Vendors Sought for Ansonia Festivals

Needy children receive bikes at Foundation for Life event in Shelton

These are some of the lucky children who were surprised Saturday with new bicycles and helmets. /Contributed photo

SHELTON - Fifty area children, ages 6-11, from TEAM, Inc., United Way of Coastal Fabirfield County and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center were selected for a day of fun Saturday at the Sports Center of Connecticut.

The event was organized by The Foundation for Life, a 501(c)3 organization that works to improve the quality of life for children and families through actions that promote change and deepen connections within the community. 

Contributed photo

The Foundation for Life is supported by the employees of Barnum Financial Group, an office of MetLife.

First Niagara Bank sponsored three hours of free play for the selected children and families including mini golf, laser tag, bowling and batting cages.

At the end of the event, The Foundation for Life surprised each child with a brand-new bicycle.

Team members from Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach Department and “Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley” program were on hand to give out free helmets to each of the children, and to teach them how to properly adjust the helmets for maximum safety while riding.

 

Foundation for Life is not affiliated with MetLife or any MetLife affiliate. 

This post is taken from a press release from MetLife.

Cyclists pedal from New Haven to Ansonia and back to honor inventor of bike

Annual festival celebrates Pierre Lallement

ANSONIA - Sunday was a day for bikes and old-fashioned family fun at the third annual Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes on Main Street.

The city's Cultural Commission and Economic Development Commission co-sponsored the event.

Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia in the 1860s when he received the patent for the pedal bicycle, precursor of the modern-day bike. 

Cyclists make their way down Main Street at about 11:57 a.m. 
  

Children and adults joined the cyclists at Webster Hose Memorial Park on the corner of Central and East Main streets for the last leg of the trip.

A sign created by Sixth Ward Alderman Patrick Henri with help from students at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School will be placed n a prominent spot at event this year as the city celebrates its 125th anniversary.

A stunt cyclist from "Dialed," a Pennsylvania-based team, wows the crowd ...

    ... as do his teammates.

 This cyclist appears to fly over the Ansonia 125 sign across from City Hall.

New Jersey-based stunt cyclist Chris Clark performs.

And explains to a rapt audience how he does his work.

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Even P.T. Barnum (a.k.a. Dexter Dean of Naugatuck) was on hand to greet the cyclists as they entered downtown.

 

Pedal for PCRC slated in Shelton

Cycling event to raise awareness, funds
SHELTON - The Third Annual Pedal for PCRC community cycling event benefiting the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center will be held May 18. 
This signature event will raise awareness and funds for PCRC's many diverse treatment and preventative programs. 
The money raised will be dedicated to our mission of 'Saving lives by passionately caring for children, families, and community.'

Choose from one of three route options and ride at your own pace. 

Start and finish location is at PerkinElmer lower parking area on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton.

Route Options: 62- Mile Loop (Participants must be 16 and up); 30-Mile Loop (Participants must be 16 and up); 15-Mile Loop (Participants 14-15 permitted with adult guardian); Kids Ride (Participants must be accompanied by adult guardian).

Fundraising Commitment: Each cyclist commits to raising a minimum of $100 for PCRC. Cyclists who raise $250 or more will be issued a custom Pedal for PCRC jersey. 

Volunteers are encouraged to raise funds to help PCRC reach our goal of $75,000. Funds will be used toward deficits and shortfalls in current funding for PCRC’s many diverse programs.

The cycling event will take place rain or shine; please pack any necessary rain gear just in case.

Please note that parents will need to supervise their children at all times during the event.

Sign up online, today, to volunteer, ride, or for sponsorship.

PCRC treats more than 900 clients annually. The Parent Child Resource Center's diverse treatment programs have proven successful in saving lives and restoring hope. 

Serving all Valley towns and beyond, PCRC is a critical agency supporting the well-being of children and families.

Join the fun; visit www.pedalforpcrc.kintera.org.



This is a press release from the Parent Child Resource Center.

 

3rd annual Festival of Bikes rolls into Ansonia

Stony Creek resident David Pooler brought this 'bone shaker,' an antique bicycle from the 1860s, to Sunday's third annual Festival of Bikes in Ansonia. The event commemorates Frenchman Pierre Lallement who lived in Ansonia when he invented the bicycle in 1865.

Author David V. Herlihy, who has written about Lallement and the history of the bicycle, addresses the crowd Sunday at Veterans Park in Ansonia.


Stay tuned to the New Haven Register tomorrow for a story about the event.

Ansonia to host 3rd annual bike rally to commemorate Lallement

Pierre Lallement

   ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission welcomes bike riders and their families May 5 to join in the third annual bicycle rally commemorating Pierre Lallement, the inventor of the bicycle, chairwoman Judy Nicolari said today.

    Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia when he invented the pedal bicycle in 1865. His first trip pedaling his invention was from Ansonia to New Haven.

    Last year's rally was in June, but the Cultural Commission moved it to May because it is National Bike Month.

    Nicolari said, "Cyclists will have two options as to where they would like to join in the rally."   
    One is to start in New Haven at 10:15 a.m. at the corner of College and Chapel Streets, the site of their Pierre Lallement plaque on the Green. They can take the route with the New Haven riders.
    Registration will be held at the Cultural Commission booth at Webster Park for Valley riders.
    Nicolari said a rider release form will be available for anyone under 18 who wants to participate.
    Registration for riders leaving from New Haven will be held before 10 a.m. at the corner of College and Chapel Streets. the site of the Pierre Lallement plaque.

    A second option is for cyclists to be at Webster Park on Central Street (behind Big Y Supermarket) at 11 a.m. and proceed with the riders to East Main and Main Streets to Veterans Memorial Park next to City Hall.
    A kickoff ceremony and rally in honor of Lallement will be held in the park.
    Guest speakers will include:
    Mayor James Della Volpe; author David Herlihy, President of the Lallement Memorial Committee who wrote commentary for the book, “Pierre Lallement and His Bicycle;” Laura Burrone, committee member, New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas; and student Ryan Amato winner of last year’s essay contest, “The Ride of the Wooden Horse.”

    DJ Phyllis Kaplan will play songs including “Eye of The Tiger,” the theme from a “Rocky” movie to inspire cyclists as they arrive at Veterans Memorial Park.
    Nicolari said the commission will have snacks and drinks available for those cyclists participating in the ride.
    After the ceremony a “Festival of Bikes” sponsored by the Economic Development Commission will be held on Main Street. A list of festival activities will be announced.

FitLinxx donates bikes to Boys and Girls Club members

New bikes + kids = roomful of smiles

Valley children who received bicycles donated by FitLinxx, a company based in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - There were a lot of happy faces on 18 children at the offices of FitLinxx in Shelton, CT last week.  
As part of a company-wide meeting, a team-building exercise and FitLinxx’s overall strategy of helping people of all ages to improve their health and well-being, company employees assembled 18 bicycles and donated them to children through the Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley (nine bicycles to the Shelton Clubhouse members and nine bicycles to the Ansonia Clubhouse members). 
Pictures of the children were taken with their new bikes at a reception. Refreshments were provided.

FitLinxx develops innovative health and wellness technology that motivates people to live actively and improve their well-being. 
Sold exclusively through partners to businesses, its wireless activity monitors, health devices and software make it easy for people to accurately track and measure daily activity levels and health indicators like weight and blood pressure. 
In addition, its fitness facility solution helps members adopt exercise habits that achieve health, wellness and fitness goals.

Using FitLinxx technology, the company’s global partners have created customized fun and engaging programs that help people begin and maintain active and healthy lifestyles. 

Employers benefit by lowering their healthcare costs, increasing worker productivity and improving overall employee health. FitLinxx is unique in accurately tracking all-day activities in an end-to-end wireless solution. The company’s network of fitness facilities and more than 50 partners has helped more than four million people experience the benefits of FitLinxx offerings.

This information is taken from a press release from Boston-based George Cohen Communications.

Cycle event to benefit Parent Child Resource Center

Calling all cyclists to the first ever Pedal for PCRC Fundraiser. The event will be held July 15.

To register as a single participant, team, sponsor, volunteer, or virtual fundraiser, visit www.pedalforpcrc.kintera.org.

Participants who register may bring children to participate in the kiddie ride or hula hoop challenge at the event site. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times (see website for rules).
This community-friendly cycling event will start at the lower parking lot of PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton and will tour throughout the Valley.
Participants may register to cycle for 15, 30, or 62-mile rides.
Organizers say this will be a great community event while it raises awareness and funds that will positively impact the futures of today's children.



The above information is from a release provided by Krista Colletta, Development Director, Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center in Derby.

Festival honoring bike inventor on tap in Ansonia

Pierre Lallement, inventor of the bicycle

ANSONIA - The city is gearing up for the Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes, which will be held from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. June 3.
In a press release today Economic Development Commission chairman Vinnie Scarlata said, "please be ready to officially welcome our latest historic icon, Pierre Lallement, former resident and inventor of the bicycle. Thanks to Pierre, Ansonia is the 'Home of the Bicycle' and now is our time to embrace that distinction. "
Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia when he invented the bicycle in 1865.  
The downtown festival is being hosted by the Cultural Commission and Economic Development Commission.

"Cyclists from New Haven will complete their commemorative ride and appear (downtown) at about 11 a.m. Bring your bikes and join the final lap around downtown ending at City Hall for the day’s dedication," Scarlata said. (Meet-up will be 10:45 a.m., behind Big Y supermarket).
"Decorate your bikes and helmets for the best dressed contest. Bring your old gear to the Bike Swap or donate.
"See the BMX Rampage team do their amazing pipe and ramp exhibition. Big kids (yes! you dad) try your skills on the Trike Obstacle Course if you dare.
"For our little trikers, Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurses will be conducting helmet fittings and giveaways while supplies last."

There will be bike safety inspections. Guests include: Sports Centers of Ct. of Shelton; Sports Authority of Milford; Zanes Cycles of Branford; Total Fitness; and the EliptiGO. Outdoor dining will be available from local restaurants, and much more.

Scarlata urged residents to "come down to Main Street, Sunday, June 3, and enjoy your town as we brand ourselves the "Home of the Bicycle."

The above post is a lightly edited version of a release from Vinnie Scarlata, chairman, Ansonia Economic Development Commission.

Ansonia's ethnic mix, history make life interesting

With the warm weather approaching, life seems to be getting busier, with lots of outdoor events planned in the Valley.

Two “firsts” planned for downtown Ansonia have sparked my interest.

On Saturday, Libby Meissner, owner of Crave, a popular Caribbean fusion restaurant situated in the historic Ansonia Opera House, is hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

The event will run from “noon to 11:59 p.m.,” Meissner said this week. It will be held in the Doyle Senior Center parking lot adjacent to the restaurant at 102 Main St.

Meissner said Latin food (burritos, fajitas, refried beans), live music featuring three bands, and a festive atmosphere will be the order of the day.

For those who prefer a quieter meal, the restaurant will be open for dining.

I’m looking forward to it! I must admit I’ve never been to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Do I need a sombrero?

And four weeks from now, on June 3, a street festival honoring Pierre Lallement, inventor of the bicycle, is scheduled to start at about 11 a.m.

Lallement lived in Ansonia in 1865 when he pedaled his invention from Ansonia to New Haven.

Bicyclists will be making the approximately 11-mile trek from the New Haven Green (where there is a plaque in honor of Lallement) through Woodbridge and Seymour to downtown Ansonia. 

There will be a brief speaking program about Lallement, followed by a festival featuring everything from a tricycle race to bike safety information and free bike helmets for kids to food offered outside at downtown restaurants.  

I won’t be biking, but I’ll be there. Will you?