Books in his name were donated to the library

 The late Jonathan Roper, a Stratford resident and former member of the Stratford Library Board of Trustees, was remembered recently with a donation in his name to the Library. 

Roper's widow, Elaine, donated two books of poetry by renowned author Nikki Giovanni. 

The books, "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea" and "The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni," have been added to the Young Adult Non-Fiction circulating collection in memory of Jonathan Roper. 

      Pictured: (l-r) Elaine Roper with Teen Department Head Lucretia Duwel.
 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is largely unedited here and posted as a community service.

And you can help to make sure the party is a success

The Jonathan Law Parent Post Prom Committee will again sponsor the Post Prom party in 2012.

The event will take place from 11:30 p.m. May 12 to 4:00 a.m. the next day, according to a statement.

The event "provides students and their guests a safe and fun environment following the Junior Prom. All Jonathan Law juniors may attend even if they are not going to the Prom," the statement said.

"As in past years, the Post Prom party would not be possible without the support and generosity of parents, private supporters and businesses who understand that events such as this are important to our community," the statement said. "Contributions of cash, goods, services and gift certificates have allowed the Post Prom Committee to provide an unforgettable evening for our teens."

Those who have contributed in the past are thanked for the support and are asked again to consider making a tax-deductible donation of cash, gift certificates or prize items "to help make this evening a success," the statement said.

Checks should be made payable to: Jonathan Law High School, memo to Post Prom Committee, the statement said.  

 For questions concerning prize donations that cannot be mailed, please contact Carol Cruz, Committee Chair 203-507-4223 c23cruz@gmail.com or Nancy McNary, Committee Treasurer nmcnary@wiggin.com

  

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

Where:
Lauralton Hall
200 High Street
Milford, CT 06460

Driving Directions

When:
Saturday January 21, 2012 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST
Add to my calendar


Kristin Huffman

Broadway comes to Milford on Sat. Jan. 21, 2012! Join us for a night of entertainment as our own Kristin Huffman and her talented Broadway Babes showcase the work of the United Way in song. Kristin and her Babes have performed in such Broadway musicals as Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Chicago, Les Mis, Jekyll and Hyde and more. Doors open at 6:30; Cabaret begins at 7. Tickets are $35 and include hors d'oeuvres and entertainment; cash bar available. For more information call the United Way of Miford at (203) 874-6791 or
click below to reserve your ticket or table of 10.
Get more information
Register Now!
I can't make it
Hope to see you on Jan. 21!
Sincerely,

Gary Johnson
United Way of Milford
203-874-6791

MILFORD –When advisory program coordinator Shannan Carlson learned that VFW Post #7788 was conducting a letter-writing campaign for servicemen/women overseas, she believed the project could easily be brought forth to the middle and high schools as an activity for the advisory period in December. One of the goals of the new Advisory program (underway since September for all Milford students in Grades 6-12), is to foster meaningful connections between students and responsible adults in the community. The program also urges students to ‘look beyond themselves’ in all things.

That said, when Carlson heard of the VFW’s project, she believed it was a perfect fit with the advisory program. Jonathan Law Asst. Principal Robert Swan also embraced the idea and, together with Carlson, quickly put together a lesson place for the activity. The plan was presented and discussed with faculty members and administrators and, during the first few weeks of December, every middle school and high school student in Milford wrote a letter to someone overseas serving our country.

Every student received an outline to help prepare them for the type of letter to write, along with some suggested topics to use. Students were encouraged to write to a soldier they may already know who is serving overseas, but if students didn’t have anyone specific with whom to correspond – they could simply write a letter to any soldier as a message of thanks.

On Friday, December 16, a total of 3,068 letters were presented to VFW #7788 Post Commander Robert Paddock and VFW #7788 Ladies Auxiliary President Nancy Paddock. ‘Hugs From Home’ founder and chairperson Alicia Haley was also on hand to accept the mounds of correspondence from the students. The trio brought the letters back to the VFW Post in order to prepare them for delivery in time for the holidays to the troops.

“This was a great exercise – for everyone involved,” commented Bob Swan. “We believe our students benefitted from thinking about fellow Americans serving our country far from home. We believe our local VFW post benefitted from partnering with the school district on this wonderful project. And, the best part, we believe our troops will benefit from knowing there are thousands of us here who appreciate their efforts overseas. It truly was a ‘win-win’!”

The event is free and open to the public

MILFORD — The Milford Preservation Trust will hold its fourth annual New Year’s Eve Luminary Lighting event at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 in honor of 200 sick Revolutionary War soldiers who were put ashore in Milford Harbor on Jan. 1, 1777.
Candles will be lit at three locations this year beginning at Gulf Beach, then proceeding to Milford Cemetery and lastly to the John Downs “A Connecticut Minuteman’s” House on North Street.
Participants will include City Historian Richard Platt, who will share a share a vivid historical account of the evening, the Milford Fife & Drum, members of the Lebanon Towne Militia and participants clothed in period garb.
The event is free and the public is welcome to attend and participate, in period costume if desired.
For more information, call Regina Cahill at 203-877-7620.

To help, donate to 2011 Coats for Kids

He is an author and resident of New York State The Connecticut Audubon Society has named conservationist and author Tom Andersen as its director of communications and community outreach. Andersen will oversee all of Connecticut Audubon's communications with members, the general public, and the press, and will also coordinate the organization's public policy and advocacy work. Founded in 1898, Connecticut Audubon Society is an independent conservation and environmental education organization, with headquarters in Fairfield. Connecticut Audubon operates five centers -- Pomfret, Glastonbury, Milford, Fairfield and Birdcraft Museum -- and owns 19 sanctuaries covering 2,600 acres. Connecticut Audubon's education program has worked with more than 70 percent of the state's school districts, and its conservation scientists write and carry out conservation management plans for landowners throughout the state. "We're poised to grow and to play a bigger role in conservation issues in Connecticut," said CAS President Robert Martinez. "Tom Andersen's knowledge and experience in the not-for-profit world and in conservation will help us focus our message and our work, reach more people, and be even more effective in protecting Connecticut's critical natural habitats." Andersen will oversee Connecticut Audubon's website and direct communications with members and the general public, social media, and press relations. He will lead a team of Connecticut Audubon staff and board members in identifying, and then formulating positions on, the public policy issues that make up the core of Connecticut Audubon's advocacy work. He is the author of This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound, published by Yale University Press. Andersen spent 10 years at Westchester Land Trust, in Bedford Hills, N.Y., as director of communications and special projects and as acting executive director. He helped Westchester Land Trust protect an average of more than 600 acres a year from 2000 through 2010, a decade during which the total amount of land the organization protected rose from 900 acres to more than 7,000 acres. Previously he worked as a newspaper reporter in Westchester County, mainly writing about environmental issues. A former 15-year New Canaan, Ct., resident, he now lives in Pound Ridge, N.Y. He can be reached at tandersen@ctaudubon.org, 914 409-6470 or 203-259-6305, ext. 103. For more information about Connecticut Audubon Society, visit www.CtAudubon.org. Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is largely unedited here and posted as a public service to the community.

MILFORD — The Recreation Department, 70 W. River St., will run Open Gym Basketball for residents ages 18 to 24 from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 20-Jan. 19.
All participants must register in advance, in person at the Recreation Department. Participants will be required to complete a registration form and show a valid photo ID proving residency and age.
No age waivers will be considered. The one time registration fee is $10 and payable by cash only.
This open gym basketball activity is open to both men and women who meet the eligibility requirements. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis or until program maximums are met.
Lockers and showers are available.
For more information, contact Patrick Austin at the Milford Recreation Department at 783-3390 or paustin@ci.milford.ct.us.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

MILFORD — The Parks and Recreation Department is offering an aqua zumba class 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays Jan. 9-March 12 in the 34 Park Circle McCann Pool.
No swimming skills are required.
Bring bottled water and water shoes to class.
Preregistration is required.
Call 203-783-3281 or email recdeck@ci.milford.ct.us to register and for more information.

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

Classes are offered on different days each week
STRATFORD — The Baldwin Senior Center, 1000 W. Broad St., is offering computer classes.
The courses will run for five weeks, an hour per week, and are taught by Vinny Faggella, a professor at Sacred Heart University. They concentrate on a single computer topic so the student can gain proficiency. Tuition is $35.
The following classes are offered:
‰Introduction to Computers (for those with no computer experience), 9 a.m. Thursdays Jan. 19-Feb. 16.
‰Introduction to Computers (for those with limited computer experience), 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 19-Feb. 16.
‰Laptop Workshop (please bring your own laptop), 10:30 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 20-Feb. 17.
Class is on first come/first served basis. Stop at the Front Desk for the registration form; payment is required when signing up.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

And it's historic!

MILFORD — The Milford Preservation Trust will hold its fourth annual New Year’s Eve Luminary Lighting event at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 in honor of 200 sick Revolutionary War soldiers who were put ashore in Milford Harbor on Jan. 1, 1777.
Candles will be lit at three locations this year beginning at Gulf Beach, then proceeding to Milford Cemetery and lastly to the John Downs “A Connecticut Minuteman’s” House on North Street.
Participants will include City Historian Richard Platt, who will share a share a vivid historical account of the evening, the Milford Fife & Drum, members of the Lebanon Towne Militia and participants clothed in period garb.
The event is free and the public is welcome to attend and participate, in period costume if desired.
For more information, call Regina Cahill at 203-877-7620.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

  The efforts also aims to help those who have lost jobs

STRATFORD - Dentists Dr. Mark Samuels and Dr. Joseph Jarmon of Lighthouse Dental Care are offering a significant discount on dental services to assist people who need dental care in tandem with raising money to benefit under-privileged children in their community this holiday season.

Drs. Samuels and Jarmon are looking to assist the people in their community who have lost their dental coverage due to job loss by offering dental services at a fraction of their normal rate. For $49, first time patients will receive oral examinations, x-rays and dental cleanings, with all proceeds going to Sterling House in Stratford.

Drs. Samuels and Jarmon are also collecting un-wrapped toy donations which can be dropped off at their office, Lighthouse Dental Care, located at 88 Ryders Lane, Stratford, CT 06614.

Toy Drop-Off Dates are from Dec. 01, 2011 to Dec. 14, 2011, during office hours.

"We want to do our part to ensure that Americans stay healthy and to help make a difference in a child's life this holiday season," explains Dr. Samuels.

Dr. Jarmon elaborates further by saying $49 will improve a person's dental health and help 10 children receive toys this Christmas.  

The toy drive and dental discount special will stay in effect until December 14, 2011.

Details of Dr. Samuels and Dr. Jarmon's additional community efforts can be found online at: http://dentiststratfordct.com/index.php/category/community_events/

"In a troubled economy that affects many Americans, the spirit of giving to others is needed more than ever," Dr. Samuels concludes.

For additional information, contact: Dr. Mark Samuels and Dr. Joseph Jarmon

Lighthouse Dental Care, 88 Ryders Lane, Statford, or (203)378-1566

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is largely unedited here (yup, they wrote it) and posted as public service.

Here are many of the ways you can protect yourself:

November 2011 - Holiday Season Safety Tips