Participants can then tour historic Bryan-Andrew House

 

ORANGE >> The Orange Historical Society and the Milford Historical Society will hold a joint meeting to talk about restoration at 7 p.m. March 24 at the Orange Congregational Church, 205 Meetinghouse Lane, organizers said.

The meeting will include a talk on the restoration of historic homes by restoration contractors Edd Oberg, Karan Oberg and Orange society President Ginny Reinhard. At 8:30 p.m., guests will be invited to visit the Bryan-Andrew House on Old Tavern Road for a tour. Refreshments will be served. For information call 203-795-6465.

BRIDGEPORT — St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Saxon-Kent Lingerie of Orange partnered to create the St. Vincent’s SWIM Center Boutique to offer "specialty products and services to individuals undergoing treatment or in survivorship," according to a release.

 

The boutique is on the third level of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care.

 "Products include skin products, garments that are hospital and IV-friendly, as well as spiritual items. Trained and sensitive expert fitters will provide individualized attention in a private setting for those needing mastectomy bras and garments, breast prostheses, swimwear, and specialty apparel following breast surgery. Specialists will be available to fit lymphedema  compression sleeves/garments, and for those experiencing hair loss, to assist in the selection and fitting of wigs, hair pieces and bangs, turbans, scarves, hats and sleep caps, and scalp and wig care products."

 

Also in the release: "Individuals are asked to bring Medicare and insurance cards and staff will assist in completing paperwork. St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound assistance is available to those who qualify."

The boutique is open Monday -Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special fitting hours for wigs, prostheses, mastectomy bras, lymphedema sleeves etc. will be Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p,m and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon or by appointment, the release said

Free parking in the garage immediately in front of the Medical Center front door with validated ticket, the release said.
For information, call the SWIM Line at 203-576-6158.

To view a listing of health and wellness programs offered here at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, visit : www.stvincents.org/events

 

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

The Orange and Woodbridge Police Departments will be conducting a joint sobriety checkpoint on June 30, 2012 in the Town of Orange. On May 25, 2012 the first joint sobriety checkpoint under the existing Amity Regional Traffic Enforcement agreement was conducted in the Town of Woodbridge. 

Chief Robert Gagne said, “As the summer season begins it is our hope to start the summer off safely for the motoring public through publicity, prevention and enforcement. Under a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, both Departments will be supplementing our efforts against drunk driving with designated patrols and checkpoints throughout the year. We encourage the public to make plans in advance for designated drivers or other accommodations to ensure safe travel for all persons using the roadways.” 

Both Departments stress the importance of not getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle if you are under the influence. Don't become another statistic.

Orange Rotary to Honor Two Community Servants with Paul Harris Awards at Annual Installation Dinner

The Rotary club of Orange has chosen Tom Pisano, Founder and Director of the Orange Soccer Association and James Messina, of St. Martin dePorres Academy as their Paul Harris Award recipients for 2012.  The awards will be presented at their annual Installation and Paul Harris Fellows Night on Friday, June 15^th at Racebrook Country Club.  

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named in honor of Rotary’s founder and the recipients are chosen based on how they exemplify the object of Rotary in their community involvement.  “Both of our recipients this year are outstanding men who work tirelessly to improve their respective communities – Tom through his vision and longstanding commitment to create and grow the soccer program in Orange has influenced hundreds of young people in the past 25 years and Jim devotes his professional and private life to working with inner city youth, as the founder and faculty mentor for the Interact Club at St. Martin de Porres Academy” said club President, Diane Eger. 

Tom Pisano is the face of soccer in Orange, having founded the Orange Soccer Association in 1985 he has lead it’s growth from the early days at Mary L. Tracy School to overseeing the development of the soccer complex at Fred Wolfe Park.  On any Sunday the fields at Mary L. Tracy, High Plains Community Center and Fred Wolfe Park are packed with children and their families.  Three generations of young people have benefitted from Tom’s dedication and determination.  From clearing the fields, coaching the teams, refereeing the games, overseeing the parking lots to designing the pitch – Tom has a hand in all aspects of the program.   Tom is a professional engineer employed by Trane Heating and Air Conditioning Systems He lives in Orange with his wife Peggy. They have two children, TJ and Katie.  

Jim Messina was a founding faculty member of Saint Martin de Porres Academy in 2005. The school is a tuition-free Catholic Middle School that is located in the Hill neighborhood of New Haven. Jim is presently the Director of Spiritual Development, which involves teaching Religion and coordinating all student service projects, retreats, and in-school prayer services. In 2010, Jim was chosen to be the faculty advisor for the first Interact Club in a middle school setting for Rotary District 7980 which is sponsored by the Orange Rotary Club. After two years, Jim is proud that his middle school students have worked to raise awareness about important issues within the school's neighborhood and around the world. The club's "Kyle's Kids" program was recently recognized as the Outstanding Middle School Community Service Project of the Year by Rotary International.

The Club will also install the 2012/13 officers that evening. Michael Richetelli is the incoming president, Carl Russell, President elect, Rich Pittala, Vice President, Ned Martin, Treasurer and Baxter Walsh, secretary. 

 

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner with a choice of salmon with beurre blanc, chicken marsala or grilled hanger steak  is at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person with a cash bar.  Anyone wishing to attend, should contact: Trish Pearson, trishpearson281@gmail.com or call 203-516-0780 by June 12^th. 

Find out more here about how to enter

WEST HAVEN – The 26th Notre Dame High School of West Haven Golf Open is scheduled for June 27 at Race Brook Country Club in Orange. All proceeds will benefit the School’s Endowment Fund as well as support Notre Dame’s current Campaign for Notre Dame.


If you are interested in playing, becoming a sponsor or donating a gift or gift certificate for the raffle, contact Tournament Co-Chairman Stephen Kirck, Sr. at 203-230-1781 or skirck@chcofne.com or Joe Caldarella at 203-271-2772 or jcaldarella@cox.net.

To download the brochure, which includes player and sponsor forms, visit https://www.notredamehs.com/ndgolfopen. Online registration is available on the website by clicking on the Golf Open Registration link.

Proceeds benefit Notre Dame High School of West Haven Loyalty & Endowment Fund and Campaign for Notre Dame. Shotgun start 12:30 p.m. Entry: $275 per golfer; includes greens fee, cart, lunch, driving range, on-course refreshments, deluxe cocktail reception, open bar, dinner, 3 raffle tickets, tournament gift, door prizes, contests, and awards.

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

Bridgeport Hospital celebrated Nurses Week May 6–12 with a series of activities that included awards ceremonies, complimentary chair massages, distribution of gifts, a presentation on how nursing impacts patients and caregivers in cancer care, and a community cleanup project at Seaside Park.

"We have a tremendous nursing staff," said Senior Vice President, Patient Care Operations MaryEllen Kosturko. "I am proud and honored to lead this team."

Bridgeport Hospital Nurses Week award winners, all selected by their colleagues for outstanding performance on the job, include:

• Susana Araujo of Oxford, Geriatric Psychiatry – Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing Award
• Carmen Ayala of Bridgeport, Endoscopy – Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Award
• Brooke Barbee of Stratford, Cardiology – Mary Cortellini Nursing Award
• Alice Bennett of Bridgeport, Oncology – Donald Walsh Award
• Michele DiLella of Monroe, Performance Management – Neurovascular Surgery Award
• Karen Hellthaler of Trumbull, Orthopedics-Neurosurgery-Urology – Nurse Excellence Award
• Daniela Marcoccia of Monroe, P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center – School of Nursing Mentoring Award
• Mary McNiff of Orange, Cystoscopy – Surgery Nursing Award
• Renée Moyé of Milford, Oncology – Karen Oddie Avellino Nursing Award
• Terri Nelson of Monroe, Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit – William H. Baird Rehabilitation Nursing Award
• Jan O'Neil of Bridgeport, Emergency Department – Excellence in Emergency Nursing Award
• Jancee Pust-Marcone of Stratford, Surgical ICU – Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Spirit of Volunteerism Award
• Marsha Telesha of Stratford, P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center – Georgieanne Hiznay Pediatric Nursing Award
• Claudette Thyme of Milford, Resource Support Unit – Barbara Hunstein Award

Hope Juckel-Regan of Old Lyme was recognized at the ceremony for her 19 years of leadership and support, first as Bridgeport Hospital's Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services and then as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Juckel-Regan announced that she will retire this summer.

Michele DiLella was also one of 11 Bridgeport Hospital nurses who received regional Florence Nightingale Awards for nursing excellence at a Stamford reception on May 5. The hospital's other Nightingale Award winners are Karen Anderson of Stratford, Labor & Delivery; Claire Chianese of New Fairfield, Psychiatry; Elizabeth Foden of Trumbull, P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center; Russell Hullstrung of Beacon Falls, Organization Development & Education; Carol Knee of Stratford, Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit; Georgia Patnode of Prospect, Internal Medicine; Stacey Peace of West Haven, Resource Support Unit; Gini Neglia of Milford, Cardiovascular Services; Yvonne Wilkins of Trumbull,  P.T. Barnum Pediatric Center; and Vanessa Winder of Westport, Resource Support Unit.

In photo: Bridgeport Hospital Nurses Week award recipients (L-R) Michele DiLella, Daniela Marcoccia, Marsha Telesha, Brooke Barbee, Karen Hellthaler, Hope Juckel-Regan, Carmen Ayala, Renée Moyé, Jan O'Neil, Terri Nelson, Claudette Thyme, Alice Bennett, Jancee Pust-Marcone and Mary McNiff. Not pictured: Susana Araujo.

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

This is a very good looking overlook

ORANGE — The Orange Land Trust will hold a Spring Guided Walk at the Housatonic Overlook area starting at 9:30 a.m. June 19.
The walk will include a view of the Housatonic River from Tucker’s Ridge and walking the trails that are lined with mountain laurel (Connecticut’s State flower) in many areas.
It is hoped the laurel will be in bloom for the walk, which should take about two hours, organizers said.
Participants should meet at the end of High Ridge Road, which is off of Derby-Milford Road in Orange.
The walk is moderately difficult in some areas. The plan is to have two groups, one with the more difficult area included, and one using the more level trails, organizers said. Due to the possibility of ticks, long pants (that you can tuck into your socks) are recommended. All are welcome, and please bring a friend. For more information, call Judy at 203-799-6321.

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.

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.