Members of the 8th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Company A fire their Springfield muskets during the finale of the West Haven centennial exhibit, “Hubbard Farms,” in Hubbard Farms Park on Saturday. The regiment is a Union Civil War living history and reenacting organization that helped celebrate the legacy of the Hubbard family and farm with a Civil War encampment. The exhibit also included children’s activities, food and live music. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Hubbard family, farm celebrated with centennial exhibit

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 28, 2021 — Hubbard Farms Park on Saturday was transformed into a Civil War encampment and a venue for children’s activities, food and live music to celebrate the legacy of the Hubbard family and farm at the West Haven centennial exhibit, “Hubbard Farms.”

The five-hour exhibit, presented by Hubbard family member Steven Johnstone, was part of the West Haven Centennial Celebration, a six-month series of free events commemorating the community’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality, said Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, the honorary chairwoman of the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee.

Local cover band The Navels kicked off the late-morning festivities, performing a two-hour-plus set of classic rock anthems on a flatbed truck provided by Bruneau’s Garage of West Haven outside the park’s main entrance on Hubbard Road. The group was followed by guitarist John Ciambriello, who played acoustic renditions of Top 40 hits.

Read the full story, see the photos and watch the video at Hubbard Farms.

Rivera honored as Hispanic of the Year; watch on YouTube

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi presents Sammy Rivera with an embroidered “Hispanic American of the Year” jacket at West Haven’s third Hispanic Heritage Celebration in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall on Friday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rivera feted as Hispanic of the Year; watch on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 28, 2021 — Sammy Rivera, a prominent Allingtown business owner known for his big heart and generous spirit, received West Haven’s Hispanic American of the Year award at the third Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Friday.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee recognized Rivera, a native of Cayey, Puerto Rico, during a midday ceremony in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall. The event, traditionally held on the steps of City Hall, was moved indoors because of rain.

The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident who personifies service in West Haven’s thriving Hispanic American community. Last year’s ceremony was postponed because of the coronavirus.

Read the full story, see the photos and watch the video at Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Sustainability Day set for farmers market Thursday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 28, 2021 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market, West Haven SustainableCT and ArtsWestCT will present Sustainability Day, an interactive day filled with farmers, special guest and seasonal vendors, and community organizations.

“Let’s celebrate together by learning more about sustainability efforts in our community and in our homes,” said Karina Curbelo, who manages the farmers market for the mayor’s office.

The Sustainability Day market is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday on the Green at Campbell Avenue and Main Street.

The market, held every Thursday and Saturday through Oct. 23, features a variety of farm-fresh goods, including honey, flowers, fruits and vegetables, from longtime Connecticut Grown farmers Mary Ann Borrelli, the owner of Borrelli Farms, and John Marcucio, the owner of Marcucio Farms.

The Sustainability Day market will have guest vendors alongside regular vendors who will offer a range of goods, such as precious metal jewelry, crystal jewelry, homemade candles, handmade masks, handcrafted soaps, wine-infused gummy bears and more.

Vendors will also have a variety of natural skin and hair care products, including salves, toners and soaps.

Sustainability Day will showcase organizations from the West Haven community. Help map the city’s cultural assets at the ArtsWestCT booth, stop by the PosiGen Solar table to learn about the “Solar for All” program, and check out the United Illuminating table, which will have a representative from Tallento Energy. The Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association will raise awareness of charitable events and opportunities.

West Haven Lions Club donates school supplies

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 28, 2021 — (Pictured): Members of the new chapter of the West Haven Lions Club of Lions Clubs International, joined by chapter mascot Victory the service dog, present bins of school supplies to city Youth and Family Services Director Diane Dietman, far right, at Physicians Physical Therapy at 544 Campbell Ave. on Sept. 21.

Shown are, from left, Lions Marianne Miller, Victor M. Borras, Rob Craven and Patrick Moore; club President Carolyn Sires; past Lions Club District Governor Bill Manthey; and club Vice President Steven R. Mullins.

Dietman said the supplies, collected through the club’s back-to-school drive, will benefit Savin Rock Community School and Washington Elementary School.

(Contributed Photo/Monica L. Pang)

UI sets next phase of tree care program in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 21, 2021 — United Illuminating will begin the next phase of its tree care program to reduce the amount of vegetation that UI says threatens power lines during storms.

UI’s tree service contractor will increase the distance between vegetation and power lines by targeting trees and limbs in and around the center of West Haven along Campbell Avenue and Main and Center streets, said city Tree Warden Leo Kelly, who reviewed and approved the project.

Kelly said the circuit area provides electrical power to downtown businesses and City Hall.

The contractor, Lewis Tree Service Inc., will focus work on UI’s “Utility Protection Zone,” which extends 15 feet above, 8 feet below and 10 feet to the side of power lines, he said.

According to UI, the Orange-based utility will designate trees for pruning or removal if they pose a threat to power lines or risk falling into or encroaching on the Utility Protection Zone, causing damage to the electrical system or outages due to their height and growth pattern.

People can direct questions to Kelly at lkelly@westhaven-ct.gov.

#FunFactFriday coming to West Haven centennial Facebook page

Every Friday is #FunFactFriday on W. Haven centennial Facebook page

WEST HAVEN, July 29, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee has launched a new series called #FunFactFriday to promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year.

Every Friday, the committee will post tidbits celebrating historical events, people and places in West Haven from the past 100 years on its official Facebook page, City of West Haven Centennial Celebration - 1921-2021.

The page is administered by the city and edited by Dan Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history. Like the page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHavenCentennialCelebrationCommittee.

The historical facts are compiled from various West Haven Library references by staff members Taylor Cordova and Kiana Arevalo under the supervision of Executive Director Colleen Bailie.

The committee is planning a number of commemorative events, starting this month, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.