25th Children's Circus of Middletown

25th Annual Children's Circus of Middletown:
The Big City Circus
 

The Middletown Commission on the Arts and Middlesex United Way present Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater’s 25th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Big City Circus.  The one-time-only show will be presented on Friday August 2 at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of Saturday, August 3 at 5 PM. 

The Big City Circus captures the hustle and bustle of city life. Through parades, traffic jams, skyscrapers and pigeons, 150 talented young performers find themselves flung into a chaotic urban sprawl. Featuring fast paced stilted construction sites, lively unicycle market places and an all out acrobatic battle with Godzilla, the Big City Circus aims to bring the sites, sounds, smells and zaniness of the big city to new heights.

 

The Children’s Circus of Middletown is an exceptional community wide program where entire families come together to create this one-of-a-kind spectacle. Director Jason Leinwand, now in his 2nd year as Director, comments often on spirit of community  “In my opinion, this is the essence of what the circus is. It's a place where everyone is welcome to participate. The circus is a place where all of our individual skills are collaged together to create an unbelievable spectacle that everyone can be proud to be a part of. We become a community of artists and over time, one big circus family.”

 

Oddfellows is asking everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Amazing Grace Food Pantry.  Bring a lawn chair and enthusiasm to Macdonough School and enjoy the spectacle.  The 25th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Big City Circus will perform at 5 PM on August 2 at Macdonough School (66 Spring Street) in Middletown.  Parking is limited to street locations, so carpooling is recommended. The Macdonough School lot is reserved for handicapped and elderly patrons.  Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. 

 

The Children’s Circus is part of the Middletown Commission on the Arts Kids Arts program.  The circus is made possible by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, The Middletown Board of Education and Oddfellows Playhouse’s many generous supporters.  For more information, call (860) 347-6143. 

 

Fall 2013 classes, auditions and productions will be announced soon!  Keep an eye on the websitewww.oddfellows.org.  

 

CCP Did You Know? Fact #10.

The "Did You Know?" Campaign highlights partnerships, connections, and collaborations between Wesleyan and the greater Middletown community. Every Tuesday and Thursday we will post a fact and send it out to WesLive, Middletown Eye, Facebook, Twitter, and beyond.

This week's fact pertains to the partnership between the Middlesex United Way and the Wesleyan Campus.

The Circus Comes to Town

24th Annual Children’s Circus of Middletown to perform August 3

Design by Jason Leinwand

Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown Commission on the Arts present the 24th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Circus of Science.  The one-time-only show will be presented on August 3 at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of August 4 at 5 PM.
The talented young performers of the Circus of Science will bounce around like molecules in an atom, explore the elements of fire, earth, air and water, and of course a mad scientist or two.  The Circus of Science will explore a range of scientific subjects all the way from the dinosaurs and marine biology to string theory.  And of course many famous scientists, or at least famous scientist clowns, will be making an appearance.

The Children’s Circus is a 5-week, half-day program for 130 children ages 8-14 that has become not only a huge local event but also a national model for nonprofit municipal partnerships.  Over the five weeks, participants learn a huge variety of circus skills such as acrobatics, dance, juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, clowning, and visual arts.  After deciding on two areas of specialization, the participants train daily and perform for the camp at the end of each week.  For the last two weeks of the program, the participants are cast into featured roles in a circus act, and rehearse these acts before performing in front of over 1,000 people. The performance features the live circus band of local musicians led by Dirck Westervelt, costumes by Betsy Spiro, and scenic and prop design by Ro Seidleman.  

Photo by Andy Szegedy-Maszak

The Children's Circus offers an exceptionally unique program where the whole family and the entire whole community, can get involved in the making of something truly inspiring and special.  Jason Leinwand, this year’s circus director, is especially excited about the community focus of this arts program, “As the Technical Director I was fortunate to spend a lot of time building, paper macheing, painting, cutting watermelon and laughing with circus kids and their families during our bi-weekly tech sessions held in the evenings at the Remington Rand space.”  Leinwand goes on to say, “In my opinion, this is the essence of what the circus is. It's a place where everyone is welcome to participate. The circus is a place where all of our individual skills are collaged together to create an unbelievable spectacle that everyone can be proud to be a part of. We become a community of artists and over time, one big circus family.”

Photo by Andy Szegedy-Maszak

This year, Oddfellows is asking everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Amazing Grace Food Pantry.  Bring a lawn chair and enthusiasm to Macdonough School and enjoy the spectacle.  The 24th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Circus of Science will perform at 5 PM on August 3 at 66 Spring Street in Middletown.  Parking is limited to street locations, so carpooling is recommended. The Macdonough School lot is reserved for handicapped and elderly patrons.

Tickets are available at the gate for $5 for Adults and $3 for Students and Seniors.

The Children’s Circus is made possible by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, Stop and Shop Foundation, Peter Abare-Brown and Courtney Antonioli and Oddfellows Playhouse’s many generous supporters.  For more information, call (860) 347-6143.

For more information on programs, to register for classes or to purchase tickets to performances, call Oddfellows at (860) 347-6143 or log onto www.oddfellows.org. 

Oddfellows programming in 2012-13 is made possible through the generous support of the American Savings Foundation, the CDBG Scholarship Program, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, the CT Department of Education, Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Fund, Elizabeth Carse Foundation, the Fund for Greater Hartford, the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, the Irving Kohn Foundation, the J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Liberty Bank Foundation, Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Middlesex United Way, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Middletown YSB, the National Endowment for the Arts, Northern Middlesex Cable Advisory Council, Pratt & Whitney—Middletown, Price Chopper Golub Foundation, the Stare Fund, Stop and Shop Foundation, Thomas J. Atkins Foundation, Triple Frog, LLC and WESU (88.1FM).

Arts Explorers Program Culminates in Multi-Arts Exhibition

Oddfellows Playhouse's Arts Explorers program completed its third fantastic year on Wednesday evening with a public exhibition of their work, including dance performance, writing and visual art.  The program is a collaboration between the Playhouse and the Middletown Youth Service Bureau.

In the Arts Explorers, Woodrow Wilson Middle School students, working under the mentorship of artists Kate Rushin (Writing), Joel Teixidor (Dance) and Renee Soares (Visual Arts), focused exclusively on visual arts, dance, or writing, developing a performance piece, works of art for a gallery exhibit, or a literary project that can be read or published.  Middletown High School Dragons-in-Action serve as teaching assistants, guiding the younger students and participating in each art form as a peer example.

The Arts Explorers began the year by having first hand exposure to professional arts exhibitions in each area of dance, visual art and writing visiting the Wesleyan CFA, Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery and the Hartford Public Library Art Work and Archive.   Between October and May they have been exposed to, learned and honed skills and styles in their particular art forms.

“The Arts Explorers program wouldn’t exist without the help of many other people and organizations and their commitment to keeping it going.  The program was originally funded in 2008 by an Underserved Youth Pilot grant from the State of CT’s Commission on Culture and Tourism.  As the state money went away, organizations like the Middlesex United Way, Middletown Youth Service Bureau, Liberty Bank Foundation, American Savings Foundation, Fund for Greater Hartford, George A and Grace L. Long Foundation, Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Fund and Elizabeth Carse Foundation stepped in or stepped up their support to keep this successful program alive.  We have these community organizations and their leadership to thank for this positive program” said Oddfellows’ Executive Director Matt Pugliese.

The final project is an open exhibition of their works, showcased in a professional style and given the support and atmosphere of a curated art exhibit.  Visual arts include painting in acrylics and oils, multimedia mask-making, drawing, and mixed media constructions; literary pieces ranged from poetry to short stories, dance ranged from Africa Gum Boot to Bollywood. 

An important aspect of the program is job training.  Students are expected to treat the program with the same responsibility as a job, earning money for attendance and being docked pay for each missed class.  Over the course of the program students can earn up to $200 dollars.  “The money is not the primary outcome, but instead a motivator to develop important life skills around responsibility and work ethic” said Program Coordinator Joanna Perricone.  The sales from the final exhibition benefit the individual artists.  The students’ book sales, dance box office earnings, and visual art receipts are part of the educational process of working as a professional artist.  The final exhibition was well-attended by family, friends, teachers and community leaders. 

About Oddfellows Playhouse:
Oddfellows Playhouse is located at 128 Washington Street, Middletown.   For more than 35 years Oddfellows Playhouse has been more than just a performing arts program.  It aims to make a positive difference in the lives of 1,500 young people each year by using the arts as tools to build self-confidence, communication skills, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for the richness and diversity of the world in which we live.

Oddfellows’ programs are made possible by major support from CT State Department of Education, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Middlesex United Way, The Stare Fund, Pratt & Whitney, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Tower Labs and Daphne Sebolt Culpeper Foundation.   Media support provided by Comcast and WESU 88.1FM. 

Share Your Story About a Positive Male Mentor for the United Way Day of Action

Now through the United Way Day of Action on June 21, Middlesex United Way is inviting people from all across the community to share their stories about a positive male mentor in their lives. Stories can be submitted at www.middlesexunitedway.org/yourstory and will be posted on United Way’s website and shared on social media. Together, we can send a strong message about the importance of positive male role models in young people’s lives.

The United Way Day of Action takes place each year on or leading up to June 21, the summer solstice. The Day of Action is meant to call attention to an important issue or cause and ask people to “take action” in support of it.

According to Kevin Wilhelm, Middlesex United Way Executive Director, “We decided to focus on positive male mentoring for Day of Action because it ties into our work in the area of health and more specifically, our goal to reduce the rate of risky behaviors among youth. There is no doubt that all children can benefit from a positive male role model or mentor, not only to reduce high-risk behaviors but to make good choices that will lead to a greater chance of success in life.”

Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative to Hold First Annual Meeting & Valentine’s Social

From Jill Davoll, Communications Director, United Way of Middlesex County.
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The Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative is holding its first Annual Meeting & Valentine’s Social at The Village at South Farms at 5:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend this free event where you can connect with other women professionals and volunteers.

Women’s Initiative (WI) chair Elizabeth Morin of Morin & Associates will share highlights of the group’s accomplishments, volunteer activities, and grants that were approved in 2011. Representatives from several nonprofit organizations that received WI grants will be on-hand to present how the funds helped including the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Even Start Family Literacy, and Hallie House.

The WI celebrates the power of women to bring about positive change in our community through philanthropy and volunteer service. The group provides opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds to invest their time, talents, and treasures in ways that strengthen the lives of women and children in Middlesex County.

Some of the WI’s ongoing activities include a bi-monthly women’s networking breakfast, an annual free financial literacy workshop, annual drives for books, toiletries, and “gently used” purses that are provided to local programs working with women and children, and the distribution of small, one-time grants to programs that meet one or more of the group’s focus areas: early childhood development, empowering young women, and financial stability.

The Village at South Farms is located at 645 Saybrook Road in Middletown. To RSVP for the event, please call Middlesex United Way at 860.346.8695.

Free Tax Prep Available for People Earning $50,000 or Less

From Jill Davoll, Communications Director, Middlesex United Way
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New State Earned Income Tax Credit Could Mean More Money for You at Tax Time
Free tax preparation by IRS trained and certified volunteers is available in our city to ensure that working individuals and families are filing for the tax credits they have earned. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is available for people whose income is below $50,000 a year.

Middlesex United Way Announces Six One-Time Grants to Local Programs

December 21, 2011

For more information contact: Jill Davoll, Middlesex United Way, 860-346-8695 or jill.davoll@middlesexunitedway.orgMiddlesex United Way Announces Six One-Time Grants to Local Programs

(Middletown, Conn)…Middlesex United Way is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has approved a total of $24,950 to six programs working in the areas of school readiness or affordable housing. As Middlesex United Way continues to address the underlying causes of serious community conditions, United Way volunteers and staff seek to support programs focusing on prevention.

In United Way’s focus area of Housing, two programs were selected to receive funding and help United Way increase the ability of individuals and families to attain affordable housing, one of the organization’s Five Year Goals for the Common Good. They are:

· Middlesex County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness – $5,428 for their Homeless Prevention Fund to provide immediate assistance to those at risk of losing their housing. This critical support is part of an overall plan to end homelessness as it helps with the short term needs of families while long term community based solutions are implemented.

· Middlesex Habitat for Humanity – $5,427 for their “Brush with Kindness” program that helps to preserve local homeownership by partnering with homeowners struggling to restore and maintain a safe and decent place to live.In United Way’s focus area of Education, four programs were selected to receive funding and help United Way increase children’s readiness to learn by school entry, one of the organization’s Five Year Goals for the Common Good. They are:

· Middlesex Hospital to support the implementation of Child FIRST – A one-time award of $10,000 to be used as part of the required $25,000 matching funds received by primary funder, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Child FIRST is a nationally recognized program providing prevention and early intervention services for very high risk children and families to decrease incidences of abuse and neglect, and emotional, behavioral, developmental, and learning problems.

· Best Beginning in Clinton – $1,500 to improve technological capacity of their Early Childhood Council by purchasing a computer and printer, and with any remaining funds to implement a back-up system for their database.

· Cromwell Board of Education – $1,100 for the implementation of a Math Readiness Program for preschool children, their families, and their caregivers.

· East Haddam Board of Education – $1,495 for outreach to low-income, hard-to-reach families in East Haddam to ensure they receive valuable information, resources, and materials through their Early Childhood Council.

Programs receiving United Way funding undergo a review by volunteers to ensure the support will be used wisely and efficiently. After approval by United Way’s team of volunteers on the Community Impact Council, the recommendations are brought to the organization’s full Board of Directors.

Middlesex United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income, health and housing – the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done. You are invited to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. That’s what it means to Live United.

Middlesex United Way is a locally-based organization serving the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Middlesex United Way Volunteer Opportunities

December 5, 2011
For more information contact Jill Davoll, Communications Director, 860-346-8695 or jill.davoll@middlesexunitedway.org
All Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Post Volunteer Opportunities to Free Online Matching System
Middlesex County, CT – Middlesex United Way is inviting local nonprofit organizations to post volunteer opportunities through its free online matching system; Volunteer Solutions. Volunteer Solutions can help local nonprofit organizations meet the increased demand for services by matching more than 500 registered users to opportunities that align with their interests, skills, and time availability. Visitors to the site will find the perfect organization and cause to donate their time to and truly make a difference.
“Middlesex Habitat for Humanity is proud to be a partner with Middlesex United Way Volunteer Solutions” said Jack Doyle, Volunteer Coordinator, Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity. “We get many referrals which turn into great volunteers for both ReStore and at construction sites. The system is easy to work with and provides great results.”
Nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers can use Volunteer Solutions to create one-time or ongoing opportunities, manage referrals, and record volunteer hours. Volunteers can also register and search the site by keyword, agency, or length of volunteer commitment
Some examples of the opportunities that are currently available include:
· American Red Cross, seeking Blood Drive volunteers.
· Estuary Council of Seniors in Old Saybrook, seeking volunteers to sit on their board of directors.
· Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, searching for individual & group volunteers for build projects.
· St. Luke’s Eldercare Services in Middletown, looking for volunteers to assist their clients with weekly grocery shopping.
· Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, looking for volunteers to help working families complete and file their taxes for free.

To register, visit www.middlesexunitedway.org and click the ‘VOLUNTEER’ link. For information, call Matt at 860.346.8695 or email matt.plourde@middlesexunitedway.org

Middlesex United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income, health and housing – the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done. You are invited to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. That’s what it means to Live United.
Middlesex United Way is a locally-based organization serving the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Stuff A Cruiser Gift Drive Tuesday!

Please join the Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society on December 13 at 5:30 pm. for a Holiday Social and Stuff-a-Cruiser Gift Drive! Connect with other young leaders who live or work in Middlesex County. Enjoy complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and a business card raffle.
Brighten up a child’s holiday season! Please bring an unwrapped gift for a child aged 5-11. Encourage your co-workers to donate along with you. All gifts will benefit low-income families who attend Macdonough Elementary School.

Event sponsored by Attention To Detail in Middletown. With special thanks to Esca and the Middletown Police Dept.
Call (860) 346-8695 to RSVP or email Matt.Plourde@middlesexunitedway.org

https://www.facebook.com/MUWYoungLeadersSociety

Stuff A Cruiser!

Middlesex United Way

100 Riverview Center Suite 230

Middletown, CT 06457

860/346-8695 Fax 860/346-6044

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

November 21, 2011

For more information contact Jill Davoll, Communications Director, 860-346-8695 or

jill.davoll@middlesexunitedway.org

Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society to hold a Holiday Social and

Stuff-A- Cruiser Toy Drive to Benefit Children and Families of Macdonough

Elementary School

Middletown, CT – The Middlesex United Way’s Young Leaders Society is holding a Holiday

Social and Stuff-A-Cruiser Toy Drive at Esca Restaurant and Wine Bar on Tuesday, December

13th at 5:30 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend this free Holiday Social where you can connect

with other young leaders who live or work in Middlesex County.

Brighten up a child’s holiday season! Please bring an unwrapped gift for a child aged 5-11 and

help us stuff a Middletown Police cruiser. Encourage your co-workers to donate along with you.

All gifts will benefit children and families who attend Macdonough Elementary School. The

event is being sponsored by Attention To Detail in Middletown, with special thanks to Esca and

the Middletown Police Dept.

The Young Leaders Society is a unique and dynamic group providing community involvement,

personal development and networking for individuals or couples 40 years of age or younger

who live and work in Middlesex County. Our mission is to create opportunities for young

professionals to get involved with Middlesex United Way, connect with colleagues and

community leaders and give back to advance the common good.

Esca Restaurant and Wine Bar is located at 437 Main Street, Middletown. If you have

questions regarding this event, please call Middlesex United Way at 860.346.8695.

For more information about Middlesex United Way’s Young Leaders Society visit our website at

www.middlesexunitedway.org/yls or at www.facebook.com/MUWYoungLeadersSociety.

Young Leaders Society

Address	100 Riverview Center #230, Middletown, CT 06457 · Get Directions
Phone	(860) 346-8695
Website	http://www.middlesexunitedway.org/yls

Founded	2011
About	The Young Leaders Society celebrates and strengthens the power of young professionals to become leaders in our organizations and bring about positive change in our community.
Company Overview	The Young Leaders Society provides community involvement, professional development, and networking for people 40 years of age or younger who live or work in Middlesex County. • Network and form new partnerships with area businesses and community leaders who know the importance of civic engagement. • Learn through opportunities designed to inform members about local issues or professional development. • Volunteer with service projects that improve neighborhoods and strengthen our community. • Support programs that advance the common good and deliver measurable results in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Housing.
Mission	Our mission is to create opportunities for young professionals to get involved with United Way, connect with colleagues and community leaders, and give back to advance the common good.
Email	andy.heuer@middlesexunitdway.org

Time	Thursday, October 13 · 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location	The Shadow Room 170 Main Street Middletown, CT
More Info	Please join the Middlesex United Way Young Leaders Society on October 13 at 5:30 p.m. for our official kick-off! Enjoy a free and inventive networking event bringing together current and future Middlesex County leaders, light hors d’oeuvres and a business card raffle. The Young Leaders Society celebrates and strengthens the power of young professionals to become leaders in our organizations and bring about positive change in our community. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

United Way Seeking Request for Proposals for Housing-Related Initiative

Middlesex United Way thanks Webster Bank and Harding Development Group, our 2010/11 Gold Sponsors, for Living United.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2011

Middlesex United Way is making available a one-time grant to support a new or existing housing-related initiative. This housing initiative must be consistent with Middlesex United Way’s Five Year Goal to increase the ability of individuals and families to attain affordable housing. While not necessary, proposals that support the goals of the Middlesex County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness will receive additional consideration.

There is a total of $10,855 available for this opportunity. The award period will be from January 2012 – June 2012. Funding beyond this time period is not guaranteed. Organizations may submit more than one proposal.

Middlesex United Way’s Affordable Housing Impact Team comprising local volunteers will review all requests, conduct site visits as needed, and recommend one or more proposals for funding.

Proposals will be rated on the following criteria:

· How it will increase the ability of individuals and families to attain affordable housing;

· Demonstrate need for service/program;

· Identity/description of target population;

· Number of people served/impacted;

· Ability to demonstrate measurable outcomes/results;

· Financial accountability for project and for overall organization; and

· Ability to implement the initiative within 2-4 weeks of notice of funding.

To download a Fund Request Form with more information and a list of required documentation visitwww.middlesexunitedway.org/housing. All requests must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2011 to ed.bonilla@middlesexunitedway.org.

All interested organizations are encouraged to consider submitting a proposal even if they feel you don’t meet all of the above stated criteria and/or if their proposal prioritizes different criteria. New, creative ideas that demonstrate potential will be considered.

There will also be a Technical Assistance session for organizations held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Middlesex United Way. Contact Ed Bonilla for more information and to register at (860) 346-8695 ored.bonilla@middlesexunitedway.org.

Middlesex United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income, health and housing – the building blocks for a good quality of life.

United Way recruits people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done. You are invited to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. That’s what it means to Live United.

Middlesex United Way is a locally-based organization serving the towns of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Children's Circus Rises Like Phoenix with a Golden Nose

Oddfellows Playhouse, the Middletown Commission on the Arts and the Middlesex United Way present the 23rd Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Quest for the Golden Nose. The one-time-only show will be presented today (Friday August 5) at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of August 6 at 5 PM.

Admission: $5 Adults / $3 Students and Seniors

Today at 5pm at Macdonough School (66 Spring St, Middletown) is the Children's Circus of Middletown. It really is an incredible event, and shows to highlight the spirit of Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown community. Much of what Oddfellows lost in the February 2011 collapse of the building at 505 Main St. impacted this program.

Over 130 students have worked over the last 5 weeks to put together this incredibly large outdoor performance, which will be witnessed by an audience of over 1,200.

The Middletown community has helped in a variety of ways - families and friends have helped sew and stitch costumes together, paint and build set pieces and puppets. Those who couldn't lend time and energy helped in other ways. On August 1st, Eli Cannon's Tap Room held a Craft Beer Tasting and BBQ, donating the proceeds to Oddfellows. Carrie Carella, General Manager of Eli Cannon's said, "We wanted to help our neighbors. The chaos of construction [Community Health Center next door] helped us realize how important support from the community is. We know the Children's Circus took a big hit when 505 Main St collapsed, destroying costumes and props. We can't sew or act, but we can do an event to help Oddfellows out in a financial way. We thought an event the week of the Circus made a lot of sense."

This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a fun, community arts event and to support and encourage our young people who are giving us all an incredible gift in this performance. Your presence helps them realize how important they are to Middletown and the future of our community.

Events on Friday

Friday October 16:
The Middlesex United Way is the sponsor of "Day of Caring 2009: Project Homeless Connect", a day-long event to be held in Chapman Hall at Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) described thusly:

On October 16, 2009 Day of Caring will be Project Homeless Connect (PHC), an event that engages individuals who are homeless in one location and connects them with needed services. Individuals will be picked up and transported to Middlesex Community College and have access to services that can include: medical, mental health, dental, housing, food, clothing, legal, financial, and job placement.

The day will also include Mayor Sebastian Giuliano's announcement of the 2010 selection for the "One Book, One Middletown" project. That will take place at 1 p.m. To learn more about the event and about the United Way, go to www.middlesexunitedway.org/site/dayofcaring.php

The Buttonwood Tree welcomes 2 singer-songwriters for an evening of folk-rock music. Guitarist/drummer Katie Pearlman (pictured, photo by Jennifer Mercurio) teams up with Rupert Wates (returning to The Buttonwood for a second time.) Pearlman usually tours with a quartet but also has an acoustic set of her songs and Wates is really coming into his own with his finely crafted tunes and engaging delivery.
For more information, call 347-4957.

"Disfarmer (Everyday Uses for Sight #6: Disfarmer)" comes to the Wesleyan CFA Theater Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. The creation of Dan Hurlin (director, designer), Sally Oswald (text) and Dan Moses Schreier (score), the puppet theater work is inspired by the life of American portrait photographer Mike Disfarmer (1884-1959), who worked (somewhat) anonymously in Heber Springs, Arkansas (a selection of his portraits are currently on display in Zilkha Gallery.) The photographer was a loner, disdained company and community, yet his images of the little Arkansas town's population at the time of World War II are quite affecting. For ticket information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa. To learn more about the photographer, go to www.disfarmer.org/ or www.disfarmer.com/ (2 distinctive sites but both quite informative.)

Health Care For Homeless October 16

From the Middlesex United Way

Middlesex United Way and several local organizations are coming together on Day of Caring 2009 to offer free basic services and health screenings to people who are homeless or may be at-risk of homelessness. Project Homeless Connect will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in Chapman Hall at Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road.

Free transportation to Project Homeless Connect will be provided to Middlesex Community College from locations in Middletown Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, Middlefield and Cromwell. For a list of pick-up and drop-off locations, visit www.middlesexunitedway.org or call (860) 346-8695.

Project Homeless Connect, a national initiative that began in San Francisco and has been implemented in more than 200 cities throughout the world, is a one-day event that provides immediate access to information and services for people who are homeless or are at risk for becoming homeless. Free services will include haircuts, dental checkups, vision screenings, podiatry screenings chiropractic services and chair massages. Information will be available on housing, energy assistance, employment, education, social services, legal services and clothing vouchers. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and the first 200 people will receive a backpack with free gifts.

The goals of Project Homeless Connect are to improve access to services and housing for people who are homeless and to engage and increase the community's involvement in collaboratively finding solutions to homelessness.

The event is being held on Middlesex United Way’s annual Day of Caring, a volunteer event that provides local employees with the opportunity to engage in day-long community service projects. Middlesex United Way held its first Day of Caring in 1995 when 34 employees in Middletown volunteered at five non-profit organizations. Since that time, Day of Caring has engaged nearly 3,500 volunteers from local companies and organizations at 330 projects in towns and communities throughout the county.

Food donations needed

Food Not Bombs is not the only news item related to fighting hunger.

The Amazing Grace Food Pantry has put out a Red Alert that their supplies are unusually low and demand is up. Families in need are eligible to visit once a month to receive food. Last July, 660 families visited the pantry, but this July that number was up to 870 families, and their cupboards are looking bare.

Stop by the pantry at 139 Main Street Extension and donate the following healthy items:

Soup
Cereal
Canned Tuna
Peanut Butter
Canned Fruit and Vegetables

Drop-off times are Mon-Wed-Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thanks to the United Way for getting this information out there!

Food Stamp Challenge

This from Middlesex United Way:

Starting on Monday, June 15th United Way employees and volunteers will take part in a week-long, $24.50 food stamp challenge to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our community. As food and energy costs rise, we are very concerned about low-income families' ability to provide enough healthy food for their children. We are taking this challenge with them in mind, and we invite you to join us.

After paying for housing, utilities, health care expenses, child care, and transportation, many low-income households have little or no money remaining to spend on food without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known at the Food Stamp program). Most households receiving this assistance report that their benefits do not last the entire month and many are forced to turn to food pantries and soup kitchens that are already experiencing an increased demand for their services. Currently, the program provides just $3.50 per person per day for food (or $24.50 for the week).

We do understand that food stamps may not be the only source for food for families. Most families will likely be able to pay for some food out of their pockets and may qualify for other support programs. The SNAP program is just that - a supplemental nutrition program not meant to be the sole source for families. Eligibility for food stamps is based on many criteria and the benefits for this and other programs can vary.

We are using the $3.50 allotment as our guide for this challenge to:

• Show that the buying power of food stamps is not what it used to be;
• Open up a discussion about the struggles families are facing to meet the costs of living;
• Show the difficulty in eating healthy on such a tight budget;
• Generate understanding and awareness of hunger and food insecurity in our community; and
• Encourage you to give, advocate, and volunteer in the community to end hunger.

Middlesex United Way challenges you to live on the average food stamp allotment of $3.50 per person per day. United Way staff and volunteers will take the challenge beginning on Monday, June 15th leading up to the national United Way Day of Action on Sunday, June 21st. Be sure to read our blog throughout the week and see how we're doing. Executive Director Kevin Wilhelm is scheduled to appear on The Best of the Valley radio show on WMRD on Wednesday, June 17th at 12:30 p.m. during the challenge week.

Here are the rules and guidelines for the challenge should you choose to participate:

• No food may be accepted as a gift during this time (that means no cookies from coworkers!);
• If you need a condiment, you must purchase it with your monetary allotment;
• If you choose to take the challenge for the 7-day week, all that is eaten must be purchsed with the $24.50. You cannot eat food that was not paid for with the allotment but is already in your refrigerator or pantry;
• All that is purchased with your allotment must be food; and
• You may start with provisions of what a typical food pantry would supply to a person who is completely without food and needs emergency stocking. This would not count towards your $3.50 per day allotment. This is a list of typcial: 1 jar red sauce; 1 pound pasta; 1 bottle of juice; 2 cans vegetables; 2 cans soup; 1 can fruit; 1 can tuna; 1 can meals; 1 box cereal; 1 jar peanut butter; 1 starch side; 1 snack; 1 meat for 1 meal; 1 dozen eggs; 1 pound butter.

Please let us know if you would like to join Kevin in his challenge. We are looking for guest bloggers to share their experiences. Contact Kevin at kevin.wilhelm@middlesexunitedway.org.

Kevin appears today (June 17) on WMRD-AM 1150 at 12:30 p.m. to talk with Don DeCesare about the Challenge. Follow his blog at http://mxunitedway.blogspot.com/.

Recommended reading: Barbara Ehrenreich's article in The New York Times Sunday June 14 titled "Too Poor to Make the News" - read it here.