MONROE, CT — The Save Our Stepney (SOS) Task Force and Frosty the Snowman will light up Stepney Green, at the intersection of routes 59 and 25, on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., with more than 300 luminaries. The holiday tree will be decorated with over 500 LED bulbs.
The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m.
The Stepney Volunteer Fire Company and Stepney Baptist Church will join SOS members and Frosty in celebrating of the 21st annual tree lighting.
First Selectman Ken Kellogg will welcome the community and all will be treated to holiday music performed by the Just Voices Singers under the direction of John Pelligrino, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, and Monroe Boy Scout Troop 162 will provide fresh made donuts.
The Rev. Kevin Merritt, of Stepney Baptist Church, invites all attendees to a carol sing in the church immediately following the tree lighting. Hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies will be served.
Frosty the Snowman will make a special appearance aboard a Stepney Volunteer Fire Company truck, at the invitation of SOS to flip the tree light switch ushering in the holiday season. Candy canes and glow sticks will be given to all to welcome Frosty.
For information about the Save Our Stepney Task Force, to join or make a donation send an email to Lee Hossler at [email protected], follow SOS on Facebook or visit its website.
Harmony Grange Christmas Fair
The Harmony Grange, 2 Shelton Road, will host its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The event will feature antiques, collectibles, a tag sale, Christmas items and hand knitted children’s hats. It will include vendors, basket raffles and a bake sale. Farm fresh egg, ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches will be for sale all day, along with hot dogs and chili for lunch.
Traffic Report
Drivers can expect some delays with the possibility of lane closers and alternating traffic for roadwork this week, according to the Monroe Public Works Department’s traffic report.
Curbing and backfilling will be done on Benedict Road, from West Maiden Lane to Meadows End Road, and on East Village Road, from Route 111 to Barn Hill Road.
Drainage and utility work is scheduled for Pepper Street, from Grant Road to northern Route 25.
The work is scheduled from Monday, Nov. 29, to Monday, Dec. 10.
St. Peter’s Holly Fair
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host its Holly Fair on Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the church, 175 Old Tannery Road.
The event will include a cookie walk, baked goods, vendors, a tea cup raffle and a tag sale.
Historical Society Christmas Fair
The Monroe Historical Society will host its annual Christmas Fair at the East Village/Barn Hill Methodist Meeting House, 433 Barn Hill Road, in Monroe, on Friday, Dec. 3, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The sale will feature a large variety of new and donated ornaments and decorations, baked goods, and a sampling of Monroe Historical Society collectibles. Vintage items will also be available. There is something for everyone.
This is the Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds fund ongoing programs and the maintenance of Monroe’s historical properties.
Those in attendance are asked to wear a mask.
For information, call 203-261-1383.
Menorah Lighting in Monroe
The Mishkan Israel Day Camp plans to celebrate the Jewish festival of Chanukah with a series of public Menorah lightings throughout Fairfield County.
One will be held in Monroe at 6 p.m. this Monday, Nov. 29, at Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road.
A 9-Foot Menorah
SHELTON, CT — The Chabad Jewish Center of Shelton will ignite a public 9 foot Hanukkah menorah erected on the Huntington Green, followed by a community-wide celebration at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, the third night of the eight-day holiday.
Following the menorah lighting ceremony, there will be fresh hot Latkas, doughnuts, holiday goodies, a giant chocolate coin gelt drop by the local fire department, an on-site photo booth and more.
For information about Hanukkah, or to request a free Chanukah kit and a local schedule of events visit JewishShelton.com/chanukah.
Toys for Tots
The Wireless Zone, 464 Main Street in Monroe, is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign to collect new toys for less fortunate children in the area during Christmas.
The store has a box through Dec. 5 for locals to drop off donations.
Sir Paul: A Dedication
Sir Paul: A Dedication, a concert celebrating the music of Paul McCartney, will be performed at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St. in Newtown, on Dec. 3 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Tickets cost $30 to $35. For information, click here.
Among the performers are Mike Green, Wayne Sabosto, George Tebbitt, Reggie Bell and Tom Licameli.
Monroe Giving Tree Program
Every year, the Monroe community generously purchases gifts for town residents in need during the holiday season. Those wishing to help by purchasing a gift should click here and sign up for a specific gift.
Gifts should be wrapped and returned with the tag number (i.e. 101A) clearly marked on the outside by Dec. 1.
Drop off locations are inside the Monroe Police Department lobby, which is open 24 hours a day, and in the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library Lobby, open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To make a monetary donation instead of buying a gift, click here. For information, call Mary Ann Kalm, the town’s social services coordinator/clinical coordinator, at 203-452-2813.
No Shave November … and December
Monroe Police Chief John Salvatore will have to wait an extra month to enforce his department’s policy requiring all officers to be clean shaven.
After the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled police officers’ participation in the annual No Shave November CT fundraiser last year, the chief decided to give them an extra month to raise money for the Connecticut Cancer Foundation’s fight against pediatric cancer.
“The guys like doing it, because we have to shave every day and it’s in our orders to be clean shaven,” Officer Nicholas Franzago said. “It’s fun and it’s for a good cause.”
This year, 20 Monroe police officers will not pick up a razor in November and December. Each donated $50 to participate and all are welcome to joint their effort by making donations on the No Shave Connecticut website on behalf of the Monroe Police Department.
To donate, click here.
We have a goal of $2,000 and are at $1,635 now,” Franzago said.
The 2021 Ambassadors.
He said the fundraiser will directly benefit Connecticut families with basic living expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, and food, as they strive for the children to be cancer free. The families of four children known as ambassadors will receive significant grants this year.
There will be a contest for the best facial hair with prizes from Schick, and weekly prizes of autographed MLB baseballs awarded for the top five individual fundraisers. Prizes will also be awarded to the Top Fundraising Team and Top Individual Fundraiser.
