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Ansonia Harvest Festival Happening Sept. 29

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

jean.sos@snet.net
@nhrvalley on Twitter

ANSONIA >> Organizers of this year’s Ansonia Harvest Festival have “pulled out all the stops” to usher in the fall season this weekend with plenty of food, festivities and family fun.

The 18^th annual festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (SEPT. 29) in downtown. This year’s event is sponsored by Road Ready Used Cars, and is free and open to the public.

Event Coordinator Rich DiCarlo said the Ansonia Cultural Commission has been working hard to ensure this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever.

“Every now and then we have to change things up to keep it fresh and new,” said DiCarlo.

In addition to dozens of food and craft vendors lining Main Street, offering the likes of fried dough and fried chicken to BBQ and Spanish cuisine, DiCarlo said this year’s festival will highlight what makes Ansonia special.

The city’s Fire House Museum will be on display with antique fire apparatus and engines, along with antique autos and tractors. The Valley Arts Council will be previewing some art in front of the site that will house their new “Main Street” Gallery this fall. 

There will also be hay rides, pony and horse rides, a petting zoo, a kid’s zone, face painting, henna temporary tattoos and more.

Live music will also be featured all day long featuring Southern Voices, Sumo Side Car, Survivor Swing Band and a Magic show by Pete n' Chris! 

“Harvey” the festival mascot will also be on hand, and joined this year by the Connecticut Siren girls who’ll be dressed like scarecrows and strolling Main Street for photo opportunities.

Also new this year is a pie baking and pie eating contest, both sponsored by Eddy’s Bake Shop. The pie eating contest will be held at Eddy’s at 2 p.m.

DiCarlo said there is plenty of free parking adjacent to Main Street, and “the weatherman is calling for a beautiful sunny autumn day.”

Mayor David Cassetti is looking forward to the annual event.

“The Harvest Festival is a long-standing Ansonia tradition,” Cassetti said. “I am very excited about it because in addition to bringing the community together and building on the strong ties we all have in the Valley, this event helps to showcase our businesses and restaurants. We are very proud of our recharged downtown and this is a great event to showcase that.”

 

Oktoberfest on Tap

When: Sunday, October 7^th, 12pm – 7pm.

Where: The Hops Company, 77 Sodom Lane Derby, CT 06418. 

Additional parking at 43 Marshall Lane

Vigil to Honor Survivors and Victims of Domestic Violence

NEW HAVEN- To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence.

 

The 19^th Annual Sound of Hope will be held on Wednesday, October 3 at 1:00 pm at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven, CT. The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence.

 

Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence. The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

 

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities. Every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

 

Kevin Glen, Deputy Chief of Police of North Haven, will be the guest speaker and members the local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence. The following members will be recognized: Sergeant Clifford Hill, Sergeant Matthew Falcon, Officer Valdemar Queiroga of North Haven, Sergeant Craig Michalowski, Sergeant Anthony Rybaruk, Detective Jeff Vailette, Officer Luke Rasile, Officer Joe Carangelo, Detective Joseph Finoia, Sergeant Joseph Mulhern Officer Jason Anderson, Officer Anthony Fiorillo, Lt. Joseph Murgo and Sergeant Paul DeCrosta of East Haven, Sergeant Dom Eula and Officer Jacob Cheesman of Branford, Officer Scott Shumway, Officer Eric Pesino, Officer Jeff Suchy, Officer Chris Lawerence, Officer Paul Vitale, Sergeant Jim Evarts, Sergeant Craig Dixon, Detective Lenny Soto, Officer Maegan Moran, and Detective Cherelle Carr of New Haven and Officer Brian Salemme and Officer Mark Berretta of West Haven.

 

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call (203) 736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.  If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

 

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.

 

(This is a press release from BHcare)

Join Senior Sports Leagues

Tip-A-Cop For A Cause

Derby RTC Endorses Candidates

Sen. Logan

DERBY – The Derby Republican Town Committee gathered on September 5, 2018 to fully endorse the candidates representing the towns and cities of Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Hamden, Woodbridge and Orange.

Attorney Joseph Jaumann is seeking election to the 104th District.  Joe joins Senator George Logan, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides  and State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria all seeking re-election this November.

Jaumann

 “Joe Jaumann’s election in the 104th and the re-election of this team will represent a clean sweep for Republicans in the Valley and renewed hope for our residents. We are proud to support this slate who will continue to fight for our taxpayers in Hartford, putting the hard working families of Connecticut at the forefront by supporting the legislative policies needed to turn our state around” stated Derby Republican Town Committee Chairman Sam Pollastro.



State Reps. Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Valley Students Head Back to Class in Style

ANSONIA  >> More than 250 Ansonia students went back to school in style this year, thanks to donations from several Valley businesses.

Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council recently presented 253 students from Mead and Prendergast schools with bins piled high with new clothes and school supplies, as part of the 23^rd annual Back to School Clothes for Kids project thttps://valleyunitedway.org/events/back-school-clothes-kids.

According to Patricia Tarasovic, VUW’s Vice President of Community Engagement and CVC Director, this year’s back to school project represented the highest number of students adopted by local businesses in a school district.

The CVC is a coalition of more than 50 Valley businesses and corporations, both large and small, who give back to the communities where they live and work, according to Tarasovic.

 

(photos by Fred Ortoli, contributed by Ansonia Schools)

Tip-A-Cop in Ansonia

Ansonia Police Officers will be out in force, collecting tips for a great cause, at Crave Restaurant, located in downtown Ansonia at 102 Main St.
 

Plenty of Events on Tap at Bad Sons Brewery

 

Sept. 15th - Small State Great Beer 2018 Sept. 22nd - Rock4RV CJD Benefit Concert Oct. 2nd - FUEL’s 10th Anniversary Party Sept. 29th - Harbor Brew Fest Oct. 5th - Valley’s Oktoberfest Oct. 7th - Dew Drop Wing Eating Contest

Fall Festival on the Farm

Win Jets-Patriots Tickets at Adam's House Fundraiser

SHELTON - Adam's House invites the public to the 3rd Annual Ladies Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28 at area clubs. Proceeds from the event benefit Adam’s House, a nonprofit center in Shelton that provides free educational and support programs to Connecticut children and families struggling to cope with grief.

 

Thirty-two teams will compete in the women’s-only paddle tournament held at multiple locations from 8:30 a.m. until about 2 p.m. Aspetuck Valley Country Club at 67 Old Redding Road in Weston will host the event’s luncheon, semi-finals and championship game, but players also will paddle for a cause at Patterson Country Club in Fairfield, CT; Weston Field Club and Wilton YMCA.

 

“The Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament has been enormously popular, drawing competitive players and supporters, who enjoy a great day of play, plus lunch and a chance to win prizes, including tickets for the upcoming Jets-Patriots game,” said Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota.

 

The winner will go home with three tickets to the Nov. 25^th  Jets-Patriots game, plus parking.

JoyRide® Cycling & Fitness classes and spa massage treatments also will be raffled off at the event’s luncheon.    

 

The cost is $200 per team and tournament players are guaranteed three matches (weather permitting.) The Adam’s House 3^rd Annual Ladies Healing Hearts Paddle Tournament includes the luncheon, drinks and a favor. To register online: http://bit.ly/adamshousect_2018paddle  

 

For additional details, contact: Anne Santa-Maria at annesantamaria@optonline.net  or Susie Minkowitz at ssmlmink@aol.com 

 

(This is a press release from Adam's House)

Flea Market Flip Contest Underway

Mark DeVito

 

ANSONIA -  If you have an eye for style and a knack for reinvention, we invite you to put your talents to the test and sign up for My Sister’s Place (MSP) Flea Market Flip!

 

MSP's Flea Market Flip is a fun, creative twist on recycling or upcycling similar to the HGTV show with the same name, Flea Market Flip. Proceeds from the sale of each flip item will benefit BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

 

Individual participants or teams of two must purchase their flip item(s) at MSP for $50 or less by September 30. Registration forms are available at the store and must be completed at the time of purchase. No more than $50 may be spent on repurposing/upcycling the item(s).

 

Receipts must be shown when submitting the repurposed item.

 

Items will be displayed and sold on October 14 at the Ansonia Armory located at 25 N. Cliff Street in Ansonia.

 

The day will feature special guest Mark DeVito, Master Craftsman from HGTV’s Flea Market Flip along with DIY demos including furniture destressing, furniture white washing, knitting and crocheting. Attendees will also have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite flip. The flip with the most votes wins!

 

For more information, visit bhcare.org or stop by the store located at 380 Main Street in Ansonia.

 

MSP, a program of BHcare, offers quality new and gently used clothing, furniture and house wares at discount prices. All proceeds from MSP support BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS).  Each year UCDVS helps more than 6,000 adults and children who are experiencing domestic violence; all services are provided free of charge.

 

To learn more about the flip, visit our store at 380 Main Street, Ansonia, or find us online at www.bhcare.org, and www.facebook.com/MySistersPlace.

 

(This is a press release from BHcare)

Seymour Police Dogs Get Bulletproof Vests

K9 Rex

SEYMOUR- Seymour Police Department canines Rex & Zoar received bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Rex’s vest was sponsored by Richard Kearns of RKFMX in Prospect, CT and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by RKFMX “Guided by Angels””. K9 Zoar’s vest was sponsored by Robert Kezelevich of the Seymour Senior Citizen’s and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Seymour Senior Citizen’s."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.



 K9 Zoar
 

(Information shared from Seymour Police Department's Facebook page)

Seymour Daycare Celebrates End of Summer

SEYMOUR – Teddy Bear Treehouse Learning Center http://www.teddybear-tlc.com/recently held its end of summer celebration with parents, grandparents and children, past and present, with an old-fashioned barbecue at the daycare center.

 

Owners Ann Marie and Dom Violano hosted the celebration, which highlighted many of the children who were leaving the daycare program to embark on the next chapter of their lives: kindergarten.

 

Teddy Bear Treehouse has been in business at 200 South Main St. since 1998, providing quality childcare and programs for children ages 6 weeks to 7 years old.

 

For more information, call 203-888-2900.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valley Mayor Steps Back into the Ring

 

ANSONIA- Mayor David Cassetti, in preparation for the kick-off of his 3rd annual Pinky Silverberg youth boxing program, recently warmed up by jumping rope. Check out the mayor's moves by clicking on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/1543707149176288/videos/2139823332717644/

The "Young Gloves" program begins Sept. 6, and will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ansonia Armory, 5 State St.

The program is open Valley boys and girls ages 6-13. The cost is $40 per student and all safety equipment, including new mouth guards, boxing gloves and protective head gear is provided.

Students are required to show up to class in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers. The program will culminate Nov. 3 with an official Connecticut Amateur Boxing event Nov. 3, with trophies awarded.

Cassetti began the popular club as a way to help build kids’ confidence. Last year’s club was a total knockout, drawing more than 90 kids to the ring.

 
During the program, kids will learn the fundamentals and train like a boxer, Cassetti said, while having fun and getting fit in a supervised environment. Kids will be grouped by age, and will participate in workouts that include sparring, speed bag, heavy bag, jump rope and various forms of aerobic exercise.  Cassetti said the club not only gets kids away from video games and off their phones, it teaches them confidence, coordination and skill, while developing discipline and work ethics.

For more information, call the Mayor’s office at 203-736-5900.