The Animal Shelter needs donations of pet food

MILFORD — The Pet Food Bank at the Milford Animal Shelter is very low on cat and dog food, and is in need of wet and dry cat and dog food, especially cat, along with treats and toys.
Items can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to the Milford Animal Control, 664 East Broadway. The animal shelter is in Silver Sands State Park, with an entrance on Meadowside Road. For more information, call 783-3279 and press 0.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

The Joseph A. Foran High School Music Department will present its annual Winter Concert at Foran High School, 80 Foran Road, on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 p. m. Featured will be the Chorus, Jazz Band, and Concert Band. Admission is free but donations to support the Foran Music Department will be gratefully accepted.

MILFORD -- Twenty five students at Jonathan Law High School have been named Advanced Placement Scholars by The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement in the college-level AP exams. Only about eighteen percent of the more than 1.9 million students worldwide who took the AP exams in May 2011 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition.
Students take AP exams in May after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student performance on AP exams.
Four students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Raymond Arnold, Emily Bak, David Griffin and Marilyn Rideout.
Seven students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Bhaswati Chattopadhyay, Andrew Fowler, Daniel Gregorio, Robert Lockwood, Megan Morris, Shelja Patel and Matthew Walker.
Fourteen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP exams with a grade of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Olivia Anderson, Elizabeth Bradford, Alexis Christy, Anthony Ciacci, Ryan Clark, Alyssa Davanzo, Lucas Favazza, Jiries Hanania, James Maccone, Nicole Mair, Courtney Murray, Matthew Ouellette, Matthew Telker and Jesse Viscardi.

Here is a list of area Thanksgiving dinners open to the public

New Haven: A free Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by Church of God and Saints of Christ, 109 Beers St., will be served from 1 to 3 p.m. today . Shut-ins may call for delivery and takeout is available at the church. Call 203-776-3648 or 203-676-8880 for delivery.

East Haven: For the fifth year in a row, the Rotary Club of East Haven will be serving residents a free, full-course Thanksgiving dinner at noon at the East Haven Senior Center. Turkey and all the traditional holiday “fixings,” including beverages and desserts, will be served. Open to the public.

Takeout is available to families that would prefer to dine at home. The Rotary will package dinners for takeout and arrangements may be made to pick them up or have them delivered. Families requesting these meals can call Parente at 203-469-0077.

Wallingford: 30th annual Thanksgiving dinner, noon to 2 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 23 S. Main St., sponsored by Parents & Kids Foundation and the church. Free and open to the public. Transportation will be provided to those needing rides. Meals and visits will also be delivered to the homebound. Food baskets are sent out ahead of time.

Seymour: Trinity Episcopal Church annual free community Thanksgiving dinner, 1-4 p.m. at 91 Church St. Call church office to make reservations at 203-888-6596.

West Haven:A.C.T.I.O.N. of West Haven 23rd annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church, 464 Campbell Ave. Entrance is handicap accessible via a ramp. Food will be prepared by the staff of the Elm Diner and owner John Theodoridis, baked goods will be prepared by Peschell’s Pastry Shop, pies donated by the community. Menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans. The dinner is a family-style event served from a buffet line. For more information, call Bill Ewry at 203-932-9486.

The event was dubbed "Dogs for Dogs"

MILFORD - The Police Department recently received a donation from a local Boy Scout who organized a fundraiser to support the department's canine program, police said in a statement.
"Andrew Preiss and other members of Troop 12 held the fundraiser in August at Napoli Motors on Bridgeport Avenue as part of a Boy Scout project which was called 'Dogs for Dogs,'" the statement said. "Hotdogs and soda supplied by the dealership were sold that day by the scouts which raised $400."
"The Boy Scouts’ efforts were recently recognized at the Milford Police Commissioners’ meeting where the donation was accepted," the statement said.
The department thanked Andrew, the troop and Napoli Motors for their support.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

 

The City of Milford’s 2011 Festival of Lights and Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, November 25th at the Gazebo on the Milford Green. Pre-lighting festivities will take place with horse and buggy rides courtesy of The Milford Bank from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Free hot chocolate will be served courtesy of the Devon Rotary Club from 5:30 - 8:00 PM in the Milford Bank parking lot, 33 Broad Street. DJ Sheila and The Milford Concert Band will fill the air with holiday selections beginning at 5:30 PM. Over 50,000 lights will light up the Green at approximately 6:30 PM. when the arrival of a very special jolly elf, dressed in red will be brought to us by the Milford Professional Firefighters Association. Immediately following the tree lighting, Santa will be on hand to greet children. Photos with Santa provided courtesy of Milford Photo.
Come dine & shop. Enjoy carolers. Retail stores will remain open until 9:00 PM.
The mission of the Milford Chamber of Commerce, as the clearinghouse for business, is to enhance business opportunity, empower its members and influence positive economic growth. For more information contact: Kathy Alagno, President & CEO at 203-878-0681 or email kalagno@milfordct.com.

Milford, CT ~(November 23, 2011) Mayor Benjamin Blake announced today that he will declare November 26, 2011, Small Business Saturday in the City of Milford. The declaration of Small Business Saturday aims to remind residents of the wonderful small businesses here in the City of Milford and acknowledges the important role they play within our community.
“The City of Milford recognizes the importance of our small business community and the role they play in defining city’s unique character and New England charm. “
Mayor Blake urged residents to visit our local small businesses, to give them your patronage and thank them for being apart of our community.
“There is no better way to kick off our holiday shopping season then right here in downtown Milford”, Blake said.

The play will be performed at the high school

WOODBRIDGE — The Amity High School Theater Department will perform “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at the Amity High School Auditorium.

Tickets are on sale at www.amitytheaterdepartment.com or by calling 203-392-2019.
All proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the students attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2012.
The Amity cast includes Matthew Burkhart, Nina Yasick, Ted McNulty, Ali Kramer, Peter Charney, Rachel Skalka, April Rock, Alida Ballou, Kara Burgess, Bowen Kirwood, Heidi Schulte, Kate Poland, and Carson Adair. With crew members Sloane Churchill, Zachary Arons, Ellie Flaumenhaft and Andrew Gusciora.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Learn more here

ORANGE — The Junior Woman’s Club of Milford is holding breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at Orange Ale House, 517 Boston Post Road.
There will be breakfast foods, coffee, juice, photos with Santa for an additional cost, and crafts. Tickets are $5 each, with a maximum charge of $20 family.
Children ages 2 and younger are free. For tickets, contact Jerilyn at 203-913-1043 or mshanno3@optonline.net.

"The Toy Drive is a huge endeavor"

 

STRATFORD - The 2011 Sterling House Holiday Toy Drive & Adopt-A-Family Program kicked off Nov. 13 as the Cruisin East Car Club had its 27th Annual Cruise and Toy Drive for the program at Savin Rock Roasting Company in Stratford and Goodies Drive Inn in Milford, according to a statement.

"As its collector cars were on display, individuals, families, businesses and organizations came forward and donated toys, gift cards and made monetary donations for the Sterling House Program," the statement said. "Close to $3,000 of monetary donations and gift cards was raised for the Toy Drive along with 700 new toys."

"Last year this project coordinated by the Stratford Junior Women's Club and Sterling House provided over 1,000 children in Stratford with  Holiday gifts," the statement said.

"The Cruisin East Car Club event was wonderful giving us a great start for the project. We are most grateful to the Dave Burs, Event Coordinator, the Club, its members and all its sponsors," Lou Perno, executive director, said in the statement.

"The Toy Drive is a huge endeavor which involves the donation of monetary contributions, toys, and gift cards from churches, schools, neighbors, service clubs, local businesses and several community agencies and organizations especially Stratford EMS and the Cruisin East Car Club.  On December 17th, EMS staff and other volunteers will deliver sacks of gifts to families throughout Stratford," the statement said.

"Any monetary donations, toys and gift cards will be most appreciated. Any group interested in adopting a family for the holidays or for more information about the Sterling House 2011 Holiday Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Program can contact Perno at 203-378-2606, Ext. 103 or lperno@sterlinghousecc.org

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is largely unedited here.

But other incidents remain under investigation
MILFORD — Local police clarified Thursday night that a previous report of a “suspicious encounter” was a misinterpretation.
Thursday afternoon the Police Department received a complaint about the encounter, in which a 10-year-old child reported that after exiting the school bus, a man who was near his car in the area of Burnt Plains Road and Cheryl Ann Drive made a comment about a student getting into his vehicle. According to police, the child ran from the area and notified a parent, who contacted the police.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that the man was an adult acquainted with another student on the bus, who missed getting off the bus at the previous stop, and he followed the bus to the next stop.
Milford police said they encourage the continued reporting of any and all suspicious activity to the police. Investigations are still underway for the previously reported incidents.
Anyone with information regarding these encounters is asked to contact the Milford Police Detective Division at (203) 877-1465.

It's Jewish Book Month

The JCC of Greater New Haven is pleased to host author Lorraine Lotzof Abramson as a speaker at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13.


The appearance is part of a celebration of November as Jewish Book Month, organizers said

She will discuss her memoir "My Race: A Jewish Girl Growing Up Under Apartheid in South Africa," sharing her ambitions, achievements, losses and growing unease with a system of social inequality that simultaneously excluded her, organizers said.

Abramson won three gold medals in track at the Maccabi Games in Israel and eventually immigrated to the United States. Her book will be on sale and Abramson will sign books after her talk.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven is at 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

The exhibit opens Tuesday at HCC

BRIDGEPORT ‑ A new exhibit by the late Stanley Learner, designer, graphic artist and illustrator, opens Nov. 15 and continues through January 7th, 2012.

The exhibit is on view in the Community Gallery located on the 3rd floor of Beacon Hall on the campus of the Housatonic Community College.
The show includes the out-sized letter A, a fish totem, typewriter and whimsical “alpha boxes” that feature assemblages of objects all beginning with the same letter in the alphabet. Colorful and humorous, these objects were not made for sale or show, but for the amusement of the artist himself.
Stan Learner was a prolific artist who took his aesthetic cue from Claes Oldenburg, taking everyday objects to larger-than-life proportions. He incorporated all manner of materials into his assemblages, such as braided rope, wood, papier mache and found objects, then painting the surfaces in bright colors and patterns.
A graduate with honors from the School of Industrial Arts in New York City, Learner was offered, and refused, a prestigious position at the Walt Disney Studios preferring instead to work with such corporate giants as Pepsico, Johnson and Johnson and Philip Morris, among others. Learner was only 43 when he retired from corporate life to design and build LeMans, a popular Hamptons nightspot, which featured hundreds of automotive sculptures and art objects. After the sale of  his club, he went on to found Stan Learner Sculpture as a hobby that soon had him making commissioned pieces for private clients and collectors only.
Since his death in 2004, Learner’s work has found a broader audience through the efforts of his brother, Dr. Leonard Learner of Stratford, Connecticut. Exhibitions of Stan Learner’s work have been held at the Loggerhead Museum in Juno, Florida; the Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE) and Guild Hall, both in the Hamptons, and at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Florida. Although his work is held in numerous private collections, several pieces have been acquired by public collections including the Housatonic Museum of Art.
The exhibit is available for view when the college is open. For further information
contact 203-332-5052 or visit www.housatonicmuseum.org.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is unedited here.

The sixth annual “Spirit of Love” concert to benefit The Beth-El Center will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.at the Parsons Center, Milford, CT. The Beth-El Center is the recognized leader in caring for and meeting the needs of the hungry and homeless and strives to prevent and end homelessness.

Once again The Yale Whiffenpoofs will be celebrating the season with The Beth-El Center. Founded over 100 years ago, in 1909, they are the world's oldest and best known collegiate a cappella group and their performances receive accolades worldwide. Every year, 14 senior Yale men are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs.

The Whiffenpoof Song has become famous and can be traced to a 1907 winter trip by the Yale Glee Club, when the group created a humorous adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling poem, "Gentleman Rankers." Mory’s Temple Bar in New Haven was host to their first concerts and back then Loius Linder, was the tavern’s barkeep and a music aficionado. The Whiffenpoof Song is sung at the end of every concert as a celebration of brotherhood and tradition. The song has been recorded by Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, and countless others.

To the tables down at Mory's, to the place where Louis dwells to the dear old Temple Bar we love so well sing the Whiffenpoofs assembled, with their glasses raised on high and the magic of their singing casts its spell

Charles Grodin, author, actor, and commentator will be the Master of Ceremonies. The Elm City Girls' Choir will also be performing at the event. Tickets to the concert are $25 for general admission, $15 for 17 years and under, and children under 6 are free. They are available online at www.bethelmiford.org and at Something of Bev’s, Canvas Patch, Milford Photo and at all of The Milford Bank locations. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for purchase of raffle tickets for themed gift baskets. Anyone interested in being a sponsor or ordering tickets should contact Maria Tomasetti at (203) 988-8598.

Student athletes to commit to Colgate University and Southern New Hampshire University

On Monday, November 14, three talented scholar-athletes will say yes to play at the collegiate level during this year’s National Letter of Intent Signing Period.

This year’s senior scholar-athletes are softball and volleyball player Mariel Schlaefer of Brookfield, triathlete (field hockey, basketball, and softball) Marissa Dowling of Huntington, formerly of Stratford, and basketball player Nicola Matero of Brookfield.

Mariel has been recruited by Division I Colgate University Raiders for her outstanding success as a catcher for the Lauralton Crusaders’ winning softball team. “Mariel is all-around great player,” said Athletics Director Nicolle Camara. With a batting average of .540 and an on-base percentage of .667, she is a member of the 2011 All-State Team and has played in the SWC Championships each of her four years at Lauralton Hall. She is also captain of the volleyball team.

In addition to being an outstanding player, off the field Mariel excels in academics as a member in the prestigious National Honor Society and offers many hours of her time in community service to several organizations including the Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown. She is particularly grateful for the support her parents, both Broadway performers, who have encouraged their athletic daughter in pursing her talents on the ball field.

Joining Mariel for the Colgate Raiders is her teammate and captain, shortstop Marissa Dowling. Recognized for her speed and accuracy, she is the team’s lead-off batter and on-base person. “She is an invaluable clutch player,” stated Coach and Science Department Chair Theresa Napolitano. “Marissa is always able to drive in a run when the game is on the line.” She is a member of the 2011 All-State Team.

Marissa is considered by coaches and teammates as being driven and an extremely hard worker. She is highly competitive but always epitomizes the best of sportsmanship. Being the consummate team leader, she takes charge on the field when needed but encourages and helps all players to excel. In addition to softball, Marissa is captain of the Crusaders field hockey and basketball teams and has played varsity level for all four years in each sport. Her focused dedicated is also evident in the classroom and the Lauralton community as a member of the National Honor Society.

Nicola Matero’s love of basketball and her high-level of play at Lauralton Hall have earned her a position with next year’s Division II Southern New Hampshire University Penmen. She is presently the team’s co-captain and shooting guard with 773 career points before the start of the 2011-12 season. “She is a huge threat on court in the three-point range,” said Athletic Director Nicolle Camara. “We count on her in a game-tight situation to hit a big shot. She always adds to the scoreboard. ”

Nicola is a hard worker on and off the court and is very competitive. Nicola was elected by the state’s coaches as a member of the 2010 and 2011 All-State teams. Her goal this year is to try and lead her Lauralton team to a state championship.



About Lauralton Hall

Lauralton Hall has a long and proud history of excellence in athletics, and is known both locally and statewide for its outstanding athletic program which fields 15 varsity sports in basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The school is a member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and the South West Conference (SWC).

Founded in 1905, the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, is the oldest Catholic college preparatory high school for girls in Connecticut. More than 460 students attend from cities and towns throughout New Haven and Fairfield counties. Lauralton Hall’s unique mission is to foster a community atmosphere enriched by the Mercy tradition and to educate young women to pursue knowledge, recognize truth and respond to the needs of others.

     The Robert Rogers Puppet Company presentation of Hans Christian Anderson's classic, heartwarming family tale, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", will be offered at the Stratford Library at 4:30 pm. Nov. 30. The holiday puppet show will kick-off the annual "Downtown Stratford Holiday Lighting Festival," which includes a tree lighting, Santa and his Elves, musical performances by the Stratford High School band and choir and much more. 

It is free and open to the public.  For more information, call the Stratford Library at 203.385.4165.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

And there's a special emcee too, for the "Spirit of Love" Concert coming up early next month

 

The 6th annual "Spirit of Love" concert to benefit The Beth-El Center will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Parsons Government Center.

 

"The Beth-El Center is the recognized leader in caring for and meeting the needs of the hungry and homeless and strives to prevent and end homelessness," organizers said in a statement.

"Once again The Yale Whiffenpoofs will be celebrating the season with The Beth-El Center.  Founded over 100 years ago, in 1909, they are the world's oldest and best known collegiate a cappella group and their performances receive accolades worldwide. Every year, 14 senior Yale men are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs," the statement said.

Charles Grodin, author, actor, and commentator will be the master of ceremonies, the statement said.

The Elm City Girls' Choir also will perform at the event, the statement said. Tickets to the concert are $25 for general admission, $15 for 17 years and younger, and children under 6 are free.  

Tickets are available online at www.bethelmiford.org and at Something of Bev's, Canvas Patch, Milford Photo and at all of The Milford Bank locations.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for purchase of raffle tickets for themed gift baskets.  Anyone interested in being a sponsor or ordering tickets should call Maria Tomasetti at (203) 988-8598.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Here it is

MILFORD -- Twenty nine students at Joseph A. Foran High School have been named Advanced Placement Scholars by The College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement in the college-level AP exams. Only about eighteen percent of the more than 1.9 million students worldwide who took the AP exams in May 2011 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition.

Students take AP exams in May after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student performance on AP exams.

Eight students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Peter Bassine, Robert Fohrenbach, Matthew Hasselkamp, Paul Huebner, Roshni Patel, William Ritz and Katherine Sylvester.

Five students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Thomas Bassine, Justin Fugal, Rebecca Giden, Molly Nebiolo and Charles Taylor.

Eighteen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP exams with a grade of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Emily Alderman, Matthew Aspinwall, Ryan Dennehy, Mark Dillman, Rick Garcia, Amanda Geib, Rosanne Gildea, Katherine Gunzenhauser, Cristina LaPenna, Rodger Macdonald, Matthew Perani, Zachary Sabo, Kira Sirois, Nicholas Sostillo, Molly Taylor, Daniel Tylutki, Kelly Velez and Cynthia Xu.

Information submitted by the Milford Public School system

MILFORD – For a sport that only accepts 3 high school players out of a hundred senior athletes, collegiate level women’s basketball is a pretty exclusive ‘club.’ Jonathan Law High School is proud to announce senior Kimberly Legen will join this elite group on Thursday (Nov. 10) as she signs her NCAA National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kim will receive a scholarship to attend the Division II school, renewable each year of her college career.

A four-year veteran on the Lady Eagles basketball team, Legen will serve this year as a team captain. She was named to the SCC All-Conference Team in her junior year, as well as received the Jonathan Law MVP Award for her work last year on the team. Her work as an outstanding leader and an excellent player, as well as being a strong academic student earned Kim a spot on the SCC All-Academic Team both her sophomore and junior years.

Academically, Legen has maintained a 3.6 GPA over her four years at Law and ranking in the top 20% of her class. In fact, due to her hard work and dedication as a student-athlete, $12,000 of Kim’s scholarship package was awarded specifically for her academic performance while at Jonathan Law.

Law basketball coach Heather Saucier Borges was delighted to hear the news of Kim’s offer and couldn’t say enough about her player. “For me, as the basketball coach and a teacher in Milford, I could not be more proud to see the bridge between athletics and academics be demonstrated by such a positive hardworking Milford student.”

Athletic Director Michael Hoggatt has arranged for a press event to be held on Thursday, November 10, at Jonathan Law High School; 3:00 p.m. in the school lobby. Kim will officially sign her National Letter of Intent at that time and be available for questions.

Holy Family University: located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Holy Family is a member of the NCAA’s Division II, in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The conference has 14 members, including Bloomfield College, Caldwell College, Chestnut Hill, Concordia College, Dominican College, Felician College, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Nyack College, Philadelphia University, Post University, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.

The school was founded in 1954. Its enrollment is approximately 2,100. The sports teams are known as “The Tigers.”

In Nov. 19 performance, The American Baroque Orchestra uses original sources, rarely performed elements

NEW HAVEN - The American Baroque Orchestra offers a fresh hearing of Handel’s classic “Messiah” on Nov. 19, organizers said in a statement.
"The historically-informed performance is directed by Mark Bailey and will feature the stellar voices of the American Baroque Singers. The concert takes place in the visually and acoustically beautiful Marquand Chapel at the Yale Divinity School," the statement said.
Mark Bailey, "a specialist in early music and the artistic director of American Baroque Orchestra," has "assembled a rare version of “Messiah,” the statement said “This performance,” he said, also in the statement, “is a chance to explore Handel's initial inspiration and genius in ‘Messiah.’”
"Bailey points out that 'most versions we hear have standardized the work,'" the statement said.
"ABO, in contrast, looks to Handel’s handwritten manuscript and the copy used to conduct the premiere in 1742. The performance on (Nov. 19 ) will use “some of the alternate versions of the arias and duets that are less often sung in concert.” It’s like a director’s cut.
"The ensemble further adds vitality through exciting ornamentation, notes inégales (slightly swung rhythms), and other hallmarks of what Bailey calls 'stylistic fidelity.'”
“The result,” Bailey said in the sttaement, is a “Messiah” that sounds “fresh, intimate, multi-layered, and energized.”
The selection of arias and choruses aligns around a central theme. This is a version of “Messiah” created for the Christmas season, though it was originally performed at Easter-time, the statement said.
The American Baroque Orchestra, a first-rate period instrumental ensemble, has been active in New Haven and beyond for several years and was officially established last year. Bailey also directs its companion vocal ensemble, American Baroque Singers, which enjoyed a successful debut in October and in this concert will be joined by the trebles of St. Paul’s Choir (Fairfield).
The Nov. 19 at 7:30 pm in Marquand Chapel, 409 Prospect St. Parking is available on site.
Advance tickets are $18 general admission, $35 for preferred patron seating, and are available at americanbaroqueorchestra.com/concerts. At the door, general admission tickets are $20, and student tickets are available on a pay-as-you-can basis. Door sales are cash and check only.

For more information, visit americanbaroqueorchestra.com.

About the Performers (all information provided)

The American Baroque Orchestra is a first-rate period instrumental ensemble filled with extraordinary talent. Under the direction of Mark Bailey, its superior musicians perform great musical works with energy, depth, ingenuity, and historical insight. By enlivening education about baroque performance, ABO fulfills its mission to build vibrant and meaningful connections between listeners and musical repertoire. The genesis of the ensemble dates to the 2004–2005 season, and ABO enjoyed its first official season in 2010–2011. The ensemble displays an innovative respect for music and its history though discovery, collaboration, and education.

Mark Bailey, the artistic director of American Baroque Orchestra, extensively leads and performs music of the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, with particular focus on Slavic instrumental and vocal repertoire. He has been artistic director of the Yale Russian Chorus since 1995 and frequently guest-conducts ensembles such as Cappella Romana and Pro Coro Canada, which will soon release “The Heart of Kiev,” a recording of choral works by baroque and classical Slavic composers under Mr. Bailey’s direction. He frequently lectures on the topic of Slavic music and period performance practice at major colleges and universities, as well as at venues such as Lincoln Center. His transcriptions and arrangements of Slavic baroque music are performed extensively, most recently by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in their season opener. Mr. Bailey also plays baroque viola and coaches singers and instrumentalists in period style, technique, and ornamentation.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Courtesy of the office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State

Milford Ballot

Event includes: A Lecture at Fairfield University and The Library’s Annual Meeting

The weekend of Nov. 12 and 13 "will be full of the things Pequot Library does best – lectures and thoughtful discussions about books, readings and the importance of special, historic Libraries to the communities they serve," according to a statement.
Things get started at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 "when Robert Gross, Draper Professor of Early American History at the University of Connecticut at Storrs, will speak on “The Reading Revolution Then and Now: the New American Nation and the History of Books” in the Diffley Board Room at Bellarmine Hall on the campus of Fairfield University," the statement said.
"Gross, a nationally-recognized authority on the history of the book, has served on the editorial board for the multi-volume History of the Book in America published by the University of North Carolina Press and co-edited the second volume of the series, "An Extensive Republic: Print, Culture, and Society in the New Nation, 1790-1840," (2010)."
"Gross’s lecture is part of Pequot Library’s executive director Daniel Snydacker’s course titled “From Codex to Kindle: The Art and History of the Book” this semester at the University. It is free and open to the public, and is sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Visual and Performing Arts Department thanks to its chair, Marice Rose," the statement said.
On Nov. 13 at 3 p.m., Pequot Library will hold its Annual Meeting at the Library at 720 Pequot Ave., in Southport. After a short business meeting, the guest speaker at the meeting will be William Hosley, who is back by popular demand after a wonderful talk during Pequot Library’s Art Show last month, the statement said.
At the Annual Meeting, Hosely’s talk is titled, “More than Books: Libraries, Community & Historic Preservation.” This program traces almost 200 years in American library practice with a special focus on New England and its many municipal, historic and specialty research libraries. As a museum scholar, preservationist and photographer, Bill Hosley has visited hundreds of libraries. Hosley is fascinated by the architectural grandeur, mission and eloquence of the libraries built during the first wave of library formation from the 1870s-1920s. "At a time when few communities had art museums, historical societies, or other ways of preserving civic treasures," Hosley notes, "these libraries did it all - one stop shopping for cultural enrichment, preservation, community memory and - of course - books and reading." It also speaks to changes in mission and practice of libraries today and how their role as "third places" benefits from the quality of ambience and place so apparent in historic libraries. This tour and discussion of library history reminds us of the richness of our heritage and the commitment of our communities to life-learning and access to ideas.

"William Hosley, the principal of Terra Firma Northeast, is an independent scholar and cultural resource consultant. He was formerly Director of the New Haven Museum and Connecticut Landmarks and, prior to that, curator and exhibition developer at Wadsworth Atheneum." Hel "has lectured throughout the country and served as a content specialist for PBS, BBC and CPTV film documentaries," the statement said.

"The Annual Meeting is also free and open to the public. A reception will follow each lecture where the ideas spill over into a lively discussion." For more information about both these programs, visit the Library’s web site at www.pequotlibrary.org, or call the Library at 203-259-0346.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

The festival is in 2012

The Amity Drama Club will hold a benefit sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Amity High School auditorium.  
A paid-entry preview sale will be held 6-9 p.m. Nov. 18, with appetizers and a silent auction. 
The club is raising money to send its students to the Edinburgh Fringe Theater Festival in Scotland in 2012.
The sale offerings will include clothing, furniture, jewelry, kitchenware, toys, exercise and sports equipment. 
For more information, contact drama director Rob Kennedy at Robert.kennedy@reg5.k12.ct.us.

A grant helped to make the appointment possible

BRIDGEPORT - Art historian Maura Brennan has been appointed Curator of Prints and Drawings at The Housatonic Museum of Art at Housatonic Community College, according to a statement.

"The one year appointment has been made possible by grant funding from the Werth Family Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation totaling $30,000," the statement said

Brennan has interned at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, held an NEA fellowship position at the RISD Museum in Providence, R. I.  and was the assistant curator of prints and drawings at the Worcester Art Museum, the statement said. She taught art history for more than four years at Becker College. She earned a bachelor's degree art history from Barnard College, Columbia University and a master's art history from Williams College in Massachusetts, the statment said.

Brennan said, also in the statement, "I love running an active print room and am most comfortable in this kind of a setting."

She lives in Sturbridge, Mass. and is currently doing research on her 18th-century home, the statement said.

The Housatonic Museum is open when the college is open.

For more information call 203-332-5052.
(HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.)

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

 Can you help?

The Sterling House 2011 Holiday Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Program is underway with plans to make hundreds of children happy this holiday season.  

Last year this project coordinated by the Stratford Junior Womens Club and Sterling House provided over 1,000 children in Stratford with wonderful Holiday gifts, according to a statement.

"We hope we can provide gifts this holiday season for many youngsters once again," said Lou Perno, executive director.
"The project is a huge endeavor which involves the donation of monetary contributions, toys, and gift cards from  churches, schools, neighbors, service clubs, local businesses and several community agencies and organizations especially Stratford EMS and the Cruisin East Car Club," the statement said.  

On Dec. 17, EMS staff and other volunteers will deliver sacks of gifts to families throughout Stratford,  the statement said. "The project either provides gifts directly to families in town or seeks organizations, groups, service clubs, school groups or individual families to adopt a family in need. The group who adopts a family provides gifts, food and sometimes clothing for all members of the family," the statement said.

 "It's a wonderful example of how, in times of need, the residents and businesses of Stratford reach out in friendship and compassion, " Diane Sheridan, director of Community Development at the center, said, also in the statement
All monetary donations, toys and gift cards will be most appreciated. Last year thousands of gifts were distributed to children in Stratford. Any group interested in adopting a family for the holidays or for more information about the Sterling House 2011 Holiday Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Program please contact Lou Perno, Executive Director at Sterling House at 203-378-2606, Ext. 103 or lperno@sterlinghousecc.org

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.