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Shelton Volunteer Lauded For YMCA Leadership, Compassion In Bridgeport Shelton Volunteer Lauded For YMCA Leadership, Compassion In Bridgeport
Shelton Volunteer Lauded For YMCA Leadership, Compassion In Bridgeport BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs recently honored a longtime volunteer for her commitment to the community and service to the YMCA. Shelton resident Bianca Kazmierczak received the organization’s volunteer award for her outstanding leadership, generosity and passion for service for more than 10 years. Kazmierczak is the vice chair of the board of directors and the chair of the Y’s 2017 annual campaign. Previously, she sat on the Bridgeport Y Board of Managers, rising to the position of chair in 2011. Kazmierczak has focused on the achievement gap through school readin…

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by Meredith Guinness
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Monroe Teacher Leaves Legacy Of Reading For Children In Crisis Monroe Teacher Leaves Legacy Of Reading For Children In Crisis
Monroe Teacher Leaves Legacy Of Reading For Children In Crisis BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The family and friends of a Monroe educator have created a lasting memorial for her with a donation of more than 500 books for the children who receive crisis and supportive services at The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport. The family of Debbie Walls, a Newtown resident who was a teacher in the Monroe Public Schools for more than 30 years, made the donation to the nonprofit which serves victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse in six Fairfield County communities. Walls died in October after a two-year battle with cancer. Her family, friends and coll…

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by Daily Voice
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Holocaust Survivor Shares Her Story At Westport Production Of 'Anne Frank' Holocaust Survivor Shares Her Story At Westport Production Of 'Anne Frank'
Holocaust Survivor Shares Her Story At Westport Production Of 'Anne Frank' WESTPORT, Conn. – Westport Community Theatre’s production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" will feature a talkback with Holocaust survivor Judith Altman following the Dec. 3 matinee of the play.  Altman, whose story parallels Anne Frank’s in many ways, will talk about her survival and answer questions from the audience. Marji Lipshez-Shapiro, Senior Associate Director of the Connecticut Office of the Anti-Defamation League, will moderate the talkback. Shapiro has over 25 years of experience in anti-bias education, interfaith work, anti-Semitism programming and Holocaust education. Alt…

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by Daily Voice
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Stunning Santa Show Goes On In Fairfield — With A Few Minor Adjustments Stunning Santa Show Goes On In Fairfield — With A Few Minor Adjustments
Stunning Santa Show Goes On In Fairfield — With A Few Minor Adjustments FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Some lights are a little dimmer and the music is more muted, but there’s peace on Roseville Terrace after a petition threatened to end one home’s popular 300,000-light Christmas extravaganza. “It’s resolved,” homeowner Gene Halliwell said of neighbors’ plea to the town and police department to do something to control the crowds and traffic that come with "Wonderland at Roseville." Halliwell, who has spoken to media from around Connecticut and across the country about the controversy, declined to make any other statements about the tempest in a peppermint teacup.…

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by Meredith Guinness
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YMCA Alliance Declares State Rep. Stafstrom A Legislative Champion YMCA Alliance Declares State Rep. Stafstrom A Legislative Champion
YMCA Alliance Declares State Rep. Stafstrom A Legislative Champion BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs has named state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, as its legislative champion. For four years Stafstrom served as vice chairman of the board of managers at the Alpha Community Services YMCA, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, one of the state’s largest providers of supportive housing. He was co-chairman of the organization’s Fund Development Committee and helped the branch reach its annual campaign goal. “I am proud and humbled to have received this recognition from the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs,” Stafstrom said. “The …

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by Meredith Guinness
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Fairfield Podcaster Dives Into Second Season Of Cinema-Focused Program Fairfield Podcaster Dives Into Second Season Of Cinema-Focused Program
Fairfield Podcaster Dives Into Second Season Of Cinema-Focused Program FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A weekly podcast by Fairfield resident Phil Hall celebrating films and filmmaking is now in the midst of its second season, with recent episodes examining "The Godfather" and the cult classic Monkees film "Head." "The Online Movie Show with Phil Hall" is available on Mondays for real-time listening and downloads on the SoundCloud channel. The show offers an original half-hour with creative talent on both sides of the camera, along with visits by leading film critics to ascertain the best choices in theaters, on DVD and on streaming channels.  …

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by Daily Voice
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Food Pantry Donations Large And Small Make Holidays Merry In Bridgeport Food Pantry Donations Large And Small Make Holidays Merry In Bridgeport
Food Pantry Donations Large And Small Make Holidays Merry In Bridgeport BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Black Rock Food Pantry — and the hundreds of families it serves — had much to be thankful for this holiday season. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the Princeton Street pantry received large food donations from Bridgeport’s St. Ann Church, Unquowa School in Fairfield and the Torch Club of Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. Employees of J.C. Penney in Trumbull also took up a collection and Ray Corby of the S.S. Norden Club held a benefit dinner, raising $4,000. Food pantry volunteers were able to supply turkey dinner with all the trimmings for 325 families this T…

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by Meredith Guinness
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Monroe Native Joins NBC Connecticut As Evening Anchorman Monroe Native Joins NBC Connecticut As Evening Anchorman
Monroe Native Joins NBC Connecticut As Evening Anchorman MONROE, Conn. — Monroe residents may notice a familiar face reading the news on NBC Connecticut.  Mike Hydeck, the newest anchorman on NBC 30, is now on the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday newscasts, working alongside co-anchor Keisha Grant. Hydeck attended Masuk High School in Monroe and the University of Connecticut.  This is also a return for him in the Hartford television news market. Hydeck, who returned to his home state from a stint as a morning anchor at WUSA in Washington, D.C., previously was a morning anchor at WFSB in Hartford.  Hydeck's career highlights include covering two presi…

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by Daily Voice
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A Certain Jolly Old Elf Is Expected At The Shelton Downtown Tree Lighting A Certain Jolly Old Elf Is Expected At The Shelton Downtown Tree Lighting
A Certain Jolly Old Elf Is Expected At The Shelton Downtown Tree Lighting SHELTON, Conn. — It’s time for the fourth annual Community Tree Lighting in downtown Shelton. Celebrate Shelton is planning an evening of fun on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Rotary Pavilion in Veteran’s Memorial Park. The 6 p.m. festivities will feature performances by the Shelton Intermediate School Choir and Susanna Wesley School students. There will be free hot cocoa and cookies courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s Keystone Club and Santa arrives via Echo Hose fire truck at 7 p.m. Children are invited to meet the big man and snap a few photos. Learn more abou…

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by Meredith Guinness
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Landscaper Digs In To Give Back To Danbury Veterans Landscaper Digs In To Give Back To Danbury Veterans
Landscaper Digs In To Give Back To Danbury Veterans DANBURY, Conn. – When local landscaper Brian Kolwicz heard about the need for landscaping at the Vietnam Memorial at Rogers Park in Danbury, he knew that he had a chance to donate his time as it was “the right thing to do.” “The veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, past, present and future,” said Kolwicz. “This was my way of saying thank you.” Kolwicz donated 100 percent of the labor, but when it came to the rest of the funding for the project, he knew he had to find a way that was as cost effective as possible for the veterans. Local businesses offered to help out with the pr…

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by Daily Voice
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Balloons Were Low, But Spirits Were High At Stamford's Thanksgiving Parade Balloons Were Low, But Spirits Were High At Stamford's Thanksgiving Parade
Balloons Were Low, But Spirits Were High At Stamford's Thanksgiving Parade STAMFORD, Conn. — Do you love a parade? Check out the all the fun and festivities that took place Sunday at the annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. The giant balloons looked like they were hunting for loose change on Atlantic Street, but spirits were high and performers were game at the blustery Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular on Sunday. With winds gusting to more than 30 miles per hour, parade organizers delayed the big show for a half-hour, allowing an impromptu dance party in the street in front of the reviewing stand. By 12:30 p.m., the Downtown Special Services District …

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by Meredith Guinness
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Westport Community Theatre Stages 'The Diary Of Anne Frank' Westport Community Theatre Stages 'The Diary Of Anne Frank'
Westport Community Theatre Stages 'The Diary Of Anne Frank' WESTPORT, Conn. – Westport Community Theatre is producing a newer adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" originally written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. The compelling and thought-provoking production opens Thanksgiving weekend, providing timely entertainment for families during the holiday season. Performances take place from Nov. 24 through Dec. 10 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sundays, with a Thursday performance on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Anthony Gray is Stage Manager for the production, which is directed by Richa…

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by Daily Voice