With West Haven’s Christmas tree aglow in the background, The John C. Ireland Bandstand on the snow-covered Green is bedecked with huge electric snowflakes as Victorian-era streetlamps decorated with angels blowing on trumpets illuminate the walkways during a Yuletide celebration from yesteryear. (Contributed Photo)

Christmas tree lighting on Green featuring holiday festival

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2021 — The ceremonial lighting of West Haven’s Christmas tree on the Green will herald an evening of merriment Saturday.

The holiday festival will commence at 4 p.m. with the national anthem sung by Grace Kelly Nowak and Christmas favorites performed by instructors, students and a choir of 20 singers from The Rock House School of Music.

The annual event is presented by the city, the First Congregational Church of West Haven and West Haven United, an organization aimed at bringing the city’s volunteer groups together.

Although last year’s public tree lighting was postponed because of the coronavirus, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi surprised residents with a virtual lighting just days after the announcement.

This year’s event will feature costumed Christmas characters and Victorian-clad carolers entertaining families around the Green.

Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The four-hour festival will also include an inflatable Santa’s village and four craft stations on the Green, where children can make marshmallow reindeer ornaments, decorate wooden ornaments, write letters to Santa, and make cards for U.S. troops overseas and those at the West Haven VA Medical Center.

The festivities will continue at 5:30 p.m. with performances by the Top Hat Dance Academy.

At 6 p.m., Rossi will greet revelers from a portable stage on the Main Street side of the Green. The West Haven High School cheerleading team will then escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to the stage, where they will join Rossi and her special guests to set the tree aglow.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in the West Haven Fire Department’s 1935 Mack pump firetruck.

Immediately after the lighting, The RumRunners will perform Yuletide classics until 8 p.m.

West Haven’s official Christmas tree is flanked by two smaller evergreen trees that will glow with fluorescent-colored lights.

Huge electric snowflakes will decorate The John C. Ireland Bandstand, and Victorian streetlamps bedecked with angels blowing on trumpets will illuminate the walkways.

The decorated Green will include an inflatable snow globe and other inflatable attractions that youngsters can go in and have pictures taken.

Before returning to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet children and pose for snapshots until 8 p.m.

Just steps from Santa’s workshop, boys and girls can drop off wish lists at St. Nick’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

Along with hayrides, kids can ride in a vintage firetruck from the West Shore Fire Department. For a $5 fee, they can also ride on the Roaming Railroad, a trackless train sponsored by West Haven United.

Most of the activities are free, but people are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Volunteers from the First Congregational Church will sell burgers, hot dogs, cookies and decorative chocolate bars, and volunteers from West Haven United will sell popcorn, hot chocolate and soda.

If it rains, the lighting will go on at 5 p.m. Monday.

Rossi proclaims Nov. 27 ‘Small Business Saturday’ in city

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has announced the city’s participation in the 12th annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27.

Nov. 27 also marks the lighting of West Haven’s Christmas tree on the Green. The Yuletide event attracts hundreds of people each year, many of whom Rossi hopes take advantage of sales at downtown specialty shops.

Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day to support the small, independently owned businesses that help create jobs, boost the economy and keep communities thriving across the country.

“I encourage everyone to patronize our local businesses on Small Business Saturday,” Rossi said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and need our support more than ever.”

Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 in response to the most pressing need of small-business owners — more customers — and has served as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses ever since.

According to AmEx, U.S. shoppers reported spending a record $19.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2020.

Similar to last year, the Small Business Saturday Coalition, led by Women Impacting Public Policy, a nonpartisan small-business advocate known as WIPP, is rallying mayors nationwide to encourage local consumers to shop small on Nov. 27.

“Some of our small businesses are still trying to bounce back from the pandemic and now supply chain issues,” Rossi said. “Please consider doing your holiday shopping locally — and don’t forget, gift certificates make some of the greatest gifts.”

In recognizing the importance of supporting independently owned businesses, Rossi has issued a Small Business Saturday proclamation declaring the special observance in West Haven.

Read the Proclamation.

Merchants and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday, including how to participate, at Shop Small.

Santa delivering gifts in Center, Allingtown fire districts

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2021 — Santa Claus will be driving around the Center and Allingtown fire districts delivering gifts to children Dec. 11, starting at 2 p.m.

District residents can drop off wrapped gifts with their child/children’s name/names and address labeled for delivery to the Center District, 622 Second Ave., from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and to the Allingtown District, 20 Admiral St., from 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 27 and Dec. 4.

Donations for the gift delivery service are $10 for the first household gift, an additional $5 for a second household gift, and $2 for each additional household gift.

Because of COVID-19 precautions, Santa and his helpers will be wearing face masks and cannot enter homes.

Santa can deliver to 160 households only — no apartments or condominiums. Gifts and donations will be collected on a first-come, first-served basis.

The service is offered to residents of the Center and Allingtown fire districts.

Anyone with questions can send an email to co.1hookandladder@gmail.com.

Hanukkah menorah lighting set for sundown Sunday on Green

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2021 — The city is holding a Hanukkah menorah lighting on the Green this weekend.

The annual lighting of the menorah will celebrate the first day of Hanukkah at sundown Sunday. The public is invited.

The lighting will mark the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day commemoration of rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the Syrians.

The ceremony, led by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, will include a Jewish blessing by a local rabbi.

Rossi holding Nov. 30 town hall in person, on Facebook Live

Rossi holding Nov. 30 town hall meeting in person, on Facebook

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is inviting residents to participate in a town hall meeting in person at City Hall or virtually on Facebook Live at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The community event is aimed at fostering communication and transparency between City Hall and West Haven residents.

Residents can attend the town hall in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall, 355 Main St., or they can participate in the meeting on the Facebook Live page called UNH Mayor’s Advisory Commission. Face masks are required for City Hall attendees.

The town hall is sponsored by the mayor’s office and the University of New Haven Mayor’s Advisory Commission, a collaborative, student-driven task force founded in 2015 to strengthen town-gown relations.

The UNH commission is led by Christyllis A. Douglas, a sophomore studying psychology, and adviser Chris Haynes, an associate professor of political science and national security.

All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the town hall and ask questions. The moderators are Haynes and Allison E. Mahr, a sophomore studying international affairs.

Participants can send questions before the meeting by email to amahr2@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@newhaven.edu. They can also submit questions during the meeting in the “Comment” section on Facebook Live.

Participants are allowed one question with a one-minute time limit. At the beginning of the question, they must state their name and the subject of their question, with all comments related to the city or government of West Haven.

Participants must keep all dialogue courteous and respectful.

For more information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510, or send an email to amahr2@unh.newhaven.edu or chaynes@newhaven.edu.

Vietnam Vets holding toy drive for West Haven Community House

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 18, 2021 — West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. is collecting toys for children ages 4-12 on Dec. 11.

The toy drive will take place on the Green from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and benefit the West Haven Community House at 227 Elm St.

Organizers will not accept stuffed animals or toy guns.

West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and author Dan Shine sign paperback copies of the new centennial book, “City of West Haven: Village to Town,” at the city’s Main Library on Nov. 17. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Centennial book signing heralds gift-buying season

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 18, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and author Dan Shine signed copies of the new centennial book, “City of West Haven: Village to Town,” for West Haven history buffs at the city’s Main Library on Nov. 17.

The $20 book, printed in partnership with GHP Media of West Haven, chronicles the stories and photos that shaped the community’s past 100 years. The information was sourced from the “Historian’s Corner” series written by Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history.

The 116-page historical work, which has black-and-white and full-color photos, was commissioned by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee to commemorate the community’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest town, said Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman.

The paperback book is also available for purchase while supplies last in the Department of Human Resources at City Hall, 355 Main St., or by calling Commissioner Beth A. Sabo at 203-937-3558.

Sabo, the committee’s chairwoman, said the book is the perfect gift for the holidays.

From left, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown firefighter/paramedic Thomas O’Toole, Chief Michael R. Terenzio, Capt. Jason Cameron and firefighter Mike DiMassa at the Centennial Fire Expo in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center on Nov. 6. The department recently kicked off its Child Safety Car Seat Installation and Inspection Program. (COWHFD Allingtown Photo)

Allingtown FD kicks off child passenger safety program

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2021 — City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio has announced the department’s new Child Safety Car Seat Installation and Inspection Program.

Read the full News Release.

Terenzio has also announced a donation of eight car seats by Target of Orange to the child passenger safety program.

Read the full News Release.

Become a certified lifeguard

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 21, 2021 — If you’re 15 or older and looking for a great part-time job or a challenging career that’s in demand, the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program is one of the best places to start.

Lifeguarding lets you work as part of a team to help people safely enjoy the water. You could even save a life!

By registering for the free Red Cross-certified lifeguard training course, you will save $450 and gain a job working for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The starting pay is $13.50 per hour.

Learn more and register at Park-Rec.

#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.