
Ludlow Drive, Baxter Lane (and others) (1950s - 1970s) The Ranch and Raised Ranch homes on these neatly manicure streets represent countless others that were built on farms that were sold, subdivided, and constructed in Milford during the post WWII housing boom. Averaging approximately 2,000 square feet, railroad floor plans would typically include three bedrooms, a living room/dining room, 11/2 baths, attached garage, and large picture window facing the street.
McMansion (pre-2008) Three levels, a three-car garage, bathrooms galore, walk in closets, a sumptuous master suite, spacious foyers, soaring ceilings, and a huge center-island kitchen, these oversized, mega homes possess no particular architectural style, other than that “WOW” factor. Yes, a few
BILL CANFIELD
exist in Milford, but privacy (and locked gates) prevents us from divulging specific addresses or photos.
2019 • Milford Living 39
arts + artisans
The Ageless Art of Bronze T housands of years ago, artisans developed a technique to create sculptures out of bronze. The process of creating molds and pouring molten metal is quite involved, but worth the work. Known as lost wax casting (also referred to as investment casting), the process allowed artists to create sculptures to endure the test of time. The first known example is 6,000 years old, a bronze amulet discovered in South Asia where the Indus Valley civilization was located. For decades, Doreen Ely Bledsoe has been
the country and around the globe have their
creating art as well as helping other artists fulfill
sculptures cast at the foundry on Roses Mill Road
their visions. “I never went to art school. I began
here in Milford.
working at the Italian Renaissance foundry in
“Artists will create their work in a variety
1981 when I was 21,” she recalls. “I then worked
of medium. A current project we are working
with Ronald Cavalier at the Cavalier Sculpture
on is made of balsa wood. It’s very delicate to
Casting. Purchasing the business, we renamed
work with,” says Bledsoe. “Clay is probably the
it Ageless Art Casting. We are the only fine art foundry in Connecticut.” Artists from across Above: The Ageless Arts Casting team attends the unveiling of the Police Memorial statue in Bridgeport.
The labor intensive casting process is long, but worth the results.
40 Milford Living • Autumn
COURTESY OF AGELESS ARTS CASTING TEAM (3)
most commonly submitted. We have to keep the clay moist so that it retains its shape prior to beginning our casting process.” And what a process it is! “We cover the sculpture carefully with polymer clay, creating an even layer. Then it is covered in plaster,” Bledsoe explains. “An opening, or mold cavity, is where liquid rubber is poured into the mold, replacing the polymer. The rubber mold is then used to create a wax casting.”
Bledsoe’s daughter-in-law, Diana, steps in
are heated to a temperature of 2,000
to speak about the next steps. “The wax cast
degrees in a crucible. “The molten
of the sculpture is repeatedly dipped in liquid
bronze is poured and fills the space
ceramics and silicate,” she explains. “The grains
of the wax form,” Bledsoe says. “We
are varied in size so they will fill in every detail
reclaim the wax as is melts and use
of the piece.” The piece is dipped dozens of
it again. Our wax has been used over
times to attain a consistent thickness that will
and over through the years.” The same
create the final ceramic mold.
goes for any drips of bronze; nothing is
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Artists will visit to view the wax form,
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wasted.
providing them an opportunity to make any
Once the bronze has cooled, the mold
touch-ups in the wax prior to the final pour.
is removed. As Bledsoe explains, “the
“One thing we always check is to be sure the
bronze piece is cleaned and patinated to
artist signed their piece,” Bledsoe says. “One
the artists request. There are different
time we had an artist that didn’t; they were
chemicals that can create a variety of
in South America. She sent us a copy of her
finishes.”
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signature so we could reproduce it on the sculpture.”
The Martin Luther King bust in
Bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) ingots
Ansonia was cast in Milford.
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Available
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圀攀搀渀攀猀搀愀礀 倀愀猀琀愀 一椀最栀琀 匀攀爀瘀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 猀漀甀瀀 漀爀 猀愀氀愀搀 ☀ 挀栀漀椀挀攀 圀攀搀渀攀猀搀愀礀 漀昀 挀漀昀昀攀攀Ⰰ 琀攀愀 漀爀 猀漀昀琀 搀爀椀渀欀⸀
圀攀搀渀攀猀搀愀礀 倀愀猀琀愀 一椀最栀琀
⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 瀀愀猀琀愀
匀攀爀瘀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 猀漀甀瀀漀昀漀爀猀愀甀挀攀 猀愀氀愀搀 ☀ 挀栀漀椀挀攀 ㈀⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 挀漀昀昀攀攀Ⰰ 琀攀愀漀昀漀爀 猀漀昀琀琀漀瀀瀀椀渀最猀 搀爀椀渀欀⸀ ㌀⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 琀栀爀攀攀
昀甀氀氀 洀攀渀甀 愀琀 䬀椀搀猀 䔀愀琀 䘀刀䔀䔀 一椀最栀琀℀眀眀眀⸀瀀漀瀀猀昀愀洀椀氀礀爀攀猀琀愀甀爀愀渀琀⸀挀漀洀 ␀㤀⸀㤀㔀 䈀甀爀最攀爀 一椀最栀琀
倀愀猀琀愀 一椀最栀琀
␀ ⸀㤀㔀 ⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 瀀愀猀琀愀 ㈀⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀匀攀攀 漀昀 猀愀甀挀攀 椀渀 猀琀漀爀攀 昀漀爀 搀攀琀愀椀氀猀 ㌀⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 琀栀爀攀攀 琀漀瀀瀀椀渀最猀
␀ ⸀㤀㔀 匀攀爀瘀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 猀漀甀瀀 漀爀 猀愀氀愀搀 ☀ 挀栀漀椀挀攀 匀攀攀 椀渀 猀琀漀爀攀 昀漀爀 搀攀琀愀椀氀猀 瘀椀攀眀 漀甀爀 昀甀氀氀 洀攀渀甀 愀琀 䌀䠀䤀䰀䐀刀䔀一 ㈀ ☀ 唀一䐀䔀刀 眀眀眀⸀瀀漀瀀猀昀愀洀椀氀礀爀攀猀琀愀甀爀愀渀琀⸀挀漀洀 漀昀 挀漀昀昀攀攀Ⰰ 琀攀愀 漀爀 猀漀昀琀 搀爀椀渀欀⸀ ⼀㈀ 氀戀⸀ 䈀甀爀最攀爀 搀攀氀甀砀攀⸀䤀渀挀氀甀搀攀猀
圀椀琀栀 愀 瀀甀爀挀栀愀猀攀 漀昀 ␀ ⸀ 漀爀 洀漀爀攀⸀
氀攀琀琀甀挀攀Ⰰ 琀漀洀愀琀漀 ☀ 挀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 ㌀ 琀漀瀀瀀椀渀最猀⸀
⸀ 䌀栀漀椀挀攀 漀昀 瀀愀猀琀愀2019 • Milford Living
41
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Doreen Ely Bledsoe’s experience in casting sculpture is an art in itself.
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education notebook
Ethical Education
W
“
ho do you want to be?” “Do you want to be a person of integrity, a person known as caring?” These are questions David Wangaard thinks every teen should be asked. It’s at the heart of the work he oversees as president and director of The School for Ethical Education (SEE).
Mark Consorte, Social Studies Department head at West Haven High School, an email from Wangaard looking to partner with area educators coincided with some “fairly major cheating violations” at the high school.
SEE, a non-profit agency located in Milford, was founded in 1995 by John Winthrop Wright, a philanthropic businessman who saw a need for greater standards of character in society. Wright died the following year and left COURTESY OF THE SCHOOL FOR ETHICAL EDUCATION
a portion of his estate to the school. “John was 84 years old when I first met him and he was still working every day,” recalls Wangaard. “His fundamental legacy was empowering more people to lead a life of character.” The programs, professional
Mentors and students work together to instill character education through programs in schools.
development, and consulting services offered by the school
character can be appropriated at many points
Consorte sought Wangaard’s help to start the
support its vision of teaching “strategies to
in one’s life,” he explains, pointing out that
Academic Integrity Committee (AIC), a group
(K-16) educators to put ethics in action for
habits are best established at earlier ages
comprised of faculty and students looking
positive character formation of students.”
when there are many opportunities for young
to discourage cheating while promoting
people to take ownership of the direction their
integrity.
Wangaard sees schools as having a unique opportunity to not only highlight and recognize ethics and core values within
lives will take. A focus of Wangaard’s work in recent years
In the fall, committee members visit all 3rd grade classrooms in West Haven and read a
the academic realm, but also to loop those
has been SEE’s Integrity Works! program,
story to the students, discuss the importance
messages back to parents. “Lessons of
which emphasizes academic integrity. For
of living a life of integrity and being honest,
44 Milford Living • Autumn
and administer the AIC Pledge. They return to each classroom in the spring and use skits to
make integrity an aspirational goal.” Christopher Kulenych, an English and
and exemplify, honesty and integrity. “With technology and the internet there are so many
re-establish the conversation. The committee
Journalism teacher at Jonathan Law
tempting ways to cheat and plagiarize. The
also creates lessons on cheating and integrity
High School, uses SEE’s Public Service
idea is to get kids to take ownership in their
for use during the high school’s Advisory
Announcement (PSA) contest with his
work, to not give in to the temptation to take
periods, conducts pledge drives throughout
broadcast journalism students. The purpose of
short cuts, and to always strive to do better.”
the year asking students to promise not to
the contest is to promote academic integrity
The recent emphasis of the contest has been
cheat, and carries out an integrity poster
in a positive and proactive manner, using
on personal integrity and being kind to one
contest for 8th grade students at Bailey
short 30-60 second clips created by students
another. “At Law we take pride in our being a
Middle School. While the committee also
who work in teams and enter three or four
kind school and I welcomed the opportunity to
raises awareness of the importance of
videos each year. He finds they are a creative
shift to this focus,” says Kulenych.
academic integrity during midterm and final
way for teens to give advice to their friends
exams, Wangaard contends it’s not just about
about practicing academic integrity. The
of integrity can be translated well beyond
test taking. “It’s about creating a culture of
school’s Advisory program uses the PSAs
academics, to athletics, performing arts,
integrity and encouraging young people to
throughout the year to spur discussion about,
and more. “If the work is to be authentically
From Wangaard’s perspective, a culture
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education notebook engaging, the adults must be role models,” he says, with staff and students functioning with integrity at all levels of school life. Foran teacher Lisa Farrell became familiar with SEE when she worked in the Bridgeport school district. As an advisor of Foran’s
“There are so many pressures on students today. These are critical skills and tools that will help when working with other people, especially in a mentorship role and role model situation such as Natural Helpers.”
Natural Helper’s program, which includes freshman mentoring, she asked Wangaard
address it. “David’s work reinforces the
to speak at the group’s orientation this fall.
strategies needed for peer mentoring,” says
Helpers directly aligns to, tapping the
In a service-learning model, which Natural
“David will reinforce the core ethical values
Farrell, who sees the value of this message
resources of SEE was a natural choice for
necessary in a role that works with younger
in a school setting. “There are so many
Farrell. “Fostering good, being a civic leader,
students and share strategies on teamwork
pressures on students today. These are
managing difficult decisions around ethical
skills and creating a positive atmosphere.”
critical skills and tools that will help when
dilemmas—this is part of the training to get
Part of the Natural Helpers application is
working with other people, especially in a
them ready.”
to describe a difficult situation, such as
mentorship role and role model situation
bullying, and how the applicant would
such as Natural Helpers.”
Wangaard continues his work because of feedback he receives from teachers who share
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stories of successful implementation of a SEE program. He recalls a 25-year veteran educator who was ready to quit the profession because of the increasing COURTESY OF THE SCHOOL FOR ETHICAL EDUCATION
discipline issues she was encountering.
Students receive recognition for their participation in School for Ethical Education programs.
SEE’s programming made an impact on her work and she changed her mind. He explains, “When a school implements character education, it creates an aspirational climate accepting of mistakes and embracing apologies. When a school is a safe, welcoming, loving place it makes for happier staff and students. It’s a place people want to be. That’s what character education can do.” —Susan Glennon
Voted Top Dentist by Top Doctor Awards 2018 & 2019
2019 • Milford Living 47
historical perspective
The End of the Line
T
hese days it’s common to see trucks of all sizes driving down I-95 and through the streets of Milford carrying goods of all kind. In the not too distance past, however, Milford manufacturers had a very different method of receiving and shipping goods. “Back in the smokestack technology days…everything was horse and wagon and steam engines, and everything got around by train,” says Howard Williams, secretary of the New Haven & Derby Model Railroad Club. “Especially in an industrial state like Connecticut, there were spurs everywhere. Anyone who Above: City Carting still operates
raw materials shipped out. Guess how?
their rail spur. Left: The now defunct
On tracks. By rails.”
Furniture Row spur. Below: The old
BRIAN CREEVY
made or did anything had to get their
Rail spurs are dead-end short tracks that branch off the main railroads. Manufacturers in the past would use
Devon Station. efficient option for moving
them as the main method to receive
goods became available for
or send supplies in boxcars along the
companies in Milford—trucks. COURTESY OF JOHN GREENER
main lines. Two rail spurs branched off the eastbound and westbound tracks of the New York and New Haven Railroad—the main line that travels through downtown Milford which was completed in 1849. The westbound
“The biggest decline of the railroads in total were multiple things, but for the freight industry it is most likely the trucks and the highways they used,” says Riley Webb, head operator of the Boothe
track was owned by a concrete plant that
of which was supplied from a coalyard
Memorial Railway Society. “People began
supplied materials to build I-95. The spur
in Stratford across the Housatonic River.
saying ‘The trains are becoming too long
was put out of use after the interstate was
Both were active until the early 1950s.
and loading times are taking up too much
completed in 1958.
Another rail spur could be found behind the
time.’”
The Devon Power Plant and the Devon
Furniture Row warehouse off New Haven
Coal & Fuel Company each had rail spurs
Avenue, though it has long been inactive.
that were used for shipments of coal, much
48 Milford Living • Autumn
When I-95 was completed, a more
Trucks became a more efficient method, as they were easier to load and unload and could travel to destinations in a timely
fashion. They were also more economical,
as their primary
as owning property for the rail spurs
method of transit.
became too expensive.
However, some
“A lot of industrial people used to
A model of the Devon power plant built by Milford Senior Center Railroad Club.
industries in the
complain that they couldn’t depend on
area still use
Recycling Company,
the [delivery] times,” recalls John Grosner,
rail spurs for
a waste and recycling
one of the founders of the Milford Senior
shipments.
Center Model Railroad Club. “The delivery
center, off Old Gate
Milford has two
schedules were erratic at best from the
active rail spurs:
railroads, they were having issues at the
one is off the track
time because the federal money was all
parallel to Oronoque Road
being put into the highways.”
at Milford Asphalt Plant #13.
Lane. It is used to ship bulk amounts of waste and recyclable materials. Though they are the dead ends of railroads, the use of rail spurs
Most of the rail spurs were torn up and
Owned by O&G Industries Inc., a sand and
was—and in some cases remains—a
the metal scrapped in the years following
gravel supplier, the rail spur was actually
necessary path for businesses throughout
the completion of I-95 as manufacturers
built within the past ten years. The second
Milford’s history.
began moving toward using the highways
active rail spur is owned by City Carting &
—Brian Creevy
36 “Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.” – William Ewart Gladstone, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
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2019 • Milford Living 49
legends & lore
Behind the Tombstones I
n Tombstone, Arizona’s infamous Boot Hill cemetery, there is a tall, white, wooden grave marker with an inscription scrawled in black: “Here lies Lester Moore. Four slugs from a 44. No Les, no more.”
While Boot Hill’s rogue’s gallery resting place is peppered with gallows humor grave markers, it’s not the only example of dark GERRY MCGUIRE (3)
posthumous poetry. Tombstone’s witty epitaphs share a direct lineage with the grim yet wry New Englanders who helped found America. In 1792, a young Milford woman named Mary Fowler died. The first part of her epitaph is typical, but then then it takes a turn
Above: Mary Fowler’s marker was replaced after the unique headstone was moved for safe keeping.
to the macabre, reading:
Above Right: Ardienne Damicis, Milford Historical Society Education chairman, runs the cemetery tour.
“Sacred to the memory of Miss Mary daughter to Mr. William & Mrs. Eunice Fowler who Died Feby 1st AD 1792 in the 24th year of her age. Molly tho pleasant in her day Was suddenly seiz’d and sent away How soon she’s ripe how soon she’s rott’n Sent to her grave and soon forgott’n”
50 Milford Living • Autumn
Besides the dark ode on the stone, the
pyramids to Etruscan tombs to New England
grave marker has taken on a bit of additional
graveyards, the dead have a lot to say about
fame after being stolen from its plot in
who they were.
2009. Thankfully, it was found nearby. Any
On Saturday, October 19th at 1:00 pm, in the
knowledge of who Molly Fowler was is
Old Milford Cemetery, costumed re-enactors
based entirely on what was written on her
will lead visitors on a guided tour through the
tombstone. Whether it’s Lester Moore or Molly
headstones and through time, from the 1600s
Fowler, it’s their dying that gives us a sense of
to our more recent past, where you can meet
who they were and how they lived.
some of Milford’s most famous citizens, hear
The burial monuments that previous peoples and civilizations left behind have been essential tools in understanding those who came before us. From Egyptian
their stories, and understand the lives they lived in the town they helped build. Time has not been kind to many of the headstones; hundreds of years of New England
winters, nor’easters, sun, wind, and rain have eroded many of the stones while others have fallen over or broken. The Milford Historical GERRY MCGUIRE (2)
Society, along with its offshoot, the Friends of Milford Cemetery, offer spring and fall cemetery tours to raise money to help fix and document the tombstones and raise awareness about the important place that Old Milford
Many of Milford’s founding families are buried in Milford Cemetery.
Cemetery holds in the city’s long history. Running the tours is retired Orchard Hills
ministers in my church was down, and I kept
National Cemetery began in the rose garden of
teacher Ardienne Damicis. “When I retired
saying, ’We gotta fix that! We gotta fix that!’
General Robert E. Lee’s wife, Milford cemetery
from teaching, I took over the education
Eventually we did, and it was at that time we
began in the garden of Milford founder Reverend
program at the Historical Society and one
started talking about forming the Friends of
Peter Prudden. According to the History of
of the things that we did was take the kids
Milford Cemetery.”
Milford Connecticut 1639-1939, “The first ground
into the cemetery. So, I became interested
The origin of the cemetery is almost
occupied for a burying place in the town was
in it that way. Then I got very upset because
as interesting as some of the people and
Mr. Prudden’s home lot, being the east end of
the tombstone of one of the most important
monuments found within it. Just as Arlington
his garden...Here were buried all who died in
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legends & lore the town previous to about 1675
more and more symbolic
and among these was Mr. Prudden
and ornate resting places.
himself in 1656.”
Winged skulls, funerary
But, as Damicis explains, you
urns, cherubs, trumpets, hour glasses, oak leaves,
settler’s grave markers. “The
arches, and anchors are all
Puritans considered headstones
symbols that evolved over
a vanity. If it was summer people
time, and place headstones
were wrapped in a blanket and
within certain eras to help
GERRY MCGUIRE
won’t find any of the earliest
put in the ground rather quickly without much ceremony. Death was just a way of life. They grieved privately and moved on.” The
The Weeping Lady is one of the focal points of the Milford Cemetery.
earliest readable tombstone in the cemetery is William Robarts who died in 1689. His real last name was Roberts, but according to Damicis, “Spelling in the 1600’s, especially by
explain the prevailing culture of that time. At the October tour, you’ll hear the stories behind the tombstones
stone masons, was kind of hit or miss.” As you tour the cemetery you see how the puritanical, no headstone rule changes to
first-hand when members of the Milford Historical Society don their best tri-cornered hats, bonnets, and buckled shoes and re-enact
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the lives of Milford’s most famous deceased residents. You’ll learn about the mysterious forgott’n’ Molly Fowler, visit with early Connecticut governor and founder of Newark, New Jersey Robert Treat, hear about the adventures of fur trapper Peter Pond, and
GERRY MCGUIRE (2)
weeping lady encased in glass, meet poor
learn about many other dead denizens of
Left: The common grave of smallpox-infected
Milford. As Damicis explains, “The re-
prisoners of war who died in Milford; Above:
enactments are some good fun, but they help
Symbolic carvings can be found on many older
to give a voice and a face to people who are
headstones.
gone...to get a sense of who they were and that time’s change but people don’t.”
remembered. The Milford Historical Society
Inside the cemetery there is a stone
helps us remember these fellow townspeople—
inscribed, “MY WIFE’S GRAVE. DO NOT
like neighbors you wave hello to—whether you
FORGET ME.” There is no name on the stone,
remember their names or not.
just a plea through time to have a loved one
—Gerry McGuire
2019 • Milford Living 53
greetings from milford
A real photo postcard for Miss Pauline wo years before this real photo postcard (RPPC) was taken in 1905, Kodak introduced a camera designed for postcard-sized film that
allowed photographers to have their images printed on postcard paper. Was that the camera used to capture this quintessential study of Milford children in their Edwardian finery? One can assume that the postcard recipient, Miss Pauline Clark, was one of the subjects. Was October 14th a special day, celebrated with a photo that eventually made it into the mailbox of each of the school’s students? There just wasn’t room to write more…it would be 1907 before senders were allowed to include messages on the back of postcards.
—Ann McGuire
54 Milford Living • Autumn
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2019 • Milford Living 55
celebrations
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56 Milford Living • Autumn
ROBERT CREIGH
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ilford celebrates the installation of the color changing fountain in downtown Milford. Purchased by Richie Conine of Stonebridge Restaurant this fountain serves in memory of Stonebridge chef Thomas Brockert. Thanks to all those who made this colorful addition to Milford’s vibrant downtown.
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Across from the Shoprite & Starbucks plaza conveniently open 7 days a week
expressions
To Honor and Remember It’s inspiring to see flags of all sizes proudly displayed around town, especially around Veteran’s Day. Be sure to thank a Vet! Photographer: Robert Creigh
62 Milford Living • Autumn
FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 LEANN RIMES
10-25-2019
KISHI BASHI
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
11-1-2019
ANDREW SCHULZ
11-14-2019
11-3-2019
UPCOMING SHOWS FRI 10/11 – RICK ROBERTS & LARRY BURNETT (OF FIREFALL) SAT 10/19 – BACK IN BLACK – TRIBUTE TO AC/DC LA’S BACKSTAGE PASS FRI 10/25 - LEANN RIMES FRI 11/1 – KISHI BASHI SAT 11/2 – THE GARCIA PROJECT
BACK IN BLACK
10-19-2019
SUN 11/3 – THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
TIFFANY
FRI 11/8 – GET BACK! THE BEATLES REUNION
11-15-2019
THU 11/14 – ANDREW SCHULZ (COMEDIAN) FRI 11/15 – TIFFANY SUN 11/17 – RIPE: FALL TOUR 2019
CASTLECOMER
SAT 11/30 – CHRIS COLLINS AND BOULDER CANYON’S
JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS SHOW
THU 12/5 – MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN
AN EVENING WITH ANNA RAIMONDI FRI 12/20 – ALPACA GNOMES
RICK ROBERTS & LARRY BURNETT (OF FIREFALL)
10-11-2019
SAT 12/21 – GOOSE SUN 1/12 – ROB SCHNEIDER (COMEDIAN)
@WALLSTREETTHEATER
RIPE
11-17-2019
WALLST_THEATER
71 WALL STREET, NORWALK CT | 203.831.5004 | WALLSTREETTHEATER.COM
?
where is it? Answer to last issue’s quiz:
The bird habitat sign features in the last issue can be found at the Milford Point Coastal Center – Connecticut Audubon Society.
Do you know the answer to this issue’s Where is It? Want to win a Milford Living T-Shirt? Send your answer to this issue’s Where is It? (along with your name and address) to: suzanne@milfordliving.com Two lucky winners will be chosen at random.
BILL CANFIELD
Send us your answer at: suzanne@milfordliving.com
Voted 2019 “Top Dentists” — Connecticut Magazine
Kristin Helms • Mitchell Quintner • Alex Quintner • Meenakshi Madhu • Michael Wiener • Ian Gibbs • DMDs
55 Old Gate Lane, Milford, CT • 203-872-5911 • SensitiveCare.net 64 Milford Living • Autumn
Grand Opening Milford, CT November 7th!
150 Boston Post Rd., Milford, CT
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