Friends Ashley Thompson, left, and Anya Duarte of Montville, walk through Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford as it rains Wednesday, August 17, 2022. “We both needed a walk with a friend in a pretty place to relieve some stress,” said Duarte. Thompson said she was excited when they noticed the rain clouds coming in and instead of rushing to the car to stay dry decided to dance in it. (Sarah Gordon / The Day)

Participants exit the water during the Penguin Plunge on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Ocean Beach Park in New London. The annual event benefits Special Olympics of Connecticut. (The Day)

Crown Pizza owner Taso Vitsas, center, looks on Connecticut Sun player Alyssa Thomas as she helps put cheese on a pizza as they attempt to break the world record for most types of cheese on a pizza on Thursday, August 10, 2017, at restaurant in Waterford. The current record is 101, Vitsas used 112. (The Day)

Fozia Yussuf, 10 of Pasco, center, looks on as her cousin Fahima Ise, 15 of Pasco, licks her finger while getting food Friday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Islamic Center of the Tri-Cities in West Richland. Over 500 people gathered to celebrate the joyous holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting observed by Muslims. (Tri-City Herald)

Lobsang Sangye, of Montville, stands under an umbrella while heating a kettle for tea on a grill as it rains on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Harkness Memorial State Park. Sangye, who works at Mohegan Sun and had the day off, was prepared for a rainy picnic with friends as they ate in a tent and took turns grilling in the rain. "I'm from Tibet, I'm used to the rain," said Sangye, "it doesn't stop me from doing what I want on my day off." (The Day)

Aubree Thompson, 8, of Massachusetts, looks on as Harmony Corresda, 8, attempts a back bend and Alexis Rivera, 9, both of Bristol, collapses in the water as the friends play at Ocean Beach Park on Sunday, May 26, 2019 in New London. (The Day)

Sophie Gualtieri, 9, of Waterford, looses her hold on the sled as she goes over a jump on the hill at Lyman Allyn Art Museum on Tuesday, February 8, 2021. There was a small crowd of kids and parents enjoying the hill Tuesday as New London Public Schools had a snow day. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)

Bowen Parson, three, of Pawcatuck, lays on a branch as he climbs a tree with friends after a summer reading program at the Stonington Free Library on Thursday, August 1, 2019. (The Day)

Joy Garrett, an eigth grader at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, plays the piano as she warms up with other singers during rehearsals for the New London Talent Show on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the Garde Arts Center in New London. The 8th annual talent show features 18 different acts from across the region with everything from different styles of dance, to poetry, to guitarists and rap music. (The Day)

Gloria Creamer works on painting the windows of The Chocolate Shell in Old Lyme for Thanksgiving on Monday, November 2, 2020. Creamer, who also paints the windows of a few other stores on Lyme Street, said she works with owner Barbara Crowley, to repaint the windows for every holiday. “It’s beautiful I have free rein to do whatever I want on these windows,” she said. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)

Students with the Windham Heights Learning Center, in Wilimantic, run underneath a parachute as they play at Stonington Point on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 while on a field trip. (The Day)

Caitlyn Chapin, right, of Old Saybrook works on painting with her daughter Mae, 5, as her son John, 8 plays leap frog with Emma, 9, during a community free day on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Florence Griswold Museum. (The Day)