State Rep. Charles Ferraro feted as West Haven’s Italian of the Year

State Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven, receives an embroidered “Italian American of the Year 2023” jacket from West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi at the city’s 24th annual Italian Heritage Celebration in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall on Friday. The event, traditionally held on the steps of City Hall, was moved indoors because of inclement weather. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

State Rep. Charles Ferraro feted as city’s top Italian

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2023 — Republican state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, a world-class martial artist and an ambassador of his proud Italian ancestry, received the city’s Italian American of the Year award at the 24th annual Italian Heritage Celebration on Friday.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee honored Ferraro, the grandson of emigrant grandparents from the Campania capital of Naples, Italy, during a midday ceremony in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall. The program, traditionally held on the steps of City Hall, was moved indoors because of inclement weather.

The award is bestowed annually on an Italian resident or couple who personifies service in West Haven’s close-knit Italian community.

As the sound of Italian music filled the room at the half-hour cultural event, Ferraro, 70, a lifelong Westie, saluted his Italian lineage with colleagues, friends and loved ones, including his wife, the former Geralyn Ann DeMaio.

Along with descendants of folks from the old country, Ferraro was joined by an array of city employees and residents, fire officials, and local and state leaders, including West Haven Democratic Rep. Dorinda Borer, Milford Republican Rep. Kathy Kennedy and Milford Democratic Sen. James Maroney, who read and presented Ferraro with a General Assembly citation on behalf of West Haven’s delegation.

Ferraro, who represents the 117th District of West Haven, Orange and Milford, was also joined by other local leaders, including North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda, a native of West Haven, as well as local business executives, including Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The honoree also received an Italian flag from Paul M. Frosolone, the president of the West Haven Italian American Civic Association, and Debbie Giordano, the vice president of the association’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Accepting the Italian American of the Year award, Ferraro told the standing room-only crowd, some donning red, white and green, that he appreciated the recognition and thanked his fellow legislators, the mayor, the committee and his wife.

Read the full story and see the photo spread at Italian American of the Year 2023.

Public safety expo, ‘Veterans Bash’ moved to Sunday

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2023 — Because of expected rain, organizers have moved Friday’s “Veterans Bash at the Beach” and Saturday’s public safety exposition to Sunday.

The free events will take place in Old Grove Park on Palace Street, with the expo scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Veterans Bash from 3-8 p.m.

The third annual West Haven Fire, Emergency Management, 911 ERS, Police & Health Expo will bring together families and first responders — firefighters, police officers, EMTs, health care professionals — from around the state for hands-on activities and interactive demonstrations to promote public safety education.

The public exposition, in observance of Fire Prevention Week, will include music by Tony V and is presented by the city and West Haven’s three fire departments.

For all the details, see the updated Flyer .

The Veterans Bash, in support of West Haven’s veterans, will include food trucks, live music and nonprofit organizations.

It is presented by Surfside Veterans, the West Haven Veterans Council, West Haven Vietnam Veterans and the West Haven Veterans Museum.

Energy assistance offered in West Haven starting Oct. 2

Energy assistance offered in city

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2023 — The city is accepting applications for the federally funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Appointments for all heating sources can be made by calling 203-937-3572.

Applications will be processed via phone by appointment Monday through Thursday. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Eligibility for assistance is based on the income of an applicant’s household. To qualify, applicants must provide pay stubs, including monthly Social Security benefits and pension incomes, for all household members 18 and older.

Applicants must also provide SNAP benefits, Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members, as well as current utility and water bills for the household.

American Honey will play a mix of modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 13 in Old Grove Park on Palace Street in West Haven. The show will close the city’s “Fall Foliage Concert Series.” (Publicity Photo)

American Honey closes fall concert series Oct. 13

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 6, 2023 — The city’s “Fall Foliage Concert Series” will close at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 with American Honey, a band specializing in modern country hits and ’90s pop rock favorites.

The two-hour concert will take place in Old Grove Park on Palace Street.

The free show is sponsored by the city and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

West Haven Senior Center sets Ivoryton Playhouse trip Nov. 29

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 26, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to the Ivoryton Playhouse on Nov. 29 to see “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas,” a holiday musical featuring the sounds of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

The trip includes lunch at Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex, followed by the musical.

The cost is $150 and includes transportation, gratuities and admission to the show.

Payment is due Oct. 30.

The bus departs at 10:30 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves at 4:30 p.m. from Ivoryton.

Nonmembers of the senior center and nonresidents are welcome. To make a reservation, call the center at 203-937-3507.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens season July 6

Farmers market open Thursdays and Saturdays

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 12, 2023 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has opened its 2023 season next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the beach lot, includes state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 14.

It features artisan breads by Hoffman Unlimited LLC, sauces and jams by Chile King LLC, and salts, oils and vinegars by Dash N’ Drizzle.

The farmers market is partnering with ArtsWestCT this season to showcase a variety of entertainment, such as live performances and unique demonstrations, at the Saturday markets.

The market also includes more than 20 different vendors, crafters, organizations and food trucks during the season.

The Thursday markets feature What the Truck?! BBQ, in addition to ice cream at both markets.

Parking is available in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route. In addition, a van will run from the West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St., to Oak Street at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.

The Department of Elderly Services is distributing reusable farmers market cards to eligible city residents. Residents 60 and older who meet income requirements are eligible for $24 vouchers in the form of electronic cards. For information on the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program, call the department at 203-937-3507.

The farmers market is sponsored by the city and has operated since 2000. It was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue for many years and was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association.

To participate in the farmers market or for information, contact Killian Gruber, the market’s manager, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3510.

For the latest news on the market, go to West Haven Farmers Market.

West Haven Vietnam vets sought for new section of memorial ‘wall’

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 18, 2023 — Current and former city residents who served in the Vietnam War are sought by the West Haven Vietnam Memorial Inc. Committee to have their names inscribed on a new section of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park.

To qualify for name recognition on the memorial “wall,” Vietnam veterans must apply and meet the following requirements:

— Applicants must live or have lived in West Haven. Veterans living in West Haven must provide proof of residence, such as a utility bill.

— Applicants must have served in-country during the Vietnam War.

— Applicants must have been honorably discharged from military service. A DD214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is required.

— Applicants must share potential costs, if any.

The committee does not have a formal application. Veterans must mail all documents, which are due Jan. 1, 2024, to West Haven Vietnam Veterans, City Hall, lower level, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Those with questions can call Bill at 203-521-2356, Steve at 475-655-2993 or Paul at 203-500-2159.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes a black granite wall inscribed with the names of those from West Haven who served or gave their lives in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, along with three white flagpoles draped with the American, Connecticut and prisoner-of-war flags.

The memorial, dedicated Nov. 12, 2003, also includes a black granite map of the four battle districts of Vietnam bearing the inscription “All Gave Some, Some Gave All,” as well as five bronze insignia markers atop black granite posts representing each branch of the U.S. armed forces.