🌱 East Haddam Grandma A TikTok Sensation + Book Club Meetup

Good morning, The Haddams-Killingworth! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Very warm with periods of sun. High: 86 Low: 58.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and not as warm. High: 78 Low: 50.

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Here are the top three stories today in The Haddams-Killingworth:

1. A 106-year-old woman from East Haddam has become an internet sensation thanks to her grandson's viral videos. Content creator Alex Traynor has been featuring his grandmother, Doris Brown, in his videos — and the latest one on TikTok has amassed over 23 million views. Traynor describes his grandmother as "naturally funny" and "so grandma, it hurts." (NBC Connecticut)
2. The Haddam Historical Society is offering a new membership program for children between the ages of 8-14 with a love of history. The program includes a range of free events, such as metal detecting, rock and gem hunting, and farm visits, as well as hands-on activities like candy making, learning knots, and kite making. Annual dues for "Kid Members" are only $5.00; membership includes a discount at the gift shop. (hk-now.com)
3. The Killingworth Library Association's Tuesday Book Discussion and Mystery Book Club will have a joint meetup at the BarrelHouse on Jun. 21 at 6:30 p.m. The cover charge is $22 and includes drinks and appetizers; attendees must RSVP by Jun. 19. Readers are encouraged to pick up a copy of this month's book, "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley, at the library's circulation desk. (Killingworth Library Association via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in The Haddams-Killingworth:

Friday, May 12

• Mother’s Day Flower Sale At First Church Of Christ, Congregational In East Haddam (10:00 AM)
• 22nd Annual Basket Bash And Silent Auction At East Haddam Elementary (4:00 PM)

Saturday, May 13

• First Church Annual Tag Sale Donation Days At First Church Of Christ, Congregational In East Haddam (9:00 AM)
• KVFC Auxiliary Fundraiser: Krispy Kreme Donuts At Killingworth Recycling Center (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The community mourns the loss of Anita Ballek, one of the founders of East Haddam Land Trust as well as Ballek's Garden Center. Said the Land Trust on Facebook, "We are all much richer for having known Anita and we will miss her immensely." (East Haddam Land Trust via Facebook)
• Looking to add a new furry friend to your family? Start your search with these adorable, adoptable pets available at shelters in and around the Haddams and Killingworth. (The Haddams-Killingworth Patch)
• To celebrate National Nurses Week, Goodspeed Musicals will sell discounted tickets to nurses for "Gypsy" performances for Thursday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. The discounted ticket rate is $59, and includes one free drink. (Goodspeed Musicals via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Essex Garden Club May Market (May 13)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (May 16)
• “A Vanished Port: Middletown and the Slave Economy of the Caribbean, 1650-1824” (May 17)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you all soon for your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.