Gallery at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton displays artist's work

The Gallery at Plumb Memorial Library is featuring art

by Jacqueline A. Berg now through Dec. 11.

From the Shelton Library System:

"Jackie is a lifelong painter and creative who majored in journalism at the University of Iowa and was employed as a copywriter for the Chicago Tribune in the mid-1940s. 

"She was later instrumental in the founding of her late husband John Berg’s advertising agency in Stamford, playing a crucial creative role as art director and strategist in the early years of the successful company.

"While raising a family in New Canaan, Jackie found time to take oil painting instruction at the Silvermine Art Guild in Norwalk and created still lifes and scenes inspired by her travels. The oil paintings, watercolors, and pencil drawings will be on display in the library gallery until Dec. 11, 2025."

Ansonia Police identify victim of fatal motorcycle accident

ANSONIA - The victim in the fatal motorcycle accident Sunday on East Main and Main Streets is Kevin Parham, 55, of Norwalk, formerly of Ansonia, police said today. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be blunt trauma and the manner to be accidental.

This is a press release from Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch.

DiMatteo Insurance in Shelton donates 87 baskets of supplies to children in shelters

Kim DiMatteo of Bethany, left, branch manager at DiMatteo Insurance in Shelton, an affiliate of Cross Insurance, holds some of the items in the back-to-school themed baskets that were assembled and donated by DiMatteo Financial, DiMatteo Insurance, and ACBI Insurance, all in Shelton. She is with two employees from DiMatteo Insurance, Linda Ayles of Monroe, center, and Jamie Nickerson of New Milford./ Contributed photo

Shelton-based DiMatteo Insurance recently delivered 87 summer beach baskets to children living in shelters in Norwalk and Stamford.

“The children absolutely loved the assortment of items they received in their summer beach baskets,” said Lisa Cooper, Case Manager of Open Door Shelter, Inc. in Norwalk, one of three shelters that received a generous donation organized by DiMatteo Insurance. “This kind gesture was so unexpected and made everyone so happy.”

The baskets were brimming with kid-friendly, back-to-school items, including: markers, crayons, stuffed animals, foam balls, bubbles, and more.
This annual tradition to aid homeless children in the region was started by DiMatteo Insurance over 20 years ago, when the company typically distributed Easter baskets. 

Due to the pandemic, the community project was delayed until August.
Baskets were delivered to Open Door Shelter, Inc. and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, both in Norwalk, and Inspirica, Inc. in Stamford. 

Each basket was filled with age-appropriate necessities specifically for children age birth-3 years of age and 13-17 years of age.

“This donation came at the right time,” said Anita Lai, Manager of Community Initiatives at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center. “With no camp and no school in session for months, the baskets were distributed to 17 very appreciative and excited children. We sincerely thank the DiMatteo family and their associates for their ongoing thoughtfulness over the past two decades. They are so committed to helping others.”

Since its inception, nearly 2,000 baskets have helped thousands of area children in need. The baskets were assembled and donated by DiMatteo Financial, DiMatteo Insurance and ACBI Insurance, all located in Shelton. 

Their employees, family, friends, and clients and contributed to the success of this annual community outreach project.
Kim DiMatteo of Bethany, branch manager of DiMatteo Insurance, an affiliate of Cross Insurance, and Zaibel Torres of Bridgeport, receptionist, spearheaded this community service drive.
“I want to personally thank the seven employee volunteers who spent weeks preparing for this worthwhile community project,” said DiMatteo. “Initially, I started the basket giving program over 20 years ago with my husband, John, and my three children, Anthony, Michael, and Jessica. Now it’s expanded into a much anticipated annual tradition throughout Fairfield County.”
DiMatteo Insurance supports many other local charities through the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation. 

The Foundation was established more than 15 years ago as a tribute to their founder and late father Anthony “Tony” DiMatteo, who was battling cancer at the time. 

Since then, the Foundation has contributed more than $412,000 for various well-known local and national charities that fund research, education, and finding a cure for diseases.


This is a press release from DiMatteo Insurance of Shelton, which is affiliated with Cross Insurance, one of the largest independent insurance providers in the nation.

Headquartered in Bangor, Maine, this partnership has enabled DiMatteo Insurance to broaden its market opportunities, including expanded personal and commercial lines in New England and throughout the United States.
Visit www.DiMatteoInsurance.com for more information or call 203-924-4811.

Gazy Brothers Farm to set up market on Fridays in Ansonia starting June 19

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti today announced the return of Ansonia’s weekly Farmer’s Market in downtown beginning June 19. Its location remains the same, next to the parking lot adjacent to Crave restaurant on Main Street.

Hours are: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. every Friday through late October.

The market is presented by Gazy Brothers Farm of Oxford and this year will include Beldotti Bakery of Stamford featuring artisan breads and pastry, and Saint X Specialty Foods of Norwalk, featuring gourmet pesto and fresh mozzarella. 

Gazy Bros. will provide in-season produce beginning with greens, herbs, tomatoes, and strawberries and will expand its produce line throughout the season.

“Delivering a quality weekly farmer’s market to our city has been a priority of mine for years,” said Cassetti. “For the first time last summer, this vision was delivered consistently to our doorsteps by Gazy Bros.”

Gazy Bros. said their debut season on Main Street in Ansonia last year proved solid and are looking forward to this summer with an expanded product line for city residents.

The market will accept WIC and Senior farmer's market vouchers, cash, checks, and credit cards.

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Seymour High School student wins scholarship at charity golf classic

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities recently were awarded scholarships at The Kennedy Center 25th Annual Charity Golf Classic. Selection is based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Martin D. Schwartz, right, President/CEO of The Kennedy Center, presented Seymour High School student Hunter Cripps with a scholarship at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk. / Contributed photo

            

NORWALK  - This year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic was full of many milestones.  
Not only did we commemorate our Silver Anniversary with over 25 years of great golfing memories, but we celebrated 25 years of helping people with disabilities as well as inspiring our junior golfers who play annually in the tournament. 
Nearly 90 golfers swung their clubs for charity in one of the only tournaments in the state where junior golfers play with an adult foursome. 

This tournament teed off at Shorehaven Golf Club and raised over $32,700 for underfunded programs provided by The Kennedy Center. 
Since its inception, the tournament has contributed more than $638,000 for the benefit of children and adults with disabilities in the community to live a productive and fulfilling life. 

A total of 17 junior golfers from 12 communities were awarded scholarships based upon academic achievement, school and community leadership, and golf proficiency. Junior golfers aged 15 through 18 played for free in this scramble-format, 18-hole classic. In total, nearly 500 junior golfers from Connecticut have received more than $240,000 in scholarship money. 

The Junior Scholarship and Title Sponsors of the Silver Anniversary of the Classic were the families of Diane Thompson and Chip Carpenter of Sandy Hook, and Julie and Doug Conley of Olney, Md., in memory of Fred and Fran Ahlbin. 
Other major sponsors deserving credit for their generosity included: Merit Insurance in Shelton as the Presenting Sponsor; R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Shelton as the Championship Sponsor; All American Waste, Donahue& Brown, LLC in Fairfield, The Hartford Insurance, and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of CT, all Invitational Sponsors; and People’s United Bank as the Golf Ball Sponsor. 
Co-chairs of the golf classic were Trumbull residents Stephen Donahue and Sean Carroll. The Probus Club also provided invaluable volunteer support.   
“This Greater Bridgeport civic organization assists organizations that serve people with disabilities and has a proud history of helping The Kennedy Center in many ways for over two decades,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. 

2,400 served each year
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves 2,400 individuals annually. 
The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. 
The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.   
Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information. The following area high school students (listed alphabetically by community) received junior golf scholarships in this year’s Kennedy Center Charity Golf Classic:

Bethel                         Spencer Olson

                                   

Monroe                       Emma Breyan

               Emily Hammer

                                   Kyle Immel

New Canaan               Tessa Piontkowski

Newtown                     Colin Patrick

                                   

North Haven              Sophie Velez

Seymour                     Hunter Cripps

Trumbull                     Alexa Brown

                                   Grace McLean

Weston                       Halley Melito

                                   Tyler Melito

                                               

Westport                     Anelise Browne 

                                    B.K. Browne 

                                    Noah Lomnitz

                                                            

Wilton                         Nora Noel Nolan        

                                               

Woodbury                   Anthony Eanniello


This is a press release from The Kennedy Center.

DiMatteo Group in Shelton brightens holiday for homeless in region

Children living in shelters receive Easter baskets          

Four area shelters in Fairfield County recently benefited from the generosity of the DiMatteo Group in Shelton, who delivered nearly 120 Easter baskets to homeless children in the region.

Anthony DiMatteo and Alida Ballou

assembled Easter baskets and delivered 

them to needy children. /Contributed photo 

Since this annual drive was started over 15 years ago, more than 1,600 baskets have brightened the lives of area children.

Kim DiMatteo of Bethany, a partner and vice president of the DiMatteo Group in Shelton, along with two of her children and their friend, spearheaded this community service project.
Each basket was filled with age-appropriate necessities. 

The majority of the funds for the baskets were donated by The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation.

Baskets were delivered to: Norwalk Emergency Shelter and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, both in
Norwalk, and Inspirica, Inc. and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, both in Stamford.

“We spent weeks preparing, shopping and volunteering for this greatly anticipated community service project,” said DiMatteo. “This year my son, Anthony, and my daughter, Jessica, along with their friend Alida Ballou, assembled 80 baskets, while the remainder was donated by generous individuals.

“I am especially proud of this group of dedicated young people who took the time to assemble and deliver the gift baskets. Their act of kindness embodies our company’s mission to give back to the community. Each of the shelters was so appreciative and grateful for the tremendous volunteer effort we put into this worthwhile community project.”

Founded over 55 years ago, DiMatteo Group in Shelton is a family-owned and operated business that specializes in insurance, employee benefits, income tax and financial services.

Visit wwwdimatteogrp.com for more information.

This is a press release from DiMatteo Group.

Team from Shelton walks to end Alzheimer's at Norwalk event

Members of the Wesley Village Team pose for a group photo at the 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk Sunday./ Contributed photo

Staff, family members, and volunteers of Wesley Village joined together Sunday for the 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Fairfield County), held at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.

Proud to be part of the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, the Wesley Village Team included members from each community on the senior living campus: Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center.  
The campus hosted several fundraising events during the months of August and September to help support the cause, including a “Scoop Night” at Rita’s of Shelton, a “Scoop Day” on the campus, and other employee events. 
The group proudly raised over $1,400 for the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Each community on the Wesley Village campus was represented at the walk and involved in the fundraising, including the campus’s new memory care neighborhood, Lifestyle Transitions. 
Lifestyle Transitions offers specialized assisted living in a secure, supportive environment for those living with memory loss, and also hosts a monthly Alzheimer’s and dementia support group. 
The support group is held on the third Thursday of each month, from 2-3 p.m. and is open to the local community. 

Wesley Village is located at 580 Long Hill Ave., Shelton. 
To learn more about the support group or the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.