Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day
Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day SHERMAN, Conn. — On Saturday, volunteers in the National Wreaths Across America Day placed over a million Christmas wreaths and greenery on the graves of veterans across the nation. And a group of volunteers took part locally at Sherman North Cemetery In Sherman in honor of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Todd “TJ” Lobraico of Sherman, who was killed in combat four years ago in Afghanistan.  "We did our part and participated in National Wreaths Across America Day - 2017," said a post at the Facebook page for The TJ Lobraico Foundation. "We placed 72 wreaths on all the veterans laid …
FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum
FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum NORWALK, Conn. – Although adults were treated to a fabulous feast at the second annual FriendsGiving event hosted by Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, children are the ones who will ultimately benefit from the successful fundraiser.   More than 120 guests enjoyed the exquisite, Thanksgiving-inspired dinner created by Chef Matthew John on Nov. 9. Museum supporters helped raise over $100,000 for the nonprofit museum’s Open Arms Accessibility initiative. “We certainly give thanks for everyone who contributed to the success of this sold-out event,” said Rhonda Kiest, president and CEO of Stepp…
Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk
Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk NORWALK, Conn. — Remember Joe and his dog, Bronson? Thanks to Diana Paladino Christopher, the next chapter is unfolding in the life of the formerly homeless Norwalk man.  Many in the Norwalk community banded together last winter to help Joe, who lived in his van with his black Labrador retriever. (He agreed to be identified by only his first name.)  And this week, Joe will be moving into an apartment of his own.    It all started last January, when Diana Paladino-Christopher of Norwalk launched a GoFundMe page to help Joe as the region braced for one of the first snowstorms of the winter. …
Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary
Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary NEWTOWN, Conn. — A Wall Of Remembrance — a temporary exhibit of photos of the victims — is on display at the Newtown Municipal Center as the town marks the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting.The black-and-white photos were installed Monday to offer a space for reflection as the town honors the 26 victims of the deadly attack on Dec. 14, 2012. A sign on a table welcomes visitors.  “We ask that you spend a few minutes in quiet reflection as we remember the lives of these vibrant young children and caring adults who were part of the essence of this community as students, educa…
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim NEWTOWN, Conn. — Six-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard once caught a butterfly on her hand. As she set it free, she whispered: “Tell your friends that I am kind.” That one sentence is the inspiration behind the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, a tribute to the little girl who was one of 20 children and six adults who perished in the Sandy Hook School massacre on Dec. 14, 2012. It has been five years since that tragic day and family, friends and supporters of the sanctuary gathered this month to celebrate Catherine’s memory and raise more than $700,000 for the new sanctuary. “If …
Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport
Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Cardinal Shehan Center will expand its Fitness for Life program for kids and provide a daylong wellness expo, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Bridgeport Foundation. The Bridgeport-based youth center received the grant for Fitness for Life, which teaches kids about healthy eating and cooking as well as the importance of being physically active. “The 100 second- through eighth-graders participating in our Fitness for Life program are being taught how to take care of their bodies by eating right and exercising,” said Katherine O’Hara, co-program direct…
Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West' Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West'
Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West' BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust (BNT) on Monday officially opened Westgate, a 48-unit apartment complex that’s part of a mini-neighborhood the agency has dubbed “Downtown West.” Located next to the Walgreen’s at the corner of State Street and West Avenue, the new 61,552-square-foot, five-story building include two ground-floor commercial spaces and four floors of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. “Westgate represents the second building that we have completed in what we call the Downtown West neighborhood,” said BNT CEO Elizabeth Torres. “We’re one step closer to m…
Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens
Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Beardsley Zoo welcomed two tiger kittens last month — and it looks like staffers are more excited than their massive mom. The zoo’s 10-year-old Amur tiger Changbai gave birth to four cubs on Nov. 25. Sadly, two died and Changbai showed no interest in the remaining two females, who are being cared for at the zoo’s hospital. “We are hand feeding the babies five times a day,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “They are being given a feline milk replacement formula, supplemented with vitamins. They are a little underweight, possibly due to the age of their mother and the f…
Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest
Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest NORWALK, Conn. – A photo by Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk publicist Dave Sigworth was recently recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the 2017 AZA Photo Contest. Sigworth's photo of one of the Aquarium's ribboned sea dragons was named one of 12 Honorable Mentions in the contest, which recognizes exceptional photography taken at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. All photos in the contest were taken by staff or volunteers at an AZA facility, and feature animals, people, habitats and other zoo or aquarium scenes. This year's winning photo was submitted by Grahm Jones of Columbu…
Westport Volunteer EMS Takes Newman's Own Donation To Heart Westport Volunteer EMS Takes Newman's Own Donation To Heart
Westport Volunteer EMS Takes Newman's Own Donation To Heart WESTPORT, Conn. — Westport ambulances will be equipped with life-saving cardiac devices thanks to a $35,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation. The new equipment — Stryker/Physio-Control LUCAS 3 chest compression systems — can be used on those in cardiac arrest while keeping Westport Volunteer EMS personnel safe. The automated system offers optimal, high-quality compressions that can be deployed in seconds and can be used while moving patients and in difficult access points, such as narrow hallways and staircases. The grant was given in honor of Newman’s Own Foundation’s 35th anniversary a…
Fairfield Calls For Acts Of Kindness To Mark Sandy Hook Anniversary Fairfield Calls For Acts Of Kindness To Mark Sandy Hook Anniversary
Fairfield Calls For Acts Of Kindness To Mark Sandy Hook Anniversary FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Town of Fairfield is asking residents to mark the somber fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre by performing acts of kindness. It was five years ago Dec. 14 that a gunman killed 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Former Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra called for kindness to honor those who lost their lives. “The Town of Fairfield will continue to unite with Newtown and show our community’s strong support and solidarity by encouraging residents to perform acts of kindness,” said First Selectman Mike Tetreau. “In suppor…
Fairfield Veteran Inducted Into The Connecticut Hall Of Fame Fairfield Veteran Inducted Into The Connecticut Hall Of Fame
Fairfield Veteran Inducted Into The Connecticut Hall Of Fame FAIRFIELD, Conn. — U.S. Army veteran Thomas Quinn was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame this week, surrounded by state and local leaders and family and friends. “Honoring the military service and life’s work of our veterans is among the most important ways we as citizens can show gratitude,” state Rep. Brenda Kupchick said at the Hartford ceremony. “Tom Quinn stands as a particularly inspirational model of an American serviceman who answered the call of duty to his country and then continued that admirable service long afterward.” Ten other veterans were also inducted into…