Git Your Own Ice Tea ... !

Yes. Parking downtown is a pain today, Tuesday, a full six days after the fire that destroyed a building downtown that housed three local businesses. 

The best estimate as to when the demolition remnants might be cleaned up is maybe today, maybe Wednesday. You know how these projects go. They always take longer than you think. The debris is being trucked out to Ohio and there are never enough trucks when you need them.

In the meantime, people are managing. Licia Ciotti, decked out head to toe in Jolie Boutique and looking lovely as usual, her hubby Mike Ciotti and their family managed to find parking to celebrate their son's graduation from eighth grade.

Same with Rachel, a graduate this year from DHHS, and her brother, also an eighth grade graduate, seen in this video walking out of Savvy Tea. You'll notice they managed to sneak in a first course from Smyles, the frozen yogurt place downtown before heading to Cafe Allegre with the Ciottis and others to celebrate graduations.

Parking is tough. But there are options that include the Stop & Shop parking lot on Sampson Rock Road, and even the town green. Grab a lobster roll or taco from the trucks, then head downtown.

But one word of warning.

Don't you try to drink my ice tea.

Especially if it's from Savvy Tea. Especially if it's their freshly brewed Hibiscus Peach.

One thing you never want to do is to get between me and my ice tea on a beautiful summer day like this. Mike.

***

Here's information from the Madison Chamber of Commerce on a fundraiser planned for Thursday to help the businesses that were affected, and their employees. 

Downtown Madison stores are OPEN FOR BUSINESS! The burned building has been demolished and crews are on hand removing the debris.  ALL of our stores and businesses are open, so please come on down to support them.

UPDATE: The Madison Beach Hotel and the Guilford Savings Bank have both generously made $1,000 pledges and the Knights of Columbus from St. Margaret Church has made a $500 pledge!

MADISON UNITED!  

The Madison Beach Hotel in partnership with The Madison Chamber of Commerce is organizing a community-wide fundraiser in support of two businesses Village Pizza and Madison Wine Shop lost in a fire in downtown Madison last week.   Madison Unites! will be a benefit for the two family-owned businesses, their employees and Madison Hose Company No. 1 and the North Madison Fire Department.  The event will be organized in conjunction with the launch of Madison Beach Hotel's popular series of special outdoor concerts this summer.  The public is invited to come enjoy a concert on the beachfront lawn at Madison Beach Hotel and make a donation in support of the businesses and their employees. The fund will be managed by the Madison Chamber of Commerce and donations by check should be made out to the Chamber.

The concert will take place on Thursday, June 27th, 7:30pm to 9pm.
on the front lawn of the Madison Beach Hotel
94 West Wharf Rd., Madison.

To alleviate parking issues, shuttle service will be available that evening from the gazebo near Madison Stop & Shop beginning at 6:30pm.

Change in musician due to illness: Please come down to listen to the great music of the Adam Ezra Group and support the two displaced businesses & Fire Departments.

If you can't make it to the concert, please note that the Chamber will also be placing donation receptacles in downtown business locations.