Abilis Gardens & Gifts Celebrates Reopening In Greenwich Abilis Gardens & Gifts Celebrates Reopening In Greenwich
Abilis Gardens & Gifts Celebrates Reopening In Greenwich GREENWICH, Conn. — Abilis, a non-profit organization that provides services and supports for individuals with special needs and their families, will hold a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for its newly remodeled Abilis Gardens & Gifts in Greenwich.  The greenhouse and gift shop have recently undergone a total update and are ready for the holiday shopping season. “We have just updated and remodeled our greenhouse and gift shop to better serve the community and our clients,” said Dennis Perry, CEO and president of Abilis. “The greenhouse and gift shop are used …
Local Historians Explore Mark Twain's Connections To Norwalk Local Historians Explore Mark Twain's Connections To Norwalk
Local Historians Explore Mark Twain's Connections To Norwalk NORWALK, Conn. -- How is Mark Twain connected to Norwalk? Join Norwalk historians Madeleine and Ed Eckert to discover the connection during a lively lecture at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum. “Norwalk & Mark Twain: Being Some Interesting Connections Between the City of Norwalk & Mark Twain” will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum.  We all know Twain lived in Hartford and Redding, but how is one of America’s most famous literary figures connected to Norwalk? In this lecture, the Eckerts will uncover interesting historic and artistic …
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…
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…
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…