MILFORD – Twenty students received special recognition for their outstanding service and leadership at the 27th Annual Superintendent/Student Award Recognition program on Thursday, May 3, 2012. The program, conducted under the auspices of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), was created to showcase the deep commitment and support the award recipients have demonstrated toward their community, their school, and their academic work. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth Feser, along with Mayor Ben Blake, several school principals and board members, conducted the ceremony at the Foran High School auditorium with a brief reception for the students and their guests held immediately following the program. Award recipients received a Certificate of Excellence and will have their names added to the Superintendent Award Recognition plaques located in their schools. The 2012 Superintendent/Student Recognition Award Recipients are: Calf Pen Meadow: Theresa Piscitelli; John F. Kennedy: Sydney Simpson; Live Oaks: Brian Massey; Mathewson: Kaylee DeGennaro; Meadowside: Elena Soviero; Orange Avenue: Jordan Vega; Orchard Hills: Tessa Malesky; Pumpkin Delight: Clara Prulletti; East Shore: Natalie Henry, Alexander Kurata; Harborside: Kathryn Koppy; Michael Capobianco; West Shore: Sararat Tosakoon, Sarah Beck; Jonathan Law: Fareed Hanania, Ben Marus, Alexis Christy; Joseph A. Foran: Zachary Sabo, LaWelden Warren, and Rachel Borden. Information submitted via a schools press release.

Amid a busy month of annual campaign events, the agency last week held a kick-off at Stonebridge Restaurant.

It featured entertainment by the Rum Runners Charity Band and tips collected by local celebrity servers including Jim Wayne, Wayne Tire; Christine Shaw, Coldwell Banker; Heidi Voight, Miss Connecticut 2006; Alan Lynn, Milford Hospital; Fire Chief Lou LaVecchia, Milford Fire Department; Marcia Hallman, BIC Corp.; Kathy Huber, City Attorney’s Office; Vince Scarpetti, Milford Public Schools; Rick George, Milford Animal Control; Jon Berchem, Berchem, Moses, & Devlin; Erika Fonck, Scholastic Mortgage; Alderman Jude Toohey; and Mike Buckley, MP Buckley.

A short kick-off presentation was conducted by Gary Johnson, President/CEO and Campaign Chairman Ray Vitali, along with the help of numerous cabinet members and community leaders announcing the campaign goal of $1,010,100.00.

Friday was the annual golf tournament at Orange Hills Country Club, with about 100 golfers participating and was the dinner hosted by Stonebridge restaurant compliments of Rich Conine. The 7th annual event raised more than $25,000 thanks to many generous sponsors, players and raffle donors, the agency said. The first annual Bocce Tournament included more than 10 teams that participated in the double elimination tournament. United Way volunteers Dan Worroll and Jude Toohey organized the first-ever event, held at the new bocce courts at Walnut Beach pavilion. “The weather was superb! Dan & Jude did a great job with this event and we hope to make it an annual get together and include the family,” said Kathy Hart-Jones, United Way marketing director.

United Way also held fundraising events over the last couple of months to help offset the campaign. In July, Shop-Rite kicked off its second annual United Way awareness month, raising more than $9,200. This month-long campaign at the Cherry Street supermarket where customers were asked to donate to United Way at the checkout, kicked off with cookouts in front of the store with all proceeds going to the social service community organization. Food and staff were provided by Harry Garafalo, owner of the Shop-Rite in Milford. Some area businesses also have started employee campaigns, including Macy’s, Target, & JC Penny. Other organizations, BIC Corp., Schick and Milford Hospital, will hold campaigns in the coming weeks.

“We are well on our way and hope that this year’s campaign is a huge success,” said Johnson.

A Murder Mystery Theater Production to benefit the Beth-El Center and soup kitchen will be held at 6 p.m. on April 24 at Ocean Grill Restaurant, 464 Boston Post Road, Orange. The event will include hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, raffles, a silent auction, a fabulous buffet and exciting entertainment, organizers said. Each guest will receive a complimentary drink with their admission. Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $65 per person. Tables of ten are available for $600.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, silent auction and a raffle of many certificates to restaurants, salons, spas, events, and specialty stores. The a silent auction includes sports memorabilia, trips, services, and event tickets. The Murder Mystery Theater Production, performed by a troupe of talented players, will follow the cocktail hour with a full dinner buffet served at intermission, organizers said. The production involves the audience in solving the murder mystery. Prizes will be given to the first table that solves the mystery. The buffet will be prepared by the chefs of Ocean Grill.

Beth-El Center runs a shelter with 34 beds for men, women, and women with children who find themselves homeless due to a number of reasons, ranging from financial and emotional problems to substance abuse. Persons may stay in the shelter for up to 90 days while receiving support and assistance from trained case managers who help the residents return to a normal level of independence. Beth-El Center is the only shelter in the region that houses families with children. In addition, Beth-El Soup Kitchen serves a hot, nutritious noon meal to an average of 60 persons a day, 5 days a week. Several churches and community groups provide meals on week-ends.

Tickets for the Murder Mystery Theater may be purchased from the Ocean Grill Restaurant or by calling Beth-El Center at 876-0747. For additional information or if to become a sponsor for this event, call Joanne Byrne 799-9926.

During the holiday season and at other times of the year, Milford's finest and its firefighters love to reach out to help the community. Here are two recent examples. And remember, All About Milford will share your good news too - email us at briannhregister@gmail.com.

In this photo above, Milford Rotary President Bob Macklin, left, presents a check and toys for the Toys for Tots program to Milford firefighters Jason Hall, Paul Geer and Wes Eisenhandler.

Also,
In May 2007, Target offered the Milford Police Department an opportunity to apply for a grant as part of Target’s National Law Enforcement Grant Program. Milford Police Capt. Edward Shea submitted a grant application requesting funds to support the installation of digital photography equipment in the police substation located inside the Westfield Connecticut Post shopping mall.
In September 2007 ,Target announced grants had been approved for several police departments located in this state and others. The Milford Police Department received $1,090.00, the largest amount awarded to any of the agencies that applied this year.
On Nov. 14, Target team members presented the grant check to Shea at the mall substation. Thanks to Target’s generosity, as well as the ongoing support of Westfield Inc., the Milford Police substation will be better equipped to provide a variety of Law Enforcement and community related services to the community.