The week in photos – December 22, 2022

Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm of Chabad of Milford-Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont is joined on the West Haven Green by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah on Monday.

Chanie Wilhelm, the wife of Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm, left, gives a light-up menorah necklace to Dalia Coleman, of Woodbridge, during festivities on the Green, marking day two of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights.

Members of Nu Haven Kapelye play a Jewish folk song. The popular local klezmer band — New England’s largest — is composed of violin, clarinet, mandolin, accordion, double bass, trombone and saxophone players and an accompanying Yiddish vocalist.

Alice Lam (right), a nurse from West Haven, is featured in the Connecticut Education Association’s “Because of a Teacher” ad campaign along with her former teacher Kristen Record of Stratford. The campaign focuses on the impact teachers have on their students, with Alice crediting teachers like Record for her current successes.You can see the campaign at https://cea.org/becauseofateacher/ and read the news release at https://cea.org/because-of-a-teacher-every-profession-is-possible/.

Students of Carrigan Intermediate School collected and donated more than 900 toys to Yale-New Haven Hospital in support of their Toy Closet Program. These toys were loaded on a bus to be delivered to the hospital on Thursday, Dec. 15by members of the Student Council. The goal of the Toy Closet Program is to provide each pediatric patient with an age-appropriate toy or small gift when they are discharged from Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. Toys are given out 365 days a year. Carrigan School has supported this program for the past ten years and has been recognized by the faculty and staff of Yale-New Haven Hospital for their generous donations – now totaling 10,000 toys delivered.

West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, a Marine Corps vet of the Vietnam War, and West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien lay a wreath in remembrance of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died in the Japanese bombing of the U.S. Navy base on Oahu, Hawaii.

Lt. Michael Farrelly tolls the West Haven Fire Department’s chrome bell 18 times in honor of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died at Pearl Harbor in 1941 as a line of West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters stand at attention. Farrelly rang the bell after West Haven Chief James P. O’Brien read the name of each serviceman.

Four concepts have been developed by the West Haven Shoreline Restoration Committee, based on earlier public meetings. Those concepts are now the subject of a new request for public input. Those interested are asked to review the project concepts and give an opinion on which is best.

City resident Elizabeth Petrushonis receives a citation in honor of her 100th birthday from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi during a celebration with friends at Seacrest Retirement Center at 588 Ocean Ave. on Monday. Rossi recognized Petrushonis for her “contributions to our great city.” Reading the citation, Rossi said, “Over the course of a century, you have made extraordinary memories and have woven your own unique story into the narrative of West Haven.”

St. Lawrence School recently hosted a Student Recognition Breakfast for December. Students are selected for this achievement based on multiple criteria, including academics, the way they treat others, and their display of kindness and helpfulness. During breakfast, attended by the students, their parents or grandparents, principal, Frank Arnone, spoke about each child and presented them with a summary of their personal achievement. The students recognized were: Grade 1: Melodylove Izilein; Grade 2: Calyse Edwards; Grade 3: Cristal Zecua; Grade 4: Axel Teng; Grade 5: Shafee Jones and Enoch Kehinde; Grade 6: Lacy Miraldi; Grade 7: Lulu Sebas; Grade 8: Molly Senberg.

Christmastime in New Haven during the 1950s was a very special place for youngsters. Lights were hung across the main thoroughfares, like Chapel Street, where many of the major department stores were located, offering all kinds of things to fascinate kids. Shartenberg’s was one of those stores, with Toyland on the sixth floor of the art-deco building. It featured a New Haven train running between departments, and a fishing pond known by youngsters all over the area.

Christmastime in New Haven during the 1950s was a very special place for youngsters. Lights were hung across the main thoroughfares, like Chapel Street (shown here), where many of the major department stores were located, offering all kinds of things to fascinate kids. Shartenberg’s was one of those stores, with Toyland on the sixth floor of the art-deco building. It featured a New Haven train running between departments, and a fishing pond known by youngsters all over the area.

Pictured with the smoke detectors are Deputy Chief Raphael Zayas, Deputy Chief Ron Pisani, Fire Marshal Keith Flood, Chief Stephen Scafariello, Chief Michael Terenzio, Deputy Chief Michael Esposito, and Milford Lowes assistant manager Chuck Conable.

West Haven resident and WELI radio personality Coach George DeMaio was honored recently by the New Haven Gridiron Club as the 2023 winner of the Don Neilson Distinguished Service Award for work with the community.

Anne Plunkett celebrates her goal to help the Westie Sharks defeat the Blades, 9-3.

No. 20 Kassidy Carrano defends for the Blue Devils in their 50-24 opening night victory over Danbury. The Lady Westies avenged a CIAC Tournament defeat last year at the hands of the Hatters in the opener for both teams. All winter sports squads got underway with opening games.

Randy Alston-Brown defends against the Xavier Falcons.