The week in photos – February 17, 2022

During her many years with the City of West Haven, Beth Sabo has worn many hats, as officials used her talents to complete many projects.

Introducing the Valentine Penguin from the West Haven Community House Children and Youth Services Family Engagement Paint night hosted by Picasso Parties. The event, conducted remotely, is one of the many family-style exercises sponsored by the group. Here are some of the results.

The Rev. E. Carl Howard, Pastor of the First Congregational Church on the Green has been selected as West Haven African-American Citizen of the Year by the City's Black Heritage Committee. "Pastor Howard has been a very dedicated member of the West Haven community." Said Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins, "He has been a wonderful spiritual guide to the people of the Congregational Church and the people of West Haven, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic." The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in noon in the Harriet C. North Conference Room, second floor at West Haven City Hall, 355 Main St. In addition to Howard, West Haven High School juniors Ayannah Obas and Randy Alston will receive citations in recognition of their academic achievement and leadership at the high school. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Denya McGee, Born and raised in Stamford, Howard has been a West Haven resident for the more than 30 years. Prior to being called as Senior Pastor, he served First Church as bridge pastor and provided pulpit supply during interim periods. His appointment as Senior Pastor was ground-breaking, considering that he is the first Pastor of African stock in the parish's 300 plus year history. Howard is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and has earned several master’s degrees from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Belinda for more than thirty years.

The Rev. Melina Dezhbod kneels prior to ordination.

Rossi delivers remarks at the tax season kickoff at the Community House, saying, “The VITA program is critical in ensuring that low-to-moderate-income families properly file their taxes and get their deserved tax refunds.”

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, students from Saint Lawrence School in West Haven collected over 350 non-perishable food items that were donated to West Haven’s Emergency Assistance Taskforce (WHEAT) to help local community members and families in need. Celebrated by all schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education, and this year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, pauses with William and Dorothy McCarthy after delivering valentines to the First Avenue couple as part of the city’s 32nd annual Valentine’s Day event Friday. The McCarthys, who have been married for 72 years, were among 30 married couples of at least 50 years honored by Rossi during the pandemic-safe celebration. They were the event’s oldest couple.

Justice of the Peace Steven R. Mullins officiates the marriage of Yi Yi Ge and Dan Condrea in the Harriet C. North Community Room at City Hall on Monday. Ge and Condrea were among three West Haven couples united in matrimony on Valentine’s Day as part of an annual service sponsored by the city clerk’s office, which offers free weddings to couples who apply for a marriage license at City Hall.

The New Haven lighthouse

The New Haven Lighthouse has been a landmark in the region for about a century and a half. The structure and its keeper’s house are still preserved at Lighthouse Park, a popular beach area in the Elm City’s Annex neighborhood. We see it here in one of the many postcard depictions.

Manny Belcher goes for lay up against Hillhouse. The Westies avenged an earlier loss to the Academics.

Golden Dragon is a local Asian restaurant marking the New Year. They offer their best cuisine all year.

DaWa is a local Asian restaurant marking the New Year. They offer their best cuisine all year.