Orange Town Magazine - University of New Haven

Spring 2014
Orange Town Magazine
A celebration of Orange's people, businesses, and places
Couple Shares Award Winning BBQ!
CT Distinguished Principal Award
Sorenson’s Divulge Their Secret Recipe
Race Brook’s Mike Gray this Year’s Recipient
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April 2014 | 5
Orange Town Newspapers, LLC is proud to present
our newest publication, the Orange Town Magazine. As
we have for the past eight years with the Orange Town
News, we have once again assembled the best quality
Mailed FREE to Every Home
& Business in Orange
Circulation 5,934
Published by Orange Town Newspaper, LLC
PUBLISHER
Rocky Salperto
PRODUCTION & DESIGN
J. Michael Kriz
EDITOR
Marlene Silverstein
ART
Katie Carbone
FEATURE WRITERS
Laura Fantarella
Melissa Nicefaro
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Paul Tarbox
Ginny Reinhard
Ray Spaziani
Susan Noonan
Vicki & Richard Horowitz
Carrie Koscal
photography
Katie Carbone
Sol Silverstein
front page
Katie Carbone
The OTM would like to thank the
following town departments &
organizations for their contributions:
Orange Community Services
Orange Park and Recreation
Orange Historical Society
Orange Department of Police Services
Orange Board of Education
All rights reserved. © 2014. No part of this publication
may be reproduced without written permission from
Orange Town Newspaper, LLC. Publisher shall not
be held liable for typographical errors or errors in the
publication or for failure to publish an advertisement.
6 | April 2014
production department, photographers and writers
in order to provide our readership with a top notch
publication.
With the Orange Town Magazine, we now offer a full gloss community
publication with further in depth articles and pictorials for your
enjoyment. The Orange Town Magazine is a true “Celebration of Orange’s
People, Businesses & Places” in a format that will keep you reading and
looking forward to each and every issue as we strive to have something of
interest for all ages.
In addition, the Orange Town Magazine provides area businesses
with a cost effective way to promote their products and services to the
community.
We thank not only our great staff, but all area residents and businesses
who have helped make our inaugural issue one for which we can all be
proud. Please call or email us with your submissions and suggestions to
help make the Orange Town Magazine a continued success. Our great
community deserves no less!
Sincerely,
Rocky Salperto
Publisher
Orange Town News
Woodbridge Town News
Orange Town Magazine
Office653 Orange Center Road, Orange, CT 06477
Mailing  P.O. Box 1126, Orange, CT 06477
Phone ( 203-298-4399 Fax  203-298-9818
Editorial  [email protected]
Advertising  [email protected]
Website  www.orangetownmagazine.com
2014 Upcoming issue dates
Summer Publication Date: July 25 • Advertising/Copy Due: July 1
Fall
Publication Date: October 24 • Advertising/Copy Due: October 1
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April 2014 | 7
 table of contents
In This Issue
April 2014
 FRONT COVER
 HOME TOWN RECIPES
 FEATURES
THE SPAZIANI WINE CAKE
A Celebration of Orange’s People, Businesses & Places.
10
CONCERT & FIREWORKS SHOW
The Orange Town News is once again producing this year’s Independence
Day Concert & Fireworks show on the fairgrounds.
14
UNH – PART OF THE COMMUNITY
The University of New Haven opens its College of Business on the former
Hubbell property in the center of town.
18
LIFE'S LITTLE SIGNS
Making a new friend in a very unusual way.
 EDUCATION
20
28
The Director of the New Haven Chapter of the American Wine
Society shares with the OTM his family's “Wine Cake” recipe.
30
COUPLE SHARES AWARD
WINNING BBQ!
Ted Sorenson and his wife divulge their secret,
finger lickin’, lip smacking recipe.
 SPORTS
32
ROAD RACES
Mark your calendars as Orange prepares for its growing
number of spring & summer road races and walks.
34
THE CT CRUSHERS
State and Local officials lay out enhancements to school security
taken after the tragic events of Columbine and Sandy Hook.
Most young baseball players have dreams of someday
playing in Cooperstown, the baseball capital of the world.
This summer, that dream will come true for one group of
12-year-old boys from Orange called the CT Crushers.
22
 HOME LIVING
SCHOOL SECURITY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MARCHING BAND
Amid the sea of soccer players, Boy and Girl Scouts, town and state
officials, in this year’s Memorial Day Parade, there will be a new musical
attraction: the brand new Orange Elementary School Marching Band.
24
CT DISTINGUIHED
PRINCIPAL AWARD
Race Brook School principal Mike Gray is awarded the
Connecticut Distinguished Principal Award.
8 | April 2014
36
FARM RIVER ESTATES
Enjoying the luxuries of Fairfield County living at New Haven County
prices is just one of the selling features of the million dollar dream
homes in the exclusive new Farm River Estates subdivision.
 ORANGE PEOPLE
 PET CORNER
A FIGURE SKATING FAMILY
BARK BYTES
38
Three generations continue the family tradition of
performing in figure skating competition.
40
SOME HAPPY FACES
Photo submissions from some happy Orange faces.
 TOWN DEPARTMENTS
62
Summer Care for dogs.
 DINING GUIDE
64
ORANGE DINING GUIDE
One stop shopping for contacting your favorite Orange eatery.
44
 HEALTHY LIVING
50
SPRING ALLEGIES
ORANGE COMMUNITY SERVICES
ORANGE PARK & RECREATION
 ORANGE BUSINESSES
54
THE PEZ VISITORS CENTER
When visitors come to the PEZ Visitor’s Center, Project Manager Shawn
Peterson wants them to leave with a smile. “I want them to say, ‘Aw,
we had fun. That was cool’. Maybe you’ll remember us next time you
see PEZ somewhere and say, ‘yeah, we really had a good time there!’”
56
FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO
Local business making “happy feet” and going strong after 5 years.
 THE ARTS
58
THE LEGACY OF THE
HULLEY FOUNDATION
When 20-year-old Orange resident Jamie Hulley passed away
in 2002 after a battle with lymphoma, her family and friends
felt an insurmountable loss. They knew they had to honor her
memory in a way that was symbolic of how Jamie lived.
66
Be wary of treatment myths.
 ORANGE SENIORS
68
ORANGE SENIOR CHORALE
A Venue for Seniors to Exercise their Vocal Cords.
 ORANGE HISTORY
70
HISTORY CORNER
Orange Memorial Day Parade…Let’s all remember.
73
HISTORY QUIZZES
Test your knowledge of Orange and Connecticut
history with our brain teasers.
 FUN STUFF
74
KID’S CORNER
Comics, puzzles and crosswords.
April 2014 | 9
 featured article
Independence Day
By Melissa Nicefaro
concert & fireworks to commemorate
beatles 50th Anniversary
The Town of Orange will
be holding its annual Independence Day Concert and
Fireworks Display on Saturday,
July 5th at the Gazebo on
the Orange Fairgrounds. This
year’s concert will mark the 50Year Anniversary of the Beatles
US Tour in 1964 with a special
show produced specially for
this event to be performed by
the British Invasion Tribute.
Once again, the fireworks show
that follows will be provided
by the nationally renowned
Zambelli Fireworks Company.
The Orange Town News (OTN)
is once again organizing this
year’s event.
OTN publisher Rocky Salperto said, “We are proud to
produce the Independence
Day Concert & Fireworks
Show for the third consecutive year. Our thanks go out
to our sponsors who make
this event possible for area
residents to enjoy. We plan
on making this year’s event
even better and from the
10 | April 2014
increasing crowds each year, we know
we must be doing something right.”
Salperto thanks his friends, The British Invasion Tribute for saving the date,
and for putting together a special “50th
Anniversary” show just for the town of
Orange.
For Georgina Mauriello, owner of
Georgina’s Hair Studio on the Boston
Post Road, the evening will be more
about a July Fourth celebration of American freedom, she will also celebrate her
British heritage with fond memories of
her days in Liverpool, U.K.
“I used to see the Beatles all of the
time. They were my local boys, actually!”
Mauriello jokes. “We’d see them and
wave to them as they walked by. At first,
we wondered who these boys were, with
their long hair.”
She recalls proudly winning a ‘twist
contest’ and walking away with Beatles
tickets as a prize. “We said, ‘that’s all we
get?!’ We were so used to seeing them
all of the time,” Mauriello says. Ringo
Star lived very close to where Mauriello
lived, and she recalls seeing him most
often. “I’m just so proud that they gave
us in Liverpool an extra spot on the map.
Liverpool has become a really popular
place now to go and visit. I’m still very,
very proud of them,” she says. Mauriello
goes back ‘home’ to visit once every
year.
Orange resident Charles Rosenay
owns Liverpool Tours (www.liverpooltours.com) and puts on concerts and
tours to Liverpool. Rosenay, who’s
known as being Connecticut’s #1 Beatles fan, says there are three things he
loves about the Beatles: the music, the
memories and the magic.
Rosenay has been producing Beatles
conventions since 1978. Since 1983, he’s
been organizing Beatles tours to Liverpool each summer. “We get a lot of fans
who have always had this trip on their
bucket list and they’ve always dreamed
of seeing the Beatles’ ‘holy land.’”
The Beatles are easy to appreciate,
according to Rosenay: “The music, of
course is the ‘be all, end all,’ and the
memories are those good feelings, the
x-factor that you can’t put your finger
on, what made them so special. It’s the
personalities, the hairstyles, or just that
extra thing that made them above and
beyond everybody else.”
Rosenay saw the Beatles as individual performers, but never as a team. He
says the British Invasion Tribute is the
closest he’ll get to seeing the real thing.
“They’re just awesome. I’ve seen a lot
of Beatles bands, but one thing about
the British Invasion Tribute is that they
do Beatles great!” he says.
The event takes place Saturday, July
5, on the Orange Fairgrounds from 6:30
April 2014 | 11
 featured article
to 10 p.m. Food, beverages and novelty
items will be available at the fairgrounds. A
$5 parking donation will benefit the Orange
Little League. The fireworks spectacular
begins after 9 p.m.
Major Sponsors include The Orange
Foundation, Cohen & Wolf PC, The law
Offices of Debra Marino and The Town of
Orange. Sponsorships are available through
June 13th. For more information or to be a
sponsor, please call 203.298.4399 or fill out
and mail the application form on page 79.
BEATLES FIRST AMERICAN TOUR
(August 19 - September 20, 1964)
This was the first real Beatles concert tour of America. Consisting of 32
shows in 34 days, The Beatles wound up breaking attendance records as
they appeared at major arenas throughout the U.S and Canada. On the bill
with The Beatles was the Bill Black Combo, the Righteous Brothers (backed
by The Exciters), and Jackie DeShannon.
The Beatles song list for this 1964 tour:
Twist and Shout** | You Can't Do That | All My Loving | She Loves You** |
Things We Said Today | Roll Over Beethoven | Can't Buy Me Love | If I Fell | I
Want To Hold Your Hand | Boys | A Hard Day's Night | Long Tall Sally
(**For some shows, The Beatles would open with I Saw Her Standing There, delete She
Loves You, and close with Twist And Shout).
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April 2014 | 13
 featured article
Part of the Community
By Laura Fantarella
university of new haven
When the first class of University of
New Haven graduate business students arrived on Derby Milford Road
to start classes at their new campus,
UNH administrators watched the reactions with delight. “Bowled over” and
“thrilled” were just a few of the words
College of Business Dean Liz Davis
used to describe the energy of that
January opening. “It was marvelous!
When we opened the doors and everyone saw the building for the first time,
14 | April 2014
the looks on everyone’s faces made it
all worthwhile. We call it our ‘destination campus’,” Davis said.
The long winding, uphill drive
through dense, lush forest is just a
spectacular preview that leads to the
entrance of the sprawling, contemporary-style building that beckons visitors
to the school’s “new haven for business
success” in Orange. The campus is
now home to the university’s master of
business administration and executive
MBA degree programs and the school’s
Center for Family Business. If ever a
setting was ideal for its use, it is converting a former mecca of corporate
America into a premier educational fa-
cility to nurture future business execs.
With exactly that premise in mind –
finding a space to build an educational
facility to expand the school’s growing graduate business program that
would also “foster a corporate culture,”
UNH purchased the building from the
Hubbell Corporation in 2013 for $3.1
million. Hubbell, which has since relocated its headquarters to Shelton, is an
international manufacturer of quality
residential and commercial electrical
and electronic products whose 2013
revenues hit $3.2 billion. UNH invested
approximately $6 million reconfiguring the 70,000 square feet of opulent
corporate offices into classrooms,
computer and science labs and faculty
spaces, refurbishing the building’s interior and expanding the parking areas.
The purchase was underwritten by
gifts from two prominent UNH alumni
and their wives, Charles Pompea ’71
BS, ’90 EMBA, and his wife Tamera, of
Jupiter, Fla., and Samuel S. Bergami Jr.
’85 EMBA, and his wife, Lois, of Milford.
“Their generous contributions helped to
make UNH’s vision a reality,” said UNH
President Steven Kaplan.
The beauty of the 47-acre campus
doesn’t diminish upon entering the
building – on the contrary, the walls are
windows – magnificent, floor to ceiling windows – that capture the land’s
spectacular beauty from every room.
Whether sitting in one of the newly
April 2014 | 15
 featured article
renovated classrooms, offices, conferencing areas or comfy armchairs by a
fireplace, views of endless nature and
the promise of spotting wildlife from
deer to bobcats abound. The property
also boasts a vast pond with a cascading fountain in the center which, come
spring, will be bordered by tables and
benches inviting students to relax and
mingle or study. Provost Daniel May
said, “It is really an outward-looking
campus which is the image we wanted
to portray,” adding that the view is just
as beautiful at night, as the campus
is illuminated with many lights. With
warm weather approaching, May imagined he could already “smell outside
classes in the future” as all the classrooms have easy access to the outdoors. The campus is also expected to
be used as a retreat for school-related
outings and sections of the facility will
be available to the public to rent for
special functions.
If walls could talk, surely they’d
whisper of big business and big deals
sealed with a handshake behind the
doors of the sophisticated, lavish
chamber that was once Hubbell’s President’s office. Now a student conference room, the suite is still reminiscent
of capital America, with its mahoganypaneled enclosed shelves that formerly
housed the executive’s gun collection
and bar and the magnificent view of a
tree-covered mountain reaching for the
sky. From the vaulted, secured electronics area, indoor garden, balconies
16 | April 2014
overlooking the vast outdoor pond and
walking trails to the formal conference
areas, work-out studio, dining room and
garages that at one time housed the
cars used to chauffeur executives, the
building’s construction offered comfort and functionality in the past for its
employees and today for its students
and staff.
Preserving these unique touches
from the building’s original 1950s
construction, was a priority for Davis
and May. At a recent tour of their new
facility, the pair proudly pointed out the
building’s many distinctive features.
“We tried to preserve the historical
touches, like the large windows, Hacienda tile, 18-foot mahogany doors, and
the original woodwork and fixtures,” Davis said. “It’s an eclectic mix of old and
new.” The warm color scheme, moveable furniture and comfy armchairs
arranged in small groupings throughout the large hallways – called “break
out rooms” were mindfully included to
foster a “warm, come and stay atmosphere” among the students and staff.
“We’re interested to see where students
will cluster,” Davis said, adding that
students are already coming to the
campus on weekends to work on group
projects.
The new property was a much
needed acquisition for an expanding
graduate business program that had
outgrown its former home on UNH’s
main campus in West Haven, according to May. A shuttle bus is available to
bring students back and forth from the
West Haven campus. “We’re already
hearing that admission applications are
increasing,” he said. “Word of mouth is
students are feeling so positive about
the new environment.” But the university intends its business program
to stay a “small, premiere school that
maintains a connection and high touch
with its students.”
The university also was mindful of
being a good neighbor, working closely
with the town’s zoning department to
ensure lighting and traffic flow did not
have a negative impact on surrounding residents. First Selectman Jim
Zeoli has actively supported the UNH
purchase from the start, calling it “an
excellent fit”. UNH is expected to pay
the town approximately $180,000 annually in taxes.
The property was built by the Clark
family in the 1950s as a headquarters
for the Asgrow Seed Company which
later moved its operations to Michigan.
The site continued to be used as a
“quiet use” property when the Hubbell
Corporation bought it in the 1970s,
Zeoli said. The town purchased the
rest of the Hubbell property for $7.1
million in 2011 as open space, staving
off a proposal by Hubbell to build 226
residential homes on the land.
If there is a drawback that comes
to mind, Davis and May can only think
of one potential hardship. “How we can
arrange to spend more time here!” May
said.
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April 2014 | 17
 featured article
Life's Simple Signs
By Melissa Nicefaro
finding friends in funny faces
On one in a string of colorless grey
days this winter, Lamp Shades Plus
shop owner Jill Pendergast noticed a
shiny bright yellow circle floating a few
feet off the ground in her Post Road
shop parking lot. It was a happy face
balloon with a hand-written message
on it that said, “Dad in Heaven, I love
you,” with a phone number.
Pendergast called the number and
reached Barbara Weissberger, a woman in Matawan New Jersey, who had
sent the balloon up into the air with five
others just five hours earlier in memory
of her deceased father on his birthday.
Through a Facebook update, Pendergast shared her finding with her
friends. “Found this outside my shop
today. Called the phone number on it a nice woman named Barb answered.
I just wanted to let her know I found it,”
she said. Weissberger released the balloon at 9 a.m. and Pendergast found it
at 2 p.m. It would take about two hours
to drive the distance the balloon flew
in five hours. “I took a picture and told
her I’d post it on Facebook for her and
her family to see. When I accepted her
friend request she saw I own a lamp
shade store. While her dad was dying
he kept asking her to replace a lampshade in his bedroom. I can’t make this
stuff up,” Pendergast said.
Weissberger responded with an
email that said, “Thanks for giving me
the best phone call! Today is dad’s
birthday. I now know it’s a sign that he
is ok,” Weissberger said.
It’s a sign, not a coincidence that
18 | April 2014
the balloon landed at a lamp shade
shop in David Weissberger’s
favorite state to visit, according to both ladies.
He passed away on
July 19, 2012 after a series of
six strokes. In
his younger
years, he
and his
family
owned a
furniture
store
and he
made
his
living
selling
furniture
and lamps
for 30 years.
Weissberger
sends up six balloons on her dad’s
birthday each year since
his passing. She says she
can feel his spirit when she
speaks with Pendergast.
“The balloon was just waiting for
me, right outside my door,” Pendergast
said. “It definitely was not a coincidence; we realized that as the story
unfolded.”
“I know it went to Jill for a reason.
He insisted I change the old lampshade in his room before he died, but
I never got to it,” Weissberger says.
“Knowing that the balloon
was found and that it went
where it did gives me peace
of mind that he’s okay. And now
I’ve made a friend in Jill. Talking
to her almost feels like I’m talking to a
relative.”
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April 2014 | 19
 education
School Security
By Paul Tarbox
enhancements: State & Local
Officials Work Together
The sunny day in Dallas where an
energetic president drove through a
crowded street sitting alongside his
wife and waving to the crowds when
a shot rang out that changed history.
The Tuesday morning in New York City,
as people were just settling in to work,
when what first was thought to be a
tragic accident, was soon confirmed as
an act of terror as the second tower fell
and a nation went to war. The day that
President Obama called the worst of
his presidency, when 26 young children
and educators were killed at the hands
of a madman. Each of these days are
forever etched in the collective memory
of every American. Each of these tragic
events also taught us a lesson. Our
world was less secure than we had
thought and from that day forward
things would never be the same again.
In light of the tragic events at Sandy
Hook Elementary School, the need to
ensure the safety of our children has
sparked an increased vigilance into
upgrading school security. In a rare bipartisan collaboration, the Connecticut
General Assembly was able to pass,
with Gov. Dannel Malloy signing into
law, sweeping gun controls, increased
mental health resources, and school
safety legislation. The school security
portion of the bill is specifically geared
towards upgrading the infrastructure
of our schools, mandating standards
for new construction and providing
grant monies for existing schools to
20 | April 2014
upgrade. Orange’s State Senator, Gayle
Slossberg, commented on the legislation, “When a tragedy of the magnitude
of Sandy Hook strikes our state, it is
one of our most important duties to
our neighbors to pass legislation that
will make our communities safer and
provide for the resources necessary to
achieve this goal”.
One of the provisions of the new
public act was the creation of the
School Safety Infrastructure Council, a
nine member board comprised of state
commissioners and appointments by
the legislative leaders with expertise
in the area of school security. The
council issued its revised and updated
report on February 4th. Inside were
the recommendations for security
upgrades that would be designed to
provide for the safety of our children
while maintaining a supportive environment for them to learn. While outlining
several areas for mandatory compliance, the report specifies nine critical
components: School Site Perimeters;
Parking Areas and Vehicular and
Pedestrian Routes; Recreational Areas
(playgrounds, athletic areas, multipurpose fields); Communication Systems;
School Building Exteriors; School
Building Interiors; Roofs; and Critical
Assets/Utilities.
Ensuring the safety of the children
in the Orange community has resulted
in many sleepless nights for Orange
Police Chief Robert J. Gagne and Su-
perintendent of Schools Lynn McMullin. Working in conjunction with state
officials, local leaders, and consultants,
they have begun to transform Orange’s
elementary school system into what
McMullin describes as a “secure environment where students feel as safe as
possible without being made afraid in
their daily lives”.
Their partnership has resulted in
several cutting edge security upgrades,
many of which they, understandably,
could not comment on the record
about as it is important to not compromise operational security. However,
despite the fact that none of Orange’s
schools are new construction, many of
the mandatory recommendations have
been or will be shortly implemented.
The schools, the parking lots, and
the surrounding outdoor areas have all
been trimmed of excessive vegetation
in order to ensure clear lines of sight.
Additionally, cameras will have full coverage of the school’s property, inside
and out, in all public areas where there
is no expectation of privacy. Many may
remember a time when anyone could
simply walk up to the front door of
a school and proceed into the lobby.
Today, there are several precautions
that have been implemented to deter
unauthorized access. Most important,
all doors to the schools are now locked,
with the staff being vigilant to ensure
that no door remains ajar. Stationed
inside the schools are fulltime monitors
who help secure the doors through the
use of a software suite that combines
video cameras, identification verification, and a defined list as to who has
the right to access specific children. In
the event of an incident, these monitors
have the ability to trigger a lockdown
of the school with automatic notification to the police. Strategic locations
will be reinforced with an incredibly
strong window film that are designed
to prevent glass from shattering. These
steps have been deemed necessary
for securing access to the schools in
the thought that McMullin describes
as “you can’t prevent someone coming to your door; all you can do is try to
mitigate the dangers”.
Inside the school, electronic keycards have been implemented and all
of the classrooms have been updated
so that the locking mechanisms are
permanently locked by default. The
communications equipment has been
upgraded to improve the communication between the Police Department
and the schools. In the case where an
emergency arises, the school system
has implemented a new mass notification system where parents or teachers
can choose to receive alerts via voicemail, text, email, or all three.
A new position has been created
on the Orange Police Department, the
school resource officer, in addition to
the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) officer, resulting in two
officers that are assigned to rotate
through Orange’s schools. Both officers
have received specialized training. It is
important to note, that the discussion
of having armed guards did take place,
but both the chief and the superintendent, decided it would not be in the
best interests of the school system.
The Police Department has taken
great efforts to study the lessons
of Sandy Hook. Knowing that if an
incident was to occur, the ability to
respond in a timely manner would be
essential. Chief Gagne stated, “As the
town’s first responders, officers are
used to being deployed across the
town and I’m confident that we can
respond quickly.” In situations that are
emotionally compromising, police officers tend to rely on training. Luckily,
the department is well versed in active
shooter training, having practiced it for
years, even prior to Sandy Hook, with
the added benefit of some of Orange’s
officers having taught active shooter
training at the academy.
Shortly after becoming the Chief
of Police in 2006, Chief Gagne began
working with his staff and school personnel to make security upgrades after
security assessments were conducted
at each of the schools. At that time,
funds were able to be obtained to make
some of the recommended changes.
After Sandy Hook, the Depart-
ment, working in close conjunction
with school personnel, took advantage
of monies resulting from a Town of
Orange bond to help cover the cost
of implementing even more extensive
changes. Gagne, shared that school
security is always ongoing and that
“the safety of our children is obviously
of foremost importance. Our department has always had a close relationship with our schools, and continues
to work closely with school administrators to evaluate safety concerns and
protocols. We continue to work as a
team to address issues of mutual concern, and constantly seek improvement
in order to increase our effectiveness.”
First Selectman Jim Zeoli concurred
“The safety and security of our children
is paramount. They are the life blood of
our community. The town must maintain a watchful eye, and do all it can to
ensure their safety.”
April 2014 | 21
 education
Memorial Day Parade
By Melissa Nicefaro
a new marching band
Amid the sea of soccer players,
Boy and Girl Scouts, town and state
officials in this year’s Memorial Day
Parade, there will be a new musical
attraction: the brand new Orange Elementary School Marching Band. The
Board of Education, with help from a
Jamie A. Hulley Arts grant, businesses
such as Tom Hill Septic Services and
donations from the community created
the band that is making its big debut at
the town’s annual parade.
Though the kids, in their coordinating uniforms, walking and playing
their instruments in unison will make
it look simple, performing in a marching band actually requires dedication,
concentration and hours of practice
from a talented leader. Band Director
Gina Patrick has been working with the
130 students in Orange’s three elementary schools before and during the
school day in preparation for the event.
“Performing any music is healthy for
the brain,” Patrick says. “Marching band
members usually memorize the music.
Similar to learning and memorizing
scales, playing memorized music gets
22 | April 2014
fingers moving in certain directions
automatically. Also, in the process of
memorizing, the brain has to think of
a melody note by note and think about
how far up or down the next note is
and what fingering it is on the instrument. A lot is happening in all of those
marching bands that go by in parades
and on football fields.”
Patrick speaks from experience,
having performed in marching bands
while growing up. She says there are
many students in Orange with natural
abilities to learn to play instruments.
“Marching band is very challenging, but
so much fun,” she says. The students
will be playing Eagle Summit March
and Rock-a-Bye Baby on clarinets, alto
and soprano saxophones, trumpets,
trombones, bells and, of course, percussion instruments. “I hope they really
enjoy the challenge and want to play
even more,” she says. “Yes, it’s a lot of
work, but it’s a lot of fun.”
The marching band is formed
from the existing band program at the
elementary schools. Orange expanded
its music offerings to include an Instru-
mental Music Program two years ago.
In 2011, 162 students participated.
This year, there are 300 elementary
students learning to play band and
orchestra instruments. The marching
band is 130 members strong.
Superintendent of Schools Lynn
McMullin is quite excited to hear the
band play on Sunday, May 25. She
says, “The goal of any instrumental
music program is, of course, aimed
at transferring the intrinsic values of
music, personal expression, creativity,
spirituality, and identity. However, the
skills and responsibilities of playing
in an ensemble are also integral to a
successful program. Thus, the ‘right to
perform’ is an important aspect of our
students’ development. The marching
band, the parade, the uniform, and the
instruments are all significant pride
factors in their first appearance as a
marching band”. She’s looking forward
to seeing the pride in students’ faces
and in the faces of their parents and
other parade-goers who get to attend
the parade.
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April 2014 | 23
 education
Principal Mike Gray
By Melissa Nicefaro
connecticut distinguished principal
Mike Gray, principal at Race Brook
School, has always been well-liked
by parents and staff during his seven
years leading the school. But on April 2,
it was clear that his respect was welldeserved as he was recognized as the
Connecticut Association of Schools’
2014 National Distinguished Principal
for the state of Connecticut.
As a National Distinguished Principal, Gray will travel to Washington,
D.C. to participate in a two-day recognition event and ceremony. He may
also receive requests to represent the
National Association of Elementary
School Principals on national commit24 | April 2014
tees and he may be asked to speak at
engagements at the state level.
It is an honor that the whole Orange
community is celebrating. As Superintendent of Schools Lynn McMullin
says, “Mike represents what everyone
in Orange treasures.” Being a solid elementary school leader is about more
than test scores, according to McMullin. “For me personally, education isn’t
only about the curriculum and instruction, it’s about the relationships of the
staff to the children and their families.
Mike’s award isn’t about how smart he
is or how good his school’s achievement scores are or how long he’s been
in education; it’s about the quality
of person he is as measured by his
school’s culture and respect for him,”
she says. “He makes me exceptionally
proud! Especially, since all of our principals recognize how life-changing is
their time with kids, staff, and families.”
Gray was nominated by the PTA
at Race Brook School in January and
was quickly notified that he was one
of two finalists. He was responsible
for submitting a portfolio outlining his
accomplishments. On March 27, the
CAS selection committee met with the
superintendent, and separate panels of
central office staff, board of education
members, teachers, students, parents
and colleagues at Race Brook. The
interviews were followed by a tour of
the school, with its hallways lined with
bulletin boards featuring student accolades to Mr. Gray.
“Mike’s PTA nominated him for the
award and was instrumental in supporting him through the process. They
made a book of letters from parents
and arranged for refreshments,” McMullin says. When it was announced
that Gray had won, teachers quickly
pulled together a surprise assembly
to congratulate him. “Everyone is so
proud,” McMullin says.
Not easy to take off guard in his
own school, Gray was visibly humbled
to come into the gym for the surprise
assembly, believing that he was taking
care of an issue involving rowdy sixth
grade students. They were rowdy, all
right, along with the rest of the school’s
student body and staff, as Gray entered
the gym and walked the red (paper)
carpet. The cheers could be heard from
outside the building when it was announced that Gray won.
Race Brook’s music teacher Marie
Olden said, “Here at Race Brook School,
the teachers, staff, parents and community already know that Mr. Gray is
the best principal in the world, not just
in Connecticut. The students here have
never been more proud, the staff is
honored and privileged to work here at
Race Brook and we are just so happy
that you are principal of the year!” Gray
was crowned King of the Day, donning
a gold crown and red sash, as students
in grades one through six read poems
and shared memories of the impression that Gray made on them.
The humble leader was quick to extend the credit to his staff and students
at the assembly, “Last Thursday was
one of the best days I’ve ever had,” he
said referring to the day that the CAS
team visited the school. “I went home
and told my wife that I’ve been doing
this for 19 years and that was the best
day in 19 years. It’s because of all of
you. I thank my staff. You guys are
amazing and I can’t do any of this without you. This is not a Mr. Gray award,
boys and girls, this is a whole Race
Brook School award. I couldn’t be in a
better school and you are all a part of
what makes this school so great.”
Jeff Cap, a member of the Orange
Board of Education was on a committee of six board of education members
who were interviewed by CAS representatives on March 27. Cap, a parent of a
Peck Place School student, says, “Mike
truly cares about the children. He has
attended Cub Scout Pack 922ʼs Blue &
Gold banquet three years in a row. He
comes to see the boys advance to the
next scouting rank from Race Brook
School, as well as from Peck Place and
Turkey Hill schools. Without hesitation, he attends this event on a Sunday
afternoon to support the scouts. It’s an
honor to have him as a special guest
each year!”
RBS PTA co-president Jeannette
Young says the nomination and rec-
ognition process was a positive reinforcement of what Race Brook parents
already knew, “We’re just so lucky to
have him. This was a unifying event for
our school, whether he won or not, so
much good has come out of this and
now he knows how much we appreciate him. This process has shown us all
what an impact he has made on our
families.”
The PTA compiled a bound book
of over 75 letters from parents, present and past, from RBS and neighboring schools and presented it to the
interview committee and also to Gray.
One letter, from Peck Place parent Jill
LaPlante, said, “I am writing this letter
in support of Mr. Gray, a principal I’ve
never met. I am the parent of a Peck
Place student who had the honor
and privilege of attending Race Brook
School for three weeks in January during the unexpected closure of Peck. It
became clear to me very quickly that
Mr. Gray is an exceptional leader who
has created a caring and welcoming
community. I have always heard positive comments about Mr. Gray throughout the community from friends and
teachers in the Race Brook district, but
did not have a personal story until now.
“From day one, our Peck kids were
welcomed with open arms by Mr. Gray
and his staff and students. The Race
Brook teachers and paraprofessionals
went out of their way to ensure that
the kids felt welcome and that learning
was taking place. Mr. Gray visited my
son’s new class often and supported
his staff through the challenges of
having an extra 200 students for three
weeks. I could not have asked for a
more positive experience!”
A grandmother also wrote, “I have
been a resident of Orange, CT for
almost 40 years and my children went
through Race Brook School many years
April 2014 | 25
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ago. My granddaughter now attends Race Brook and I have
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April 2014 | 27
 home town recipes
A Family Recipe
By Ray Spaziani
Spaziani Wine Cake
Back in the early 1960s when I was
still in grade school my oldest brother
Gene started teaching in the community college system. Initially he taught
Hotel-Restaurant management courses. During this time he saw the need
for an actual culinary program; so he
wrote a curriculum and petitioned the
college directors to institute his plan.
Which they did. Initially at Manchester Community
College and then a few
years later he moved
to Gateway Community
College and started the
program from scratch.
The students would
get wonderful hands on
experience rotating their
rolls in the kitchen. So
one week you may be assigned to the
salad, the next week the desserts and
so on. Each week they would hold a
dinner and people from the community
could come and, for a small fee, they
could enjoy these wonderful dinners
under my brother’s watchful eye. The
students would research every menu
course of the dinner and Gene would
match the offerings with various wines.
Some of the wines Gene would make
and others he had left over from wine
judgings he held or wine classes he
taught. These became very successful
events to say the least. (They still have
this program at Gateway now located
in downtown New Haven, but you have
to bring your own wines.)
28 | April 2014
Teaching at a community
college in the Hospitality Management program, he had access to
extensive food recipes. He would
always have an end of the year
gourmet dinner with wines for the
students. This tradition continues
today. Gene came across a wine
cake recipe in an old beat up
cookbook, but it just
didn’t have what
he was looking for,
so he worked on it
and his students
worked on it and
finely he came
up with the ideal
ingredients. That
was about 1974.
Since then Gene’s wine
cake became a family tradition
along with many other families.
The cake has been made now for
generations.
My mother, from her Drummond Road venue would make
the Spaziani wine cake and have it
ready for me and my brothers when
we stopped to see her. She made
it for her grandchildren that she
baby sat for and gave it to neighbors
and friends for years. In fact, mom
made it for every family get-together
and proudly served it until she died in
1999. Several restaurants have it on
their dessert menus and on our annual
trip to the Catskills in New York State,
Christman’s Windham House served
it as their dessert for the
evening to the delight of
the attendees who had
just completed a wonderful
wine dinner.
Recently Gene wrote an
article for the American Wine
Society’s National Magazine,
the Wine Journal, in which he
included the wine cake recipe
and he received literally hundreds
of emails extolling the virtues of
the Spaziani Wine Cake! So he
encouraged me to share it with
all of you. The cake is a perfect
holiday or every day cake. It is
simple to make and the results
are terrific. The wonderful aroma
is delicious. The alcohol in the
cake bakes off and leaves a
delightful flavor. It is very moist
and has been a favorite birthday request in our family for
years.
Ray Spaziani is the Chapter Director of the New Haven Chapter
of the American Wine Society,
He teaches wine appreciation
classes at Gateway Community College, and is a member
of the International Tasting
Panel of Amenti Del Vino and
Wine Maker Magazine. He
is an award winning home
wine maker. Email Ray
with your wine questions
and wine events at Ray.
[email protected].
Spaziani
Wine Cake
Ingredients:
•
1(18.25 ounce) package moist white cake mix
(Moist yellow cake mix also works well).
•
1 (5 ounce) package instant white pudding mix.
•
¾ cup of vegetable oil.
•
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
•
¾ cup white wine (6 ounces).
•
4 eggs.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour on
10-inch bundt pan.
2. In medium bowl, combine the cake mix, instant
vanilla pudding, nutmeg, vegetable oil, white wine
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and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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tioner’s sugar and sliced strawberries. A scoop of
ubs.com/fa/richardzorena
Let cake cool on rack in pan for 10 minutes then
remove cake from pan to rack. Let cake cool completely before slicing. Garnish sliced cake with
vanilla ice cream also works.
4. Variation: You can also “four” the pan after it’s
been greased with cocoa powder or a cinnamon
sugar mixture for a textured crust. Simply fill a
clean salt shaker for easy application. This will
eliminate the “white stuff “on the outside of your
baked cake that makes for prettier cake. You can
add chopped nuts, raisins or chopped fruit. The
best white wines for the cake include Niagara,
Diamond, Catawba, Muscat, Gewurztraminer,
Traminette, Sauternes and Late Harvest Ice Wine.
My favorite is when it is made with Riesling.
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April 2014 | 29
 home town recipes
Barbecue
By Laura Fantarella
Couple Shares Award Winning Recipe
What better way to welcome spring
then by uncovering the grill and enjoying some world-class barbecue?
Orange residents you’re in for a treat
– we have an award-winning barbecue expert right here in town and he’s
willing to share his secret, finger lickin’,
lip-smackin’ recipe.
Ted Lorson and his wife, Sheila, and
five-year-old son, Max, have made competing in national barbecue contests a
hobby – and one they are passionate
about. They’ve enjoyed a fair amount
of success and making a name for
their “Q-Haven team,” – most notably
placing 22nd overall and sixth in the
sauces division out of 100 contestants
30 | April 2014
in last year’s annual Jack Daniels World
Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennesee. It is the equivalent of
the Oscars among BBQ aficionados
and only the crème de la crème of the
barbecue world receive a coveted invitation. “I’m happy to be part of it. We
try to put our best foot forward and be
competitive,” he said. “A win would be
awesome but probably not realistic. We
really just want to hear our name called
and do the walk to the stage.”
Ted, a former radio news bureau
chief who currently is a writer for a
national news agency, and Sheila, who
works in the insurance department of a
youth exchange company, have racked
up an impressive collection of medals
over the past ten years, often placing in
the top ten at competitions that span
the East Coast from Lake Placid to
Pennsylvania. But even when they win
with accolades, they never bask in their
glory for long. Instead Ted heads back
to the smoker where he continues
to tweak their recipes in search of
perfection, whether it’s achieving a
mouth-watering balance of spice
and smoke or finding the most
tender cut of meat. “Right now
we’re focusing on consistency,”
Ted said. “Our stuff is doing pretty
well and our core recipe is the same
but we’re always trying to make it
better.”
This month they will be competing
in the NY BBQ Festival in Staten Island
and later this summer the I Love Barbecue Festival in Lake Placid along with
events in Ridgefield, Pennsylvania and
Maryland. While they always get a kick
out of hearing their name called among
the list of winners, the cash prizes at
some of the larger-scale events that
can net as much as $10,000 are even
more motivating. “Usually we’re happy
if our winnings cover the cost of the
trips,” Ted said. “I may pay $200 for a
great cut of meat and the prize money
is $150!” They typically participate in
about ten events a year, heading to the
venues in a small camper they purchased to make travel more comfortable.
The hobby that started as a bit of a
‘goof’, when Sheila discovered a recipe
for “Beer Can Chicken” – steaming a
chicken by placing a beer can in its
cavity – has turned into a passion for
the couple. “We started just looking
around on the internet for recipes and
one website led to another,” Lorson
said. Soon they were reading message boards about smoking foods
and competitive barbecue. “My mom
had an old smoker in her garage and I
asked her if I could borrow it,” he said.
They experimented with different cuts
of beef, poultry and pork and a variety
of spices and rubs and started practicing on their patio grill. When they came
across a barbecue contest in nearby
Warwick, Rhode Island, they threw a
pop up tent in the car and arrived in
time to slow cook their pork and brisket
for 12 hours before the competition
started. Encouraged and excited by a
third place overall win, they returned
home eager to fine tune their repertoire.
They enjoyed success early on, walking away as the ‘grand champion’ from
one of their first competitions in New
Hampshire and qualifying immediately
for a sought after spot at the king of
barbecue contests – the Jack Daniel’s
Invitational.
When he started out he typically
purchased his ingredients from a commercial food distribution warehouse,
but now his product sources are more
sophisticated – like the Idaho farm
where he purchases the best $200 brisket. Lorson’s mom’s cooker has been
retired for a large capacity smoker.
Perhaps the best part of their hobby
is the fun they’ve had meeting fellow
BBQ enthusiasts and the good times
kicking back with some adult beverages after the competitions. “We’ve met a
lot of really great people along the way
that have become friends and it’s great
to see each other at the competitions
and hang out,” Ted said.
Lorson dreams of one day bringing a barbecue festival to the Orange
Fairgrounds. “I think it would be great,
I think it would really take off and the
town would embrace it. But if I organized it I wouldn’t be able to cook at it,”
he said.
This is a simple recipe with easy-toacquire ingredients that can be enjoyed
using a gas grill or a home smoker.
PULLED CHICKEN
•
8 boneless skinless chicken
thighs
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 TBSP black pepper
• 2 TBSP chili powder
• 1 TBSP granulated garlic
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Mix dry ingredients well.
If you’d rather purchase a readymade rub, Lorson recommends
Smokin’ Guns hot or mild; Head
Country or Plowboy’s Yardbird Rub,
all available online at the Kansas City
BBQ Store – www.thekansascitybbqstore.com.
If using store-bought rub, use 1/2
cup BBQ Rub.
Mix dry ingredients well. Heat
smoker or gas grill to 275-300 degrees. Spray your grill grates well
with oil.
Generously rub dry ingredients
all over thighs, place smooth side
down in smoker. If using a gas grill,
only have the heat on one side and
place the chicken on the other side
of the grill. Add a wood chunk or
wood chips for some smoke flavor.
Spray the chicken with apple juice to
moisten during cooking.
Smoke for at least one hour, cook
to at least 160 degrees internal. The
thighs should have a nice mahogany
color. Transfer to a large pan and using BBQ gloves or two strong forks,
pull and shred the chicken.
Season with more BBQ rub and
mix, then top with your favorite BBQ
sauce. Serve by itself or in a sandwich.
sweet & sticky BBq sauce:
• 2 cups Ketchup
• 1 cup dark molasses
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until blended. Do not
boil.
April 2014 | 31
 sports
Road Races
By Laura Fantarella
warm weather brings out the runners
Orange is a fitness-minded community and we have the races to
prove it. Mark your calendars – there’s a race for you coming up.
The Cohen & Wolf, P.C. Cinco
de Miles Road Race/Walk
WHERE: High Plains Community
Center
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 4
INFO: call 203-795-3328 or email
[email protected]
ABOUT: Last year 130 runners turned
out to participate in the Chamber’s
inaugural Cinco de Mayo Race, sponsored by Cohen & Wolf. This year, Richard Zorena, Chamber secretary and
race organizer, is hoping to double that
number. “It takes awhile to build a race
and last year was a successful start,”
he said. “The run is a terrific way to promote and raise money for the Chamber
while promoting health and fitness as
well.” Tickets are $25 in advance or $30
the day of the event and will benefit the
Orange Chamber of Commerce.
The 2nd Annual 5K Peck
Place Panther Pounce
WHERE: High Plains Community
Center
WHEN: Saturday, May 17. Registration
begins 6:30 am Run/Walk begins 8:30
INFO: Visit www.hitekracing.com to
pre-register; or email jbeaud@yahoo.
com.
32 | April 2014
ABOUT: Peck Place School’s first run
last year was a huge success with
268 runners/walkers participating.
“We would love to have many more
this year,” said co-organizer Jamie
Beaudette. Race organizers hope the
race will be an uplifting event after a
stressful winter as students, staff and
parents coped with relocating to the
Yale campus on Marsh Hill Road after
pipes burst, flooding their school. “This
year has been a tough one for our Peck
Place family, but in true Peck Place
spirit everyone has adjusted well to the
change. Our hope is our Peck Place
families and the rest of the Orange
community will come out and enjoy a
morning of health and wellness. We’d
also like to say a huge thank you to
all who have supported our school
through this time -- Yale for housing
us and especially our other elementary
schools in town who have supported
us in so many ways,” Beaudette said.
The 5th Annual Race Brook
Rockin’ Road Race 5K run
and Fitness Walk and Kids
Fun Run
WHERE: Race Brook Elementary
School, Grannis Road
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 7
INFO: Contact racebrook5K@gmail.
com; [email protected]; or 203-2898994. Registration fees range from $10
-$20 before May 23. Runners/walkers
can register at www.hitekracing.com.
ABOUT: Music and entertainment
along the race route will give runners
an extra boost at the annual Race
Brook Rockin’ Road Race. This year
there is even a bagpipe player! “It’s one
of my favorite days of the year – and
I don’t even run!” said Melissa Nicefaro, one of the race organizers. “What
started as a fun way to focus on health
and get our community exercising five
years ago has turned into a big event
that keeps getting bigger every year.
We have runners and walkers come
from all over the state. ” Last year race
entry fees and donations from community businesses helped raise over
$10,000 for the school’s PTA. This year
organizers hope to raise even more
money and attract more than the 300
runners and walkers who participated
last year.
The day’s highlights include a moving
opening ceremony with a flag-raising
by members of the Orange Volunteer
Fire Department; trophies for the top
three finishers in each age category of
the 5K; medals for all children in the
Fun Run; a raffle; post-race refresh-
ments and entertainment throughout
the day.
The 2nd Annual 5K DOC’S
RACE and Kid’s Fun Run
WHERE: High Plains Community
Center
WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday, June 29.
INFO: Contact Race Director Joe Riccio, 203-481-7453 or wssac-ct@juno.
com; Pre registration online www.hitekracing.com. Fees to be determined;
participants 65 and older are free.
ABOUT: An impressive 459 runners
turned out last June to participate in
the first Doc’s Race honoring long time
Orange legend George “Doc” Whitney
who died in 2013 at the age of 94. Ac-
cording to Race Director and Whitney’s
long-time friend Joe Riccio, the race
was not a memoriam but a celebration of Doc’s life. “Life goes on and Doc
would have wanted everyone to just
come out and have a good time,” Riccio
said. “We didn’t even have a moment
of silence because Doc wouldn’t want
that. It was upbeat the entire time.” The
race was initiated by an anonymous
donor who provided the seed money
to get it started. The race is a fitting
way to remember Doc who began his
running career at the age of 81 inspiring many seniors to get involved in
the sport he loved. He was a beloved
fixture at the annual January 1st Chilly
Chili Run which now regularly attracts
runners in their 80s and 90s. “He was a
celebrity and an icon at the Chilly Chili
Race – he had a cult-like following,”
Riccio said. “Kids would finish the race
and go out and look for Doc, he identified with all ages.”
Riccio’s dream is that eventually the
June Doc’s Race will be as popular as
the Chilly Chili Run. “People have made
the Chilly Chili Run a tradition and
eventually I hope that people have the
same feeling about Doc’s Race every
year on the last Sunday in June.”
April 2014 | 33
 sports
CT Crushers
By Melissa Nicefaro
cooperstown dreams
Most young baseball players have
dreams of someday playing in Cooperstown, the baseball capital of the
world. This summer, that dream will
come true for one group of 12-yearold boys from Orange called the CT
Crushers. Each year, the Cooperstown
Charter is passed down to the new
12-year-old team allowing the team to
travel to New York and play some good
old-fashioned baseball. The Crushers
are just one of 100 teams that travel
to the Cooperstown Dreams Park, for
a week in August where they’ll play
tournament-style with teams from
across the country.
It’s about more than baseball for
this Orange team. It is not about winning, it’s about the experience, according to Coach Mike Formica. Coaches
Dave Corris and Jerry DiGello and their
sons will also travel to Cooperstown.
During the week-long event they’ll play
34 | April 2014
games, join in clinics, and make friends
with kids from across the country.
Participants have the opportunity to visit the National Baseball Hall
of Fame, attend baseball games at
Doubleday Field, the legendary home
of baseball where the game began in
1839. The tournaments, for boys 12
and under, are intended as a way to allow the boys to experience the purity of
baseball as it was meant to be played.
“They spend a week in the barracks
with teams from across the country,”
Formica explains. The team plays
seven games, and then has the chance
to move on to playoffs.
Each year, the participants of the
Cooperstown Dreams Park National
Invitational Tournament, whether
they win or lose, are inducted into the
American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.
Much like the National Baseball Hall
of Fame for major league baseball
players, each participant, upon induction, receives the coveted American
Youth Baseball Hall of Fame ring and
officially becomes one of the Cooperstown Dreams Park Little Majors.
The studio photo of each player with
his teammates is affixed to the Commemorative Induction Plaque for
future enshrinement on the walls of the
American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.
Baseball aside, one of the most fun
parts of the week is the trading of pins,
according to Formica. Each team designs its own pin and trades with boys
from other teams. “It’s a really big deal,”
Formica says. “My older son still calls it
the best week of his life.”
Each year, the team relies on
fundraisers to help offset the $800
per player cost to attend the tournament. The cost covers umpire fees,
pins, uniforms, bat bags and helmets,
in addition to lodging and food for the
week-long event. Many families make a
summer vacation of the trip and stay in
a hotel or camp nearby. Since the team
relies on contributions from the community to help pay for their trip, Formica believes it is important for them
to show appreciation. “We want them
to understand that this doesn’t just
come to them, they have to work and
give back to the community that gives
to them,” Formica says. He’s planning
a project for the team, to help them
understand that “Instead of taking, they
also must ‘do’”. The team is organizing
a community service project for this
summer.
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I have a Masters in International Business, a Bachelor’s in Finance, and spent
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I also have several years of consulting
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also focus on trend analysis, pricing, and
budgeting analysis along with macro and
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April 2014 | 35
 home living
Luxurious Style
By Laura Fantarella
farm river estates
Enjoying the luxuries of Fairfield
County living at New Haven County
prices is just one of the selling features
of the million-dollar dream homes in
the exclusive new Farm River Estates
subdivision. Nestled on two cul-desacs off St. John Drive and surrounded
by 45 acres of conservation and open
space land, oversized transom windows invite the natural outdoor beauty
and light of the indoors to illuminate
and highlight the elegance of the
home’s interiors. Stone fireplaces, SubZero and Wolf appliances, vaulted ceilings, “picture-frame” molding, four-inch
hardwood floors, custom built ins, his
and hers walk-in closets, second-story
balconies, heated granite countertops,
36 | April 2014
designer tiled showers, and state of
the art security systems are just a few
of the standard features that set these
nearly 4,000 square foot plus homes
apart. The homes are being offered for
$1.2 million and up. “There is no skimping anywhere. Many of these unique
features and amenities would be considered extras in most new construction projects,” according to Carolyn
Augur of William Raveis Real Estate,
the Realtor selling the properties. The
model home is tastefully staged by Tea
Canna of Creative Solutions in Orange.
The recently completed model and
spec home gives prospective buyers
a preview of the design and quality of
the new construction, but buyers have
the option of selecting among eight of
the remaining lots and choosing one
of seven different lay-outs and exteriors to customize their own unique
home. Named for neighborhoods and
landmarks around Orange, such as
“The Grassy Hill,” “The Racebrook,” “The
Greenbrier” and “The Ridge,” each of
the seven styles of homes features a
different floor plan with similar amenities built on lots that range in size from
1.5 to over 4 acres.
This exclusive neighborhood is
exactly what developer Gary M. Richetelli and his son Garry J. envisioned
when they purchased the land in 2007.
Richetelli, a long-time Orange resident,
is founder of Colonial Properties, Inc.,
a full service commercial real estate
brokerage company located on the
Boston Post Road. “We worked with
several brokers and architects and
did extensive research on many traditional upscale homes and high end
subdivisions throughout Connecticut
and came up with a set of plans we
thought would be attractive to prospective buyers,” Richetelli said. “The homes
are very attractively priced and a good
value when you factor in the high end,
custom features. If these properties
were located in Fairfield County, the
asking price would start with a two
instead of a one.”
Richetelli put off starting the pro-
cess until Connecticut’s economy
started to rebound. In the mid-2000s
when the project was approved and
the engineering and site work was
completed, Connecticut was in the
midst of a full-blown recession. “We
put our plans on hold until a year ago.
The activity was on the upswing. Lots 5
and 8 are already on deposit and there
is interest in several of the other lots
as well as the spec home. “It’s a very
unique location in Orange, it is a private
enclave that you can’t find anywhere
else in town with underground utilities
and turn of the century replica street
lighting.” Richetelli said. “It has a very
private country feel, yet it has accessi-
bility to all the major highways and it’s
centrally located to the center of town.”
The houses are being constructed
by Compass Builders LLC of Trumbull
and take about six months to build.
Compass Builders’ President David
Salerno specializes in customer service and is proud of his staff’s quality
workmanship. “We specialize in turning
a dream home into a reality” he said.
“These are not cookie cutter homes.
We brought a Westport concept to
Orange at an affordable price.”
For more information about the
homes, contact Carolyn Augur at 203623-6239 or at Carolyn.Augur@Raveis.
com.
April 2014 | 37
 orange people
Three Generations
By Laura Fantarella
a figure skating family
Juliette Melotto, her mom Jody, and
her grandmother, Jolene Kane, share
more than their DNA, active lifestyles
and good looks. The three have a
passion for figure skating that began
for each of them not long after they
learned to walk.
The trio is a familiar sight at New
Haven area ice rinks where Jody, 45,
and her mom Jolene, 64, are figure
skating coaches and 15-year-old Juliette is a skater who is training to pass
high level skating proficiency tests. It is
truly a family affair for the women who
not only spend several days each week
together on the ice, but even perform
together at local ice skating shows.
Jolene has also coached Juliette
since she was a child, teaching her the intricate footwork
patterns for her moves in
the field tests; the axels,
toe loops and spins for her
freestyle tests and even
partnering as the gentleman
when Juliette tested for her
first ice dance tests.
Creating generations of figure skaters
can be traced back to
Jolene’s mom and dad,
Alice and Joseph Panczak, an athletic couple
who loved introducing
their three daughters to
sport activities. Alice was
a roller skater and Joseph
was a hockey skater and,
38 | April 2014
while raising their young family of
daughters in Westville, they invested in
figure skates for the family and signed
the sisters up for lessons at the former New Haven Arena. At the time the
parents would ice dance together for
fun and Joseph was even treasurer of
the New Haven Figure Skating Club,
one of the oldest figure skating clubs in
the country. Today, even Jolene’s older
sister, Sherry Maturo, is a local figure
skating coach.
There were limited indoor skating
rinks in the 1960s and 70s and even
those would typically close for the
season by
late spring.
To keep
the girls skating all year, the Panczaks
would spend several weeks in the
summer vacationing in Lake Placid and
Canada so the girls had the opportunity
to skate with competitive figure skaters who trained year round. “I remember being on the ice with (former Ice
Capades star and world competitor)
Priscilla Hill,” said Jolene. “Because we
came from a skating family it was just
what we did.”
As soon as her daughter Jody could
walk, Jolene continued her own parents’ legacy, buying Jody her first pair
of skates and bringing her to local
rinks where, by then, she was
giving private skating lessons.
Jody recalls performing in her
first ice show at around three
or four years old when skating
shows were quite the extravaganza and she was the youngest child on the ice. “I was
perched on a trolley on the
ice wearing a fancy frock
with a HUGE bow that
was almost bigger than I
was,” Jody said. “I loved
it.” Just as her mom took
her to the rink when she
was only about two years
old, Jody first began taking
Juliette to the rink with her
at around the same age. Like
her mother and grandmother
before her, Juliette took to the
ice immediately as well.
Even though Jody ob-
tained a
degree in Human Resources
from the University
of Connecticut, she
always assumed she
would one day be a figure skating coach just like her mom.
The two are now respected
and seasoned coaches in the
area, where each have coached
hundreds of students in group
and private lessons. Jolene,
who had success coaching
skaters to sectional and national competitions estimates
she’s taught “about six cycles”
of skaters,” as typically children take
private lessons from about the age of
eight or nine until around high school
age. She even coaches adults -- one
of her long-time students is “TP” -- an
engineer who is trying to master silver
level ice dances.
She particularly enjoys sharing the
magic of skating with others. “I still get
the magic of the movement every day
when I step onto the ice,” Jolene said.
“The older I get the richer and deeper
the feeling is. I can still do it and I can
still feel it. I just enjoy it.” Jody gets the
same pleasure from teaching. “I enjoy
instilling children with a love of skating
and teaching them a skill,” she said.
“I most like seeing little kids get on
the ice for the first time and watching
when they actually get going. It’s an
amazing sport and an amazing gift you
can give to others.”
Each of the women has a favorite aspect of the sport. While Jolene
always loved performing in ice exhibitions like Symphony on Ice, local skating club shows, and benefits for the
March of Dimes and even one honoring
the victims of 9/11; Juliette prefers
climbing the echelon of skating tests
where she is
currently working on achieving the
gold level. Jody always
loved participating in skating competitions; including the
popular Boston and Providence
Opens from the time she was a child
until she was a young adult. “I was always very competitive,” Jody said. One
of the highlights of her skating career
was performing at the opening and
closing ceremonies of the World Figure
Skating Championships that were
held in Connecticut in 1980 – and
competing at the National Collegiate
Championships in Colorado Springs
when she was a student at UCONN.
“Nancy Kerrigan was in my group and I
remember her as being really nice and
very talented,” Jody said.
Most recently it is the special bond
grandmother and granddaughter share
as they prepare each year for the annual show at the Shelton Sports Center
ice rink. They’ve performed to a variety of programs featuring the music
of “Mary Poppins,” “The Nutcracker,”
“White Christmas” and even “Grandma
Got Run Over By A Reindeer”. “It’s a
‘thing’ we have together,” Jolene said.
But perhaps Juliette sums up the
feelings of her mom and grandmother
best when asked what she likes most
about figure skating. It’s not the invigorating cold of the ice rink, the magic of
flowing across a flawless sheet of ice,
or the challenge or beauty of the sport,
although of course that’s all part of it,
but sharing her love of skating with
the people she loves most. “I like being
with my family,” she said simply.
Jolene agreed. “Skating has been
really good to me all my life, not just
because of the skating but because I
have my family with me,” she said. “It
has really come full circle.”
Terms & Jumps
Toe Pick - The teeth at the front
of the blade, used to assist in
jumping and spinning.
Axel - A jump in which skaters
take off from the forward outside edge of the blade and land
on the back outside edge of the
opposite foot. The axle is one
of the most difficult jumps and
the only one that takes off from
a forward position.
Lutz - A jump in which skaters
use their toe pick and take off
from a back outside edge, landing on the back outside edge of
the opposite foot. Skaters glide
backwards on a wide curve, tap
their toe pick into the ice and
rotate in the opposite direction
of the curve.
Salchow (pronounced Sow-Cow)
- A jump in which skaters take
off from the back inside edge of
one foot and land on the back
outside edge of the opposite foot.
This jump is named after Swedish figure skater Ulrich Salchow
who won the first Olympic gold
medal in figure skating.
April 2014 | 39
 orange people
Amity students
Lizzy Giovanniello,
Leah Bradleigh,
Caroline Jaffe, and
Arpita Jajoo at the
Amity Teen Center.
Orange Residents Marci Young and Attorney Debra Marino of Law Offices of Debra
Marino participating in the Sandy Hook 5k “Love Runs Through” on Sunday, March
29, 2014 in Newtown, CT
Orange residents from
birth, friends for
life. Bill McNeil,
Andrew Perfetto, Raymond
Bradley, David
Meneo
40 | April 2014
Orange’s Gary Harger.
Poplar singer, actor, voice
teacher & director. Best
known for his performances on Broadway
("Shenandoah"); National
Tours ("Les Miserables",
"West Side Story), San
Francisco Opera, Dallas
Opera, Lincoln Center,
Carnegie Hall, and regional
theatre. Gary is currently
the Cantor & Music Director at St. Lawrence Church
--- Huntington, CT.
Daddy & daughter enjoying
cotton candy at
the Orange Fireman's Carnival.
April 2014 | 41
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657 Orange Center Road • Orange, CT 06477
www.marinofamilylaw.com • [email protected]
Ph: (203) 298-0611 • F: (203) 298-0613
Support Orange’s
Elementary Marching Band!
The Town of Orange is forming its first Elementary School Marching Band.
The band make its debut in this year’s Memorial Day Parade.
We need your help to offset the cost of instruments
and uniforms for the kids.
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CRS, ABR, CCIM
Contact Information:
Direct Office: 203-795-2305
Cell: 203-376-1248
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April 2014 | 43
 town departments
Community Services
The Community Services delivers a
wide range of services to Orange residents. Services and programs include
a full array of activities for seniors,
youth, families and persons with special
needs. Family counseling services are
offered for Orange residents through Orange Family Counseling that is staffed
by “Bridges”. Transportation is available
for Orange seniors and persons with
disabilities. Tracy Bunch is a program
that provides social activities for adults
with special needs who are independent and high functioning. Volunteers
are recruited for a variety of Community
Services projects and programs.
Orange residents 55 and over are
eligible for free Senior Center membership; non-residents can join for $10 a
year for a single person and $15 for a
couple. The Senior Center offers cards,
Mah Jongg, Tai Chi, bingo, Yoga, fitness, billiards, chair exercises, Zumba,
cabarets, day trips, overnight trips,
special events, computer classes and
so much more. Nutritious meals are
offered daily for seniors in the Senior
Center Cafeteria. Donations for the
meal are requested but not required.
Reservations must be made the previous day before noon. Orange Friendlies
is a monthly senior newsletter which
contains information on activities and
programs. There is a Municipal Agent/
Elderly Outreach Worker who provides
information and support to seniors and
their families. The Friendly Visitor Program offers homebound residents an
By Kim Callahan, Joan Cretella, Dennis
Marsh, Denise Stein & John Ulatowski
opportunity to interact one-on-one with
a volunteer from the community. The
Handyman Skills Bank assists Orange
residents who are in need of short term
help with simple household tasks such
as cleaning, painting and organizing to
name a few.
Youth Services offers a variety of
events and programs for Orange Youth
grades K-12. Offerings include Intergenerational tutoring, Middle School
and eighth grade dances, babysitting,
home alone classes, art colony, K-6 art
exhibit at Case Memorial Library, living
history club, youth events and much
more. Youth Services also offers a job
bank service that links Orange youths
to employment opportunities with area
residents and businesses.
10 Years of Pasta Festa & Living Treasures of Orange
This year’s Pasta Festa will be May
9, 5-8pm at the St. Barbara’s Greek
Orthodox Church banquet hall. Tickets
can be purchased from the Orange
Senior Center at 525 Orange Center
Road. For more information call (203)
891-4784.
Pasta Festa all began in 2005 as
a fundraiser for the Orange Senior
Center. A year later the Living Treasure
recognition awards was instituted. This
year marks the 10th anniversary of
Pasta Festa and the 9th year of the Living Treasure recognition awards. That
first year Pasta Festa was held in the
High Plains Community Center Gym
with 124 people in attendance with
homemade meatballs made by Mary
DeVito. The next year Pasta moved
down the road to the Holy Infant
Church and the Living Treasure recog44 | April 2014
nition award ceremonial was added.
But after a few years at Holy Infant,
Pasta Festa outgrew the space and
moved again, but not very far, just next
door. This time it was welcomed at the
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.
Mary stepped down to welcome Lynn
Plaskowitz into the kitchen. Today the
Pasta Festa Dinner and Living Treasure
Recognition Award ceremony serves
over 250 people. To date only 29 people in a community of over 14,000 have
been recognized as Living Treasures.
But what is a treasure? MerriamWebster’s Dictionary defines “treasure”
as something that is very special,
important, or valuable. It continues to
define a Living Treasure as a person of
great esteem, a person who is rare and
precious. The Orange Senior Center
and the Orange Community Services
wanted to recognize the contributions
of our special older residents who have
volunteered throughout their lives for
the betterment of the town. The Living
Treasure Award was instituted to honor
these people while they are still living.
Many who have been honored over the
past years are unsung heroes. By honoring them, it allows all of us in town a
chance to know of their contributions
and all they have done for our community. Many of these Living Treasures
continue to serve as an inspiration and
a role model of community service for
future generations.
Each year the Orange Senior Center and Community Services accepts
nominations from the community for
the Living Treasure award. Persons being nominated must be age 65 or over,
a resident of Orange, and have demonstrated positive actions to improve the
quality of life for residents. The nominee must have contributed volunteer
service, and continue to contribute, to
enhance the Orange community as a
whole.
After all the nominations have been
received, they are reviewed by the Living Treasure Selection Committee. The
committee is made of several Orange
residents and includes the Senior
Service Coordinator. This year the committee also included a selectman and
a past recipient of the Living Treasure
Award.
Each year one of the most difficult
aspects of the Living Treasure Award
is selecting three people to be honored
from all the wonderful nominations
received. The committee reviews the
contributions and accomplishments of
each nominee, they weigh the impact
and the influence the nominee’s service
has had on the community. Throughout the past 10 years, the various
selection committees have faced an
overwhelming task of selecting only 3
Living Treasures to be recognized. They
have done a fantastic job. Never had
it been said “why that person?” Rather,
many were unaware just how much
someone had contributed. Our Living
Treasure through the years are:
• 2006: Bob Archambault, Walter
Bespuda, Margaret Howland, Mary
Jewell, & Hannah Clark Russell;
• 2007: Robert Drobish, Harry Jones,
& Mary DeVito;
• 2008: Lucy Scillia, Dr. Edmund
Tucker, and Dr. George Whitney;
• 2009: Dorothy Berger, Albert “Skip”
Clark, & Robert DeFeo;
• 2010: Jack Barton, Kevin Gilbert, &
Veronica Hendricks;
• 2011: Joseph Blake, Severio “Bob”
Fordero, & Nancy Nyhan;
• 2012: Marianne Bauer, Joseph Cuzzocreo, and Charles Flynn;
• 2013: Nancy Becque, Patricia Miller,
& James White; and
• 2014: Emma Cuzzocreo, Donald
Lewis, & Elmer Manley
5th Annual
Peck Place
Senior Prom
Peck Place School will once
again host a Senior Prom. This
year it will be in the High Plains
Community Center Gymnasium, on Monday, May 12 from
10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Last year
we had a ton of fun! There will
be a buffet style lunch and beverages. This is an actual prom
with music and dancing. The
attire is dressy, but you could
wear whatever will make you
comfortable. Be sure to wear
your dancing shoes. Oh, and
the best part is it’s FREE! Just
RSVP to the Orange Senior
Center at (203) 891-4784, so we
can tell the school how many
will be attending or directly
to Peck Place School c/o Mrs.
Erica Campbell at ecampbell@
orange-ed.org.
April 2014 | 45
 town departments
Municipal Agent/
Community
Outreach Services
Orange Senior Leadership: What is
the Orange Leadership Program?
The Orange Leadership Program is a premier, program of
the Orange Community Services modeled after the Greater
New Haven Leadership Center of the Greater New Haven
Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the Orange Leadership Program is to identify aspiring community leaders over
the age of 55 and support their growth through leadership
training and community education so they may serve as
catalysts for positive change in their own community.
The Orange Leadership Program offers participants an
insider’s view of the issues shaping our town and region.
Topics covered in the 8 month period include: Leadership
Skills, Town Government, Legislative Advocacy, Communication and Media, Team Building, History and Development of
the Town of Orange. Participants are required, as a group, to
choose and develop their own community service project as
part of the learning experience.
Who can apply to this program?
• Orange Senior Center members age 55 and over.
• Persons who are interested in learning more about
their community and region.
• Persons who are interested in developing and enhancing their own leadership skills.
• Persons who are interested in utilizing their years of
experience.
• Persons who are interested in working with others in
a team effort.
• Persons who are interested in civic engagement &
making a difference in their community or region.
The Senior Leadership program is funded in part by the
Orange Senior Center and student tuition.
46 | April 2014
Many residents already know me and what I
do. Some though, have never heard of me and I
would like to take this time to introduce myself
and let you know a few of the things that I do.
One thing to remember is that because I am
a town service, there is no charge for my services. Having said that I am a font of information
regarding questions on Medicare, Entitlement
Programs such as Medicaid (T-19), SNAP (Food
Stamps), SSI and SSD to name a few. I also act as
a referral source for people looking for answers
to that $64,000.00 question of where can I get
help for the challenge I have right now?
One of the big programs I administer is the
Energy Program. If you are in need of assistance
paying for fuel oil and qualify based on your
income and assets, you would come to me to
complete your application. I also do Operation
Fuel as a secondary source of fuel assistance.
I also administer the Community Assistance
Fund which is made up of the fuel bank and
the Food Pantry. This program is based on your
income and if you qualify, you can receive groceries once a month. These last two programs
are supported by donations from our generous
residents and some corroborate gifts.
I also get calls from concerned neighbors
or adult children regarding their parents and
challenging situations. I do have the ability to
do home visits and check on people and determine if they need assistance or if there are other
programs they may be eligible for that would
help them. I also have the ability to work with
the families on an ongoing basis so that the
situation can be improved.
I invite you to come in and visit anytime
to say hello and introduce yourself to me. My
name is Denise Stein and you can reach me at
203-891-4787.
Orange Transportation Services
The Town of Orange Community
Services provides a transportation
service for senior residents and handicapped residents for doctor appointments, and other destinations, including Senior Center Events. The service
is also offered for special events from
time to time. The program has (3)
Handicapped Accessible Vehicles and
(1) Mini-Van available for transport. The
handicap accessible vehicle has a chair
lift and chair tie downs. The mini-van
is not accessible for wheelchairs. We
have three certified drivers. If there are
wheelchair bound passengers, they are
required to be accompanied by a friend,
family member or aide; our drivers are
not medical personnel and they do not
come into the home or stay with the
passengers at their destinations.
This service runs Monday through
Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm. We
require 24 to 48 hours notice. The
towns the service transports to are Orange, Milford, West Haven, New Haven
and Hamden. For the New Haven and
Hamden runs we try not to go after
3pm due to traffic and construction.
We are a donation based program and
ask for $2.00 to Senior Center, $4.00
within Orange and $6.00 outside of
Orange, all round trip. If an aide, friend
or family member accompanies, the
passenger may ride free. The driver will
present the passenger a business card
with a cell phone number to call the
driver for a return pickup. There may be
times when the driver will be detained
due to other pickups they will have.
We also provide a shopping bus
every Tuesday for our senior and handicapped residents. The driver does not
stay with the group, there are two runs
done, the first is at 9am and the second is at 11:30am. The locations the
passengers are taken to are in Milford
where there is the choice of Shop-Rite,
Wal-Mart, and the CT Post Mall in that
area.
To request a ride, call Kim Callahan,
Transportation Coordinator, at (203)
891-4788, Monday – Friday 9:00 –
3:00pm.
April 2014 | 47
 town departments
Orange Youth Services
Activities 2013-14
Home Alone classes offered at
individual Elementary Schools
in conjunction with the Orange
Volunteer Fire and Police Departments.
Job Bank members assisted
area residents with jobs such as
yard work, cleaning attics and
basements, housework, painting,
snow shoveling, mother’s helper,
and more.
Students in grades three through
High School participated with Intergenerational Tutoring weekly
at Case Memorial Library, utilizing senior citizen tutors.
Babysitting classes incorporating basics of babysitting principals and first aid certification are
held yearly.
Middle School dances were held
from September through April.
Parent chaperones and High
School student volunteers were
utilized.
Coordinated Welcome New 7th
Grade orientation/pizza/raffle
event where incoming seventh
graders had a socialization and
fun activity as a precursor to
Youth Services events and programs.
Provided through an SDE grant
two Parenting programs in regard to bullying and substance
abuse/social media.
Through the Living History Club
senior citizens who wished to
share their life experiences with
48 | April 2014
High School students were given
an opportunity to do so through
meetings and interviews.
The Sixth Annual Children of Orange K-6 Art Exhibit was held in
April incorporating and displaying students’ artistic works. Also
a reception was held for parents
and family members.
Two Artist Colonies classes, offering students instruction in water color and drawing, were held.
Students received professional
art instructions, materials, and
gift cards.
Youth Services utilized high
school volunteers at various
events such as Middle School
dances, Pasta Festa, Race Brook
Mother-Child dance, K-6 exhibit,
Mary L. Tracy Children’s Fair and
more.
Youth were accommodated
with Court Community Services
hours by providing work options
at Community Services.
Provided partially through the
SDE Enhancement grant an ADL
“Building a School of Allies” training and workshops for over onehundred Middle School students
in regard to issues of bullying,
name-calling, gender diversity,
and prejudice.
Completed and submitted SDE
Annual Youth Services grant,
SDE Enhancement grant, and
SDE Individual Services Report.
youth services
programming
Youth Services offers Orange youth a variety of
programs, events, classes, and social activities. Examples of past activities include inclusion an Art
Colony that encouraged youth to compose a work
of art and have it showcased on the walls of HPCC;
essay contests as to why Orange is the best place to
live; youth-parent basketball games; a Life After High
School event that assembled local merchants, school,
professionals to talk with youth about career choices;
a youth Talent Show that highlighted the entertaining
abilities of middle and High School youth; assisted
Amity Middle School and ADL to run the program
“Building a School of Allies” program; meeting with
area merchants to provide discounted items in regard
programs; participation with professional agencies
such as CYSA, PCYC, Orange Family Counseling, and
the Youth Services Advisory Board.
The Intergeneration Tutoring program will continue to provide tutoring assistance to students at
Case Memorial Library with one-to-one teaching
experience with senior citizen tutors. The program
affords students from grades 3 through High School
an opportunity to get added assistance with subject
matter and homework. The program is a mainstay
in Youth Services and highly successful over many
years. A graduation ceremony highlights student
perseverance and achievement during the course
of the year.
A May Youth Services-Bridges Parenting class
is planned dealing with substance abuse and current drug trends. The program is provided by Youth
Services and Bridges of Milford and will be filmed by
OGAT for telecast later in the year.
The Job Bank, which provides members an opportunity to be employed by Orange residents will be
available. The Job Bank assists students with opportunities for such job areas as yard work, housework,
painting, cleaning, party helper, mother’s helper, and
snow shoveling. Students sign up with a parent and
discussed are the responsibilities of the job as well
as safety measures.
Youth Services High School Volunteer Program
provides Amity High School students with opportunities for volunteering hours. The program offers
volunteering options for many Youth Services and
Senior Center events such as 7th-8th grade dances,
Children of Orange K-6 Art Exhibit, many summer
Town events such as Pumpkin Palooza, July fireworks,
Pasta Festa, Senior social events, and more.
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April 2014 | 49
 town departments
Park & Recreation
information & programs
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Orange Residents,
The Park and Recreation
staff and I invite you to join
in the fun and participate in
the variety of outstanding
memberships and programs
we offer to the Town of
Orange community. Here’s to
an exciting and healthy Spring
and Summer. We look forward
to seeing you.
Dan Lynch
Director of Park and Recreation
Town of Orange
(203)891-4790
[email protected]
REGISTRATION
All course fees, plus any
additional fees, are listed
under course descriptions.
Please include payment with
the registration form. Unless
otherwise noted, material fees
for the courses are included
in the registration fee. If
50 | April 2014
registering late, please call
first to be sure the class is not
already filled or cancelled due
to low enrollment.
Summer Swim Lesson
Registration Dates
Residents currently enrolled
Monday, June 2
Residents
Wednesday, June 4
Non-residents currently
enrolled
Monday, June 9
Open Registration
Tuesday, June 10
Spring Land-based
Registration Dates
Residents
Monday, March 31
Non-residents
Monday, April 7
CANCELLATION POLICY
The Park and Recreation
Department reserves the
right to cancel any program
due to low enrollment. Please
register early. A full refund
will be given for any program
cancelled by the department.
WEB SITE
The department updates
the Recreational Services
section of the Town’s web
site. Please check for the
latest information about our
programs, schedule changes
and upcoming Park and
Recreation events.
www.orange-ct.gov
OFFICE CLOSINGS
Memorial Day - Monday, May
26
Please check the pool and
fitness center bulletin boards
for facility hours.
REFUND POLICY
NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS
(except for documented
medical reasons) once the
new swim session or land
based classes have begun.
A $5.00 fee per registration,
will be charged for any of the
following reasons: Medical
refunds, cancellations prior to
the start of a session, class
change or transfer initiated by
the household.
BIRTHDAY POOL PARTIES
The pool is available for party
rentals on:
Saturdays, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Sundays, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Reservations are made on a
first come, first served basis.
All participants will be given
a swim test before the party
starts. Children must be able
to swim one full length of
the pool, or a parent must go
in the water with them. The
lobby is also available for
use after the open swim. A
refundable deposit is required
for the lobby and shall be
returned if the area is properly
cleaned after the party.
Please call Sue at (203)8914794 for information.
SUMMER CAMP
INFORMATION
• Day Camp is scheduled
to begin on June 23
and continue for 4, two
week sessions ending on
August 15.
• Day camp is for children
who are entering
kindergarten and are
•
•
•
•
•
the age of 5 when camp
begins through 5th grade,
from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Early and late stay is
available.
The Travelin’ Teens camp
is for children who have
completed 6th through
9th grade. Camp runs
for 8, one week sessions
starting June 23. Most
trips are from 9:00am4:00pm. Early and late
stay is available.
Registration information,
forms and fees will be
available on April 21st.
Resident Registration for
Traveling Teens begins
on April 28th.
Resident Registration for
Day Camp begins on May
5th.
Registration for nonresidents begins on May
5th for Traveling Teens,
and May 12th for Day
Camp.
SUMMER CAMP
COUNSELORS
Senior Counselors and
Specialists
Applications are being
accepted for people interested
in being a counselor or camp
specialist this summer. This
job is a 9 week commitment
and begins on June 16th with
orientation. All applicants
must be available for a
personal interview. All
returning counselors and
specialists from the 2013 Day
Camp are required to fill out
an application and turn it in by
Monday, May 5th. We will not
be accepting applications for
Junior Counselors.
PRE-SCHOOL
CHARLIE BROWN AND
LUCY T-BALL
Our program, for 4-5 year old
boys and girls, is designed to
teach the basic fundamentals
of T-ball, while having lots
of fun. Each team starts the
day practicing their skills with
parent coaches and finishes
with a game. No winners or
losers, just learning the sport
and having fun! We need
parent volunteers to be Head
Coaches and Assistants. If
you are interested in helping,
please indicate that on the
registration form. We will
also attempt to honor all
placement requests, so
please be sure to include
that information on your
registration form. Includes a
hat and t-shirt.
Saturdays, April 26-June 7
(no class May 17)
(June 14 will be used as a rain
date)
9:45am-11:00am
Activity # 610900-A
HPCC Fairgrounds-Next to the
gazebo
$40.00
STORY TIME CREATIONS
Ages 3 - 5
Join us for story time with
creative arts and crafts
projects or edible creations.
Each week will be a different
story with a project that
follows the theme of the
book. Parent participation is
required for this class.
Tuesdays, April 29-May 27
10:45am-11:30am
Activity # 617300-A
H.P.C.C. Room 5
$30.00
FUN SPORTZ LIL SPORTZ
Ages 3, 4 and 5
The perfect way to introduce
your toddler to a variety
of sports. Sports teach
socialization, listening skills
and teamwork. Dress for
outdoor activities, wear
sneakers and bring water.
Saturdays, May 3-June 14
(no class May 17)
9:00am-10:00am
Activity # 616800-C
H.P.C.C. Back field by Bball
Courts
$75.00
NERFKINS
Ages 3 - 5 years
Parents must stay in the gym
during the class. Nerfkins
is a class for your energetic
three to five year olds. Using
nerfballs and other soft
equipment, your child will be
introduced to sports while
learning basic ball handling
skills and developing handeye coordination. They will
play and develop skills in
basketball, soccer, baseball
and other gym games.
Wednesdays, April 23-June 4
(no class 5/14)
10:15am-11:00am 612600-A
Thursdays April 24-June 5 (no
class 5/15)
11:00am-11:45am
612600-B
H.P.C.C. Gym $25.00
TODDLER PLAYGROUP
Ages 6 months to 4 years
The Toddler Playgroup is an
unstructured play area where
your little ones can enjoy an
environment made just for
them. The facility features
two rooms with supplies
for arts and crafts projects,
imaginative play, games,
ride-on toys, and much more.
There is a child size bathroom
and a changing station
located in the playroom
area. This is a great way to
meet other moms or dads,
and for your children to
make new friends. Please
note, on holidays and during
school vacations, the Toddler
Playgroup will be closed.
Monday-Friday
Ends on June 13
Open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm
H.P.C.C Rooms 7 & 9
Activity: # 413600-A
Fees after April 1st
Residents
$24.00 first child
$12.00 each additional child
Non-Residents
$30.00 first child
$15.00 each additional child
April 2014 | 51
 town departments
YOUTH
FUN SPORTZ GOLF
Grades K - 6
This is a class where your
child will learn the basic
fundamentals of golf. All
participants will receive a
t-shirt and water bottle.
Wednesdays, April 30-June 4
5:00pm-6:00pm
Activity # 616800-B
H.P.C.C. Back field by Bball
Courts
$75.00
FUN SPORTZ MULTISPORTS
Grades K-6
This camp will be filled with
a variety of sports. We offer
children the chance to be
athletic while encouraging
sportsmanship, friendly
competition, teamwork and
listening skills.
Mondays, April 28-June 9
(no class on May 26)
5:00pm-6:00pm
Activity # 616800-D
H.P.C.C. Gym
$75.00
FUN SPORTZ HOOPS CAMP
Grades K-6
Is your child ready to start
playing
basketball? Fun Sportz is
offering this special spring
basketball session for Grades
K-6 (boys and girls) who are
ready to start playing hoops!
This instructional clinic will
be designed to teach your
child the basic fundamentals in a FUN way. Dribbling,
passing and shooting skills
will be taught and worked on
every session. Also involved
will be basic rules of the
game and defensive skills.
The purpose of this new and
exciting program is to instill a
52 | April 2014
love of basketball in your child
while teaching the basics in
a FUN manner. This session
will prepare your child for any
future leagues or clinics they
will be involved with.
Wednesdays, May 14-May 28
6:30pm-8:30pm
Activity # 616800-A
Amity Middle School Gym
$75.00 for all 3 sessions or
$25.00 per session
GIRL POWER
Grades 2-6 (Females only)
We use hoops, ladders, cones,
medicine balls, jump ropes
and other fitness equipment.
To help participants improve
their endurance, speed,
balance, coordination,
flexibility and strength.
Activities include relays,
circuits, and game play. All
designed to encourage fun
and fitness.
Mondays, April 21-June 2
(no class May 26)
6:00pm-7:00pm
Activity # 610600-AA
Race Brook School Gym and
Field
$75.00
GUITAR LESSONS
Ages 8 - 15
Learn chords, scales, theory
and best of all, learn to play
your favorite songs. This
is an 8 week group guitar
program. The one hour class
will focus on providing a high
level of instruction in a fun
cooperative atmosphere. The
program is for those who
have an interest in guitar and
music in general. Includes the
use of guitar during class.
Tuesdays, April 22-June 10
4:00pm-5:00pm Beginners
610400-A
5:00pm-6:00pm Level 2
610400-B
Room 2 $185.00
SOCCERTIKES
SoccerTikes is a physical
development program for
children between the ages
of 3 to 6. This program uses
a variety of fun games to
delight and engage kids in
physical activity. We stress a
non-competitive environment
and promote fun above all
else. We mix in fun and skill
development activities with
small sided games.
Saturdays, April 26-June 7
(no class on May 17)
3 - 4 year olds - 9:00am10:00am Activity # 617700-A
4 - 5 year olds - 10:00am11:00am Activity # 617700-B
5 - 6 year olds - 11:00am12:00pm Activity # 617700-C
H.P.C.C. behind the Pool
$75.00 (includes a
SoccerTikes t-shirt)
TENNIS
Spring tennis is scheduled to
begin the week of May 5th.
The session has a level for
every child’s ability. There
will be lots of hard work, but
tons of fun too! Lessons will
be held at the High Plains
Community Center tennis
courts. For tennis related
questions, call (203)640-1724.
For more information visit
www.fairfieldcountytennis.
com
Mondays, May 5-June 9
Pee Wee
3:30pm-4:00pm (Ages 3 & 4)
613301-A $65.00
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
Juniors 4:00pm-5:00pm
(Ages 5-7)
613302-A $99.00
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
Juniors
5:00pm-6:00pm (Ages 8-11)
613303-A $99.00
Wednesdays, May 7-June 4
Pee Wee
3:30pm-4:00pm (Ages 3 & 4)
613301-B $65.00
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
Juniors 4:00pm-5:00pm
(Ages 5-7)
613302-B $99.00
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
Juniors
5:00pm-6:00pm (Ages 8-11)
613303-B $99.00
Low Intermediate/
Intermediate
5:00pm-6:00pm (Ages 8-11)
613303-C $99.00
KARATE
This class is for students to
build confidence, focus and
discipline.Students will also
increase their coordination,
strength, and flexibility
while having fun. Verbal and
physical self defense skills will
be taught by professionals in
a safe and fun environment.
For more information call
203-783-9768 or visit www.
superiorkarate.net
LITTLE NINJAS
Ages 4 - 6
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
May 6-June 26
4:30pm-5:00pm
Activity # 612400-AA
1 CLASS PER WK $80.00
2 CLASSES PER WK $125
BEGINNER KARATE
Ages 7 - Adult
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
May 6-June 26
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Activity # 612400-BB
1 CLASS PER WK $125.00
2 CLASSES PER WK $155.00
H.P.C.C. Gym
ADULT
EVENING AEROBICS
Improve your cardiac fitness,
increase flexibility and tone
your whole body at either
a high or low impact level.
Beginners are welcome!
Please bring a mat for floor
exercises. Hand weights are
optional.
Mondays and Wednesdays,
April 14-June 18
(no class on May 12, May 14
& May 26 )
6:30pm-8:00pm
Activity # 620700-A
H.P.C.C. Gym
Gail Catania $51.00
YOGA
Yoga will help improve
flexibility and range of motion,
increase strength without the
use of weights, release stress
and tension in the physical
body, as well as the mind,
and leave you with an overall
sense of relaxation and
well-being. Almost anyone is
capable of practicing some
degree of yoga. Participants
are required to bring a yoga
mat.
Fridays, April 25-June 20
(no class May 30)
9:30am-10:45am
Activity # 623700-A
Tuesdays, April 22-June 17
(no class May 13)
7:00pm-8:15pm
Activity # 623700-B
Thursdays, April 24-June 19
(no class May 15)
7:00pm-8:15pm
Activity # 623700-C
H.P.C.C. Gym
Lauren Sachs
$36.00
TENNIS
Spring tennis is scheduled to
begin the week of May 5th.
There will be lots of hard work,
but tons of fun too! Lessons
will be held at the High Plains
Community Center tennis
courts. Program co-directors
Dave Kardas and Greg
Sansonetti bring a combined
25+ years worth of tennis
teaching experience as well
as an exciting, experienced
and certified staff. For tennis
related questions, contact
(203)640-1724. For more
information visit:
www.fairfieldcountytennis.
com
Wednesdays, May 7-June 4
Beginner/ Advanced Beginner
6:00pm-7:00pm 623300-B
$109.00
Low Intermediate/
Intermediate
7:00pm-8:00pm 623301-B
$109.00
Wright Movez LLC,
Zumba Fitness
What is Zumba Fitness you
ask? A total body ultimate
cardio workout-sure to make
you burn anywhere from
500-1000 calories in each one
hour long workout. No matter
what age, weight, gender
you are, everyone loves to
“Join the Party” and Zumba.
Mondays and Wednesdays,
April 21-June 4
(No class on May 26 and May
28)
Activity # 622200-A
6:00pm-7:00pm
Wright Movez LLC Dance and
Fitness
Studio
Natalie Wright
$85.00
DEPARTMENT
INFORMATION
Mission Statement
The mission of the Park and
Recreation Department is
to maintain designated land
in the Town of Orange and
to provide a comprehensive
array of high quality, athletic,
educational and Recreational
programs for the target
population on a year round
basis.
Park and Recreation Office
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
The office, pool and fitness
center are located at: 525
Orange Center Rd, Orange, CT
06477
Park and Recreation Office
(203)891-4790
(203)891-2173 Fax
Orange Town Pool
(203)891-4761
Web site address:
www.orange-ct.gov
Reference Telephone
Numbers
Community Services
(203)891-4788
Town Hall
(203)891-4700
Visiting Nurses
(203)891-4752
Orange Community Nursery
School
(203)795-3869
Transfer Station
(203)891-2177
Case Memorial Library
(203)891-2170
Orange Soccer Association
Tom Pisano (203)877-2058
Orange Little League
Baseball
Powell Chodos (203)671-1702
Softball
Ed Whitman (203)494-4369
Senior League
Tom Norton (203)346-8464
Information is available on
the team’s website, www.
aracswimteam.com
PARK FACILITIES
Orange Park and Recreation
High Plains Community
Center
525 Orange Center Rd
3 Softball Fields, Fitness
Center, Gymnasium, Indoor
Pool, 2 Soccer Fields, Paul
Ode Nature Trail, Walking
Track, 2 Tennis Courts,
Disc Golf Course, Toddler
Playgroup and 2 Picnic
Pavilions.
Fred Wolfe Park
Hollow Rd
Nature trail, 4 Soccer Fields
(reserved for league play only)
Mary L. Tracy School
Parking on School House
Lane
2 Softball Fields, Children’s
Playground
Peck Place School
500 Peck Lane
2 Tennis Courts, Soccer Field,
Softball Field
Race Brook Tract
Race Brook Rd
Walking Trails
Old Tavern Road Park
110 Old Tavern Rd
8 Baseball/ Softball Fields
(reserved for league play
only), Fishing Pond
AMITY REGIONAL
AQUATIC CLUB
This is an age group swim
team.
April 2014 | 53
 orange businesses
PEZ Visitors Center
By Melissa Nicefaro
leave with a smile
When visitors come to the PEZ Visitor’s Center, Project Manager Shawn
Peterson wants them to leave with a
smile. “I want them to say, ‘Aw, we had
fun. That was cool.’” He says, “It’s our
mission – we really go out of our way
to make sure everyone enjoys their
time here. Maybe you’ll remember us
next time you see PEZ somewhere and
say, ‘yeah, we really had a good time
there!’”
The PEZ manufacturing facility on
Prindle Hill Road has over 4,000 square
feet dedicated to all things PEZ candy
including the largest, most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on
public display in the world - PEZ motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers,
54 | April 2014
the world’s largest PEZ dispenser, PEZ
trivia game, factory store, interactive
historical time line and much more. It’s
a great place for children and adults
alike to learn about the brand that has
been inspiring and innovating since
1927.
PEZ was first marketed as a compressed peppermint candy alternative to smoking over 86 years ago in
Vienna, Austria. (Little known fact:
The name PEZ was derived from the
German word for peppermint - Pfef-
ferminz). Today, over three billion PEZ
candies in 14 flavors such as cherry,
lemon, grape, chocolate, cola and even
sour, are consumed annually in the
U.S.A. alone. “When PEZ came to the
U.S. in 1952, it was still being sold and
marketed as an adult product. Fortunately for us, Americans really didn’t
want an alternative to smoking, so
some brilliant person in marketing decided to reformulate to fruit flavor, add
a three-dimensional cartoon character
to the top of the dispenser and see if
it’s something children are interested
in,” Peterson says.
The idea worked. PEZ makes almost
12 million candy tablets each day. “PEZ
has become part of U.S. pop culture,”
Peterson says. This spring the company began hosting free personalized
demonstrations, explaining the candy
making process and, of course, allowing visitors to make a fresh batch of
candy to sample.
In January, PEZ began offering
birthday party packages which includes goodie bags, pizza, soft drinks,
a dedicated staff member to host the
party and everything the PEZ visitor
center has to offer. The guest of honor
receives VIP treatment and participates in making a special batch of PEZ
candy. Party packages start for 15
guests and can be tailored to accommodate larger parties. Each party lasts
90 minutes. “Each month we change
out the activities and offer one of three
games that are interactive with the
display such as bingo, a scavenger
hunt and a close-up contest,” explains
Shawn Peterson. “It’s been fantastic,
the kids love it!”
Visits to the PEZ facility are selfguided. Because candy is being
manufactured on site, guests are not
permitted to actually tour the manufacturing area. There are, however, viewing windows into the production floor
as well as video monitors that detail
the entire process of how the dispensers and candy are created. The PEZ
production floor is typically not operational during weekends or holidays but
guests may look through the windows
to see where the candy and dispensers
are packaged.
With each paid admission guests
will receive a $2.00 credit toward any
merchandise purchase (such as PEZ
candy!) valid on the same day visit, a
PEZ lanyard and opportunity to win a
free PEZ dispenser. “We sent invitations to all residents of Orange when
we opened the Visitor Center and now
we want to invite people back. We think
we’re a hidden little gem here. We’ve
had people from all over the world seek
us out. There are some pretty dedicated collectors in all parts of the world.
We’ve heard some really interesting
stories from people who have travelled
thousands of miles to come here, and
for Orange residents, we’re right in their
backyard. Come visit us, let’s keep it
fun!” Peterson says.
April 2014 | 55
 orange businesses
Fred Astaire
By Laura Fantarella
celebrating five years
Climbing the stairs to the second
floor Fred Astaire studio that overlooks
the Boston Post Road is reminiscent
of Richard Gere in his hit movie, “Shall
We Dance?” With its wrap around windows, flecks of lights from the disco
ball twinkling above the parking lot and
shadows of couples twirling around a
dance floor, the studio beckons. What
goes on up there?
Since the studio opened in 2009,
what’s been going on is people of all
ages are having lots of fun while learning how to look good on a dance floor.
But what husband and wife owners
Chris Sabourin and Martin Remsauer
realize as they prepare to celebrate
their five-year anniversary with a blowout party, is the folks who come to their
studio often achieve much more than
how to do a fancy foxtrot. Whether its
dressing in feathers and fringe with
56 | April 2014
spray tans, fake eyelashes and glitter like the celebrities on the TV hit
Dancing with the Stars in Fred Astairesponsored competitions; performing
in showcase productions, achieving
personal goals; meeting new friends;
staving off old age, getting some exercise or having a party to go to every
Friday night, they can find it all at Fred
Astaire Orange.
Converting the Post Road space
into a warm and welcoming ballroom was at the top of the list when
Ramsauer and Sabourin first leased
the 2,700 square foot space. Mood
lighting and festive decorations that
mark every holiday from Christmas to
Labor Day are just a few of the touches
that contribute to its fun and cheerful
vibe. The studio attracts students of all
ages, from its youngest – a nine–yearold – to several in their 70s and 80s.
On any given day the two ballrooms
can be filled with a variety of students
– individuals taking lessons with their
professional instructors, young couples
who want to choreograph a routine
for their wedding dance; parents who
want to shine on their child’s wedding
day; married couples learning together.
“Everyone is a celebrity here, and we
do our best to treat our customers that
way,” Sabourin said. “It’s good, clean,
fun.” And though everyone who walks
through their doors wants to learn to
dance, there are often even more benefits. “Dancing can be a tool to helping
someone improve something else in
their lives which can be anything from
their self-esteem and confidence to
their marriage,” Sabourin pointed out.
“Dancing is great for the body and soul
and it’s proven to have great benefits,
even helping to put off Alzheimer’s disease. Dancing is all about connections
and people make new connections
here.”
While the studio is enjoying an upswing in activity and a record number
of people signing up for programs this
past winter, it hasn’t been a smooth
journey. Sabourin, and Remsauer,
who met at a local Fred Astaire studio
where he was an instructor and she
was a student, signed their lease just
days before the stock market crash. As
Connecticut entered into a full-blown
recession, the pair was scrambling to
find ways to encourage a skittish public to indulge themselves with ballroom
dance lessons. Add an unexpected
pregnancy, and several staffing crises
and their first few years in business
were a roller coaster ride of ups and
downs.
Sabourin, who is also a cardiac
physician’s assistant at Yale New
Haven Hospital, and Ramsauer, an
international ballroom competitor,
realized they had to be tireless in their
efforts to find creative ways to market
their business. They take advantage of
every opportunity to bring ballroom to
the masses, heating up dance floors
from local malls and health fairs to
restaurants and parking lots where
they perform everything from elegant
waltzes and foxtrots to steamy boleros
and rhumbas. They also hold themed
group dance classes from country two
step to salsa; host dance cruises to
the Caribbean and participate in fund
raisers, most recently the “Dancing
with Our Heroes” which helped to raise
over $100,000 to build the first Fisher
House in Connecticut. Every Thursday
the studio hosts free guest parties
where prospective students are invited
to watch dance performances by the
professional staff and even take a twirl
around the dance floor with one of the
instructors. And every Friday there’s
an evening “practice party” where the
music is pumping, the energy is electric
and students can cha cha, rhumba,
waltz and foxtrot with the instructors
and each other in a casual, fun setting.
Sabourin is also confident they’ve
finally assembled a perfect team of national and international professionals
who complement each other in both
personality and training skills. “It’s a
little bit like therapy, a good teacher has
intuition about their students and can
figure out what they want from their
dance lessons and how to best help
them achieve their dreams,” Sabourin
said.
Orange residents Stephanie McCool and her 10-year-old daughter,
Kylie, both love the atmosphere at Fred
Astaire. The pair, who joined about a
year ago, each take lessons with their
own Fred Astaire instructor; Stephanie
is a competitive ballroom dancer and
Kylie enjoys learning the Latin dances.
The McCools enjoy sharing a love of
dance and the special bond it creates.
Both love spending time at the studio.
“The staff and fellow students feel like
family,” McCool said. “We learn how to
dance together, have fun together and
we support each other.”
Monica Dalton of
Stratford echoes McCool’s description
of the family-feel of
the Orange studio,
adding that she
loves the music and
the beauty and elegance
of ballroom dancing. “I like
challenging myself to always
do better, and I especially
like that I look and feel so
much better than I did
when I started three
years ago,” she
said.
Sabourin and
Ramsauer will
go all out to
celebrate their
anniversary on
April 25, inviting the public to a
fun-filled evening of
dancing, student and
professional performances, food, and
prizes. They don’t
want people wondering anymore
what goes on in the
studio, they hope the public takes them
up on their invitation to come on in and
check it out. “I like bringing a little spice
to Orange,” she said. “Besides
what else is there to do in
Orange?”
For more information about the
studio, go to www.
fredastaireoforange.
com or call
203-6141665.
April 2014 | 57
 the arts
20 Years Later
By Melissa Nicefaro
hulley legacy continues
to benefit the arts
When 20-year-old Orange resident
Jamie Hulley passed away in 2002
after a battle with lymphoma, her
family and friends felt an unsurmountable loss. Over the year that followed,
they grieved and healed, leaning on
each other for love and support, and
just before the first anniversary of her
death, they knew they had to honor her
memory in a way that was symbolic of
how Jamie lived. “We wanted to give
a scholarship in Jamie’s name and
we needed to raise money to do that,”
Jamie’s mom, Judy Primavera says.
An evening benefit commemorated
the one-year mark of Jamie’s death. “It
was more successful than we thought
58 | April 2014
it would be,” she says. As a result, The
Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation was
started by Judy Primavera and Fred
Hulley; their next door neighbors, David
and Pat Raffauf; in-laws Tom and Sue
Hulley and Jamie’s best friend Vicky
Vinnitsky. To date, the foundation has
given over one-half million dollars in
grants and scholarships due to the volunteer efforts of those behind the fund.
“Jamie didn’t get to live her life,” Judy
Primavera said. “She didn’t get to be
the artist and the actress and the artistic being that she had always planned
on being. The best way to remember
her is to give other people the opportunity to do what she loved.”
With the creation of the foundation, a Pandora’s box of opportunity
opened. Since Jamie was known as an
incredibly generous person, constantly
giving away things that were special to
her, the fund creators chose to follow
Jamie’s philosophy of giving.
Primavera, a psychologist by trade,
has her own philosophy: she believes
that the way we measure what children
learn doesn’t necessarily tell us what
they’re good at. She believes that children’s personal, social and emotional
growth comes through art and dance
and from that belief, the school grants
program was formed. The grants are
open to any school in the state of
Connecticut, but precedence is given
to teachers in the Greater New Haven
and Greater Bridgeport areas. Further
precedence is given to schools in the
Amity region.
Amity Senior Ellie Flaumenhaft is
the president of the Amity Creative
Theater Club at school and also the
stage manager for the theater productions. She says the club, along with
the National Art Honor Society at
Amity, benefit greatly from the Jamie
Hulley Arts Foundation. “Not only do
we benefit from the grants that the
foundation gives us, but we benefit
from the support and encouragement
of the foundation as well. We are able
to make our theater program the best
that it can possibly be and get as many
people involved as possible,” she says.
Flaumenhaft believes the artistic opportunities are important to students
like herself because “they allow us to
creatively express ourselves and share
that creativity with others. The arts
allow us to tell a story in different ways
and be ourselves.” In the fall, she will
be attending Rollins College in Winter
Park, Florida as a theater major with a
concentration in stage management.
“The Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation
gives kids amazing opportunities that
they have never had before. The grants,
summer programs, and support that
they give to students gives them the
ability to express themselves in a safe
environment with people who share a
passion for art. Kids have the opportunity to learn about art of all kinds, and
high school students have the opportunity to continue doing what they love,”
she explains.
Grants up to $1,000 are awarded
to teachers with projects that enhance
the traditional curriculum through
the arts while also supporting local
working artists, actors, musicians,
etc. brought in as visiting artists. Approximately 20 grants are awarded
each year. To date, the foundation has
given 108 grants to schools in Ansonia,
April 2014 | 59
 the arts
Bethany, Bridgeport, Derby, East Haven,
Fairfield, Hartford, Orange, Manchester,
New Haven, North Haven, Stratford,
West Haven, Willimantic, and Woodbridge.
Jonathan Furst, chairperson of the
Arts and Media department at Amity
High School was Jamie’s teacher during her time at the high school. “When
we started a video program here at
Amity, we went to Judy Primavera and
told her about the program and she
volunteered to sponsor a mini film festival,” he says. All of the cash awards at
the film festival come from the foundation. “She has been at every single film
festival and she serves as one of the
judges,” he explains. Students submit
original films and awards are given to
the creators of PSAs, original films,
music videos. “Judy was the first one
who came forward and said, ‘Let me
help you grow your program,’” he says.
“One of the most important things that
the foundation sponsors is the visiting
artist series. Professionals come in
60 | April 2014
and talk to the students or give all-day
workshops.”
According to Primavera, “Jamie
loved her teachers, but she loved it
even more when people came in from
the outside and introduced her to
something that was totally different.”
“This presents an amazing opportunity
for students to interact and work with
people who are out there working as
actors, directors, painters, photographers, everything,” Furst says. “Through
the foundation, Judy Primavera has
been a passionate advocate for the
arts at Amity and in the community,” he
says. “She’s not just an outsider coming in with financial support, she sits in
on our department meetings and talks
to the teachers to find out what they’re
doing, suggesting ways that the foundation can help. She’s really involved.”
Grants are also given to community
groups and early career professionals for innovative projects. Recipients
include: Square Foot Theatre, Orange
Arts & Culture Council, Orange Play-
ers, Orange Historical Society, Theatre
Fairfield Independent Project, Center
Stage Theatre, Milford Westshore
Boys & Girls Club, the former Fairfield
Arts Council, Connecticut Women’s
Caucus for Arts, Action for Bridgeport
Community Development’s Head Start
program, and New England Ballet
Company. Since 2002, the foundation
has sponsored 42 theater productions,
seven art exhibits, eight high school
film festivals, and many other special
community projects.
The foundation also offers an active
four-year partial college scholarship
program in studio art and in theater. To
date, college scholarships have been
awarded to 19 students. An additional
106 full tuition summer theater camp
scholarships have been given to low-
income children in New Haven and
Bridgeport in addition to four music
scholarships for vocal and instrument lessons; 23 art thesis stipends;
34 travel stipends; and 5 summer
arts internships. “Last year, one of our
scholarship recipients, Ryan LeMere,
launched a line of lesbian, gay and bisexual greeting cards and now they’re
sold in stores in the west coast and
New York. He has a nice little business
going!” Primavera says. LeMere graduated in 2008 and in his senior year, he
received a partial scholarship for four
years. He went to School of Visual Arts
in Manhattan and today he works as
an art director with a creative agency in
New York that specializes in branding
and marketing. “New York is a really
great place to volunteer, so I was doing
kids’ art projects while I was in school.
The foundation did help me want to
work more with non-profits,” LeMere
says.
“I’ve started to go to trade shows. I
have around 40 card designs now and
I’m getting them into stores. I think I
may get into giftwrap next,” he says.
“The foundation provided a very generous donation to the card campaign as
well. I think they are unique in that Judy
doesn’t really see people as recipients—it’s more like adoption, which I really appreciate and really love,” LeMere
jokes.
“That is something that is unique
about us, we believe in creating relationships,” Primavera says. “That’s why
our scholarships are for four years.
We believe that if we want to have an
impact, we have to have a relationship.”
The foundation’s main source of
support is an annual fundraiser, held
around Jamie’s birthday each September. This year’s fundraiser, featuring
Dr. K’s Motown Revue, will take place
September 6, 2014 at the Quick Center at the Fairfield University campus.
Grants are also received each year,
and the foundation is in the process of
gathering data that proves that what it
does has a positive effect on children.
The data is a necessary step in taking
the foundation to the next level. “Some
of these programs are difficult to document with numbers,” Primavera says.
“How do you document a comment
from a father whose child took part in a
program for children with special needs
and says, ‘I didn’t think my child had
a future.’ There’s no number to put on
a girl who was at the summer theater
camp for five years—she had a speech
impediment and I still remember her
mother telling me, ‘My daughter was
afraid to speak to people, now she ran
for office in her high school and gave
a speech in front of the entire class.’
There really is no end to what we can
do,” Primavera says.
April 2014 | 61
 Pet Corner
Bark Bytes…
By Richard and Vicki Horowitz
Summer Care for Dogs
Summer is an incredible season for outdoor fun with our dogs.
However, some people forget to take measures to keep their
dog safe as temperatures rise and daily activities change.
Beat the Heat
Remember that a parked car can
become dangerously hot in only a few
minutes. Dogs are not efficient at cooling themselves. They cannot perspire
and can only dispel heat by panting
and through the pads of their feet.
Panting and drinking water helps to
cool them, but if they have only overheated air to breathe in a parked car,
dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes.
62 | April 2014
Your light-colored dog’s coat can
invite damage from the sun’s ultraviolet
rays, leading to sunburn and possible
skin cancer. If your dog is light-colored
and/or he lacks black pigment around
the eyes, ears and nose, keep him out
of the bright sun. Ask your veterinarian
about sun block for your dog, preferably in a formula he can’t lick off.
Dogs should always have access to
cool shade and fresh water in the summer heat.
Rules of the Road
An unrestrained dog in a vehicle
is dangerous to everyone in the car,
including the dog himself. Secure your
dog in the back seat with a safety
harness or in a pet carrier fastened to
a seatbelt. Another option is to install
a pet barrier to keep the dog in the
back area of your vehicle. Dogs riding
in the front can be seriously hurt if the
airbags deploy.
If you must transport your dog in
the bed of a pickup, be sure he is restrained, preferably in a crate or carrier
secured to the truck.
Avoid allowing your dog to hang his
head out the car window – he could
suffer eye injury from flying debris.
When stopping the car along the
way, attach a leash to the dog’s collar
before opening the door so he can’t
escape. Use a leash to walk your dog.
Waterproof Your Dog
Many dogs enjoy swimming, no
matter how clean or dirty the water.
If your dog has had a dip in a lake or
river, rinse him off to avoid ear mites,
eye infections and pesky clingy insects
which can imbed themselves into his
fur.
If your dog loves to jump into your
swimming pool, make sure he knows
how to get out safely. When a dog falls
into a lake or river, his instinct tells him
to turn around and get out from the
point at which he fell in. However, in a
suburban swimming pool, a dog may
drown if he follows this instinctive action. Therefore, teach your dog where
and how to get out of the pool regardless of where he went in.
Not all dogs like or know how to
swim. If your dog appears eager to
give swimming a try, let him get used
to it gradually. Refrain from throwing a
nervous, inexperienced swimmer into
the water.
Fear of Thunderstorms
Fear of thunderstorms is common
in dogs. Many dogs can sense a storm
coming from the rapidly falling barometric pressure. Thus, your dog may
show anxiety even before the storm
can be heard.
Dogs can sense fear or discomfort
from people, so it is important you
develop a calm attitude toward storms.
Let your dog stay close, and try to distract him with play. Do not try to comfort him in a sympathetic voice; this
will sound like praise and may increase
his nervousness and confusion.
Keep windows and curtains closed
to reduce noise and bright flashes.
Turn on a TV or radio at normal volume
to distract your dog from loud noises
and help him to relax.
Provide your dog with a safe place
to be during storms, whether inside
or out. Create a special den-like area
in your home where your dog always
feels safe and secure. If a storm is
brewing, lead your dog to his special
place to help him feel calm and protected. If you cannot bring your dog inside,
cover his doghouse with a blanket to
offer some protection from the bursts
of lightning and thunder.
Dogs that continue to panic when
a storm approaches may have to be
reconditioned by creating an artificial
storm with environmental recordings.
While reconditioning can be a time-consuming procedure, it can have a high
success rate. A qualified dog behavioral therapist, such as a Bark Busters
trainer, can help your dog be calmer
during thunderstorms. In some cases,
medication may be the best solution
to help your dog cope with his fear of
storms. Consult with your veterinarian
about possible treatments, in conjunction with training.
By taking these precautions, you
and your dog can enjoy a healthier, funfilled summertime.
Vicki and Richard Horowitz, of Woodbridge,
are dog behavioral therapists and trainers
with Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog
training company. For more information, call
1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.dogtraining-new-haven-ct.com.
Did You Know?
Feral cats and stray cats are not one
and the same. Feral cats are those
born and raised in the wild, or those
cats that have been abandoned or
lost and turned to a feral lifestyle in
order to survive. Feral cats are often
too wild to be handled, and many live
in groups known as colonies, taking
refuge wherever they can find food.
While this may sound similar to stray
cats, pet adoption professionals make
a distinction between feral and stray
cats. Unlike feral cats, the ASPCA defines stray cats as those that have
been abandoned or become lost, tend
to be tame and can be comfortable
around people. Such cats may purr,
meow and rub against legs of humans
who come into contact with them.
Stray cats often rely on humans for
food, whereas colonies of feral cats
will typically feed on garbage, rodents
and other small animals. The life expectancy of a stray cat depends on
when it was lost or abandoned and
how effective it is at finding a reliable
food source, while many feral cats do
not survive kittenhood. The average
lifespan for those feral cats that do is
less than two years outside of a colony
but can be as long as 10 years when
living in a colony with an established
caretaker. Such caretakers may be an
individual or a group of individuals
who provide feral cats with their basic
needs, such as food, shelter and even
emergency medical care.
April 2014 | 63
 dining guide
Good Eating
By Susan Noonan
restaurants of orange
õõ Abate’s Pizza
106 Boston Post Road
203-799-2228
abatespizza.net
Italian favorites from Wooster
Street including pizza & more. Eat
in, take out & delivery. Open 7 days
for lunch & dinner.
õõ Andini’s Pizza
Bar & Grill
555 Boston Post Road
203-799-0200
andinisrestaurant.com.
Italian American, pizza, casual dining. Eat in, full bar & take-out. Open
Tuesday-Sunday for lunch & dinner.
õõ Applebee’s
526 Boston Post Road
203-795-5752
applebees.com
American cuisine offering Carside
to Go, family friendly, full bar
Open 7 days for lunch & dinner.
õõ Baja’s
63 Boston Post Road
203-799-2252
Offering Authentic Mexican Food in
Orange for 22 years – full bar, takeout. Open 7 days a week for lunch
& dinner.
õõ Bear & Grill
385 Boston Post Road
203-298-0742
bearandgrill.com
Casual American with regional specials, full bar. Open 7 days a week
for lunch & dinner.
õõ Bertucci’s
õõ Hayama Restaurant
õõ Corner Pocket Café
õõ Hibachi Grill
82 Boston Post Road
203-799-3200
chuckecheese.com
Food, fun, games & parties for kids
& parents. Open 7 days a week.
550 Boston Post Road
203-799-6928
bertuccis.com
Brick oven pizza & more, online ordering, full bar. Open 7 days a week
for lunch & dinner.
501 Boston Post Road
203-891-0777
cornerpocketcafe.com
CT’s premier billiard hall & restaurant. Karaoke Saturday evenings.
Open 7 days a week beginning at
2:00pm.
õõ Bruegger’s Bagels/
Jamba Juice
õõ CoromandelCuisine of India
263 Boston Post Road
203-795-1300
brueggers.com
House made bagels offering breakfast & lunch. Open 7 days a week.
õõ Cheng’s Buffet
86 Boston Post Road
203-891-8888
chengsbuffet.com
All you can eat lunch & dinner buffet
& take-out. Open 7 days a week.
õõ China Pavilion
185 Boston Post Road
203-795-3555
chinapavilionct.com
Award winning Asian cuisine in
Orange for 32 years. Full bar & takeout. Open 365 days a year for lunch
& dinner!
õõ China Wok
33 Old Tavern Road
203-891-8388
Chinese cuisine. Take-out & delivery. Open 7 days a week for lunch
& dinner.
õõ Chip’s Family
Restaurant
321 Boston Post Road
203-795-5065
chipsrestaurants.com. Award winning pancakes offering 40 varieties.
Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner 7
days a week beginning at 6:00am.
64 | April 2014
õõ Chuck E. Cheese
185 Boston Post Road
203-795-9055
coromandelcuisine.com. Award
winning Indian cuisine serving
lunch & dinner, full bar. Open 7 days
a week.
õõ Duchess Restaurant
240 Boston Post Road
203-799-6919
duchessrestaurants.com
Quality, fresh fast food at its best.
Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner
drive-thru. Open 7 days a week.
õõ Five Guy’s Burgers
& Fries
440 Boston Post Road
203-298-9386
fiveguys.com
Award winning handmade burgers,
fries, hot dogs, & grilled sandwiches. Eat in or take-out. Open 7 days
for lunch & dinner.
õõ Gabriele Ristorante
Italian
326 Boston Post Road
203-799-2633
gabrielect.com
In Orange for 31 years offering
authentic Italian dishes, pizza, fresh
seafood & more. Full bar & take-out.
Open for lunch & dinner 7 days a
week.
199 Boston Post Road
203-795-3636
Fine Japanese dining offering Hibachi menu. Open for lunch & dinner 7
days a week.
185 Boston Post Road
203-891-8828
hibachict.com
Chinese, Japanese, & American
buffet offering 180 items. Open for
lunch & dinner 7 days a week.
õõ IHOP
486 Boston Post Road
203-799-8000
ihop.com
Offering family friendly American
cuisine for 54 years. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner 7 days a week
starting at 7:00am.
õõ Iron Chef
500 Boston Post Road
203-553-9588
Authentic Taiwanese & Chinese
cuisine. Eat-in, take-out & delivery.
Open 7 days a week for lunch &
dinner.
õõ Jake’s Wayback
Burgers
185 Boston Post Road
203-891-8538
waybackburgers.com
Offering juicy handmade burgers,
milkshakes & more. Eat-in or takeout. Open for lunch & dinner 7 days
a week.
õõ Julia’s Bakery
560 Boston Post Road
203-799-7106
juliasbakery.com
Freshly made pasties, cookies,
cakes for all occasions, bread, &
sandwiches. Eat-in or takeout
Open 7 days a week beginning at
7:00am.
õõ Orange Ale
House & Grill
õõ Kentucky Fried
Chicken
480 Boston Post Road
203-795-3738
kfc.com
Fried chicken & more from the
experts. Open for lunch & dinner 7
days a week.
õõ Lisiano’s Restaurant
514 Boston Post Road
203-795-1339
Family owned in Orange for 22
years offering homemade authentic
Italian cuisine & pizza. Great review
from the NY Times. Open for lunch
& dinner Tuesday-Sunday.
õõ MaiThai Restaurant
501 Boston Post Road
203-795-8088
ctmaithai.com
Authentic Thai cuisine & International noodles. Eat-in or take-out
Open for lunch & dinner 7 days a
week.
õõ Mr. Kold Cuts
529 Boston Post Road
203-795-4464
mrkoldcuts.com
deli offering hot & cold sandwiches
& daily specials. Open Mon-Fri
8:30a-6:00p; Sat 8:30a-4p.
517 Boston Post Road
203-795-0707
orangealehouse.com
Sports bar & restaurant with entertainment. Popular Happy Hour
Open 7days a week for lunch &
dinner.
õõ Oregano Joe’s Pizza
531 Boston Post Road
203-799-3400
oreganojoespizza.com
Authentic Italian dishes & award
winning pizza. Eat-in, take-out, online ordering & delivery. Open 7 days
a week for lunch & dinner.
õõ Outback Steakhouse
132 Marsh Hill Road
203-795-0700
outback.com
Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood
Full bar & take-out. Open for dinner M-F at 4:00pm; Sat. & Sun
11:00am.
õõ Papa John’s Pizza
õõ Reno’s Pizzeria
500 Boston Post Road
203-799-7366
renos-pizzeria.com
Award winning pizza, Italian dinners, sandwiches, soups, salads,
wings & more. Eat-in, take-out &
delivery. Serving lunch & dinner 6
days a week. Open 11:00am TuesSat; 2:45pm on Sun.
õõ Roly Poly
223 Boston Post Road
203-799-7659
rolypoly.com
Wraps, soup, salads, dessert, catering, etc. Eat-in, take-out, delivery
M-F 10a-1p. Open Mon-Fri 10a-6p;
Sat & Sun 11a-3p.
õõ Samauri Fusion Sushi
õõ Popeye’s
533 Boston Post Road
203-891-8688
asiancuisine.com
Exotic Asian cuisine at its best.
Great review by the NY Times. Eatin, take-out, delivery. Open 7 days
for lunch & dinner.
121 Boston Post Road
popeyes.com
Fried chicken & more.
õõ Prime 16
350 Boston Post Road
203-891-0522
olarestaurant.com
Award winning new world Latino
cuisine & Mojito bar. Serving dinner
Tuesday-Sunday.
õõ Olive Garden
õõ Puerto Vallarta
439 Boston Post Road
203-795-8600
olivegarden.com
Genuine Italian dining experience
with all you can eat salad & breadsticks. Open for lunch & dinner 7
days a week.
377 Boston Post Road
203-799-9977
puertovallartausa.com
Award winning authentic Mexican
cuisine. Full bar offering great
Happy Hour. Take-out. Open 7 days
for lunch & dinner.
õõ On The Border Mexican
Grill & Cantina
õõ Quizno’s
220 Indian River Road
203-687-4300
ontheborder.com
Mexican cuisine with popular bar
Open 7 days a week for lunch &
dinner.
285 Boston Post Road
203-553-9901
redfishgrillct.com
Fresh grilled fish, fried seafood,
lobster rolls, steak, chicken, etc.
Full bar & take-out. Open 7 days for
lunch & dinner.
116 Boston Post Road
203-799-7272
papajohns.com
Pizza, Italian specialties & more
Eat-in, take-out & delivery. Open 7
days for lunch & dinner.
464 Boston Post Road
203-553-9616
prime16.com
Award winning beer bar & burgers. Top notch American cuisine &
more. Full bar & take-out. Open 7
days for lunch & dinner.
õõ Ola
õõ Red Fish Grill
263 Boston Post Road
203-795-7000
quiznos.com
Toasted subs, salads, soup, wraps.
Eat-in or take-out. Open 7 days,
11a-11p.
111 Boston Post Road
samaurifusionsushi.com
Japanese, Sushi Bar. Full bar, takeout. Open 7days for lunch & dinner.
õõ Shanghai Gourmet
õõ Springbrook Deli
240 Indian River Road
203-795-3233
Deli. Made to order sandwiches,
salads, soups, daily specials, etc.
Eat-in, take-out delivery. Open for
breakfast & lunch Monday-Friday
6a-3p.
õõ Subway
116 Boston Post Road
203-795-1750
subway.com
Subs & more. Eat-in or take out
Open 7 days a week.
õõ Sushi Palace
538 Boston Post Road
203-891-8484
sushipalacect.com
Authentic Japanese cuisine featuring fresh Sushi. Serving beer &
wine. Eat-in or take-out. Open 7days
for lunch & dinner.
õõ TGI Friday’s
348 Boston Post Road
203-799-0800
tgifridays.com
Great American food & drinks. Full
bar & take-out. Open 7 days for
lunch & dinner.
õõ Thai House
200 Boston Post Road
203-795-3088
thaihouseorange.com
Authentic Thai cuisine. Eat-in or
take-out. Open 7 days for lunch &
dinner.
õõ Wasabi
350 Boston Post Road
203-795-5856
wasabiorange.com
Japanese, sushi bar. Rave reviews
from NY Times & Zagat. Beer &
Wine, take-out, online ordering
Open 7 days for lunch & dinner.
õõ Wood N Tap Bar & Grill
311 Boston Post Road
203-799-9663
woodntap.com
Great wings, ribs, burgers, steak,
pizza, pasta, etc. Full bar, take-out.
Live music on Fridays. Serving
lunch, dinner & late night menu 7
days a week.
õõ Star of India
157 Boston Post Road
203-799-8162
starofindia.com
Northern & Southern Indian cuisine
at its best. Eat-in or take-out. Open
7 days for lunch & dinner.
õõ Subway
292 Boston Post Road
203-891-8880
subway.com
Subs & more. Eat-in or take out.
This location has a drive-thru. Open
7 days a week.
April 2014 | 65
 healthy living
Spring Allergies
By Carrie Koscal – Urgent Care Center
be wary of treatment myths
Knowing fact from fiction can make
the difference between misery and relief for millions of spring allergy sufferers. People often sneeze and wheeze
through spring if they use misinformation to manage their condition. However, no one should suffer from spring
allergies. Knowing the facts, getting a
proper diagnosis and the right treatment allows allergy patients to feel
healthy all season long.
Myth: Over-the-counter
(OTC or nonprescription)
oral antihistamines
are just as effective
as prescription
medicines in
controlling a
stuffy nose.
Fact: OTC
antihistamines can
help control some
allergy
symptoms
but
also
66 | April 2014
have little effect on relieving a stuffy
nose or the inflammation that occurs
with allergies. They may also cause
drowsiness. Allergists can prescribe
more effective anti-inflammatory
medications as well as find the source
of suffering, rather than just treat the
symptoms.
Myth: OTC decongestant nasal sprays
are addictive.
Fact: OTC decongestant nasal sprays
are not technically addictive. However,
people who overuse them may think
they are because they need more and
more to get relief from congestion. To
combat this, OTC decongestant nasal
sprays shouldn’t be used more than
three days in a row. Also, an allergist
can prescribe a nasal spray containing
a steroid, which may be more effective
and is not addictive.
Myth: Allergy shots require too much
time and are more expensive than taking medicine to relieve symptoms.
Fact: Depending on how bothersome
the allergies are, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may actually save money
and improve quality of life. In fact, a
recent study showed that immunotherapy reduced total health care costs
in children with allergic rhinitis (hay
fever) by one-third, and prescription
costs by 16 percent. The shots are
similar to a vaccine, exposing the
recipient to a tiny bit of allergen
at a time, resulting in the building
up of a tolerance. As tolerance
increases, allergy symptoms will
be significantly lessened and may even
go away. That can save sick days and
money spent at the drugstore. There
are now allergy shots available in your
area which can be safely self-administered at home with minimal training.
Myth: A blood test is the best way to
diagnose allergies.
Fact: Actually, skin tests are more
sensitive than blood tests. In skin testing, the skin on the inside of the arms
or the back is pricked with a tiny bit of
an allergen. If the person is allergic, the
site will become red and swollen within
20 minutes and usually clear in an hour
or two. Skin testing is very safe when
performed by an allergist, even in infants and young children. But no single
test alone provides the entire picture.
Sufferers should see an allergist, who
is trained in diagnosing and treating
allergies.
About 203 Urgent Care: “There are
times when you’re sick or, unfortunately, injure yourself and the thought of
an Emergency Room visit is too much
to bear. The wait time and cost alone,
is enough to make you feel worse.
203 Urgent Care offers state of the art
treatment of most non-life threatening
emergencies in a timely and professional manner. Our Board Certified,
knowledgeable and friendly staff will
help get you on the road to recovery
and help regain control of your life.
We’ve cared for more than a hundred
thousand people, let us make you feel
better now.
We’ve Got You Covered at
Golden Hill Health Care Center
in Milford
Established in Milford
Ct., and
in 1971
Established in Milford, Ct., in,1971
locatedand
directly
across directly
from Milford
Hospital,
Golden
Hill Health
Care
located
across
from
Milford
Hospital,
Center is a 120-bed state-of-the-art skilled health care facility.
Golden Hill Health Care Center is a 120-bed
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April 2014 | 67
 orange seniors
Senior Chorale
By Laura Fantarella
A Venue for Seniors to Exercise their Vocal Cords
The halls of the Orange Community Center are suddenly alive with the
strains of some pretty lovely music
coming from Room 20. It’s the sounds
of the newly-formed Orange Chorale,
a group of about 20 seniors who are
pitching in with their assorted tones of
tenors, altos and sopranos to create a
little harmony.
The Chorale offers a venue for
seniors to exercise their vocal chords,
challenge their brains and have some
68 | April 2014
fun. Organizing a senior singing group
was on Senior Services Coordinator
Dennis Marsh’s “to do” list since he
came on board a few years ago. When
he surveyed seniors about what activities they were interested in participating in at the Senior Center, a singing
group was among the top three. Senior
Center member Yoshiko Knight was
also instrumental in helping organize
the group. “Yoshiko wanted to put a
group together in memory of her hus-
band, Richard Knight, and she was a
catalyst,” Marsh said. “She helped hire
conductor Tamari Witkin Marcus and
generated a lot of interest among her
peers.”
Conductor and professional musician Tamari Witkin Marcus arranged
“auditions” for seniors interested in
joining so she could hear the ranges
of people’s voices. Participation in
the Chorale is free and everyone who
wants to participate is welcome. Those
that currently make up the group have
a range of experience and abilities from
novice to very accomplished. “The
beauty of a chorus is that when you are
at a lower level you are elevated to rise
to the level of the group,” Marcus said.
“You have to listen to each other and
look at each other and that interaction
with your neighbor helps you understand your part better.”
Each session includes instruction
on basic note reading and warming up
the vocal chords and the body as well.
After several minutes of “do, ray, me,
fa, so, la, ti, do…” the men and women
also perform a series of exercises that
include stretches like “picking apples,”
“the hula hoop,” “the stalk” and foot
circles. Of course there were also the
practice bows, because when this
group is ready, they hope to bring their
show on the road, performing at local
senior centers, assisted living facilities and hospitals. “The purest instrument in the world is the human voice,”
Marcus said. “There is nothing more
soulful, beautiful and pure than singing. I think we can bring joy, beauty and
comfort to others’ lives. ”
Marcus gave much thought to
planning the 10-week class, mindfully
combining the requests of the seniors
with her own vision to best make the
group shine. After surveying the group,
she arranged a repertoire of musical
greats that include a patriotic song by
Connecticut composer Eugenie Rocherolle, and a mix of classical songs
and Broadway show tunes. At a recent
practice the 15 women and two men
who were present arranged themselves
by voice designations -- altos, sopranos
and tenors -- and set out to tackle their
first assignment. The German song,
“Bist Du Bei Mir” by Gottfried Heinrich
Stolzel was a challenge as they struggled to pronounce the German words
and follow the melody. Marcus ignored
their grumblings. “I selected this song
so they could stretch themselves,” she
said. “The German language is not
completely foreign to most of them,
many have heard it spoken. Let them
complain! They will expand their capabilities and come out singing! They will
surprise themselves and be so proud.”
The singers visibly relaxed when
Marcus moved on, introducing the
considerably lighter, and more familiar,
“There’s a Small Hotel” from the musical, “On Your Toes”. After their hesitation during the German song, once
back in their comfort zone, the seniors’
voices blended to produce a surprisingly rich and melodic harmony, perhaps
a preview of what’s to come with more
practice.
Marcus considers her new position
as the chorale conductor a gift, more
so because she is a friend of Knight’s.
“Yoshi’s late husband always envisioned a singing or performing group
for seniors and I’m so honored to help
her realize his dream. My heart is full
that I am able to do this. I think it’s a
beautiful thing,” she said. She has high
hopes for these seniors, who she is
training as a professional ensemble.
“I think they want to sound beautiful
and they will do what it takes,” Marcus
said. “I am planning exercises that will
train them to really listen to each other.”
A lesson Marcus expects the seniors
will carry over to their lives outside of
Classroom 20. “Don’t we learn most
from those around us?” she asked.
For more information, contact the
Orange Senior Center at 203-891-4784.
April 2014 | 69
 orange history
History Corner
By Ginny Reinhard
let's all remember...
Memorial Day, at one time referred
to as Decoration Day, is a day to
remember those who have died in our
nation’s service. As with other firsts,
there are many cities and towns who
have laid claim to being the birthplace
of Memorial Day. Regardless of the
origin, it shows the amount of caring that existed to set aside a special
day to remember the many men and
women, who throughout our history,
have lost their lives in order to save
our nation. There is evidence that a
group of women, from the South, were
70 | April 2014
decorating graves before the end of
the Civil War as the song “Kneel Where
Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella L.
Sweet was dedicated to the “Ladies of
the South who are Decorating Graves
of the Confederate Dead”. In the south
there are several days of remembrance
for the Confederate dead: January 19
in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia and Mississippi, May 10 in
South Carolina and June 3 (Jefferson
Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
We should remember that in 1966
our then President Lyndon Johnson
officially declared Waterloo, N.Y. as
the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
It is not surprising that other memorial events took place throughout the
United States since the Civil War and if
research into 18th century documents
were to be undertaken, there most
likely would have been some organization to honor those who died during the
Revolutionary War. After all, that was
the first time that “Americans” fought
for freedom on their newly adopted
land and the losses were great on both
sides of the Atlantic.
Although many
folks think of Memorial Day as a day
off from work and
the inauguration of the new grill
with that long-awaited summer picnic,
it’s not about the hot dogs, hamburgers and the day off. It’s a memorial...a
memory of those we knew and don’t
know who have secured the freedom
to have that picnic and gather together
without fear. History tells us that on
May 5, 1868, General John Logan, the
national commander of the
Grand Army of the Republic officially proclaimed a
Memorial Day which was first
observed on May 30, 1868
when flowers were placed on
the graves of Union and Confederate
soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The First state to officially accept
this recognition was New York in 1873
and by 1890, it was recognized by
all of the northern states. The south,
however, refused to acknowledge the
day, honoring their dead on separate
days until after World War I. Before that
time, the south only recognized those
who died fighting the Civil War or War
Between the States as it was once
called. Memorial Day is now celebrated
on the last Monday of the month, a day
chosen in 1971 by Congress with the
National Holiday Act of 1971 that ensured a three-day weekend for Federal
holidays.
On the 17th of March in 1989, Senator Daniel Inouye (HI) introduced a bill
to the Senate that called for the restoApril 2014 | 71
 orange history
ration of the traditional day of observance for Memorial Day back to May
30. Each year the bill is re-introduced
but has yet to become official. As of
2013, a petition has been circulated for
public opinion. The feeling of the legislators, in favor of the change, is that the
three-day weekend makes it easier to
be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day.
In 1999, Senator Inouye introduced
his bill again with “Mr. President, in our
effort to accommodate many Americans by making the last Monday in
May Memorial Day, we have lost sight
of the significance of this day to our nation. Instead of using Memorial Day as
a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in combat,
many Americans use the day as a celebration of the beginning of summer.
My bill would restore Memorial Day to
May 30 and authorize our flag to fly at
half-mast on that day. In addition, this
legislation would authorize the President to issue a proclamation designating Memorial Day and Veterans Day as
days for prayer and ceremonies honoring American veterans. This legislation
would help restore the recognition our
veterans deserve for the sacrifices they
have made on behalf of our nation.”
Although the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished
over the years, it has not been so in
Orange. A yearly parade takes place
and ceremonies are held before at the
High Plains pavilion and after at the
Orange Cemetery. The Orange American Legion, officially organized on April
2, 1931, is very active in maintaining
events honoring the veterans during
the year. It began with a membership** of twenty-three with a roster of
190 in 2014. In her book, the History
of Orange, Mary Woodruff devotes
several pages to the military record of
72 | April 2014
our town. Twice a year, members of the
American Legion place or replace an
American flag on each veteran’s grave
and were instrumental in establishing
a Veteran’s Memorial outside the High
Plains Community Center. It was the
tradition, in the past, for the children at
Orange School (Mary L. Tracy) to scatter flowers at the cemetery to the beat
of a drum on Memorial Day, May 30th.
On May 13, 1931, the New Haven
Grays, representing Co. “A” 102nd
Infantry held its 115th Annual Competitive Drill. Founded in 1916 the militia
group met to award Orange resident
Harold A. Brown the Distinguished Service Cross. In part, the citation reads
“for extraordinary heroism in action in
the vicinity of Chavignon, France on
the night of February 28, 1918. Private
Brown was stringing barbed wire when
his party encountered a violent enemy
barrage where he helped fight off the
enemy and with rare coolness and daring continued to pass back and forth
through the hostile barrage collecting
our men and assisting in the reorganization of the party.
Using 1921 Annual Town meeting
minutes provided by Town Clerk Pat
O’Sullivan, a vote to appropriate $30.00
for Memorial Day was listed for the
ensuing year. Another $30 was listed in
1922 with a committee of ten appointed by the chairman to arrange for the
celebration of Memorial Day in 1923.
The 1924 minutes state, “a Memorial
Day committee of oversea veterans
was to arrange for a proper observance of Memorial Day and in 1925 the
amount appropriated was $65.00.
A tradition in Orange for the Memorial Day ceremony is to select one student to recite the Gettysburg Address
and it was in 1963 that Town Clerk Pat
O’Sullivan was chosen from the students at Racebrook School. Abraham
Lincoln in his address at Gettysburg
was calling for the nation to come
together even though he had doubts
that it could ever be and he pleaded for
the losses to be honored and remembered. It was a painful experience for
the nation’s loss of life and Memorial
Day, from then on, was born out of the
ashes, death and destruction of the
American Civil War.
Memorial Day has been a special
day for recognition but some of its
traditions have been lost. In 1915
Moina Michael in response to the poem
“Flanders Field” by Lt. Col. John McCrae M.D., wrote one of her own:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
She then conceived of an idea to
wear a red poppy on Memorial Day in
honor of those who died during the
war. She sold poppies to her friends
and co-workers, giving the money to
benefit the servicemen in need. Later
Madame Guerin from France, upon
returning home, made artificial poppies
to raise money for orphaned children
and widows. By 1922, the VFW had
embraced this idea and soon poppies,
made by veterans, were sold throughout the United States.
In 1948, the U.S. Postal Service
honored Moina Michael for her role in
founding the National Poppy movement issuing a red 3-cent postage
stamp with her likeness on it. The
poppy is a symbol of our caring for the
service men and women from all the
wars. We must not forget.
*A framed collection of Private Brown’s
award and citation are on display at The
Academy.
** Veterans in Orange are encouraged to join
the American Legion and can get information by calling Tony Monaco at 203 7950314.
How Much Do You Remember?
Fill in the blanks on this quiz.
Match the biography with the names of the people who were part of the past
issues of the History Corner in the Orange Town News.
Sorry, you’re on your own with these……no multiple choice.
Who published the first major English dictionary in the United States?
1. Zeri Alling
2. Uncas
3. Bessie Otis
4. Dennis Stone
5. Peter Prudden
6. Lewis Bradley
7. Samuel Halliwell
8. Mary Woodruff
9. Abigail Merwin
10. Aunt Icy
What was the legal speed limit for an automobile in Connecticut in
1901?
19th century teacher in Orange
founder of the colony of Milford
Mohegan Chief
he and his partner established Tyler City
owner of the 2nd general store in Orange
author of the History of Orange book
Orange Native American who lived to be 102 years old
he sold his farm to Tyler City entrepreneurs
heroine for the Milford Colony 1777
operated a grist mill along the Wepawaug River
Who founded Hartford?
Who was the first woman to be elected governor in Connecticut?
What is the state bird?
Who is the state hero?
Answers: 1-j 2-c, 3-a, 4-e, 5-b, 6-h, 7-d, 8-f, 9-i, 10-g
What is the state insect?
Try these!
True or false, in Connecticut it...
Where is America’s first copper mine? Hint: It was also a jail.
1.
2.
was against the law to travel on the Sabbath.
women on the seacoast could not buy biscuits or crackers but had
to bake her own.
3. was legal to sell playing cards during the Revolutionary War.
4. was not customary for women’s earnings to belong to her husband
during the Rev. War.
5. was expected that a women who made a superior pumpkin pie had
much to recommend her for marriage.
6. was customary for a widow to only receive 1/3 of her husband’s
estate.
7. was noted by General Washington that the men in his command
from Connecticut were “adequately clad.”
8. was New Haven colony that led the boycott for the 1764 Sugar Act.
9. was common for women to have engaged in occupations such as
pewterers, glassmakers or printers.
10. was seen that 50% of the women favored the English way of life and
were Loyalists.
What U.S. Senator Connecticut fought for safety features in cars in
1963?
What famous showman lived in West Haven & Bridgeport?
What Russian engineer built the first practical helicopter?
From where did Eli Whitney graduate?
Who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
Answers: Noah Webster, submarine, 12 miles per hour, Thomas Hooker, Ella
Grasso, robin, Nathan Hale, praying mantis, East Granby, Abe Ribicoff, P.T. Barnum,
Igor Sikorsky, Yale, Harriet Beecher Stowe
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
In 1900, the Holland was built by Electric Boat Co. What was it?
April 2014 | 73
#2 Women could buy crackers and biscuits but had to make their own cakes.
#3 Peddlers, jugglers and circus performers were also illegal.
#4 Her wages belonged to the husband who was not accountable to her.
#6 Two-thirds of the estate was given to other family members.
#10 It was actually only 20% that were Loyalists.
Answers: 1 T, 2 F, 3 F, 4 F, 5 T, 6 T, 7 T, 8 T, 9 F, 10 F
74 | April 2014
1. Ice cream cone is
different colors
2. "Fresh Milk" is
backwards
3. Silo is missing
from "flag"
4. One window missing from barn
5. One post missing
from fence
Crossword
Sudoku
Photo Hunt - Find 5 Differences
 fun & games
April 2014 | 75
We H ave T h e Ma rk e t !
ORANGE MARKET SHARE 01/01/13 - 03/31/13
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
P R O V E N R E S U LT S !
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Let Your Neighborhood REALTOR Work For You!
CURIOUS TO KNOW THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME?
Call for a Complimentary Market Evaluation of Your Home!
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ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!
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Mailed Free To Every Business In Orange & Milford
CALL TODAY: 203-298-4399
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5/2/14 Mother’s Day Issue • 5/23/14 Memorial Day Issue • 6/13/14 Father’s Day Issue
7/3/14 Independence Day Issue • 8/1/14 • 8/29/14 Labor Day/Back to School Issue • 9/19/14
10/10/14 • 10/31/14 Election Issue • 11/21/14 Thanksgiving Issue • 12/12/14 Holiday Issue
April 2014
| 77
Celebrate the Town of Orange’s
Independence Day Concert
& Fireworks Display
The Beatles 50-Year Anniversary
Tribute (1964-2014)
Saturday, July 5th
(Rain Date, Sunday, July 6th)
Orange Fairgrounds Gazebo
525 Orange Center Road, Orange
Then
&
Now!
The Town of Orange will be holding its annual
Independence Day Concert and Fireworks
Display on Saturday, July 5th at the Gazebo
on the Orange Fairgrounds. This year’s
concert will mark the 50-Year Anniversary of
the Beatles US Tour in 1964 with a special
show produced specially for this event to be
performed by the British Invasion Tribute. Once
again, the fireworks show to follow will be
provided by the nationally renowned Zambelli
Fireworks Company. The Orange Town News
is once again organizing this year’s event.
Support Your Home Town’s Most Popular Event
Be a Program Sponsor! Call 203-298-4399
78 | April 2014
BE A SPONSOR!
Independence Day Concert
& Fireworks Display
The Beatles 50-Year Anniversary
Tribute (1964-2014)
Date..............................Saturday, July 5th (Rain Date: Sunday, July 6th)
Location........................Orange Fairgrounds - Gazebo, 525 Orange Center Road.
Time..............................Concert 6:30 – 9:30 pm • Fireworks Display 9:30 – 10:00 pm.
Concert Band.................The British Invasion Tribute – Presented by the Orange Town News.
Fireworks Provider........Zambelli Fireworks - Presented by the Orange Town News.
Sponsorship Opportunities (check one):
❏
❏
❏
❏
❏
Major Sponsor.........$2,500 (Includes a Full Page Ad in the Independence Day Issue of the Orange Town News)
Gold Sponsor.............$500 (Includes a Half Page Ad in the Independence Day Issue of the Orange Town News)
Silver Sponsor......$250 (Includes a Quarter Page Ad in the Independence Day Issue of the Orange Town News)
Bronze Sponsor... $125 (Includes an Eighth Page Ad in the Independence Day Issue of the Orange Town News)
Patron Sponsor........... $25 (Includes a Name Listing in the Independence Day Issue of the Orange Town News)
Please fill out company/sponsor information below:
Company/Individual Name
Mailing Address
Phone Fax
Email
Contact Name
Make checks payable to “Orange Town News – Fireworks Display”
Mail to: Orange Town News – Fireworks, P.O. Box 1126, Orange, CT 06477.
For more information contact Rocky Salperto, Orange Town News:
Phone 203-298-4399 – Fax: 203-298-9818 – Email: [email protected]
Donations are Tax Deductible. Final Due Date: June 13th
April 2014 | 79
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653 Orange Center Road
P.O. Box 1126
Orange, CT 06477
Breakfast
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Lunch.
Dinner.
321 Boston Post Road, Orange
(203) 795-5065
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