The week in photos – August 7, 2025

Members of the West Haven High School boys tennis team play a doubles match on the new Painter Park courts.

Mayor Dorinda Borer cuts the ribbon with members of the West Haven High school boys and girls tennis teams, city officials, neighbors, and project contractors to celebrate the official opening of Painter Park’s new tennis and pickleball courts July 29.

"May peace prevail on Earth" This is the message proclaimed on the Peace Pole planted by The Rotary Club of West Haven in Oak Grove Park near the boardwalk. If you have not seen it yet go check it out! Look for a white four-sided pole with black lettering depicting this motto for peace in eight different languages. The Peace Pole Project, a global movement initiated in Japan by Masahisa Goi in 1955, aims to spread the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” through the installation of Peace Poles worldwide, serving as a symbol of peace and goodwill. Dennis Wong co-founder of Rotary Action Group for Peace has stated that the goals of Rotary reflect the peaceful aims of rejecting fear, hate, violence and war and promoting safety, prosperity and quality of life for everybody in the world. He sees the Rotary Code of Conduct as a guide to peace-building.

"May peace prevail on Earth" This is the message proclaimed on the Peace Pole planted by The Rotary Club of West Haven in Oak Grove Park near the boardwalk. If you have not seen it yet go check it out! Look for a white four-sided pole with black lettering depicting this motto for peace in eight different languages. The Peace Pole Project, a global movement initiated in Japan by Masahisa Goi in 1955, aims to spread the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” through the installation of Peace Poles worldwide, serving as a symbol of peace and goodwill. Dennis Wong co-founder of Rotary Action Group for Peace has stated that the goals of Rotary reflect the peaceful aims of rejecting fear, hate, violence and war and promoting safety, prosperity and quality of life for everybody in the world. He sees the Rotary Code of Conduct as a guide to peace-building.

WHPL staff Nick Roy and Taylor Cordova at the Savin Rock Festival. Keep an eye out for us at the Apple Festival.

Recently the members of the West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center presented an appreciation plaque to Chris Walsh of Duff y’s Tavern. Walsh hosted a fundraiser over the Memorial Day holiday selling t-shirts to benefi t the museum. Chris and Duff y’s Tavern are huge supporters of the West Haven community.Shown are (L to R): Maureen Piccolo-Brown, Arlene DeGrand Painter, Walsh, Museum President Bill Benson and Kathy Graham

Mayor Dorinda Borer, center, looks on as 8-year-old Anthony Alhage helps his cousin, Prospect Beach House owner David Kelly, cut the ribbon to celebrate the deli and market’s grand reopening under new ownership at 940 Ocean Ave. on July 24. Joining the ribbon-cutting are, from left, Kelly family members David Springer, Anthony Filippone and Carol Filippone; City Council members Dawn Callahan (D-6), Katie Mueller (D-9), and Gary Donovan (D-4); Kelly family member Jeanne Arturi; and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

City native Brian F. Banning Jr., back left, on July 22 pauses with family members in front of the newly dedicated butterfly sculpture in Old Grove Park in memory of his mother, Phyllis Franco Banning, who loved butterflies.

Savin Rock Festival Bocce Tournament coordinator Olivia Quagliani, holding the tournament bracket, presents a Dunkin’ gift card to bocce champions Larry, left, and Kevin on Day 2 of the festival. The annual tournament is held by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney, featuring Tony Kishman of the Broadway musical “Beatlemania,” headlines Night 2 of the festival.

The Voices of Rock open Night 2 of the Savin Rock Festival, performing a classic rock tribute show featuring Sean Byrne, the lead singer of last year’s festival tribute band, the Foreigner Journey Experience.)

The Stevie Experience headlines Night 1 of the Savin Rock Festival, performing a tribute to the “music, story and legacy” of Stevie Nicks.

The Rum Runners play a high-energy set of “the best classic and new music out there” in front of a packed crowd at the Savin Rock Festival in Old Grove Park on opening night, July 25.

The West Haven Police Department secured its victory over the West Haven Fire Department in the inaugural cornhole match on Day 2 of the Savin Rock Festival. The match was held by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The committee extended a thank-you to both departments for coming out and having fun — and more importantly, for everything you do each and every day for the city of West Haven.

One of the newest and quickly becoming one of the most popular attractions at the Savin Rock Festival is the annual Bartenders Race. This year several of the city’s top eateries and watering holes participated in the event, which saw the staff of the Breakwall Restaurant come out on top. Shown exhibiting the trophy, the winners are shown with the rest of the participants.

Sgt. Stubby became more than a mascot after being saved by Dough Boys in New Haven and smuggled onto a ship bound for France. Wounded at the front through a gas attack, he had learned to recognize gas in the air and alert his soldier buddies. He is honored in Middletown.

As his son Christian Mullins holds the Bible, Fair Rent Commission Chairman Steven R. Mullins is administered the Oath of Office for a second term on the Commission by Justice of the Peace Kim-Marie Mullin, as Town and City Clerk John Lewis looks on. The ceremony took place in the City Council Chambers in City Hall.