BREAKING
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Enrollment
ST. MARY SCHOOL
Please visit our website for more information about the application process, our curriculum. class offerings, and more: www.saintmaryschoolmilford.com
Important Dates
4 12/1: In-school Applications Open Pre-K – Grade 8
4 12/8: Pre-K Open House – 12pm
4 12/9: Pre-K and Kindergarten Applications Open to All
4 1/6 – 1/28: Re-enrollment Open to Current Families
4 1/28: Pre-K – Grade 8 Open House 6pm
4 1/29: Applications Grades 1 – 8 Open to All
With Questions, Please Email: admissions@smsmilford.com
With the start of this new year, my team and I are wishing you a bright new year filled with prosperity!
Carlson Insurance Agcy Inc
Wanda Carlson, Agent 415 Boston Post Rd, Suite 9 Milford, CT 06460-2578
Bus: 203-877-9203
wanda@wandacarlson.com www.wandacarlson.com
State Farm · Bloomington, IL
WINTER 2025 VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 4
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, Cathy Leite, Maryalice Manning, Ann McGuire, Gerry McGuire
Contributing Editors
Tracy Farricker
Contributing Writers
Angela Arpino, Susan Carroll Dwyer, Suzanne De Vita, Elizabeth Donnelly, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg,Marilyn May, Ann McGuire, Gerry McGuire, Michael Patrick, Cindy Papish Gerber, Bonnie Joy Richards, Noelle Talmon
Production Assistance
Kevin Maher, Wendy Macomber, Todd Manning, Tamara Simpson Interns
Bridget Dwyer, Maryalice Manning
Milford Living Magazine 243 Broad Street 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 2003-2025 Red Mat Publishing. www.milfordliving.com/subscribe
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Happy New Year!
As we close the chapter on another year, we take a moment to reflect on the stories, moments, and milestones that have shaped our journey together.
Your support, enthusiasm, and loyalty have been at the heart of everything we do, and we are deeply grateful.
2025 marks a fresh page, filled with endless possibilities.
We are excited to continue bringing you stories and imagery that inform and ignite your passion for our community.
This year, we are more committed than ever to curating stories that spark conversations, celebrate innovation, and explore the Milford community in new and exciting ways.
As we step into our 22nd year, we wish you all health, happiness, and success in every endeavor. May this year bring you closer to your dreams, fill your days with joy, and inspire you to write a new chapter in your own extraordinary story.
Thank you for being a part of ours. Here’s to a bright, bold, and beautiful 2025!
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Welcome to the Winter 2025 issue of Milford Living. As we step into the new year, many of us set intentions to improve our fitness, prioritize mental well-being, or find more balance in our busy lives. Winter can be challenging, but it offers a unique opportunity to slow down, reflect, and focus on selfcare. As it’s the perfect time to stay physically and mentally active, we’ve gathered some ideas to help you make the most of the cold days while embracing the cozy moments that make winter special.
Physical fitness is, of course, a must, but it’s also crucial to keep your mind sharp during the winter months. Reading, puzzles, and strategy games like chess are excellent ways to stay mentally engaged. Whether you dive into a new hobby or explore something creative, you’ll find this issue chock full of suggestions. And when the snow falls outside and the colder days stretch on, lean into those small, simple joys that make the season special. Think of soft nights with a warm drink in hand,
cooking hearty meals that fill your home with comforting aromas, or snuggling up with a warm blanket…or pet.
Speaking of pets, our feline friends can make the cold months so much more enjoyable. Our Milford neighbors share some stories about the cats that bring warmth, companionship, and humor to their homes, reminding us to relax, slow down, and savor life’s simple pleasures.
Embrace the new year with a renewed focus on wellness—body, mind, and soul.
We wish you a happy and healthy new year! May 2025 bring many blessings and joys into your life.
Warmly,
Suzanne
I lived in Milford from 1954-1971 and graduated from MHS in 1964. I loved Marilyn May’s MHS Memories in “Milford’s Attic” from the spring issue of Milford Living. I still have my yearbook, class ring, and cedar box from Wayside Furniture! Thanks for the memories!
—Jeanne Roguski Nettleton, Woodbury, CT
That’s wonderful! It sounds like you have some cherished memories from your time in Milford. We’re happy that Marilyn’s article spurred such a great trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing your
experience, and it’s always nice to hear how Milford’s past continues to resonate with people!
Please fill me in on the old hat factory on Schooner Lane. I’m not a Milford native, but I love the rich history. Also, I was told my relatives lived here long ago. My maiden name is Selander and mom’s is Carothers.
—Anita Dougherty Milford
It’s great to hear that you’re interested in the history of Milford and your family’s connection to the area! The old hat factory on Schooner Lane
was once known as the Flagg & Baldwin Straw Hat Factory. It has quite a fascinating history, as it was one of the town’s industrial hubs during the 19th century. Milford, like many New England towns, had a strong industrial presence, and the hat industry was one of its key sectors. The
factory was known for producing high-quality hats, which were a significant part of the town’s economy during that time. Many workers, including locals and those who had moved to the area, found employment in the factory, which contributed to the growth of Milford.
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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Beating Cabin Fever around town
Weeks of holiday socializing, overabundance, and stressful traveling are over. We now settle in for a long winter’s night; at least two more months of colder weather and shorter days. But do we really want to “settle in”?
For those looking to beat the onset of cabin fever, there’s plenty to do in our Milford community. While not a certified affliction, the symptoms of cabin fever are real: feeling isolated, sad, cranky, and unmotivated. The following events and adventures can help you and the children in your life avoid it altogether!
ONGOING
Book Clubs at the Library
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
Select Thursdays, 10:00 am All book club books are available to borrow at the Milford Public Library. For titles, visit: milfordlibrary.org/eventscalendar.
Romance Book Club
Second Thursday of the month
Classic Book Club:
Last Thursday of the month
Winter Storytime at the Library
Tuesdays January 7 – February 13
10:15 am – Toddlers and walkers with a caregiver
11:00 am – Preschool age with a caregiver
Thursdays 10:15 am – Babies and crawlers with a caregiver
11:00 am – Toddlers and walkers with a caregiver Songs, fingerplays, and stories in a relaxed and friendly environment. Incorporating the Every Child Ready to Read five practices of talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing to support early literacy and caregiver engagement. No registration is required.
Guitarists Gather
Firehouse Gallery
81 Naugatuck Avenue
Second Sunday of the month, 2:00 pm
Do you play guitar and want to connect with others to share ideas, compose, teach and grow in your talent? Join this Milford chapter of the New England Guitar Society. More info at milfordarts.org
Genealogy Club
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
First Monday of the month, 2:00 pm
Discover your family tree! Learn tips and tricks from fellow genealogy enthusiasts and group moderator, Larry Smith. More info at milfordlibrary.org
Pottery and Ceramics Classes
Sunshine Ceramics, 22 Broad Street
Ongoing classes
New beginner and intermediate pottery wheel classes begin in January, along with events like candle making. February brings workshops such as Valentine’s Day private pottery lessons for couples, mug painting workshops, and more. In March we are excited to have the Therapy Mini’s back for Ponies and Painting, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Visit: sunshineceramicstudios. com for classes and times.
JANUARY
2025
January 5, 4:00 pm
Hiroya Tsukamoto
Milford Arts Center (MAC Downtown) 40 Railroad Avenue South
A master guitarist in performance featuring a fusion of world music, classical, and folk. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
January 8, 7:30 pm
Open Mic
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
An open mic night for the community. All performing arts welcome. Register at milfordarts.org
January 11, 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
The Milford Arts Council presents a MAC Bash featuring three bands: Almost Olive, Trunk Band, and The Moonrise Cartel. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
January 17, 7:30 pm
Kersten Stevens Trio
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
January 14, 6:30 pm
Tips for Managing Weight:
Optimizing Your Brain’s
Response to Food with Dr. Wendy Hurwitz
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
Learn when a calorie is not just a calorie from this Yale School of Medicine graduate and nationally
Kersten Stevens, Queen of the Violin, blends jazz, funk, and gospel in unique and exciting performances. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
January 18, 2:00 pm
Celebrating Black American
Music: LIVE Concert Event
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
American music that has shaped our nation’s cultural identity. More info at milfordlibrary.org
January 23, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Winter Art Exhibit Opening: Opening Reception Firehouse Gallery
81 Naugatuck Avenue
Celebrate the opening of “The Figure Within” with family, friends, and a community of artists. Refreshments will be served and awards announced. Free admission. For more info visit milfordarts.org
around town
Petty Tribute Refugee
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
53 West Main Street
Two bands play in this concert for one low price! Ticket prices vary; visit milfordperformancecenter.org
January 31–February 15, Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm Eastbound Theatre presents, My Children! My Africa!
MAC Downtown Eastbound Theatre
40 Railroad Avenue
Generational conflict over the most effective means for ending apartheid in South Africa leads to an explosive confrontation between a gifted but impatient black youth and his devoted but “old fashioned” black teacher. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
FEBRUARY
February 1, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Take Your Child to the Library Day
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
Pictures with fun photo props, simple arts and crafts activities, and a raffle to win an animal-themed prize! No registration required.
At 11:00 am, Animal Embassy kicks off Creating Kindness
Ambassadors and discover the value each creature has in its natural environment.Registration required. Learn more at milfordlibrary.org
February 5, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Writer’s Gather
Firehouse Gallery
81 Naugatuck Avenue
Join the circle of writers in the Written Word Writer’s Group who will be there to affirm you, comment on your work, and
No admission. Learn more at milfordarts.org
February 15, 3:00 pm
Turkish Coffee Tasting
Milford Public Library
57 New Haven Avenue
Immerse yourself into the world of Turkish coffee, including its history, cultural significance, and traditional preparation method. Register at milfordlibrary.org
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
All performing arts are welcome. Register at milfordarts.org
February 15, 7:30 pm
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
53 West Main Street
Two bands play in this concert for one low price! Ticket prices vary; milfordperformancecenter.org
Veterans Memorial Auditorium
53 West Main Street
This special tribute band makes a triumphant return to Milford. Ticket prices vary; milfordperformancecenter.org
February 26, 8:00 pm
Laugh Traks
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
Laugh it up at this comedy show featuring regional comedians. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
MARCH
March 7, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Blues Concert: Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
The queen of blue-eyed rock n’ soul and blues returns to Milford. For tickets visit milfordarts.org
March 27, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Milford Photo Expo Opening
MAC Downtown
40 Railroad Avenue South
The largest photo exhibit in the area. Info at milforarts.org
—Angela Arpino
Chess Moves in Milford milford spotlight
Chess has had a bit of a renaissance over the last few years, aided in part by the hugely popular Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, which drew over 60 million viewers. Chess can be both complex and captivating, and the activity has been steadily gaining momentum in Milford. There are several chess-related programs and businesses in town that provide instruction and materials for those who want to learn or improve their game.
Pat Ciccaglione is president of the Milford Chess Academy (93 Boston Post Road). Founded in 2023, he opened the business to create a welcoming space where players of all ages can enjoy the game with friends. Some seek the thrill of competition, while others enjoy the social and recreational aspects of the game.
“I wanted to create a community that offers opportunities to learn, compete, and connect with others who share a love for chess,” says Ciccaglione. “The game has taught me patience and a deep appreciation for strategic thinking. The Academy team shares this passion for the game, and we’re dedicated to helping others discover the joys and challenges of chess.”
Milford Chess Academy participants can play casually, get lessons, or compete in tournaments. Both beginners and experienced players can improve their skills, challenge themselves, and have fun through individualized lessons, practice sessions, and interactive gameplay. They improve their play
by analyzing games, discussing strategies, and learning from their mistakes.
If you’re new to the game, Ciccaglione
Dawson Chess Academy prides itself on helping those who are new to the game.
recommends starting with the basics by learning piece movement, basic tactics, and strategies. From there, playing regularly, studying classic games, and analyzing your own matches are key steps to improvement. The Academy also hosts “casual play” on Wednesday evenings, a perfect way to introduce yourself to the game and hang out with like-minded players.
Another option for Milford residents is The Dawson Chess Academy, run by husband-andwife team David and Julianna Dawson. Their mission is to introduce chess to parents and families, particularly those who are curious about chess but may not know where to start.
David Dawson has played chess all over the world, from Dubai to Russia. He’s played in tournaments, challenged computers, and taken on multiple players simultaneously. His partnership with Julianna is special because they bring different strengths to the table—he has extensive experience as a chess player, while she has an entrepreneurial spirit. Together, a passion for coaching beginners and the ability to create a warm, family-friendly
The
The Milford Chess Academy provides lessons as well as opportunities for competition.
learning environment makes them a great team.
“We value having a diverse toolkit of methods and select the most suitable approach based on the individual needs of each student or group we’re working with at any given time,” notes Julianna Dawson. “This flexibility allows us to create a tailored learning experience that resonates with our students.”
The Dawsons have taught hundreds of people in Milford in programs such as “Chess for Success in Your Life” at the Milford Public Library, and afterschool programs at Orange Avenue and JFK Elementary Schools.
“People are drawn to chess because it’s a strategic game, and we believe that life can also be viewed through a strategic lens,” Julianna explains. “Once someone learns how to play
chess, they can apply those strategic concepts to life, fostering a long-term positive impact on our Milford community.”
Players can choose from in-person or virtual group games, one-on-one chess coaching, or afterschool chess programs and other customized services. The Dawsons invite interested players to join them for group chess coaching at the Margaret Egan Recreation Center at 6:00 pm on Monday evenings.
Chess has many benefits for players, such as improving strategic thinking and boosting problem-solving skills. Julianna Dawson points out that it’s great for children because it positively impacts their cognitive, physical, and social development as they grow.
Ciccaglione also encourages older adults to
Hanon Russell, owner of the largest publisher of chess books in North America, considers his next move.
milford spotlight
start or continue playing “as it’s a great way to keep the mind sharp and engaged.”
For those looking to sharpen their chess skills through the written word, Milford-based Russell Enterprises (russell-enterprises.com) is the largest publisher of chess books in North America. Helmed by Hanon Russell, the company has published hundreds of titles, which are available in both print and digital versions. Russell also runs DGT North America, which manufactures some of the best and most widely used chess clocks and electronic boards worldwide. Both businesses have been in Milford, at their Depot Road location, for more than 20 years.
Russell, who oversees the business from New
Hampshire while his son handles day-to-day operations in Milford, started playing chess in elementary school before getting serious
with tournament chess at age 12. He earned his national master’s title in 1985 and founded ChessCafe.com in 1996, one of the most popular chess websites in the world, before selling it in 2009. After meeting many international masters and grandmasters over the years, Russell acquired several manuscripts and helped turn them into books. The company publishes between 8-10 new books per year.
Looking for a recommendation? “The Complete Chess Course by Fred Reinfeld is quite good to learn the game, as is the series of books by international grandmaster and former women’s world champion Susan Polgar,” says Russell. “The book is A World Champion’s Guide to Chess and she
David Dawson believes chess improves strategic thinking and boosts problem-solving skills.
ADRIAN ALVARADO
has a bestselling five-volume series Learn Chess the Right Way! These are carefully
selected puzzles divided by chess theme and designed to ease the novice into various
important aspects of the game.”
Russell, who still plays serious chess around New England, believes the game continues to grow in popularity. “Many predicted the decline and demise of the game when computers became so powerful,” he notes. “They can now defeat any human, but nevertheless, organized serious chess tournaments continue to be very well attended. And I think this will continue. Humans will never play as well as computers, and no one cares.”
—Noelle Talmon
visit Milfordchess.com and Milford.thedawsonchessacademy.com.
The Ultimate Waterfront Experience
Regattas
JULIANNA DAWSON
Not So Strange Brew: Athletic Brewing Company
Founded in 2017 by Connecticut natives Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic Brewing Company has grown from a small craft brewery in Stratford to become America’s #1 non-alcoholic beer brand. Athletic’s award-winning beverages, which are available nationwide at over 50,000 retail locations and at 25,000 venues, are crafted on two coasts: at their 150,000 sq.ft. Milford facility (their worldwide headquarters) and a second 107,000 sq. ft. facility in San Diego.
In 2024, TIME magazine included Athletic Brewing Company in their list of the 100 Most Influential Companies. We contacted co-founders Shufelt and Walker to learn more about their success, as best defined by their origin-story video, “The Epic Adventure Behind Athletic Brewing.”
ML: What brought you to Milford and why?
BILL SHUFELT: We were drawn to Milford by an incredible property opportunity and a welcoming business environment. Connecticut
Athletic Brewing founders John Walker and Bill Shufelt
offers strong support and has empowered our continued expansion. Milford truly felt like the ideal place to call home.
ML: You credit your success to…
JOHN WALKER: A combination of factors: Bill’s vision and preparedness…laying the foundation for what we’ve built. Our incredible team has played a crucial role and brings passion, creativity, and expertise to everything we do. We’re also remarkably fortunate to have the unwavering support of our families, who have been there every step of the way.
BILL SHUFELT: Our success is rooted in optimism and an authentic desire to have a positive impact on future generations. We love what we do, and we’re incredibly passionate about making our world-class non-alcoholic beer available to as many as possible.
ML: Biggest challenges so far?
BILL SHUFELT: Forecasting and scaling manufacturing capabilities at a time when the business is experiencing growth. Unlike many companies that rely on outsourcing or operate
in an industry such as software, we’re building breweries that require significant capital investment and hiring talented teammates (260 to date).
JOHN WALKER: Scaling rapidly is tough, but exciting. It’s been a challenge to stay ahead of demand while maintaining quality. The pandemic certainly brought its own set of obstacles, but ultimately helped shape our resilience and strengthened our ability to innovate and continue growing under pressure.
ML: What is your company’s mission?
BILL SHUFELT: To positively impact our customers and the environment by changing the way
the world drinks. In 10 years, we aim for it to be a completely destigmatized choice for people to choose non-alcoholic beer without thinking about its alcohol content. We want to be the driving force behind the growth of high-quality, uncompromising adult beverage alternatives.
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
EXPERIENCE
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ML: What are you most proud of?
BILL SHUFELT: From creating world-class, award-winning non-alcoholic beer to receiving over 100 awards for taste and quality. It’s been a rewarding journey to not only craft exceptional non-alcoholic brews but invest in
eye on business
U.S. jobs and manufacturing which supports local communities and strengthens our industry. Additionally, we take great pride in our industry-leading food safety standards, ensuring that our products meet the highest levels of quality. These achievements reflect our dedication to excellence and commitment to making a positive impact.
ML: Anything else you want our readers to know?
BILL SHUFELT: Through our “Two For The Trails” program, we donate up to $2 million annually to protecting and restoring outdoor spaces worldwide. We are also proudly a Certified B Corporation, selected for the highest standards of performance, accountability, and transparency.
—Cindy Papish Gerber
FOR MORE INFO please visit: www.athleticbrewing.com
Walker and Shufel wanted to create a no alcohol beer that tasted like the good stuff and was free from all additives and preservatives. They launched Athletic Brewing Company in 2017.
Finding Your Voice with Milford’s Poet Laureate
In September, the Milford Public Library, Milford Arts Council (MAC), and Milford City Hall announced the appointment of resident Elaine Nadal as the city’s newest Poet Laureate. This two-year honorary position was created in 2016 to elevate poetry in the public consciousness and celebrate literature. The Poet Laureate will also act as an advocate for the arts, contributing through public readings and participating in civic events.
The choice of Elaine Nadal is an inspired one. This Pushcart and Best-of-Net nominee is the author of When and Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut, published by Finishing Line Press. In her tenure as Poet Laureate of Milford, she plans to champion poetry and the arts, create more spaces for writers to share their work, and continue to build a community by emphasizing the richness, musicality, diversity, and power of poetry. To this end, she will work collaboratively with Milford Arts Council, Milford Public Library, Written Word, and other organizations.
Nadal was originally drawn to poetry as a child, giving her a haven for her deep imagination when she felt lonely and out of place. “Poetry made room for me,” she says.
S. CAHILL
As
BELOVED MILFORD
By Elaine Nadal
Beloved Milford, city of Silver Sands, Seven Seas — where a dream is a pearl inside an oyster and a duck pond nourishes a yearning spirit. I marvel at the cadence in your verses, the way you move and transform, the way you remember and heal. I cradle a walnut, a shell, a rose where inspiration grows. From the root, I take hold of your vibe: sunny, smooth, soothing, cool, catchy, forever staying in the heart and mind.
I savor the flavors from the foods at Dragon Garden, Bridgeport Flyer, Milford Pizza, Pop’s, Greek Spot, Bobette’s, Bert’s Deli, and Taste of Thai.
I imagine an Andean condor while I eat Colombian food at Mi Victoria and then step into an Alternate Universe. My beloved Milford, you’re home to many superheroes. They are everywhere — at the hospital, schools, library.
Milford of my heart, you are a book filled with adventures. You are a vision of beauty, a city of vision with the resilience of an eagle and the courage of a lion. You are a constellation, a space dressed in sparkling silk for the discoveries of tomorrow.
On the very hairs of your head reside empathy and kindness. Your hands carry emeralds. Your belly is a guitar.
I listen to a song at The MAC. I browse at Penny’s and get my hair done at Anewu.
With you, Milford, everything becomes new, and the classic remains a treasure — a mystery is an island named Charles, and the tides engage in a romance that captivates the moon.
I look up at the sky; the stars seem closer.
I crave. I cry, caress a cocoon until my words fly.
Mi querido Milford, the place I began to write again when the pain seemed unbearable. You revealed the void and showed me how to fill it. You taught me my words are enough though there aren’t enough words to capture your magnificence.
From you, I learned what I was missing: pollo guisao, a plethora of flowers, a melody — le lo le lo lai, le lo le lo lai. Your waterfall caught me, and a ray of crimson light appeared. Milford, ciudad candente y de pasión, de sal y arena. Your salt sweet-talks the bland.
The magic in your hands is a hammock at the beach. I take in the sun. The fish swim. The boats sail, and my love for you multiplies.
Milford’s latest Poet Laureate, Elaine Nadal will promote the arts throughout the city.
“It gives a space to everyone.” As an adult, she returned to poetry during a very challenging time, writing for catharsis and healing rather than the intention of publishing. About a year later, she began submitting for publication and found great success.
Aside from her books published with Finishing Line Press, her work has appeared in several journals and anthologies. Nadal is also an accomplished fiction writer. Her favorite genre is family saga, as she’s drawn to stories exploring relationships and family dynamics. Her work aims to “write raw stories that raise questions, create
conversations, and reveal different truths.”
For Nadal, inspiration is found everywhere. “And if you cannot find
it, seek it,” she says. Her most significant sources of creativity are nature, music, and the legacy of her grandmother, a powerful, hardworking woman who sacrificed much and loved abundantly. She is also inspired by the very significance of writing. “Writing is the light that escapes a collapsing star. It is the light that is trying to survive oblivion because that is how we tell our stories and preserve our histories. And in that, we find power and healing.”
The recognition of Poet Laureate of Milford is especially meaningful to Nadal as the city is where she began writing again
The induction ceremony naming Elaine Nadal Poet Laureate was held at Milford City Hall, September 17, 2024.
COURTESY OF ELAINE NADAL
arts + artisans
after experiencing grief and loss. She says, “I rediscovered my voice in Milford. I love this city and am excited to share my love of words.” Milford’s many charms are a source of inspiration, with many wonders to explore, from great restaurants and wonderful businesses to the city’s gorgeous Green and beaches. Especially beloved is the community of caring people and spaces where artists gather to make magic. “Every day you can discover something new… Milford is a vibe.”
Nadal’s goal during her time as Poet Laureate is to amplify the power of poetry to provide healing, comfort, enjoyment, and fulfillment. “I would like to see poetry shared in more spaces and events. I have
some ideas and cannot wait to share them with Milford Arts Council, Milford Public Library, and Written Word.”
For those who are poetry-curious but unsure of where to start, Nadal suggests letting the words flow without worrying about perfection. After the piece is written, you can revisit and edit as much as necessary, but in the early stages, get out of your head and into your heart. As a writing prompt, Nadal likes to write about her dreams, nightmares, or a treasured item.
When asked for advice to aspiring poets, Nadal broke it down to a few main points. The first is never to forget the fun of writing; know that your words are powerful and that your voice matters. Read, observe, explore,
and work on your craft. Lastly, you will get discouraged. During those times, remember why you write and why it is important. In the publishing world, there is often rejection and long waiting. It is all worth it. “Your voice deserves to be heard.”
—Elizabeth Donnelly
Woodmont Eats
Everyone wants to live in a neighborhood with nice streets, pretty houses, good schools, easy walkability, and the friendly people that Mr. Rogers used to sing about.
But what separates a good neighborhood from a great one? That’s easy: food.
A great neighborhood has a good restaurant (or more) close to home that you can easily walk to for a nice meal, cup of coffee, or drink. Beverly Hills 90210 had the Peach Pit, while Seinfeld’s Upper West Side stomping ground had Tom’s Restaurant. Great neighborhoods have great food. That’s what makes Woodmont, though technically a borough, a great neighborhood. Not only is it a beautiful beach community, but there are some great places to grab a bite. On the corners of Seabreeze and Hillside Avenues,
across Merwin Avenue from each other, there are two such excellent eateries. Both Bonfire Grille and Bangkok Room offer great food and add spice, flavor,
and fun to an already wonderful locale.
In May 2018, business partners Frank Basile and Robert Cyr, who had already made their names in the Milford dining scene running Bridge House Restaurant in Devon, decided to expand their culinary footprint and opened Bonfire Grille. The welcoming,
Bonfire Grille offers neighborhood favorites like chicken wings alongside specials like braised pork shank.
paneled walls scream Cape Cod or Key West, with both an indoor/ outdoor bar AND a rooftop bar boasting beautiful views of Long
Grille is more than just a bucket
salads, burgers, sandwiches, and
Owner Robert Cyr describes the cuisine as “elevated beach fare. We’ve got big, juicy burgers, an Arthur Avenue Italian hogey [named for the Italian food bastion in the Bronx], twin lobster rolls, great salads… no one leaves hungry. We also have special seasonal items on the menu, both food and drink, like pumpkin pie, martinis, and fiery apple cider.”
Many northeastern beach community restaurants close in the winter, and come January look more like tomb. According to Cyr, however, come wintertime the Bonfire is still burning.
“We’re open seven days a week and the bar turns into that cozy vibe. We lose the outside, but it becomes a very intimate atmosphere here. We transform this place; it literally becomes a Winter Wonderland. It’s also what we call our winter menu. We decorate it with lights, we
The coastal coolness of Bonfire Grille mirrors Woodmont’s beachy vibe.
GERRY MCGUIRE
GERRY MCGUIRE
spruce the place up to the hilt.” Cyr is grateful that “with our local community we stay busy all winter long.”
And like all good neighborhood bars, it runs on regulars. “Since we opened, this became the neighborhood spot, we get a lot of foot traffic; it’s like the beach version of Cheers,” says Cyr. “We know everyone’s
names and we’ve been able to keep almost the same staff since we opened so everyone knows everyone.”
For Cyr and Basile, being good neighbors means giving back to the community and helping where they can. With this in mind, they started a non-profit called BBFG Community Giving where they sponsor fundraisers
for local charities including the Beth-El Center, Special Olympics, Rape Crisis Center of Milford, and many more worthy institutions.
Visit bbfgcommunitygiving.org to learn more.
Across the street from Bonfire Grille is the new kid on the
Bangkok Room offers exotic flavors in a neighborhood setting.
milford morsels
Woodmont block, Bangkok Room.
Serving Thai and Asian-inspired cuisine since opening in March 2023, Bangkok Room is owned by husband-and-wife team Ricky Seak Sr. and his wife and head chef, Tum. Ricky works full-time at Sikorsky during the day and
manages the restaurant at night. Both hailing from Bangkok, Ricky emigrated to the United States in 1981 while Tum has been in the U.S. for 15 years.
It was in Bangkok that Tum was taught to cook, and she has been working in restaurants for 30 years. Prior to opening Bangkok Room, Tum’s notable culinary skills made her something of a hired gun in the Thai restaurant world. Throughout Connecticut and New York, Tum would be hired to plan a menu and get new restaurant kitchens up and
running, cooking and training staff until a new restaurant needed her skills.
Tum’s real culinary gift is keeping each item on the extensive menu very tasty without bringing the heavy heat, including impressive entrees like whole red snapper, tamarin duck, and soft-shell crab. It’s just the right amount of spicy for the average palette, but Ricky Seak assures me, “If a customer wants us to bring the heat, and really wants it spicy, all they have to do is ask. The menu lets you know if it’s a spicy dish. We don’t want
Pad Thai with shrimp is among the more popular dishes served at Bangkok Room.
GERRY MCGUIRE
people uncomfortable.”
As for finally settling down in such a welcoming neighborhood, Seak says it’s been a great place for them. “We get a lot of foot traffic and walk-ins. It’s a small room with people doing takeout and others dining in some time, but that’s good, it means they like us.”
Winter can be the most challenging time for people; cold weather can isolate us, and the lack of sunlight can bring on seasonal depression. Winter can also be a tough time for restaurants; weather can keep
Chef Tum (right) serves up delicious Asian-inspired foods like the stirfry with shrimp, chicken, and pork below.
people away, meaning sales are down and seats sit empty. Great neighborhoods have the solution to both these problems. This winter, get out and see your neighbors at the local spot. Enjoy a great meal and each other.
After all, these are the people in your neighborhood.
—Gerry McGuire
GERRY MCGUIRE
GERRY
MCGUIRE
Keeping New Year’s Resolutions with Milford Rec
New Year’s Resolutions. Most of us make them and have the best intentions of keeping them. Others look at them more as goals, and strive toward meeting them. As the year continues, life can often cause us to lose focus, and those resolutions are placed on the back burner.
With some of the most popular resolutions being to lose weight, eat healthier, and get in shape through exercise, we’re fortunate to have the Milford Recreation Department with a robust offering of programs to help residents maintain those resolutions and get physically fit even when life gets hectic!
Milford Walkers
Three miles, twice a week. This fun walking group for beginner and intermediate level participants meets year-round on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10-11:00 am. Starting locations and walking routes vary to keep it interesting: these include Beaverbrook Trail and Mondo Ponds, Silver Sands State Park,
Gulf Beach, other Milford routes, and even out of town places at times.
Walking is one of the best low-impact exercises and helps improve overall fitness and socialization. This program is a great fit for anyone looking to keep active, spend time with others, and enjoy the local scenery. Everyone is welcome to participate. For more information, reach out to Bob Hayes at (203) 783-3283 or rhayes@milfordct.gov
Yoga
Stretching, strengthening, and calming, yoga is a whole-body exercise that benefits the body, mind, and spirit and can help with a resolution for fitness and stress relief. Milford Rec offers
Pickleball has become a popular sport for Milfordites of all ages.
yoga year-round in 2-month sessions, with various types represented throughout the year. Choices include Intro to Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Slow Yoga for Transformation, and more.
For more information contact Bob Hayes at (203) 783-3283 or rhayes@milfordct.gov
Pickleball/ Indoor Pickleball
Milford Rec’s adult basketball program is a popular fall and winter activity with both competitive and non-competitive leagues. Milford resident Rob Harrigan is an avid participant who shares, “it allows me to CITY OF
Participating in Milford Rec’s popular indoor pickleball program is a fun way to keep a New Year’s Resolution focused on fitness during the winter doldrums. There are five sessions to choose from, held through March at West Shore Recreation Center. It’s open to Milford residents only; all skill levels are welcome to participate. Milford resident Brad Sanchez is a fan, sharing, “We are all out there having a good time and meeting people and we have some friendly competition.”
While indoor pickleball is held just in the winter, the outdoor courts and programs are held from March to December. For further information about Indoor Pickleball contact Mike Dooling (203) 783-3386 or mdooling@ milfordct.gov
Basketball
exercise, be competitive, interact with people, and stay in shape and physically fit.” For more information contact Rich Minnix at (203) 783-3387 or rminnix@milfordct.gov.
Cornhole
Touted as “Milford’s fastest growing league activity”, Milford Rec offers both competitive and non-competitive cornhole leagues for those who enjoy this activity. The program is held throughout the winter, and interested parties can contact Mike Dooling at (203) 783-3386 or mdooling@milfordct.gov.
While some of the Milford Recreation Department’s activities run year-round, as spring and summer arrive there are additions to the offerings. Taking part in any of these
Milford Rec’s various basketball leagues offer fun and exercise for all ages and skill levels.
can keep the fun fresh, helping Milfordites maintain those resolutions as interest may begin to wane.
Softball
Running from later spring through summer and fall, softball is a popular sport in our city.
SENSITIVE CARE ADVANCING
We’re upgrading our name to Care Advanced Dentistry, while remaining family owned and operated by Dr. Alexander Quintner, so every patient knows about our high-quality care.
We’re also changing our look. Soon, you’ll see updated signs, renovated offices, a refreshed website—you’ll even catch us wearing new scrubs.
But we’ll never change the expert, advanced dentistry we provide Smile Care. Self-Care. Healthcare.
milford fit
There are several levels of softball available through Milford Rec for players looking for more recreational or more competitive. It can add variety to exercise and activity, helping to keep those resolutions fresh. It is enjoyed by many, including Sanchez, who has been playing in the program since 1977! Those interested in playing can contact Bill Garfield at (203) 783-3388 or bgarfield@milfordct.gov
Volleyball/Beach Volleyball
Keeping up with the variety in programming, Milford Rec offers a few different volleyball programs. In the late autumn and early winter, participants can participate in the indoor leagues; come summer, it is time for beach
Players enjoy the exercise, camaraderie, and fun of Milford Rec’s softball leagues.
volleyball! Those interested can reach out to Ken Catino (203) 783-3390 or email kcatino@ milfordct.gov.
Tennis/Tennis Lessons
With 15 courts around the city, playing tennis is a great option to stay active for Milford residents.
many tennis courts and programs through Milford Rec are a great option for novices and enthusiasts alike.
The courts are managed by Milford Rec and for those with little or no experience, tennis lessons are available in the spring and summer. To learn more, call the main office at (203) 783-3280.
Community Gardens
While not a formal exercise program or league, the Benson-Crump Memorial Community Gardens gives plot holders the opportunity to stay active through gardening. One added benefit is that participants can grow some delicious food and beautiful flowers! For more information contact Linda Ball at (203) 214-3407.
As you start to make your goals and resolutions for 2025, be sure to keep these wonderful programs in mind! Happy New Year! !
—Shaileen Kelly Lansberg
Visit the Milford Recreation Department’s website at https://milfordct.myrec.com.
Milford’s
Photographic
In mid-January 1962, the telephone at Moger Printing, Inc. started ringing off the hook when Daniel E. Moger’s calendar of Milford photos began arriving in customers’ mailboxes. Today, a home phone still rings, albeit only once or twice a year, from people asking about the use of the photos or a chance to get another old calendar.
The first calendar to advertise the Moger printing business was made up of photos of contemporary scenes of Milford, thanks to the generosity of local photographer Sam Newton of Newton Studios. There were eleven photos, and that meant one more was needed. Almost everything was ready to print the 2,000 calendars when something happened that would change everything. At the last minute, Dan added an old photo of the Memorial Bridge when Milford’s main thoroughfare was still a dirt road. And that was the photo everyone commented on. From then on, every calendar
1. Roma and Dan Moger, with their granddaugher Alison May on their front porch.
2. Just south of the Maple Street bridge, a January thaw swells the Wepawaug River.
3. A.M. Eade’s Drug Store in Devon where a man waits for a trolley.
4. The southeast corner of Devon has much of the same look as today. The telephone pole on the left has a white poster that warns of the 1918 flu pandemic.
5. Children gather around the Ford Memorial Fountain in Downtown Milford.
6. The arrival of someone important alighting from a liveried phaeton caused a stir on their way to the photo studio of Ernest B. Hyatt on the corner of River and Broad Streets.
Memory
BY MARILYN MAY
up to 1977 featured photos from the late 1800s to the 1920s.
Dan and his wife Roma Collins Moger had a few old photos of their own, but many more would be needed for future years. That’s when lifetime Milford residents got involved. They took photos out of their scrap books, photo albums, and boxes in their attics and gave them to the Mogers. Better still, people shared stories of growing up in Milford.
Both Dan and Roma were lifetime Milford residents, active in the First Church of Christ Congregational. Their friends, some going back to Central Grammar School days, trusted them to copy original photos and return them. In many cases they were given old photos outright. People knew Dan from Milford Rotary, Masons, Plymouth Men’s Club, and Milford Club. Roma was twice regent of the Milford Chapter of the DAR, president of the Milford Historical Society (MHS), Milford Hospital Auxiliary volunteer, and Cemetery Association member. Together, in the 1960s, they developed The Colony Center, a small shopping center on the Boston Post Road.
One night, Clarence “Sarge” Baldwin, a well-known gentleman and collector of all things Milford (thousands of things), came to Moger’s house to talk about the photos and tell some yarns. At the end of the night, Sarge said he would be happy to come back anytime and have “some more of Mrs. Moger’s Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry.” The success of the calendar was due to acquain tances and friends, many of whom were primary sources of the history of Milford in the early 1900s.
Anyone who likes history knows how all-consuming research becomes. Dan once claimed that over the course of a year, each edition of the calendar took about a thousand hours of prep work and 100 hours
1. At the top of River Street, the road to the right splits North and South Broad Streets.
2. Looking south from the First Church is one of the early Meeting House bridges that included a curved design.
3. The Devon Shoe Store on the northeast corner in Devon.
4. Spans for the Jefferson Bridge were built here 5 times: 1802, 1837, 1878, 1898, and 1935. This photo shows the 1898 bridge built of iron to carry the weight of trolleys.
5. Children play alongside the Duck Pond.
6. This photo from
shows the Milford Green fenced in
got permission to fence the Green at no cost. He knew that New Haven had replaced its two-rail wooden fence, so he and Neil Carrington brought the fence back by ox cart.
7. The Milford Cornet Band members built a raised Bandstand on the Green in 1890. Today’s ground level structure is more accessible and is usually called the Milford Gazebo.
8. Walter Ovaitt stands in front of “Doc” J.H. Barnes’ Milford Pharmacy on Broad Street. In later years, the pharmacy was moved to the Post Office block across from Town
c. 1860
c. 1853. Levi Langridge
Hall.
of press time. Calendars were always free to customers and non-customers alike.
As often happens, one project led to another. Thanks to the generosity of the late Harry Koorejian of the former Milford Camera Shop, all calendar photos were made into slides. So Dan took the show on the road and gave slide presentations at nursing homes, churches, schools, and various clubs.
Then there was another project. In 1976, the year of the 200th Bicentennial celebration of the founding of the nation, Moger was president of Milford Rotary and chose his year-long project to be the re-publishing of Edward R. Lambert’s 1838 book “The History of the New Haven Colony.” The book has a substantial section on Milford, and to this day historians quote Lambert’s book, a treasure of information.
For three years before Dan’s death in 1982, he wrote stories about his own childhood memories of growing up in Milford. He wrote the tales as “letters” to his grandchildren whom he knew he would not live to see grow up. Then, as the new millennium approached, Roma compiled the letters into a small book called “It’s Time to Remember Milford.” All proceeds were given to the Milford Historical Society.
Eight years after his death, Roma assisted the MHS in presenting the first of three exhibits of framed calendar photos; a fourth display was held at the Milford Public Library. Today, the Daniel and Roma Moger Collection is a timeless photographic history of Milford.
It was Dan and Roma Moger’s joy to share the history of their hometown. And they left a message for you: write down some of your memories. “The things that touched your life and are etched in your memory say so much about you. In future years these recollections of everyday life will become a ‘letter’ to your family. You may never know them, but they will know you, for it is in the simple things that our stories are told.”
1.The Calf Pen Meadow Creek marks the boundary between Bayview and Pond Point.
2. Trolley service in Milford began in 1898.
3. An early morning snow dusting of Milford’s center.
4. A Buddington Elm stands bare in this 1900 winter view of the old Town Hall. (See sidebar on page 37 for more information.)
5. The Col. Stephen Ford House once located on the corner of West Main and High Streets. The house was built in 1710. A real estate agent bought and moved the house to Durham for his office.
6. On August 22, 1914, Milford marked the 275th commemoration of the founding of the town.
7. In 1874, the Town Hall (on left) and Baptist Church, (one right) were joined by a central hall. Fire destroyed this building in 1915.
8. A stately house once graced the southwest corner of Devon at the intersection of Bridgeport and Naugatuck Avenues.
9. View of the Green from the northwest coming down Golden Hill Street showing Platt’s Market, Sanford Hawkins Store, and a portion of the Baldwin & Lamkin Shoe Store.
One Picture, Three Stories
Pictures tell a story. In the case of this photo taken in 1900, it tells three. First, you can see the Town Hall as it was after its 1874 remodel. Steps ran the length of the building, and there was a row of fluted columns. Unfortunately, on an early morning in 1915, an electrical spark or carelessly discarded cigar ignited a fire that reduced the entire building to ashes.
Next, look at the house across West River Street, the home where Micah Tomkins (sometimes spelled Tompkins) sheltered the infamous Regicides—Colonel Edward Whalley and Major General William Goffe—in his basement between 1661-1664. Whalley and Goffe were two of the 59 highly ranked army and court officials who, believing King Charles I of England unfit to rule, signed his death warrant in 1649. Charles was beheaded the next day, while his son and heir, Charles II, lived in exile.
The Commonwealth of England was ruled by Thomas Cromwell as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. Charles II returned to assume the throne in 1660, whereby he initiated the Restoration. He demanded that all regicides (king killers) be hunted down and
killed. While many had already died, 38 were found, put to death, or imprisoned in dungeons for life.
To avoid this fate, Whalley and Goffe fled to New England in 1661. Another regicide, John Dixwell, arrived five years later, and collectively they became known locally as The Three Judges. Dixwell changed his name to James Davids and lived peacefully ever after in New Haven, dying in 1689. However, Whalley and Goffe spent years hiding from the King’s agents, cold and hungry in basements, barns, and any shelter they could find. They eventually reached Hadley, Massachusetts where they hid for the next 15 years. They were never apprehended. Meanwhile, the Regicide House was moved and today it is a private residence.
The final story the photograph has to tell focuses on the tree in the foreground. It was one of the elm trees planted by the owner of the Buddington Hotel (and subsequently known as the Buddington Elms), now the location of Milford’s Main Post Office. The innkeeper wanted to beautify the area leading to his hotel at 6 West River Street. Sadly, just a few years ago, the tree died and had to be taken down. —Marilyn May
FamilyFelines
Gracie
Here is my cat, Gracie. She’s 13 years young and the cozy queen of the household. She loves to sit on soft blankets and tiny bags. Now that it’s getting colder out, you’ll find her tucked under the covers around bedtime.
—Tiffany
Ifyou’re looking for a companion with a unique blend of independence and affection, look no further than a cat. These feline friends are often content to entertain themselves—making them ideal pets for people with busy lives—but they also offer quiet companionship when their owners need it most.
Bear
All of my life I have wanted a lap cat, and although I have had some sweet ones in the past, I finally got my wish. Bear is literally a lump of sugar. She is ALWAYS on my lap or on my wife’s lap and we couldn’t love her more.
—Jeremy Michaels
A cat’s presence is soothing, whether curled up beside you while you read or offering a gentle nudge for attention. Their playful antics bring joy and laughter, and their soft purring can be incredibly calming. Cats are lowmaintenance yet loyal, often forming strong bonds with their owners while maintaining a sense of mystery that keeps their relationship intriguing. Cats have an innate ability to read human emotions and adapt to different lifestyles, making them incredibly intuitive companions.
Have you ever noticed that the word homeowner contains the word meow? Some say it’s because the cat owns the house. Cat owners can relate, particularly when they watch their “pets” become rulers of the home, taking over the best spots on the couch, the warmest beds, and even the lap of their human companions whenever they choose. That meow in homeowner is a not-so-subtle reminder that in many households, it’s the cat who calls the shots!
And now it’s time to meet some of Milford’s beloved family felines, furballs who have captured hearts (and mice) from Devon to Woodmont.
Bubbles
The Tail of Bubbles
Leia & Lola
“Sisters, sisters, There were never such devoted sisters. Never had to have a chaperon, no sir, I’m here to keep my eye on her.”
The song from Rosemary Clooney always comes to mind when it comes to our Leia and Lola.
On a chilly day in March 2018, this homeless feline walked away from Caswell Cove. He was a bit pensive, but clearly not accustomed to life outdoors. With a bit of coaxing, he nestled into a box. Since then, he has become the fifth wheel in our family. Like most cats, he sleeps all day, basking in sunlight along with our dog Alta. At night, his energy ramps up to a frenzied pace, scrambling about the house, up and down the stairs, chasing shadows, and waking us up. Bubbles loves to cuddle up with our daughter every night prior to marauding around the house. He seems to enjoy the tranquil tunes of the television and parks on my lap. Bubbles thoroughly enjoys food, and occasionally swipes a bit of dinner off the table.
—Bridget & Matt Dwyer
—Cristina Basic
our household, and they have learned to get along with everyone. Fiwi sometimes is even known to let one of my birds, Chicken, cuddle up to him! When I brought a puppy home in 2022 it was a tough sell at first, but the dog has managed to win both cats over with her loving personality, and now they all cuddle together daily. I am so grateful to share my house with such an amazing group of animals, especially my two beautiful kitties!
—Marie Chutjian
Meet Apple, the Guerrera family’s flamepoint applehead Siamese cat. We rescued Apple from a high-kill shelter in February 2016 when she was just two years old. What makes Apple very special to us is the way she acts like a dog! This started a few years ago when I bought my husband a new pair of slippers, and ever since then Apple has been leaving her favorite toys on his slippers. If I happen to leave my shoes downstairs while getting ready for work, I will also find a sweet toy from Apple or a toy
waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. When I was packing for my son to leave for college, there was Apple leaving her favorite froggy toy right by his bags and boxes! And like a dog, Apple absolutely positively loves belly rubs! She’ll drop down all of a sudden in front of us, roll over, and await those gentle rubs in complete contentment. Rescuing Apple was one of the best decisions we have ever made.
—Lori Guerrera
Simon Simon says, hello! We rescued our boy about six years ago and he has brought us so much joy, fun, and laughter. His favorite game to play is Simon Says. Today, Simon says how much he misses his human siblings. Although grown and flown, Simon finds pictures of his humans throughout our home. Today he found some oldies but goodies. Simon says, “Let’s gaze lovingly at the humans!”
—Alyson Rourke
Kit Kat aka Stoker aka Mr. McKittles
June of 2020, we were all still learning how to navigate life in the pandemic…It had been weeks since we’d seen our family and friends in person. On this particular early evening, we were sitting on our three-season porch finishing our dinner when Jimmy [Johansmeyer], looking out into the yard exclaimed, “Oh look, it’s the black squirrel!” But as the little creature came closer and closer to the window, we heard the world’s smallest ‘meow.’ Right there, we were lost to this little kitty. I ran to the kitchen, found some tuna fish and the cliche saucer of milk and ran out into the yard. The kitty was not scared away—he was hungry! As he gobbled his dinner, we noticed the notch in his ear—he was a feral cat whose ear was tipped to indicate he was fixed and released. Oh, how lucky we are that he chose our house that day. Kitty stayed around our front door cleaning himself, enjoying pets and lots of attention and after an hour or two, he walked away into the wooded area across the street. Would we ever see him again? First thing in the morning, I opened the front door
and there he was! Another gentle meow, another saucer of milk. He left for the day but came back at dinner. Jimmy, sitting on the front porch, was elated when kitty jumped up into his lap and hunkered down to sleep. Not wanting to disturb this furry little bundle of joy, Jimmy sat there till 2:00 am when kitty woke up and disappeared again.”
By the end of the week, Kitty had found its way not only in our hearts but in our home. Kitty became Kit Kat to me, Stoker to Justin [Rugg], and Mr. McKittles to Jimmy. This handsome, gentle love spends his mornings with me, his afternoons with Justin, and his nights with Jimmy. He loves it most when the three of us are in the same room. He sits in the middle of the living room looking at the three of us, making sure we are all safe. We don’t know what we’d do without him. He changed our lives. He saved us during the darkest of times and we love him so very much.”
—Albert Bernardi
[Bert, Jimmy, and Justin are the braintrust behind Milford’s Pantochino Productions.]
emma & Ham
emma [with a lowercase ‘e’] is 11 and Ham is seven. Ham was adopted from Stratford Animal Control and emma from Stratford Cat Project. Ham is ridiculously good looking, box obsessed, and a bratty little brother to emma who is a fantastic huntress and has amassed quite the scorecard!”
—Laura & Jim Woyciesjes
IVAN
My dear IVAN was adopted out of Milford Animal Control at 12 weeks old. The folks at the Milford shelter remember him to this day. One reason: he refused to be rescued; he stayed in the woods weeks after his siblings were rescued. Now IVAN is almost 4 years old, very independent but loving, my little everyday furry pal. He is an avid
Kubota
bird, chipmunk, and squirrel watcher from his tower, inches away from the window feeder. IVAN has made himself a home having 13 or more resting day beds or sleeping area quarters throughout the house. I have come to realize what a precious gift and company a pet cat can be!
—Joy Haines
This is Kubota. He rescued us 13 years ago when we moved into our new home. He is more like a dog than a cat. He comes when you whistle for him, and he loves to take walks around the neighborhood. He will guilt you, the neighbors, or anyone he finds outside into taking him. We have numerous stories, but the best story is his adventure on a school bus. A neighbor’s friend drives a school bus and stops by in between morning drop off and afternoon pickup. One day she didn’t close the door and Kubota decided to hop on and take a nap. Well, the bus driver had no clue. Thankfully, a neighbor spotted Kubota looking out one of the windows as she drove down the street. Fortunately, she flagged down the driver and Kubota was dropped off a few houses from his own.
—Robin Soltesz
BC
BC was ‘orphaned’ at my friend’s barn. In nine years, she’s gone from feral kitten to total lovebug—with me only though! My best friend has never even seen her in person, only in photos. Yes, BC is a “Fraidy Cat”!
—Jane Schulhof
litter, as well as Mom and Auntie, but we kept the two baby sisters: our feisty tortie Maggie and loveably idiosyncratic tabby Elizabeth Warren (Lizzie).
They have never spent a day apart, alternately love and hate each other (just like real sisters), take up too much room in our bed, have more
toys than I did as a kid, love cheese, and have converted me into a cat person. Miracles do happen.
Fairfield location: (203) 803-7992 2244 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
Milford location: 203-803-8628 202 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT (Devon)
Both salons are crate free. We have stables with open gates for your fur babies. Nail Clippings - No Appointment Necessary
Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm | Saturday 7:30am-11:30am
We groom cats too!
• Nail clipping & Dremel
• Paw pad trim
• De-shedding
• Bath & Blow dry
• Hair cut
• Anal gland expression upon request - additional charge
• Teeth brushing upon request - additional charge
—Ann McGuire
Inspire, Laugh & Learn
There’s nothing like hunkering down for the long winter with a good book. So make the most of colder days spent indoors with some new reads from Milford authors. There’s something for every member of the family.
Flipping My Script
BY ADRIAN ALVARADO Adrianalvarado.net
Adrian Alvarado has always considered himself a storyteller—first as a soap opera star on General Hospital, where he played Detective Cruz Rodriquez (from 2005-2008), then as a working actor, on shows including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Equalizer, and more, and author now living in Milford.
Flipping My Script, a memoir, follows Alvarado’s inspiring story and the Puerto Rican-American experience that shaped it, tracing his grandparents’ arrival in the U.S., his formative years in New Jersey, losing his mother, and his career breakthrough.
“Anyone who has ever felt like they were dealt an unfair hand in life, especially those who’ve faced struggles growing up
in two cultures…should read Flipping My Script,” Alvarado says. “It’s for anyone who’s trying to rewrite their own story, overcome challenges, and find their identity. It’s not just for Puerto Ricans, but for anyone who wants to understand the nuances of identity, perseverance, and the drive to succeed.”
Available for purchase on Amazon in both English and Spanish.
The Great Voyagers: Earth’s Intergalactic Ambassadors
BY KATIE L. CARROLL
Katielcarroll.com
Author Katie L. Carroll is back with her second nonfiction work for young readers. The Great Voyagers presents the NASA Voyager program, two interstellar spacecraft which, to date, remain the farthest human-made objects from our planet—complete with time capsules known as the “Golden Records.”
“I just thought that was such an amazing idea: these little records being humanity’s representatives, that could someday connect with intelligent life,” Carroll says.
A Milford native, Carroll has always been fascinated by science. She published her first nonfiction work about the Mars rover, Opportunity, in 2023. She’s also the author of several other fiction works. Her
newest entry is ideal for readers in second or third grade and up, especially those interested in STEM topics, Carroll says.
Available for purchase online anywhere you buy books.
The Funniest Joke Book Ever for Kids
BY ALAN KATZ Alankatzbooks.com
From The Rosie O’Donnell Show to the Silly Dilly song books, six-time Emmy nominee Alan Katz has spent his entire career writing comedy.
His new title, The Funniest Joke Book Ever for Kids, contains hundreds of jokes, poems, riddles, and short stories aimed at engaging young readers—and often their parents, too.
“There are a lot of kids who are reluctant readers,” Katz says. “Sometimes humor is the way to hook them—and adults appreciate the word play.”
The Milford resident has written more than 50 children’s books, most of which are available for purchase in stores and online anywhere you buy books.
The
Spirit of Rou
BY MARISSA D’ANGELO Mystywrites.com
Author and Milford native Marissa D’Angelo had already written several books when the inspiration for Rou struck. The new children’s work mirrors her Tales of Charles Island mystery series, with Rou, an intrepid red-winged black
bird, visiting the eponymous island and imparting lessons for young readers.
“It was important for me to create this for children because I’m a
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OBODO SERENDIPITY BOOKS is located within the heart of Paradise Green in Stratford at 3588 Main Street. At the shop, we embrace our neighbors and wider community with the openness of discovering new stories and building a bridge that connects us all.
WE HOST AN ARRAY OF EVENTS:
• Monthly Community Supper
• Author Talks and Signings
• Story-time for Our Littlest Bookworms
• Weekly Parent Social and Much, Much More!
teacher and a number of my students are curious about Charles Island,” D’Angelo says.
The book is a bit of a family affair; D’Angelo’s mother, Joann Haborak, illustrated the book, which also includes local Native American history and water safety disclosures.
For cookbook readers, Tastes of Charles Island contains recipes from D’Angelo and her family inspired by her Hungarian and Italian heritage. Don’t miss the dog treat recipe courtesy of her dog Meadow!
Available for purchase at Canvas Patch, 5 River Street, and online anywhere you buy books.
—Suzanne De Vita
Our Special Seasonal Cocktails!
MUSIC EVERY FRI & SAT 6:30 - 9 PM
at your service
ALSupport
Si nce 1988, ALS United Connecticut has worked to provide services for people in our state afflicted with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As it progresses, nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain continue to deteriorate. As neural pathways break down, muscle weakness occurs, incrementally leading to paralysis.
Headquartered in Milford, ALS United Connecticut has made it their mission to make a difference in the lives of ALS patients and their families for 37 years. They were founded by “a group of volunteers to support local families and make an impact on research for treatments and cures,” says the group’s executive director, Jacky Rose. “These volunteers, who are still involved with our organization today, are supporting thousands of families affected by ALS. Now, our office comprises seven full-time employees and serves more than 400 families throughout Connecticut each year.”
“We provide comprehensive support to improve quality of life for people with ALS and their families, while advocating for increased support and advancing innovative research for new treatments and an end to ALS,” Rose continues. “We are committed to offering free services to anyone living with ALS in Connecticut and their families. In 2023, 400 individuals living with ALS were registered for services from our organization. This number has increased
by about 25% due to increased outreach and awareness.”
“ALS United Connecticut has made great strides in developing new ways to improve its outreach for patients and families,” Rose explains. “Our programs have transformed from personally delivering equipment
to developing a sophisticated and robust network of vendors and community supporters to reach a maximum number of people with the biggest impact possible.”
Partnering with vendors provides much needed assistance for patients. “One of our local programs offers durable medical
COURTESY OF ALS UNITED CT(2)
Walkers join together for the 2024 Walk ALS to raise awareness and funds for the global fight against ALS.
ALS United CT staff takes on the Ice Bucket Challenge at Lou Gehrig Field.
equipment at no cost to the family,” explains Rose. “Medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, ramps, and stairlifts are imperative as they directly help patients and their caregivers.” The group also makes handicapped accessible transportation available, including van rentals for appointments, community gatherings, and social outings.
In addition to physical assistance, the group offers other resources that make a difference. “We provide information regarding care resources for patients, family, and caregivers,” Rose explains. “Our team has worked hundreds of cases over the years, and their experience is invaluable in helping navigate the complexity of care required.”
The community of support that drives Team Torres at the Hartford Walk ALS, in honor of Jose Torres. COURTESY
Often, insurance shortfalls, missed work, and extra expenses can create difficulty. “Providing help for families to procure financial grants can relieve some stress over finances,” says Rose. “ALS United Connecticut offers grants annually to families, and our team of experts help receive additional grants from other organizations.”
Sadly, ALS is currently incurable. ALS United Connecticut has recently added bereavement and grief services.
As research into ALS continues, the quest for treatments and a cure remain paramount. “We raise funds to contribute to research locally and worldwide,” says Rose. “Our ultimate goal is to end ALS, but in the meantime, we know there is much that can be done to improve the quality of life for those
Tom Fritch and his family at the Stand Up & Play Fore Tommy golf tournament. These events help raise money to help provide support for individual with ALS and their families.
living with ALS today, like helping with access to clinical trials.” As part of their mission, the group’s advocacy and public policy work
focuses on collaborations. “Every year, we meet with legislators to discuss priorities and concerns to best improve the quality of life for
people living with ALS,” says Rose.
“Through the generous support of our community, we draw closer to a cure for ALS every day. We are so grateful to our strong ALS Community who supports us through donations, volunteering, in-kind donations,
foundation support, and corporate support,” says Rose. “In the meantime, there is so much that can be done to improve the lives
of people with the disease, their loved ones and caregivers. We are honored to provide people with ALS Connecticut practical assistance, compassionate care, and most importantly, hope.”
—Susan Carroll Dwyer
FOR INFORMATION ON FUNDRAISING events and volunteer opportunities visit ALSUnitedCT.org, email info@alsunitedct.org, or follow on social media @ALSUnitedCT
DULIN AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Dulin Automotive is a full service auto repair shop specializing in new car preventive maintenance. We have over 30 years of experience in new car factory training. Owner/Operator Gary Dulin has over 40 years of professional service in the automotive industry. Our ASE certified technicians use the latest computer diagnostic tools to assess and maintain your vehicle in our climate controlled facility. And to make your visit more
We Have Been In Devon For 31 Years! We Believed In Devon When No One Did!
Dulin Automotive is a full service auto repair shop specializing in new car preventive maintenance. We have over 31 years of experience in new car factory training. Owner/Operator Gary Dulin has over 41 years of professional service in the automotive industry. Our ASE certified technicians use the latest computer diagnostic tools to assess and maintain your vehicle in our climate controlled facility. And to make your visit more convenient, we offer towing services and an after-hours key-drop box.
(Left) Veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS. (Right) ALS United CT staff: Anne Lynch, Jacky Rose, Kim Buda, Amy Chickles, Michelle Gaski, Paul Silverfarb, and Jessica Poruban-Ortiz (not pictured)
Milford’s SuperAgers senior corner
The common adage, “You’re only as young as you feel,” implies that your age doesn’t matter as long as you live your life like...well...age doesn’t matter. We spoke to four inspirational Milford individuals in their mid-eighties and beyond, SuperAgers who possess excellent cognitive skills and maintain an active lifestyle. For these seniors, age is definitely just a number.
MARTI REED, 84
As the owner/manager of The Canvas Patch, working six days a week, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Reed’s schedule is impressive by any standards. “Lunch? What’s a lunch?” she quips, finishing her midday meal of one dark chocolate square and some almonds. Reed says this will sustain her until closing, when
she looks forward to dining at one of her favorite local restaurants. Her energy and enthusiasm for “my job, family, friends, fine arts, and music,” (which plays continuously in the store) knows no bounds. “I’m an optimist, always looking to the future.” Other than a friend who helps during the holidays, she’s the sole proprietor of The Canvas Patch, “on my feet all day, packing boxes, walking back and forth into the stockroom. Last year, when I fell and broke my hip and was out for three weeks, my friends and daughters opened on weekends. Our community rallied round and it was wonderful.”
“I took a chance opening Memorial Day 1977, and I’m now considered a fixture on the Milford Green. I don’t know what I would do if not for this.” Reed is proud of her loyal customers and the shop’s array of Milford and nauticalthemed gifts, apparel, accessories, home décor, artwork, books, and more, including a yearround Christmas shop within a shop. “People ask me when I’m going to retire, and my response is this keeps me healthy in my mind, body, and soul.”
RICHARD N. PLATT, JR., 91
Richard Platt’s Milford roots can be traced back eleven generations. “My grandparents
lived on a family farm at the end of Platt Lane. When my grandfather died during the Great Depression, my grandmother sold off the orchards and farmhouse,” he says, “moving to North Street until my father, Richard N. Platt Sr., built my present house in 1954.” Platt and his wife Jane raised two sons, added a second story, and “lived here ever since.”
Unfailingly civic minded, Platt served on Milford Board of Education, was president of the Milford Historical Society (MHS) and the Milford Preservation Trust, chaired the Milford Bicentennial Commission, and, since 1982, as president of the Platt Family Association—a group of 200 relatives from across the US, Mexico, and Tanzania. “I’m the only one doing this, working 2-4 hours a day, researching genealogy, organizing reunions, and publishing a newsletter.”
Platt’s 35-year career teaching high school history led to his notable 16-year stint as Milford’s City Historian. “Mayor Lisman appointed me in 1998 when Rutheva Brockett retired.” Modestly acknowledging he “still
MARTI REED
RICHARD N. PLATT, JR.
helps out with historian duties,” educators, the MHS, history buffs, authors, and writers (for publications like this one) continually rely upon Platt’s wealth of local knowledge.
“I’m busier now than I was before retiring,” he says. “I still drive, shop, cook supper, play the euphonium in the Milford Concert Band, and sing in my church choir. I stay on top of my health and go to the VA for my yearly checkup. I’m very lucky.” His one vice? “Enjoying ice cream for dessert.”
LOUIS FOX JR., 89
Every weekday, beginning at 5:30 am, “I take care of my horse and drive 70 miles from Tolland, MA to Milford for my
job—operating a forklift truck moving industrial machinery,” says Louis Fox. “I haul the load all over the region—Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York—up to five trailers a day.” Then he
commutes home, feeds and beds his horse, enjoys a home-cooked Italian meal by his wife Linda, and watches the 11 o’clock news until lights out.
After graduating from Milford High School,
LOUIS
senior corner
Fox had on-the-job training from his father, who owned a trucking company. The surname of Fox’s grandparents, who came to the U.S. from Naples, Italy in 1898, was Volpe (“fox” in Italian). But Fox points out, “Milford’s Town Hall clerk changed it. I lived for 67 years on our family’s Roses Mill Road farm. My parents passed it on to me and my sisters, Carol and Linda, and it’s still owned by family members.”
Although he moved to Massachusetts 27 years ago, “Every Thursday I reunite with my Milford High classmates for 9:00 am breakfast at Goodies. We were the first graduating class in the yellow building, and I have sweet memories of living here when we had more horses, a mill, and pond. Now, I live on top of the mountain,
relaxing on weekends surrounded by thousands of acres. Other than beating cancer and some osteoporosis, my health is fairly good. I don’t drink, never smoked, and I’ll keep working until I’m ready to stop.”
ALYCE ELIZABETH MERWIN, 99
Alyce Merwin graduated from Milford’s Lauralton Hall in 1943. More than 70 years later, her alma mater bestowed her with two distinct honors.
In 2014, she was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. “I played mostly basketball and soccer and actively participated in all sports, but my main achievement was as a competitive golfer,”
she says. “I played from age 13 through 91 as a member of the Connecticut Women’s Golf Association (WGA). I traveled all over Connecticut and New England, was club champion at Racebrook Country Club in Orange and at Rolling Hills CC in Tempe, Arizona. At one time, I was down to an eight handicap.”
In 2016, the historic 150-foot water tower on Lauralton Hall’s campus was renamed The Merwin Tower in honor of her longtime career in a scientific field. “After earning my BS in chemistry at Rollins College, I took a job as a medical technician at Milford Hospital. At that time, few women were pursuing that route. I eventually rose up the ranks
to become lab supervisor.” Still tech-savvy, Merwin is adept at “using an iPad, email, and web-surfing.”
Merwin has also won ribbons at juried shows for her needlework, a hobby she took up in 1989. “I’m extremely proud of my skills, which range from needlepoint, counted cross stitch, bargello, embroidery, and beaded Chrismons (Christ monograms). Merwin spends between 3-5 hours a day on her craft, including attending monthly instructor-led Zoom sessions. “I’m currently working on a complex poinsettia piece. I keep asking myself why I’m starting a brand-new project at 99!”
Merwin maintains a busy routine, attending
Wednesday church fellowship meetings, volunteering with their Holiday Fair, and playing Friday Maj Jong at the Orange Senior Center. She drives in the daytime, runs errands, grocery shops, and prepares her own meals. “I use a stair-chair to reach the second floor of my Surf Village home and try walking about 3,000 steps a day with my rollator [a walker with wheels].”
She confesses that chocolates “are my undoing,” but doesn’t drink alcohol or coffee. “Significantly, I inherited good genes from my parents. That, plus keeping physically and mentally active has contributed to my longevity.”
—Cindy
Papish Gerber
Bearing Witness to Connecticut’s Slavery History
Their names are legendary in Milford’s history: Robert Treat, Charles Hobby Pond, Ebenezer Platt, and Miles Merwin. Lesser known, even forgotten, are Caesar, Dinah, Glasgow, and Jack. They are the slaves kept by those men.
Their names are among more than a dozen Milford slaves listed on the Northeast Slavery Records Index (NESRI), an online database operated by the City University of New York (CUNY) that includes short biographies and even sales records.
The database is referenced by the Witness Stones Project, a nonprofit organization that teaches middle school children to research slave history in Connecticut cities and towns to identify the men and women held captive. It then recognizes them with a stone memorial.
Though the organization has not set a stone in Milford, the city’s slave history can be found by navigating its website: witnessstonesproject.org and linking to CUNY’s NESRI records.
“We’re trying to restore their history and restore their humanity,” said Dennis Culliton, a former middle school teacher who co-founded the Witness Stones project with psychotherapist Douglas Nygren.
The organization has its roots in a class project
Culliton began in 2017, in which he guided his students at Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School in Guilford to uncover slave history by researching publicly available documents and records. “We implemented the project in the classroom with the 8th graders and ended up putting three memorials in the ground for people who were enslaved in Guilford,” he says.
Project has implemented its curriculum at more than three dozen schools in Connecticut, involving more than 15,000 students, and installing more than 200 memorials. Culliton adds that the organization has connected with more than a half dozen descendants of those slaves. is Pat Wilson
Pheanious, a former state representative and onetime commissioner of the CT State Department of Social Services, who was so struck by the revelation about her family’s history that she went on to become the organization’s executive director and board president.
“When Dennis Culliton talked to me that day, he was giving me about six generations of history that I had known absolutely nothing about, because while I knew up through my grandparents or great grandparents, I didn’t know any further back than that,” Pheanious recalls. “And here he was getting the information on people that had lived in Guilford from 1727 and able to trace my
The organization was inspired, she said, by a similar movement
A memorial stone honoring black soldiers from Milford who served in the Revolutionary War is located at the First Baptist Church.
The names of Milford’s founders are etched on the Memorial Bridge, built in 1888.
Happy Holidays
ANTHONY’S
ANTHONY’S
ANTHONY’S
ANTHONY’S
That’s particularly true in the North as history books often paint slavery as mostly a Southern issue. “But the more you learn about it, the more you realize this is not just a Southern thing,” she says. “Boston and Newport and New London: these are major ports where slavery was occurring. We don’t know that history.”
Milford, also a port city at the time, was a place where slaves were bought, sold, and held, records show. One such slave was Jeffrey Brace, born near what is now Mali (c. 1742) and captured at the age of 16. He was sold to a New England privateer named Isaac Mills who eventually sold him to Milford’s John Burwell. It was a horrible existence, with daily beatings
and near-starvation at the hands of the sadistic Burwell. Over the course of the next few years, Jeffrey was sold no less than five times, often enduring brutal treatment at the hands of his enslavers, two of whom, Peter Prudden and Phineas Baldwin, were descendants of Milford founders. (To learn more about Jeffrey’s remarkable story, visit americanideal.org/theheroic-jeffrey-brace/)
“Slavery was a real thing everywhere,” says Jennyfer Holmes, a Milford native and historian for the city’s First Baptist Church. In fact, by the time of the American Revolution, Connecticut had the highest number of enslaved Africans in New England. “I don’t know why it would be
THE LIBERATION OF GLASGOW AND ABEL
The May 10, 1771 issue of the Connecticut Journal and New Haven PostBoy newspaper featured two advertisements that both began with the words, “RUN away last Tuesday night, a Negro Man…” Both men fled Milford—either by plan or coincidence—on the night of May 7th; Glasgow (not the previously mentioned Glasgow) from John Treat, and Abel from Gideon Platt, Jr.
The advertisements gave clear details of each man’s appearance. Glasgow was listed as being about 32-years old, “a very stout fellow” wearing a hat, coat, breeches, and red jacket. John Treat’s advertisement was of a similar nature, Abel being listed as approximately 20-years old and of a small stature. The author felt it necessary to mention that he “talks good English,” a possible identifying trait, along with his garb of a felt hat, green flannel coat, a white jacket, linen shirt, sheepskin breeches, blue stockings with white tops, and brass buckles on his shoes.
napoliautoxpress.com
Given the relatively small population of Milford at that time (approx. 2,000) and the even smaller percentage of residents of African descent, it’s not hard to imagine that Glasgow and Abel were known to each other and had coordinated their escapes.
The advertisements seeking the two men appeared multiple times, but it is not known if either man was captured and re-enslaved. One can only hope that they succeeded in their endeavor and lived free and peaceful lives. It would be eight years after their escape before Vermont became the first colony to ban slavery and offer full voting rights to African American men. It wasn’t until 1784 that Connecticut enacted a Gradual Abolition Act, which stipulated that children born into slavery after March 1, 1784, would be freed at the age of 25. Despite this law, slavery continued in the state until 1848.
y Napoli
—Ann McGuire
surprising to anyone that slavery was in Milford, especially during the inception of the city. If anybody has read any history book or knows anything about the history of the United States, slavery is foundational to the structuring of the United States.”
For example, the CUNY records show that in 1786, Ebenezer Platt offered a five-dollar reward for the capture of an escaped slave named Glasgow who was about 40 years old. Richard Platt, former city historian acknowledged the family’s slave-holding history, stating Ebenezer Platt, was “…not of direct ancestry, but certainly in the family.”
Holmes, who has studied the six Black
Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in Milford Cemetery, says she suspects there is an area of that cemetery where slaves are buried in unmarked graves. One of the six men who is known is Juba Freeman, who took his surname after being freed. Once Judge Richard Law’s property, he enlisted in a segregated regiment of the Continental Army in 1777. According to surviving documents, half of his pay went to his enslaver, perhaps to purchase his freedom.
“I’m a Milford kid and I am Black,” continues Holmes. “When I think about black history within the context of Milford and Milford in the context of black history, I think these stories are important because every ethnic
group has something that they can offer to what has been etched out as the blueprint of what America was supposed to be,” she says. “And the achievements of African Americans, despite the circumstance of oppressive racism, are and became leaders and contributors to the community.”
Holmes praises the Witness Stones Project for its work, saying, “I think that their mission to pay homage to those who were not seen is a beautiful thing.”
—Mike Patrick
For more information about the Witness Stones Project, visit witnessstonesproject.org
milford green
Don’t Worry, Be Scrappy!
Many of us grew up hearing our parents telling us to “clean your plate.” Now, if you just cannot eat another bite, it’s okay! You can help our fair city implement a new program by recycling your food scraps, yet another way of recycling and reducing waste.
“We are committed to being both fiscally and environmentally responsible in our actions, and this program enables us to achieve both goals,” says Rob Harrigan, the foreman of Milford’s Solid Waste Department, who is implementing the program. “As waste management in Connecticut and across the United States shifts toward more sustainable, closed-loop processes, we are moving away from a ‘throwaway’ mentality.” It’s a trend that Harrigan says “is becoming increasingly vital nationwide as we work to recapture resources.”
Initially the program will rely on citizen participation to help it grow, Harrigan explains. “The process that seems to work well is to have a smaller countertop container (between 1/2 - 2 gallons) for accessibility located close to
where the scraps are produced and a larger (5-7 gallon) container that you can use to transport the food scraps down to the Transfer Station,” located at 775 Oronoque Road. (Think fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, meat and poultry, not landscaping debris such as grass clippings, leaves, and wood.)
Containers can be purchased from the Public Works Department for $24.00. “You receive a startup kit that includes a large (6 gallon) container for transporting your food scraps, a smaller (1.3 gallon) countertop container, and a roll of BPI-certified compostable bags. But you
do not need to purchase a kit to participate; any container will suffice to collect food scraps.”
The amount of waste that can potentially be removed from our landfill can be significant. “Based on national averages indicating that 25 percent of waste consists of food organics. We anticipate a significant reduction in the amount of waste sent to the incinerator and out-of-state landfills,” says Harrigan. “As the program progresses and we gain a better understanding of how to effectively manage organic waste, the city could see a decrease of thousands of tons once fully implemented.”
The program may have other benefits as well, since food scraps offer the potential to evolve into compost and create energy. “The collected food scraps get collected by Curbside Compost who then haul them to Quantum Biopower in Southington, CT,” explains Harrigan. “Quantum will process food scraps through anaerobic digestion to convert them into renewable energy and nutrient-rich compost.” Anaerobic digestion is a process that converts food scraps and other organic materials into renewable energy, primarily biogas, in the absence of oxygen. It not only produces renewable energy but reduces greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane that would otherwise be released from landfills.
The program can not only help to save the environment, but it can also save some greenbacks. “Solid waste costs over $104.00 per ton for disposal in Bridgeport,” says Harrigan,
noting “that does not include the cost of city labor, trucks, and equipment that we manage throughout the year.” Reducing the amount of solid waste will ultimately reduce the cost of disposal. “As the program becomes more established, we hope to divert a significant amount of food organics, potentially thousands of tons, removed from the waste created in Milford.”
The goal of the program ultimately, says Harrigan, is to “offer curbside collection of food scraps, like garbage and recycling services, as many municipalities across the United States are doing.” Key to this becoming a reality is building “a solid foundation of knowledge and processes. Starting with a drop-off program allows us to provide this
service and get accustomed to the new collection method.”
Harrigan is more than a little enthusiastic about his program’s potential. “It is exciting to think that we all could contribute to this initiative, helping to reduce costs while fostering a greener community,” he says. “From there, we will continue our outreach efforts to expand this initiative, harness renewable energy, and close the loop on food waste.”
—Susan Carroll Dwyer
Mayor Giannattasio, Solid Waste foreman Rob Harrigan, and Curbside Compost CEO Nick Skeadas roll out the program.
milford’s attic
FROM POTTERY TO PORCELAIN
The earliest American settlers had simple pottery plates, while some more prosperous English and Dutch families brought pewter plates from their home countries. In later years, beautiful, formal dishware graced many a Milford table. Families had different sets exclusively used for teatime or evening meals.
The top left plate is Limoges porcelain with a delicate gold and cobalt border. On the back it reads “C A France – Charles Ahrenfeldt.” The German-born Ahrenfeldt (1807-1894) began importing porcelain into New York City. In the 1840s he established a decorating studio in Paris, and later, an export firm in Limoges, where he marketed many of his wares to North America. He was succeeded by his son, Charles J. Ahrenfeldt, who built a porcelain factory in Limoges in 1896 that survived until 1969. This dinner plate, c.1940, was sold to the retail and vendor firm of Richard Briggs Company, established in 1798 in Boston. The plate was ultimately given to a Milford family.
The luncheon plate at top right is a Harker Royal Gadroon Ivy lunch plate. The Harker Pottery Company of East Liverpool, Ohio, had been making pottery for 50 years before it was incorporated in 1890. The company was well known for using the pate-sur-pate (paste-on-paste) method of porcelain decoration in which a relief design is created on an unfired, unglazed body by applying successive layers of white slip (liquid clay) with a brush. These plates had white borders with beautiful designs that the company named Royal Gadroon, meaning they were elaborately decorative.
The center left plate has a large rose bloom in its center and is surrounded by three additional roses. The plate is from Stroke-on-Trent, Great Britain. On the back it reads Copeland Spode, marking it from the late Spode period between 18471860. The plate was a birthday gift given in the 1960s.
Center right is a fine bone porcelain gold-encrusted plate with a cobalt border. Its side handles mark it as a serving plate. It also has a gold medallion in the center. It pairs with the smaller plate (lower left.) On the back there is a crown and shield emblem with the word Germany. The Hutschenreuther family started making porcelain in Northern Bavaria in 1814. A Milford family received this c.1905 plate as a wedding gift.
The plate at bottom right is part of an 1890s Victorian English tea set of white porcelain with gilt decorations. It is banded with gold sprig designs and a center circle. It was given to the Milford Historical Society by the estate of Marion Tibbals, an ancestor of Thomas Tibbals, who led the first settlers on an 11-mile journey from New Haven along Indian trails to a new home they would call Milford.
Marilyn
May Photographer: Suzanne Cahill
Laurel Beach Envy
iss Irene Kelley sensed a faint air of disappointment in her friend Gloria’s postcard that early Summer of ’37. A “good enough” time? How could a week at the beach not be wonderful? Gloria’s boardinghouse room in Walnut Beach must not have been as posh as the “ritzy” seaside homes of Laurel Beach. Or maybe there was a lack of eligible men to dance with to the latest Guy Lombardo hits? Either way, Irene envied her friend who had escaped the heat of the Oakville Pin Factory for the cooling breezes of Long Island Sound.
Ann McGuire
Kevin
David
Cheryl Guertin
Jessica
where is it?
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Dedicated on August 30, 1888, the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument can be found on the Milford Green.
