February 24, 2008

We are number 1

The Division 10 Aspetuck Wildcat Cheerleaders placed first at the National American Youth Football and Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 7. The team is composed of girls from Easton, Weston and Redding.

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Her grandpa is the best!

Shannon Cayer-McCarthy, 8, of Derby, a third-grade student at Bradley Elementary School, recently received a trophy from New Haven Mayor John Destefano for her essay about how her grandfather is a role model to her. The essay was her entry into the city’s “Grandparents on the Move” contest, and she was third runner-up in the city-wide contest. Shannon, who at the time attended Benjamin Jepson Elementary School, is the daughter of Brian McCarthy and Brenda Cayer-McCarthy. She is pictured, below, with her grandfather, Rosaire Cayer of Derby.

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February 23, 2008

Store crew makes holiday sweet for area families

In the true spirit of Christmas, the manager, Kim Sobkowich, and crew members of Dunkin’ Donuts in Trumbull conducted a Toys for Tots and food drive for the Department of Children and Families for the greater Bridgeport area. Guests who contributed received a free small coffee and were entered into an elves raffle. The response was overwhelming and store staff are extremely thankful to guests who participated for making this Christmas special for many tots and needy families.

Left, The trio takes a break beside the tree in the bedecked store. Below, Santa, Mrs. Claus and a Christmas elf wait on customers at the Trumbull Dunkin' Donuts.

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Master of the arts

John Patrick of Milford recently received his second-degree black belt in tae kwon do. Above, Patrick stands with his instructor, Master Waleed Yousef of Yousef Tae Kwon Do in New Britain. Patrick has been training for 13 years (about 8,000 hours) and is proficient in many areas, including jujitsu, self-defense, kickboxing and weapons. He also teaches children.

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Granted...

The Fairfield County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $25,000 to the Bridgeport Public Education Fund Inc. in support of its college bound program, Mentoring for Academic Achievement and College Success.
The program pairs college students from Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University and the University of Bridgeport with high school students from the three Bridgeport public high schools.
MAACS addresses the high dropout and low college attendance rates of the Bridgeport students. While many have the ability and desire to attend college, they often lack the necessary informational resources, financial means, and support and encouragement. By providing students with college-directed support and detailed information through mentoring relations with successful college students, the MAACS program makes college education a more viable option.
Approximately 95 percent of all MAACS participants enter a college of their choice. Since 1988 when MAACS was established, more than 2,500 high school students have been served.

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Warm gifts of love

A number of students in Sandra Matthew’s fourth-grade class at Jane Ryan School in Trumbull eagerly went to school early for two months to participate in a charitable project. Matthew and talented school aide Sue Salerno were teaching the children to knit. Students participated during before-school time, as well as recess and home time, to complete almost 60 scarves for needy people at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Parents and staff members also enthusiastically contributed to the project. How beautiful the scarves appeared when they were colorfully bound in ribbons and presented to Nancy Bush on Dec. 17! These gifts of love were a special way to teach children how they can make a difference in the lives of others.

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They provide the music

The Park City Pride Christmas Ensemble performed a holiday concert at the annual toy drive at the Seymour home of Tom Baklik. Baklik provides breakfast at the event and all toys collected are donated to Toys for Tots.
The ensemble, comprised of members of the Park City Pride Combined Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps of Bridgeport, has also performed benefit concerts this season at various other area venues, including the Stratford VFW, the VA Hospital in West Haven and the River Glen Convalescent Hospital in Southbury.

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Monroe club ready to lend a hand

Monroe First Selectman Tom Buzzi recently helped the members of the Monroe Lions Club decorate Town Hall.
Following a decade-old tradition, club members made large wreaths with evergreen boughs gathered by Park Ranger Dave Soleck. With the additional support of Ron Wallisa, Park and Recreation director, members made four wreaths. Lending a hand were lions Richard Michel, Al Stoccatore, Sam Pontillo, Ray McPadden, Omer Cyr, Ron Plude, Renee Garza and Len Berger. On Nov. 24, several members joined First Selectman Tom Buzi with hanging the wreaths. Smaller wreaths were hung on the front and rear doors.
Lion President Richard Michel said that this is just one of many community services the club provides throughout the year.

From left, Monroe Lions Club members Richard Michel, Len Berger, Al Stoccatore, Sam Pontillo and Omar Cyr stand with Monroe First Selectman Tom Buzi, second from the left.

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Police Officer, student shining Stratford stars

Every month, in a feature called Heroes Honoring Heroes, People’s United Bank and local police departments honor a police officer and a student for their excellent school performance or for the good works they do. The student winner receives a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
This month, recognition goes to Officer Jamie Rivera, who has chosen to honor student EmmaLee Eng.
Rivera has been a police officer since 2001. Prior to joining the Stratford Police Department in 2005, he was a member of the Wallingford Police Department. A native of Bridgeport, Rivera is a member of the Stratford Police Department’s Training Division and Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team. He is assigned to the Patrol division, and is the school resource officer for Bunnell High School. When not on duty, he enjoys spending time with his family and exercising.
In honoring Eng, Rivera says that the Bunnell senior “plays a very important role in educating her peers and the youth of Stratford about the dangers of destructive decisions, especially those involving drinking alcohol.” In January 2000, when Eng was in the fourth grade, her older sister, Caryn, was struck and killed by a drunk driver. “The experience, as you would expect, was very dramatic for EmmaLee, and she has taken a personal responsibility to make sure her sister did not die in vain,” Rivera said.
Eng is the co-president of Bunnell’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). In this position, she organizes the annual pre-prom assembly, “The Hard Truth,” in which students learn the dangers of drinking and driving. She also is a member and previous co-chair for Stratford’s SUDS program (Stopping Underage Drinking in Stratford). In this position, which is linked to Safe Kids Healthy Stratford, Eng educates students at Eli Whitney Elementary School about general safety, i.e., using bicycle helmets and looking both ways before crossing the street.
“It is without hesitation that I honor EmmaLee Eng with this award. She is an example of what it means to make a positive difference in the community,” Rivera said.

Stratford Police Officer Jamie Rivera has chosen to honor student EmmaLee Eng.

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Veteran imparts lessons to middle-schoolers

Seventh-graders at Hillcrest Middle School in Trumbull attended a Veterans Day assembly where they heard Science Team leader Robert Pitzschler describe his experiences while serving in the U.S. Army and Viet Nam.
An important lesson that he passed on to the students was that even in the military, education counts, and to be promoted to any of the more senior ranks requires a college degree. While working in the Trumbull public schools, Pitzschler has been chosen as Teacher of the Year, has been instrumental in obtaining grant money for the weather station, and serves as the teacher representative to the Board of Education.

Above are Robert Pitzschler, Hillcrest Middle School science teacher, and students Joseph Kryszczynski and Christopher LoBosco.

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Volunteer extraordinaire

At the recent 15th annual Scottish Rites Awards presentation in Stratford, Mary Mazur was recognized for her many years of extensive volunteer work in the greater Bridgeport area. Above, from left, are Grange members Thomas Sulier, Marge Sendewicz, Louise Malatesta, Mazur, Geno Piacentini and Susan Sulier.

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Amazing rendition nets Idol award

At the recent Bethlehem House fundraiser at St. Mark Church in Stratford, 8-year-old Dante Fogle won first prize over 12 other contestants with his rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Dante was a unanimous choice and received a bike and a variety of gifts. The contest resembled the TV reality show “American Idol,” and was directed by Lou Zayas, a St. James Church parishioner and lead singer of the band bassix, which provided the music for the benefit.
Paul Kurmay, past president of One Stratford Coalition for the Homeless Inc., which recently merged with Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, described the show as the most creative and successful of all previous fundraisers. “Dante was so courageous to step forward and volunteer to compete with very talented adults. He never doubted that he could win and we were thrilled that he did.”

Above, from left, first row, are Dante and John Fogle. Middle row: Celina Spencer and Denise Fogle. Back row: Lou Zayas and Paul Kurmay. Dante, sitting on his new bike, was the winner of the recent Bethlehem House fundraiser at St. Mark Church in Stratford.

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Holiday songs

Students and faculty from the Yachad Hebrew School, led by Rabbi Dana Bogatz, second from left, perform Hanukkah songs during Bridgeport Hospital’s December Gift of Light celebration. The school is run jointly by Temple Beth Sholom of Stratford and Congregation Sinai of Milford. The Gift of Light celebration also recognizes the holiday traditions of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan and Three Kings Day. Gift of Light contributions this year supported the Pastoral Care Department’s pet therapy program at the hospital.

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American Legion milestone

Recently, several veterans were on hand when a 60-year American Legion Certificate was presented to Robert N. “Bing” Miller by American Legion Post No. 34 in Milford, by Post Commander Wayne Carson and Post Chaplain James Merrill.
They included Kenneth B. Hawkins Sr., Ernest A. Dubois, Bob Sherrick and James Wilkinson. Also in attendance were Jeanne Dubois, past president of the post’s Women’s Auxiliary, and Ruth Millar, Bing’s wife.

Above, from left, are American Legion members Bob Sherrick; Ken Hawkins; Ernie Dubois; Jim Merrill, chaplain of Post 34; Wayne Carson, post commander; Robert N. "Bing" Millar, holding the 60-year certificate he received; and Jim Wilkinson.

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Best in Parade

A float created by Betty’s Bright Beginnings was chosen by the Seymour Christmas Parade Association to receive the Pelletier Trophy, which is awarded to the Best Overall Unit in the parade. Above, Judy Pelletier, left, the widow of former parade association president Ron Pelletier, presents the trophy to Betty Musto of Betty’s Bright Beginnings.

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Fairfield Rotary allocates grants

The Rotary Club of Fairfield has announced its annual allocation of grants to local organizations. Through its Club Foundation, Fairfield Rotary annually distributes funds to local and international service groups who apply for and demonstrate need. In the past 18 years, the club has granted more than $220,000.
The following groups received grants in 2007: American Red Cross, Community Closet, FSW Inc.’s Meals on Wheels, Homes for the Brave, Operation Hope, Fairfield Police Explorer Post 279, Parks Family Foundation, Connecticut Audubon Society, Dress for Success, Cardinal Shehan Center, Mercy Learning Center and Hospital Albert Schweitzer.
In addition, the club’s recent “One Club Golf Tournament” raised $1,400 for Operation Hope for the Holidays.

Representatives from Operation Hope and the Rotary Club of Fairfield. operation Hope was one of several organizations that recently received Rotary grants.

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Excellence rewarded

Christian Heritage eighth-grader Laura Bilger of Trumbull received the Rotary Middle School Student of the Month award for November. The Trumbull Rotary Club selected Laura for her academic excellence, character and integrity, and for service above self.
Below, Laura shows off the award. Proud father Mark Bilger and Cindy Keegan, Christian Heritage middle school chair, celebrate with Laura after the award presentation at the Trumbull Library Nov. 30.

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Up To The Challenge

Eight Housatonic Community College business students were awarded certificates recently for their participation in the recent Fed Challenge 2007.
Students Sheila Nunez, Sam Sezer and Robert Thomas, all of Bridgeport; Kelli Cooper and Nicholas Ferrigno, both of Monroe; Samie Seyal of Fairfield; Armel Boris of Hamden; and Florence Boursiquot of Stamford each received a certificate from HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki at a faculty meeting Dec. 11.
The Fed Challenge took place last fall at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The event provides an opportunity for college students to learn about the Federal Reserve System, monetary policy and the tools that the Fed uses to implement monetary policy.
The Housatonic students were joined by those from 24 other colleges, including Harvard, Princeton, Rutgers, Fordham, Sacred Heart and Fairfield. The college team was sponsored by donations from Metrusky Financial Services and GE Employees Federal Credit Union.

Eight Housatonic Community College students recently received certificates for attending the 2007 Fed challenge. They include, front row, from left, Kelli Cooper, Nicholas Ferrigno, Sam Sezer, Florence Boursiquot and Sheila Nunez. Second row, Armel Boris, and Robert Thomas. Shown with them are, third row from left, Professor John Tibor, HCC President Anita Gliniecki and Professor David Brown.

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Hello, good-bye

The Wednesday Afternoon Musical Club recently said farewell to one president and hello to a new one with the peformance of four newly auditioned members. Caption 1: From left are Easton residents Steven Kant and his wife, soprano Joanne Kant, club president for 2007-’08; and soprano Esther Roth, immediate past president, and her husband Charles, of Bridgeport. Caption 2: From left are new members pianist Michael King, of Fairfield; mezzo soprano Barbara Gall, of Bridgeport; clarinetist Patty Gelineau, of Redding; and pianist Ron Giannattasio, of Bridgeport.

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