Mary Johnson Photo
Stony Creek Memorial Day Parade
The weekend will be quiet. People are spending time away or with families and friends. But summer kicks off in earnest on Monday with the Memorial Day Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Green. Beyond that, there’s a lot of art and the great outdoors.
Restaurant of the Week:
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough
Are you on the road? Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank is open for the season, plus there’s Johnny Ad’s in Old Saybrook, whose hot dogs are legendary. Add to the list, The Place in Guilford, a longtime shoreline staple. A casual drive along Route 1 will reveal many more options! And, did we mention your own backyard grill?
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day Parade
The annual Branford Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday May 30, starting on the Town Green on Main Street. Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. and the parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. The program on the Green includes an opening prayer, National Anthem, the Gettysburg Address, musical selections and two students from Walsh Intermediate School who will read their short essays entitled, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.” Marching units will proceed west on Main Street to North Harbor Street and return to the Green.
Mary Johnson Photo
Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps marches to the cemetery.
The Stony Creek Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the Veterans’ Memorial Green at 8 a.m., rain or shine, followed by the parade to the Stony Creek Cemetery. Children are reminded to bring flowers to be placed on the veterans’ graves at the cemetery.
First Sergeant Paul Hannaway USMC.
The parade marshal and speaker for this year’s Branford parade will be First Sergeant Paul Hannaway USMC. He enlisted in the Marines in 1997 and during his tour of duty, he participated in Operations Desert Fox, Desert Thunder, and Southern Watch along with two separate deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. In 2011 he deployed with the 2nd Battalion 6th Marines to Helmand Province Afghanistan. He is now serving at the US Marine Corps Reserve Center on Woodward Avenue in New Haven. He resides in Branford with his wife and three children.
The Eagle’s sports reporter, Bill O’Brien, is parade chairman.
Through June 14
BAC hosts Massaro
Branford Art Center, 1227 Main St., is featuring Branford artist Marc-Anthony Massaro and his life-size oil portraits of five icons of the American Civil War, including Abraham Lincoln. This show will run through June 14.For more information, contact Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642 or [email protected].Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5
Art in 3‑D
Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance will sponsor an exhibition of Branford artists working in various art mediums including pottery, glass, sculpture, and fiber at the Academy on the Green. A wine and cheese reception will take place Friday, June 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Artists include Lisa Carlin, Jayne Crowley, Susan Farricelli, Yvonne Gordon, Val Kroplwnicki, Melody Lane, Owen Luckey, Ray Matthews, Pat Miller, Jane Novick, Leslie Prodis, and Pat Rist.
For more information, email Jayne Crowley at [email protected].
Saturday, June 4
Artists Paint Branford
Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance will sponsors its second annual Plein Air (outdoor painting) event in downtown Branford on or around the green. Artists will gather to pain scenes around the green, storefronts, street scenes, or any subjects that interest them.
The rain date is Sunday, June 5.
A showing of the works will take place at the Branford Art Center from July 16 to Aug. 11, with an opening reception on Friday, July 16.
For more information, call Jay Babina or Richard Blacher, 203 – 481-3321.
Celebrate Connecticut Trails Day
Branford Land Trust
Lauren Brown
Saturday, June 4 is Connecticut Trails Day, and the Branford Land Trust has two family hikes planned. Both events are free and open to the public.
Hike the Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property on Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The 26-acre Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property includes a pond, traprock ridge, and a meadow. Expect one moderately steep stretch. Park in parking lot behind Jalapeno Heaven Restaurant at the corner of North Main Street and Cherry Hill Road. (Rain date: June 5, 9:30 a.m.)
Flora Walk In Stony Creek will take place Saturday, June 4, beginning at 2 p.m. Lauren Brown will lead a June walk on Vedder to see and identify native plants and flowers. Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Road, which is across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. For details, call 203 – 415-1571.
Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Connecticut Trails Day is the largest National Trails Day celebration in the nation. For events happening all around the state, visit www.ctwoodlands.org. For information on the two BLT hikes, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
The Novel Affair: A Book Affair with Panache
The Novel Affair will launch an event designed for book and art lovers at Bill Miller’s Castle from noon to 3 p.m. The goal of the event is to connect art lovers and showcase local talent on a fun, entertaining, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the opportunity to meet featured authors, selling and signing copies of their books, take part in interactive storytelling, and enjoy live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Tickets to the events are $20 with a portion of the proceeds going to Read to Grow. Attendees are asked to bring a gently used children’s book to donate.
For more information, call 203 – 376-9233 or email [email protected].
Monday, June 6
Tip-A-Cop at Lenny’s
The 25th annual Tip-A-Cop event, hosted by the Branford Police Department, will take place at Lenny’s, 205 S. Montowese St., from noon to 10 p.m.
Have your meal served by police officers from the Branford Police Department! All tips received by the officers will be donated to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.
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