Pictures in the Park
MONROE, CT — A professional photographer will snap family photos at Wolfe Park on June 5 and 6 during the Monroe Playground Foundation’s Pictures in the Park fundraiser for the Kids Kreation Playground project.
Photos in the picturesque park setting can make for unique and memorable Mother’s Day gifts. Image by Jess is offering the spring mini sessions to raise money for the Wolfe’s Den Playground, which will have a community build.
On June 5, a photographer will start taking photos 8:30 a.m. and on June 6 photo sessions begin at 7 p.m. To schedule a photo session, click on this ticket link. Wolfe Park is located at 235 Cutlers Farm Road.
Sessions are $35 and include a 20 minute photo session with a minimum of 10 images posted to an online gallery where you can view and purchase your images.
Prints start at $6 and digital images are $30 each. There will be discounted pricing for the purchase of multiple digital images.
MPD Kids’ Fishing Derby is back
The Monroe Police Department’s Kids’ Fishing Derby is back. The 17th annual event will be held at Great Hollow Lake from 6 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, rain or shine.
No reservations are necessary. Families are welcome to come and try to win one of the numerous prizes. The age groups are 5 and younger, 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 10 and 11, and 12 through 15. A prize will be awarded for the biggest fish caught in each group.
Masks are required if families cannot socially distance from others who are fishing.
Scam alert
The Monroe Police Department recently put out a scam alert on its Facebook page after a resident received a call from the “Social Security Administration” instructing him to send gift cards to cover a debt he had with the federal agency.
The call was ended with minimal additional information being exchanged. This was followed by a second call showing the Monroe Police Department’s phone number, 203-261-3622, on the caller ID.
The caller identified himself as a Monroe Police officer and advised the resident to send the gift cards. A family member heard what had taken place and called police to verify the information, which was false.
“Scam artists realize many people no longer answer calls from phone numbers with unfamiliar area codes or unknown names,” police said in the Facebook post. “Spoofing is a technology that allows scam artists to trick caller I.D. into displaying false information.”
Police remind residents not send gift cards, which are for gifts — not payments. Those who suspect a possible fraud, should not send payment. Rather, they should contact their local police department.
Reminder: Memorial Day Parade
Plans are underway for Monroe’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Heroes: Past and Present.” It will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30.
The line of march will begin at lower Elm Street and Route 111 and proceed to the War Memorial on the Town Hall Green, where the memorial ceremony will be conducted.
The planning committee hopes participating organizations consider providing a marching unit, a float or both and ask them to notify the town as soon as possible. For information, Click here.
There is no rain date for the parade. In the event of rain, the two will still hold the memorial ceremony. It would be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30, in the Monroe Town Hall Council Chambers.
For information, call Vida Stone at 203-452-2800, ext. 1027, or email her at [email protected].
Scott opposes gas tax hike
HARTFORD, CT — Following a joint news conference with Republican leaders and advocates at Minuteman Park in Hartford, State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th, joined his colleagues in speaking out against a proposal that would raise gas prices for Connecticut residents.
Scott, who represents Monroe and Newtown in the House of Representatives, says the implementation of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is expected to impose a new $88 million tax on gasoline purchases within the first year.
“As if $1.9 billion in new taxes wasn’t already enough, our state’s residents are facing a costly increase on the price of gasoline,” he said. “Even worse, the legislature has no input in how this money is spent and no assurances it will go to reducing the highway traffic congestion that generates so much pollution.
“Under this plan, Connecticut drivers will be paying more at the pump, not to fund badly-needed improvement to roads and highways, but to fund climate programs in the larger cities,” Scott continued. “Monroe and Newtown can count on my firm opposition to this measure.”
The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) would establish a “cap-and-invest” model by forcing private fuel wholesalers to purchase carbon credits at auction, according to Scott. Distributors are expected to pass on these costs leaving families and businesses paying higher gas prices, along with more in associated goods like groceries.
While TCI was conceived as a regional compact of 13 states, only a handful have so far agreed to implement it, with many states balking at its regressive costs for commuters. Environmental activist groups like the Sierra Club have also withdrawn their support for the program, arguing it doesn’t do enough to address climate change.
After the bill passed a vote in the Environment Committee in March, it has been placed on the Senate calendar, where it awaits further approval before the session ends on June 9.
Scott encourages his constituents to track the bill’s progress by signing up for regular updates at his website: www.RepScott.com.
Coins-for-Change
NORTH HAVEN, CT — From now through June 30, 2021, residents can help make a significant difference in their communities by cashing in their spare change. As part of its Coins-for-Change program, Connex Credit Union will collect its regular coin-cashing machine fees and donate 100 percent of the money to four charitable organizations.
As part of Connex’s philanthropic initiative ConnexCares, Coins-for-Change supports four new charities each quarter and contributes more than $14,000 annually. It is available to anyone, including those who are not members of the credit union.
“Participating in Coins-for-Change is easy and allows folks to help worthwhile causes while putting a little extra money in your pocket,” said Louise Nestor, director of marketing, Connex Credit Union. “The small change adds up to help make a big difference in our local communities. Bring your spare change to one of the coin-cashing machines at the following Connex branches by June 30 and the fee will be automatically deducted and donated when you receive your cash.”
Connex’s Monroe Branch, 155 Main St., will donate to Mikeys’ Way Foundation. The mission of Mikeys’ Way Foundation is to enrich the lives of children suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The foundation strives to create connection and diversion to help children cope with the emotional and physical hardships of long-term, debilitating treatment with the use of today’s technology. Funds raised would help with purchasing laptops, tablets, and other WiFi-ready electronics for the children.
For information, or to learn how your local nonprofit or charitable organization can participate in the Coins-for-Change program, please contact Roquita Johnson at [email protected] or 1-800-CR-UNION.
