Lemonade stand in Shelton raises $1,500 for cancer hospital

Kudos go out today to three Shelton girls who ran a lemonade stand Saturday and raised money for an important cause.

Twins Alex and Emma D'Amico, 11, and their friend, Megan Loiacano, 10, collected more than $1,500 in donations. The money will go to Smilow Cancer Hospital, a part of Yale New Haven Children's Hospital.

Their parents must be quite proud of them! Great job!


Read the story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich here.

Crisco hails GPS installation for buses

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, this week joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to announce that CTtransit buses throughout the state will soon be equipped with GPS devices that will provide real-time bus location information to riders.  

With a total of 42 million passenger trips taken per year, riders will be able to better plan travel with up-to-the-minute arrival and departure information, as well as a better experience, with the new devices.

Joseph J. Crisco

“Commuters expect and deserve to have modern technologies be used to make their transit experience convenient and efficient,” Crisco said. 
“The implementation of GPS devices to provide real-time bus location is just one step in the major transportation overhaul that we have initiated in Connecticut. This is a smart investment that will make transportation in Connecticut more accessible to the millions of passengers who use CTtransit buses every year.”

“This is all part of transforming our systems. It’s good for residents, it’s good for businesses, and it’s good for CTtransit. With real-time bus location information, it’s another step in our effort to take Connecticut into the future,” Malloy said.  
“We want the CTtransit experience to be easy and user-friendly, and the addition of this technology will make travel more convenient and reliable. This is a smart, strategic step in continuing the modernization of our infrastructure to move us towards a new era in economic growth that will support Connecticut families and businesses and create a best-in-class transportation system.”

This project will provide ‘intelligent technology’ for passengers on 500 CTtransit buses throughout the state.  Similar GPS tracking information has already been successfully deployed on CTfastrak buses in central Connecticut.  The new system is made possible by a $7 million allocation that was approved last month by the State Bond Commission.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is encouraging riders to download apps to their smart phones, such as “Transit App,” that will utilize the GPS tracking information provided on the bus system.

The installation of the new technology is the next step in a multi-phase statewide project that will include introducing new electronic fare boxes over the next six months. It will be compatible with the latest in new high-tech fare-paying options so that Connecticut can begin the design of a smart-card payment system as well as smartphone ticketing.

CTtransit is the CTDOT-owned bus service. In 2014, CTtransit provided 42 million passenger trips around the state.

This is a press release from Crisco's office. 

Seymour Pink gift shop to celebrate first year

Seymour Pink, a community's fight against breast cancer, is marking the first anniversary of its gift shop at 3 Franklin St., Seymour, on Aug. 29 and 30.

Ansonia to host superhero fun with movie night

What a great idea! 

*Shared from the City of Ansonia's Facebook page.

Ansonia 'celebrates' 60th anniversary of devastating floods

Heroism, cooperation, community spirit recalled

Ansonia lawyer Greg Stamos served as master of ceremonies for Wednesday's program at Vartelas Park in Ansonia commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Floods of 1955. The park on Maple Street alongside the Naugatuck River is the former site of the Vartelas block, which included houses, businesses, and the Vartelas family's food market. 
Stamos said the rebuilding after the event "would come to represent the resilience of Valley citizens."
The flood control walls that were built after the natural disaster can be seen in the background. Stamos is accompanied by his assistant.


Read the great coverage of the ceremony here in the Valley Independent Sentinel, and here in the New Haven Register. 

Ansonia Nature Center to host hikes, bird program, drumming circle, more

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has posted its September schedule of activities.

NATURE’S CHILD: Incredible Insects – 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4.
Join naturalist Wendy to discover the critters who live in our park’s beautiful yellow flowers. You’ll be amazed to find how many tiny creatures live on our goldenrod. TUITION: $6 per family ($4 for Ansonia residents or current FANCI members).  Please register in advance.

LOST AND FOUND AT THE ANSONIA NATURE CENTER - 1 p.m. Sept. 13.
Discover some of the Nature Center’s hidden secrets during our lost-and-found hike. Did you know our property has two natural springs? Join Rangers Martin and Daniel to learn how to use a compass and a map to find these hidden gems. Geared for adults and children who want an adventure? 
Bring your own compass or borrow one of ours! Free; starts at 1 p.m. sharp.

FALL TERM JUNIOR RANGERS –
Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17; class runs Thursdays through Nov. 5.
Calling all kids 11 to 14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center in our eight-week after-school program. Parental permission is required. 
Class size is limited; this class fills up fast!  Free.

ROWANWOOD FARM LLAMA HIKING ADVENTURE-  10:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
Experience a unique and unforgettable hike with Rowanwood Farms’ gentle mini llamas through the breathtaking trails at McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook. We’ll listen to the sounds of the river as we leisurely make our way through majestic pine forests on the trail winding through the Bald Eagle Sanctuary. 
After our hike, we can relax, visit the gift shop, and sample wines. Space is limited; call 203-736-1053 for reservations.  Fee: $20

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX DRUMMING CIRCLE –  7 p.m. Sept. 25.
Join our drumming circle with Ranger Dawn. For adults and children 12 years and older. Welcome and   celebrate our most colorful season!  Free, but bring a canned food item for our local homeless shelter. We’ll gather at Pavilion #2. Please register.

BIRDS ON THE MOVE –  2 p.m. Sept. 26.
Come for afternoon birding with Ranger Jessica for this fun, informative program. She will concentrate on the end-of-summer journeys taken by our “flying friends” to faraway places each year. Find out who’s going and who’s staying put! Free; call to register.

FULL HARVEST MOON HIKE –  7 p.m. Sept. 26.
The northeastern native people referred to the September full moon as the “corn is edible” moon.  
Join our rangers to hike the Nature Center trails as the big moon rises. Enjoy some marshmallows over the campfire to conclude our program. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.   
Number of participants is limited; pre-registration is required. Fee is $1 per person.


This is a press release from the nature center.