Around Town

Harugari WeinFest

The annual WeinFest is set for Sunday, May 20, from 1-6 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon at the club with a chicken scampi dinner, served over pasta with bread, salad, dessert and coffee. A Complimentary glass of wine will be served with each course. Michael Ciulla will be performing for your listening and dancing pleasure.Cost is Members $25 /non-members $30. Contact Sue Lanziero, (203) 623-9093, or the club, (203) 933-9930 for reservations or further information.

Annual Pancake Day

The First & Wesley United Methodist Church, 89 Center St., will be holding its annual all-you-can-eat Pancake Day on Saturday, May 12 from 8-noon. Also planned is a large plant sale, a baked sale and a book sale. Please come and join us. For more information please call the church at (203) 933-8795.

 

Monthly sale

The First Congregational Church, 464 Campbell Ave.,, will host its monthly Used Book Sale and the opening of the SERRV Shop on Saturday, May 12, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.  As usual there will a large selection of gently used books, including many children’s books, at very low prices along with articles which were hand made by refugees from around the world.   For information, call (203) 933-6291.

Poetry Lounge

The Poetry Lounge, a traveling poetry venue serving New Haven County and Shoreline is visiting West Haven’s Main Library, 300 Elm St., on Thursday, May 24 from 6:308 p.m. with sign up beginning at 6. Poets of all stripes are invited to listen to others or recite their own works in a “hot mic” format.

 

Presidents Ball

The West Haven IA will hold its Presidents Ball Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 12, at the club on 85 Chase Lane. A full-course sit-down dinner with dessert and coffee will begin with cocktails at 5:30, followed by the dance music of Sound Alternative until 12:30. The open bar affair is $45 per person. Reservations, along with full payment required by May 8, may be made by calling Ellen Marazzi (203)-933-7740 or Paul Frosolone (203) 887-6089.

Nutmeg Orchestra sets May 13 concert

The Nutmeg Symphonic Pops Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Dino F. Ciaburri, has planned a Mothers’ Day concert for Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. in St. Louis Church hall. Thanks to the sponsorship of University of New Haven, this concert will feature soloists, soprano Kristen Smith Gionfriddo and tenor Joseph Stango. A composition for orchestra by a world-renown composer 90-year old James Cohn from Queens, New York will highlight the program. He will be in attendance and will tell the audience how came to write “Homage” for orchestra based on our National Anthem.

No tickets are necessary and admission is free, although a free will offering is solicited to help meet expenses. St. Louis is located at 88 Bull Hill Lane in West Haven. There is plenty of parking and the hall is easily accessible.

 

Community Garden plots

The West Haven Community Garden is accepting applications for new members. WHCG is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping its members grow organic produce for themselves and their families. It is located behind Molloy School on Meloy Road and is open May 1-Oct. 31. Garden plots (10x10ft) are $30; $20 for seniors 65 and older. Program details and application forms are available at http://whcommunitygarden.org. Please email marilyn.wilkes@yale.edu with questions.

Caregiver Program

The Agency on Aging of South Central CT is sponsoring a self-care education program for family caregivers, designed to provide you with tools and strategies to better handle the unique challenges you face.  The free workshop series consists of six sessions held on Wednesday evenings, 6-8:30, May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the Agency on Aging of SCC at One Long Wharf Drive, Suite 1L, New Haven.  A light dinner will be served.  To register, call or e-mail Jan Simmons at (203) 785-8533 ext. 3164, jsimmons@aoascc.org.  You can also register online at www.aoascc.org/forms/ptc/.

Al-Anon group

An Al-Anon meeting group invites new members to attend its weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 52 George St. For information and details, call (203) 506-1464.

Members sought

The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association Senior Center is seeking new members to join its Tuesday senior gathering. Come join a group of friendly seniors in an afternoon of good company, with Bingo, cards, trips to casinos and conversations with like-minded people, and more. Meetings are at the club each Tuesday from 11 to 3. The cost is just $3 per week to cover expenses. Refreshments are offered at no additional cost. Call Mickey on (203) 606-0925 for further information.

Senior Center trips

The West Haven Senior Center is offering the following trips:

Aqua Turf Club – Celebrate Italia, Tuesday, July 17, $65 per person; show features popular Italian singer Dominic DePasquale and New England’s top musicians! All entrees served family style (salad, fruit, penne with meatballs and sausage, chicken parmesan, vegetables, dessert). Complimentary coffee & donuts, complimentary glass of beer or wine and complimentary door prizes. Bus leaves Savin Rock Conference Center at 10:00 a.m.;

“The Glen Campbell Experience” – Friday, June 1, at Nelson Hall, Cheshire $64 per person. The man and his music; show features longtime professional entertainer, Jimmy Mazz. Trip will include lunch at the conservatory and the show at Nelson Hall at 2 p.m. Bus leaves 11 a.m. from Savin Rock Conference Center.

Call (203) 937-3507 for more information.

Senior trips offered

F. Seniors and Friends offers the following trips to the public. All trips leave First Avenue commuter lot:

Trip to Atlantic City – May 14-16. Two nights, slot play, four meals, show. $229 per person. To get a flyer or book trips, call Fred Mongillo, (203) 389-5808 or (203) 927-4249.

Coin show

The Liberty Coin Show is back at the Elks Club, 265 Main St., on the third Sunday of the month. Buy and sell your coins. The organizers invite hobbyists to be part of the many displays. Food and beverages are on the menu. This year’s dates are:  Jan. 21, March 18, May 20, June 17, Aug. 19, Oct.  21, and December 16. For more information, call Parry Carpinella, (203) 248-1053.

Support offered

Balancing the care of a family member, a household and a job is overwhelming.  Meet with a representative from VNA Community Healthcare’s Family Caregiver Support Network for a FREE consultation to discuss your personal care-giving issues, receive tips, guidance and explore solutions. Call VNA Community Healthcare’s Helpline at 1 (866) 474-5230 (toll free) to schedule a private in-person or phone session with one of our family caregiver experts.  Consultations are held by appointment at several convenient locations including West Haven, Hamden and North Haven.

Student loans

The Seth Haley Memorial Loan Fund of West Haven provides eligible college students with loans of up to $2500 to help students finish their post high school education. Applicants must be West Haven residents who have completed two or more years of college or post-secondary work or be in their final two years of advanced work. Any West Haven resident attending college or a post high school professional, technical or trade school can be eligible for a loan. Repayments do not begin, and no interest will be charged until one year after graduation. If you are interested in making an application for a loan, please call Mary Radziszewski at (203) 934-0396 or Gert Beckwith at (203) 934-6921 or write to 92 Lake St.