The week in photos – November 27, 2025

WHHS Band Director Donata Lupacchino-Nelson celebrates with her seniors at the Encore Field Show at Ken Strong Stadium. The band will made its final on-field performance last night at Ken Strong Stadium.

WHHS Band performs at its annual Encore Field Show, celebrating the WHHS Band Seniors.

Following a tradition that goes back to the 1970s, we present the West Haven and Notre Dame football teams on the front page of the Thanksgiving edition. West Haven High hosted North Haven’s Nighthawks at Ken Strong Stadium last night. Notre Dame, meanwhile, heads to Joseph Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hamden High School for the annual Green Bowl Game renewal.

Following a tradition that goes back to the 1970s, we present the West Haven and Notre Dame football teams on the front page of the Thanksgiving edition. West Haven High hosted North Haven’s Nighthawks at Ken Strong Stadium last night. Notre Dame, meanwhile, heads to Joseph Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hamden High School for the annual Green Bowl Game renewal.

Meg Kingston (Food Service Director), Gina Raucci, Deanna Rozmus, Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro.

Gina Raucci (left) & Deanna Rozmus (right).

Meet Kara Moore, our full-time Technical Services Assistant at the main Library! Say hello if you see her and consider joining the Wednesday Book Club to discuss all your favorite (and least favorite) reads with her.

Mayor Dorinda Borer presents a symbolic gold-painted mallet to developers Joseph Iannelli and Jim Duch of Duchinelli Development Co. LLC for the demolition of the former Debonair Beach Motel at 295 Beach St. on Nov. 18. Iannelli and Duch are preparing the 0.94-acre waterfront property for the development of market-rate residences with such amenities as a swimming pool and a fitness center.

Mayor Dorinda Borer peaks around a temporary fence to watch an excavator from Caraluzzi and Associates LLC of Redding demolish the former Debonair Beach Motel at 295 Beach St. on Nov. 18. Developers Joseph Iannelli and Jim Duch of Duchinelli Development Co. LLC are preparing the waterfront site for an upscale residential development.

West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program Chairwoman Beth Sabo, center, receives a $266 check for the program’s Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund from co-owners Amanda Forst, left, and Mandy Hutchinson of Westies Nutrition at 153 Sawmill Road on Nov. 13. The fund was founded in March 2003 to raise breast cancer awareness in honor of Ruickoldt, who taught third grade at Savin Rock Community School before dying of breast cancer in 1997. Each spring since 2003, scholarship organizers have awarded $2,000 in Ruickoldt’s memory to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.

West Haven’s Art Gilbert plays taps behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as members of the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the crowd salute at the conclusion of the city’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Mayor Dorinda Borer, right, dedicates the addition of two granite panels at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park during the city’s Veterans Day tribute Nov. 11 as West Haven Vietnam Veterans Treasurer Steve Carney, left, and President Dave Ricci look on.

One of the two newly dedicated panels at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day.

St. Lawrence School announced its Students of the Month for October. The students “exemplify our school motto -Togetherness, Engagement, Academics and Ministry.” On Friday, Nov. 7, students and their families enjoyed Mass and a special awards ceremony honoring them. Shown are: Gr.1- Mackenzie T., Gr.2- Lacey C., Gr.3- Viola H., Gr.4- Hayden R., Gr.5- Dakota J., Gr.6- Madison H., Gr.7- Zerah N, and Gr.8- Thaila A., along with Principal Jim Messina and the Rev. Jose Mercado.

Off Shore Restaurant sponsored a food drive, Nov. 16, organized by Tom Plouffe and Mark Laoue. The duo raised a truckload of food, and more than $5,000 in donations. Shown are: In the photo is Laoue, John Gramelis, Tom Plouffe, Mark Bergamo, and Ed O’Brien.

Abraham Lincoln delivers his Gettysburg Address.

West Haven Theatre Workshop’s director Christina Nolan with the cast and crew of “Almost, Maine,” presented last weekend.

Vingnettes from the production.

Vingnettes from the production.

Vingnettes from the production.

Vingnettes from the production.

Children from the West Haven Child Development Center, Inc. were invited to an estate in New Haven to paint the landscape. Young artiste Elizabeth Bruneau, 4 years old, is shown putting the finishing touches to her masterpiece.

The Holiday Tree/Wreath/Centerpiece fundraiser raffle at the West Haven Historical Society was a success last weekend. The three-day event had numerous participants. Several individuals, businesses, and the public participated in the event. Clockwise from top left, Rep. Bill Heffernan looks over tags on the tree. Heffernan is flanked by Historical Society President Susan Walker, and Mayor Dorinda Borer. Historical Society enthusiast Sandy Riccitelli is shown observing volunteers and patrons during the event.

The Holiday Tree/Wreath/Centerpiece fundraiser raffle at the West Haven Historical Society was a success last weekend. The three-day event had numerous participants. Several individuals, businesses, and the public participated in the event. Clockwise from top left, Rep. Bill Heffernan looks over tags on the tree. Heffernan is flanked by Historical Society President Susan Walker, and Mayor Dorinda Borer. Historical Society enthusiast Sandy Riccitelli is shown observing volunteers and patrons during the event.

The Holiday Tree/Wreath/Centerpiece fundraiser raffle at the West Haven Historical Society was a success last weekend. The three-day event had numerous participants. Several individuals, businesses, and the public participated in the event. Clockwise from top left, Rep. Bill Heffernan looks over tags on the tree. Heffernan is flanked by Historical Society President Susan Walker, and Mayor Dorinda Borer. Historical Society enthusiast Sandy Riccitelli is shown observing volunteers and patrons during the event.

Since it opened in 1969, the Edward L. Bennett Rink has been used for skating classes, offering something different.

Since it opened in 1969, the Edward L. Bennett Rink has been used for skating classes, offering something different . Right -- Taylor Boanno, Kylee McCoart,and Kylie Gibbons take a break for picture during class.

The White City Stadium was erected after a fire that destroyed the Orpheum Theatre in 1921. Shown is a circus that performed during the heyday of the stadium and the Savin Rock Amusement Park.

The WHHS Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, was inducted at the annual dinner last week. Inductees were: Front row -- Gabriella Prisco, Steve Dargan, Jayva Johnson. Back row -- (L-R) Scott Smith, Eric Soares, Rich Bradbury, Craig Dicks

The senior year in high school slowly brings about many changes. For sports teams and squads, the end of the season means the end of a journey for many athletes. The West Haven High School football seniors and captains as well as the cheerleaders made their final appearance at Ken Strong Stadium last night, ending their high school careers – at least in part. Cheerleaders transition to the fall season, while athletes now focus on winter sports or relaxing after a grueling season.

The senior year in high school slowly brings about many changes. For sports teams and squads, the end of the season means the end of a journey for many athletes. The West Haven High School football seniors and captains as well as the cheerleaders made their final appearance at Ken Strong Stadium last night, ending their high school careers – at least in part. Cheerleaders transition to the fall season, while athletes now focus on winter sports or relaxing after a grueling season.

The senior year in high school slowly brings about many changes. For sports teams and squads, the end of the season means the end of a journey for many athletes. The West Haven High School football seniors and captains as well as the cheerleaders made their final appearance at Ken Strong Stadium last night, ending their high school careers – at least in part. Cheerleaders transition to the fall season, while athletes now focus on winter sports or relaxing after a grueling season.