The week in photos – December 6, 2018

Clarke is shown during his high school days with the Notre Dame Knights, where he excelled as a member of that legendary football program. The West Haven native showed quick thinking and heroic tenacity as he stopped two decoupled Amtrak Acela cars, using the emergency brake and then helping other passengers get to safety. The events happened on the night before Thanksgiving as the young man headed home for the holiday.

Rabbi Rona Shapiro, the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Jacob in Woodbridge, second from left, pauses with, from left, state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-117; state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-14; Mayor Nancy R. Rossi; and Councilman Aaron Charney, D-3, after leading a blessing at the sundown celebration of the first day of Hanukkah during the annual lighting of the menorah on the Green Sunday. The ceremonial lighting marks the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees.

West Haven High School’s Children’s Theatre proudly presents, “The North Pole’s got Talent!” Popular winter characters compete with the songs and dances, and the audience helps by singing along. Performances are scheduled Saturday, Dec. 8 at 10 and 11:30 in the WHHS auditorium. Children under 12 are free. All other tickets are $5.

Alyssa Maddern, of West Haven, right, pauses with city recreation program coordinator Diane Dietman after receiving the Dorothy G. Mullen and George Sanford Scholarship award Nov. 20 from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association. Maddern received the award at CRPA’s 58th annual Conference & Tradeshow at the Mohegan Sun Hotel & Convention Center in Uncasville. Maddern, an eight-year employee of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s playground program, is a senior at Southern Connecticut State University majoring in recreation and leisure studies.

Children from the West Haven Child Development Center visited Post University in Waterbury - the alma mater of both of their teachers, Holly Stemphowski and Albina Delima. The children and their parents were invited to participate in an event based on the children’s book Only One You. They painted their own unique rocks, to add to the rock garden being created on the university grounds. Post University students, athletes and faculty joined the children in this community event. Each child was given a copy of the book to bring home. The children were invited to eat their lunch in the campus dining hall, amongst the college students, before returning back to the preschool for their afternoon naps! It was a unique experience for all. The event was run by the Child Studies department at the university. Marie Russell, chairman of the Child Studies program, is a board member at the Child Development Center.

Children from the West Haven Child Development Center visited Post University in Waterbury - the alma mater of both of their teachers, Holly Stemphowski and Albina Delima. The children and their parents were invited to participate in an event based on the children’s book Only One You. They painted their own unique rocks, to add to the rock garden being created on the university grounds. Post University students, athletes and faculty joined the children in this community event. Each child was given a copy of the book to bring home. The children were invited to eat their lunch in the campus dining hall, amongst the college students, before returning back to the preschool for their afternoon naps! It was a unique experience for all. The event was run by the Child Studies department at the university. Marie Russell, chairman of the Child Studies program, is a board member at the Child Development Center.

Thanks to the generosity of the children and parents of Holly Hill Childcare and Learning Center in Orange, baskets were donated to tthe First Lutheran Church food drive, allowing needy families to enjoy a holiday dinner. The baskets came with a grocery gift card. Debbie Manson Fedorko, managing director of Holly Hill said, “The Thanksgiving food drive is the perfect opportunity for our staff to teach our youngsters some very valuable lessons... the meaning of caring and sharing and the joy of giving. We are so happy to be able to share with our neighbors at First Lutheran.” Pictured are Kyla Rhoades, head teacher of Holly Hill and vice-president of the church and Pastor Phil Krakowiak.

“Doc” Milt Cochran with his unit.

Community Development Administration Manager Mark J. Bisaccia, center, and administrative assistant Rosa Richardson receive a plaque Oct. 19 at City Hall for CDA’s support of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s Parent Support Groups, Adolescent Support Group and Children with Special Needs Program through a grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant program. From left, WHINC Director Robert S. Morton and support group members Debra Rich, Sharon Rodriguez, Viola Waldo and Stacey Higgins.

Annawon Lodge, 115, AF&AM Worshipful Master Steven R. Mullins presents University of New Haven Police Chief Tracy L. Mooney with an Award at the Lodge’s First Responder Awards Dinner last week. Mooney was one of nine honorees representing first responding agencies in the City of West Haven.

Last week, WHHS Social Studies Department Chairman Mark Consorte, along with WHHS students Dan Gallipoli and Lauren Panza, took part in a program at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY. The program was entitled “Ordinary Americans”, and it commemorated the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the HMT Rohna by a German guided missile on Nov. 26, 1943, in which 1,015 U.S. troops were lost. Gallipoli as “Uncle Bill”, and Panza as “Aunt Mae,” read real wartime letters from Lt. William Brown and his wife Mae Brown. Lt. Brown survived the Rohna sinking, and he was the uncle of Catherine Ladnier of Greenwich. Ladnier has written a play entitled “Apron Strings,” a portrayal of wartime family life through real letters, some of which were read by the students.

The Bulls’ Jariah Acampora gets a shot at saving a side-lined pass. The Bulls defeated the Spurs by a 38-24 margin Saturday

Caleb Oakes of the Bulls tries to elude the Spurs’ Aiden Flaherty in Youth Basketball.

The Bulls’ Connor Holy leads the fast break in last Saturday’s Spurs vs. Bulls Youth Basketball contest at the Kelley Camp gym. The Bulls emerged victorious, 38- 24.

Delaney Fludd of the Bulls gets a shot off before the Spurs’ Jared Butler can connect with a block. The action took place at the Kelley Camp gym in the Alma Pagels School.