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The West Haven Summer Concert Series comes to a close in Old Grove Park on Thursday, August 15 at 7 p.m. today with rhythm and blues, funk and reggae music performed by Le’Mixx Band.
The two-hour concert is free; the rain date is Monday at 7 p.m.
For rescheduling information, visit the Department of Parks and Recreation website, www.whparkrec.com, or call (203) 937-3677 after 4 p.m. the day of the concert.
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
When a West Haven resident has a fallen tree in their backyard, Scott Silver said they should do the natural thing: call their pharmacists so he can chop it up and sell the wood to raise money for charity.
Silver, who has lived in the city since 1989 but grew up working here in his family’s landmark drug store, said he has been cutting, splitting and delivering cords of wood for several years in order to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“They do something called the Trailblaze Challenge,” said Silver. “You hike a marathon at Bear Mountain in New York. It’s a 26-mile trail. To participate you have to agree to raise $2,500.”
Silver said participants in this year’s Trailblaze Challenge have raised almost $90,000 so far and added that a lot of money “pours in at the end.”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit which raises money in order to grant children with critical illnesses a “wish.” Wishes granted cost thousands of dollars and can range from a family trip to Disney World to being an airline pilot. According to their website, Make-A-Wish grants a child’s wish in the United States and its territories every 34 minutes.
Silver said seeing what the organization does for the children and their families is amazing. He said it’s one good story after another. Raising the money is only part of the goal for Silver.
“I can afford [to write a check] but you want to get involved in it,” said Silver. “You want come up with a creative way to fund raise. So, I created Wood for Wishes.”
According to Scott, he is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys the solitude and exercise that comes from splitting wood. He said people who need firewood will call him and he will stack a half a cord of wood in his Ford F150 and deliver it to them.
“People ask how much it costs and I tell them there is no price,” said Silver. “It goes by donations. I ask for roughly $75 to $100 for half a cord of wood. If you were to buy a cord it would cost you between $180 and $250.”
Silver said he has raised almost $3,000 so far by making one delivery at a time. He said people know to call him if they have a tree down on their property so he can continue to fund raise. Silver uses word of mouth and social media to get the word out about it.
Silver said he meets people all the time who have had their lives touched by Make-A-Wish. He said all the charity does is bring smiles to children’s faces. He said he has a lot of respect for the families and what they go through.
“It humbles you,” said Silver. “Life is very fragile and you should enjoy every moment.”
Silver said he likes being involved in the community and helping other people. He said it gives him personal satisfaction.
“I was always brought up to help others,” said Silver. “That’s what life is all about.”
The West Haven Italian-American Club, 65 Chase Lane, is hosting a benefit Ziti Dinner for the Sette family, who tragically lost wife and mother, Lisa, to cancer. The event is on the lower level, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 5-7 p.m. A minimum donation of $10 is requested. There will be raffles and a cash bar.
The Poetry Lounge Open Mic is returning to West Haven Main Library, 300 Elm St., Monday, Aug. 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. All poets and listeners are welcome. There will be light snacks and door prizes. For more info, contact Deborah at swananewhaven00@yahoo.com.
The Friends of West Haven Library will hold the 16th annual Book Sale on Friday and Saturday Sept. 6 and 7 in the Connie Sacco Room of the Main Library, 300 Elm St. Donations and Volunteers are needed. Please bring your new and used books, DVDs and Music CDs to the Main Library Circulation Desk. All Donations should be in good condition; no magazines, textbooks or encyclopedias.
Volunteers are needed to prepare for and staff the book sale. Sign up at the Circulation Desk for help beginning Sept. 3 either from 10-noon, or l-3. All proceeds of the sale are used to help the library with programming, museum passes and other materials.
The First Congregational Church, 464 Campbell Ave., will host its monthly used book sale and Clothes Closet opening on Saturday, Aug. 10, between 9-2. As usual there will be a large selection of gently used books, including many children’s, mysteries and romances, for sale and clothing available at very low prices. For more information, call (203) 933-6291.
The West Haven Italian-American Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a Karaoke night with “Terreoke Entertainment,” on Friday, Aug. 16, from 7-11 p.m., at the club, 85 Chase Lane. Proceeds will go to the Ladies Auxiliary so they can continue to contribute to local organizations and others in need. $10 entry, includes 1 food item. There will be food, raffles and a cash bar.
Join the Harugari’s annual German Bierfest and Pig Roast on Sunday, Aug. 25, under the pavilion.The time is 1 p.m. rain or shine. The Adlers will be performing for your listening and dancing pleasure. The Harugari Schuhplattlers will also perform traditional German folk dances. German food and bier will be available for purchase.Admission is $5 for adults, Under 18 free. Veterans can receive free entrance when you show your Veterans’ Card.
West Haven High School Class of 1964 will hold its 55th year reunion on Saturday, Oct; 5, at App’s Restaurant, from 5:30-10 p.m. Buffet dinner and DJ. Cost $50 per person. Your guests are welcome. Invitations have been sent.
The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association Senior Center is seeking new members to join its Tuesday senior gathering. 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. We meet at the club, 85 Chase Lane, each Tuesday from noon to 3. The cost is just $3 per week to cover expenses. We offer refreshments at no additional cost. Call Sherri Torre, (203) 932-2893 for further information.
West Haven High School Class of 1969 will hold its 50th reunion on Friday, Sept. 27, at Seasons located at 990 Foxon Road, East Haven, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. There will be music provided by a DJ, a plentiful cocktail and hors d’oeuvre hour, buffet dinner along with open bar. The cost is $75 per person Checks should be made payable to Charlene Morgal and mailed to 18 Shumway St., West Haven, 06516, before Aug.ust 15 More information can be found on our Facebook page: WHHS Class of 1969- 50th reunion, or by emailing chazbo40@ aol. com /203 494 7379 or sandee110@aol.com /203 494 7730.
Join the West Haven Seniors on the following scheduled trip: All trips leave from Savin Rock Conference Center:
Monday, Aug. 19 “Holiday Hill” — statewide annual senior picnic 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $45 per person with unlimited buffet all day. This trip is in conjunction with The West Haven Housing Authority. Pick up times are: Morrissey Manor 8., Savin Rock Conference Center 8:15, Surfside 8:30, Union 8:45, and John Prete 9. If you are being picked up at Housing Authority sites please make reservation with Yolanda (203) 933-9449. If you are being picked up at Conference Center please register at the West Haven Senior Center or call (203) 937-3507. Payment is due no later than Aug. 1.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, Aqua Turf – Rob Zappulla Celebrates the Music of Frank Sinatra $67 per person Rob has performed to sold out audiences of all ages across the country and headlined performances at the Lincoln Center in NYC and Foxwoods Casino to name a few. Menu includes coffee and donuts upon arrival, door prizes, complimentary glass of wine or beer. Family style luncheon: salad, penne bolognese, chicken florentine, baked scrod, vegetable, potato and dessert. Bus leaves Savin Rock Conference Center 10 a.m. Payment is due by Friday, Aug. 30.
Wednesday, Sept. 25– The Big E “New England’s Great State Fair” in Springfield Trip cost is $45. Scooter rental available for $50 and must be paid in advance of the trip by check or credit card along with reservation form available in the office. This trip is in conjunction with Savin Rock Communities. Pick up times are: Morrissey Manor 8 a.m., Savin Rock Conference Center 8:15, Surfside 8:30, Union 8:45, and John Prete 9. If you are being picked up at Housing Authority sites please make reservation with Yolanda (203) 933-9449. If you are being picked up at Conference Center please register at the West Haven Senior Center or call (203) 937-3507. Payment is due no later than Sept. 1.
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.
The Liberty Coin Club of West Haven, organized in1962, will host a Coin Show on Sunday, Aug. 18, Oct. 20, and Dec. 15, 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.
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.
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
Interested in connecting with the arts?
City-Wide Open Studios, a monthlong festival of visual arts, is returning to Greater New Haven, including a weekend event in West Haven.
Organizers are seeking artists, volunteers and sponsors to participate in the festival, in its 22nd year, from Oct. 4-Nov. 3.
Artists have until Sept. 1 to register for the festival, which is open to all state residents and presented by Artspace, the nerve center of New Haven’s contemporary arts scene.
Artists across all media can choose from three weekends in October and November to share their work and creative process with an arts-friendly community. Organizers will consider all artists for curator visits. For information, go to https://artspacenewhaven.org/cwos-home/.
Those looking to volunteer, including high school students needing community service hours, can sign up at https://artspacenewhaven.org/cwos-home/volunteer-for-cwos/.
Area businesses are invited to celebrate the creative talent that helps the business community thrive by supporting City-Wide Open Studios. This year’s festival theme, “Older but Younger,” explores society’s changing attitudes about aging and longevity.
Program ads are accepted until mid-September at https://artspacenewhaven.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AS-29_SponsorshipDeck_R2.pdf. Business card sizes are available by contacting Elinor Slomba, executive producer of CWOS, at elinor@artspacenh.org.
For the second year, CWOS will hold its Alternative Space Weekend from noon-6 p.m. Nov. 2-3 at Yale University’s West Campus in West Haven.
The special weekend event sets CWOS apart from other open studio weekends by offering artists from across Connecticut — and those interested in creating site-specific works — a unique backdrop to showcase their talents.
Learn more about Alternative Space Weekend at https://artspacenewhaven.org/cwos/.
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
A performance of Cinderella will be hosted Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 in the high school auditorium to help raise money for Gabby Murillo.
Murillo was a month into her dream internship at Disneyworld when she got into a car accident that put her in the hospital. She and her friend, who was driving, were stopped at a red light when another car hit them from behind. Murillo fractured her vertebrae which severed her spinal cord and paralyzed her from the neck down.
Murillo has spent weeks in intensive care and has already undergone three surgeries. She was recently airlifted from her Florida hospital to a rehabilitation center in Georgia. Her family has been told her first year medical expenses will exceed $1 million.
In response to the tragedy, Simply Dance will be performing a rendition of Cinderella “with a modern twist.” A press release to the Voice said the show will incorporate jazz, tap and ballet.
The show, which will take place on a Friday and Saturday at 6 P.M., will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets are being sold online only at tututix.com/simplydance. All proceeds will go directly to Gabby and her family.
Think about the way water rushes into a storm drain in the middle of a parking lot or alongside a street. Ever stopped to wonder where the water goes?
In West Haven’s case, all that water goes straight to the shoreline, carrying trash, leaves, soil sediment, fertilizers and toxic materials — pesticides, household cleaners, gasoline, motor oil — with it. It ends up in the water we swim in.
The city’s new Storm Drain Marking Project aims to educate the public on the connection between storm drains and local waterways and to remind them that storm sewers are for water, not trash or toxic materials. West Haven’s reputation and community health depend on the quality of its shoreline waters.
Storm drain stenciling is done on residents’ schedules, with them deciding how many drains they want to stencil. Scout groups, middle school-age students — with adult supervision — and high school-age students, as well as civic and church groups are potential participant teams.
A free orientation for volunteers is offered by the Sustainable West Haven team from 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 17 at 15 Laurel St. Register for the orientation at http://bit.ly/stormdrainproject.
The City Council is now deliberating the new West Haven City Charter. The Charter Revision Commission has worked long and hard to research and then develop this new charter which puts West Haven on a bold new course.
The new charter would put West Haven on a City Manager-model of government. According to the Charter Revision Commission, this model has worked well for other municipalities of our size and has been very successful in Connecticut. The City Council now becomes like the Board of Directors of a corporation-setting the broad strategy which the city manager then executes. The city manager will be a hired employee, hired by the City Council. In this model, the mayor becomes the chairman of the City Council and would be the chief strategist for West Haven. The mayor is Chairman of the Board; the City Manager is CEO.
I would like to address some of the recent criticisms of the new model. First, that under the new charter West Haven citizens would lose control of the executive branch of government, because the head of the executive branch is no longer elected. True, the executive branch would now be all hired employees, no longer ‘headed’ by the mayor. But to have both a mayor AND a city manager in charge of the executive branch would in effect give you two CEOs of the city, or else a lame duck city manager. It cuts off the legs of the new model. The whole point of the city manager-model is to delegate operation of the city to the city manager, who is trained in Public Administration. If the city manager fails to carry out the vision of the City Council and the mayor, he or she can be removed.
Another criticism of the new charter is the added expense of the city manager’s salary. However, it is impossible to predict what the OVERALL savings or expense will be in the new model, because the new City Charter gives the city manager the flexibility to restructure the administration. The language in the new charter says that we “may have” rather than “shall have” certain city departments, allowing some departments to be combined, eliminated, or augmented. Through attrition there is opportunity to streamline, over time, so that no one loses their job. This is a brilliant change.
Another criticism of the city manager is that it puts the hiring decision of the city manager in the hands of the entire City Council, rather than in the hands of just the mayor. I don’t see this as a negative. With good City Council people and the deliberative process, why can’t the City Council make a good choice? If necessary a search firm can help. The citizens of West Haven remain in ultimate control: the people elect the City Council, and the City Council (headed by the mayor) hires the city manager.
The mayor retains a powerful position-he or she is head of the City Council, is able to set direction and strategy, retains appointment power over most committees, has final say over ordinances, and is able to steer West Haven’s ship. Day-to-day administration is handled by the city manager, who ultimately answers to the citizenry. Obviously there will be a close working relationship among the mayor, the city manager, and the City Council.
This is a bold new direction for West Haven but is in no way critical of the current mayor, who actually got the ball rolling on this charter revision. But future generations will have a much wider pool from which to hire a city manager. Prior administrations have put us under state control twice. Let’s try something new.
Patricia Bollettieri
It has been a long time since West Haven has had a Republican primary and I think it is great. The choice in this primary is very clear and I urge all registered Republicans to show up and vote for Michele Gregorio to represent our party.
In the decade or so that I have come to know Michele, she has impressed me with her work ethic and determination to make West Haven a better place for us all. Her past professional experience negotiating contracts with unions and managing budgets will serve the taxpayers of West Haven well. I got to see first-hand her grasp of financial issues facing West Haven in her service on the West Haven Board of Finance. Identifying spending overruns and recognizing where important cuts needed to be made seemed to come as second nature to Michele. As a candidate, Michele will bring tireless dedication and enthusiasm our party needs for a mayoral candidate. She will be so much more than simply being “not a Democrat.”
In 2009, the Republican Party put together a full ticket of candidates that had a real chance to revive the party and regain a voice in West Haven politics. The entire ticket and campaign fell to ego, arbitrary decisions and unfounded proclamations. If the party is ever going to regain a legitimate seat in city politics, we cannot do it with a repeat of a decade’s old failure.
Vote for Michele.
Kevin Corcoran
As everyone knows by now the United States landed on the moon 50 years ago. But do the people of West Haven know the Parks and Recreation Department also has some milestones is has crossed in the year 2019.
The first Parks and Recreation Commission was established on Aug. 1 1919. The members were Edward Gagel, President: Charles Treat, Vice-President; and Dr. Charles Phelps, Secretary. The main function of the commission back then was the acquisition of property to be used for parks and recreation purposes. Some of the properties they acquired by donation, purchase or by back taxes included Shingle Hill Park (1919) Painter Park (1920) Barney Hill Park (1928) just to name a few.
Other milestones Warley Softball Field at Morse Park 30 years old in April. It was named after one of our longtime co-worker and our own historian, Edward Warley. The Wooden Playground opened 25 years ago in 1994. It was one of the greatest undertakings of volunteers in West Haven history. Hundreds of people donated their time to build this wonderful playground for the kids in just one week. It was recently refurbished with help of the people of Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. It was renamed Maureen’s Dream after Maureen Blake who lead this undertaking along with her husband late Tom (Tinker) Blake, the late John Sullivan, Gerry Bonini and many, many, others that helped to make this dream come true.
Also 50 years of the Painter Park Day established in 1969 by then Parks and Recreation Director Bob Tingley and with the help of Ed Warley it was the first all-day camp and continues to this day with over 150 kids each session and eight weeks long. We have made changes and improvements over the years but it’s mostly about the kids and how much they enjoy it. That’s what keeps it going.
One big part of the Painter Park Day Camp was the huge oak tree that stood next to the day camp office that just feel one September night last year. Nothing weather related or anything else it was just old. It was estimated to have stood well over 100 years. It was always the go to place in the morning when the kids got dropped and the same place to be picked up at the end of the day. It’s why the name of the main office is named “Tall Oaks” because of that lone tree separated from the others providing tons of shade and the breeze blowing through it that we always get off the sound up there on the hill. The kids struggle now to find shade at the end of the day so you are always reminded that it’s not there anymore. It is sorely missed
We will find an away to get through it without the tree and continue our programs for another 100 years.
Tom Conroy
West Haven Parks and Recreation
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
West Haven High School Principal Dana Parades and other high school admin began their move into the newly built high school wing today.
Parades said the move was “a long time coming” and said she and the staff are “extremely excited and can’t wait to get in.” She added they were hoping to move in the first week of August and happy to see it came to fruition.
Parades said they should be finished moving into the newly constructed section by the end of the week.
A tour with Superintendent Neil Cavallaro and High School Building Committee Chairman Ken Carney saw construction crews hard at work on the classrooms, vocational shop classrooms, the cafeteria and media center which are slated to be finished handed over by the Aug. 19.
Carney said none of the progress would have been possible without the cooperation of all parties involved. He thanked the Board of Education, the Rossi Administration, the building committee, the city building department as well as the fire department.
According to Carney, he and the building committee were completing the project ahead of the deadline and under budget. He said they had saved half a million dollars on furniture and equipment and another $5.5 million on bids which allowed them to expand the cafeteria.
“At 39 percent completion our contingency was up from 4.7 percent to 6.6 percent,” said Carney.
Walking through the new building, Cavallaro said the climate control and natural lighting are “what struck him the most.” With the Cafeteria being finished soon, Cavallaro said they may host their next Board of Education meeting there.
When touring the kitchen, Sodexo General Manager Meg Kingston said she and her team were “so excited to get to work there.” She added the kitchen she and her team use in the old building has not really changed since she graduated from WHHS in 1981.
By Dan Shine
Voice Columnist
The West Shore Chronicles,
As written, 1925
Thanks to Kathy Granfield for making this possible-
Compiled from Data Furnished by: C. Edwin Booth (Rocky Beach); Eugene Hubbard (Jones Hill Road); Henrietta Heitman (Rocky Beach); Edwin W. Decker (Platt Avenue); T.J. Warner (Jones Hill Road); Frank P. Harlan (Connecticut Company); William Lines (Rocky Beach).
The territory known as the Western District has an interesting history extending back to Colonial Days. Lying as it does between the old towns of Milford and New Haven it is certain that the white settlers were familiar with the territory in very early days.
There is every evidence that the Indians knew of the excellent supply of clams, oysters and fish in the nearby waters of Long Island Sound. This is especially true in the Oyster River section where many Indian relics have been found. It is supposed that the Indians cooked huge quantities of clams by filling a hole in the rocks with water in which the clams were placed; the water was then boiled by throwing in stones heated in a wood fire. The legend goes on to say that the Indians, like many people of today, would eat too heartily of the sea food and suffer accordingly.
Most of the District was originally a forest. Under the labors of sturdy farmers fields were gradually cleared. The cutting off of considerable tracts of lumber near Aimes Point, also back of Rocky Beach and Woody Crest and in the Colonial Park section will be remembered by many of the present residents.
The road across the dyke from Cox’s was not built until 1868. Prior to that time the only entrance to the District from West Haven was by the Waverly Grove Road which is now Platt Avenue. Early settlers going to Savin Rock forded Cove River across the flats to Bradley Point, the water many times being higher than the bottom of their wagons.
Jones Hill Road runs, after the fashion of early New England roads, in almost a straight line up hill and down dale. From the top of the hill an excellent view of New Haven and West Haven is obtained. This road is used by many now as a short cut from Oyster River to West Haven. If ever made into a good road it will, together with the improvement of Platt Avenue, carry a heavy traffic and relieve Ocean Avenue of some of its congestion.
Shingle Hill Road, once famous as the scene of automobile races conducted by the Yale Automobile Club, is not much travelled at present. The view from its summit is no doubt the finest in the District. At the foot of the hill lies Shingle Hill Park, recently fitted with fireplaces and a pure water supply. On a quiet night a person looking from the park out across the reservoir might well think themselves in the Adirondacks. Such is the advantage of living in West Haven, Shore and country combined.
Ocean Avenue for many years extended only as far as the old Tyler farm near Colonial Inn. In 1852 a road was built from the shore at Colonial Inn across to Jones Hill Road. This road is now called Tyler Street. Ocean Avenue was extended to Oyster River in about 1892. A macadam surface was placed on Ocean Avenue from Rocky Beach to Oyster river about 1902. , No further improvement in Ocean Avenue was noted until 1920 when the State Road was built of concrete from Cox’s to Oyster River. Then new State Road eliminated two dangerous grade crossings at Sea Bluff and straightened the two bad curves at Dawson Avenue.