Sip and Shop Celebrates 10 Years of Music For Youth

Sip and Shop Celebrates 
10 Years of Music For Youth:

J. McLaughlin fundraiser features classical performances in-store

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

5/7/11

Westport, CT – In a cove between shelves of spring clothing, the young prodigies plucked and stroked their instruments for an appreciative crowd of parents and local residents that had come to celebrate an important milestone.

Early Saturday evening May 7, J. McLaughlin clothing retailer at 1026 Post Road East helped the non-profit Music For Youth organization celebrate its 10th anniversary with an in-store fundraising soiree. Guests enjoyed wine, nibblies, live music performances by young people that play in the MFY’s master classes, and shopping, with 15% of the revenue from purchases during the 3-hour event donated to MFY.

“J. McLaughlin has a brand-new beautiful location, after just moving from its former home on Main Street,” said Cynthia Cummiskey, Secretary on the Board of MFY, “and one of our board members suggested we collaborate with them as the store is as dedicated to the community as MFY. This is a great way to celebrate our 10^th anniversary season, now beginning.”

The board member to whom Cummiskey referred was Elise Russi, from Westport. “I thought this partnership would be fitting and our small ensembles really gain exposure in a wonderful space,” she said.

As to the store’s role, manager Samantha Holmes said, “J. McLaughlin likes to give back,” she said. “Our space is perfect for special events. We like to highlight the space while doing a good community service.”

A parent, Mia Herstatt of Redding, whose child Olivia was a member of the quartet performing in the store, praised the program. “It has been a wonderful experience for Olivia to have such exposure in a high caliber musical setting and to experience this with other well versed young musicians,” she said. “They all see it as a celebration of music. I think music will be a lifelong pursuit and interest for my daughter.”

The organization’s matriarch, Marianne Liberatore, said it didn’t seem like 10 years had passed since the group became incorporated as a non-profit. “It’s been a wonderful time with amazing concerts highlighted throughout,” she said.

Liberatore also related some of the other anniversary activities that led up to the Sip and Shop store event. “Earlier today, we had a one-hour concert featuring prize-winning marimbist Pius Chung,” she said. “He was joined by Westconn master’s student Matt Bronson, who played various drums. Yesterday, we had a celebratory session at High Horizons School in Bridgeport wherein Cheung performed for all the band students there. When the program was over, there were about 25 students who wouldn’t go. They were so entranced. So he gave them mallets to play the marimba. The kids would play a rhythmic pattern while he provided the melody, all improvised. Everyone was so happy and, really, that’s the beauty of music.”

Pequot Library Trots Out All the Trimmings for Derby Day

Pequot Library Trots Out All the Trimmings for Derby Day:

Big ole hats and mint juleps rule

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

5/7/11

Fairfield, CT – It had all the elements of the celebrated Churchill Downs event: fancy hats, a swing jazz soundtrack, navy blue blazers, Kentucky-style food, mint juleps… even racehorses. It was just a few miles further east… about 840 to be exact.

Late Saturday afternoon May 7, Pequot Library at 720 Pequot Ave. hosted its 3^rd Annual Derby Day, aligning with the 137^th Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses. Event highlights were numerous as Robin Jerrild, the library’s Special Events Coordinator, explained.

“We have 19 tailgating groups, including vintage automobiles and even a John Deere tractor, each with its own spread of food and beverages,” she said. “In addition, The Shack is here providing Kentucky fare including barbequed chicken, cornbread, coleslaw, briskets and sliders. Adjacent to that is a full bar donated by Diageo, with mint juleps as the special drink of the day.”

The title sponsor of the event was clothier Lilly Pulitzer, which provided multi-colored table linens and a number of gift baskets. New York-based Brenda Lynn was also on hand displaying and selling hats. A flatscreen outside and big screen in the library’s auditorium kept attendees apprised of all the race action. A pair of horses was brought onsite by non-profit Fairfield Bridle Trail. Finally, a 50/50 raffle allowed guests to select a favorite horse to win, place or show, for a cash prize.

A passing shower at the start of the event, that sent people scurrying under tents and umbrellas, yielded to bright sun. The rain did not dampen spirits at all, nor the competitive spirit in evidence.

“Like many people who don’t closely follow horseracing, I pick my horses not by odds but by name,” said guest Kelly Kingston. “Dialed Up and Midnight Interlude look good to me this year. A couple of years back, that strategy paid off – my horse came in second and I won some cash.”

Under the food tent, Chris Gould of Southport said that this was the second year she was participating. “We picked a winner last year,” she said. “Our money’s on Archarcharch; our sleeper pick is Brilliant Speed, at 30-1.”

“God Bless America and let’s watch the ponies!” said Southporter Alex Christon, chiming in.

Deborah Webb of Westport, who was set up with friends within their own tailgate space, said, “This is a great way to keep alive the horse community and showcase horses, but also socialize with Pequot Library members and friends. My pal Anya Porter and I are getting behind Animal Kingdom to win.”

Anya’s mother, Dorothy Porter, of Fairfield Bridle Trail, explained the connection between her organization and the library. “They give us two tailgate spots and 10 parking spots to provide both horses and riders in riding garb to enhance the event,” she said.

About the event itself, Porter added, “The Derby is big, and though based in the South, it’s really a national celebration. The library hosting it brings everyone together for a great springtime affair. It’s like Halloween in the spring. How fun is that?”

Candle Making Workshop Pays Tribute to Library Founder

Candle Making Workshop Pays Tribute to Library Founder:

Children mark Pequot Benefactress Virginia Monroe’s 174th Birthday

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/7)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

5/6/11

Fairfield, CT – It was a workshop and a birthday party all rolled into one. Crafts and cake you might say, to honor one of Southport’s greatest contributors.

Late Friday afternoon, about two dozen children and a few parents gathered at Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Avenue, to participate in a candle making workshop in honor of Virginia Monroe Marquand’s 174th birthday. Marquand was the founder and benefactress of the Pequot Library.

Virginia was born on April 29, 1837 and adopted by Frederick Marquand. She grew up in a Greek Revival house on the current-day library property. When Frederick passed and left her the estate, Virginia began building the pink stone building behind the mansion, to honor him. She gifted the library to the village of Southport in 1892, razed the estate and moved with her husband Elbert to Tarrytown, NY. 

“We do something every year to celebrate her birthday and I tell the kids Virginia’s story,” said Susan Ei, Children’s Librarian and the lead on the workshop program. “In the past we’ve done soapmaking, fly fishing and paper flowers. We always have a birthday cake. It comes around the time of Mother’s Day, so this year the candles will make great gifts for mom.”

Ei explained the parameters of the candle making session. “Each child will make two candles – one in a fancy teacup, the other in a paper cup filled with seashells. The seashells will become embedded and we’ll peel away the paper to reveal the formed candles with the shells visible inside,” she said.

The process, which Ei learned on the fly, involves melting the wax, adding color and scent, preparing and inserting a wick and filling the containers. The session also involved the creation of gift bags in which to present the candles.

The children sat at workstations at several tables that had been set up and busily inserted wicks in their cups then filled the paper ones with shells. As Sydney Woo, 6, of Fairfield, filled hers, she held up a shell to her ear and said, “I can hear the ocean in this snail shell.” She added, “I like the shape of the shells. This will make a pretty candle for my mom.”

The children then switched gears to gather on a mat on the library floor on which a pile of stampers and buckets of crayons had been placed, with which to design the paper gift bags. As they worked, library helpers came around with pitchers of melted wax and filled the various cups.

Looking over the shoulders of her two boys at their completed gift bags and candles, parent Leslie Geary said, “Susan is one of the best librarians ever. Her programs are always original and unique. We knew it would be a treat to be here today. I have a feeling I might see these on Mother’s Day.”

Dogwood Fest a Blooming Good Time

Dogwood Fest a Blooming Good Time:

Annual Greenfield Hill event runs 

through May 8

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/7)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

5/6/11

Fairfield, CT – The skies were bright, the tents were staked, the blossoms were blossoming and hot dogs grilling. An annual tradition had returned to Fairfield, and was anticipated to draw thousands throughout its weekend run.

Centered around the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church at 1045 Old Academy Road, the 76th Annual Dogwood Festival was in full swing opening day Friday afternoon, offering a wide array of exhibits, entertainment, kids activities and more.

Event co-chair Debby Cooke, manning an information table in front of the church, provided a detailed Fest overview. “We have 51 juried crafts vendors onsite – a mix of jewelers, furniture, portrait makers, photographers, clothing, wearable accessories and lawn items,” she said. “Inside the church, we have a plant tent, children’s games and musical performances. Just outside, we have a large food tent run by the church selling baked goods, hot dogs and hamburgers. Alongside that, the Senior Pilgrim Fellowship is selling food, to raise money to send church youth to Appalachia to help build homes for the needy. We’re also offering a walking tour of the church and grounds.”

Cooke said another popular attraction is Kate’s Corner, which is essentially an upscale tag sale/boutique, offering both clothing items and antiques. Other weekend highlights include the Dogwood Dash Saturday morning and a “Raise the Roof” party Saturday evening.

“We get several thousand visitors who come to see the dogwoods in bloom, experience musical performances and just enjoy time with friends and family,” said Cooke. “The majority of all funds raised goes to over 30 charities as well as organizations in India, where the church maintains a school.”

With regard to the dogwoods, and the weather, Cooke said, “The dogwoods are in bloom and looking fine. The weather’s supposed to be beautiful over the weekend, with just a passing shower Saturday, otherwise in the 70s.”

One of the vendors onsite, Carol Lebeaux, a silhouettist, said she had been exhibiting at the Fest for over 20 years. “It’s a wonderful show,” she said. “Visitors are great. Many people come back to me year after year with their children, making silhouettes a family tradition.”

Another vendor, Som Clark, a name bracelet maker, was returning for her sixth year. “My bracelets are very popular with a lot of kids,” she said. “Visitors are very friendly and enthusiastic. It’s a nice show, especially when the weather’s good.”

Dina Baker, of “To the Queen’s Tastes”, was serving up British specialty desserts. “This is my third or fourth year here,” she said. “I love coming here. People love our fresh ingredients and the fact that we sell day of, nothing day old.”

Looking over several trays of impatiens in the plant sale area, visitor Carol Goddard, of Fairfield, said she had been coming to the event since moving to the area in 1978. “They didn’t used to have a craft show initially,” she recalled. “The event was much more modest, with mostly the plants, church events and dogwoods. It has really grown since then. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, especially with beautiful weather like we’re having this afternoon.”

Strolling the grounds with her boys Grant and Evan, ages 2 and 4 respectively, Sara Snyder of Fairfield said, “We’ve been coming for the past three years. Evan did the Dogwood Mini Dash last year and will do it again tomorrow. There are so many things to enjoy here and we love looking at the plants and Kate’s Corner stuff.”

Anne Mele, of Fairfield, who was toting a large bag of popcorn and a pastry for her kids, said she grew up in town and has been coming to the Fest for the past 15 years. “The best thing about it is they are so committed to their charitable causes and meet immediately after the weekend ends to disburse the funds,” she said. “Giving back is what it’s really all about. Of course, there are the beautiful dogwoods to see. The event hits two key things in one.”

A master gardener quite familiar with the dogwood tree’s profile, Mele added, “Legend has it that the petals symbolize the cross, a stain on the leaves represents Jesus’ blood as he was nailed to the crucifix, and the upraised center represents his thorny crown. It’s a nice native tree, that birds love, and has seasonal interest throughout the year.”

Dogwood Festival Hours:

Friday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 8, Noon to 5 p.m.

Whiz Kid: Alley Meyer

Whiz Kid: Alley Meyer

State Champion Gymnast

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/6)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

5/2/11

Fairfield, CT – She started tumbling at a very early age and never stopped. Now she has to her credit two gold medals from a recent gymnastics state championship and aims to advance to the next level.

In a sit-down with Patch, 15-year-old Fairfield Ludlowe High School sophomore Alley Meyer spoke about her achievements, with mom Gail providing an assist.

“She was very active as a toddler,” said Gail. “She would jump from our teeter totter to the swingset and hang on it. My husband thought she was going to dislocate her shoulders. We even consulted a chiropractor to make sure it was safe for her to do this.”

“When she was 18 months old, I put her in a Mommy & Me tumbling class at the Y and she was the model student,” Gail continued. “She would forward roll down the ‘cheese mat’, walk on a balance beam and bounce on the trampoline. She was very physically adept at a very early age.”

At 2 ½, Gail enrolled Alley at Fairfield County Gymnastics, a gym on Linwood Ave. “We told them she was 3 to get in the program,” Gail said. “After a year, the owner put her in a more advanced class and she really excelled from there.”

Alley picked up the tale from there, noting, “From age 3 to 7, I was in a pre-competitive program focused on gymnastics. At 7, I started the first level of competitive gymnastics. One of my initial significant achievements was taking first place at a statewide competition that first year.”

Despite the promising start, she grew frustrated with the sport, feeling that she was not making any progress, and, at age 9, switched gyms and took up cheerleading for the next three years.

“When I was 13, a gym called Gymnastics & Cheerleading Academy of Connecticut opened up at Fairfield’s new Sportsplex,” Alley said. “Jane Marella was the director and had been my instructor at Fairfield County Gymnastics. She encouraged me to join. It was a better environment and geared more to the competitive nature of the sport. My coach Craig Bayer was incredible and really pushed me. I was actually pursuing both gymnastics and high school cheerleading, though my interest was pointed more to gymnastics.”

Bayer moved on and was replaced by Melissa Zigmont, who guided Alley on technique. She excelled, competed in several small local meets and qualified for a Level 7 Gymnastics State Competition, which was held this past April 2^nd at St. Paul’s Catholic High School in Bristol, CT. “This was a big deal, with over 80 girls ages 15 to 18 competing from all over Connecticut,” she said. “I expected to do well but didn’t think I’d come out on top and have almost perfect performances.”

Notably, in the Vault, Alley scored a 9.6 out of a possible 10, and a 9.1 on the Floor, to earn State Champion honors in both exercises. In addition, she placed third in the state on the Uneven Bars with a score of 8.65.

“Depending on how my summer practices go, I’ll be moving up to Level 8 competition,” she said. “It’s a much more challenging level.”

How does gymnastics make her feel? “Going to practices is my escape from everything else that’s going on,” she said. “My teammates and coaches are so enthusiastic, nothing else matters and the focus is on what you can achieve next.”

Jewish Home for the Elderly Proposes Move to Bridgeport

Jewish Home for the Elderly Proposes Move to Bridgeport:

Park Avenue Jewish Community Center site eyed

(Appeared on the front page of the Fairfield Sun 5/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

4/28/11

Fairfield, CT – The Jewish Home for the Elderly (JHE) has introduced a proposal to move its Fairfield-based nursing facility operations to Bridgeport, to the Park Avenue site currently occupied by the Jewish Community Center (JCC). The proposed new Jewish Home would incorporate the Center into the building. The topic of a public hearing during the Bridgeport Planning & Zoning’s April 25 meeting, the proposal was received positively by Mayor Finch and City Council members. The discussion has been continued to next month’s P & Z meeting in order for representatives to bring more information to the commission before they consider the matter.

The Sun spoke with several key involved parties to gain background on the project, initial plan specifics, perspective and feedback.

Aging facility prompts new site explorations

Andrew Banoff, the President & CEO of the JHE, said the Home has been at its 175 Jefferson Street campus in Fairfield since 1973 and it had begun to show its age. “We have a wonderful skilled nursing facility that has served us well for nearly 40 years,” he said. “But the facility is aging and the opportunity to build a new nursing home with a ‘household’ model of care to provide an even better quality of care for the next generation of seniors is why we decided to pursue a new location to rebuild.”

Attorney Ray Rizio, partner in the Fairfield law firm Quatrella & Rizio, which is representing the Jewish Home, said the JCC site, at 4200 Park Avenue, was not the first location the Home explored. “About three years ago, it looked to create a large campus up in Monroe, but representatives in Trumbull, Monroe and Bridgeport could not come together on an agreement with regard to sewage disposal. The Jewish Community site became available. It was a logical move.”

Councilwoman AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia (D), who represents the 134^th District where the new JHE would be located, said that the JHE was not the only organization that had expressed recent interest in the site. “I was made aware about a year ago at a meeting of council members at the university, where we were discussing student housing issues, that the JCC was either going to fold or move, and was looking to sell the building and property. The university showed us professionally made plans of a proposal to purchase the JCC for the purpose of housing students, expanding the campus along the Park Avenue corridor.”

Rizio confirmed Vizzo-Paniccia’s understanding of the JCC’s situation. “For the JCC to stay in existence, it needed to sell the property or joint venture with someone,” he said. “They actually had a number of suitors for the property.”

Vizzo-Paniccia said that, a week ago, she found out that the JHE was in firm negotiations with the JCC to purchase the Center’s building and 11.3-acre parcel of land, and that, as a result, SHU decided to withdraw its interest. “On April 26, I met with the university’s new president, Dr. John Petillo, who said once he heard that the JHE and the JCC were in negotiations, he took the offers back and there is no further interest in the property.”

Rizio said the JHE’s proposal had particular appeal to the JCC for a specific reason. “The deal with the Jewish Home would allow the JCC to continue operations at their location, where they have been since 1962.”

Prior to the public hearing, Vizzo-Paniccia called Attorney Rizio to confirm the JHE’s interest. “I wanted to know if there were firm documents showing the plan was going forward,” she said. “He assured me the project was going ahead.”

Proposal details

“The plan is to tear down the existing JCC property and basically rebuild to incorporate the JCC into the new Jewish Home facility, which will also have skilled nursing and some assisted living,” said Rizio, with regard to proposal specifics.

“We hope to be able to offer more private rooms and more residential features such as kitchen, dining and living room space for our residents than we currently offer,” said the JHE’s Banoff.

“It will be a state-of-the-art nursing facility, allowing for small house-type living, with 14 apartments,” added Rizio. “Instead of long halls with rooms off them, it will have more of a residential feeling than institutional.” The new facility would contain 300 beds.

Vizzo-Paniccia also understood that there would be rehabilitation units, an auditorium shared with the JCC and private areas for JCC members.

Banoff said a primary driver is sharing of limited community resources in an efficient new building design. “It will allow us to share spaces such as meeting rooms, a cafeteria, library and other support areas,” he said.

At the public hearing itself, according to Vizzo-Paniccia, Rizio made a presentation about the proposed project, joined by representatives from the JCC and JHE, and discussed zoning issues with the seven P&Z commissioners in attendance.

Notably, the plans call for the new nursing facility to be built toward the Park Avenue side of the property, to meet setback as well as height requirements, and provide parking that would largely be shielded from view under the building.

The proposal also seeks to change the zoning designation for the site from Residence-A to Residence-C, which is the most critical issue at stake. As Vizzo-Paniccia explained, R-A is essentially a residential designation while R-C provides for both residential and institutional usage.

Vizzo-Paniccia is supportive of the development plan, but on guard with respect to the zoning change. “Once a zone is changed, anything can be built,” she said. “The Home’s representatives still have to come back to the commission for approval, but there’s a gray area that doesn’t protect Bridgeport taxpayers, which is why I was at the hearing, to represent their interests. I’m concerned about what might come down the pike.”

She cited a situation two years ago wherein a doctor had plans to put up a medical-use building. Those plans changed and an apartment building went ahead instead, which now houses Sacred Heart students, she said.

“The zone change may create an issue if a project goes in there that’s not beneficial to the neighborhood and taxpayers,” said Vizzo-Paniccia. “The proposed project will also be a strain to taxpayers as non-profits are not required to reimburse police, fire or other first responder services and yet we are still required to respond. Taxpayers foot those bills.”

The JHE’s Banoff seeks to do the right thing by the neighborhood. “We said we’ll stay away from residences as much as possible and stick within the height restrictions of an R-C zone,” he said. “Even with a zone change being approved, we would still need to file and seek approval of the actual site plan once developed. To go forward on any of the upfront work would be premature.”

“They may not have to change the zoning at all because it’s the same type of facility that’s in the neighborhood already,” said Vizzo-Paniccia. “They may only need a variance. In the meantime, I want more commitment from the developers.”

Benefits to Bridgeport

While plans are further determined, the Mayor’s office has voiced its initial support for the project and cited the plusses to the city. “We welcome the Jewish Home for the Elderly’s proposal to move their nursing facility to Bridgeport,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Their collaboration with the Jewish Community Center would be a win-win proposal for all involved – Bridgeport would gain 750 jobs, a 300-bed nursing facility, and it would allow the JCC to continue to provide its top-flight daycare facility in Fairfield County.”

In addition to the jobs created, the JCC would retain an existing 100 jobs, according to Attorney Rizio.

Revenue generation would be limited due to the facility’s non-profit status, said Vizzo-Paniccia, though there would still be tax capture. “As a non-profit, you can’t really collect real estate taxes, but we would benefit from personal property tax on certain cars registered to the city and equipment,” she said.

Next steps

“The JHE needs to file an application with the State Dept. of Social Services regarding the number of beds planned and is pursuing the local zoning approval to allow for the new nursing home, the addition of assisted living and the rebuilding of the JCC,” said the JHE’s Banoff. “With approvals, we hope to move forward with construction in the next couple of years.”

The zoning approval is a key aspect said Rizio. “If we don’t get the zone change, we won’t go to that location and the JCC will be free to sell to any other parties,” he said.

In contrast, Vizzo-Paniccia said, “If we don’t have to change the zoning for the project to go ahead, we’re all for that. I hope we can work together to be good neighbors and do what’s best for Bridgeport.”

Clearly, there’s more to be discussed and until the fine points are worked out, building plans will remain conceptual.

Penfield Pavilion on Track for July Completion

Penfield Pavilion on Track 
for July Completion:

Roofing, electrical, plumbing 

work all moving forward

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/5)

By Mike Lauterborn

5/4/11

Fairfield, CT – Like ants they were crawling all over the Penfield Beach Pavilion structure Wednesday morning, busily going about their assigned tasks. Up on the roof, workers completed the job of nailing into place tongue-and-groove 2’x6’ planks, forming an underlayer for the Tyvek and asphalt layers to follow. Below, carpenters measured, cut and fed them the planks, as well as joists for other areas that needed support. A pair of electricians rolled in to rig up wiring. Plumbers installed a fire sprinkler system. On the seaside of the structure, a front loader set large concrete blocks into place, forming a temporary seawall to block the intrusion of high tides from infiltrating and undermining the construction site. It was all in a day’s work, with an eye towards completing the project in July to accommodate summer beach crowds.