I first met Susan Santangelo many years ago when I was the editor of the Fairfield Citizen. She is just one of those people who you are glad you have encountered in your life. Her good attitude about life is infectious. I know her husband Joe too from his days in politics and public relations.
Among her many accomplishments, Susan is the founder of the Breast Cancer Survival Center, which she started after being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. The not-for-profit organization, established in 1999, provides post-treatment education and support for breast cancer survivors and their families. It has hosted numerous events over its more than 10 years, including a candle-lighting ceremony at Compo Beach in Westport to which I took my mother, herself a breast cancer survivor.
Susan, a former Fairfielder, has been a writer and editor for years so it was not such a giant leap to get into book writing. She has started the Baby Boomer mystery series, fictionalizing that generation’s entrance into retirement with characters Jim and Carol Andrews. With humor (very much like Susan’s), she has penned two novels in the series – “Retirement Can Be Murder” and the newly released “Moving Can Be Murder.” I read the first one – sent to me by the author with a very nice note and autographed. It was a great read. Lots of fun.
Susan and Joe now divide their time between the Connecticut shoreline and Cape Cod. But fortunately Susan is making a stop to familiar grounds at 7 p.m. Wednesday when she will discuss the second book in the series at a session at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library, 1147 Fairfield Woods Road.
It’s on my calendar to attend and reconnect with one of the nicest people I have ever met.

I am at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library. I intend to be here all day.
You see, I do not have air conditioning at home, and my two industrial-like pedestal fans just won’t cut into 110-degree heat and humidity. Even my small inflatable pool won’t do today (although I spent a good portion of yesterday in and out of it). The temperature on the deck was above 110 degrees this morning. No thank you.
Because I have work to do for the Fairfield Citizen and other freelance clients, I decided to take the Fairfield library system up on its offer to cool off in the quiet of their facilities. The branch is close to home.
Other than a few chatty children far off in another part of the library, it is really, really quiet in here. The woman sitting across from me also has no AC at home so she too decided to get some work done here. We have exchanged a bit of conversation but we are, after all, sitting in a “quiet area.”
I ventured out once to take a phone call and quickly retreated back inside. I have lived in New England all my life and have suffered through some unpredictable weather and even like heat and humidity, but I must admit that today is the worst I have felt.
The National Weather Service is lifting its excessive weather warning by 10 p.m. tonight. In the meantime, find a good place to hang out and stay cool in this oppressiveness. Drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and friends.
Oh, and there’s always the libraries to find a bit of comfort.

Get ready! The best time of every summer is upon us in two days. The Pequot Library Summer Book Sale begins Friday, July 22, and runs through Tuesday, July 26, at the library in Southport.
I know I will be there. Not that I need any more books, but who can resist wandering around the tables upon tables of titles? It also is a real community affair – one of those small-town-like events that makes you feel good to live here. And don’t let the hot and humid weather deter you from going. Bring water to drink, and when you get a little overheated go inside the library to cool off. In the auditorium are more tables of books and fans to cool off the patrons. That’s where you will find me – roaming around the biography and history sections.
Here is the information you need to know:
720 Pequot Ave., Southport
No admission
Friday, July 22: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. All items double the marked price
Saturday, July 23: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All items priced as marked
Sunday, July 24: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All items priced as marked
Monday, July 25: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All items half-price
Tuesday, July 26: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 per bag day!
Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted
Sunday is Young Readers’ Day: Concert with Mary Ann Hall Family Singers, crafts, exploration of the fire truck
For information, call 203-259-0346 or visit www.pequotlibrary.org

My garden is lookin’ good. Although I got a late start because of our cool, rainy spring, the garden has really taken off. Seeing all the plants healthy and sprouting blossoms and fruit reminds me of why summer is the best time of the year.
While I await the bounty, I am impatient for fresh fruits and vegetables so I head to my local farmers’ markets and farmstands. And there are plenty in the area. In addition to the ones run by farmers – in particular Greenfield Farms on Congress Street in Fairfield and Sherwood Farms on Sport Hill Road in Easton – there is also the stand on Park Avenue in Bridgeport right near the new magnet school. My understanding is that the farmer is from upstate Connecticut. Yesterday, I bought zucchini, but the corn and tomatoes were going fast.
But we can’t forget about the farmers’ markets throughout Connecticut. A complete list of the 120 certified markets is available on the state Department of Agriculture’s website.
But here are a few to consider:
*Greenfield Hill Farmers’ Market, 1950 Bronson Road, Saturdays 12:30 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 29.
*Bridgeport Farmers’ Market, United Congregational Church, 877 Park Ave., Thursdays 2 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 27.
*Bridgeport Downtown Farmers’ Market, McLevy Green, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 27.
*Trumbull Farmers’ Market, Long Hill Green, Thursdays 2 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 27.
*Stratford Farmers’ Market, Deluca Field, Mondays 1 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31.
All of the markets feature Connecticut farmers. Let’s make sure we support our local farms.

Operation Hope’s annual tag sale takes place July 30 and 31 at First Church Congregational. The tag sale is in its 22nd year; Operation Hope is celebrating 25.
It’s more than a tag sale. It is a invaluable community effort to help Operation Hope continue its mission of helping the area’s hungry and homeless.
Last year was my first time volunteering for the event. I was assigned to Joyce Flynn, one of the most generous people I know and one of the funniest. We manned the high-end items table and did very well. I was her second in command. We had a grand time and I hope to be paired with her again this year.
Anyone who would like to volunteer should contact Donna Schmidt at DSchmidt@OperationHopeCT.org or 203-292-5588.
Additionally, donations are needed. Individuals, businesses, religious, and civic organizations are encouraged to donate surplus goods. Gently used or new furniture, household goods, costume jewelry, pictures/paintings, linens, gaming systems, and outdoor and sporting goods are welcomed. Operation Hope cannot accept bedding, televisions, computers, clothing, shoes or books. All donations may be dropped off at First Church from July 25 through July 28 from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 8 p.m.
The tag sale hours are July 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and July 31 from noon to 4 p.m. First Church Congregational is located at 148 Beach Road, right next door to Operation Hope’s headquarters.

Who doesn’t like a fireworks display? (Well, maybe my cat.)
But for the vast majority of humans, the Fourth of July celebration is a much-anticipated event. And no community does it up better than Fairfield. Not only can residents and their friends enjoy the big display off Jennings and Penfield beaches on July 4, but there are a host of activities planned throughout this weekend. And the weather is expected to cooperate. Those events include concerts and exhibits.
But the highlights are the annual Fourth of July celebration at 10 a.m. Monday at the green in front of Old Town Hall. Sponsored by the Fairfield United Veterans Organization, the celebration includes a re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Following that, the Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a reception at the Fairfield Academy.
Later that day and prior to the fireworks, Atwood Express will perform at 5 p.m. at Jennings Beach and the Shamrogues will entertain at 7 p.m. at Jennings Beach. The fireworks display usually starts around 9 p.m. in the waters off both beaches. Parking is free after 6 p.m.; beach stickers are not required after that time.
The Police Department will post no-parking zones in the beach district so make sure you heed those restrictions. And be patient at the conclusion of the show as you leave the beach. It takes time to move out all those cars.
For more information about what’s on tap for the weekend, visit www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com.
Have a safe and fun holiday weekend.

I have known people who have taken trees down in their yards for no reason whatsoever, or for no good reason. One of my neighbors told me once that another neighbor cut trees down in her yard because she was tired of raking leaves.
But sometimes trees have to be removed. In fact, I am having a few small maples removed in my yard to allow more sunlight onto my vegetable garden. Their removal actually will help the larger ones surrounding it.
So when I read that the town tree warden had posted for removal a statuesque sugar maple on Sherman Green, I paused. I remember several years ago the town wanted to take down the row of evergreen trees at the green but was met with such vehement objection that the idea was abandoned.
But the current situation is different. The towering sugar maple has root and trunk damage and poses a safety hazard to the thousands of people who use the green year-round and to the prized gazebo that is beneath it. It should go.
Tree Warden Ken Placko said people who have objections to the tree being removed should contact him by Saturday. If people object, a public hearing is scheduled to discuss it. If there are no objections from the public, Placko will remove the tree sometime in July. It could take three days to cut it down so the area will be closed to do the job.
Comments may be e-mailed to Placko at kplacko@town.fairfield.ct.us or via One Rod Highway, Fairfield 06824. Include a phone number so you can be reached if he wants to discuss his reasoning.
My only suggestion to the tree warden is to plant another tree in its place.

The best part about Penfield Beach is the deck at the pavilion.
Penfield itself is not the place to go if you want to read, relax or take a snooze. It is a beautiful area, but noisy. Penfield is the beach that most families frequent. I have nothing against kids, but trying to relax while they are kicking up sand, throwing balls and running in and out of the water is often impossible.
I go to the beach to relax, so I usually hide out in the far reaches of Jennings Beach.
But in the off-season when the weather cooperates I like to sit on the deck at Penfield and read a book. I have finished many a tome during these times. I get lost in the ambiance.
So it is with some excitement that the construction of the new deck at the Penfield Pavilion will be finished this summer. Recreation Director Gerald Lombardo said in an article in the Fairfield Citizen that the new and expanded deck is expected to be ready in time for the Fourth of July festivities, which include band music and the annual fireworks display. The deck and bathrooms and new lighting are part of one phase of the project, which began last year and is costing $3.2 million. The rest of the pavilion, which will boast a new central hall for party rentals, concession stand, lifeguard and first-aid stations and an expanded deck, will be finished later.
The project is a long time in coming and certainly welcomed by me and others. This is one of those projects where the money is well spent as our beaches are focal points for residents, visitors and newcomers to town.