From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues
From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues TRUMBULL, Conn. — Transitioning from high school to college or a job can be a daunting experience for anyone. For someone with autism, the change can be even more overwhelming. Enter Transition Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (TOPS), a first-of-its-kind preparedness program created through a partnership with The Kennedy Center and Fairfield University. Begun this fall, TOPS addresses a multitude of social challenges, independent living skills and self-advocacy for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS). The pilot program is led by the Trumbull-based center and interns an…
Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile' Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile'
Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile' REDDING, Conn. — The team that is working to complete the Norwalk River Valley Trail is readying its push for the Redding Mile — that town’s first leg of the trail. Stuart Green and David Pattee, the Redding leaders of the NRVT, led a hike on Oct. 28 on the Wilton Loop, a showcase trail for the NRVT.  First Selectman Julia Pemberton and a dozen Redding residents joined the hike. “It’s great to see the growing enthusiasm for the Redding Mile, the first leg of the NRVT in our town," Green said. "We want Redding to become the first equestrian section of the NRVT.” The Redding Mile,…
Going Green: Tree Conservancy Leaves Its Mark Around Darien Going Green: Tree Conservancy Leaves Its Mark Around Darien
Going Green: Tree Conservancy Leaves Its Mark Around Darien DARIEN, Conn. -- Tree Conservancy of Darien planted 29 new trees and 12 shrubs last week at the Darien Police Station, veterans cemetery, the Darien Community Association and the Center Street north parking lot.  The Growing Concern helped with the installation and donated four large Holly trees to the police station. Tree Conservancy of Darien is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the tree resources of Darien for the benefit of the community, its health and its quality of life. Since its inception in 2010, TCD has planted over 500 trees in Darien.  For more information or to donate to T…
Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium
Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium NORWALK, Conn. – Retired Navy Capt. Peter Wikul, a longtime and decorated Navy SEAL, got a kiss from Rasal the harbor seal for Veterans Day during a seal-training demonstration at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Saturday. Wikul, a resident Ridgefield, participated in each seal-training demonstration Saturday as part of the aquarium’s Veterans Day Weekend. He assisted aquarists Azzara Oston and Sarah Penfold in the shows for aquarium visitors.  Wikul retired in 2009 after a 39-year Navy career with the honorific title of “Bullfrog 13” as the longest-serving active-duty SEAL.  His roles …
Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist
Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist STAMFORD, Conn. -- Sometimes, the hardest times bring about the greatest achievements.  So it was for Christina Connors who used her years of struggling to make it as a New York City singer/actress into a new album. Now a Greenwich massage therapist who continues to perform on the side, Connors has just released "Dream Bigger: Songs of Hope, Healing, and Inspiration." The album was recorded at Factory Underground in Norwalk and features the music of Composer David Friedman, himself a Norwalk resident. Friedman's work is well-known; he's written songs for Diana Ross, Barry Manilo…
92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake 92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake
92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake SHELTON, Conn. -- Paul Hurd, a 92-year old U.S. Army veteran, has always loved flying. During the war, he spent time in Italy, flying in helicopters and even jumping out of them. Now a resident of Crosby Commons Assisted Living in Shelton, Hurd often takes advantage of the different trips offered by the community.  When visiting the Sikorsky Helicopter Museum, he took an interest in aviation and showed delight touching the controls of a grounded copter. Kelly Coppola, recreation director of Crosby Commons, began to think how she could incorporate Hurd's love of flying into a Journey of Drea…
Westport To Salutre Veterans In Town Hall Ceremony Westport To Salutre Veterans In Town Hall Ceremony
Westport To Salutre Veterans In Town Hall Ceremony WESTPORT, Conn. -- The town of Westport will hold Veterans Day services on Saturday, Nov. 11 in the Town Hall auditorium, Westport Veterans Council President William Vornkahl announced.  At 10:30 a.m., the Westport Community Band will present a “Patriotic Salute to All Veterans" program, which will include marches and patriotic tunes. The services will begin at 11 a.m., the time that the Treaty was signed to end World War I. The program will include a Veterans Day address by Staples High School Senior Brooke Kessler, president of the Rho Kappa Honor Society. The public is invited to …
Norwalk's Courage To Speak Adapts Program To Tackle Opioid Crisis Norwalk's Courage To Speak Adapts Program To Tackle Opioid Crisis
Norwalk's Courage To Speak Adapts Program To Tackle Opioid Crisis NORWALK, Conn. -- The Courage to Speak Foundation has developed a new program, “Parenting Through the Opioid Crisis and Beyond,” a free drug prevention course designed specifically for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students.  The program was developed by the Courage to Speak Foundation by a grant from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. This new program is specifically designed to address the current opioid epidemic and is offered free to parents in the community. The program covers topics such as addiction and its physiological consequences; abuse and m…
Westy Self Storage In Stamford Collects Toys, Coats For Operation Santa Westy Self Storage In Stamford Collects Toys, Coats For Operation Santa
Westy Self Storage In Stamford Collects Toys, Coats For Operation Santa STAMFORD, Conn. – Westy Self Storage in Stamford will help make children's wishes come true this holiday season by once again taking part in Operation Santa. This year Operation Santa will once again be collecting and distributing winter coats and toys for underprivileged children at Benjamin Branklin/P.S. 55 in the Bronx.  In addition to the donation drop off location for Operation Santa, Westy will also provide storage for the donations as well as final delivery via Westy trucks to the school. This drive will run through December 16. Westy will host the kickoff reception in their grand lo…
Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours
Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours RIDGEFIELD/WILTON, Conn. — In honor of Veterans Day, Weir Farm National Historic Site will be offering special tours and a gift to all military veterans who visit the park on Saturday, Nov. 11.  The park will be open from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Although the buildings would nornally closed for the season, Weir Farm will be opening up the Visitor Center, Weir House, Weir Studio, and Young Studio to visiting veterans and their families on Saturday.  The Weir Farm staff thanks all veterans for their service. Weir Farm National Historic Site is located at 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton. A National …
Darien Author Shares Secrets Of Becoming A Wine Connoisseur In New Book Darien Author Shares Secrets Of Becoming A Wine Connoisseur In New Book
Darien Author Shares Secrets Of Becoming A Wine Connoisseur In New Book DARIEN, Conn. -- Author Richard L. Chilton, Jr. will discuss his new book on wine at an author talk at Barrett Bookstore this Saturday. Chilton will speak and sign copies of his new book, "Adventures with Old Vines: A Beginner's Guide to Being a Wine Connoisseur" on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Barrett Bookstore, which is located at 314 Heights Road in Darien. Chilton’s love affair with wine began in 1976 when his parents converted an old bomb shelter on their property into a wine cellar. Over the next 40 years, he came to understand that wine expertise involves a journey, an…
5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen' 5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen'
5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen' STRATFORD, Conn. — Nate Seltzer, a 5-year-old whiz kid from Stratford, is becoming a regular of sorts on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”  The pint-sized geography expert will appear on the popular talk show again on Wednesday, Nov. 8.  First, Nate shows off the “Ellen” set he built using LEGOs. And of course, he then blows Ellen away with his talent for geography by identifying city grids from all over the world. (And maybe he had a bit of help with one!)   Ellen also surprises Nate with a life-size LEGO version of himself. If you can't get to a TV, watch Nate's appearance above.  Nate first…