Madison News Roundup

The Madison Memorial Day Parade Chair, Ed Guenther, provided the following schedule for marchers and spectators for Monday’s parade:

9:15 to 9:45 a.m.: Marchers assemble in the Scranton Memorial parking lot and the Stop & Shop parking lots:

10 a.m.: The parade begins. It will proceed up Samson Rock Road and onto the Boston Post Road, heading west toward the Green.

10:20 a.m.: Marching units will assemble on the Green, in front of Memorial Town Hall at the three memorials for ceremonies. Ceremonies will include an invocation, a dedication of the new memorial honoring veterans of recent conflicts, the wreath laying, and the flag raising with the Daniel Hand High School Band playing the National Anthem. There will be various speakers and then the R.H. Brown Middle School Band will play “God Bless America.” This ceremony will end with a fired volley and the  playing of “Taps” by members of the high school band.

11:05 a.m.: Marchers re-assemble and march down the Post Road to West Cemetery.

11:25 a.m.: Ceremonies will begin at West Cemetery. These will include an invocation; a flag raising; the high school band playing “America The Beautiful”; and a wreath laying by members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and winners of the wreath making contests. Again there will be fired volleys and the playing of “Taps.”

11:45 a.m.: Marchers re-assemble and return along the Post Road to the American Legion Hall on Bradley Road, where marchers will be dismissed and served refreshments.

Noon: American Legionnaires, VFW members, and veterans will board a bus  to West Wharf, where, at 12:15 p.m., they will take part in ceremonies. These will include an invocation, a wreath laying upon the water in honor of the veterans of the Naval services, a volley fired by the combined services firing squad, and the playing of “Taps.”

From West Wharf, the bus will travel to the VFW Hall on Lovers Lane for a flag raising. Dismissal will be at 12:45 p.m.

Guenther not that, with the exception of the start time of 10 a.m., all other times are approximate.

In the event of rain (which appears unlikely), the parade portion of the ceremonies will be canceled and the ceremonies will adjourned to the American Legion Hall on Bradley Road to begin at 10:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the indoor ceremonies, members of the American Legion, the VFW, and veterans will go to the Green, West Cemetery, and West Wharf to lay wreaths and raise the flags. All interested persons are invited to attend any or all of these ceremonies.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Parade should call Ed Guenther at 203-245-9423.

After voters narrowly rejected the proposed 2010-11 education budget (along with the town budget),  the Board of Finance has pared $136,000 from the $50.5 million education budget by cutting back on operating and health-care costs, according to schools Superintendant David J. Klein.

The revised education and town budgets will be the subject of a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, in the Walter C. Polson Middle School Auditorium. In an email to parents, Klein said the the $80,000 operating costs cuts were made possible by “favorable contract negotiations.” Klein praised the Board of Finance for its grace and professionalism, and for demonstrating “a high regard and respect for maintaining a quality educational program in Madison.”

In other school news, Klein announced:

• The final day of school for Kindergarten students is Tuesday, June 15. Students will follow the regular schedule for AM and PM sessions.
• The final day of school for students in Grades 1-12 is Wednesday, June 16. The final school day is an early dismissal day. Early Dismissal Times are:
  • 11:30 AM – Daniel Hand High School
  • 11:30 AM – Walter C. Polson Middle School
  • 12:15 PM – Dr. Robert H. Brown Middle School
  • 1:00 PM – Elementary Schools
• The Daniel Hand High School Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for June 16th at 6 p.m. on the First Congregational Church House Lawn.

FRIDAY:

• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.
• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Madison Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m. Madison Town Green – 26 Meetinghouse Rd. Madison: The Madison Farmers Market was established in 2007, and will commence May 7th-October 22nd every Friday from 3-6pm in the 2010 season. This beautiful and diverse market is centrally located in Madison, CT, on the Historic Madison Green. The farmers/vendors who make up this bustling market offer a wide array of CT Grown/produced items, which are beautifully presented.
• The Cartells, 9:30 p.m., Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT: Live music.

SATURDAY:

• Birdwalk at Hammonasset State Park, 8 a.m., Hammonasset Beach State Park: See returning songbirds, shorebirds, waders, and birds of prey. Meet at Audubon Shop at 7:50 am. Binocular rentals available. Dress for weather. Beginners welcome. $4. Hammonassett State Park in Madison, is widely regarded as the premier birding area in Connecticut. Approximately 240 species of birds occur there annually, in its diverse habitats of marsh, open water, woodland, grassland and shoreline. No need to pre-register. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, rentals are available. Meet at the shop at 7:50a.m. 203-245-9056
• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.
• Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Antiques Show takes place on the Town Green from 9am to 4pm.  Stop by to scope out the wares offered by over 60 vendors from throughout the northeast.  Admission is $4
• Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting, 9 a.m., Memorial Town Hall – Route 1 on the Green Madison Center: Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting Saturdays at the Memorial Hall, Route 1 on the Green, Madison 1-800-824-8650 www.oa.org
• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Tea Tasting – Whites and Greens, 4-5:30 p.m., Savvy Tea Gourmet, 28 Durham Road, Madison, CT: Explore the delicate taste of white tea and beautiful green teas, rich in antioxidants with Phil Parda at the teabar.  $15 per person/advance reservations suggested.
• Jamie’s Junk Show, 9:30 p.m., Donahues Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT: Live music.

SUNDAY:

• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.

MONDAY:

• Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Madison: Marchers will assemble at the Stop & Shop lot, travel through town and pause for a wreath-laying ceremony near the flagpole at the Green and a dedication ceremony for the recently installed monument in honor of our citizens who have served after 1975.  From there the marchers proceed to West Cemetery for another ceremony near the Civil War memorial.  This is a moving ceremony, complete with the playing of Echo Taps and America the Beautiful by the DHHS band.  Weather permitting, there will also be a military flyover.

The Polson Spring Choral Concert is tonight (Wednesday, May 26) at 7 p.m. at the Walter C. Polson Middle School, 302 Green Hill Road, Madison, CT. Come enjoy the music.

Local author and 2011 Nutmeg Nominee Leslie Connor will be at RJ Julia at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, to present “Crunch,” a story of spunky Dewey, who volunteers to manage his family’s bicycle repair business while his parents are away. He never guessed that the gas pumps would run dry that same week. Suddenly everyone needs a bike. And nobody wants to wait.

Meanwhile, the crunch has stranded Dewey’s parents far up north with an empty fuel tank and no way home. It’s up to Dewey and his older sister, Lil, to look after their younger siblings and run the bike shop all on their own.

Each day Dewey and his siblings feel their parents’ absence more and more. The Marriss Bike Barn is busier than ever. And just when he is starting to feel crunched himself, Dewey discovers that bike parts are missing from the shop. He’s sure he knows who’s responsible—or does he? Will exposing the thief only make more trouble for Dewey and his siblings?

An unexpected gasoline crisis leaves his parents stranded and everyone wants a bike and no one wants to wait. To make matters worse, bike parts are missing from the shop and Dewey has a suspect. He sure is in a crunch!

This event is in-store and tickets are $5, which goes towards the purchase of the book.

Setting a date for a second referendum on the town and school budgets, and the proposed modification of several town ordinances are among the items scheduled for discussion and action at the Madison Board of Selectmen meeting 7:30 p.m. Monday at the town campus.

The town and education budgets were rejected by voters in the May 18 referendum. On Monday the Selectmen are slated to discuss and take action on setting a referendum date on the town and school budgets for Monday, June 14, 2010 pending approval of dollar amounts from the Board of Finance special meeting on June 2. Somewhat ironically, the second referendum will cost taxpayers and additional $5,350.

In the meantime, the Board of Finance has provided opportunities for residents to comment on the budgets both electronically and at a series of public forums scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Sunday, May 23; 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25; and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 in Conference Room A of the Madison Town Campus.

Also on the agenda for Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting is discussion and action on calling a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, June 28, prior to the Board of Selectmen Meeting  for the purpose of receiving public comment, opposition, and support for modifications to the following ordinances:

1. Chapter 11 – Licenses and Business Regulations – Art. III – Peddlers
2. Chapter 13 – Offenses and Miscellaneous Provision – Sec. 13-3 – Littering
3. Chapter 14 -Parks and Recreation – Art. II – Beach and Recreation Commission
4. Sec. 14.52 – Properties designated as public park and beach Facilities Sec.
5. 14.54 – Activities requiring permits Sec.
6. 14.55 – Prohibited activities

At its meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, the Madison, CT Board of Finance promised to provide residents with the opportunity to electronically submit comments regarding the 2010 – 2011 requested budget.  That option is now available via the Town’s website, www.madisonct.org, or by going directly to the survey.

In addition to the electronic commenting option, the following open hours have been scheduled for public input regarding the budget (in Conference Room A of the Madison Town Campus) :

• Sunday May 23, 3 – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday May 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday May 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

A public hearing on the town and board of education budgets is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010  in the auditorium of the Walter C. Polson Middle School.

Legendary folk singer Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, will debut his latest picture book and CD compilation, Songs for Little Folks, tonight (Friday, May 21) in Hubley Hall at the First Congregational Church in Madison. He will also be performing timeless classics such as “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Day is Done”. The event, hosted by promises to be filled with nostalgia for adults and sing-along fun for children, and should be a very special event for the whole family. Tickets for this performance are $10 with $5 going towards the purchase of the book. They can be purchased here.

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary highlights this weekend’s events In Madison, CT. Yarrow will debut his latest picture book and CD compilation, Songs for Little Folks.

FRIDAY:

• The Country School Open House, 8:30-10 a.m., The Country School, 341 Opening Hill Road, Madison: The Country School is having an open house. Located on a 23-acre campus flanked by nature trails, The Country School enrolls 250 students in preschool through grade 8. An independent, co-educational day school, The Country School was founded in 1955 to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of growing children. At The Country School, the traditional disciplines of reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages are balanced by rich offerings in the Arts, physical education, service learning, and experiential education. The Country School: Where education lasts a lifetime. Questions: Call 203-421-3113 or admission@thecountryschool.org.
• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.
• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Madison Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m. Madison Town Green – 26 Meetinghouse Rd. Madison: The Madison Farmers Market was established in 2007, and will commence May 7th-October 22nd every Friday from 3-6pm in the 2010 season. This beautiful and diverse market is centrally located in Madison, CT, on the Historic Madison Green. The farmers/vendors who make up this bustling market offer a wide array of CT Grown/produced items, which are beautifully presented.
• Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., RJ Julia: Hankering to share your written words with the general public? Longing to hear new writers as they workshop their latest pieces? Come to our Open Mic Night! Reserve your spot to read or simply listen. Please limit readings to 5 to 8 minutes each and don’t forget to tell us how many people are reading!
• Peter Yarrow, 7 p.m., Hubley Hall at The First Congregational Church in Madison: RJ Julia is thrilled to showcase the legendary Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, in this unprecedented presentation and musical performance, as he debuts his latest picture book and CD compilation, Songs for Little Folks. He will also be performing timeless classics such as “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Day is Done”. Filled with nostalgia for adults and sing-along fun for children, this will be a very special event for the whole family. Tickets for this performance are $10.00 with $5.00 going towards the purchase of the book.
• Downwright, 9:30 p.m., Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Road, Madison: Live Music.

SATURDAY:

• Birdwalk at Hammonasset State Park, 8 a.m., Hammonasset Beach State Park: See returning songbirds, shorebirds, waders, and birds of prey. Meet at Audubon Shop at 7:50 am. Binocular rentals available. Dress for weather. Beginners welcome. $4. Hammonassett State Park in Madison, is widely regarded as the premier birding area in Connecticut. Approximately 240 species of birds occur there annually, in its diverse habitats of marsh, open water, woodland, grassland and shoreline. No need to pre-register. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars, rentals are available. Meet at the shop at 7:50a.m. 203-245-9056
• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.
• Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting, 9 a.m., Memorial Town Hall – Route 1 on the Green Madison Center: Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting Saturdays at the Memorial Hall, Route 1 on the Green, Madison 1-800-824-8650 www.oa.org.
• Jamie’s Junk Show, 9:30 p.m., Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, 1320 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT: Live music.

SUNDAY:

• Annual Spring Plant & Shrub Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Post Road just east of Hammonasset Beach State Park: The Friends of Hammonasset will hold its annual spring plant and shrub sale from May 5—just in time for Mother’s Day—to May 30. The sale, which offers plants and shrubs at prices that range from highly competitive to well below wholesale, is the nonprofit organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All money raised benefits the Friends’ mission of supporting Hammonasset Beach State Park and the park’s Meigs Point Nature Center.

Mireille Guiliano

Those French sure know how to live – only Mireille Guiliano would write a diet book that discusses chocolate, wine, and emphasizes the pleasures of eating. She’ll be at RJ Julia at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, to present The French Women Don’t Get Fat Cookbook.

Organized around Guiliano’s three favorite pastimes—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—these recipes emphasize pure flavors, balanced ingredients, and easy cooking methods. Eating pleasurably is just as important as eating healthfully, and Mireille does not neglect dessert and chocolate (essential components of any French woman’s diet) and incorporates advice on entertaining, menu planning, and wine selection.

Tickets for this event are $5, which may be used toward the purchase of the book.