Middlesex Community College Foundation Hosts Third Annual Red Moon Fest

On September 6, the Middlesex Community College Foundation will host its third annual Red Moon Fest. The Red Moon Fest is an evening celebration that benefits Middlesex Community College students and programs. The event includes a live and silent auction, a performance by a local jazz trio, and features an assortment of wine, beer, savories, and sweets. The event will be held in Chapman Hall from 6 – 9 p.m. For sponsorship, advertising, auction donations, or to purchase tickets ($60 each), contact Corey Martell at 860-343-5701 or visit mxcc.edu/redmoon.

This year, the Red Moon Fest is also a celebration of the Health and Life Science Initiative at the College. This new initiative is a federally-funded program to expand health and life science learning and training opportunities for MxCC students. Portland residents Dr. Virginia Nunez Olson and Dr. Robert Olson, co-owners of Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital, will serve as 2014 honorary co-chairs. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be dedicated to enhancing this new program.

Live auction items include a seven-night vacation at the Beso del Sol Resort in Florida (airfare not included), seven-nights at a Cape Cod resort, a long weekend in Maine during peak foliage season, a South African Safari (airfare not included), and two opportunities to name a street on the MxCC campus for one year.

The silent auction features a variety of items donated by local businesses including restaurant gift cards, artwork, hotel stays, museum visits, and tickets to sporting events and theater performances. Additional items will be added to both auctions through the event date.

The MxCC Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt public charity dedicated to the support of Middlesex Community College and its students, who come from throughout Middlesex, New Haven, and Hartford counties. The Middlesex Community College Foundation raises funds to support for student scholarships, faculty development, instructional and technical equipment, public lectures and programs that contribute to the quality of life here in Connecticut.

Holiday Shuffle to Benefit Wounded Warriors Project- Main Street

The goal of the Holiday Shuffle is to raise $1,000 to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior Project bracelets will be sold for $20 each, and can be shown at select local establishments on Main Street in Middletown to receive discounts and specials on

December 23, 2011.

Our event will be in honor of Army Specialist Greg Corvo, who will be home for the holiday this year!! Also it will be his 25th birthday on December 26th so what better way to welcome him home than a big celebration for a very deserving charity?

Bracelets will be sold at select locations downtown or directly through one of the Event Administrators. For information on purchasing bracelets you can contact Jeff Valenti @ 860-685-1944 or by email at holidayshuffle@gmail.com

Below are the locations, times and specials that have been negotiated for Friday December 23rd:

1. Eli Cannon’s

7pm-8pm

Drink specials: $1 off any pint

2. Hair of the Dog

8pm-9pm

Drink specials: $3 Jägerbomb shots

3. La Boca

9pm-10pm

Drink specials: $3 Coors Light pints and $2.50 Miller Light

4. Titanium

10pm-11pm

Drink specials: $3 mixed drinks, $3 all draft beer, $3 selected bottled beer, $3 house shots

5. Mezzo

11pm-12am

Drink specials: $2 domestic bottles and $3 drafts

6. Shadow Room

12am-1am

Drink specials: $3 beer, $4 holiday shot, $5 holiday drink

Below are other businesses that are offering deals and discounts for bracelet holders for the week of Dec 24-Dec 30 ( More venues to coming soon...)

Tschudin

100 Riverview Center, Suite 110, Middletown, CT 06457

10% off Valentine's Day orders of 12 and 24 piece boxes when placed by December 31st

Sol Tanning

170-3 Main St. Metro Square Plaza, Middletown, CT 06457

*Lotion packets 2 for $10

*All bottles 20-25% off

*Months in any level 2-6 receive 10% off and 1 week free

*With the purchase of 5 sessions, receive 5% off and 2 free

*With the purchase of 10 sessions, receive 10% off and 2 free

*For every $50 spent, receive $5 in "Sol Bucks" towards another purchase

The New England Emporium

386 Main Street, Main St. Market, Middletown, CT

10% off purchases from December 26th to December 30th

Cold Stone Creamery

100 Riverview Center, Suite 125, Middletown, CT 06457

15% off your total order from December 26th to December 30th

Discount Beauty Supplies plus Salon

466 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457

Specially priced wigs $9.99 and up

PBR Ltd.

386 Main Street, Main St. Market, Middletown, CT

Medina incense- buy two get one free

I can't think of a better way to welcome home our troops during the holidays, than a community event that brings everyone together. Let's make this an event Greg will never forget.

Thank you, for your support. It means the world to our wounded warriors!

Check out our website!! (Thanks to Middletown locals Julia Williams and Jeff Valenti for creating this event)

http://holidayshuffle.weebly.com/

holidayshuffle@gmail.com

I can't think of a better way to welcome home our troops during the holidays, than a community event that brings everyone together. Let's make this an event Greg will never forget.Thank you, for your support. It means the world to our wounded warriors!
Check out our website!! (Thanks to Middletown locals Julia Williams and Jeff Valenti for creating this event)

http://holidayshuffle.weebly.com/

holidayshuffle@gmail.com

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

Kiwanis & Salvation Army Thanksgiving Basket Collection!

Today Salvation Army is the collection and distribution center for over 50 Thanksgiving Baskets. Basket collection was facilitated by Kiwanis Club of Middletown. Pictured are Middletown Police officers delivering 4 baskets collected by the department. Other City departments such as Finance as well as a variety of local civic groups also donated baskets.The worship area of the Salvation Army will likely be filled. Area families in need, determined by the Salvation Army, will receive a basket with a meal for a family of 7 and a 10-20 lb turkey.

MAPS Walk a Success!

A beautiful day weather wise and a great cause! Today MAPS of Middletown held a walk-a-thon at Xavier High School to raise money and awareness about multiple sclerosis- "On behalf of MiddlesexArea Patients Services (MAPS) we would like to thank all those that participated in our first Wheel/Walk-A-Thon held today, Sunday, October 16 at Xavier High School's track. Todays event was a great success. Thank you to those that helped organize this event, Xavier High School - for the use of your track, Lyman Orchard's for their donation of apples, Phil Russo - an EMT from South Fire District that was on-site, and Mother Nature of course for her cooperation! MAPS plans on holding this event next fall. We are also conducting another fundraiser selling nuts from the "Nut Lady", please contact Mary Ladd at 860-346-2515, all orders are due by

November 28." Numbers are still being totaled as fair as donations, but about 100 people turned out to walk today.

Jean Dypa Newman of MAPS supplied the following photos of the event.

Wheel-a-Thon / Walk-a-Thon for MS

Wheel-a-Thon / Walk-a-Thon for MS

When: Sunday October 16, 2011 anytime from 9:30am- 3:00pm

Where: Xavier High School, 81 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT 06457-5635

Middlesex Area Patient Services, “MAPS” announced today that it will be staging a unique event to benefit Multiple Sclerosis member patients in greater Middlesex County with a "Wheel-A-Thon/Walk-A-Thon".

The MAPS “Wheel-A-Thon/Walk-A-Thon” will be like a conventional Walk-A-Thon, but offer an interesting twist. MAPS is encouraging both walking and wheelchair bound people to cover a ¼ mile or more for the benefit of their MS members. It will be held at the Xavier High School track.

Founded in 1971,the primary goal of MAPS is to improve the lives of members residing in the Middlesex area who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis by providing financial assistance and social activities.

Sign up your relatives, friends and employers to sponsor a lap, or just take a slow stroll around a beautiful track on a Sunday. No donation is too small. There will be a wheelchair available if you would like to experience what being in a chair is like. You may also have the opportunity to push one of our member/patients around. If you would like a sponsor sheet, please email Jean Newman at thenewmans@sbcglobal.net.

Won’t you help us brighten someone’s day who is fighting this debilitating and as yet incurable disease? Please join us on Sunday, October 16th!

Catales: Bark & Boo Walk Fundraiser

October 22nd, from 2-5 pm Veterans Memorial Park, Walnut Grove Road Middletown $5 Entry Fee All are welcome to wear Halloween Costumes

Trick or Treat Bags will be provided! Open to Parents, Children,

Pet Lovers and their Pets

100% of Proceeds to benefit Catales, Inc. a non‐profit no-kill organization that provides food, medical care, and shelter for those purr-fect pets waiting to be adopted! Check out who is ready for adoption NOW!

At: www.catales.org Email Questions to: sandy@reynolds.org

1.5 Mile FUNdraising Walk, with treats for children and pets. Special Thank You’s go to the following: Willy’s Treats for donating Doggie Treats 2nd Year in a row! McDonald’s on Main St. and McDonald’s on Washington Street who have donated Happy Meal Collector Toys, Travel Bingo and Fun Time Game Booklets; and especially to A&A Office Systems for Donated Copy Services! You are all special.

Additional fees apply for various other vendor services (i.e. pet nail clipping etc.)

No Rain Date set at this time, just bring an umbrella, Pets still have to go out to do their thing! Kids love to play in the rain and so do some of us grown ups. Come have fun for the Purrrrr-fect Cause. If it is raining that day, check our website to find out if a Rain Date has been set.

Catales is a home grown non profit with it's main foster home in Middletown. Catales is run entirely by volunteers. Catales profits homes, medical care, and rehabilitation to feral and displaced felines. This year alone, they have adopted out nearly 100 animals alone. In picture left, Barabar Melia, Mayor Giuliano, and Catales founder Deb Bagley.

Weekend Review: CROP Walk for Hunger a Success!

A better late than never weekend article about this past Sunday’s CROP Walk. Held on the South Green. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. CROP was an acronym for the Christian Rural Overseas Program as it is under the Church World Service organization.

Local Organizersizer's changed the acronym to Community Response to Overcome Poverty for the event. The walk was organized by Bill Maune and Debra Hopkins, chapter leaders, and honorary co chaired by Mayor Giuliano. This is the second annual CROP Hunger Walk held in Middletown. Giuliano read a proclamation at the opening ceremony of the walk declaring Sept. 25, 2011 CROP Walk for Hunger Day. The organizing committee provided signs, bookmarks, and apples & water for walkers. Ron Krom, director of the local Amazing Grace Food Pantry was in attendance and spoke to the crowd about how funds raised at this event would find their way back to Middletown and help feed local families. Other dignitaries included Representative Matt Lesser (D) (also an honorary committee member), and Common Councilman Phil Pessina (R).

The walk was approximately 3 miles long going from the South Green, north on Main Street to Amazing Grace on Stack Street, and circling back along High Street back to the Green. Local Boy Scout Troop 72 raised funds for the cause and participated in the walk. Earlier this month, Amazing Grace put out a request for donations because the food supply was at an emergency low due to the increase in families needing assistance. This year 25% of the proceeds go directly to support the local efforts of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen in Middletown with the remainder going to end hunger world wide. To date, the Middletown CROP Walk has raised $456.20 just with its corresponding online campaign. The online campaign is still open for donations ( see link). Update with the final figure to with what was raised at the walk to come!

Find out how you can help St. Vincent DePaul Amazing Grace Food Pantry here

The next event to benefit the pantry is:

Amazing Grace Food Pantry Invites you to the 2011 Amazing Challenge

Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 5:00—7:00 p.m.Fox Parish Center at St. Francis of Assisi Church 10 Elm St. Middletown. In the photo below, Ron Krom (left) speaks about food insecurity to the crowd, pictured are event organizers Bill Maune, and Debra Hopkins. Bottom photo, Troop 72 passes Spear Park. Walkers carried signs with the message "Stop Hunger."

To get involved with the CROP Committee on a local level contact:

Debra Hopkins, 860-346-6757, hopkinsinter@yahoo.com

Bill Maune, 860-635-6007, bmaune@att.net

In the photo below Ron Krom explains how funds reach Middletown, to his right are event organizers and CROP Walk Committee Chairs Bill Maune and Debra Hopkins. Opening prayer was given by Pastor Marybeth Marshall (pictured left). Debra Hopkins is founder and CEO of Hopkins International Ministries located at 131 Main Street Extension in Middletown. Kathy Burton a regional director with the World Church Service spoke. Leadra Hylton, age 15, was the youth coordinator for the event.

Pictured above, Boy Scout Troop 72 passes Spear Park.

Local Sponsors:Young Printing, Doolittle Funeral Home,Our donations came from Bob's Surplus, Home Depot, Stop & shop , Lyman Orchards, Middlesex Fruitery, 99 Restaurant,Wesleyan University, Price Chopper, Main Street Market,Only Natural Market,Royal Capital Management Group,Michael's Restaurant and Lounge

Weekend Review: 4th Annual Ryan Woods Autism Awareness Event

The fourth annual Ryan Woods Autism Awareness Fundraiser and Fair was held this past Saturday Sept. 10th on the South Green. Donning vibrant orange shirts, volunteers served up snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments. The Ryan Wood Autism Foundation (RWAF) offers a variety of activities geared to the specific needs and requests of members. RWAF offers outreach and support for families with children on the spectrum; recreational and educational activities such as: bowling; annual music festivals; annual gala in November that engages the City of Middletown and surrounding towns. In October 2010, RWAF launched the first After-School program for Teens with Special Needs in the state of Connecticut. The program is called RWAF After 3. The program will be facilitated effective June 22, 2011 in the Masonic Lodge, 33 Pleasant Street, Middletown, CT. The organization is now aligned with Middletown Public Schools to further RWAF's mission of educational advocacy and enhancing outreach programs for not only children with autism, but their families and non autistic children to help them better understand autism.

The Taiko Drum Ensemble group of Wesleyan took the stage in the show mobile to provide an entertaining musical interlude. (photo left)

Various talented artists sold wares to benefit the foundation. Two large bounce houses, one of which was a water slide kept children in attendance entertained thru-out the afternoon. The Middletown fire department was on staff to monitor the event and provide a watchful eye on the large inflatable water slide. In the photo to the left, 6 year old, Daniel Gwynn, a child with autism, of East Hartford cools off in the waterslide with his friends and his on looking mom nearby. (photo left)

Mayor Giuliano (R), Councilwoman Debra Kleckowski (R), Councilman Phil Pessina (R), and the distinguished human rights advocate and City Human Rights committee member Roland Cockfield (first photo above right) were on hand to give inspirational messages of hope and praise to the volunteers. Deputy Mayor Joe Bibisi, and Republican council candidates Linda Salafia, Matt Fraulino, P&Z candidates, Fred Terrasi, myself, and BOE candidate Tami Kapacziewski were also on hand to meet & praise 10 year old Ryan Woods who has autism, who was the inspiration for the event.

A touching moment was when common council candidate Ed Dypa (R) (photo immediate left) spoke to the crowd about his own adult son, who has cerebral palsy & learning disabilities, as being his inspiration, and reminded people how special every child is. Dypa's has been a longtime member of the Board of Directors for MARC (Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens) and life long advocate for persons who cannot necessarily speak for themselves, who have what in his words are what society has labeled "disabilities." Dypa, who made no references to his own campaign through out his speech, reminded the crowd that the focus should always be on a child's abilities, and integrated education for children with special needs with children without those needs is key to bending the cycle of discrimination that differently abled adults face. Mayor Giuliano praised event coordinator Brenda Wilson, grandmother of Ryan Woods and foundation founder, (first photo top right) for being a community leader and expanding her grassroots effort into such a wide spread and successful City wide event that has shaped the way the community sees autism & all children. Giuliano, who spoke of his young cousin who is on the autism spectrum as well, reiterated that "many hands make a perceived burden light" in regards to the tedious & daunting task that society undertaken as far as research about finding cures and coping mechanisms for autism.

Various local artists, crafters, and vendors

had table the Green selling their wares with various percentages of the proceeds going to RWAF. One of the local artist's who's work caught my eye was Middletown resident

J. Burts (photo right). I found particularly engaging was his Michael Jackson tribute piece, which sold early in the day.Burts is a multi media artist who specializes in airbrush art, and has been creating art for over a decade.

Middletown resident Lulu McArthur sold her hand made brightly colored afghans and slippers. When I asked, I was shocked to find that McArthur has only been making crocheted items, which were exquisitely crafted for about 6 months & she is completely self taught! McArthur spoke passionately about RWAF and said crocheting was a good excuse for her to void housework. (photo below)

To find out more information about The Ryan Woods Autism Foundation visit:

http://ryanwoodsautismfoundation.org/

rwaf@comcast.net

Office: (860) 346-8777

J. Burt's does commisioned work and can be reached at (860) 834-9502, or at his website http://burtsartwork.com

Kiwanis of Middletown Scholarship Golf Tournament

Kiwanis 9th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
August 23rd, at Lyman Orchard Golf Course in Middlefield.
All proceeds raised go to benefit the Kiwanis of Middletown Scholarship fund which gives scholarships to students at all 4 local high schools; Mercy, Xavier, Vinal Tech, and Middletown High. Registration is at 8 am and shotgun start at 9 am. Prizes and many raffle items. $125 per person to play includes lunch, or $40 for lunch only. Sponsors needed for holes.
For more information contact Kiwanis of Middletown at : kiwanis.club.middletown@gmail.com

5K Charity Run Downtown Wednesday!

Wednesday Evening
July 20

Citizens Bank, The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business District, YMCA and Oddfellows Playhouse are sponsoring a unique family oriented festival and road race. The festival features Oddfellows street performers, ARTFARM’s Circus for a Fragile Planet, moonwalk, giant slide and extended hours at Kidcity Children’s Museum. Throughout the event, music and dancing entertainment will be provided.

Race Day Schedule: Citizens Bank, Main St.

4:30 p.m. Packet Pickup & Race Day Registration

6:30 p.m. ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run

6:45 p.m. 5K Road Race

7:00-8:00 p.m. Post Race Celebration

7:30 p.m. Awards

Tech T-shirts to the first 500 5K entrants. The first 150 participants in the Kids Run will receive t-shirts. Showers will be available after the race at the Middlesex County YMCA. All participants are invited to enjoy our post race snack, live music, street performers and awards ceremony.

Corporate Team Competition Winning team gets to display the Pratt & Whitney Team Trophy until next year’s race. Teams can be of unlimited size – three fastest runners determine team time. Fastest team time wins. Companies can enter an unlimited number of teams. Team members must work for the organization. Applications must be sent together with a team roster. Prize for fastest team.

Awards Top three male & female finishers: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ and Wheelchair. The first male & female Middletown resident also receive awards. All finishers of the Kids Run receive ribbons.

Race Benefits
Receiving donations from recent races were the Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program, Amazing Grace, Art Farm, Middlesex Bike Club, Kiwanis Club, Oddfellows Playhouse, Warm the Children and the Ed Gorecki Memorial Fund.
Volunteers: Middletow Republican Town Committee & Kiwanis Club of Middletown will be among many other groups volunteering to provide support to runners.

CATALES WALK A THON & TAG SALE

MAY 21, 2011 – CATALES Walk-A-Thon
Middlesex Community College, Middletown – 10AM
Fifteen sponsored walkers will take to the track at Middlesex Community College to raise money for basic shelter operations at CATALES. We are still accepting sponsorships for these walkers as well as one time donations for this event. If you’d like to make a pledge or a donation, please vist our page www.catales.org/walking or mail in your contribution marked Walk-A-Thon to PO Box 901, Middletown, CT 06457. All donations are tax deductible as is the feel good factor 
June 18, 2011 – CATALES Tag Sale
393 Bow Lane, Middletown – 9AM
Find treasures and support CATALES at the same time! This event is Rain or Shine.

Home Grown Animal Charity CATALES: dangerously low on funds / Upcoming Fundraiser

Catales is a wonderful local no-kill charity that rescues stray & abandoned cats and rehabilitates them for adoption, or provides them life long support when they are too sick to find new homes. The Middletown Animal Control is often unable to adequately help cats, so this is where Catales becomes such an important community resource. Over a decade ago, Catales was founded by Deb Bagley a life long resident of Middletown, runs the main facility with a team of volunteers who are present around the clock, while other cats being fostered all over Middletown by another dedicated group of volunteers who have opened their homes. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Catales because it is a primary example of a Middletown citizen seeing a community need and dedicating themselves to solving the issue. The life long goal of the group is to have a new facility built that can be custom designed to meet the needs of the group. The shelter houses disabled animals and also spades and neuters animals for return to feral colonies when they cannot be adopted. I have known Deb and her family for over 20 years now, and in the past her and her compassionate group of volunteers have lobbied for stricter penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty in Connecticut. Catales has just published its spring newsletter, and according to Deb Bagley the group is very much in need this spring.
* Great donation ideas for groups, troops, families and clubs *
Currently we are low on funds to support the care of the cats and kittens in our foster homes and need donations of the following items: Friskies canned wet food…Paper Towels… Clorox Wipes….Monetary donations may be made on-line. Checks should be sent to CATALES at
PO Box 901, Middletown, CT 06457
As Deb shared in her letter, the Winter of 2010-2011 was especially harsh with ice and snow and our current cat shelters are on their last legs. Catales needs new houses for 2011 and the feral cat communities would greatly appreciate them. The "Feralvilla" home is a manufactured enclosure comes painted, with a fully shingled roof and insulated living area on the second floor and is approximately $90 including shipping. If you are interested in donating a home, please contact CATALES at info@catales.org for the shipping address. ** Catales will email you back with the shipping address and after we receive the shelter, a letter will be mailed to your billing address for tax purposes and to thank you for your generous donation.**
Below is a link to the Feralvilla web site:here

Many times where you hear of a case of animal hoarding or extreme neglect, often many of those cats from wherever in CT, pass thru Catales right here in Middletown.

There are many events coming up this spring at Catales, and the next is: 4/15/11 Spay-ghetti Dinner 6:30 pm Arrival, 7:00pm Dinner is served. 10 Elm St, Fox Parish, Middletown, CT Support our Spay & Neuter Program! Raffles, Door Prizes, Silent Auction and Vendors. $12/ticket PLUS bring 3 cans of Friskies wet canned food and be entered for the Door Prize Drawing.
The group is in need of raffle items such as crafts, art, or gift certificates and gift baskets from local businesses to make this event special. Catales is always looking for volunteers and donation, so please check out the website. And remember before you purchases an animal, consider adoption from Middletown's own backyard.
More information can be gotten at: http:// www.catales.org
Cats show above: Wes & Sweet Potato are both up for adoption. info@catales.org

Mark your Calendar! Ghost Hunt for a Good Cause!

A reminder: Join PACC (Paranormal Association of Central Connecticut, based out of Middletown) for a hands on paranormal investigation with special guest Rob Moccio of TAPS, C C The Huntress , Visions into the Past and Quiet Hour Paranormal for a adventure at the once Spencer Mansion . Now th Deep River Library . This is event is a fundraiser for the Library ! PACC would like to extend it's invitation to the deaf community & their families. A certified Deaf Interpreter will be onsite and a documentary about deaf paranormal investigators will also be shot that night. Raffle, food & fun. Come see what happens when the lights go down.. get your tickets by visiting the website below!!!

No tickets will be sold at the door, so book via the group's website. Please read the previous article for more information about the group and the mystery surrounding the location here

All ticket sales go to the Deep River Library

Visit PACC's site here to purchase tickets

Middletown Salvation Army Celebrates 120 Years

The Middletown Salvation Army is celebrating 120 years of service to the Greater Middletown Area this year. The Salvation Army open its door in 1890 on Grant Street and continues to be a presence in Middletown until this day. Now located at 515 Main Street where they have been for the last 30 years.

The Salvation Army will be having a day of celebration on May 12 (Wednesday), during National Salvation Army Week. There will be an open house from 11 AM - 5 PM, a pasta dinner fund-raiser from ($10.00 per person) 5 PM-6:30 PM and the evening will close with a celebration meeting at 7 PM. The meeting will feature a Salvation Army Brass Band and local and state dignitaries to present well wishes to the Salvation Army. There will also be silent auction all day long with gift certificates from Middletown and Cromwell businesses.

As The Salvation Army looks to the future they will be totally refacing the front of their 515 Main Street location. The renovations will include a new facade, new windows, lighting, doors, and a new lobby. This work will be done throughout the summer of 2010. Also The Salvation Army has submitted proposals to begin a Teen Center for High school students. The proposed program would run three days a week from after school until the evening hours. They will find out in August if they will receive the funds they have applied for, and will move forward then.

You can call 860-347-7493 for more information

Two Worthwhile Programs

Monday March 8:

Janis Astor del Valle, formerly of the Green Street Arts Center and currently on the faculty of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, is also a fine writer and performer. One may remember her previous one-person show, "Trans Plantations", in which she told her life story in a series of vignettes in which she played all the characters.  Her new production, "Becoming Joaquin", (production photo by Amy Joy Myers) premieres on this date at Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, in Hartford.  The audience will see the story of a transgendered Latino through the eyes and words of the title character, his family (mother, father, and daughter) and his girlfriend.  I spoke with Janis last week and she has been working extremely hard on creating these characters and portraying them in an honest way.
The play, based on a true story and directed by Carolyn Kirsch, is sponsored by and benefits CLARO (Connecticut Latina/os Achieving Rights and Opportunities) - there is a pre-show reception at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30.  For more information, call 860-841-2345 or 860-761-9955.

Tuesday March 9:
Zachary Sayah is a 13-year old trumpet player, Eagle Scout (Troop 27) and social activist.  He has organized 2 concerts featuring the Classical Magnet Jazz Band (from Hartford) and the Spivak Brothers, the first of which (and the one open to the public) takes place at 6 p.m. at South Church, corner of Pleasant & Main Streets in Middletown. Admission to the concert is a non-perishable food item (or items) to be donated to the Amazing Grace food pantry.  Zachary, who plays in the jazz band and has been playing trumpet since the age of 8, organized the event and convinced the band director, David Epstein, to come to Middletown along with his special guests, the Spivak Brothers (sons of the famed trumpeter Charlie Spivak.)
For more information about the concert, call 860-558-3930.
FYI - The other concert Zachary has organized is a private performance for the residents of the Village at South Farms.  I understand it's an Eagle Scout project but, like Andrew Avalone's successful vision to build a gazebo on Middletown's South Green, his thoughtfulness and caring touches so many souls.

Helping Haiti

Greetings to All

My family is working with the Red Cross to raise donations for Haiti Quake victims.  We will be cooking and 100% of money raised from our special created menu for the days listed below will go to the Red Cross.  The Red Cross will forward our donations to the appropriate areas that need the most help. 

Sunday, January 17th menu - carribean menu
Tuesday, January 19th menu - soul food menu
Thursday, January 21st menu - meatballs, spaghetti, salad & Garlic Bread
Hours: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

We will have the collection container for two weeks from the Red Cross for all monetary donations. 

We thank all in advance for any support.

      Realto Cafe
          Bar & Grill
"A Place For Nice People"
    50 Rapallo Avenue
   Middletown, CT 06457
 

Christmas with Kiwanis Club

Today I got to stand in for a shift as pretzel-maker-person as Kiwanis Club of Middletown participated in Middlesex Chamber of Commerce’s annual weekends on Main Street where various holiday themed events are sponsored by the Chamber and local businesses and other organizations. (Left Kiwanis member Phil Cacciola chats with Santa. Looks like a very serious conversation.)
Kiwanis Club took up selling popcorn and hot pretzels in front of the Chamber from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm today. The Middletown Spartans Football Club, a semi pro league which is part of the New England Football League ( N.E.F.L.) gave out free hot chocolate and coffee also in front of the Chamber. The team is coached by local Jim Greco, and is made up of players ages 18-49 with and without prior football experience. The team is also seeking a variety of volunteer positions.
Near by on Main Street families bustled up and down the sidewalk enjoying free horse drawn hayrides sponsored by Liberty Bank, talks with Santa and Clifford the Big Red Dog outside of Holy Trinity Church, and rides on a motorized miniature train.
Kiwanis second vice president Christopher Holden (left)took care of set up this morning. Shortly after Kiwanis members braved the cold morning; member Tom D’Aquila(right) served popcorn and member Phil Cacciola collected money as I dished out pretzels in assembly line fashion. Through out the morning many other members stopped by to step in. All money collected from the sales goes to the “Holiday On Main Street” Chamber of Commerce fund.
The Kiwanis has a junior organization – Key Club, which is made up of community service minded Middletown High School students. The Key Club’s faculty advisor is Arts Department Director Marco Gaylord. The Key Club has a long standing history of Holiday related charitable activities such as working with the Head Start Program of Middletown.
Kiwanis has been responsible for a variety of other seasonal charitable events including bell ringing with the Salvation Army and the “Warm the Children Campaign” since the club was first chartered in Middletown in 1951. The "Warm the Children Campaign" is a project to provide needy families with warm winter clothing. Bell ringing this year will take place this coming weekend outside of A&P Super Foodmart on Washington Street in Middletown. Details can be found at the Club’s website. Current local chapter president is Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, who leads weekly meetings held in the Salvation Army building at the north end of Middletown.

To reach the Spartans football team email: vgreco64@hotmail.com

Next Weekend Dec. 20, 2008: Kiwanis helps out the Salvation Army's bell ringing fundraising effort at the A&P Super FoodMart on Washington Street. Get your jingle on!

For more information about upcoming events with Middletown Kiwanis drop by their website at: