‘Best Connecticut Wine and Cider’

EAST HADDAM — Staehly Farm Winery owner Kevin Staehly announced on July 19 that at the 2018 Eastern States Exposition Gold Wine and Gold Cider Competitions, held in June, entries from the winery earned the distinction of “Best Connecticut” hard cider and wine. Both competitions include entries from across the region.

For wine, Staehly Farm Winery’s Blueberry Breeze, a combination of East Haddam grown blueberries and apples, achieved top marks and received distinction as the Best Connecticut Grown Wine entered, outclassing several other local vineyards. Blueberry Breeze first debuted in 2017 and has been enjoyed widely as a summer rosé complement to the winery’s original Midnight Blueberry wine. Both are available at the winery on Town Street in East Haddam.

Yankee Cider Company, a brand of Staehly Farm Winery, also achieved distinction as the Best Connecticut Cider. Yankee Cider entered an adaptation of the Winery’s original and best-selling Semi-Sweet Apple Wine, which has previously been awarded gold medals at the Durham Fair, Finger Lakes International, and Eastern States Expositions.

The East Haddam Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved the application by the farm winery to proceed in the construction of a new tasting facility for hard ciders on Petticoat Lane. A grand opening is expected in early 2019. In the meantime, both ciders and wines are available for tasting and purchase at the tasting room on Town Street, East Haddam. The tasting room is open for regular hours through November 5th; Fridays & Saturdays 12 to 6 p.m. and Sundays 12 to 4 p.m. Visit the website for details: www.staehlys.com or www.yankeeciders.com

Liberty Bank Giving Circle awards

MIDDLETOWN — Liberty Bank has donated $27,000 to local agencies providing emergency or transitional housing for homeless families and individuals in its market area, according to a release. Agencies in Middlesex County receiving funding included: the Middlesex Family Shelter, the Eddy Shelter, and New Horizons.

Liberty’s Giving Circle program sets aside $100 for every mortgage application received by the bank during April and May, and then donates the accumulated funds. With the distribution of $27,000 from this year’s Giving Circle, the total donated since its inception in 1994 rose to almost $595,000.

“The Giving Circle makes a connection between the excitement of homeownership and the promise of better things to come for those needing a safe place to live,” said Shirley Theriault, senior vice president of Liberty Bank’s Retail Lending group, in the release.

21st Steward’s Ace Hardware 5k

CLINTON — The Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Shoreline Community Women, Inc. will host the 21th Annual Steward’s Ace Hardware 5K Road Race on Saturday, Aug. 18.

The 5k (3.1-mile) race course begins and ends at the Jared Eliot Middle School, 69 Fairy Dell Road in Clinton. Start time is 9 a.m., with race day registrations beginning at 7:30 a.m. Mile markers will be measured as such from the course certification (USATK Certified #CT15024JHP). There are several water stations along the route. Last year’s race drew over 300 entrants. Please, no dogs in the race.

The Clinton Police Department will close the race route to all vehicular traffic between 9-10 a.m. due to safety concerns. Electronic bib-chip timing is managed by Rat Race Timing.

In addition to title sponsor Steward’s Ace Hardware, major sponsors include: Sullivan Heiser, Attorneys at Law; Middlesex Hospital Homecare; and the CT National Guard. Race sponsors include: MAWC, LLC; Cherry Hill Construction, Inc.; American Legion Post #66; Child & Adult Orthodontics; Rocky's Aqua; Shoreline Financial Group; Kenyon International; Preferred Foam Products; Subway of Clinton; MacKinstry Financial & Investments; Christo Jewelers; Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine; Stanpak LLC; Clinton Glass; Law Office of Pat Labbadia; Edward Jones; and The UPS Store. Our media sponsor is Harbor News/Shore Publishing and the following sponsors have donated goods and services: Technique Printers; Cohen's Bagels; Chips Pub III; Stop and Shop; Scottish Dave’s Pub; McDonald’s; and Mohegan Sun. Music will be provided by DJ Michael John of Long Island Sounds Entertainment.

Registration is $25 through Aug. 15 and from Aug. 16 to race day, registration will be $30. Register at www.tinyurl.com/Register2018BF5K. There is also a link to that site through the Chamber web site at www.tinyurl.com/2018BF5K.

Free parking is available at Peters Complex on Glenwood Road, less than one mile from the Eliot School race site. Free shuttle buses will run continuously from 7 to 8:45 a.m. when registration closes. Buses will run again following the race. Parking at the Eliot School will be limited due to construction.

The race includes a certified track, free bag check in, swag bags, prizes for first and second place overall (men and women), medals for first, second, and third place in each division, and also one award for fastest Clinton resident. There will be multiple vendors on site including masseuses.

Race ceremonies and refreshments begin at the conclusion of the race. Scottish Dave’s Pub, 24 East Main St., Clinton, will be hosting “Beers for Bibs” directly following the race. For more information, contact the race coordinator at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860-669-3889. For information about the Clinton Chamber, visit www.clintonct.com

Library showing graphic designs

HADDAN — The Brainerd Memorial Library in Haddam will be exhibiting a display of book jacket designs, brochures and assorted art work of Graphic Designer Tom Goddard of Higganum now through July 30. The exhibit includes work Goddard has created for a number of book publishers, businesses and individuals over the years, including spot art that appeared in the New Yorker magazine. The cover for the award-winning book “Hobbomock, the Sleeping Giant” published by the shoreline’s own Jason Marchi will be featured. The Library is located at 920 Saybrook Road, Haddam. For hours or more information contact the library at 860-345-2204.