“Guys Night Out” Fills a Program Void

“Guys Night Out” Fills a Program Void:

Men gather to meet, eat and take in a flick

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/22)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/21/11

Fairfield, CT – Pizza. Beverages. Intimidating electronics. A top-rated guy’s film. The evening had all the makings of a good time for a bunch of local men looking for an evening activity.

“Guys Night Out”, a new program offered by Fairfield Public Library geared to men only, got its kickoff early Friday night in the Rotary Room at the main branch, 1080 Old Post Road. The main focus of the social event was a showing of the 1999 cult classic Fight Club on the library’s 120” hi-definition projection system complete with surround sound. Colony Grill supplied pizza pies, and snacks and beverages were also available. About 20 people attended.

Coordinator Jim Swift, the library’s Systems Administrator, said the library’s director approached him about what it could do specifically for men. Swift said, “I suggested movies and food, which makes great use of our hi-def system.”

Swift’s colleague, Valerie Fredericks, a reference librarian, indicated that Swift was a highly appropriate person to be offering the event. “Jim watches a tremendous amount of movies and is very knowledgeable about them. I think he’s put together a great series. Next month’s movie will be ‘The Hangover’. These are real guy movies.”

Besides The Hangover, the series will offer other action-packed films like The Godfather, Full Metal Jacket, Snatch and The Matrix. Films will be shown every third Friday of the month going forward.

Attendee Bernard “Bert” Leskovsky, 60, thought it would be a good diversion and fills a void in area programs. “I’m a Fairfield resident and have been laid off for the second time in four years. This is a good distraction. Usually, events are dedicated to children, women or seniors and not for guys specifically. It’s a nice alternative.”

Darin Mann, 40, agreed that the event met a need. “It’s unique to see a Guys Night Out posting. I thought it would be interesting and it’s nice to see something fun.”

The social aspect of the activity appealed to Joe Whyte, 66, who was attending with his friend Rudy Costello, 64. “I come to the library frequently. It seemed like a good time. You get a little camaraderie and meet some new people.”

For Chuck (declined to give last name), a self-described “library rat” who had just relocated to Fairfield, it was a chance to reconnect. “I just recently moved back here and this seemed like a good way to meet some local people. I haven’t seen the film, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Like Leskovsky, Allen Cassatt, 60, was down on his luck and appreciated the night out. “I’m not currently working and never get a chance to visit the library. I thought this would be a good opportunity and to fraternize with my town. It gives you peace of mind.”

Rich Rizzardi, 59, was very enthusiastic about the program. “I think the concept is fantastic. I take advantage of most of the library’s amenities. When this came up, I said ‘wow!’ I don’t think you even need the food – the movies are current and the event is very social.”

For Shashi Chaddha, 71, the event was an opportunity to experience library offerings. “I’ve not used the library very much and noticed this program. I thought this would be interesting to see.”

John Quintiliano, 52, probably couched things best, noting, “You come out here and they have food and a real good movie. It’s very comfortable and social. You can’t ask for more.”  

For more information about upcoming films and scheduling, contact www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 203-256-3160.

Rally Kicks Off 2011 Relay for Life Planning

Rally Kicks Off 2011 Relay for Life Planning:

Attendees share inspiration and hopes

(Posted on Fairfield.Patch.com 1/21)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/20/11

Fairfield, CT – Such a united, positive vibe reigned over the gathering that one imagined, if harnessed, it could cure any ill. Sadly, everyone in the room would need to remain vigilant to eradicate one of man’s most pervasive diseases – cancer.

To kick off the fight in 2011, coordinators of the Fairfield hub of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life cancer research fundraiser hosted a rally Thursday night at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. Over 60 people attended – including team captains, local cancer survivors and family members -- to celebrate the previous year’s achievements and to hear about plans for this year’s program.

According to Michelle Cole, Planning Committee Co-Chair, last year’s event was the fifth highest fundraising event for cancer in all of New England out of 235 distinct events. “We were number one out of all the events for funds raised online,” added Cole. In all, almost $350,000 was raised.

Cole oversees a planning committee of 40 who, themselves, are on 12 subcommittees. The groups coordinate logistics, plan the June 4-5 Relay for Life event (to be held at Fairfield Ludlowe High School), and organize the teams and pre-race Survivor reception.

Two honorary chairs, Kevin Cotellese and Ryan Brennan, will serve as spokespeople for the 2011 event, bringing a face to the effort. “Both are very upbeat and inspire not only close family and friends, but the general community as well,” said event co-chair Cheryl Grabiec.

Cotellese is the Fairfield Ludlowe High School Director of Choral Activities who, in Nov. 2009, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As he began chemotherapy in Jan. 2010, his students formed the Relay team Close Harmony in his honor. Cotellese completed treatments as of October 2010 and initial tests indicate he is cancer-free.

Brennan is a 17-year-old student at Fairfield Preparatory who is currently battling Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors, following a Sept. 2009 diagnosis. His friends and family rallied with Ryan to form the Relay team Just Beat It.

The captain of the Just Beat It team, Sean Keane, 17, said, “It has been amazing being involved with the community, raising funds and helping my friend Ryan.”

Brennan has been propelled by the outpouring of support. “When I was first diagnosed, it was very scary, but within days a powerful team of people came together to form Just Beat It. A dedicated Facebook page was also created which has gained over 2,000 members in a relatively short time. I can’t describe how meaningful this has been and the strength it gave me to go forward day by day.”

As an additional fundraising effort, Keane’s group printed, and has been selling, Just Beat It t-shirts and bracelets. “They’ve been really popular – six hundred shirts sold within a month and have been distributed across the country. We’ve raised several thousand dollars for the cause,” said Brennan.

Prominently displayed at the rally was a Fight Back banner used to encourage people to make a pledge for a way they can fight back against cancer. Pledges may include a vow to stop smoking, wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables or go for cancer screening tests. Those that pledge autograph the banner to inspire others.

Past chair Anne Farkas was delighted to again be part of this exuberant pack. “Relay for Life has been about inspiration, the community and, really, our youth. I was invited to get involved by my daughter. We have all sorts of cancer in our family and I wanted to do something uplifting to make a difference. I got to see the positive vibe and spirit of the event – that healing that takes place. The Fairfield community really takes up the fight. The year I chaired, we had a grandfather throw away his cane to walk the opening lap.”

American Cancer Society Staff Partner Shannon Murnane gave Fairfield much credit for its efforts as well. “Fairfield is such a great contributor for us as one of the largest events in the state, now in its 14^th year of participation. The town is very energetic – people donate their time at the drop of a hat. And they have such a great network of friends and family to provide support.”

Man About Town: The Pantry… Just Perfect

Man About Town: The Pantry… Just Perfect

By Mike Lauterborn

(Appeared in the Fairfield Citizen News 1/21)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/14/11

It was the Friday preceding Martin Luther King Day and Fairfield schools were closed. It was just as well as it would keep some traffic off the road and allow town equipment to continue to whittle down and remove mountainous snowbanks that had piled up everywhere. Temps were frigid this particular morning and a cozy windowside table at The Pantry was calling.

Nestled beside Domino’s in a retail plaza at 1580 Post Road in downtown, the market, with its bakery and deli counter, has been serving the area since March 2003. While a destination for convenient pick-up of needed items, purveyor of delectable prepared foods and provider of specialty cakes and pastries, The Pantry has also become a social gathering place. Retirees visit to enjoy a light breakfast, moms and their children will meet up to take five during a busy day of errands and couples will relax and read the paper on weekends.

Manning one of three registers at the front of the market, Jenisha Shrestha, 24, remarked, “People really like how we treat them, the food of course and the friendly, intimate atmosphere. Visitors from out-of-state even ask if we can open a sister market in their area, as they like it so much.”

General Manager Paul Zawadski said there’s a certain formula to the success of the market: quality food without skimping, talented staff and a fair, reasonable price.

“The center of Fairfield is certainly a viable location, too,” Zawadski added. “Our parking lot could be a little bigger but people seem to make it work. Commuters really rely on us – nobody seems to cook in Fairfield anymore.”

Regarding inventory, Zawadski said, “We run the gamut from hard-to-find items like aged balsamic vinegars to everyday staples.”

As to store traffic, he said the deli counters are popular with people who work in town. “The salad bar is a favorite destination and we make pizzas to go. Now we’re adding a rotisserie, which we expect to be popular.”

One of the owners, Thierry LeMeur, had worked for the old Mercurio’s Market, which had been adjacent and served Fairfield for half a century. LeMeur teamed up with Andrew Rolleri, The Pantry’s baker and pastry chef, with the idea to provide gourmet products to the local area. It filled a void left by Mercurio’s.

“Originally, the store was meant to be a place where a chef or cook could come to buy all their needed ingredients,” said Rolleri. “It has evolved beyond that to be a provider of already prepared or ready-to-bake foods.”

At one end of the store, housing the bakery, a long glass display case showed fresh-made bagels, Danish, croissants and a wide array of cookies, tarts and cakes. Opposite, decks of prepared meals and a walk-in refrigerator housing vegetables.

Mid-store, there’s a meats section and then shelf after shelf of canned and packaged food items.

Capping the other end of the store, the salad bar and deli counter.

“This place has stolen my heart,” said Fairfielder Sunnie Chapell. “This is the best fresh food, bakery, etc. Everything is just top quality and the people that work here are so nice. They will deliver when there’s an emergency. I just love coming here.”

Another regular, Fairfielder Kerri Gibbons, said, “I love their butternut squash soup and cinnamon spice tea. I start my day here. It gets me going.”

Mayra Cancho, bakery supervisor, said, “What we make here is always fresh and quality. The same people often come in two or three times a day, they love us so much. But we get new faces and out-of-towners in here too who have heard about us. They like our daily specials. We’re always offering something new.”

On that note, I gathered myself up, stepped back out into the icy environs and planned my next Fairfield foray.

Fairfield Snowed In… Again

Fairfield Snowed In… Again:

Locals surprised about school closure; getting used to snow

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/21)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/21/11

Fairfield, CT – The automatic phone message had become all too familiar: “All public and parochial schools in the Town of Fairfield are closed.” The notice had been spurred by the latest snowstorm, which arrived overnight and had deposited about five inches by the time it ceased around 8 a.m. Friday.

Patch stepped out to speak to locals in the Beach Area, who were busy shoveling or trying to make their way out. They expressed surprise about the school closure – the district’s third official snow day – and had mixed emotions about the snowy winter we’ve been experiencing.

“I think we’re in the every-five-or-six-day weather pattern,” said Art McAdams, out for a morning walk. “Once it’s established, it seems it’s pretty regular. I’m not sick of it. It breaks things up. It’s a real winter, though I like warm winters in between, too.”

Jim Kreitler, who was shoveling out the end of his driveway, said, “I love this, like an old New England winter that I remember from thirty years ago. I love snow. I look out the window at night at it and get excited, though it does make you appreciate the summer. I’ve just got to find something for the kids to do.”

Nancy Murphy was out walking her Welsh terrier Gibby, who was excitedly scurrying about and burrowing his nose in the snow. The mother of four said, “I’m surprised today was called as a snow day. It seems like the kids know in advance and are counting on it, and it affects their school work. They stay up late. I don’t think these are hazardous conditions. It’s nice powder snow. I have a doctor’s appointment later, but I might walk.”

Brian Dolzani, a father of two, who was scooping the powdery accumulation from his drive, said, “I’m surprised school is closed today. I think a delay would have been appropriate. My son Elliot wants to go to school – he likes gym.”

About the snow, Dolzani added, “I like a snowy winter. It’s way different than the past four or five winters. Mother Nature’s making up for it. As I skier, I don’t mind the snow. I just don’t like the cold. I know the temperature is going to really drop over the weekend, too, and that’s going to be painful.”

Nancy Peterson was also trying to make a dent in the snow. “I’m not sick of it; I just don’t know where to put it. It looks beautiful, especially in the trees, but I don’t like driving in it.”

Stuart Oravetz was shoveling out his mom’s driveway and seemed to have accepted the frequent snowfalls as the norm. “This year I’m so not affected by it. I’m just going with the flow and listening to the weather reports. I don’t mind the shoveling but I think next year we’ll invest in a snow blower.”

Oravetz’s mom Terry, headed to her job, said, “I work at Housatonic Community College. They had a delayed opening. We have lots of work to do – it’s the first day of classes for the semester. The snow is pretty to look at but it’s very disruptive. We’ve had more time off this January than any other year that I can remember.”

Husband and wife team Skip and Carol Hayden were making quick work of the snow piled in their drive.

“This kind of snow isn’t bad. It’s light and fluffy. You have to get to it before the sun melts the bottom layer though,” said Carol.

“I could do without the snow, but it keeps us in shape shoveling. I’m retired now. When I worked, it was much worse. I’m used to it,” said Skip.

Bob Foote, who was just returning home from the gas station, had pretty much had it with the snow. “I’m ready to go to Florida. I just got gas for my snow blower again to do my driveway again. It slows up business and now I have to go figure out how to keep ice off my overhang which drips onto my front porch.”

Junior Animal Care Keepers Series Slithers to Life

Junior Animal Care Keepers
Series Slithers to Life:

Five-week program gives youths hands-on experience

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/20/11

Fairfield, CT – They were bug-eyed with excitement about being in the company of feathery, slippery, crawly friends, and only too happy to assume even the most mundane of tasks in exchange for the close-up experience.

Thursday marked the opening day of Junior Animal Care Keepers, a five-week program offered by the Connecticut Audubon Society providing sixth- and seventh-graders with the opportunity to join staff in caring for and studying the animals housed at the center.

Program instructor Linnea McHenry, the center’s Animal Care Supervisor, said, “This is the third season we’re doing this. The last program was held Nov.-Dec. 2010 and had an incredible response, with 10 volunteers, which is a lot for this type of junior program. So we offered it again.”

McHenry explained, “The program teaches kids to be responsible and educates them about which animals are good pets and which are not. They learn that taking care of animals is a lot of work – and that there are factors you need to be aware of with a pet, like allergies in a family, feeding schedules, etc. This is also a great way for kids to start that are interested in being veterinarians one day. It’s very hands-on and they really learn how to handle these animals in the correct way – and to respect them.”

Today, the five participating students were assigned to clean the indoor raptor and mammal cages, though they also played a very visible role in supporting the center’s popular Creature Feature program, which was being conducted simultaneously. The latter is a free program that involves showing several animals up close to center visitors.

Eleven-year-old Matthew Yerushalmi, one of the Junior Animal Care Keepers, pitched in by loading hissing cockroaches into a portable container to show to visitors. He was surprisingly relaxed handling the multi-legged creatures.

“I don’t get scared of anything,” he said. “You can put a scorpion on me and I won’t care.”

Two steps behind him, Olivia Foley, 10, carried a similar container with a frog inside, while Olivia Groell, 11, toted a wooden box with a barn owl inside.

“After we finish our chores, we get to hold a favorite animal for a while and have fun with it,” said Yerushalmi. “I really enjoy that. My favorite is the bearded dragon.”

The majority of the animals used for education are contained in a toasty subterranean Animal Care Room at the center. There are typically about twenty to thirty animals there, ranging from snakes and birds to insects and turtles – even a hedgehog.

Helping McHenry guide the younger helpers on Thursdays is a team of five high school sophomores. About his junior counterparts, 15-year-old Will said, “We really try to get them interested so they can consider doing what we do as an option in the future.”

Said Foley, “I like working with the animals, and my favorites are the mice. I’m learning to handle animals that I really didn’t have any experience with before I started this program. I never imagined handling snakes and I realized they were pretty cool.”

The Connecticut Audubon Society is located at 2325 Burr St., Fairfield. For more information, contact 203-259-6305 or visit www.ctaudubon.org.

Literary Humor Workshop Opens Without Head Cheese

Literary Humor Workshop Opens
Without Head Cheese:

Registrants have a few laughs anyhow

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/19)

By Mike Lauterborn

C 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/19/11

Fairfield, CT – Hopes were high for what promised to be a knee-slapping kickoff to a 7-part Literary Humor - Creative Writing Workshop. Unfortunately, the workshop leader’s whereabouts were unknown.

The latest in a series of writer-centric adult programs offered at Fairfield Public Library’s main branch at 1080 Old Post Road, the workshop was to have commenced Wednesday evening. Designed to help writers construct comedic scenes and work on their specific stories and novels in a positive and constructive environment, the program was to have been led by Fairfielder Ryan Sartor, a credentialed professional with a film and writing background.

Six students had registered for the program and appeared at the library’s Memorial Room, pens and writing tablets in hand ready to absorb Sartor’s lessons. As the class start time and then several more minutes passed, registrants began to wonder if Sartor’s absence was part of a purposeful humor technique and the joke would soon be revealed. As more time passed and it became clear that something was truly amiss, the students talked among themselves and with Patch about their objectives and desires for the class.

Said one registered Fairfielder (who declined to provide her name), “I wanted to learn about writing comedy and using humor in literary works. I’m a freelance writer and the library’s great for writers, with programs like the different writing groups and writer’s conference. I’m working on some short stories and a memoir and I think humor can be used in both.”

Another participant, Mary Ellen McLean, said, “I am a moderator of one of the library’s workshops and an aspiring fiction writer hoping to publish a New York Times bestseller one day. There’s always something more to learn. I’m a novice when it comes to fiction. You can bring humor into most anything you write.”

Another Fairfielder hesitant to provide her name – the anonymity a running joke it seemed – said, “I can write but it isn’t my first choice… but there are some things now that I want to write. Humor’s a great thing to incorporate. My daughter has a marvelous website called motherrr.com. It’s about mother-daughter relationships and she gets interest from all over the world. I can write for that but would like to inject humor into the content.”

Participant Jackie from Stratford, said, “I can always learn better writing skills and am definitely interested in humor and that slant on life. It’s nice when a library has programs for adults.”

Librarian Nicole Scherer, who assisted with trying to determine what had become of Sartor, echoed some of the participants’ sentiments. “We consider ourselves to be the writers’ library and this is just one in a long line of programs we offer to writers of all ages. The library is a true community hub wherein we offer programming designed to spark creativity.”

In this instance, those sparks would have to be contained for the moment. No further word was available about future sessions of the workshop, though it has been scheduled for Wednesdays, January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2.

For more information, contact the library at 203-256-3160.

Young Poets Take the Spotlight at Fairfield University

Young Poets Take the Spotlight 
at Fairfield University:

“Poetry for Peace” contest winners honored

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 1/18)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

1/18/11

Fairfield, CT – You might say there was a collective peace of mind among the students being honored at Fairfield University’s Aloysius P. Kelley Center early Tuesday evening.

From Bridgeport and Fairfield public and private schools, all were winners of a “Poetry for Peace” contest sponsored by the University’s Humanities Institute; the Offices of Academic Engagement and Student Development; the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration committee; the Peace and Justice Studies program; and the Department of English. In all, just 70 submissions out of more than 1,100 from grades kindergarten through 8^th grade were chosen. Each winner was asked to read his or her submission and all winning poetry was published in a booklet that was distributed at the event.

Jerelyn Johnson, co-director of the event and Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Dept. of Modern Languages, noted, “This is the third annual event and each year it continues to grow. In the first year, we had just 400 entries. Students were challenged to interpret what peace means to them. It could be something personal or about wars, violence, drugs, personal loss or even a beautiful walk on the beach.”

Given the abundance of this year’s entries, four grade groupings were created: K-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 grades. Each flight was judged by undergraduates, faculty and graduate students.

Co-event director Dr. Nels Pearson, an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of English, was glad to provide a forum for the students’ work. “There are so many young voices with so many things to say, and I’m sure they do in their classes, but there’s something great about convening in a public space to share and hear a community of voices.”

Contest winner Kenneth Epps, 12, a student at Our Lady of Assumption Holy Family School in Fairfield, spoke about his submission. “’Peace in a Place’ conveys that there’s always a little bit of peace in any situation or circumstance --  a waterfall in a field of fire or a partnership in a town of separation.”

Luke Giardina, 7, a second grader at Osborn Hill School in Fairfield, said his poem “Peace is Everywhere” relates all his favorite peaceful moments, like watching TV, playing hockey and lying on his bed reading.

On hand to cheer on Giardina and another student was his teacher, Brenda Perry, who said, “I think it was a great opportunity for the kids to have. About half of my class submitted.”

P.J. Rogers, 7, another Osborn Hill 2^nd grader, received Second Prize honors in the K-2 category for his poem “A Day Full of Peace.” Rogers said the poem was about quietness – “the machines are at rest, no cars are driving, boats are in the dock.”

Rogers’ dad, Peter, was beaming. “We’re so proud of him. He’s such a good reader and student. The fact that he came up with this in 2^nd grade is great.”

Gena Gordon, 13, from Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Bridgeport, wrote “Peacemaker”, which she described as a poem “about one man that has the power to make one situation all about peace.”

Shebian Kamrudin, 9, another Bridgeport student, from John Winthrop, submitted a poem titled “What Is My Peace” and said, “It’s about what you’re feeling when you’re going to do something.”

Byron Spencer, 14, from Waltersville Middle School, also in Bridgeport, said, “My poem ‘Don’t Despair’ is about the comfort I find in music whenever I’m thinking about something I’m afraid of. I’m really excited about being chosen.”

In his opening remarks, Dr. Pearson suggested that the “poems display wisdom, thoughtfulness and humor, but also give us hope.” He also reiterated the entirety of a past poem submitted by a 7^th grader, which he felt captured the essence of the concept of peace: “Peace is like a crystal, long desired for and when acquired a treasure to hold but easy to break. One slip of a finger and it’s gone.”