Milford Living Summer 2023

Publisher’s

Readers’ Letters

Milford Spotlight

This Season

Around Town

Arts and Artisans

Family Time

At Your Service

Education Notebook

Milford Morsels

Milford Wildlife

On The Water

At Home

Historical Perspective

Expressions

Milford’s Attic

Greetings From Milford

Farm to Table

Where is It?

About the cover: The fishing pier at Walnut Beach. Photo by Steven Franko. You can view Steven Franko’s portfolio on instagram at /skfranks/ or follow Steven Franko on Facebook.

Your Personal Price Plan™ is here

SUMMER 2023

VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 2

Publisher/President

Suzanne Cahill

Suzanne@milfordliving.com

Editorial Director

Ann McGuire

Art Director

Ryan Swanson

Associate Publisher

Susan Carroll Dwyer

Advertising Director

Joy Haines

Contributing Photographers

Suzanne Cahill, Susan Carroll Dwyer, Steven Franko, Sherry Johnson, Cathy Leite, Maryalice Manning, Gerry McGuire, Annabel Wardman

Contributing Editors

Tracy Farricker

Contributing Writers

Angela Arpino, Susan Carroll Dwyer, Timothy Chaucer, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg, Jason Marchi, Marilyn May, Ann McGuire, Gerry McGuire, Cindy Papish Gerber, Mike Patrick, Maya Rossado, Annabel Wardman

Production Assistance

Kevin Maher, Wendy Macomber, Todd Manning, Tamara Simpson

Interns

Bridget Dwyer, Maryalice Manning

Milford Living Magazine

162 Bridgeport Avenue Milford CT 06460

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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 2003-2023 Red Mat Publishing.www.redmatpublishing.com

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.

Greetings, dear friends!

Welcome to the summer issue of Milford Living! Summer brings to mind feelings of warmth, sunshine, and the relief of not having an overpacked schedule. It’s a season for outdoor exploration, rest, and enjoyable moments spent by the shore.

As time goes by, our experiences also evolve. In this issue, we look back to see how Milford has changed over the years. Although the ways in which we celebrate and connect with our community may be different from the past, the happiness and joy it brings remain constant. Looking to the future, we take time to celebrate our graduating high school seniors. We had the opportunity to speak with several of them about their aspirations and what they love about Milford. It’s inspiring to see the potential they hold for the future of our community.

Taking a break from our daily routines and enjoying the warm weather and nature’s beauty is always a great idea. We are so fortunate to have so many activities to choose from. We highlight some community favorites to keep you busy and unplugged all summer.

Enjoy reading the issue and sharing our stories with friends. Since you know we love hearing from you, send us your favorite summer memories when you have a moment and we’ll be sure to share photos and stories in a future issue.

readers’ letters

Historical stories are great. When Ed Pascal was our music teacher at MHS, we had a man who played for Benny Goodman. And at the time he had his own orchestra where Frankie Carl played piano for him. Research on this wonderful teacher and others would be great to read. True stories are the best stories!!! Thanks for listening!!!

—Jeanette Dewitz, California

If any of our readers have more information on Mr. Pascal, we’d love to learn more. It’s the people of our community, both past and present, that make Milford so special, and we endeavor to tell as many of those stories as possible!

Do something on Ryder’s Trailer Park

—Patricia Brencher, North Haven

We did a feature on the beloved trailer park years ago when it was located on the Post Road. Maybe it’s time for an update!

Continue success!!! I enjoy receiving your magazine and the stories you write. I feel more connected to our community.

—Maria Wilson, Milford

Thank you for your kind words, Maria. For the last 20 years it’s been our goal to inform, educate, entertain, and connect the Milford

community. Its been a labor of love and we have no intention of stopping!

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

Fetching water, Ryder Mobile Home Park, Connecticut, 1939

5 Tips for Healthy Aging

3. Slow Aging with Hormone Replacement

As we age, changes in hormone levels can result in fatigue, weight changes, loss of libido, poor concentration and much more. While synthetic hormones are a possible solution, they are not a perfect match for your hormones, which can increase the risk of side effects when used. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones with chemical structures identical to hormones your body naturally produces. By restoring your hormones to levels like when you were younger, they are also known to reverse the signs of aging.

By Charles Guglin, MD, FACS and Francesca Guglin HyperFit MD Age Management Center

Most people want to slow down their aging and improve their health to look and feel younger than their biological age. While traditional medicine focuses on treating the effects of the aging process, functional medicine focuses on treating or preventing the causes of aging. Here are some tips to help you slow down the aging process and age in a healthy way:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Your weight and eating healthy is one of the primary things that affect your health and can slow down the aging process. Many of us struggle to lose fat and keep it off but with help from professionals like HyperFit MD Age Management Center, you can improve your body composition, health and slow down the aging process.

4. Anti-Aging Intravenous Drip

Turn back time with the powerful anti-aging intravenous therapy loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients. Chock full of vitamin C, glutathione and other vitamins and minerals, regular intravenous infusions from HyperFit MD Age Management Center can boost your energy and detox your body while supporting longevity.

5. Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamins and supplements can be some of the best weapons when it comes to anti-aging. But most of us don’t get all the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need through food alone. With a good supplement regimen, you can fight the signs of aging including sagging skin, cognitive decline or poor physical health.

2. Identify and Delay Age-Related Health Conditions

As we age, our bodies change and work differently at the cellular level. Unfortunately, we may not feel the effects until they manifest into diseases or conditions.

Be proactive by identifying areas of concern in your body before they develop into debilitating conditions. Testing can help detect various conditions in your body and can raise red flags for potential heart disease, cancer, bone density risks, organ function, hormones levels and more. With advanced diagnostic testing from HyperFit MD Age Management Center, we can identify the underlying causes of many health conditions early when there are better chances of positive outcomes. This enables us to develop personalized treatment aimed to keep you healthy for years to come.

For more information on how to live a longer, healthier life, visit hyperfitmd.com or call 203.890.9777

to make an appointment with Dr. Charles Guglin. 88 Noble Avenue, Suite 105 - Milford

Defender Discovery

Atremendous amount of excitement and media attention followed the news on April 16, 2023, that a team from Shoreline Divers had identified the sunken remains of Defender, the 1907 submarine designed and built by Milford’s Simon Lake.

Scuttled by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1946, Defender was “legitimately hiding in plain sight” in Long Island Sound off the coast of Old Saybrook, according to Shoreline Diving Services VP Richard Simon. “It’s on the charts. It’s known about in Long Island Sound, just no one knew what it was until we identified it.”

The discovery of Defender’s remains has thrown the spotlight back on inventor Simon Lake, a Milford resident considered a pioneer in the development of the submarine. Lake lived in Milford for almost 40 years. He purchased the property at 135

Richard Simon surrounded by members of the Shoreline Divers team: (from left) Steve Abbate, Austin Leese, Kevin Ridarelli, Richard Simon, Eric Simon, Jennifer Sellitti, and Joe Mazraani.

Defender was built in Newport News, Virginia, the same year Lake moved to Milford, having previously resided in Europe where he designed submarines for the German, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian navies. Lake was convinced his latest sub would win a hefty contract from the U.S. Navy. But it was not to be. The contract went to Lake’s arch nemesis John Holland (founder of Electric Boat), though by 1912 Lake had succeeded in building submarines for the Navy. With almost 200 patents to his name, including those for ballast tanks and diving planes, over time he became known as “the Father of the Modern Submarine.” Eventually the sub— originally named Lake—was rebuilt to try to correct some of its deficiencies and renamed Defender. But the Navy still wasn’t interested. Years passed, and though Lake had retrofitted the ship for salvage at his Bridgeport facility, it never managed to achieve the glory that Lake envisioned, despite a flashy 1929 PR ploy featuring famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Defender languished at a New London dock for years and somehow wound up stuck on a mudflat off Old Saybrook before

CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, FRANK MT. PLEASANT LIBRARY OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES

Puts Simon Lake Back on the Map

Broad Street (until recently Smith Funeral Home and now Metro on Broad Apartments) in 1907 and remained in Milford until his death in 1945 at the age of 79.

the Army Corps of Engineers towed it into Long Island Sound and scuttled her.

And there the story lay for 77 years, until April, when another Simon—Richard Simon— and his diving team located and identified Defender in 150 feet of water.

Just as Simon Lake was influenced by the tales of life under the water as envisioned by Jules Verne’s classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Richard Simon was influenced by tales of Simon Lake. “Stories about Lake and his inventions fascinated me,” he said when the announcement of the discovery was made. Simon, who researched the vessel and its history, grew up hearing stories of Lake’s work from ship captains and explorers. Prior to launching their search, he and his team did as

much research as possible on Defender. “The secret to identifying this historical relic was to connect the available research to the stories.”

The wreckage of Defender had been previously surveyed by both NOAA and Eastern Search and Survey and was marked as “unidentified” both times. But Simon noticed that the size of the wreckage was consistent with Defender’s dimensions. Onboard his vessel R/V Integrity, Simon and his dive team’s first attempt at identification was called off due to poor conditions. Two days later, they succeeded. “You could say Defender was hiding in plain sight all this time in a waterway I’ve traveled for years.”

Somewhere, the spirit of Simon Lake is smiling over the fact that his long-ignored submarine has finally gotten the attention he always felt it deserved.

—Ann McGuire

GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM COLLECTION, PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Amelia Earhart dressed for deep sea diving off the submarine Defender, off Block Island, Rhode Island, July 1929.

this season

Milford Lifeguards Gear up for Summer

Trips to the beach are the first thing that come to mind on a blazing hot summer day for Connecticut teens and families. Nothing beats a swim in Long Island Sound on a sunny day. That means the lifeguards on the public beaches of Milford are gearing up for another busy season.

The Milford Recreation Department announced that the 2023 lifeguard season begins Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty weekends only until July 4th, when daily lifeguard service begins. Lifeguards will be on duty at Walnut Beach and Gulf Beach. In order to be a lifeguard, Waterfront, CPR,

and First Aid certifications are required. Lifeguards must be 16 years old by the start of their first shift. “There is a national shortage of lifeguards, so they can be difficult to find,” says Rich Minnix of the Milford Recreation Department. “We would love to have 20-25 lifeguards to cover both beaches.”

Silver Sands State Park is also hiring lifeguards, but they are employed under the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The responsibilities of a beach lifeguard are significant. Being a lifeguard is not just about rescuing people from the water. Lifeguards have a professional and moral obligation to prevent potential accidents and dangerous situations by enforcing the rules and regulations of the Milford Recreation facilities and reacting to emergencies that may occur.

A lifeguard’s primary responsibility is to protect lives by constantly scanning the aquatic facility to recognize swimmers in distress, wearing rescue tubes, and carrying masks/gloves while on the stand or patrolling the aquatic area edge. Lifeguards must be vigilant for signs of trouble and act when necessary.

Milford lifeguards must be in proper uniform for the entire shift. Guards must wear a whistle, a hip pack containing a CPR mask and gloves, a red lifeguard shirt, and red/black lifeguard shorts.

They must know and review all emergency procedures and respond to emergency situations immediately in accordance with Milford Recreation policies and procedures. Once complete, they will complete related reports as required.

One of the challenges that lifeguards face on the Connecticut shoreline is the changeable weather conditions. The coastline is subject to sudden and severe storms and lifeguards must be prepared to react quickly and effectively when the weather turns bad.

In addition, the unpredictable tides and currents make the job of a lifeguard even more difficult.

Despite these challenges, for many young people, lifeguarding is a way to spend the summer outdoors, earn money, and gain valuable work experience. Milford lifeguards earn minimum wage which is $15 an hour. For some, it’s also a stepping-stone to a career in emergency services or public safety. But being a lifeguard is not just a job or a career path. It’s a way of life that requires dedication, discipline, and a commitment to serving others. Lifeguards must be physically fit expert swimmers and

have the keen mental ability to remain alert at all times.

“The most valuable thing I’ve learned from being a lifeguard is the knowledge I gained through the CPR and First Aid Certification,” says Milford lifeguard Jake Fleisher. “It is a really great skill to have to be able to think quickly and help to keep people safe.”

Like Fleisher, many other lifeguards are proud to be part of a tradition of service that has helped to keep the beaches of Milford safe. This year when you are on the beach, be sure to thank your lifeguard.

—Maya Rosado

The Ultimate Waterfront Experience

Time Machines

What is cooler than a classic car? The lines, the design, the sound of the engine…all are intoxicating for automotive aficionados.

In 1978, my dad bought his dream car, an MGB, a nimble convertible with a whopping 65 horsepower. While driving home from Win Sports & Imports, I fell in love with it, so my dad left the car to me. Whenever I’m taking a curve, downshifting with the tunes cranked up to 11, my time machine takes me back as it moves me forward. It never disappoints, even if it breaks

with like-minded Milfordites and check out their sweet rides.

Joe Mazzucco 1953 FORD F100

“It has a 1985 5.0 under the hood out of an 85 Mustang GT. It has a 1986 front clip out of a Dodge Diplomat State Troopers car,” says Joe Mazzucco. “I’ve always owned a truck as my daily driver so I thought a classic pick-up

show, and the ride home is even nicer if you win a trophy. I listen to oldies when the radio is on, but most of the time I just enjoy the sound of the engine.”

James Romano 1977 FIREBIRD

“I bought it from the original owner who bought it brand new in 1977 in Long Island. It’s a car I remember when I was younger and had one in high school,” says James Romano. “Driving it makes me feel like I’m carefree and have

nothing in the world to do but take a nice ride on a beautiful day. I like to listen to the Eagles and the Doobie Brothers which brings me back to my youth.”

Rick George 1956 MERCURY MONTCLAIR 2-DOOR HARDTOP

Rick George says, “I bought it last year from a friend. As to why I bought it how could you not just look how beautiful she is! When driving it the

JOE MAZZUCCO JAMES ROMANO

1977 Firebird

1956 Mercury Montclair 2-door hardtop

1953 Ford F100

feeling is indescribable. The first day I drove it to the house, my son and his family were in the front yard. I ran into the house for a minute only, then I saw my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter pulling it out of the driveway! The feelings are contagious! When I’m cruising with the windows down, Chuck Berry blasting “No Particular Place to Go”...‘Riding along in my automobile, my baby beside me at the wheel…’ The engine purrs like a panther!”

Kip and Peggy O’Hara

1960 MCDONOUGH, MODEL B60 BUCKBOARD

“We bought it from a commercial airline pilot from New York in 2010,” says Kip O’Hara. “We like the oddball cars—we find them interesting—and this car is rare.

It feels great driving it, and it gets a lot of attention. Since it doesn’t have a radio, we prefer to listen to it run. Putt putt!” The O’Haras own numerous classics, some of which reside in museums across the country.

Warren Mitchell 1956 FORD VICTORIA

“I have enjoyed my old cars for over two decades now,” says Warren Mitchell. “Since I was a teenager, the Ford Victoria has always been one of my favorite

KIP AND PEGGY O’HARA

1960 McDonough, Model B60 Buckboard

cars. Driving on a warm, sunny day with all the windows down feels great. Instead of blasting music I prefer the sound of my dual exhaust. Part of the car experience is socializing with new and old friends at local cruise nights. I also enjoy a thumbs up

from a stranger or, ‘Man I used to have a ‘56 Ford just like yours.’ It’s all part of what we call cruising.”

Thomas

Simmel

1963 STUDEBAKER

AVANTI R1

“I purchased it about five years

ago after I found it for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I had always wanted one from the day I first saw it. It has a Raymond Lowey designed body—very unique and made of fiberglass,” explains Thomas Simmel. “It is very smooth

and quiet and very relaxing to drive, especially with the working air conditioning. I rarely listen to music when I’m driving, I prefer the sound of the engine, but when I do its usually classic rock.”

—Susan Carroll Dwyer

WARREN MITCHELL

THOMAS SIMMEL

1956 Ford Victoria

1963 Studebaker Avanti R1

The Art of Balancing Stones

Milford native Steven Warzel applies focus and skill to balance beach stones into amazing forms like castles and dragons, only to have them reclaimed by the sea at the next rising tide.

Warzel’s unique art, which requires nothing more than a bunch of rocks, his hands, and the ability to feel the force of gravity, allows him to balance random stones into complex forms that inspire and amaze—and stir media attention. Recent stories about Warzel’s rock sculptures have appeared in regional papers and on Ann Nyberg’s WTNH Channel 8 human interest program.

While the 57-year-old artist, husband, and father is relatively new to the stone-balancing art (he started less than a decade ago) his entire youth was immersed in creativity. “My grandfather Frank Smith, my mom’s dad, was an awardwinning woodworker of free-form tables and furniture and he won a couple awards in

craft shows around New England,” states Warzel. “And my dad Joseph Warzel was just one of those guys who knew how to fix it all and do it all.”

Smith’s furniture still graces people’s homes, which Warzel says he gets to see occasionally. Later in life, Smith developed yet another craft. “He got into calligraphy, making calligraphy of poems on pieces of wood and I see those all the time in people’s houses,” he says, adding, “That introduced me to poetry and literature.”

Artistic talent was not just limited to one side of the Warzel family, however. “I found out my dad’s dad was an artist too, but he died very young, so I never knew him.”

Based on those family influences during his formative years, Warzel began drawing as a child, thanks to his love of Marvel Comics, Jack Kirby, and other artists he admired. “Their art just blew my mind when I was a little kid,” recalls Warzel. “I grew up in the ‘70s, so all that pop-art of Marvel Comics and Frank Frazetta and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was a big deal for me.”

Another 20th century arts master who also had a profound effect on the young Warzel was the famed stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen. “I went through a stop-motion phase when I was a kid and made monster movies with clay figures,” he says.

“Harryhausen’s movies were a massive influence and I still watch them to this day.”

As the years passed, all the creative influences and desires simmered inside Warzel’s mind and spirit. The day arrived nine years ago when he found his own unique position as an artist all because of a need to get outside coupled with his creative way of looking at something as innocuous

DAWN WARZEL

as rocks strewn on a beach.

When asked how and why he began piling beach stones into shapes, structures, and animal forms, Warzel points to a need that came deep from within. “I don’t mean to sound over dramatic, but I went through a bad time in life and there was a real need to just go outside and play and have fun again,” was on Anchor Beach and there were all these

it,” Warzel will say to himself. “When I walk around, I say there should be a dragon over there and that’s a perfect spot for a castle. That’s how my mind works. I saw the rocks and one day I just started balancing them and I didn’t think people were going to like it as much as they do. The outpouring of people stopping and watching me, they just loved it.”

Viewers are always welcome, yet sometimes Warzel will go off by himself and build a stone sculpture while enjoying the quiet of no audience watching.

TIM MANNLE

arts + artisans

In time, of course, nature reclaims the stones, usually with the next incoming tide due to wave action. The stones are only balanced after all and easily dislodged, spilling back to the earth in nature’s random arrangement.

“To go and build something that’s not going to last, on purpose, there’s a beauty in that to me,” explains Warzel. “I like that the slate gets wiped clean and you’re forced to remember. And when creating, I didn’t want to do anything to upset nature.

“It’s my cave man art,” Warzel concludes. “I went as primitive as I could possibly go. There’s no oil paint, there’s no electronics, there’s no tools. Just my hands and rocks.”

—Jason Marchi

AVOID THE RUSH SCHEDULE YOUR PHYSICAL NOW

203-882-2066

Reminder: Forms take a week to complete. Please allow enough time.

WE ARE OPEN FOR SICK VISITS EVERY EVENING, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS

50 Commerce Park, Milford, CT

1 Golden Hill, Milford, CT *Sick Office*

An Amateur’s Guide to Sand Sculpting

Summertime has finally arrived in Milford and families are basking in the sunshine. Milford has many summer activities for residents to enjoy, but the beaches are undoubtedly a citywide favorite.

Most sunny days, the sandy shores are filled with families and friends participating in a variety of activities. Teens enjoy playing spikeball, volleyball, or simply soaking in the sun. Parents love to read and relax, while kids dig or play in the water. However, none of these pastimes top the classic beach activity, building a sandcastle.

Building sandcastles has been a summer staple for centuries; less popular is its companion, sand sculpting, which is not much different than building traditional sandcastles. Anyone can do it! It may seem intimidating, but with a little effort and creativity, a stan-

dard citizen can become an expert sculptor.

Start by grabbing a big bucket and lots of water. By using damp or wet sand, builders have a greater ability to mold, shape, and carve the sand. Water also helps to maintain the shape of the sand and prevent portions of your creation from falling apart while you work.

While practiced sculptors have a collection of tools to work with, amateurs can use household items such as letter openers, stirrers, straws, and spoons to help craft their sculpture. Tools help sculptors add small details and designs to their creations and can be the difference between a simple sandcastle and a professional-looking sculpture.

Starting out may seem intimidating, but there are several simple designs for first timers to try. Sea creatures like starfish, octopus, or eels are easy to make and even easier to elevate.

When in doubt, just start and be led by creativity. There is no right or wrong in sand sculpting, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes or do something differently.

When you’re ready to kick things up a notch, Milford offers an opportunity for sculptors to show off their new talent. The Milford Arts Council (MAC) has sponsored the annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Walnut Beach for nearly 50 years. This year the event will take place on Sunday, July 9th and is open to all Milford residents.

Paige Miglio, executive director of the MAC, has personally overseen the competition for

many years. “This event is in its 46th year and welcomes builders of all skill levels; in fact, amateurs far outnumber experienced or even professional competitors. However,

growing up in a shoreline community such as Milford has its advantages!

Milfordites love their beaches and generations have grown up building sandcastles,” says Miglio. “This is part of our heritage. Walnut Beach is ‘the sand between our toes’. All Milfordites should come out and embrace their inner creativity while enjoying one of the best beaches in the state!”

The competition is a great opportunity for families to try something new together. Be sure to look into this year’s contest, whether it be to participate or simply take the time to admire the work of others.

—Annabel Wardman

COURTESY OF THE MAC

Purple Pantry Boxes

You’ve seen them around town: purple wooden boxes with light blue doors. No neon signs or padlocks, just a joyfully colored box on a property near the road. They contain much-needed, free-for-thetaking food donated by those who care.

The Purple Pantry Box movement was started by public defense attorney Susan Brown only three years ago. As families were impacted by unemployment during the pandemic, she saw them struggling to put food on their tables. Food pantries and drive-up food distribution options were sometimes unattainable for seniors and other low-income populations. Brown wanted free food to be available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

“When I started doing this in 2020, I was helping families who needed food until their next paycheck,” says Brown. “Now, 65% of our food goes to senior citizens whose income has not risen even though the cost of living has significantly.” In 2020, she placed three plastic bins of food on the properties of the Milford Senior Center, Firehouse Art Gallery, and a corner in Woodmont. The food was gone shortly thereafter.

Today this 501(c)(3) organization has evolved into 12 all-weather boxes built by Brown’s neighbor Chris Grejtak. They are tended to by 30 volunteers (there are no paid employees) and multiple civic organizations. There are another five boxes in neighboring towns which are maintained by their hosts, who have been specially trained to do so. Each Purple Pantry Box in Milford is visited every day by a volunteer who cleans

and restocks it. The food is donated by local organizations and businesses that conduct food drives, or is purchased by Brown and her volunteers thanks to monetary donations to the organization. Food is also donated directly to the boxes by caring residents. Donated food must be non-perishable and shelf stable, like canned proteins (tuna, chicken, sardines, sausages, etc.), peanut butter, water, nuts, or toiletries. Donors should be sure that all items are completely sealed and expiration dates are checked before donating.

“We distribute more than 10,000 pieces of food a month,” says Brown, who retired last year and now focuses on providing free food to those who need it. Last year, Purple Pantry Boxes was awarded “Best Local Cause” by the

Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Brown won “Volunteer of the Year.” She was also honored as “Elks Distinguished Citizen 2022” by Elks Lodge #1589.

“As a public defender, I helped people every day and loved it. I have always been aware that I

am fortunate while others are not,” she says.

—Angela Arpino

FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING, hosting a food drive, or donating funds, visit PurplePantryBoxes.com.

Attorney Joseph Tramuta

MARYALICE MANNING

Keep Learning with Adult Ed

The City of Milford’s Board of Education is tasked with providing our children with pre-K through grade 12 learning experiences. But it also has a robust Adult Education program, offering a wide range of classes to pique the interest of many.

According to Milford Public Schools communications director Katy Bonetti, the city’s Adult Ed program is comprised of two parts: “One part is the Academic Course Program (sometimes referred to as Mandated Programming) that includes basic skills instruction, GED test preparation, citizenship preparation, and English as a Second Language instruction. All of these courses are provided free of charge to Milford residents.”

Bonetti continued, “In addition to the Academic Course offerings, Milford Adult Education is proud to offer nearly 100 courses in their Enrichment Program. These courses give students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of interests, such as arts and crafts, financial planning, career building, health and wellness, recreation, world languages, and much more. Courses may run only one night or may meet for several weeks, depending on the subject matter.” Let’s throw the spotlight on just a few of the courses available.

It’s Clay Time

For those who are drawn to art, there are numerous fun courses to choose from. It’s Clay Time focuses on creating functional and non-functional items from clay using different techniques, and is taught by Foran High’s ceramics teacher Emily Plude. “I have

had a passion for the ceramic arts since my experience as a student in the visual arts classes at Jonathan Law High School,” says Plude. “I knew early on that I always wanted to teach art, but I really wanted to focus on learning more about ceramics. I earned my BFA in Ceramics from Hartford Art School. After graduating, I worked as a sculptor in the art department at a stop motion animation film studio. Working in the industry with adults fostered my passion for working with adult

As Plude explains, “In my ceramics classes I focus on teaching my beginners about the three main clay hand-building techniques: casting clay from molds, a variety of different surface treatments, and how turn clay on the potter’s wheel. My advanced sections are for students who have taken my class(es) and want to further their knowledge and experience by creating more complex forms on the wheel and/or by hand building.”

For Plude, the best part about teaching adult learners is that “they all have varying experiences in working with clay and/or creating art. Having the ability to get to know them and guide them on their artistic journey has been very rewarding.”

Estate Planning 101 & Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning

Attorney Nicole Camporeale, Esq. of the law firm Hoekenga, Machado, & Lyon, LLC, has been teaching enrichment courses for Milford Adult Education for several years, bringing a wealth of experience to these valuable classes.

“I teach Estate Planning 101 and Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning. We learn about the basic estate planning documents everyone

EMILY PLUDE

JOLITA SANCHEZ-GARCIA

needs, how to avoid probate using revocable living trusts, asset protection in advance of needing long term care, applying for Medicaid, and using assets in the best way possible when someone already has care needs.”

Camporeale looks at her classes as providing a beneficial service. “I love to educate individuals about estate planning and planning ahead for potential long term care needs because of its sheer importance,” she says. “Being able to have a say in your affairs, protect assets, and have your wishes met after death is extremely

important. Teaching through the adult education program has allowed me to reach an audience that wants to learn more about this planning and have the tools available so they can take action. I have met many wonderful students over the years. It is a great program and service to the community.”

Student Becomes Teacher

Milford native Donna Berlanda has both taken and taught classes through Milford’s Adult Ed program. “I took knitting with local knitter Lynn Perry and wound up making a tangled mess, so I took it again,” she laughs. “After the second time, I did well and began to knit for fun, even on the train to Stamford where I worked. I wound up inspiring others and we had a ‘needlework car’ on the train! I went on to improve my skills to the point where I started designing items. I also really enjoyed taking a stained-glass class with Paul Petrushonis and even a rollerblading class.”

Berlanda eventually decided to share some of her skills as a teacher. “I have been able to teach classes for many years as well, such as floral design, garment construction, and landscape design,” she says. “My favorite thing about teaching Adult Ed is that the people who come want to learn and I love to teach the skills I have to others.”

There are many other vibrant and fascinating courses available in many different topic areas. Learners can sign up for lessons in how to do voiceovers, get their lifeguard certification, study the fundamentals of boxing, learn several different types of dancing or a new language, get instruction on how to write a memoir,

brush up on their knowledge of wine from different regions, and much, much more.

Most classes are held at Joseph A. Foran High School, with others at an alternate site. The location is confirmed upon registration.

For the second year, according to Kathy Bonetti, “The Milford Adult Ed program will also open its smaller scale Summer Courses program. Limited to approximately 16-20 courses, residents can still take courses that meet a few weeks over the summer.” The fall offerings and registration will be

available online or through the catalogue later in the summer.

To learn more about Milford Adult Education’s programming, visit www. milforded.org/page/adult-education or call 203-783-3461.

—Shaileen Kelly Landsburg

Scrumptious Summer Picnic Sides

Summertime is here, and with it one of our favorite pastimes, the backyard picnic! While hot dogs and hamburgers often take center stage, nearly everyone can agree that the side dishes are really the stars of the show. They stand at the ready, prepared to delight picnickers with their tasty flavors and textures.

Some of our writers here at Milford Living shared recipes for their favorite picnic sides, and we hope you enjoy them!

THE SHORELINE CHEF’S SUMMER GAZPACHO

Shaileen’s favorite was also one of her late husband’s favorites, a crowd-pleaser using some of summer’s bounty. It’s a delicious cold soup and is perfect to bring to a picnic!

INGREDIENTS:

1 quart tomato juice

1 large or 2 medium ripe tomatoes

1 green bell pepper, seeded

1 cucumber, partially peeled (I do vertical stripes) and seeded

1 large clove of garlic

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour tomato juice into serving bowl

1/2 a small red onion

1 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste

2. In food processor pulse tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, garlic, and onion separately and add each to tomato juice. (These items can also be handchopped and added to the bowl.)

3. Stir in red wine vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice.

4. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste.

5. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let flavors blend. (Can be refrigerated for several days)

6. Serve cold with optional dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt and a crouton on top.

SUSAN GLENNON’S WHEAT BERRY EDAMAME SALAD

Adapted from a recipe by Pompeian Olive Oil, Susan’s favorite is a very forgiving recipe that can be adjusted for ingredients you have on hand.

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups water

1 cup dry wheat berries, farro, kamut, or similar grain (I use Bob’s Red Mill grains)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large saucepan, combine water and wheat berries/ grain and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 60 minutes or until wheat berries are tender.

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 bag frozen corn**

1 yellow, red, or orange pepper, chopped**

1 cup chopped grape

3. Place in a strainer and run under cold water to cool quickly, drain well.

4. Combine the wheat berries with the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Adjust vinegar,

tomatoes

1 chopped red onion – more or less to personal preference

1 1/2 (more or less) cup frozen, shelled edamame, thawed**

olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

5. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours in advance.

** Trader Joe’s frozen Soycatash in place of these individual ingredients is a great time saver!

2-3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

2-3 Tbsp. olive oil (or Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Salt and black pepper to taste

CINDY PAPISH GERBER’S TANGY, NO-MAYO POTATO SALAD

With red onion, parsley, and lime, this is a is a long-time family favorite, adapted from a good friend who grew up in Peru.

Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes Makes 6 side dish servings. Can easily be doubled for a crowd.

lb. bag organic red potatoes, scrubbed, cut into bite-size pieces

Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil medium red onion, thinly sliced

Place potatoes in a large pot. Add cold water so that it’s 2 inches above the potatoes. Bring water to a boil and add salt. Cook potatoes until they are easily pierced with a knife, about 10 - 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Allow potatoes to cool.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. of cheese tortellini

3/4 cup of pesto

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup of olive oil

3-4 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool down.

2. Toast the pignoli in a dry skillet for about 3 minutes, shaking the pan and stirring until the nuts are golden brown. They burn easily! Remove and transfer to a plate to stop the cooking.

1/4 cup of toasted pignoli nuts

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Salt & ground pepper to taste

2. Place onions in a large bowl. Add vinegar, olive oil, a little salt, and the juice of the lime. Mix well and allow to marinate for 10 minutes.

3. Smash the garlic with a press or knife, add half a pinch of salt and

1/3 cup parsley, minced

1½ garlic clove

1½ Tbsp. or more kosher salt

1½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. paprika

some parsley leaves. Add a little olive oil and mash everything until you get a paste.

4. Add the potatoes to the bowl with marinated onions. Add garlic paste and plenty of finely chopped parsley. Mix, adjusting salt and pepper and more lime to your taste. Sprinkle some paprika on top.

5. Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine pesto, minced garlic, and olive oil. Mix well until creamy.

4. Add cooled tortellini to bowl and toss until pasta is fully coated

5. Add tomato, pignoli, and parmesan and toss.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste

7. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

We all hope you enjoy making and sharing these delicious picnic sides, and that you have a wonderful summer!

—Shaileen Kelly Landsburg

ANN MCGUIRE

Seniors’ Last Summer

MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL

SENIORS’ THOUGHTS ON LEAVING THEIR HOMETOWN

BY ANNABEL WARDMAN & MAYA ROSADO

Summer is a very special time of year, the time of early mornings and late nights, ice cream on a sunny day, and endless beach days. Summer, however, is also a time for new beginnings. As the Class of 2023 is preparing for the next chapter of their lives, for some that means leaving their hometown behind.

Boston, which I love to do with my friends. Living here has given me the opportunity to see what city life is like and I am truly grateful for that.”

Still, Wainman is thankful for the childhood that Milford provided her. “It’s special to grow up here for me because my mom also grew up here which I think brings me closer to her. Milford isn’t huge but it’s big enough to be able to meet a bunch of different kinds of people.”

Fourteen years after her arrival in Milford, Wainman is preparing to

Samantha “Sam” Mauro

has had her entire life to admire Milford. Having lived in the city all 17 years of her life, Mauro has grown to truly treasure her hometown. “It’s so special to live here,” she says. “I love the community and the waterside; it’s truly gorgeous and you will never run out of things to do.”

Come fall, Mauro will be leaving Milford to take a job as an au pair in Europe. While she is excited to cross continental lines, she is sad to be leaving the town she calls home. “I’ve grown up here, so it will always have my heart,” says Mauro. “My childhood here has been super special and I would never want to change that. I will always miss being five minutes from the beach and in such a safe and happy town.”

Hannah Wainman, a former senior at Foran High School, has lived in Milford since she was four. After moving with her family from Park City, Utah, Wainman came to know and love Milford for its small beach-town charm.

“Milford and Park City are like complete opposites,” says Wainman. “Milford is a beach town while Park City is directly in the mountains. Milford gives me the opportunity to go to cities like New York and

LINDA MAURO

ANNABEL WARDMAN

move to Boston, and eventually Madrid, Spain, through the study abroad program at Suffolk University.

Logan Aronson, another Foran graduate of the class of 2023, will soon be saying goodbye to Connecticut and hello to sunny Florida. Aronson will be attending Rollins College and pursuing new passions. Still, she feels sad to be leaving Milford behind.

“I love living in Milford because of the beautiful beaches, small downtown area, and close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone here and it’s like a big family,” says Aronson. “I’m sad to be leaving, but I know I will be back in no time.”

Aronson has great aspirations for not only herself, but for Milford as well.

“I would love to give back to the town that gave me so much,” Aronson says. “When I come back, I want to help organizations like the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. I would love to do anything to help make sure Milford is thriving.”

Madison Smith has called Milford home for her entire life. Born and raised in “The Small City with a Big Heart,” Smith considers Milford to be her “happy place.”

“I love living in Milford,” says Smith. “The downtown is so charming, the Green has so many cute restaurants to try. There’s this great sense of community and there are so many people willing to help you when you need it.”

Smith will be moving a vast 20 miles come fall to attend Sacred Heart University for nursing.

“My move may not be far, but I will still miss Milford so much,” says Smith. “When I graduate college, I want to work to help my city. I’ve volunteered with my church in the past, and I want to continue doing so to sustain Milford’s beauty.”

ANNABEL WARDMAN

CHERYL ARONSON

Jose Abreu, another Foran graduate of the class of 2023, has not lived in Milford as long as most. Abreu moved to Milford from the Dominican Republic when he was in 7th grade. He is now preparing to move to Fairfield, where he will study nursing at Sacred Heart University.

“I’ve lived in Milford for six years now and I love it. I love how you can just randomly go to the beach and have a fun time with your friends and drive or walk around downtown,” says Abreu.

Though he has spent less time in Milford than the rest of the class of 2023, Abreu has truly come to appreciate the beauties of Milford.

“It really is a great place to live,” he says. “Everyone knows each other, everyone is nice and welcoming; it’s the perfect family friendly town.

Matthew Hagerty, a senior at Jonathan Law High School, is fairly new to Milford. Moving from Florida in the 7th grade, he spent his early years there and his teenage years in this close knit community.

“I love living in Milford because it has amazing people and a variety of things to do; I think that moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Milford, CT is one of the best things that has happened to me during my life,” says Hagerty. “Going from such a big city to a smaller town, I have been able to create a lot of meaningful relationships with my peers, reach personal goals, and be there for others.”

Hagerty embraces his shoreline town, spending his summers out on his boat and working at the Marina’s gas dock. He will be attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he hopes to later join the Coast Guard.

“I have been amazed and thankful for the amount of care and effort

that has been put into shaping the person I am today via friends, mentors, advisors, coaches, and teachers,” says Hagerty. “Living in Milford has made me want to come back after college because I want my kids to go through the same experiences that I’ve had, and because Milford is a great place to make connections and create beneficial relationships.”

Benjamin Rossi

, another Law member of the Class of 2023, will soon be heading off to Marist college in Poughkeepsie, NY. Rossi has lived in Milford his whole life and believes it was the perfect place to grow up.

“It is special to grow up in Milford because of the strong sense of community throughout the whole city,” says Rossi. “Growing up playing Little League I met different kids throughout all of Milford from all different backgrounds and some of them are still my best friends today.”

JOSE ABREU

MATT HAGERTY

Rossi will be majoring in journalism and hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism. He credits his passion for writing and public speaking to the variety of classes and electives that his high school offered.

“I hope to come back to Milford after college because if I had grown up in another city, I may not have felt as comfortable and at home, which may have prevented me from discovering my path for the future,” he says. “It was the support I received from my peers and administrators that never made me scared to host the school news and try a variety of classes.”

The authors are Milford Living’s senior interns: Jonathan Law H.S. Graduate Maya Rosado Foran H.S. Graduate Annabel Wardman

Best wishes and Congratulations to all Milford graduates!

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Summer,

Then&

Now

BY CINDY PAPISH GERBER

For those who came of age in Milford between the 1950s and 1970s, summertime seemed much simpler. “I miss the quaintness,” says Tony Assunto of his childhood in the 1960s. He recalls “playing games, walking or biking to the Mall with my friends to buy the latest 45 record for 79 cents, going to the Capitol Theatre or the drive-in, hanging out at the hamburger joints, drinking out of a garden hose after a game of baseball at the school. 1960’s summers were the best!”

Long-gone from the scene are days swimming in the lake by Camp Clark or in the reservoir (aka resi/ressie/rezy) near Jonathan Law High School, riding horses through Eisenhower Park and Platt Orchards, the Walnut Beach Amusement Park, Milford Jai Alai, Milford Amusements, Casey’s Golf Range, the Surf Club, Bill’s Cabin Ice Cream Bar, Wanda’s Sugar Shack…the list goes on and on.

Susan Hertzog Cugini is the administrator of the Facebook groups “You Know You Are from Milford” (which she also created) and “Milford, CT History & Vintage Images”. After reading through comments and photos from the 24,000 members (and growing), Cugini observed that those who post “are most nostalgic about people we will never forget and landmarks special to us that open up the ‘I remember when’ floodgates.” Yet, she also notes that there are many comments about Milford “thriving…and growing forward.”

Which begs the question: Was the good ole’ summertime really much better?

MILFORD REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Then: We used to go to the Drive-In.

In the film musical Grease, Danny may have crooned, “Stranded at the drive-in, branded a fool. What will they say Monday at school?”, but the summer scene at the Milford Drive-In was anything but lonely. With room for 500 cars, Connecticut’s first drive-in theater was the place for friends, families, first-daters, and goin’-steady couples to catch a double-feature. From 1939 until it was torn down in 1988 to make way for the Showcase Cinemas multiplex, the drive-in had an adjacent playground and a Sunday morning flea market.

“My dad had a contraption he could put over the windshield to prevent rain from getting on it, so we could see the movie without turning the wipers on,” recalls Sandy Ryan. Tony Assunto, who worked there one summer, fondly recalls the car speakers, overhead view, marquee, and refreshment stand. “Hey, sometimes we even watched the movie!” he quips. Janice Cummings worked at the box office throughout high school and college (‘77-’82). “Vans with REALLY cool fantasy sci-fi paintings on the side made it impossible to tell how many people might be in there,” she says. “And passengers hid under blankets or in the back seat or car trunks. I would give the guy working the lot a heads up. He would watch the car and wait until they opened the trunk and piled out.”

Now:

We see movies with our family and friends at Lisman Landing.

“There’s nothing like a classic blockbuster under the stars on a summer evening,” says Tracy Bonosconi, president of the Downtown Milford Business Association (DMBA). “We started Movie Nights in 2017 because it hadn’t been done before in downtown Milford. We have had families

Left: Family Movie Night at Fowler Field

Below: Vintage ticket from the Drive-In.

tell us that they moved back to Milford when they had children so that they could grow up like they did.” This year, Movie Nights will take place under the new pavilion at Lisman Landing (directly across from Fowler Field) on Wednesdays in July. For details, check the DMBA’s Facebook page or Events page on their website: DowntownMilfordCT.com.

Then: We used to go to the roller rink at Walnut Beach. Located on Nettleton Avenue, Smith’s Wonderland Roller Rink was filled with people skating around oak floors to the popular hits of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. A few decades later, skaters would spin around to disco music on Rollerland’s blue painted floor or at Skateworld on the Milford-Orange border.

Now: We escape the summer heat and ice skate at the Milford Ice Arena.

This 1,000-seat skating rink opened in 1975 and was renovated in 1985. They offer public skating, figure skating, hockey, lessons, clinics, camps, and birthday parties and is home to local school and club level teams.

Then: We used to go to Paul’s for burgers.

“I personally miss Paul’s more than anything,” laments Ellen Ball

Generations past recall the joy of lacing on skates at the Wonderland and grabbing a “hamburg” and hanging out at Paul’s.

DOWNTOWN MILFORD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Richetelli. Her sentiments are shared by generations of Milford fans who frequented this iconic spot on the Post Road. From 1946-2008, Paul’s served up their “famous hamburgs”, fries, shakes, and more. “It was mostly a high school hangout,” says Richetelli. “We gathered there all weekend and were never told to leave!”

Now: We go to Goodies.

Cravings for burgers, dogs, and baskets of fried food can be satisfied year-round at the Goodies’ location on Cherry Street. Stop by on Thursday evening during one of their Cruise Nights and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If you’d rather eat your meal with a side of ice cream and a view of Charles Island, then head to Goodies’ Gulf Beach, open from mid-May through mid-September.

Then:

We used to go

to The Sundae House...and still do.

Family owned and operated since 1963, customers line up to order their favorite ice cream, soft-serve, slush floats, shakes, Italian lemon ice, dairy-free and even vegan ice cream.

Now: There is an abundance of places to enjoy ice cream.

It’s easy (maybe too easy?) to indulge at one or more of these Milford locations: Pralines, The Cone Zone, Buck’s, Carvel, Cone Zone, Dairy Queen, Micalizzi, Dairy Queen, Ice and Fire, Frosty Twist, Scoopy Doos, and the newly expanded Walnut Beach Creamery.

Then: We used to go to summer concerts on the Green.

During the 1970s, “The concert series under the Milford Chamber of Commerce executive director Robert Gregory were held at the Gazebo on the Green,” says Nell Moll, the former membership director. “People

brought chairs and blankets and picnic-style food. In 1996, we relocated the concerts to Fowler Field.”

Now: We can go to concerts at Fowler Field and Walnut Beach.

Fowler Field’s “Fridays after Five!” concert series officially kicked off summer in May and runs through June 30th. “These concerts are a tradition,” notes Simon McDonald, current director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We restarted them in 2022 and they are very popular.”

The Walnut Beach Association presents their 12th annual free concert series on Sundays, July 30 - September 3, from 4-7 p.m. At-

tendees gather under the Rotary Pavilion to hear a variety of music from rock, to country, jazz, R&B, oldies, and everything in-between. “Walnut Beach is a perfect Milford evening out with friends,” says Andrea Benjamin, who faithfully attends with her husband Cary. “It has easy parking which helps when we scout out a place to listen to music. The concert organizers do a great job of bringing people together.”

Then: We used to look for music at Merles Record Rack at the mall.

Michael Papa, Merle’s longtime owner, says, “We opened the Milford franchise in 1971 in the enclosed section of the minimall. We were there all through construction of the permanent Post Mall, until 1994. It was a real gathering place for fans of ‘new’ albums by Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles.”

Merles left the mall eventually. You can still flip through LPs at their Orange location.

(Top) Summer means simple joys like an ice cream from The Sundae House or any of Milford’s many ice cream parlors. (Right) Musicians and music lovers rocking out under the pavillion at Walnut Beach.

WENDY TERENZIO

ANNABEL WARDMAN

Now: We go downtown to get our vinyl fix at Static Era Records.

At Static Era’s award-winning location on River Street you can trade old records, buy t-shirts and music merch, tapes, and CDs. “It’s great to see parents coming in with their kids,” says Static owner Jay Reason. “Vin and Vinny (father & son) drop in frequently and banter about Kiss vs. Rush. Penny and her daughter Carol are more old school vs. the latest album release.”

Then: We used to go to the Oyster Festival.

The first Milford Oyster Festival was held on August 23, 1975. Diana Nytko, the first chairperson of the Milford Chamber, describes how she organized it with the late Robert N. Cooke with three purposes in mind: “To be a fundraiser for all non-profit and civic organizations, to showcase the local businesses and beautiful downtown Milford, and to create an event celebrating the history of our oyster industry. I was really surprised that first year, as we were expecting less than 5,000 to attend and police estimates were closer to 15,000!”

Now: We still do!

It’s bigger and better than ever.

Voted Best of Milford Region Outdoor Event & Festival, Best Food Festival in CT, and the 5th Best Oyster Festival nationwide, this year’s 49th annual celebration will take place on August 19th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., throughout various downtown locations. “I’m so glad that it was, and still is, so successful!” says Nytko.

Then:

We used to walk the sandbar to Charles Island and still do.

In the summer of ‘55 when Robert Gregory was a lifeguard at Silver Sands, he had to be on high alert. “Silver Sands presented a big problem with the tombolo,” he recalls. “There was no ban on going out to Charles Island so people went out there all the time. Sometimes they wouldn’t time the tide right and we would have to go out and rescue them.”

Now: We leave the place to the birds between May and September.

Humans don’t enter the interior of Charles Island via tombolo or any other method between May 1st and September 9th so birds can thrive during migration and nesting season. This rule was put into effect in 1960, when Silver Sands officially became a state park. Gregory adds, “That makes it easier for the lifeguards and better for the birds.”

Then: We used to go to the beaches.

“Gulf Beach was ‘the beach’,” says Susan Hertzog Cugini, “your final destination to hangout after cruising along the coastline roads.” Lauren LeVasseur spent her summer days during the ‘60s at Stowe’s beach.

“Friends would meet and the entire day would be spent in the water and under the sun. Lunch was hotdogs and sodas from the Helm.” LeVasseur recalls “stargazing at the celebrities that joined us during their stay at Stowe’s cottages. I still remember seeing [actor] Hal Holbrook.”

“My grandparents’ house in Bayview was at the end of Oakland Avenue,” recalls Bartan Kennedy. “I remember bonfires and fireworks on the beach on the Fourth of July and cracking mussels and using them as bait.” Claudia Wolf recalls a particularly funny

Tombolo travelers walk the sandbar to Charles Island.

The Milford Oyster Festival has been a highlight of the summer season for 49 years.

event one summer. “I can’t be positive of the year: 1974, ’75, ‘76? But Bob Long and friends, we took his living room furniture down to Anchor beach to spend the summer day on his easy chairs.”

“In ‘69-’70, I would walk the mile down Anderson Avenue,” says Art Castricone. “From there, you could look left and see West Haven.” For Holly Tur-Mo, “Riding our bikes to Anchor Beach in Woodmont in the ‘80s to jump off Signal Rock at high tide was a rite of passage.”

“Those crazy floating stairs at Fort Trumbull, climbing out on the rocks that jet out from Milford Harbor, fishing, and watching boats go in and out,” filled Diane Bowman Prete’s summer days. “Who needed to go to the Cape when we had Milford beaches in the summer?” she says.

Now: “Our beaches are better than ever.”

So says Daniel Worroll, Jr. commissioner of Milford Parks, Beach & Recreation. “Over the past decades sand has been replenished, pavillions have been built at Walnut Beach, memorial benches placed at Walnut and Gulf Beaches.” There has also been “expanded parking lots at Eisenhower Park, a splash pad for kids, improvements at the tennis and pickleball courts, and new flag pole on the Milford Green—the tallest in Connecticut.”

Susan Herzog Cugini agrees. “Even though things evolve and change

Milford’s many beaches have been drawing crowds since the turn of the last century and show no signs of stopping.

with time, one that will remain a constant is our beautiful beaches. Whether it be the playground at Woodmont, fishing pier and food stand at Gulf, entertainment pavilion at Walnut, or boardwalk and concession stand at Silver Sands, every day and evening there is something new for all to enjoy; nature’s entertainment right here in Milford.”

Milford’s Changing Tide Pools

As a child I would often visit my grandparents who owned a small cottage facing Anchor Beach in the Woodmont borough of Milford.

I would explore the tide pools in this rocky coastal habitat zone.

Under almost any rock, my brothers and I would find eels. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) seemed to be everywhere. So were common periwinkles (Littorina littorea), which we called snails. If we walked the sand bars at low tide, we would be wary of having our toes pinched by calico crabs (ovalipes ocellatus)—sometimes called lady crabs—with their colorful spotted, somewhat purplish carapace, or top shell. Green crabs (Carcinus maenas) abounded as well but were less feisty than the colorful calicos. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) would appear in August.

Nature, like shifting sands, is dynamic; always changing. Depending on your perspective, these changes can be thought of as positive (cardinals expanding their range northward, for example) or negative (English sparrows and starlings coming to the western hemisphere and impacting our native bluebirds).

Today our once plentiful blue mussels have disappeared from our rocky coastal areas. The ribbed mussels (Modiolus demissus), associated more with emerging salt marsh areas amongst the rocky tide pools, seem to be increasing. Eels are seldom

found under those rocks; however, Asian shore crabs are here by the millions under those same rocks. At first blush that would seem to be a negative, but with Asian shore crabs we have seen increased numbers of the shorter-necked marine goose called Brant. I suspect the crustacean-eating blackfish are being seen in greater numbers as well.

Species like the common periwinkles may need to be renamed uncommon periwinkles and those colorful toe-nipping calico crabs

Blue crab

Ribbed mussel

Oystercatcher

gone as well... at least in the Woodmont area.

Hermits crabs of several varieties (Pagurus longicarpus i.e. long clawed and Pagurus pollicarus, i.e. flat clawed) continue to be present. As you might know, hermits outgrow one shell and quickly seek to hide out in a larger one…often a subtidal nassa or whelk. Other mollusks such as the moon snail (two species, Polinices duplicatus and Lunatia heros) inhabit those sand bars, as do the oyster drills (Urosalpinx cinerea) which can often be found under tide pool rocks covered with various

species of seaweed (rockweeds with bladders i.e. Fucus vesiculosus).

Oystercatchers, a large black and white shorebird with a bright red-orange bill seem to be increasing along our coast. I wonder if

they have developed a taste for the exotic Asian shore crabs. I hope so, because the shore crabs are prolific. I once found myself swimming amongst millions of the tiny larval creatures. The oystercatchers are quite beautiful and make a wonderful call when distressed or simply want to alert their buddies that it is time to move to the nearest tide pool.

So, as the tides ebb and flow, so do the species which inhabit the intertidal zone. Have fun!

—Tim Chaucer

Go Fish!

Milfordites are indeed fortunate to enjoy the longest coastline of any town in Connecticut. At 17 miles, our shoreline offers a diverse variety of habitats for fish to reside and thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or rank amateur, there are fantastic spots to drop in a line.

If you are a newbie (and don’t have a clue), local bait and tackle shops are a great place to start. Jason Jadach, owner of Bobby J’s on New Haven Avenue, has an unparalleled knowledge of our waters. “My best advice for a beginner angler would be to always take in

as much information as you can,” Jadach says. “Keeping a logbook of your trips with tide, wind direction, time of day, and moon phase all play a crucial role in whether you’re catching or just what we call it ‘practice casting.’”

Pier fishing is a great way to introduce yourself to the sport. There are a variety of fish to be caught using light- to medium-weight equipment. Breaking out a popper which bounces along the surface to catch some snapper blues (young bluefish) is a great time. Kids love it and the popper can also begin a “who can cast the furthest” competition.

“The most popular fishing style in Milford is surfcasting,” says Jadach. “It’s up to

personal preference and what fish you are angling for, but it’s about 50/50 between using bait and artificial lures.” Surf casting from shore can be a workout. Rods, reels, and lines are beefier in order to handle larger fish. Stripers are challenging and a coveted catch. “Striped bass are the most sought-after species because of the skill and patience needed to catch them, also because of the size they can reach,” says Jadach. “The world record was caught in Connecticut and weighed 81.88 pounds!”

Jadach is always encouraging local anglers to keep learning. “Certain times of the year are always better for different species which is why it helps to visit a knowledgeable tackle shop to see what the latest scoop is,” he explains. “And as always, time on the water; the more time you are out fishing and observing, the more you will learn and figure out the fish behaviors.”

Brynn Herrera hauls in a weakfish while night fishing.

Jason Jadach shows off a 45-inch 36-pound striper.

COURTESY OF BOBBY J’S BAIT & TACKLE

Milford is lucky to play host to several species that are in-season yearround, although there are limits to the amount you can catch and keep. For Atlantic menhaden (bunker) the limit is 50 fish. Weakfish (sea trout) must be 16 inches in length and you are limited to one per day. Bluefish have no minimum length and unlimited catch. The coveted striped bass must be at least 25-36 inches in length and have a limit of one per day.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) sets the regulations regarding fishing the waters of Long Island Sound, including seasons for specific fish,

size restrictions, and legal limits on how many you may keep. Fish are measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Any catch outside of the parameters are to be released back to the water. A book of state regulations is available at most bait & tackle shops. Note that regulations can be changed, so check with DEEP for updates. And of course, a fishing license is required to begin angling. You can register at the Town Clerk’s office in the Parsons complex or online at https://portal.ct.gov/ DEEP/Fishing/General-Information/ Fishing-Guide

—Susan Carroll Dwyer

Summer flounder, also known as fluke, run between May and October.

COURTESY OF BOBBY J’S BAIT & TACKLE

at home

DIY Projects to Heat Up Your Summer

Full disclosure, I am not handy. I am decidedly unhandy. R ecently, my teenage son’s 20-gallon fish tank leaked, poured through his floor, my ceiling, and down the wall of my living room, giving the damaged red paint a decidedly brain-looking pattern. Being unhandy, I called in some experts. They arrived, took out their moisture meters and one-by-one told me the grim news: my wall and ceiling were a toxic morass of moldy fish water and if I didn’t pay $6,000 to repair it, my whole family would die. Even for an admitted home improvement coward, $6,000 seemed a bit much, so I thanked each one, sent them on their way, and decided I’d rather die of fish wall illness than get soaked (no pun intended) for six grand.

Long story short, to save a few bucks, I put my fears of botching the job aside and did the work myself. Months later I am fish mold free, $6,000 richer, and have covered up my so-so repairs with a large painting. I tell you this not to brag, but to illustrate the truth: I am no expert, I am cheap, I am unskilled, and I don’t like a challenge.

But now that summer is here, there are things I would like to

do to beautify my yard without breaking the bank or making me think too much. With that in mind I will offer a couple of summertime backyard Do-It-Yourself projects that will be:

A) Easy

B) Quick

C) Fun

D) Not cost $6,000

Put Pallets to Work

One of the more enjoyable aspects of summer is getting together with friends and family and relaxing outside with a nice cool drink. What better way to serve your guests than

from your own handmade bar? Buying an outdoor bar can be pricey, and building one on your own can be time consuming and complicated. For a cheap, quick, and easy bar build, nothing is better than the humble shipping pallet.

From planters to benches to shelves and bars, shipping pallet DIY projects have become super popular over the last few years and for good reason. You can usually pick up used pallets from behind stores for the low, low, cost of $0. (Of course, always ask first if it’s okay to take them.)

There’s a reason pallets are

free or almost free—the wood is not top shelf—but if you aren’t too choosey and can find three good pallets, you can make a great looking bar with basic tools, sandpaper, and some paint or stain. Beside the pallets, you’re also going to need a few pieces of lumber for the bar top and shelves. The best way to get cheap lumber is to sort through the cull wood at your favorite lumber retailer or hardware store. Cull wood is imperfect wood that is warped or unusable for professional building projects and sold at a discount. While

pallets and cull wood might not be suitable for high-end furniture or homebuilding, they are perfect for a DIY outdoor bar.

The process is relatively simple: start by sanding down the pallets, attach two standing pallets together to form the center, cut the third pallet in half

to use for the sides. Attach the sides using screws and brackets, measure and cut 2x12 boards for the bar top, attach with wood screws, and use corbels or brackets to support the bar top. Paint or stain to your liking, add shelving if desired, and you now have a bar and can start pouring.

For a more detailed description, there are hundreds of YouTube videos that can show you the process in detail.

Pizza Party

After you build your bar and start serving up drinks, you might get a hankering for some food. Nothing is better than a rustic, woodfired pizza made in your very own backyard. You might be skeptical, but with a pile of bricks you can build a working pizza oven in 20 minutes for less than $60 bucks. Start with 53 8x4 paving bricks, seven 18x6 rectangular pavers, and

GERRY MCGUIRE

two smooth 15x15 paving stones. To build your oven, find a level spot away from your house; use gravel to level the base if needed. Do not build this on a wooden deck.

To form a base for the fire, lay down five of the 18x6 pavers about a half-inch from each other to allow for airflow. Start stacking the 8-inch pavers 14 inches apart, lay down two going back, three across the back, and stack them four high. Place one of the 15x15 slabs on top; this will be your oven floor. Make sure the back bricks are slightly offset to create a chimney effect for heat to enter the oven. Stack

the remaining 8-inch pavers three high and place the remaining two 18x6 pavers on the sides. Cover with the remaining 15 x15 slab. Your oven is now done.

For the best results, use small pieces of dry wood and only insert the pizza into the oven

after the fire is burning clean and there is a good pile of coals. Use a long-handled pizza peel since the oven will get very hot. To avoid making a mess of your pizza, look for tips on YouTube. After some trial and error, you will be amazed by the results.

Light it Up

Lastly, for some charming lights on the cheap, try making mason jar oil lamps with cut flowers or fruits. Just fill jars with water, cut flowers, lemons, limes, or oranges, top with a few tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil, and place a large, round, floating wick (available online) on top. Drop the wicks into the oil and light them up. One tablespoon will burn for about two hours.

With your new bar, pizza oven, and pretty candles, your summer is now set and all for less than the price of a fish water wall.

—Gerry McGuire

Awash in History

As the tide goes out at Silver Sands State Park, a path of rocks and sediment rises from the floor of Long Island Sound, as if nature itself is building a highway between the Milford shore and Charles Island.

Colloquially, the folks in Milford have long called it the “Charles Island sandbar” but it’s actually a tombolo—an uncommon type of isthmus formed when waves deposit matter in the same area over time. Milford’s tombolo is mainly made up of pebbles and cobble.

According to CT State geologist Meghan Seremet, the tombolo was formed about 17,500 years ago. “It’s similar to a spit or sandbar except it connects to an island and that’s why it’s called a tombolo,” Seremet says. “It’s a unique situation there at the Silver Sands State Park.”

And it’s likely, historians say, that humans have been traversing the tombolo back and forth from Charles Island for thousands of years.

“The Charles Island tombolo is one of relatively few such features in the world,” says Michael C. Dooling, a Connecticut-based historian and author of An Historical Account of Charles Island, who recently released a second, expanded version of the book. “The indigenous peoples who lived in what would become Milford must have been mesmerized by it, as well as the early European settlers in the area.”

In his book, Dooling notes that the native people referred to the island as “Poquahaug.” A small stone carving of a bird discovered on the island in the 1970s remains the most compelling evidence that Native Americans roamed there, Dooling writes.

Tim Chaucer is a local historian who operates the Milford Marine Institute, a summer camp that teaches children about the natural history and ecology of Long Island Sound. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer.

Chaucer said he’s seen other evidence of Native American population on Charles Island—shell middens. “A shell midden

is where native peoples in coastal areas would deposit their shells over time after eating clams or oysters or scallops,” Chaucer explains. “Over time, those middens get buried with leaves coming down and so forth. Shell does not deteriorate; it stays for thousands of years. So, I have seen evidence of people who have formerly lived out there.”

And those native peoples would have almost certainly used the tombolo’s cobble

MARYALICE MANNING

The word tombolo is Italian meaning “pillow” or “cushion” and comes from the Latin meaning “mound”.

Land access to Charles Island is at the mercy of the tides and walkers are warned to keep a close watch or find themselves stranded...or wet.

to make hammerstones and to chip projectile points, Chaucer says. He keeps numerous examples in the Gulf Pond Museum he operates at the former wastewater treatment plant near the Indian River. One such stone clearly has a chip on it. “This is not natural. Quartz is very hard. Nature doesn’t do that, take out a flake like that,” Chaucer says, pointing to the chipped area. “This was done by Native Americans.”

According to Chaucer, that stone was discovered at a Native American village he’s excavating further down the Indian River. “But that’s the kind of thing you find on the tombolo as you go out there,” he says. “If you

pick up a cobble, which is a rounded piece, and you see a flake taken out, maybe that flake was used as a hide scraper, or maybe they were going to use it as a projectile, and for whatever reason they just rejected it.”

As the English settled and Charles Island went through a series of ownerships—some 26 owners since the 1600s, according to Dooling—the tombolo continued to serve

as a sometimes-treacherous path of access.

Such was so for the ill-fated Elizur E. Prichard, a button manufacturer from Waterbury who purchased Charles Island in 1852 and built a lavish summer home there that later became a resort. “It was Thanksgiving Day in 1860 and he apparently miscalculated the tides and was walking and the tide came in,” Dooling says. “Two duck hunters on the shore saw him struggling and they went out to help him and then he had collapsed on the tombolo and was dead when they got there. It may have been a heart attack.”

Prichard wasn’t the only person to

misjudge the tides when attempting to traverse the tombolo. The notoriously dangerous currents and undertow caused by the covering and uncovering of the formation have caused multiple drowning deaths. The most recent was in 2017, when George Swaby, 28, of Bridgeport, was swept off the tombolo.

“Because tombolos are exposed for only a short time at low tide, a person can start walking on it and soon discover it is covered with water,” Dooling explains. “Its curve can also deceive, and when someone starts walking where they think the tombolo is, they can find themselves in deep water fairly quickly.”

Not long after Swaby’s death, the state

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection constructed a sign near the tombolo warning visitors of the dangers of walking on it. It includes a tide chart to help visitors determine the safest times to do so.

The tombolo has snagged boats as well.

One notable incident occurred in 1937 when a barge named the Captain Jim, loaded with scrap metal, broke away from a tugboat and landed on the tombolo. It remained there for two days until the Coast Guard freed it.

—Mike Patrick

Note: In an effort to protect nesting shoreline birds, Charles Island is closed to visitors until September 8th.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the Milford Marine Institute or Gulf Pond Museum, call 203-874-4000 or email tchaucer@msn.com. An Historical Account of Charles Island is available for purchase at The Canvas Patch, Milford Pharmacy and Home Care, The Ship’s Store, and Milford Historical Society.

MARYALICE MANNING

“If your car doesn’t say Napoli on it, you paid too much.”

Lenny Napoli

The serenity and comfort of home

PHOTO: Sherry Johnson

LOCATION: Fort Trumbull

OUR COUNTRY STORE

On your first step into the Milford Historical Society’s Country Store, you will see old-fashioned games: marbles, dominoes, and pick-up sticks for children. For adults there are history books, candles, and map reproductions. The room, however, is more than a gift shop; it’s also part of the museum. The wall behind the sales counter is filled with antique kitchenware, tools, boxes, and tins of products used a very long time ago.

The coral-colored coffee grinder at the left has a bottom drawer labeled 21/2 that detaches when you are ready to take out the ground beans that have just been through the grinder.

Next is a fluting press that is quite unusual. The base 51/4 x 3-inch footed metal box has a hinged top allowing the worker to fill it with hot coals to heat the apparatus. Then a fabric was placed on top, and a roller was run across the fabric to make a fluted pattern on the cloth.

With one look, you can recognize a small milk can. It is 6-inches high and has a lid with a semi-circular strap handle. It was used for transporting small amounts of milk.

The tool with the spiral steel handle was used to lift burner plates on old stoves so that wood or coal could be added. The

handle was designed so that it stayed cool and the user did not get burned. Lifters were fashioned with specially shaped tongues to fit into slots on top of burner plates.

After a settler built a door, he needed some way to open it or lock it. Shown here is a keyhole saw. This 3-inch saw blade set in a wooden handle was used to cut out keyholes. This item was donated by Rev. N. T. Merwin.

At the front right is a small metal pan with a top used to keep small portions of food warm.

Keep looking at the back wall and you will see old-time brands of cleansers, ointments, soaps, matches, cigarettes, and more. There is Rubens Crayola Drawing Crayons, Cudatty’s 100 Percent Diamond C Kettle Rendered Leaf Lard. You will also find Grandma’s Borax Powder and a 10-pound tin of Standard Baking Powder.

Visit the Milford Historical Society’s Country Store at 34 High Street and see these items and so much more.

—Marilyn May

Photographer: Maryalice Manning

A Grand Time

im Murphy and his wife were thrilled that Anna Mae, Ryta, and the grandkids were having such fun in Milford that summer of 1937. It had been a tough few years, but judging from the crowds at Myrtle Beach things appeared to be on the up-and-up. And my goodness, a radio in every room of the rental! Imagine Guy Lombardo competing with Benny Goodman day and night! Talk about living the high life!

Ann McGuire

P.S. Pops and Gran did hear Aunt Ryta hollering about those crabs the kids put in her bed!

farm to table

Farmer’s Markets

Downtown Farmers’ Market, Wasson Field, West Main Street

June 10th - October 7th

Saturdays belong at the market, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Celebrating its 18th season, the market offers local produce, prepared foods, food trucks, arts and crafts, live music, and special events from many wonderful vendors. (No market on August 19 due to the Oyster Festival.)

Walnut Beach Farmers’ Market, Walnut Beach Pavilion, 85 Viscount Drive, Every Thursday, June 1st through September 14th, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Rain or shine under the Devon Rotary Pavilion at Walnut Beach, visit the amazing farmers, vendors, food trucks and listen to live music! Parking is complimentary for the market.

Village Of Devon

Farmers’ Market, 120 Bridgeport Avenue

Every Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m July through October stop by at the Devon Farmers’ Market and get your native sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, blueberries, and more! Be sure to check out all of the vendors including Wave Hill Breads, Verano Dreams, Eaglewood Farm, and more!

Woodmont Farmers’ Market, Robert Treat Farm, 1339 New Haven Avenue Wednesdays

3:30 – 6:30 p. m. Offers a fabulous shopping experience to anyone looking for good, nutritious local food! Located on the Robert

Treat Farm property at the corner of New Haven and Merwin Avenues adjacent to the historic beach community of Woodmont-on-theSound, the diversity of goods and community atmosphere bring loyal shoppers back week after week.

Justice of the Peace

MILFORD MARINE

All programs are "hands on" with artifacts/objects being shown as the history is talked about.

Marine

Marine

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