MONROE, CT — Participants in the 30th Bucci picnic at Wolf Park enjoyed sunny weather on Aug. 24, while eating hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken français, appetizers and desserts.
Children enjoyed playing outdoors, while adults played cards and yard Farkle. Organizers gave a big thank you to Bernadette Bucci Lewis for caring about the family’s tradition.
St. Peter’s Apple Festival
St. Peter’s Grace Episcopal Church’s annual Apple Festival is coming to the green at the corner of Monroe Turnpike and Fan Hill Road on the weekend of Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8.
Over 100 crafters will sell their wares and the event will feature live music, fresh pies, a snack bar, apples, apple cider, apple crisps, a bake sale tent, live mums and more.
The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission and parking is free with spaces available on Fireman’s Field.
Author Talks
Whether you dive into history or dive into your imagination, September’s online Author Talks will open our minds as we open these books.
Watch live or catch the recording, and register ahead of time to submit questions for the authors.
Register for these and other upcoming talks, visit Edith Wheeler Memorial Library’s website by clicking here.
‘CT Parent Perspective’
Alice Adams McKane, of Monroe, is the producer of “CT Parent Perspective”, a show she created on Spectrum, in which she was able to interview Monroe Superintendent Joseph Kobza and kindergarten teacher, Meegan Garrity, for an informative piece on new kindergarten legislation.
The show will air on channel 192 on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. It can also be watched on YouTube by clicking here.
Viking Construction Education Award
$4,000 scholarship.
Ethan Palma, of Monroe, received the 2024 Viking Construction Education Award.
Palma, who plans to study safety and occupational health-construction management at Keene State College in New Hampshire, will receive $1,000 per year for up to four years.
Viking created the scholarship in 2012 to support the general community and those pursuing construction-related careers. To date, the company has committed $52,000 to students.
Applicants need to complete an in-depth submission and essay along with an in-person interview to be considered for the award, and must maintain a 2.7 grade point average minimum to continue to receive the award.
Applications for the 2025 award will be available in the spring at http://vikingconstruction.net/pdf/VCS-Scholarship.pdf.
Monroe music student earns scholarship
ConnexCares, the philanthropic arm of Connex, awarded a total of $30,000 to 15 outstanding students, who demonstrated academic excellence, dedication to their communities, and a commitment to their future educational goals, through its 2024 Scholarship Program,
Among them was Virginia Grabovsky, of Monroe, who earned a David F. Clark Arts and Music Scholarship, meant to recognize and encourage those with outstanding artistic portfolios and potential.
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.
Project Warmth approved for Neighborhood Assistance Act
First Selectman Terry Rooney announced that some businesses may be eligible to receive a credit on their state corporate income tax by donating to the town’s Project Warmth program. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) approved Project Warmth under its Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) program for 2024.
The NAA is designed to increase funding to state-approved community programs conducted by municipal agencies or community nonprofit organizations. Businesses that make monetary, charitable contributions to a qualified program approved by DRS may be eligible to receive the credit.
Project Warmth, which provides need-based energy assistance to Monroe residents through the Monroe Community & Social Services Department, has been approved for a credit of 60 percent of approved contributions, up to a maximum of $24,000. The minimum contribution on which a tax credit may be granted is $250.
Businesses may request a tax credit under the NAA Tax Credit Program by filing Form NAA-02, Connecticut NAA Business Application, through the DRS. Form NAA-02 will be available starting
Sept. 15 and must be electronically submitted no later than Oct. 1. The form can be found by clicking here and searching for “Neighborhood Assistance Act”.
Washington Lodge No. 19 presents computer award
Washington Lodge No. 19 recognized Masuk High School student, Isaac Da Silva, as the recipient of a computer award in a ceremony in front of his family. Photo below:
Rock Steady Boxing
The Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA, a branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA, is supporting people with Parkinson’s by offering Rock Steady Boxing programs that also provide a space for social and emotional healing, while creating a community of support.
Rock Steady Boxing is a unique exercise program, based on training used by boxing pros, adapted to people with Parkinson’s disease. It involves regular exercises, such as stretching, bicycling, running, jump-roping, push-ups, balancing, and lots of non-contact boxing, led by experienced trainers/coaches.
Rock Steady Boxing serves men and women of all ages and levels of ability. Caregivers are encouraged to participate.
Classes are available for free to Y members and financial assistance may be available. Classes begin on Monday, Sept. 30, and run Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
For information, call the Lakewood-Trumbull YMCA at 203-445-9633 or visit lakewoodtrumbullymca.org. More information about Rock Steady Boxing Inc. and Parkinson’s disease is available at rocksteadyboxing.org.
Fall Flower & Boutique Fundraiser
The Stratford Animal Rescue Society’s annual Fall Flower & Boutique fundraiser to benefit animals will he held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stratford Animal Control, 225 Beacon Point Road.
The sale will include hardy mums, fall annuals, combo planters, perennials, houseplants, cornstalks, gourds, straw bales and more. The sale also includes pumpkins this year.
The event will include a Halloween boutique with pet toys and clothing, T-shirts, candles, jewelry and more.
To make a donation, visit stratfordanimalrescue.org/donate to adopt, click here.
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