MONROE, CT — The Save Our Stepney Task Force will host its third annual Blazin’ Pumpkins illumination on the Stepney Green this Friday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 31.
Carved pumpkins of all sizes and expressions will create a blazin’ ring of illumination around the gazebo at the intersection of routes 25 and 59.
Members of the Save Our Stepney Task Force will build the core illumination and members of the community are invited to join in by bringing a carved pumpkin to ensure a glowing fun time.
Carved pumpkins may be dropped off at 51 Hattertown Road or to the Green on Thursday, October 22. Until Halloween, Saturday, October 31, come dressed in your Halloween costume to get a picture with the “Great Skeleton,” with your family and/or pets.
The event is free with parking available behind Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church.
For information about the event, call Lee Hossler at 203-261-5702 or email him at [email protected]. For information about the Save Our Stepney Task Force, follow the group on Facebook or visit its website.
The Monroe Giving Tree
Every year, generous people from the community purchase gifts for town residents in need through the Monroe Giving Tree program during the holidays.
This year, Monroe Social Services is running the program in a different way, using an online signup through SignUpGenius for donors to select gifts to purchase. Here’s the link.
Gifts should be wrapped with the tag number clearly marked on the outside and returned by Nov. 20.
Drop off locations are the Monroe Police Department, open 24 hours, and the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library lobby, which is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
Those preferring to make a monetary donation do so by clicking here. For information, call Social Services Coordinator Mary Ann Kalm at 203-452-2813.
Wear purple
The Center for Family Justice invites those watching the Domestic Violence Virtual Vigil on its Facebook page tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. to wear purple to raise awareness of the issue.
Snap a selfie and take a group shot of you and your friends, family or co-workers wearing purple and post it with #PURPLETHURSDAY and tag THE CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE on Twitter: @CFJCT, on Facebook: @CenterForFamilyJustice or Instagram: @CenterForFamilyJusticeCT.
For information, visit CFJ’s website. For those who need help, the Domestic Violence Hotline is 203-384-9559 and the Sexual Violence Hotline is 203-333-2233. Both hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To make a donation to CJF, click here.
Curbside pickup for Food Pantry donations
RWS is offering free curbside pickups for food donations that its drivers will deliver to the Monroe Food Pantry.
Pickups will be made every Friday. To schedule a pickup, call or text 203-334-1660. No opened or expired goods will be accepted.
Visit the Monroe Food Pantry’s Facebook page to see what items it needs most.
Food drive
Newtown Savings Bank is hosting a drive-and-drop food collection at all of its branches to help families in need.
Food donations will be collected from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Newtown Savings Bank has two Monroe branches, one at Century Plaza, 535 Monroe Turnpike, and the other at Clock Tower Square, 477 Main Street.
Drug Take Back Day
The DEA is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country this Saturday, Oct. 24. The town’s location is the Monroe Police Department, 7 Fan Hill Road.
On Saturday, Monroe’s officers will accept expired and unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. The Monroe Police Department has a drop box in its lobby.
For information on the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find other collection sites near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.
Monroe woman leads American Heart Association’s board
WALLINGFORD, CT— Sarah Yeager, of Monroe, has been named chair of the Central Connecticut Region Board of Directors of the American Heart Association.
Leigh Pechillo, of Southington, is its new president. Both will serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2020.
Sarah Yeager has been involved with the American Heart Association since 2008, when she joined the board of directors and served on the Greater New Haven Heart Walk Executive Leadership Committee.
For two years Yeager was the highest fundraiser amongst the executive leadership committee for the Heart Walk. She also served on the Go Red for Women’s Luncheon Executive Leadership Committee for five years, 2015-2020, and was an integral part of creating the Wellness Showcase, educating women on their risks for heart disease.
“In the years that I’ve been involved with the American Heart Association and the Connecticut board, I have been witness firsthand to the amazing things this organization can do, and wanted to be as involved as much as I could,” Yeager said. “In the immediate future, the board’s goal will be to help guide the organization through the brave new world during and post-COVID, to find new and creative ways to continue to share the mission of the organization and get people involved.”
Stepping down after two-year term as Connecticut board president is Dr. Sandra Bulmer, Dean of the School of Health and Human Services Southern Connecticut State University, and Chair Corliss Montesi, vice president of Internal Audit/L3Harris Technologies. Both are still on the board.
“The American Heart Association is excited to have Sarah Yeager and Leigh Pechillo lead the board,” said Todd Munn, executive director of the American Heart Association in Connecticut. “Their dedication to and passion for the mission, as well as the insight they bring, will be beneficial to growing the Connecticut Board. I’d also like to thank Dr. Sandra Bulmer and Corliss Montesi for their leadership, innovative thinking and constant professionalism in leading our board to the level that we are at today.”
Also new to the Connecticut board is Russ Mills, vice president finance, Stanley Black & Decker. He joins fellow board members:
Dr. Joonun Choi, Stamford Health
Marina Cunningham, McCormick, Paulding & Huber PLLC
Dr. Robert Elder, Yale School of Medicine
Anjanette Ferris-Senatus, UConn Health
Donna Handley, Hartford Healthcare
Edmund, Kindelan, CohnReznick LLP
Dr. Seth Lapuk, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Dr. Joseph Schindler, Yale New Haven Hospital
