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Marcia Chambers | Aug 30, 2017 8:22 am
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Silver/Petrucelli Associates
The Board of Finance (BOF) heard an update Monday night on the plans and funding for a $4.9 million renovated Blackstone Memorial Library, a plan that will bring the iconic 1896 library into the 21st century. The library provides a rich variety of resources for town residents, regardless of age but it needs restructuring.
Bill O’Brien Photo
On Tuesday morning library officials unveiled a “Campaign for the Blackstone” progress thermometer, installing it on the library’s lawn. Plans call for a 2,000 square-foot addition on the ground floor, and reconfiguration of many interior spaces throughout the library. The distinctive front entrance and steps will remain the same.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 29, 2017 9:38 am
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Sally E. Bahner Photo
Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez (pictured) updated the Eagle yesterday on curriculum changes, an air quality problem at the Walsh Intermediate School gym and pool area and the Walsh renovation project.
The first official enrollment numbers are submitted to the state Oct. 1, but according to Hernandez, preliminary figures as of yesterday are as follows: Branford High School – 911, Walsh Intermediate School – 908, Murphy Elementary – 395, Tisko Elementary – 384, Sliney Elementary – 316, Indian Neck – 45, for a total of 2,959 students. Hernandez noted that number may change after Labor Day since since some parents hold kids back until after the holiday.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 28, 2017 7:00 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
From the moment he stepped on the stage and on the Green, to his closing number two hours later, Eric Darius was non-stop energy personified. Thursday was the final concert of the 2017 Jazz Series, and it drew a large audience, estimated at 800, to the Branford Green, in what many said was the best concert of the year.
Bill O’Brien Photo
All were electric and the crowd loved it. They danced all night.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 25, 2017 9:02 am
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Kids head back to school on Monday and the yellow buses have already been seen lumbering down local roads on their dry runs. Did you walk, take the bus, or get driven to school? The Blackstone Library, as always, is hosting a diverse collection of programs, from sleep to birds and board games to book clubs. We’re heading into fair season with the Guilford Fair leading the list since 1859 – you can’t top that for getting back to one’s roots. Speaking of roots, everyone is Italian this weekend at St. George Men’s Group’s Italianfest at St. George Church in Guilford. Grape stomping anyone?
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 24, 2017 8:00 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Unk in his shop with trolley exhibit.
An exhibit “End of the Line: Stony Creek Trolleys,” featuring a hand-carved diorama sculptured by former First Selectman Unk DaRos, has been drawing folks from far and wide to this coastline community, a place unique in history and continuity.
DaRos, a Stony Creek mason who served a total of 12 years as the town’s first selectman, was asked to undertake the diorama, in which he put together a scene of a trolley ride in 1927, a scene with three-dimensional figures. He wove the scene together in a miniature replica so that folks could follow the trolley ride.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 23, 2017 7:31 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Olli, Greg and Max jamming.
For the first time in over a month, there was no threat of any inclement weather on a Thursday jazz night. In fact, the weather was outstanding, in the mid 70s with no humidity – a perfect setting for a lively night of Gypsy Jazz on the Branford Green by the young and talented “Rhythm Future Quartet.”
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 22, 2017 9:00 am
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Sally E. Bahner Photo
Back to school preparations, the state budget, technology costs, and the renaming of school facilities were on the docket for the Board of Education (pictured) last Wednesday.
Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez reported that Aug. 23 is the first school day for teachers, while students will return on Monday, Aug. 28, the second year that students are starting school on a Monday. “It’s good to have a full week without interruption,” he said.
Hernandez said that bus routes are in place and drivers are doing dry runs. Bus routes and schedules can be accessed here.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 21, 2017 8:55 am
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Diana Stricker Photo
IWC
The Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) selected independent consultants to review plans for a proposed retail project at 250 North Main Street. The public hearing will be 7:30 p.m. September 14 at the Canoe Brook Senior Center.
The commission voted unanimously at the Aug. 10 meeting to select Codespoti & Associates of Orange to do a peer review of the plans. The only other response was from CLA Engineers of Norwich. The applicant pays for the cost of a peer review.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 18, 2017 11:00 am
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This weekend is jam packed with Cool Events! When was the last time Branford hosted a carnival? You may hearken back to the days at Hammer Field – who remembers when that was last held? But perhaps a new carnival tradition is being established via the First Annual Tabor Carnival, which has all the makings of the summer institution we love. Speaking of memories, those who loved the drive-in theaters of their youth can at least grab the family and a blanket and head for Foote Park. Also, check out the sales, arts events, car show, and much more. If you haven’t experienced jazz on the green, Thursday is your last chance. Got a Cool Event? Email sebahner@snet.net by Wednesday noon.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 11, 2017 7:12 am
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Marcia Chambers Photo
With the lawsuits settled, Keely Baisden Knudsen, the artistic director of the Legacy Theatre, says exterior renovations to the historic Puppet House will get underway this month. She said she is delighted.
In a letter to the theater’s supporters, Knudsen says the Legacy has been given a $350,000 gift that will be used for exterior renovations once plans have been reviewed and accepted. “It will be wonderful to see visible progress”on the building, which she expects by year’s end, she said.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 10, 2017 8:18 am
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Summer may be winding down, but there’s no shortage of Cool Events. Local wine, art, music, the great outdoors, movies – there’s something for the most discerning townie. Pet lovers – don’t forget to pick out a costume for your pooch! The highlight of the annual Woofstock Music Festival is the Hippie Dog Contest. Tie-dye anyone?
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 9, 2017 8:00 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
The weather turned out to be perfect on Thursday night at the sixth concert of the Branford Jazz Series summer schedule and a large audience came to the Green to enjoy the music.
Bill O’Brien Photo
The estimated crowd of 700 was entertained by the talented group headed by the golden saxophone sensation Andrew Beals and the warm and expressive sounds of Chris Morrison on guitar.Here is Beals on his “golden” sax.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 8, 2017 9:54 am
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Rogers Island
Christine Svenningsen and her husband Edmund H. Stoecklein, whom she married in 2015, are seeking to sell an extraordinary collection of Thimble Islands, eight in all, plus a Victorian mansion on Prospect Hill road with a private dock providing easy access to the islands. The islands are part of an archipelago in Long Island Sound, located not far from the Stony Creek harbor.
The eight islands are now priced at $50 million, $28 million less than when they first went on the market a year ago. The islands may also be purchased separately, their realtor says, an indication the Island Lady is serious about selling.
