Park-Rec lifeguard cited for ‘extraordinary heroism in action’ during water rescue off Sea Bluff Beach

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — Jack Miklos, the Department of Parks and Recreation’s head lifeguard, received a citation from Mayor Dorinda Borer on Tuesday for his recent rescue of a young male swimmer in distress off Sea Bluff Beach.

Miklos, who is entering his junior year at Stonehill College, was recognized by Borer and other city officials during a ceremony at a pair of lifeguard chairs on Oak Street Beach.

He was accompanied by his parents, John and Marybeth Miklos, and his grandmothers, Mary Lou Miklos and Patricia Reardon.

“I join the members of the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation and the residents of our great city in commending your vital role in safeguarding the lives of swimmers on the West Haven shoreline,” said Borer, reading the citation to Miklos, who was flanked by several lifeguard staff members and Pool and Waterfront Coordinator Margaret Ruggiero, who supervises Park-Rec’s lifeguards.

Borer continued her praise of Miklos, saying, “You are an inspiration to the Park-Rec Lifeguard Training program and a true ambassador of our community.”

According to Miklos’ account of the rescue, which occurred at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, the distressed swimmer chased a beach ball into the water at high tide near the pedestrian bridge on Sea Bluff Beach, where the Cove River flows into Long Island Sound.

Perched on a nearby lifeguard chair, Miklos said the current took the swimmer under the bridge where he could no longer touch the bottom. Once he spotted the swimmer’s arms flailing, he immediately jumped into action and swam out to save him.

Borer said Miklos’ “prompt response and extraordinary heroism in action prevented a tragedy.”

The ceremony was also attended by Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4.

Severe Heat Protocol Activated

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — In coordination with Gov. Ned Lamont’s statewide Severe Heat Protocol activation, Mayor Dorinda Borer has also activated the city’s Severe Heat Protocol until 8 p.m. today.

Elevated daytime heat and humidity is expected.

The elevated heat index will cause those with preexisting medical or breathing conditions to be at risk of complications, including the very young and the elderly, and all vulnerable populations are encouraged to stay aware. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Limit outside activities when possible, and wear light and loose clothing. Along the shoreline will provide relief with southwest winds from 5-7 mph. Be sure to limit outside daytime exposure to pets as well.

Both West Haven libraries and the Senior Center will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours. For additional cooling center information if traveling or visiting other Connecticut communities, call 211. Remember to call 911 for heat-related emergencies.

For more information regarding the Severe Heat Protocol activation and cooling center times, visit the city website at https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/ and review the guide, “Ways to Beat the Heat: West Haven’s Guide to Staying Cool.”

Vivid playing Old Grove Park at 7 p.m. Friday

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — Vivid, “thee party band,” continues the city’s Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Friday in Old Grove Park, 1 Palace St.

Get ready for a high-energy set of pop, dance and party rock hits.

The free concert is presented by Mayor Dorinda Borer and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Join us Friday night!

Carmel Gambardella marks 100th birthday

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — (Pictured): Lifelong Westie Carmel Gambardella celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday.

Gambardella marked the “momentous” occasion with friends and loved ones.

The centenarian received a citation from Mayor Dorinda Borer for “leading a remarkable life.”

“Your rich legacy is a source of inspiration for all Westies and is rooted in the heart of the American spirit,” Borer said.

(City Photo)

The Breakwall restaurant marks opening of new outdoor patio with ARPA grant

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, second from left, cheers as The Breakwall owners Brendan and Katrina Snow help their daughter, Emelia, cut the ribbon to officially open their restaurant’s new outdoor patio at 305 Captain Thomas Blvd. on Thursday.

Joining the ribbon-cutting are, from left, Councilwoman Dawn Callahan, D-6, and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

During the chamber-organized ceremony, the husband-wife owners thanked Borer and the city for awarding a grant that paid for the new concrete patio and its decorative black aluminum fencing.

The grant was made possible through Borer’s ARPA Small Business Grant program, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Home to “food, drinks and music,” The Breakwall offers a variety of local beers on tap and daily food specials.

The shoreline restaurant and bar, which opened in 2023, sponsors West Haven’s Acoustic Sunday Morning Concert Series.

(City Photo)

Park-Rec boys summer basketball champions

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 13, 2025 — (White Team Pictured): The White Team, the 7-to-10-year-old champions of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s boys summer basketball league, show their medals at the Veterans Memorial Park courts on Bull Hill Lane on July 23.

Front row, from left: Josh Jordan, Bryce Hayden, Khiry Lamothe and Carter Burrell. Back row, from left: Jack Fernandez, Nathan D’Aurio, Cayden Russell, Nicholas Pratt, assistant coach Josh Jordan and coach Colleen Jordan.

(Navy Blue Team Pictured): The Navy Blue Team, the 11-to-14-year-old champs of Park-Rec’s boys summer basketball league, show their medals at the Veterans Memorial Park courts July 23.

Front row, from left: coach Brian Tillman, Dante Douthit, Jay’Ceon Greene, Khylan Crawford, Luis Cruz, Jayden Lopez, Cayden Carter and coach Don Simmons. Back row, from left: Hosea Lattimore, Jayden Potter, Tristian Crawford, Zyair Vilsaint, BJ Bagley and Bryson Bagley.

The league just capped its 25th season and is supervised by Park-Rec program coordinator Brian Hayden.

(City Photos/Brian Hayden)

New Painter Park tennis and pickleball courts celebrated at grand opening

WEST HAVEN, July 30, 2025 — Mayor Dorinda Borer cut a “Westie blue” ribbon with members of the West Haven High School boys and girls tennis teams, city officials, neighbors, and project contractors to celebrate the official opening of Painter Park’s new tennis and pickleball courts July 29.

Joined by City Council members Anne Heffernan, D-1, and Gary Donovan, D-4, Borer and Department of Parks and Recreation employees handed out pickleball paddles, tennis rackets and balls, all sponsored by Hinding Tennis LLC of West Haven, which built the tennis and pickleball courts.

Before the ribbon-cutting, Borer opened the ceremony with remarks praising the $1 million recreation project, paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“This park is a source of pride for us and is part of the fabric of our community,” the mayor said. “Thank you for making a better place for the city of West Haven.”

Borer commended Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. for his leadership in helping to bring the project to fruition and for the lion’s share of the work carried out by his team in the summer months.

“I am very excited to open these courts up,” said Paine, whose department operates the Kelsey Avenue courts, which will remain open from sunrise to sunset until Park-Rec implements a new online permit process.

He thanked Borer for finally moving the needle to put ARPA funds to use across the city and for getting the project done.

Painter Park’s original triple-tiered clay tennis courts were built nearly a century ago, in 1928, and had fallen into disrepair.

Paine said the new complex is composed of four posttension concrete tennis courts to increase playability and longevity. The two front courts are also lined for two pickleball courts, the complex’s first.

Along with the courts, the project includes proper drainage, benches and vinyl-coated chain-link fencing.

In addition, two lower courts are paved with asphalt to create a street hockey/soccer space and a multiuse surface, Paine said.

Borer was joined by girls tennis coach Mike Barraco, captain Michelle Ceja, and players Diana Morales, Martha Agustin, Jocelyn Otero, Angelina Torres and Caitlin Pinedo.

The mayor was also joined by boys tennis coach Justin Wentworth, co-captains Adam Chouiki and Daniel Davis, and player Adnan Dost.

Chouiki delivered remarks on behalf of the teams, saying the “beautiful” and “amazing” courts are a place “where people can bond as a community.”

Charlie Liberti, a senior pickleball player who lobbied for the new courts and spearheaded West Haven’s first-ever pickleball program, said he is proud the city took action and is looking forward to playing.

“Pickleball is the most social racket game I know of,” Liberti told the crowd, which included city Human Resources Commissioner John M. Carrano, who oversees Paine’s department.

Starting Aug. 12, Pickle Spot of Orange will offer a five-week “beginner series” to players 18 and older at the Painter Park courts. Lessons from certified coaches will meet Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. A minimum of four players is required to run each class; paddles and balls are provided.

At the event, Pickle Spot was represented by Managing Director Sarah Sirry and member Ron Iannotti.

Paine said Park-Rec will start offering tennis lessons in the coming weeks.

Savin Rockin’! 2025 Savin Rock Festival serves up live music and delicious food

WEST HAVEN, July 29, 2025 — The Savin Rock Festival’s 2025 edition, held in Old Grove Park on Friday and Saturday, commemorated West Haven’s storied amusement park heritage with live music and great food — and helicopter rides.

The festival’s opening night showcased The Stevie Experience performing a tribute to the “music, story and legacy” of Stevie Nicks, while Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney, featuring Tony Kishman of the Broadway musical “Beatlemania,” headlined Night 2. Both nights attracted thousands of families to the historic Grove.

The shoreline event, presented by the Savin Rock Festival Committee, paid homage to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Savin Rock Park, once known as Connecticut’s Coney Island and locally as “the Rock.”

Read the full story and see the photo gallery here.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market kicks off 2025 season

WEST HAVEN, July 21, 2025 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has kicked off its 2025 season.

The farmers market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market will feature homegrown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and homemade crafts through Oct. 11.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route.

The farmers market 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 with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000.

Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.

Program supports kids with siblings with disabilities

WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2025 — West Haven Youth and Family Services is excited to launch a new program at WHINC in collaboration with Southern Connecticut SIBshop at Southern Connecticut State University.

The program, SIBshop, is designed to support children in West Haven who have siblings with disabilities.

SIBshops provide a unique space where children can connect with peers, enjoy recreational activities and build emotional resilience. While many children express positive experiences growing up alongside a sibling with a disability, they often face unique challenges, such as emotional stress, a heightened sense of responsibility or a drive to “compensate” through high achievement.

While the primary focus is on Spanish-speaking families, all are welcome. The program is limited to eight spots.

For more information, contact youth services coordinator Coraly Colon at 203-943-8802 or ccolon@westhaven-ct.gov.