West Haven Voice

Mackrille’s holiday singalong is usually conducted in the gym with lots of loud music and flashing lights. However, just because things were different this season, did not mean Mackrille couldn’t be creative with its singalong. Both in-person learners and distance learners tuned in for live dance and singalong hosted by teacher Carlos Julia. It was packed with storytelling and videos. Needless to say, he had a full audience on Zoom!

Mackrille’s holiday singalong is usually conducted in the gym with lots of loud music and flashing lights. However, just because things were different this season, did not mean Mackrille couldn’t be creative with its singalong. Both in-person learners and distance learners tuned in for live dance and singalong hosted by teacher Carlos Julia. It was packed with storytelling and videos. Needless to say, he had a full audience on Zoom!

ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, the not-for-profit located in the Winsted/ Torrington area, has conducted two Team Training Sessions this fall, in October and in December, placing five Service Dogs and two Facility Dogs. The sessions were unusual in that the five Service Dogs placed were Successor Dogs – five amazing canines stepping into the paw prints of the five amazing Service Dogs who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge during the past twelve months. Carolyn Sires of Branford and West Haven, and her first ECAD Canine, Blue, were known throughout the state for their advocacy work on behalf of Veterans. Service Dog Victory will continue to work alongside Sires in this capacity. She is shown working with her new assistant.

ECAD, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, the not-for-profit located in the Winsted/ Torrington area, has conducted two Team Training Sessions this fall, in October and in December, placing five Service Dogs and two Facility Dogs. The sessions were unusual in that the five Service Dogs placed were Successor Dogs – five amazing canines stepping into the paw prints of the five amazing Service Dogs who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge during the past twelve months. Carolyn Sires of Branford and West Haven, and her first ECAD Canine, Blue, were known throughout the state for their advocacy work on behalf of Veterans. Service Dog Victory will continue to work alongside Sires in this capacity. She is shown working with her new assistant.

A member of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Adolescent Support Group receives a stocking and a toy from Santa Claus on Dec. 12 during a walk-through Santa’s workshop event in Painter Park for families of young people with special needs. Each young person enrolled in the WHINC support groups and their sibling received a stocking with goodies and a toy or a Target gift card. The event’s organizer, city Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman, thanked the following: the WHINC parent steering committee members; the West Haven High School Peer Advocacy Program for donating the toys; Target of Orange for donating the gift cards, city Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. for hosting the event; city Health Director Maureen B. Lillis for providing the holiday face masks, hand sanitizer and candy canes; and city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo for her generous donation and support.

From left, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, 5th District Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton, George S. Synodi, the University of New Haven’s vice president for fi nance and administration, and Ronald M. Quagliani, UNH’s associate vice president of public safety and administrative services, adjoin the newly lit Christmas tree in Brent Watt Park on Tile Street on Dec. 15. The decorated tree’s electrical hookup was made possible and paid for by the university, said a grateful Watt Hamilton, who represents the district that includes the UNH campus. The 97-by-110-foot park, just a block west of Ruden Street near the UNH and Notre Dame High School campuses, is near and dear to Watt Hamilton’s heart. The pocket park was dedicated on July 1, 2017, in honor of her brother, the late Democratic Councilman Brent Watt , who served Allingtown’s 5th District from Dec. 4, 2011, until his death on June 25, 2016, at age 54. Watt Hamilton, a Democrat, was unanimously tapped by the City Council on the one-month anniversary of her brother’s death to fill his council seat and carry on his legacy.

Toys for Joy serviced 400 West Haven Public School families during the holiday season. The project was worked on for weeks by West Haven High School students to make the holidays better for needy families. Just before Christmas, students Hunter Axelrod, Riley Collins, and Brianna Broadbent filled bags for delivery.

Pagels Elementary School received a surprise guest visit prior to the Christmas break as a Jolly Ole Elf made an appearance outside the building. Classes took a peak from windows as Santa Claus sent his greetings.

Washington's Brown Suit - adapted from the book "It happened in Connecticut"

New University of New Haven police Officer Richard Benson is sworn in by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi on Dec. 8 at the World War I Armistice Memorial on the Green. Attending the ceremony were UNH Police Chief James T. Gilman, Deputy Chief Adam Brown and Ronald M. Quagliani, UNH’s associate vice president of public safety and administrative services. Benson recently retired from the New Haven Police Department after a 20-year career, including serving as a school resource officer for many years.

Mike Madera of WestieBlue