A photo of Remy Dubay, of Monroe, appeared in the bright lights of Times Square on Sept. 7, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video presentation.
The one-hour presentation included over 500 photographs of children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 14 countries, highlighting them on two Jumbotron screens above Dos Caminos restaurant in the heart of Times Square.
The picture was taken at Yale New Haven Hospital. Remi turned three this past Tuesday. “To think back at how terrifying everything was for our family back to now is truly a blessing,” Dubay said.
She gave a special thank you to the Monroe community for pulling together for Remy last year, when the Masuk girls field hockey team made her son the beneficiary of its annual “Stick it to Cancer” fundraiser.
“Since the girls’ fundraiser in October of last year, he went through a lot, but somehow did it with a smile and a giggle most of the time,” Dubay said. “He had six different rounds of chemo and spent around seven months in Yale’s Children’s Hospital. In April we were given the wonderful news that he is in remission.”
She said Remy is being watched closely by his oncologist. “So far he is doing well and hasn’t needed any maintenance chemo,” Dubay said. “We are hopeful that he will continue to do well.”
Remy’s photo was selected from nearly 3,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. The presentation was livestreamed on the NDSS Facebook page.
Donations to flood victims
The Goddard School of Monroe organized a drive for families affected by the floods of Aug. 18, bringing nearly 50 pounds of nonperishable food and supplies to the Seymour Oxford Food Bank.
“As a part of the Goddard School family, we believe in not only fostering a love of learning, but also giving back to the community that supports us,” said Kim Murray, owner of The Goddard School of Monroe. “Hosting this food bank drive allowed us to make a positive impact on local families, and we’re proud to come together for such an important cause.”
Free CERT training
Joining the Monroe Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) provides an introduction to emergency services and the opportunity to help your community during storms and natural disasters. CERT is now offering a free 24 hour training program, which also covers course materials, to those age 18 and older.
Training sessions will be held on two Friday evenings and two Saturdays in October and November. Most sessions will be held at the Monroe Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road.
CERT Coordinator David York said CERT has been instrumental in providing vaccine clinics to the community, as well as assisting with all activities for the recent bicentennial, and assisting police officers with traffic control for Memorial Day parades and the CT United Ride.
When disaster strikes, CERT members provide assistance to first responders, including police, firefighters and the Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Services personnel, as well as shelter personnel, residents and neighbors.
Seven local members of Monroe CERT, all certified as CERT instructors by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will lead the sessions with local instructors from police, fire and EMS.
A minimum of 20 hours training is needed to join CERT. Volunteers will learn emergency skills, including disaster psychology, first aid, CPR, AED, fire safety, traffic control, hazardous materials awareness, emergency shelters, light search and rescue, disaster scenarios and terrorism response.
For information, email David York at [email protected] or call him at 203-650-8474. Classes are limited to 25 people, so those interested should register as soon as possible.
The class schedule begins with an orientation at the Monroe Senior Center on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Training sessions will be held Friday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 26, and on Nov. 8 and 9. Graduation is Thursday, Nov. 21.
In addition to the Senior Center, some classes will be held at Monroe Fire Station No. 1. Other locations will be announced. The training is sponsored by Monroe Emergency Management and the Monroe Police Department.
Child Safety Seat Clinic
Child passenger safety seats should be properly installed and suitable for a child’s age, weight and height. The Monroe Police Department’s Car Safety Seat Clinic will offer free installation and inspections to give parents and guardians the peace of mind in knowing their child is as safe as possible on the road.
The clinic will be held in front of Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary. All families are welcome to participate, including those living outside of Monroe.
Monroe Police Sgt. Helio Ramalhete, who is in charge of the clinic, said nationally trained child safety seat inspectors will be on hand.
Police ask participants to bring their child or children, car seats and vehicle or vehicles to the event, so their technicians can provide personalized assistance.
Ramalhete said child safety seats will be available to replace seats that are broken or not the right size. Any families who cannot afford to buy a child safety seat should email the police department prior to the event at [email protected] and a seat will be provided.
Those who cannot make it to the clinic can call the Monroe Police Department after the event at 203-261-3622, tell the dispatcher they are calling about child safety seat inspections and installments, and someone will call them back to set up an appointment.
Financial Literacy Seminar
A Financial Literacy Seminar covering the basics, such as budgeting, saving for a home, and building and protecting wealth will be held at Edith Wheeler Memorial Library on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To register, click here.
Speakers include Amanda Almeida of Almeida Financial Solutions LLC, Matt Rownin of Keller Williams Realty, and Frank Verde of Comparion Insurance Agency.
This event is sponsored by Network in Action and the Monroe chapter of the NIA Connecticut Collaborators.
Giftoberfest at St. Jude
The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will host their Giftoberfest fundraiser throughout the month of October.
Proceeds from the fundraiser support various charitable efforts the Columbiettes sponsor, such as special needs camperships, Hopeline, the St. Jude Food Pantry, support for local veterans organizations and Christmas baskets for the disadvantaged.
Giftoberfest is a raffle consisting of a daily drawing from Oct. 1 through 31. Each day a gift card in various denominations will be awarded to a lucky winner. Participants can win in multiple raffles. Tickets, which are $10 each, are good for the entire month.
The Columbiettes will sell tickets after Saturday and Sunday masses at St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, throughout September. Those wishing to buy a ticket, who cannot attend a mass, may contact Elizabeth Edgerton at 203-258-3354, Jan DeMayo at 203-520-9796 or Debra Gallant at 203-414-9861, or send an email to [email protected].
For information, call Elizabeth Edgerton at 203-258-3354 or email her at [email protected].
Legion Fishing Derby
The American Legion Department of Connecticut’s 3rd District is holding its fourth annual Youth Fishing Derby. The free event will be held Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at Great Hollow Lake, 454 Purdy Hill Road in Monroe, and is open to all children throughout Fairfield County.
The American Legion Department of Connecticut 3rd District is comprised of over 2,000 veterans still serving America from 22 American Legion Posts in Fairfield County.
The Legion invites all children ages 15 and younger to join them for a day of family fun, fishing and prizes. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents or grandparents do not need to be American Legion members nor do they need to be veterans.
Check in at the Great Hollow Lake Pavilion at the end of the long driveway for a free chance to win a door prize. Because Wolfe Park is now off season, no sticker is required to enter the park.
Children must be in one of the following three groups: five-years-old and younger; six to 10 years old; and 11 to 15-years-old. Trophies will be given for the longest fish in each group and there will also be prizes the second and third place winners in all three age groups.
A grand prize trophy will be awarded for the longest overall fish of the day.
Rules are as follows:
- Parents may help children cast, but child must reel in the fish.
- Fish should be brought to a measuring table as soon as caught; in case of a tie, fish with the earliest time will win.
- Only two trout per angler may be kept (state rules). Do not return trout to the lake. All other species may be catch and release after they are measured for length.
Lions Blood Drive
The Monroe Lions Club is sponsoring a fall blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 6 p.m. For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Binky Patrol
The Monroe/Trumbull chapter of Binky Patrol needs donors, quilters, knitters and crocheters to help make children smile this holiday season.
The nonprofit will give binkies to Al’s Angels for distribution to Tri-State hospitals and social service agencies. Every year, it provides at least 500 blankets.
Binky Patrol, a national nonprofit, makes and gives “binkies” or comforting covers to children in need of a hug, including critically ill and traumatized children to show them they matter and someone cares about them. Binky Patrol Monroe-Trumbull has been an official chapter for the last 10 years, delivering nearly 22,000 binkies since it began.
The chapter will have two community blanket-making events in Trumbull this fall, on Sept. 28 and Oct. 19. No experience is required. Less experienced participants will be taught by seasoned members. For information on participating or being a sponsor, visit the Binky Patrol’s Facebook page or email the chapter founder and coordinator, Jeanne Malgioglio at [email protected].
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