Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422 Cmdr. Freddy Jackson delivers remarks during the city's Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony Monday morning at the World War I Armistice Memorial on the Green as master of ceremonies John W. Lewis, executive assistant to Mayor Edward M. O'Brien, looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Wreath-laying ceremony honors America’s fallen heroes

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2017 — Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, was the guest of honor during the city’s Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony Monday morning at the World War I Armistice Memorial on the Green.

Jackson was originally selected by the West Haven Veterans Council to serve as grand marshal of the Memorial Day parade last year, but it was canceled because of rain; then this year, but it was canceled in the interest of public safety because of the threat of lightning; and now next year, when he will try to lead the procession once again.

Jackson, 72, concluded his remarks, joking, “Third time’s a charm.”

Despite the parade’s cancellation, a patriotic crowd of more than 100 Veterans Council members, residents, state leaders and city officials, including Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, City Council members, fire chiefs and police officers, gathered in front of the memorial to honor America’s fallen heroes.

Jackson, with help from American Legion Post 71 member Joseph Weber, who was grand marshal of the 2014 Memorial Day parade, laid a wreath at the base of the granite memorial, which prominently displays a World War I doughboy. Jackson was also joined by AMVETS Post 1 chaplain Francis Blanchette, former West Haven Vietnam Veterans President Steve Carney and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

The memorial is “Dedicated to the memory of those who gave their lives in the World War 1917-1918.”

The half-hour ceremony featured remarks from O’Brien and state Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, and Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven.

O’Brien, who paid his respects to the deceased members of the U.S. armed forces of all wars, said, “We owe our veterans a great debt of gratitude.”

The solemn service included an invocation by Blanchette, a poetic reading and benediction by AMVETS member Lynn Warner, and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

John W. Lewis, executive assistant to the mayor, served as the master of ceremonies.

Bulk trash pickup week, e-waste drop-off day in June

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2017 — The next e-waste drop-off day is Saturday, and the next bulk trash pickup week is June 5-9.

City officials said the two services are not the same, however, and are reminding residents to take note of the difference.

During bulk trash week, crews will not pick up electronic items, including TVs. They will only pick up such bulk items as couches, chairs, mattresses, tables, carpeting, padding, fencing and small amounts of bundled lumber, which may not exceed 6 feet in length.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

More details at Bulk Trash Pickup.

For electronic recyclables, which are defined as typically anything that plugs in or needs a battery, residents must drop off those items from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.

The collection is free for residents who have such electronic items as TVs, hand-held video games, computers and monitors, copiers and scanners, microwave and toaster ovens, dehumidifiers and other small appliances.

More details at E-waste Drop-off.

Making a difference

WEST HAVEN, May 30, 2017 — Members of the West Haven High School Peer Advocacy Program and their school advisers receive the “You Make a Difference Award” May 15 from the West Haven Interagency Network for Children. From left, front to back, peer advocates Kailin Kyle, Paige Sheridan and Alexis Miller; adviser Abby Goodwin; peer advocates Andrew Gordon and Maggie Yeh; adviser Christine Montano; and peer advocates Hellen Vasquez, Morgan Lambert, Usman Azeem and Marianna Kalander. “The peer advocates provided child care for our Parent Support Group meetings, helped with our holiday party, and provided support for children during our children with special needs duckpin bowling program,” said WHINC Director Robert S. Morton, director of West Haven Youth and Family Services. (City Photo/Robert S. Morton)

Registration open for Park-Rec day camps

Register for Park-Rec day camps

WEST HAVEN, May 22, 2017 — Registration has opened for residents and nonresidents for the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Tiny Tots Camp (ages 3-4), Junior Day Camp (ages 5-6) and Painter Park Day Camp (ages 6-12).

Director Bill Slater said the department is offering four two-week sessions this summer.

Tiny Tots Camp meets 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, starting June 26, in Pagels Elementary School, 26 Benham Hill Road; Junior Day Camp meets 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, starting June 26, in Mackrille Elementary School, 806 Jones Hill Road; and Painter Park Day Camp meets 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, starting June 19, in the park, 190 Kelsey Ave.

For fees and session details, go to www.whparkrec.com or call 203-937-3651.

Kickoff fundraiser tapped for Columbus Day parade

WEST HAVEN, May 10, 2017 — The Columbus Day Committee of Greater New Haven will hold a kickoff event from 6-9 p.m. June 28 at the Cielo Banquet Ballroom, 85 Chase Lane, to launch its fundraising campaign for the 2017 Columbus Day parade in West Haven.

The benefit will include a buffet of Italian foods donated by city restaurants, along with beer, wine, soda, coffee and dessert. It will also include entertainment by crooners Earl Benedetto and Mike Negretti.

Tickets, which cost $25, are on sale in the mayor’s office, 355 Main St., and the West Haven Italian-American Civic Association, 85 Chase Lane. Checks are payable to the Columbus Day Committee.

For tickets and reservations or for information, contact Cathy Sherman, executive administrative assistant to Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, at csherman@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3510. Tickets are also available by calling Frank Consorte, former president of the Italian-American Club, at 203-676-6379.

Proceeds will go to the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. Oct. 8.

O’Brien has tapped residents Natalie Guiliano DeRosa, Grace Iannucci Hendricks and Marie D. Lacobelle to lead the procession as grand marshals.

Guiliano DeRosa and Lacobelle are former recipients of the West Haven Columbus Day Committee’s Italian-American of the Year award, with Guiliano DeRosa receiving the civic honor in 2014 and Lacobelle in 2015.

Iannucci Hendricks is a longtime member of the West Haven Italian-American Ladies Auxiliary.

The two-hour parade, which rotates among six municipalities, was previously held in the city in 2011 and 2006.

To march in the parade, click on Reservation Form.

For parade information, go to www.columbusdaynewhaven.org.

West Haven announces summer concert series lineup

WEST HAVEN, May 10, 2017 — The city’s summer concert series will kick off June 16 on the Green with ’60s rock music performed by Sixties Satisfaction, sponsored by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc.

The free concerts are scheduled from 7-9 p.m.

The annual Friday night concert series will follow June 23 with the Sounds of Frank Sinatra, sponsored by the Columbus Day Committee of Greater New Haven, and oldies by the Vinnie Carr Band June 30, both on the Green.

New York City Swing Band will play Motown standards July 7, followed by rhythm and blues classics by Latanya Farrell July 14, Top 40 gems by Timmy Maia Experience July 21 and country favorites by Midnight Rodeo Aug. 4, all in Old Grove Park.

The eclectic lineup will continue with ’60s, ’70s and ’80s rock anthems by Cover2Cover Aug. 11 and R&B hits by Shaded Soul Aug. 18, both in the Grove.

Concerts postponed by rain will move to the same time and venue the following Monday, except the Vinnie Carr Band, which has no rain date.

For rescheduling information, go to the Department of Parks and Recreation website, www.whparkrec.com, or call 203-937-3677 after 4 p.m. the day of the concert.

Beautification Committee seeks volunteers, schedules meeting

WEST HAVEN, April 18, 2017 — The West Haven Beautification Committee is seeking volunteers to help with planting and organizing community cleanups.

Committee Chairwoman Marilyn Wilkes will hold a meeting for new and current members from 7-8 p.m. May 18 in the basement conference room of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Those unable to make the meeting can join the committee by calling Wilkes at 203-415-4712.

The committee is composed of volunteers who plant flowers and care for designated locations across the city, including litter cleanups, during the spring and summer months.

“I believe that everyone can make a difference and everyone has a role to play in environmental stewardship,” said Wilkes, founder and president of the West Haven Community Garden, which is behind the former Molloy Elementary School at 255 Meloy Road. “From picking up a piece of trash you see on the street to caring for your home to planting gardens throughout the city to recycling — it all builds our sense of community and helps our city.”

Wilkes said several Saturday cleanups around the city in April, May and June have been organized and need volunteers:

—April 29, 9-10 a.m., Colonial Boulevard brook.

—May 13, 9-11 a.m., Savin Rock Beach and walkway, with Land Trust of West Haven.

—May 20, 9-10 a.m., Jones Hill Road.

—June 10, all day, “Keep Your Street Neat” Campbell Avenue event.

—June 17, 9-10 a.m., Minor Park area, Allingtown.

To sign up for a cleanup or for information, contact Stacey Giaquinto at stacey.giaquinto@whschools.org or 203-494-5190.

Student participants will receive community service credit, said Wilkes, who sits on the Land Trust board of directors.

The committee welcomes input from residents about other areas needing attention, she said.

The committee can also help publicize resident-organized litter cleanups, Wilkes said.