Ridgefield Teen Launches Photography Biz, Helps Yale Children's Hospital Ridgefield Teen Launches Photography Biz, Helps Yale Children's Hospital
Ridgefield Teen Launches Photography Biz, Helps Yale Children's Hospital RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Senior year is proving to be a busy one for Lindsay Toia of Ridgefield.  The 17-year-old is finishing up high school, sending out college applications, competing in figure skating and launching her own photography business — and somehow finding the time to meet her idol Taylor Swift at a "secret session" for the pop singer's newest album.  Lindsay, a senior at Ridgefield High, plans to major in marketing at college. Not only is it her favorite course, she is also getting hands-on experience as she markets her nature and landscape photographs as part of her busi…
Bridgeport Group Seeks Common Ground In Wake Of Fatal Shooting Of Teen Bridgeport Group Seeks Common Ground In Wake Of Fatal Shooting Of Teen
Bridgeport Group Seeks Common Ground In Wake Of Fatal Shooting Of Teen BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Seven months after a police-involved shooting left a Bridgeport teen dead, city officials and community leaders announced Monday they hope to improve police/community relations through specialized training, body and dash cams, youth programs and conversation. The group, which has been meeting on a near-weekly basis since the May 9 shooting of 15-year-old Jayson Negron, includes Mayor Joe Ganim, religious leaders and those involved in youth programs to help keep kids on the straight and narrow. “We need to make kids know we’re here and we care for them,” said Carolyn Verm…
Monroe Woman Delivers Dresses To Girls In Need Around The World Monroe Woman Delivers Dresses To Girls In Need Around The World
Monroe Woman Delivers Dresses To Girls In Need Around The World MONROE, Conn. – Invited to a sewathon a couple of years year ago while visiting her sister in Maine, Monroe resident Liz Skarzynski thought, why not? Together the group of women made over 100 dresses for the Iowa-based Dress A Girl Around The World organization, a nonprofit group that delivers dresses to girls in underprivileged areas.  While she did more cutting than sewing that first time, Skarzynski still had a great experience and decided to replicate the event in Connecticut. Thanks to the help of a local leader — the group calls them "Ambassadors," — the former marketing ass…
Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day
Sherman Veterans Among Millions Remembered On Wreaths Across America Day SHERMAN, Conn. — On Saturday, volunteers in the National Wreaths Across America Day placed over a million Christmas wreaths and greenery on the graves of veterans across the nation. And a group of volunteers took part locally at Sherman North Cemetery In Sherman in honor of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Todd “TJ” Lobraico of Sherman, who was killed in combat four years ago in Afghanistan.  "We did our part and participated in National Wreaths Across America Day - 2017," said a post at the Facebook page for The TJ Lobraico Foundation. "We placed 72 wreaths on all the veterans laid …
FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum
FriendsGiving Dinner Raises $100K For Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum NORWALK, Conn. – Although adults were treated to a fabulous feast at the second annual FriendsGiving event hosted by Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, children are the ones who will ultimately benefit from the successful fundraiser.   More than 120 guests enjoyed the exquisite, Thanksgiving-inspired dinner created by Chef Matthew John on Nov. 9. Museum supporters helped raise over $100,000 for the nonprofit museum’s Open Arms Accessibility initiative. “We certainly give thanks for everyone who contributed to the success of this sold-out event,” said Rhonda Kiest, president and CEO of Stepp…
Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk
Homeless Man Devoted To His Dog Gets New Place To Live In Norwalk NORWALK, Conn. — Remember Joe and his dog, Bronson? Thanks to Diana Paladino Christopher, the next chapter is unfolding in the life of the formerly homeless Norwalk man.  Many in the Norwalk community banded together last winter to help Joe, who lived in his van with his black Labrador retriever. (He agreed to be identified by only his first name.)  And this week, Joe will be moving into an apartment of his own.    It all started last January, when Diana Paladino-Christopher of Norwalk launched a GoFundMe page to help Joe as the region braced for one of the first snowstorms of the winter. …
Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary
Wall Of Remembrance Honors Sandy Hook Shooting Victims On 5th Anniversary NEWTOWN, Conn. — A Wall Of Remembrance — a temporary exhibit of photos of the victims — is on display at the Newtown Municipal Center as the town marks the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting.The black-and-white photos were installed Monday to offer a space for reflection as the town honors the 26 victims of the deadly attack on Dec. 14, 2012. A sign on a table welcomes visitors.  “We ask that you spend a few minutes in quiet reflection as we remember the lives of these vibrant young children and caring adults who were part of the essence of this community as students, educa…
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim
Animal Sanctuary Will Honor 6-Year-Old Sandy Hook Massacre Victim NEWTOWN, Conn. — Six-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard once caught a butterfly on her hand. As she set it free, she whispered: “Tell your friends that I am kind.” That one sentence is the inspiration behind the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, a tribute to the little girl who was one of 20 children and six adults who perished in the Sandy Hook School massacre on Dec. 14, 2012. It has been five years since that tragic day and family, friends and supporters of the sanctuary gathered this month to celebrate Catherine’s memory and raise more than $700,000 for the new sanctuary. “If …
Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport
Jump To It: Shehan Center Expands Kids' Fitness Program In Bridgeport BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Cardinal Shehan Center will expand its Fitness for Life program for kids and provide a daylong wellness expo, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Bridgeport Foundation. The Bridgeport-based youth center received the grant for Fitness for Life, which teaches kids about healthy eating and cooking as well as the importance of being physically active. “The 100 second- through eighth-graders participating in our Fitness for Life program are being taught how to take care of their bodies by eating right and exercising,” said Katherine O’Hara, co-program direct…
Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West' Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West'
Bridgeport Apartment Complex Brings New Life To 'Downtown West' BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust (BNT) on Monday officially opened Westgate, a 48-unit apartment complex that’s part of a mini-neighborhood the agency has dubbed “Downtown West.” Located next to the Walgreen’s at the corner of State Street and West Avenue, the new 61,552-square-foot, five-story building include two ground-floor commercial spaces and four floors of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. “Westgate represents the second building that we have completed in what we call the Downtown West neighborhood,” said BNT CEO Elizabeth Torres. “We’re one step closer to m…
Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens
Beardsley Zoo Staff Works Around The Clock To Save Weeks-Old Tiger Kittens BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Beardsley Zoo welcomed two tiger kittens last month — and it looks like staffers are more excited than their massive mom. The zoo’s 10-year-old Amur tiger Changbai gave birth to four cubs on Nov. 25. Sadly, two died and Changbai showed no interest in the remaining two females, who are being cared for at the zoo’s hospital. “We are hand feeding the babies five times a day,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “They are being given a feline milk replacement formula, supplemented with vitamins. They are a little underweight, possibly due to the age of their mother and the f…
Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest
Hidden Dragon: Maritime Aquarium Photo Recognized In National Contest NORWALK, Conn. – A photo by Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk publicist Dave Sigworth was recently recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the 2017 AZA Photo Contest. Sigworth's photo of one of the Aquarium's ribboned sea dragons was named one of 12 Honorable Mentions in the contest, which recognizes exceptional photography taken at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. All photos in the contest were taken by staff or volunteers at an AZA facility, and feature animals, people, habitats and other zoo or aquarium scenes. This year's winning photo was submitted by Grahm Jones of Columbu…