The week in photos – April 18, 2019
Around town
Annual luncheon
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center annual retirees luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 – 11:30 at Lorenzo’s, 39 Elm St. Cost is $30 to be paid by April 30. Contact Elene Hanahan (203) 494-1092, ehanahan@aol.com or Elaine Schempp, Elaine.schempp@gmail.com.
President’s Ball
The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association will host its President’s Anniversary Ball with full dinner menu on Saturday, May 11, from 6-11 p.m. at the club, 85 Chase Lane. Menu incluedes NY strip, stuffed sole, or chicken marsala, with open bar and music. Tickets are $45 per person. For reservations call (203) 933-3367.
Bavarian Springfest
Join the Harugari Singing Society for Bavarian Springfest, on Saturday, April 27 at its 66 Highland St. address. At 6 p.m. there is a sauerbraten dinner with spätzle and red cabbage. Live Music is by The Austrian Boys. Entertainment is by the Harugari Schuhplattlers.
Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. For reservations or information, call Karin Zamolsky at (203) 375-7050, the club at (203) 933-9930, or e-mail Harugari.gari@gmail.com.
Annual Book Sale
The Friends of West Haven Library will host a mini book sale on Saturday April 27 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Main Library, 300 Elm St. There will be a large selection of adult fiction and children’s books only at this sale for our usual low prices. Please come to get some spring reading. For information, call (203) 934-6921.
Summer theater
West Haven Summer Youth Theater, a division of West Haven Council on the Arts, in conjunction with Performance Plus/RVP Studios, 221 Bull Hill Lane, is offering summer theatre experience for youth ages 10-17. The program will run July 1 (except July 4-5) to Aug, 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (M-F) at RVP Studios. It will culminate in four performances of the classic Rock Musical Godspell 2012 Edition on Aug. 2-4.
Under the direction of Lara Morton with musical direction by Paul Scanlon, participants will receive expert instruction in acting, singing, and movement techniques required of all triple-threat, Broadway-bound performers.
Come to the Open House on April 28, 1-4 p.m. at Performance Plus at RVP Studios to find out more and meet the director and production team.
For more information & to sign up for the program: http://www.artswesthaven.org/
There is a $50 discount if enrolled by April 30.
Easter vocalist
First Baptist Church of West Haven, 308 Center St., invites you to attend Easter Service on Sunday, April 2, from 10-11:30 a.m.
There will be a special performance by vocalist Vicky Mariconde.
Her debut album is titled “Still I Know.” The service theme is “Loss, Hopelessness & Restoration.”
For more info, please call the church at (203) 934-4381.
Garden Club
The West Haven Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 18, (date change) at St. Louis Church on Bull Hill Road at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will then follow and the program will be speaker Amanda Chase discussing Dahlias. Newcomers are welcome to join. For further information call Iris at (203) 937-1674.
Caregivers Workshops
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 Tuesdays, 1-3:30, April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28 and June 4, held at the Agency on Aging of SCC at 117 Washington Ave, Suite 17, North Haven.
To register call or e-mail Jan Simmons at (203) 785-8533 x. 3162, jsimmons@aoascc.org. You can also register online at: www.aoascc.org/forms/ptc/.
Senior Center trips
Join the West Haven Senior Center for the following trip:
Wednesday, June 12 – The Good Speed Opera House “The Music Man” $99 per person enjoy lunch at the Gelston House, American bistro just steps from the Goodspeed. Bus leaves Savin Rock Conference Center 10 a.m. Departs Goodspeed approximately at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31– The Westchester Broadway Theatre “On Your Feet” enjoy lunch at the theatre before the show Cost $90 Bus leaves Savin Rock Conference Center 9 a.m. Departs Westchester approximately at 3:45 p.m.
A flyer with further details is available at the office at the West Haven Senior Center 201 Noble St. or you can call the Senior Center (203) 937-3507.
Casino trip
The West Haven Senior Center is making a trip to Mogehan Sun on Wednesday, May 8. Cost is $25 with $15 free bet and $15 food voucher or free buffet. This trip is in conjunction with The West Haven Housing Authority. Pick up times are as follows: Morrissey Manor 8 a.m., Savin Rock Conference Center 8:15, Surfside 8:30, Union 8:45, and John Prete 9. Those picked up at Housing Authority sites, please make reservation with Yolanda (203) 933-9449. Those picked up at Conference Center please register at the West Haven Senior Center or call (203) 937-3507. Bus leaves Mohegan at 4.
Shore Haven scholarships
The Shore Haven Junior Baseball League will be accepting scholarship applications for current high school seniors pursing further education. The league will be awarding three scholarships in the amounts of $250 in honor of Sal Arminio, Dave Terese, Sr., and Mario J.Argentino, plus the Joseph Morrell, Sr., Scholarship.
All applicants must have participated in the league for two years for the first three scholarships. Applications must be returned by May 15 to: Charles Gunning, 125 Central Ave., West Haven, 06516. For information can be obtained from area guidance offices or by calling (203) 934-9740.
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.
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 Gert Beckwith at (203) 934-6921, or Ralph Lawson, (203) 934-6442
Westie Blue In Touch
The West Haven softball team is in unfamiliar territory. Not to worry, the Westies could get used to the position.
With three more wins this past week, West Haven remained undefeated and moved into the state Top 10 softball poll in the tenth position.
Silenced for six innings, the West Haven softball team was looking at the end of an unbeaten start to the season. Then the seventh inning took place.
Scoring four times in the seventh, West Haven rallied for a 4-1 victory over Jonathan Law in Milford Friday afternoon. With the win, the Westies improved to 7-0 on the year.
“We found ourselves in unfamiliar waters this year,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said. “It was the first time in seven games we were behind at any time during a game. It was nice to see the girls did not panic and they stayed on course. We scored four runs in the top of the seventh and proved we can come back when we need to. Ivy (Santos) kept us in that game.”
Gigi Perkins opened the seventh inning with a walk, Morgan Peryer followed with a single to right, and Ashlynn O’Keefe followed with a single to score Perkins with the tying run.
Veronica Lynn reached on an error to score Peryer, and Kailey Carrano hit into a double play to score O’Keefe. Santos singled with two outs, and Kasey Marron followed with a double for a 4-1 lead.
Law got a one-out single in the bottom of the inning, but Ivy Santos got the last two outs to preserve the comeback. Santos went the distance, allowing one earned run on seven hits, while walking two and striking out four.
The Westies stranded runners throughout the game and looked as if they would suffer their initial loss of the year.
O’Keefe singled and stole second in the first, Marron singled and Paige Buerer walked in the second, and Carrano singled and Marron walked in the fourth, but all were stranded.
An error and a wild pitch helped Law take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, before Peryer singled and stole third, but was left stranded in the fifth. Santos and Marron each singled with one out in the sixth, but the Westies could not capitalize.
Prior to the win over Law, It just kept getting better for the Westies. Led by the pitching of Santos and some timely hitting, West Haven topped Amity 3-0 in a Southern Connecticut Conference contest in Woodbridge Wednesday afternoon.
“It was a huge win for us,” Morrell said. “They were a Top 10 team. The girls wanted to prove something: that we can compete with the best teams in our league. We went out and played very well. Obviously, Ivy pitched tremendous. We didn’t make any errors and we got timely hitting.”
Santos picked up her sixth win of the season, tossing a complete game shutout, allowing three hits, while striking out seven.
With Santos blanking the Spartans, the West Haven offense did the rest. O’Keefe, Carrano and Dianesse Rodriguez each had a pair of hits, while Carrano scored twice and Kasey Marron drove in a pair.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Carrano led off with a homer to center. The Westies increased the lead to three runs in the third inning.
O’Keefe led off with a single, Carrano hit a one-out single and Marron hit a two-out double to left to score O’Keefe and Carrano for a 3-0 advantage.
Santos did the rest as she allowed just two runners the rest of the way, including a leadoff single in the seventh.
Youth Soccer opens spring season
The hard rain late Friday night into Saturday saw the West Haven Youth Soccer League have to postpone most of its Opening Weekend games, but some of the travel teams were able to get their contests in last weekend. On Saturday, the Rock House School of Music West Haven U-19 boys hosted Ansonia.
West Haven got the early lead, with Youssopha Cisse knocked the ball into the goal off a Phillip Smith cross from outside the penalty box. Ansonia scored just before halftime though to tie the game. JJ Ardito worked hard in the midfield, but it was not enough as Ansonia took the lead in the second half and held on to finish the game, 2-1. On Sunday, the boys were back in action, this time hosting Naugatuck. West Haven went down 1-0 early off of a penalty kick, but Santiago Moreno equalized later for the hosts.
The game ended 1-1. The Top Hat Dance Academy West Haven U-19 boys had two league games this weekend, winning both to start the season 2-0. Saturday night on the turf at West Haven High School, the Westies played Cheshire, winning 5-1. Holden Axelrod played well in the goal, while the goals came from Danny Morales and Shamar Kingston. The boys were back in action on Sunday, playing New Haven. Axelrod and Nash Noble combined for the shutout, and each added a goal of their own, and Ricardo Lopez, Javier Yanez and Hugo Castillo added to the goal tally in the 6-0 win.
Sunday afternoon, the Elite Soccer Camps West Haven U-14 girls travel team went up I-95 to play Clinton. The rain held off for some of the game, but soon the girls were forced to play in the slick conditions on the turf in Clinton. West Haven dominated the game from early on, but could not find the back of the net until a corner kick play saw Olivia Trenchard and Ariana Izzo combine to get the ball into the penalty box. A half clearance by Clinton from a Brooke Flaherty shot saw the ball fall to Izzo’s feet, and she hammered the ball into the top corner.
Izzo would later add two more goals, one of a beautiful passing sequence that saw Emma Walker and Julia Tsakonas combine before Walker calmly laid the ball off for Izzo to tap into the goal. The final goal of the Izzo hat trick could come from a beautiful free kick that she put in from just outside the box. Cassie Wadeka had the shutout in goal for the Westies, as the backline anchored by CC Williams, Abigail Phelan, Camryn Flaherty and Nevaeh Swanson helped the Westies to the 5-0 win.
Sunday night, the Gunning Law Firm West Haven U-19 girls took on Hadam-Killingworth in the rain. The Westies jumped to an early lead, on a Cori Severino goal from the left post, but the half saw the score tied at 1-1 as H-K leveled the game on a penalty kick. Shelby Gagne and Angela Borelli took turns in the net, stopping several shots. The second half saw a very physical game with both teams having several chances to score and take the lead.
Selena Izzo just missed the net, playing well in the central midfield. While Shelby Gagne also chipped in with a couple of nice plays in front of the net. In the end, H-K was able to pull away, winning the game, 4-1. The Westie defense was anchored by Grace Nowak, with support from Julia Merola, Amanda Tsakonas, Aerin Mclaughlin and Lauren Panza. Madison Molster, Cecelia Yanez and Riley Severino controlled played well in midfield.
Rosati sets golf mark
A record low performance by the golf team, a rout in track, and baseball team sweeping the week highlight the second full week of the spring sports season as the five Green Knight teams sported an 8-2 record last week.
Baseball — Coming off a 9-0 loss to Westhill, the Green Knights baseball team faced a tough week facing off against West Haven, Xavier, and Fairfield Prep with three games in four days. Chalk each one up to victory as Notre Dame emerged from the week with a 5-1 record. Notre Dame starting pitcher Zachary Peters allowed only one hit and two runs while striking out four in his debut in their 10-3 win over West Haven.
A six-run fourth inning proved to be the difference. Against Xavier, the Green Knights rallied twice for a walk-off 5-4 win, with Peters scoring the winning run on a wild pitch. Matt Reyes picked up the win with three scoreless innings in relief. A stellar pitching outing by Ryan Sullivan and a 3-hit, 2-RBI performance from Mason Brenchak lifted ND to a 3-2 win over Fairfield Prep to close the week.
Golf — Tommy Rosati recorded four birdies en route to a three-under par round of 32 to lead the Notre Dame golf team to a seven-stroke win over SCC rival Xavier in a dual match held at Race Brook CC in Orange, CT on April 9, 2019. Notre Dame fired a team score of 146 to Xavier’s score of 153.
Jon Bushka added a 35 as Notre Dame beat Xavier for the first time since 2015. Rosati then helped ND to a 4-0 record with a two-over-par 38 to lead Notre Dame to a 10-shot win over Amity two days later. Rosati carved out seven pars, one bogey, one double bogey, and a birdie for his two-over round.
Lacrosse — Zach Hochman and Alex Hird scored four goals each as Notre Dame blitzed Hamden early gaining a 14-2 halftime lead in an eventual 16-5 win. Notre Dame used solid goaltending from Khorbin Kern and Max Arnold. In their other game of the week, Notre Dame started strong against Xavier but a seven-goal second quarter led the Falcons to a 14-7 win. Hird had four goals and Justin Shanley two for the Green Knights.
Tennis — After three tough losses to start the season, the Notre Dame tennis team took to the courts against Cross with one goal – get into the win column. Led by strong play from each player, the Green Knights did just that in their 6-1 win.
Notre Dame won three of the four singles matches and all three doubles matches in improving record to 1-3 on season. Against West Haven the day before, the Blue Devils won all four singles matches to win a close match 4-3. The Green Knights swept the doubles matches but it wasn’t enough as Joe Delgado, Zack Kerzner, Anthony Siaphony, and Jon Saier won their singles matches.
Track — Warren Murphy sure made the last time he ran in a competitive event in his hometown a day to remember. In so doing, he was part of a convincing Green Knight win as they beat Hamden 95-36 to even their record at 1-1 on season.
The Hamden native posted wins in the 400-meter dash and 200-meter dash while also running the anchor leg of the 4×400 relay team. Jared Russo also fared well in his hometown. He won the 110 hurdles in 16.4 seconds and the triple jump with a leap of 38-feet, one inch. All totaled, Notre Dame won 11 events over the course of the meet.
You can get all the latest athletic news, scores, and more by following @NDWHAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope while frieNDing the @NDWHAthletics Facebook group.
Westie softball off to great start
The West Haven softball team has opened its season with an impressive start. Going into last week, the Blue Devils had reeled off five, straight victories but were faced with a challenge of facing East Haven, defending state champion Amity and Jonathan Law. On Monday, the Westies defeated the Yellow Jackets. 9-5. behind the hitting of Kailey Carrano, Ashlynn O’Keefe, Veronica Lynn and Gigi Perkins, who all picked up two hits. Carrano homer again, this time a three-run home run to center to put the girls up 9-2 in the fourth inning. Ivy Santos pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out nine Easties.
On Wednesday, the Blue Devils headed to Woodbridge to battle the Amity Spartans and Santos was at it again, pitching a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out seven Spartans. The Westies took the early lead in the second inning when Kailey Carrano hit a towering home run to center for the 1-0 lead. That would be the only offense Santos would need but, the Blue Devils tacked on two, more insurance runs in the third inning when Aslynn O’Keefe and Carrano singled and then Kasey Marron brought in both with a double to increase the lead to 3-0. Santos got some timely strike outs the rest of the way to keep Amity off the board.
On Friday, the girls were looking not to have a letdown when they traveled to Milford to take on the 3-2 Jonathan Law Eagles. The Westies hit some balls hard but right at defenders and heading into the seventh inning were trailing 1-0. Law had taken advantage of an error to get a runner to third base in the fourth inning and scored its run on a wild pitch. In the top of the seventh, Gigi Perkins walked and Morgan Peryer singled to set the table for Ashlynn O’Keefe. O’Keefe dropped down a perfect bunt for a single and on a throwing error to first, Perkins and Peryer raced around to score and give the Blue Devils a 2-1 lead. O’Keefe, who had taken second on the error, came in to score when Veronica Lynn reached on an error to make it 3-1. With two outs in the inning, Santos singled. Pinch-runner Olivia Hauer scored on Kasey Marron’s double to increase the lead to 4-1. Santos shut down the Eagles in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory. Santos pitched a complete game allowing one, unearned run to get the victory.
This week, the girls look to continue their success and clinch a playoff spot with their eight win. The Westies were scheduled to travel to Shelton on Monday to face the Gaels and then to Lyman Hall on Wednesday before ending the back end of a home and home with Lyman Hall when they host the Trojans on Thursday at noon.
After opening its season 2-0, the baseball team had a tough week, last week. On Monday afternoon at Piurek Field, the Blue Devils allowed the Notre Dame Green Knights to build a 10-0 lead before they were able to plate some runs in a 10-3 loss. Trailing 10-0 in the fifth inning, Hunter Alexrod and Branden Coggins both walked and then Dom Cambino reached on an error to score Alexrod to make it 10-1. The Blue Devils added a run in the sixth inning when JC Contreras singled, stole third and scored on a ground out by Mike Tonucci. The Westies got their final run in the seventh inning after Steven Byrd doubled and scored on a Jake Lentine ground out.
On Wednesday afternoon, the boys staked the Sheehan Titans a 4-0 first inning lead and were unable to climb out of the hole in a 4-3 loss. The Westies got three runs back in the top of the third inning when Tyler Jones singled and came around to score of Dom Cambino’s double. Cambino was plated by Chris Cavallaro’s double to make it 4-2. JC Contreras walked and Mike Boni singled to load the bases before Gianni Gambardella hit a sacrifice fly to score Cavallaro with the third West Haven run. Unfortunately for the Westies, they threatened numerous times for the rest of the game but couldn’t get any more runs in the loss. The Blue Devils collected a total of 13 hits but came up short.
On Friday, the Westies traveled to Madison and were defeated by the Hand Tigers, 8-2. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before the Blue Devils got a run back in the fourth inning when J.C. Contreras singled, advanced to second on a groundout by Mike Tonucci, moved to third on an error and scored on a Mike Boni single. The Tigers increased the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth inning Contreras singled, stole second and came in the score on a groundout by Boni. Hand responded with four, more runs in the bottom of the inning to secure the 8-2 win.
This week, the Blue Devils hosted the Hamden Green Dragons on Monday and will play a road game at Piurek Field against the Career Panthers on Saturday at noon.
The boys’ lacrosse team had started the season 2-0, but were dealt a setback on Monday when it was defeated by the Xavier Falcons, 16-1. The Blue Devils did a great job in the first quarter holding the Falcons in check. Kevin Moriarty made some spectacular saves and after he was assessed a penalty for destroying a Xavier attacker in front, Anthony Campagnuolo defended the goal for two minutes, making some great saves of his own. The Falcons were able to sneak one past him with 3:21 left in the quarter for a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Xavier scored seven goals in the second quarter to take an 8-0 lead heading into the half, taking control of the game. The Falcons added six, more goals to increase the lead to 14-0 before Charlie Miller was able to get West Haven on the board with 7:06 left in the game. Xavier tacked on a goal with 6:20 left and another with .5 seconds left for the 16-1 final.
The Blue Devils were looking to bounce back when they traveled to Hamden to face the rival Green Dragons on Saturday morning. Hunter Messina got the Westies on the board just 1:18 into the game with a goal to make it 1-0. Connor Fowler increased the lead to 2-0 with a goal 18 seconds later. Niko Kyle got his first of five goals on the day 26 seconds after that to make it 3-0. After the Dragons cut the lead to 3-1, Justin Rivera scored 40 seconds later to reestablish the three-goal lead. Hamden scored to cut the lead to 4-2 but the Westies responded with Kyle’s second goal with 31.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Rivera picked up his second goal 58 seconds into the quarter and then 1:04 later Nick Camara raced from his defensive position, the length of the field, dished the ball off and then received a return pass in front and fired the ball home for a goal to make it 7-2. Hamden answered with a goal 41 seconds later but Dillon Lenihan capitalized on a rebound of a Justin Rivera shot to score with 8:05 left in the half. The Green Dragons added two goals to send the teams into halftime with West Haven up 8-5.
Hamden scored again 1:05 into the third quarter to cut the lead to 8-6 but, the Blue Devils responded when Connor Fowler got his second goal, sweeping a low shot hockey style and Kyle notched his third to make it 10-6. After Hamden scored to make it 10-7, the Westies put the game away with the next, four goals. Tyler Moscato scored with 3:56 left in the third, Nikolas Zaino with 47.6 seconds left, Kyle with a low, bullet for his fourth with 14.3 seconds left and then Justin Rivera completing his hat trick with a goal with 7:01 left in the game for a 14-7 lead. Hamden added a goal and the Kyle scored his fifth with 2:39 left for the 15-8 final. Kevin Moriarty finished with 12 saves between the pipes for the Westies.
This week, the boys played at Notre Dame of West Haven on Monday and hosted Lyman Hall on Wednesday.
The girls’ lacrosse team suffered a 16-4 loss at Sacred Heart on Monday afternoon in Hamden. Keegan Riccio led the Blue Devils with three goals while CC Condon had a goal and Taylor Nowak and Chloe Hummel contributed with an assist each. Nicole Gaston made 12 saves in goal for West Haven.
On Friday evening, the Blue Devils hosted the Foran Lions at Ken Strong Stadium. The Lions grabbed a 3-0 lead just 9:48 into the game but, the Westies battled back. Morrighan Leavitt scored with 14:32 left in the first half, Angela Borelli scored 1:32 later and Keegan Riccio scored 47 seconds after that to knot the game at 3-3. After the Lions got the lead back with two goals, Gianna Sliby scored with 9.6 seconds left in the half but, Foran put a dagger in the back of the Blue Devils with a goal with .5 seconds left in the half for a 6-4 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Lions scored 35 seconds into the half to take a 7-4 lead but, the Westies continued to battle back. Keegan Riccio scored her second with 22:50 left in the game, Taylor Nowak added a goal with 15:57 left and Riccio again with 14:06 left to tie the game again at 7-7. Unfortunately for the Westies, the Lions responded with the next, three goals to seal the 10-7 victory. Nicole Gaston made 11 saves between the pipes for the girls.
This week, the Westies had a road game at Shelton on Tuesday and head to Middletown to face the Mercy Tigers on Thursday at 11.
The boys’ tennis team hosted the North Haven Indians on Tuesday and got wins from Joseph Delgado, 8-6, and Zach Kerzner, 8-2, but fell to the Indians, 5-2. On Wednesday, the Blue Devils swept singles action to defeat the Notre Dame Green Knights at UNH. Joseph Delgado won, 6-1, 6-3, Zach Kerzner won, 6-3, 6-0, Anthony Siaphong took his match, 6-1, 6-4 and Jonathan Saier was victorious, 6-1, 6-2.
On Friday at Painter Park, the Blue Devils defeated the Sheehan Titans, 5-2. Joseph Delgado won, 6-2, 6-1, Zach Kerzner won, 6-2, 6-2 and Jonathan Saier won, 6-2, 6-1 in singles action. In doubles play, Jason Rameriz/Lucien Zheng were victorious, 6-2, 6-1 and Awaab Osman/Ron Wood won ,7-5, 6-0 to help West Haven to the triumph.
This week, the boys were scheduled to travel to Platt Tech on Monday, host Career on Tuesday and finish the week with a trip to Wilbur Cross for a match on Thursday at 11.
The girls’ tennis team was defeated by the Foran Lions, 7-0, on Thursday afternoon and will look to bounce back this week. The Blue Devils traveled to North Haven on Monday, hosted Mercy on Tuesday and close out the week with a trip to Cheshire on Thursday at 3:45.
If they don’t have it, they’ll get it
Store owners make a promise
A new store aims to fill the wishes of its customers by stocking anything they need – or want. Dollar and Dream, which has been open for about a month and is located on Elm Street in the Stop & Shop plaza, is packed floor to ceiling with hundreds of things to purchase.
Amber McKiel, the store’s manager, said they have practically every item from luggage to balloons. She said if the store does not have something in stock they will order it for you and have it within the week.
“It’s like a one-stop shop basically,” said McKiel. “Besides the liquor and tobacco, we sell pretty much everything.”
McKiel said the store plans on having a grand opening and ribbon cutting with Mayor Nancy Rossi. She also said they want to have a raffle during which customers will receive a ticket for every $10 they spend.
“We have four prizes,” said McKiel. “They are very big prizes. One is an Iphone. One will be a stereo system. There will be a luggage and gift set.”
The store is owned by Jasmine and Ken Jiang, immigrants from China. The couple commutes from Queens every morning to oversee their stores, the other three of which are in Bridgeport. Jasmine Jiang said she and her husband are looking to relocate to West Haven.
Jiang said they used to work for a distributor or retail items but decided they wanted to be able to sell directly to consumers.
According to McKiel, business has been good so far and is best on the weekends. She said they pride themselves on being very accommodating and that nobody should be afraid to come in and ask any questions.
McKiel said the raffle is going to start soon and will be set to end Father’s Day weekend.
Historian’s corner
West Haven Little League
Part I
Morse Park, Aug. 21, 1988
Dusty and sweating, 11-year-old Danny Shine stood tensely in the batter’s box; the stitches in his right forearm hurt every time he swung the wooden bat. He tried to concentrate on the game and the Hamden pitcher who was facing him, despite the overwhelming din of the crowd.
It was his eleventh birthday, and it looked like he might finish out the day by losing the game for his team; for indeed, he had a full count, it was the bottom of the last inning, and the Hamden team was leading them—and on top of that, his team already had already gotten two outs. But the bases were loaded; so one way or another, the outcome of the next pitch would decide the game.
He glanced over at the Hamden team’s dugout—they were packing up their gear and no doubt were already preparing to celebrate their victory. It didn’t seem right to him: the West Haven team had already played four games that day, in 95 degree heat, and now they seemed to be sure to end this day in defeat. He dug his cleats into the clay, positioned himself, and prepared for the pitch.
As the sun was sinking low in the sky, the Hamden pitcher made his delivery, and Danny swung the bat with all of his remaining strength. What followed seemed to take place in slow motion: He heard the crack of wood against horsehide and watched in wonder, as the ball arched upwards, high over the right field fence, passed over the cars in the parking lot, and on out of sight. As the West Haven fans cheered wildly, Danny rounded the bases at a trot, with fists clenched over his head. It was a grand slam, and he had won the game for his team! In the lingering twilight, the boys carried him from the field on their shoulders.
Your historian remembers that day well; but how many other dramatic memories of this sort have been created through the good works of the West Haven Little League, for the youth of West Haven? And how did West Haven Little League get its start, anyway? Well, it’s like this…
In the years following World War II, baseball was the unchallenged number one All-American sport. And in 1950, unlike today, almost no households had televisions, so boys either followed their favorite teams on the radio or through the newspapers. Their heroes were the likes of Stan Musial, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, and Jackie Robinson. And they longed to play organized ball, just like their heroes; but in West Haven, there were as yet no organized baseball leagues.
And so it was in that year—1950—that Richard Brennan decided that his son and his son’s contemporaries needed an opportunity to play organized ball. There was initially only one site that seemed to make sense: That was Painter Park, on a site originally known to West Haven’s first white settlers as Chestnut Hill Farms; it had two upper ball fields, and a lower field that was set upon the site of a former quarry.
To be continued-
WHCH offers legacy gift
The West Haven Community House is offering community members the chance to give a Mother’s Day gift that will last forever. Through May 8, donors can make a legacy donation in honor of the important women who have made a significant impact on their lives, whether it’s a mother, grandmother, stepmother, godmother, aunt or sister. In turn, each honoree or family member will receive a Mother’s Day card letting them know that a gift was made in their honor to the West Haven Community House Endowment Fund.
Donations are fully tax deductible and help provide long-term financial security for services that help children and families, and adults with disabilities, and will make an everlasting impact for generations to come.
Community members who wish to make a gift in honor or memory of special women in their lives can donate online at www.whcommunityhouse.org/endowment.html or by calling (203) 934-5221. Gifts must be made by May 8th to ensure honorees or family members receive their cards by Mother’s Day.
Gripevine
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Why are there so many lights on at the Ora Mason Library? Can’t save money that way.
RH Library
Dear RH Library:
Alan Olenick, Director of the West Haven Chamber of Commerce replied, “For many years, the lights were not always working. Now we have done a better job of maintaining the building. The building is lit for security and safety purposes. If your reader’s question is about inside lighting after normal hours, we probably had a program going on.
RHLibrary
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
This letter is a question about Louis Esposito who asked Gripe Vine to pose the following questions: Do you have a new title? Is it Manager of Ceremonies or Master of Grand Openings, or is it still Mayoral Assistant? Would it be asking too much for you to clarify?
MJL Curious
Dear MJL Curious:
I asked the Councilmen in your district for a reply. It was unattainable from the mayor’s office. The councilman from your district (8) Peter Massaro. Councilman Massaro replied, “Mr. Esposito is the Mayor’s Executor Secretary as far as I know.”
Gripe Vine Readers:
Gripe Vine has published a gripe letter from a (readers) relating to the road conditions at the Beach Street Condominiums. I have attempted to reach Councilman Nicholas Ruickolot by email and telephone without success. I am hoping Councilman Ruickolot will contact me at gripevine4wh@aol.com with a reply to this reader’s question as to when will the road be paved in front of the Beach Street Condominiums.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
I have written to you in the past and have had no response from the city concerning a rotten tree in front of my home on Sharon Avenue. (Excerpts from earlier letter: I have called the city four times in the past three years to have the city tree in front of my home removed because it is rotten. Rotten so bad that I have to call after every strong wind storm to have branches picked up. I have informed them that any damage done to my home will result in a legal issue. Still no response!) I still can’t get a rotten tree cut down that leaves a stump 10-feet-high to rot and attract bugs. You had stated in a recent reply to my letters that you had faith, and something would happen soon. I had no such faith. Guess who was correct?
Isn’t it frustrating to not be heard by the people who get paid by me? According to some of the other letters you have received I am not the only one who is frustrated. Imagine my frustration also to drive by Savin Rock and see that the tree and shrubs were all taken down around the rock but the hazard in front of my house is still standing? Guess who won’t be getting my vote in the next election? Also, as a side note, I would like to NOT thank the mayor for inviting idiots to come to our city to blow off illegal fireworks and have a general disregard for homes by trashing and urinating in yards. For what? These fools aren’t celebrating anything but being allowed to act like idiots.
PW Rotten Tree
Dear PW Rotten Tree:
I have contacted your Councilman Tracy Morrissey, District 8, with your complaint of removal of a rotten tree on Sharon Avenue. As soon as I hear from Councilman Morrissey, you will read it in Gripe Vine. Meanwhile let me know when and if the tree comes down.
You can send your gripes, comments and suggestions to gripevine4wh@aol.com or mail to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. You can also submit through the online form. Please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strictest confidence with me.