MONROE, CT — Town firefighters paid tribute to former assistant fire chief, Dennis Cassia, at his wake at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home last Sunday, including a group prayer and final salute.
Monroe Fire Open House
Families can bring their children for tours of fire trucks and the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department’s firehouse at the corner of Route 110 and Moose Hill Road this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., when the company hosts its annual open house.
Children can sit in the trucks and visitors can see firefighting equipment, learn fire prevention and safety tips and meet their local volunteer firefighters.
The event, which is part of Fire Prevention Week, will offer free snacks and drinks, including fresh popcorn, kids fire helmets, activity books, and more.
Think Pink Palooza, Cornhole Tourney
All are welcome to attend the annual Think Pink Palooza and Cornhole Tourney on the town green at 7 Fan Hill Road this Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 3 p.m.
Think Pink Monroe’s event raises awareness of breast cancer and raises funds for town families with a loved one grappling with the disease.
The Palooza will have food trucks, children’s activities and a deejay.
Teams are still needed for the Cornhole Tourney, which is sponsored by Edgerton Inc. An anonymous resident made a generous donation to defray the costs of any cornhole teams from Masuk. Students will pay $40 per team, rather than $60.
Thirty-two teams are expected to compete for the $600 championship prize with $200 for the runner up in the double elimination tournament.
The $60 entry fee can be paid by either Venmo (@ThinkPinkMonroe) or by making a $60 donation at thinkpinkmonroe.com; then sending an email to thinkpinkmonroe@gmail.com with both team member names and phone numbers. For information, call or text Matt at 203-895-3518.
Check in is at noon and preregistration is required.
Mad Hatters Party
The Save Our Stepney Taskforce invites members of the public to a Mad Hatters Party on the historic Stepney Green this Sunday, Oct. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Bring a chair and enjoy music by Jim Ferrara. Attendees are strongly encouraged to fashion a hat or fascinator and join the Mad Hatters parade. Prizes will be awarded.
The event will include a Cake Walk featuring 10 cakes from local bakers, Cornhole, croquet and surprise activities. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
Convenient parking is available behind the Rosary Church on Pepper Street.
Dogtoberfest
All are welcome to Dogtoberfest, which will be held at Fireman’s Field, 706 Monroe Turnpike, this Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will offer family fun, while supporting the Monroe, Fairfield and Norwalk police departments’ K-9 units.
There will be pet-focused vendors, a K-9 demo and a 50/50 raffle. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. The proceeds will directly benefit working K-9 officers.
Due to safety protocols for the police K-9s, pets are not allowed at Dogtoberfest.
Malgioglio named director of Binky Patrol
Jeanne Malgioglio was officially named director of Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids. Prior to that, she had been contributing at a director level for several years.
“I am both honored and thrilled,” she said. “I always tell people that I have three loves on this earth: my family/friends, my school where I teach and Binky Patrol. This was amazing news to hear!”
Founder, Susan Finch, said, “I can’t believe it took us this long to invite her to the board. Her heart is 100-percent Binky Patrol-aligned.”
Malgioglio’s has been creating social materials to support the organization’s new tagline, “Make blankets. Make friends. Make a difference.”
Binky Patrol operates as a 100-percent volunteer organization, welcoming all ages and skill levels, who make blankets for children in hospitals, shelters, crisis centers, and anywhere kids need a reminder that they’re loved.
UMCM Blood Drive
The United Methodist Church of Monroe is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a Halloween Blood Drive from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
To make an appointment, click here.
UMCM Paper Shredding, Electronics recycling fundraiser
The United Methodist Church of Monroe will host its annual Paper Shredding and Electronics Recycling fundraiser at 435 Main St. in Monroe, at the corner of Routes 25 and 59, on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. until noon — rain or shine.
Paper shredding is $10 for the standard archive box (15″ x 12″ x 10″) and the price increases by $5 according to container size.
Electronics recycling includes $10 per cellphone, hard drive and tablet and $20 per computer and laptop.
The church is partnering with Affordable Solutions LLC for the one-stop, confidential, convenient document and data destruction event.
The event will benefit missions near and far. Individuals and businesses are welcome. No need to exit your vehicle, just pull up, pop open your trunk and the volunteers will take care of the rest.
For information, visit the church website or download an event flyer.
Race for Catherine
NEWTOWN, CT — Over the past five years, nearly 1,000 hearts and footsteps from across the country have come together in honor of Catherine Violet Hubbard, 6, who lost her life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will host the 5th annual Race for Catherine, both in-person and virtually, from Oct. 10 to 12. The event raises funds for the sanctuary’s year-round programs that connect people with animals, nature and foster human empathy in people of all ages.
Last year’s event drew 535 participants from 20 states, and this year promises to be even bigger, as runners, walkers, families and teams lace up for the “5K for Kindness.”
“This fifth year is incredibly special,” said Jenny Hubbard, Catherine’s mother and president of the CVH Animal Sanctuary. “Each person who joins honors Catherine’s love of animals and unites us in remembrance, while also fueling the sanctuary’s work carried out in her honor. For that, I am profoundly grateful.”
The event includes:
- Adoptable animals and wildlife ambassadors from a rescued greyhound and a tegu
- A Kids Kindness Dash for children ages 3–9
- Finisher prizes, collectible swag, and free breakfast
- Opportunities to engage with animal rescue partners and sanctuary initiatives
- US Track and Field Certified and Timed Course in scenic Newtown
This year’s presenting sponsor is Fraser Woods Montessori School in Newtown.
The in-person race is Sunday, Oct. 12, at Fairfield Hills Campus, Newtown. Virtual participants can run or walk from anywhere from Oct. 10 to 12. Registration is now open at cvhfoundation.org.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil
BRIDGEPORT, CT – The Center for Family Justice (CFJ) will host its annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Bridgeport Police Department Chief Roderick Porter will join CFJ President and CEO Debra Greenwood as emcee.
“It is critical for the community to come together as one voice to advocate for survivors and create lasting change,” said Greenwood.
“I echo Deb’s sentiment,” Porter said. “These partnerships are vital to address domestic violence. We at the Bridgeport Police Department remain committed to not only responding to calls to domestic violence but also being proactive in our approach in educating not only victims and also offenders in domestic violence situations. We value the importance of this partnership and collaboration with the Center for Family justice. The partnership critical in ending domestic violence in Bridgeport.”
The evening will bring together community members, partners, survivors and local leaders in a united call for awareness and action. The vigil will feature “The Domestic Violence Altar,” presented by the center’s Latine Department, which commemorates the lives lost to domestic violence.
The Center for Family Justice offers free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse in the six communities it serves: Monroe, Easton, Trumbull, Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford.
For information or assistance, visit CFJ’s website.
Giftoberfest offers daily prizes
The Saint John XXIII Columbiettes of St. Jude Church in Monroe will host their Giftoberfest fundraiser throughout the month of October. Proceeds will go to various causes that the Columbiettes sponsor, such as special needs camperships, Hopeline, Christmas baskets for the disadvantaged and other local charitable organizations.
Giftoberfest is a raffle with a daily drawing from October 1 to 31, when a gift card in various denominations is awarded to a lucky winner. Participants can win multiple times. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are good for the entire month.
Tickets are on sale after Saturday and Sunday masses at St. Jude Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, throughout September or can be purchased by calling Elizabeth Edgerton, 203-258-3354, or Jan DeMayo, 203-520-9796, or by sending an email to eaedgerton24@gmail.com.
For information, call Edgerton at 203-258-3354 or send her an email to eaedgerton24@gmail.com.
Monroe Lions Paper Shred fundraiser
The Monroe Lions Club is hosting its semi-annual Electronic Equipment Discard and Paper Shredding Fundraiser at 435 Main St., at the intersection of Routes 25 and 59, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. until noon.
This is an opportunity to get rid of all types of paper records (except spiral binders) and outdated computer and electronic equipment.
The nonprofit requests donations of $15 per box of paper, any size. The donation sought for cell phones is $10. Donations for electronic equipment start at $10 and greater amounts depend on type and size.
Proceeds benefit the Monroe Lions Club’s scholarship fund for graduating Masuk High School seniors. For information, send an email to monroelionsclub8985@gmail.com.
