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The week in photos – April 4, 2019
Around town
Joint meeting
Bradley Point Garden Club of West Haven and West Haven Garden Club will hold a combined meeting at noon on Tuesday, April 16, in the lower level of Ora Mason Library, 260 Benham Hill Road. Luncheon will be followed by a presentation on floral design by Rachel Dempsey. New members are always welcome. Call Marie at (203) 878-8428.
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.
Final skate
The West Haven Republican Town Committee is hosting a family, fun final Public Skating session of the season at Edward L Bennett Rink, on Sunday, April 14 from 2-4. The price is $10 and includes skate rental, coffee, hot cocoa, snacks, face painting, along with Appearances by Darth Vader and Princess Leia (Get your picture taken with them.) Organizers will also be collecting the following items that are needed for WHEAT: soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, shampoo, and coffee
Books and clothing sales
The First Congregational Church will host its firstf the year monthly used book sale and Clothes Closet sale on Saturday, April 6, between the hours of 9-3. The Easter Fest will also be held on this date.
After the long and cold winter there will be many books for you to read and clothing to buy at very low prices. For information, call (203) 933-6291.
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.
Golden Oldies Review
The 37th edition of the Golden Oldies Review is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, at the Cielo ballroom, 85 Chase Lane, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Michael Hoover presents “Memories of Elvis” at 9:30. DJ Charles Rosenay will provide music. Also featured is Carla Gemma Tickets are $30 per person with door prizes and raffle. Proceeds to benefit MDA Call Geri Caccavale (203) 795-5473 or Lucy Prokop (203) 468-2528 for tickets.
The Liberty Coin Club of West Haven, organized in1962, will host a Coin Show on Sunday, March 17, at the Elks Club, 265 Main St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Anyone with an interest in buying, selling or collecting coins, or with questions about coins, is welcome to attend. Expert dealers and collectors will be on hand.
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
UNH drive exceeds original goal set
The University of New Haven announced today that its inaugural comprehensive campaign, launched as a precursor to the University’s historic Centennial in 2020, has exceeded its original goal of $100 million. This milestone was reached almost a year in advance of the official start of its 100th year.
The Charger Challenge: The Campaign for the University of New Haven was publicly launched in 2016. Since its inception, more than 15,000 donors have contributed to the campaign, and the University has received 80 gifts of $100,000 or more and 20 gifts of at least $1 million.
“This is momentous for the University,” said President Steven H. Kaplan. “As we prepare to begin a year-long celebration of our first 100 years, we are proud to announce an unprecedented level of support for our future. Our founders would take great pride in seeing the dedication that today’s donors have to our mission. We are indebted to all of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends who are ensuring our next century of success and achievement.”
President Kaplan said that the goal for The Charger Challenge was increased to $120 million by 2020, and will focus on attracting additional resources for athletics and the new School of Health Sciences.
The Charger Challenge seeks to provide new support for educational opportunities that foster innovation, creativity, and social impact, while also enriching learning and co-curricular opportunities for students.
The centerpiece of The Charger Challenge is the new Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation, a state-of-the-art, 44,000-square-foot academic facility. Currently under construction in the heart of the University’s campus, it is scheduled to open in early 2020.
Stubby reopens military museum
The West Haven Veterans Museum will host its Grand Reopening with a day filled with fun and surprises for visitors. The museum will be open at no charge to the public from 10-2 on Saturday, April 13. The day features a “Welcome Back Stubby” program at 11:15 with the unveiling of the one and only portrait of the WW I hero war dog. The portrait has been restored by the Yale Art Galleries Conservation Department for the past year.
Stubby was the subject of a recent animated documentary “Sgt. Stubby; An American Hero”, and is a local “character”. Program attendees will also help welcome a new addition to the museum collection: a large, hand made authentication of “Trench Warfare, World War I,” Stubby included.
The diorama has been especially created for the museum by Joseph J. Buydos in honor of his grandfather Axel Sodergreen, who served in WWI.
The museum has been closed for the winter months because of the construction of the multi-purpose Edward N. Silver Media Center, made possible through a gift of the West Haven Rotary Foundation. The Center library will be used for research, the AV feature for viewing of historic and popular period films, small school groups and programs, etc. The flexibility of the space is endless.
The Stubby celebration will begin with the first 50 families, or individuals, receiving a new commemorative gift. There will be random gift giveaways all day, a “Find Stubby” contest for adults and children, light refreshments, informal tours and will end with a drawing for a Stubby Door Prize basket.
The museum is located at 30 Hood Terrace, across from the new train station. While it is always free to the public because it is volunteer operated, donations are always welcome to help defray basic costs.
Westie Blue In Touch
Looking for a strong start to the 2019 season, the West Haven softball team received just what the doctor ordered with a pair of convincing wins.
Pounding out 14 hits to go along with 10 walks, West Haven opened the 2019 campaign with a convincing 21-6 victory over Hamden at Hamden High Saturday morning.
Four players had multiple hits, seven players scored multiple runs, and four different players drove in multiple runs to support the complete game of effort of junior Ivy Santos in the pitching circle. Santos allowed three earned runs, while striking out nine and walking four.
The top five batters in the order for West Haven combined for 13 hits, 14 runs batted in, and 15 runs scored. Clean up hitter Kailey Carrano led the way with four hits, four runs scored and five runs batted in, while leadoff batter Morgan Peryer had three hits, scored four runs and drove in three.
Ashlynn O’Keefe had two hits and two runs scored, Veronica Lynn scored three times, and Santos had three hits, drove in four, and scored a pair. Santos and Carrano each homered in the contest, while Carrano doubled twice and Santos once. Freshman Paige Beurer walked three times and scored three times as well in the win.
West Haven took control of the game from the start, scoring twice in the first inning and adding six more in the second for an 8-0 lead.
Peryer opened the game with a single, advanced on a sacrifice by O’Keefe, and scored on a single by Lynn. Carrano then doubled to score Lynn for a 2-0 lead.
After Hamden went down without scoring in the first, West Haven blew the game open in the second with six more runs.
Beurer, Gigi Perkins and Neve Krajcir walked to open the frame, Peryer hit into a fielder’s choice to score Beurer, O’Keefe singled to score Perkins, and Peryer scored on a wild pitch. Carrano doubled to score O’Keefe, and Santos hit a two-run homer to center for an 8-0 advantage.
Leading 8-1, West Haven put the game away with three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Lynn and Carrano were hit by pitches to open the frame, Lynn scored on a wild pitch, Carrano scored on a ground out by Beurer, and Dianesse Rodriguez scored on a passed ball.
West Haven increased the lead to 14-1 in the fifth. Peryer and O’Keefe hit one-out singles, Carrano singled to score Peryer, and Santos doubled to score Lynn and Carrano.
Carrano started a six-run seventh with a leadoff homer to left.
The Westies improved to 2-0 with a 16-0 victory over O’Brien Tech Monday afternoon at Biondi Field in West Haven. With the win, West Haven has scored 37 runs in its first two games of the season.
While the Westies used a 12-hit attack, coupled with seven walks for their offense, it was the pitching of West Haven which stood out as three pitchers combined on a 5-inning perfect game as the game was stopped due to the mercy rule.
Santos picked up the win as she tossed the first three innings, striking out eight, while Krajcir and Miranda Burrows each tossed one inning with three strikeouts apiece.
Santos also led the offense with three hits, three runs batted in, and three runs scored. Peryer, O’Keefe, and Lynn each had two hits with O’Keefe and Lynn each scoring three times, and Peryer scoring twice.
West Haven took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The Westies then scored six more in the second and three in each of the third and fourth innings.
Peryer led off the game with a single, O’Keefe walked and Carrano reached on an error to score Peryer. Santos followed with a double to score O’Keefe and Carrano, before a single by Rodriguez scored Santos.
In the second, Peryer, O’Keefe and Lynn singled to load the bases to start the inning, before Carrano singled to score Peryer. A single by Santos scored O’Keefe, and Lynn scored on a fielder’s choice by Rodriguez. Buerer singled to score Santos, an error scored Rodriguez, and a single by O’Keefe scored Perkins for a 10-0 lead.
Baseball, lacrosse win ND openers
While the calendar still read March, the Notre Dame spring sports season got underway last Saturday despite weather that has been far from springlike. The baseball and lacrosse teams both took to the field and came away with hard-fought wins.
Baseball — The Notre Dame baseball team had a long ride to its 2019 season opener when they faced off against Immaculate on Saturday.
The only way the 90-minute ride home would be a happy one would be if it followed a win. Ryan Sullivan and Jason Ostrowksi made sure the ride home was quick and enjoyable. Sullivan pitched a complete game, while his battery-mate Ostrowksi was involved in all three Notre Dame runs as the Green Knights beat Immaculate, 3-1, in the season-opener for both teams.
Sullivan scattered eight hits while he struck out four and only walked one in his seven-inning masterpiece. Ostrowksi had an RBI single to make score 3-0 after reaching base on a throwing error in his previous at-bat that led to a pair of Green Knight runs.
Lacrosse — Alex Hird scored five goals as the Notre Dame lacrosse team made it season debut on the newly-renovated artificial turf surface at Veterans Field a memorable one as they beat Pomperaug, 12-4, on Saturday.
Mike Card picked up where he left off from hockey season with a pair of goals. Zach Hochman, Byron Palmieri, Nico Motaskey, Mark Altieri, and Justin Shanley all scored for Notre Dame. Shanley added five assists. Connor Smith made 13 saves in between the pipes.
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.
Westies open spring season
The West Haven softball team opened its 2019 campaign with a trip to Hamden and slayed the Dragons 20-6 behind a potent offense. The Blue Devils put up two runs in the first inning and never looked back. Morgan Peryer singled to lead off the game, was sacrificed to second by Ashlynn O’Keefe and scored on a single by Veronica Lynn.
Lynn came around to score when Kailey Carrano blasted a double to the base of the wall in right-center to make it 2-0. In the second inning, the Westies got walks to Paige Beurer and Gigi Perkins to open the inning. Neve Krajcir grounded into a fielder’s choice to second base to advance the runners and then Morgan Peryer reached when Hamden couldn’t complete a fielder’s choice, allowing Beurer to score. O’Keefe followed with a single to score Perkins making it 4-0.
Peyer then scored on a passed ball before Carrano hit another double off the wall in center to score O’Keefe. Ivy Santos put an exclamation point on the rally with a two-run homer to center to increase the lead to 8-0.
After the Green Dragons got a run back in the bottom of the second, the Blue Devils were at it again in the fourth inning. Lynn and Carrano were both plunked to start the inning and both came around to score on a series of wild pitches and passed balls to make it 10-1.
In the fifth inning with one out, the Westies got singles from Peryer and O’Keefe and then Lynn reached on an error. Carrano hit a sacrifice fly to score Peryer and Santos followed with a double to score O’Keefe and Lynn lengthening the lead to 13-1.
Hamden put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth before the Blue Devils got another run in the sixth inning. Beurer reached on an error by the shortstop, Gigi Perkins walked and both runners were moved up on a groundout by Krajcir. Peryer’s sacrifice fly scored Beurer for the 14th run of the game.
West Haven then used a six-run seventh inning to increase its lead to 20-4. Carrano hit a towering home run to left to lead off the inning. Santos singled, Didi Rodriguez reached on an error, Beurer walked, Perkins singled, Peryer singled, O’Keefe was hit by a pitch, Lynn walked and then Carrano singled again. The Green Dragons scratched out two, more runs for the 20-6 final.
Kailey Carrano led the Blue Devils going 4-4 with a HR, two doubles and five RBIs. Ivy Santos went 3-5 with a HR, single, double and four RBIs while pitching a complete game, allowing three earned runs and struck out nine Dragons.
This week, the girls hosted O’Brien Tech on Monday, traveled to Guilford on Wednesday and finish the week with a trip to Darien to take on the Blue Wave on Saturday at 1.
The girls’ lacrosse team struggled in its first outing of the season. The Blue Devils hosted the Sacred Heart Academy Sharks on Saturday afternoon at Ken Strong Stadium. The Sharks jumped on the Westies, scoring six goals in the first 11 minutes before CC Condon was able to get the girls on the board with 10:13 left in the first half. Sacred Heart added three, more goals in a span of 1:47 to increase the lead to 9-1 with 3:50 left in the half. Angela Borelli scored for West Haven with 1:24 remaining in the half to cut the lead to 9-2.
The second half saw the Sharks score five, more times to increase their lead to 15-2 before Gianna Sliby scored with 12:19 left in the game followed by Mackenzie Gardner 1:02 later to cut the lead to 15-4. After SHA added a goal, Keegan Riccio scored with 4:10 remaining but, the Sharks responded with another goal with 2:29 left for the 17-5 final. Nicole Gaston finished with nine saves in goal for the Westies.
This week, the girls traveled to Jonathan Law on Monday, hosted the Guilford Indians on Wednesday and wrap up the week when they host the Hamden Green Dragons on Saturday at 6.
The rest of the spring sports teams open up this week as well. The baseball team played Wilbur Cross on Wednesday, travel to Milford on Thursday to take on Platt Tech at 3:45 and host the Bassick Lions on Saturday at noon. The boys’ lacrosse team opened up on the road at Lyman Hall on Monday and head to Bristol Central on Thursday at 5.
Girls’ tennis played at Lyman Hall on Monday, at East Haven on Tuesday and finish the week at Career on Friday at 3:45. Boys’ tennis hosted Shelton on Monday, traveled to Branford on Tuesday and travel to Milford on Thursday to face Platt Tech at Eisenhower Park at 3:45. The boys’ and girls’ track and field teams had a meet at Lyman Hall on Tuesday.
Landmark settles into new digs
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
Customers who have gone to Nick’s Luncheonette long enough have a good chance their orders will be on the grille as soon as they are seen walking through the door.
Owner Nick Milas said his customers are like his family. The landmark spot recently moved to new digs after months of renovation.
“Most people we know by name,” said Milas. “We know what they eat. So far it’s been great.”
Milas said he emigrated from Greece in 1978 to find a better life. He started working at Elm Diner, now Georgie’s, as a dishwasher and said he worked hard to become a cook and eventually saved enough money to buy his own restaurant in 1992. He said the biggest challenge was building clientele.
He said his method was simple.
“To have reasonable prices, good service and being quick [with cook times],” said Milas.
As of press time Milas had been in his location, 255 Sawmill Road, for 10 weeks — opening on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
He agreed to sell the property where the original Nick’s stood for the development of the Haven Project, a high-end shopping mall being developed. His son Kosta, who works at Nick’s with his father, said it was not an easy decision.
“It definitely wasn’t pleasant,” he said. “A lot of blood and sweat had been put into that location. Honestly, it left a piece of him behind. But we try not to dwell on the past too much. We try and look forward.”
The younger Milas said during the nine months they were closed for the move they kept in touch with customers through Facebook. He said they were thankful for all their customers and employees for sticking with them through the move.
Nick Milas said his favorite part of his work is the customers. He said he like seeing them happy. Kosta said his father has an unmatched work ethic.
“I’ve never seen anyone, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my father, whose work ethic is as top notch,” said Kosta. “We will work day in day out, hour, until it gets done. That’s the way it’s always been.”
Nick said he decided to open a diner that serves breakfast and lunch because it has always been his favorite meal.
“I’m a breakfast man,” said Milas. “I don’t like to work nights. I like the morning.”
Milas said he wakes up at 4 a.m. and gets to the restaurant around 4:30. He said he puts in about 12 hours a day by the time he gets home, but it is worth it.
Kosta Milas said his father and the rest of their family are focusing on the present. He said they want to make sure that everything at their new location is on par or better than what their customers experienced at the old one.
Historian’s corner
First Church is 300 Years Old!
This year, the longest-standing organization in West Haven will be 300 years old! That’s right—First Congregational Church of West Haven, founded in 1719, is having a birthday!
In 1638, the community originally known as the West Side, later known as West Farms, and ultimately known as West Haven, was first settled. For centuries, it was a farming community, and provided most of the crops to feed the New Haven Colony. As years passed, it became a shipbuilding community, serving the growing needs of Long Wharf. Even later on, it became a manufacturing community, which supplied the country with buckles and automobile tires.
In 1719, over eighty years after the West Side was settled, First Church came into being. The West Side farmers were tired of making the twelve mile round trip into New Haven for worship every Sunday, so they petitioned for their own church. That petition was originally denied, but the stubborn farmers persisted until they got their way.
The original First Church sanctuary had no steeple, no bell, and no source of heat. The faithful were called to worship by a drummer. Sunday worship was an all-day affair, and we can only wonder how the congregation could stand the many hours in an unheated building in the dead of winter. Some brought stones, heated on their hearths, to warm their feet.
The church was built on a place called “the Commons” which denoted common ground for the use of the community. The Commons—now called West Haven Green–were at the head of a salt marsh that extended all the way down to the shore. Indeed, Old Field Creek rose on the Commons in the form of a pond that has since been piped underground. This spot was long used for the feeding and watering of the local livestock.
Over the years, First Church has had three separate sanctuary buildings:
~~ The first one was built in 1719.
~~ The second one was built in 1851 and burned to the ground in 1857.
~~ The third sanctuary was built in 1859, at a cost of $10,000; it is still in use today.
Here are some First Church Firsts:
~~ First Church was the first organization of any kind in the fledgling West Farms.
~~ The first bank in West Farms was run by First Church.
~~ The first school in West Farms was run by First Church.
~~ Early government was a theocracy; the church was the original authority over the village.
~~ The first public library in Connecticut was created by First Church’s Rev. Williston; it functioned there from 1792-1909.
~~ During the early years of First Church, the sanctuary served as a place of worship and also as a public meeting place.
~~ Pauline Lang of First Church almost single-handedly started the West Haven Community House in 1943.
~~ Lorraine Standish and the Rev. Donald Frazier of First Church created the West Haven Green Nursery School in 1964.
~~ Alex Miklos was the originator of Alex’s Soup Kitchen, which operates out of First Church, and which is open to the needy every week.
From this church have come many who have volunteered: some were called to the ministry; some were called to missionary service; some have served in many capacities as leaders in this community; and a great many have joined in the uniformed services of this country.
First Congregational Church, therefore, has a long and proud history as the first organization of any kind to be established in West Haven. Our rich history is thus filled with centuries of proud and important ministry and service to this community. We should all take pride in our church’s contributions to the community of West Haven.
Gripevine
Dear Gripe Vine Readers:
Several years ago, I ran a sidewalk questionnaire to my readers requesting the condition of your sidewalks. A magnificent response! A number of dangerous sidewalks were brought to the attention of the city. However, Gripe Vine is going to search for more hazardous sidewalks to see if we can get them repaired.
Thanks to the cooperative City Sidewalk Inspector, Ernie Chiarelli, a similar request is in this column today. Here is what Chiarelli wrote to Gripe Vine:
“Just wanted to drop you a note with all the information your readers may ask regarding the repair of sidewalks in the City of West Haven. I have enclosed the press release that was in a local newspaper, the West Haven Voice and on the city web site in the past few weeks. Please reference the attached news releases your readers may have.”
Within the context of the information Chiarelli sent, 395 addresses were reported and inspected last year, 254 sidewalks were replaced, and 295 trip hazards were removed.
According to Chiarelli, if you have a sidewalk that needs repairing you can call Public Works at (203) 937-3585 or email sidewalks@westhaven-ct.gov
The list will be given to the city hired contractor by May 1st. If any reports come in for inspection and meet the guidelines for repair after May 1st, it may not be completed this year but will be added to the 2020 list.”
However, if you can’t reach the Public Works Department or would prefer to write to Gripe Vine, I will do my best to be of assistance. Gripevine4wh@aol.com or write to Gripe Vine c/o The West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Avenue.
And…thank you Ernie Chiarelli, City Sidewalk Inspector. How refreshing to receive a response from a department of he City of West Haven!
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
Because the City of West Haven is in financial ruin, and the MARB (Municipality Accountability Review Board) who is supposed to be scrutinizing the finance, why are the residents of Allingtown being forced to pay higher taxes, all because the Allingtown fire district refuses to consolidate? Why doesn’t MARB force to consolidate?
Also, how many residents of West Haven have to pay sewer tax on their property’s lawns because it is deemed a possible building lot with no sewer lines. How can they legally charge for sewer use which has been implemented for years? Has your state representative ever visited the Allingtown Flat during re-election? I know I have never seen him, only flyers “Vote for Me”.
We are being forced to pay higher taxes in Allingtown without representation.
RZ Westfield Street
Dear RZ:
I have forwarded a copy of your letter to your Councilman, Peter Massaro. I feel sure some answers will come from him. They will be published in Gripe Vine.
Next week: fireworks, shrub removal, dead trees….and much more.
You can send your gripes, comments and suggestions to gripevine4wh@aol.com or write to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. You can also submit via our online form. Please include your name, address and phone number kept confidential with me.