But volunteers at the Garbage Museum get to do cool stuff

The Garbage Museum in Stratford and the Trash Museum in Hartford are seeking help.
Operated by the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, both facilities are looking for volunteers to help with their education programs, CRRA said in a statement.
The museums "teach more than 50,000 children and adults each year about recycling, conservation of energy and natural resources, environmental responsibility and the impact that routine choices can have on the planet," the statement said.
Volunteers’ duties would include greeting and assisting visitors, answering telephones, preparation of program materials and other tasks as needed, the statement said.
Volunteers could eventually be trained to lead tours and educational programs, the statement said.
“Experience is not required to volunteer at the Trash Museum or the Garbage Museum,” Sotoria Montanari, CRRA education supervisor, said in the statement. “We only require our volunteers be dependable, responsible, personable and enthusiastic.”
Volunteers must be 16 or older.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call the Trash Museum at 860-757-7765 or the Garbage Museum at 203-381-9571.

The Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority "is a quasi-public agency whose mission is to work for and in the best interests of the municipalities of the state of Connecticut," the statement said.
For more information about CRRA, visit http://www.crra.org. Computer users can also discuss CRRA at its blog, http://crra-blog.blogspot.com.

Editor's note: the information in this post was wholly provided by CRRA

ORANGE — Three town residents have been chosen for this year’s Living Treasure Awards awarded by the Community Services Department.
Those chosen as Living Treasures this year are John Barton, Sr., Veronica Hendrick, and Kevin Gilbert. The selection committee chose the three from 12 nominations made, event officials said in a statement. Every person nominated deserved to be on the Living Treasure list, the statement said.
Barton has given his time and talent to Little League, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange Rotary, and the Orange American Legion Post 127 baseball. He also is a member of the Orange Police Commission and the Orange Historical Society Commission, and has been active in raising funds on the ACES Foundation Board. His service in Orange has improved the community by adding to the volunteer resources both financially and through service projects, the statement said.
Hendrick has committed her life to all things involving education. She has served on the executive board of the AAUW raising funds for college scholarships, tutors students after school, serves as a commissioner for the Community Services Department and has participated in camper selection at Girl Scout camp. She is often seen volunteering at a wide variety of community events.
Gilbert has been chairman of the town Memorial Day Parade for 15 years, serves as a member of the Orange Fair Committee, was a member of the Orange Water Pollution Control Authority, and is an usher at Holy Infant Church. Through his volunteer efforts, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to his community, and to the people and organizations that he has served as leader and/or committee member.
Honorees are chosen for the contributions they have given to the community as volunteers during their lives and especially in their later years, and on the scope of their volunteer service and the impact their service has had on the community, the statement said.
Each treasure was honored at the annual Pasta Festa! supper, held on May 14 at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church Hall, 480 Racebrook Road.

ORANGE — The Orange Community Services Department has launched a Handyman/Skillsbank Program to give free help to residents of Orange. The Skillsbank is a group of qualified volunteers with a variety of skills who are willing to help residents in need of a minor household repair to be done or a task to be performed.
To request help through the Skillsbank or for more information, call Dennis Marsh, elderly outreach worker, at 203-891-4787.

The Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut will honor Orange police Chief Robert Gagne, North Branford Chief Matthew Canelli and Berlin Chief Paul Fitzgerald with the Distinguished Chiefs Award at a banquet on May 26.

Gagne, shown in photo, began his career with the Orange Police Department in 1978 as a part-time civilian dispatcher while still in high school. He was sworn in as a supernumerary officer in 1980 and attended the Milford Police Academy in 1981, graduating first in his class.

He was sworn in as a full-time officer in June 1981 and rose through the ranks, being promoted to sergeant in January 1987 and lieutenant in November 1987.

He served as the shift commander for all three shifts in the department prior to being assigned as the commander of the Investigative Services Unit in August 2000. He was promoted to assistant chief in July 2003 and chief in June 2006.
Gagne has been awarded the department’s Lifesaving Medal, Exceptional Service Award, and several letters of commendation. He has also been awarded the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Samuel Luciano Award. He is a graduate of the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s of science degree in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Administration, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in leadership at Albertus Magnus College.
Gagne also is a member of the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and serves on the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Highway Safety Committee. He was recently nominated to serve on the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors.
The banquet, to be held at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Racebrook Road in Orange, begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $38 and can be purchased by contacting Betty Paquin at 203-481-3330 or bpaquin@marcuslawfirm.com.
Canelli began his career with the North Branford Police Department in October 1970, when it only had six police officers. By 1976 the department had grown to a total of 10 officers and Canelli was appointed to the detective division. Two years later, he was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant and supervised investigations for an additional two years. In 1980 he moved back to the patrol division, where he worked as a shift supervisor until he was promoted to chief in 1984, when he was 34. He has held the job since then.

The Irish Heritage Society of Milford’s Tara Theatre Company proudly presents their third annual production, "Friends and Relations" an Irish drama.

The production will be held June 10, 11 and 12, 2010 at 7:30 pm at Square One Theatre, 2422 Main St., Stratford.

Tickets are $15 each. For tickets contact Maureen Richetelli at 203.877.4281.

ORANGE - More than 200 people recently gathered at the Grassy Hill Country Club for the Centennial Gala celebrating the 100th anniversary of Mary L. Tracy School.

The school originally was known as Orange Center School.
A dedicated committee has worked on this “labor of love” for two years, officials said in a statement.

Members included; Susan Csejka, Tina Giuliano, Mary Shaw, Chrissy Varholak, Angela McNabola, Kristen Marquis, Marianne Bauer, and Mickey Flanagan.
The gala honored the school’s century of excellence in education, the statement said.

"It provided the opportunity for past and present staff members, past and present school and town officials, and alumni from all classes to come together to share their experiences at this historic building," the statement said.
The school received a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly, introduced by state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milofrd, and Reps. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and Paul Davis, D-Orange, “in recognition of one-hundred years of putting children first,” the statement said.
Speakers at the event included Superintendent of Schools Tim James who said, “(I) am confident that Mary L. Tracy School will continue to be an extraordinary place for Orange students to begin their education in our town.”
MLT Principal Ralph A. Nuzzo said, “We are here (tonight) because we want to be here to celebrate with each other and to be together.”

Nuzzo added that the school “is the place where the love of learning and the love of children are celebrated every day,” the statement said.
First Selectman Jim Zeoli "recounted his years in the town and his many fond memories of individuals at the school," the statement said.
Invited guests included former MLT principal and Superintendent of Schools John Kowal. He spoke of his experience being the 29 year-old, “wet behind the ears” new MLT principal who took over when Miss Tracy retired. He revealed his anxiety following such a “legend”; but added that she was an outstanding mentor, the statement said.
The final speaker was former superintendent of schools and First Selectman Dorothy Berger, who began her educational career as a first grade teacher at the school with Miss Tracy as her principal, the statement said.

Berger said that Miss Tracy would be proud that the school “helped to establish a foundation of quality education” for the town of Orange.
One very special person, Anthony Moccia, who graduated from the school in 1937, attended the gala, the statement said.
Nuzzo said, “In these days when everything happens so quickly, it is important that we slow down for a moment to remember our past.”

In the photos: seated group: 1979 faculty from Mary l. Tracy school. Standing group: The Centennial Committee

Editor's note: The photos and information in this post was provided by MLT School Principal Ralph Nuzzo.

MILFORD — Beth-El Center will hold its second annual fundraiser at the Milford Yacht Club 7 to 11 p.m. May 22.
"Light up the Harbor for Beth-El" will benefit the organization’s shelter, soup kitchen and other support services for homeless men, women and children.
Music and entertainment will be provided by Good 2 Go.
A silent and live auction with auctioneer Eric Hummel includes golf and spa packages, wines, theater and sporting event tickets, original art, a sunset sail, a kayak, jewelry and getaways.
Tickets Sponsors include the Meisenheimer Foundation, Baybrook Remodelers, United Illuminating, O.E.M. Sources, LLC, Milford Bank, Griswold Special Care, Milford Junior Women’s Club, Milford Lions Club, Williams Insurance Agency, Arnold Peck Realtors, and Yale University. WQUN is the media sponsor.are $75; R.S.V.P. to Joanne Byrne at 203-799-9926.
BusinessesTables of eight are available. Beth-El is located at 90 New Haven Ave.

You may after this event

STRATFORD - The Stratford Library Children’s Department will present “A Visit from the Tooth Fairy” at 10:30 a.m. May 25.

The vent is intended to help partcipants learn about good oral hygiene from the expert.

Each child will receive a free gift to take home.

To register, or for more information, call the Children’s Department at 203-385-4165 or visit its website at http://www.stratfordlibrary.org/.

In the photo: Tooth Fairy Camilla.

Event raised more than $10,000

STRATFORD - The Stratford Library Board of Trustees seventh annual “Broadway Comes to Stratford" was a gala evening of musical vignettes, hors d’ouevres, beverages and desserts, library officials said in statement.
Under the sponsorship of People’s United Bank, Beth and John Morgan, Aquarion Water Co., Bishop, Jackson & Kelly, Milford Bank and the Stratford Development Company, the event brought out nearly 200 supporters and raised more than $10,000. All proceeds benefited the library’s book collection.
Broadway soprano Jennifer Sheehan, accompanist Allen Bonde and the Connecticut Chamber Orchestra performed a medley of Broadway standards, the statement said.
Stratford pianist David Childs provided lobby music during intermission breaks.
A cocktail buffet by Events of Distinction.
The Event Decorators of Bridgeport designed a variety of balloon creations for the benefit and a silent auction offering a Mohegan Sun package, golfing at Mill River Country Club, a cocktail party for 10 and other prizes was available.
Among special guests were Town Council members Matthew Catalano, James Connor, Paul Hoydick, Thomas Malloy, and Kimberly Meuse, state Rep. Laura Hoydick, Stratford Board of Education representatives Joseph Crudo, Gavin Forrester and Janice DaPonte, Constable Paul Mathewson, Council Clerk Carol Cabral, Stratford Finance Director Susan Collier, Stratford Schools Chief Operating Officer Benjamin Branyan, Chamber of Commerce’s Mary Dean, Stratford Schools Grants Administrator Pat Naylor and Library Board members Norman Aldrich, Constantine Chagares, Judith Crudo, Kristine Feeney, Susan Fennell, Maria Ferrera, Karla Glad, Thomas & Shelley Hall, John Hutchinson, Doreen Jaekle, Beth Morgan, Paula Nazzardo, Robyn Proto, Steve Unger and Elaine Watson.
Co-chairmen of “Broadway Comes to Stratford” were Robyn Proto and Doreen Jaekle.
The committee included Library Director Barbara Blosveren, Judy Crudo, Jim Duffy, Maria Ferrera, Karla Glad, Shelley Hall, Tom Holehan, Beth Morgan, Paula Nizzardo, Heather Silverman, Sheri Szymanski and Elaine Watson.

In the photos: Conductor Sayard Stone and the Connecticut Chamber Orchestra performed at this year's "Broadway Comes to Stratford" event at the Stratford Library. And Stratford Library Director Barbara Blosveren (left) with Broadway soprano Jennifer Sheehan.

MILFORD — The Woodmont Civic and Recreation Association will sponsor two events May 15: an area tag sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a concert at the Woodmont Borough Hall at 7 p.m.
The tag sale will be held throughout Woodmont.
Maps of the participating homes will be distributed at the Hawley Avenue park. Tag sale locations and types of goods will be posted at www.woodmontonthesound.org. A $5 participation fee is requested. To sign up, e-mail lcasey18@optonline.net or call Linda at 203-878-9289. Rain date is May 16.
The Woodmont Ensemble will perform a free concert at the Borough Hall, 31 Clinton St. Refreshments by the Caterers of Woodmont will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the performance is 7–8:30 p.m..
Musicians include Paula Coutz, flutist; Alan Kessler, cellist; Frank Johnson, French horn; Nancy Holt, pianist; and Nina Proto, vocalist.
The evening is dedicated in memory of violinist Richard Fewtrell. RSVP requested, but not required. Contact Kelley Cummings at 203-877-6702.

Stratford Community Fund sponsors exhibit

STRATFORD - A collection of photographs taken by local residents is on display through May at the Stratford Public Library.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Stratford Community Fund, features works of prize winners and other selected entries from the SCF’s annual amateur photography contests, contest Chairman Paul Reslink said in a statement.
The contests have focused on Stratford and its many attractions for the last three years.
The 2009 competition was opened to children and drew 62 entries. Information about this year’s contest will be announced. Winners from previous years are shown in photos.
The SCF, which originated in 1990, is a non-profit charitable organization that honors and recognizes people in the community for their volunteer services, fosters intellectual and creative development and supports efforts to improve the town’s physical appearance, the statement said.

The SCF recently honored four individuals and one non-profit agency for their dedicated volunteer service to the community at the third annual Lighthouse Awards ceremony at the Library, the statement said.

Information about the group can be obtained by contacting SCF President Bill O’Brien at 203-378-2606, ext. 106, or at bobrien@sterlinghousecc.org.

The national commander of the American Legion, Clarence E. Hill, on Friday put this message on the social networking site, Twitter:

"On the flight home, finished reading "These Scars Are Sacred" by Elliott Storm-most powerful book I've read about Vietnam experience & PTSD."

This honorable statement from a very high ranking individual, contains sentiment that has grown far and wide in recent years.

Storm, a Milford resident and 100 percent disabled Vietnam combat veteran, wrote the novel several years ago and since then has logged more than 10,000 miles travelling and meeting veterans nationwide to share his experiences with PTSD and spread a healing message. More than 25,000 books have been sold.

The message will be shared locally, at an event during which he and his "Vet Pack" will give his Power Point presentation for the first time in this area.

The event begins at 4 p.m. May 11 at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Saw Mill Road in West Haven. The event also is a fundraiser for American Legion District 2 and American Legion Post 10.

In addition to Storm's presentation about PTSD, the event will include the American Legion of Seymour flag team posting the colors and many others speakers who will address veterans' issues.

Weatherman Gil Simmons and former Miss Connecticut Heidi Voight will act as emcees.

Exhibit asks artists to 'breathe new life' into still lifes

BRIDGEPORT ‑ Flower (Re)Power, an annual open-juried competition with guest Curator Terri C. Smith will be held at the Housatonic Museum of Art June 17 through July 23.

The competition, "designed to breathe new life into the flower as an artistic symbol or subject, provides an opportunity for emerging and under-recognized artists to have their work seen by a notable curator working in the field and to exhibit their work in a significant venue," organizers said in a statement.

“Still life paintings of flowers are often predictable and decorative,” Museum Director Robbin Zella said in the statement. “Flower (Re)Power is asking artists to breathe new life into the genre.”

"Contemporary artists such as Charles Ray, Andy Warhol, Peter Coffin, Polly Apfelbaum, and Christopher Wool have managed to break free of familiar formulas and create new aesthetics and approaches to the flower.”

With about 15 years of curatorial experience, freelance Curator Terri C. Smith has created more than 70 exhibitions and a variety of related programming for museums and other not-for-profit arts institutions, the statement said.

The "shows usually involved working with contemporary artists, but also included permanent collection exhibitions and art historical projects," the statement said.

The exhibit, free and open to the public, will be on display in the Burt Chernow Galleries in Lafayette Hall at Housatonic Community College.

The opening reception will be held 5 to 7 p.m. June 17 in the galleries. For more information visit http://www.housatonicmuseum.org/.

Housatonic Community College is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport.

Free parking is available in the HCC garage.

The galleries are open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Thursdays until 7 p.m. The museum is closed all state and national holidays.

Editor's note: The information in this post was wholly provided by HCC

MILFORD — Beth-El Center will hold its second annual fundraiser at the Milford Yacht Club 7 to 11 p.m. May 22
“Light up the Harbor for Beth-El” will benefit the organization’s shelter, soup kitchen and other support services for homeless men, women and children.
Music and entertainment will be provided by Good 2 Go, with vocalist Michael Ciulla and guitarist, Ron Murray performing cabaret-style standards.
A silent and live auction with auctioneer Eric Hummel includes golf and spa packages, wines, theater and sporting event tickets, original art, a sunset sail, a kayak, jewelry and getaways.
Sponsors include the Meisenheimer Foundation, Baybrook Remodelers, United Illuminating, O.E.M. Sources, LLC, Milford Bank, Griswold Special Care, Milford Junior Women’s Club, Milford Lions Club, Williams Insurance Agency, Arnold Peck Realtors, and Yale University. WQUN is the media sponsor.
Tickets are $75; to reserve, call Joanne Byrne at 203-799-9926. Tables of eight are available.
Beth-El is located at 90 New Haven Ave.
Businesses that would like to donate an item or gift certificate for the auction can contact Marcia Ivers at 203-876-9427

Editor's note: The information in this post was provided to the Register

Not really, but the replica will sail in for tours

BRIDGEPORT — A replica of the HMS Bounty will visit Captain’s Cove Seaport at 1 Bostwick Ave. on the harbor.
The ship will arrive on the evening of May 13. It will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14-16. The original British transport vessel is known for the mutiny that took place in Tahiti in 1789.
The current Bounty was built for the 1962 movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” with Marlon Brando, and has appeared in other feature films and documentaries.
Tour prices are $10 for adults, and $5 for children. All proceeds go to the continued support of the ship.
For details, call Captain’s Cove Seaport at 203-335-1433 or visit http://captainscoveseaport.com.

And wonderful things will be spun

STRATFORD - The Stratford LifeLong Learners series will present professional weaver Kate LaPlante in a special program, "The Ancient Art of Spinning" at the Stratord Library at 1 p.m. May 14.

The Stratford LifeLong Learners is a joint initiative of the Stratford Library and Stratford Senior Services, orgenizers said in a statement.

The program is free and open to the public.

LaPlante, shown in photos, presents "an educational, entertaining and therapeutic spinning demonstration employing traditional tools...while utilizing wool and beads," the statement said. The program is a unique blend of demonstration and hands-on activity.

History of the spinning art, tactile presentation of different fibers and stories about America's ancestors and their way of life is also included, the statement said.

Questions are welcomed.

"The Ancient Art of Spinning" will be held in the Stratford Library Lovell Room.

The LifeLong Learners next program will be on May 28 at the Baldwin Center with speaker Evelyn Stein discussing "Old Time Stratford."

For more information, call the library's Public Relations and Programming Office at 203.385.4162 or visit: http://www.stratfordlibrary.org/.

The towns of Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge are joining for the first time in one Earth Day celebration and organizers said they hope to make it one of the biggest Green events in the state from noon to 4 p.m. May 22 at Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road.

It's a "late spring Earth Day event for anyone who missed the events on official Earth Day April 22." organizers said in a statement.

The event will include more than 35 vendors of green goods and services including master gardeners, farmers, and food vendors, the statement said.

For more information, contact: (203) 393-2100 x135 or bethanyearthday@googlemail.com

Live music will be provided by the Judson Jazz Band and Cyril the Sorcerer will perform magic tricks.

“This is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 4th year the town is holding this event,” said Mike Okrent, event organizer said in the statement. “I encourage everyone to bring their families to the town hall to learn more about our environment and what you can do to help make it better.”

There also will be an alternative-fuel car show and computer recycling drop off bins for old and unwanted monitors, keyboards and other computer equipment.

Activities for kids, include games, a petting zoo and pony rides, the statement said.

Leave with a special plant

WEST HAVEN — There will be a “Pancake Day” from 8 a.m. to noon May 8 at First and Wesley United Methodist Church, 89 Center St.
The all you-can-eat event, a breakfast, brunch, or lunch, also includes sausage, juice, and coffee or tea, organizers said. A spring plant sale, including vegetables, hanging plants, baked goods and books, will be held concurrently.
Donation for the pancake event is $7 for adults and $3 for children 2 to 10, organizers said. The event is one of the church’s biggest fundraisers.

Photographer captures spirit of the American mustang

SOUTHPORT - The photographs of imperiled wild mustangs taken by photographer Esther-Grace Simson will be shown throughout May in an exhibit in the Perkin Gallery at Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave.

Wild mustangs are descendants of horses Spanish Conquistadors brought to North America and living emblems of the old West, event organizers said. By the end of the 19th century, two to three million mustangs roamed the Western plains.
Starting in the early 20th century and up to the present day, the horses have been sold for pet food, glue, pony skins and shot for sport.

In 1971 a law was passed to protect mustangs on public lands. But due to pressure from cattle ranching interest groups as well as the oil, natural gas and mining industries, mustangs are again being rounded up in a violent manner, such as helicopter roundups, and herded into federal holding facilities while they await an uncertain future in an inhumane way, event organizers said in a statement.

About 24,000 of the horses are in captivity.

On a recent trip, Simson traveled with her daughter Danielle to the foothills of California’s mountains near Santa Barbara in search of the horses.

Some rescued mustangs reside on 300 acres at the Return To Freedom sanctuary. The mother-daughter team set up various base camps as they followed the grazing bands of mustangs from one spot to another, the statement said.
Simson remembers setting up base camp, and waiting quietly until the horses sent their scouts to appraise and inspect them, the statement said.
They were ultimately welcomed warmly, andeventually nudged by a young stallion, indicating that they were accepted by the various bands of mustangs. The "mission to record the proud nobility of these wild and beautiful animals and to promote an awareness of their sad plight was accomplished," the statement said.

Simson is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and the Equine Photographers Network. Her work has appeared in numerous publications. She is the designated photographer of RJ Masterbug, star of the Disney film Hidalgo, the statement said. Her photographs of RJ have appreared on the covers of Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Up magazines. She has exhibited nationally and internationally.

The opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. May 8.
This exhibit is one in a series of shows of amateur and professional photographers curated by Enid Munroe. For more information, call the library at 203-259-0346.



Editor's note: The information in this post was provided by the Pequot Library. It is lightly edited here.