‘Newsies’ coming to NHHS stage

Press Release

North Haven High School’s production of “Newsies” will be performed March 2 to 5 at the NHHS Theater, 221 Elm St. Set in turn-ofthe century New York City, “Newsies” is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right.

The talented North Haven High School cast is led by director Jackie Giordano and musical director Sarah Iadarola, both North Haven teachers; and choreographer Jared Andrew Brown, of Square Foot Theatre in Wallingford.

Lawmakers: Nip bottle surcharge doesn’t help with clean-up

By Kate Ramunni Record-Journal staff

WALLINGFORD It’s a routine that state Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, knows well getting off the train and walking home, a trip of just less than a half-mile. Along the way, she encounters nips small bottles of alcohol sold at liquor stores that are frequently strewn along roads, highways and parks. “I’m walking home from the train right now and I’ve already taken pictures of about 10 of them and I just found another four, so that’s 14 and I’ve only gone two blocks,” Mushinsky said during a phone interview last Friday afternoon.

By the time the veteran lawmaker got home, she had counted 39 along the way.

It’s an issue every city and town faces, and in response, the state legislature in 2021 passed a bill placing a five-cent surcharge on each 50 mL bottle, with the money going to municipalities to help pay for environmental cleanups, including efforts to remove nips from public places.

The bottle surcharge funds are released to cities and towns in April and October of each year, and payments are based on the number of nips sold in the municipality.

See Bottle, A6

Third Hard Hat Café location set to open

By Nicole Zappone The Citizen

By the end of the month, a new dining option will be available in the town of Durham, Hard Hat at 100 New

Haven Road, business owner

John Acanfora said the eatery will be a “middle-of-road, bluecollar type of restaurant for people who don’t want to go out and spend $150 on a dinner. ”

“What we want to go after is really good food. We want the experience to be something you remember,” added Acanfora, who also runs Hard Hat Cafés in North Haven and Wallingford.

See Hard Hat

Fireside Chat with Judy Monday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. This month’s topic: Reminiscing about childhood homes and favorite childhood memories. Share pictures, laughter and more. Come join us for a wonderful morning.

Holiday Fair meeting Monday, March 6 at 10 a.m. Open to all committee members and new volunteers.

Memory Matters presentation. Friday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. Join Kim from Home Care Plus Community Healthcare & Hospice for a fun and interactive program on how memory works and how to improve it. RSVP by Friday March 3, 203-2395432.

St. Pat’s dinner

The Women’s and Men’s Fellowship of North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church St., will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner Sunday, March 12 at 3 p.m. The meal will include corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread, dessert, coffee and tea. Also, a kid’s menu of chicken nuggets and mac & cheese will be offered. The cost is $17 for adults, $7 for children under 12. Reservations can be made by calling 203-2395691 no later than Sunday, March 5. Take-out meals will be available but must be prepaid. For more information, visit NorthHavenUCC.org.

Food drive

North Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy’s Community Outreach Committee is coordinating a collection of non-perishable food items for distribution to the North Haven Community Services

Happy Hour at La Lupa’s: Friday, March 10, 3 to 5 p.m. The cost is $8 for drinks; $10 for appetizers. RSVP by Friday March 3, 203-239-5432.

AARP free tax prep. Fridays, March 10, 17 and 24, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Appointments are limited. Call 203-2395432 for more information.

AARP safe drivers course. Friday March 17, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This refresher course is designed for drivers age 50-plus. Participants may benefit from a discount on auto insurance.

Cost is $20 for AARP members; $25 for non-members. Registration required. Call 203-239-5432.

In Brief

Food Bank. Items can be dropped off at the following locations by Friday, March 31: Arnold’s Jewelers, 117 Washington Ave.; Hello Gorgeous Hair Studio, 460 Washington Ave.; Nick’s Char-Pit Restaurant, 22 Middletown Ave. To add your business to this list, or for more information, call Denise Krause at 203-7107397.

Gardening 101

Whether you are a novice or veteran gardener, you will learn new tips and techniques to enhance your gardening experience by attending a Tuesday, Feb. 28 presentation with the Daytime Gardeners of North Haven, 11 a.m. to noon at the Community Center. A $5 guest donation is requested. RSVP to 203-239-1557.

FD fundraisers

Upcoming fundraisers to benefit the family of fallen North Haven firefighter

Senior Center

Virtual trip to Ireland. Friday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. Experience St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland with Deb from Hamden Rehabilitation. Enjoy this virtual visit, trivia and some flavors of Ireland. Registration required. Call 203-239-5432.

Mini Trip. Tuesday, March 7, 9:30 a.m., to Universal Drive in North Haven. Call 203-239-5432 to reserve a spot.

Veterans breakfast

Wednesday, March 29. In recognition of Vietnam Veterans Day, the Senior Center will host a free continental breakfast for all veterans. Registration begins Wednesday, March 1. If you have a picture from your time serv- ing in the military, bring it to the center. A copy will be made and placed on display during the month of March.

For non veterans, there will be a $2 charge for breakfast. RSVP to 203-239-5432 before Monday, March 20.

Schools

Locals in college

Curry College, Milton, Mass., named Katelyn Matos to its dean’s list for the fall semester.

Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y., awarded Evelyn Pearson a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology.

University of Hartford, West Hartford, named Lauren Card to its dean’s list for the fall semester.

Western New England University, Springfield, Mass., named Alexandra Ferriouolo to its president’s list for the fall semester.

Matthias Wirtz: JRoos Restaurant, 243 State St., will hold a Tip-A-Firefighter fundraiser Thursday, March 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged; La Lupa Restaurant, 344 Washington Ave., will host a fundraiser with live entertainment Sunday, March 5 from 1 to 8 p.m. This event is on a first-come, first-serve basis; A third fundraising event will be held at Ludal’s Restaurant, 28 Broadway. Details to follow.

Letters Policy

Email Letters to the Editor to news@thenorthhavencitizen.com. Letters are limited to 300 words. The Citizen will print only one letter per person each month. We reserve the right to edit letters. Letters must be signed and names will appear in print. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday to be considered for publication that Friday.

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Help Keep

Coming to your home or business

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Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return.

Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your North Haven Citizen to your home or business, will end.

HELP US HELP YOU, CONTINUE RECEIVING “YOUR” LOCAL WEEKLY. 257947

Singers sought

The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced National Anthem auditions will be held Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. to noon, at Dunkin’ Park, 1214 Main St., Hartford. Singers of all ages are welcome to audition for the opportunity to perform at a Yard Goats home game or event. Singers must register at yardgoatsbaseball.com. A time slot will be assigned.

Photo program

North Haven Camera Club will present the program

“Infrared Photography”

Tuesday, March 7, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Presenter William Barnett of the New England Camera Club Council will explore what infrared (actually, near-infrared) radiation is and how it renders photographs of the world. To attend, email northhavencameraclub@gmail.com.

Soccer club

North Haven Soccer Club Spring 2023 registration is open. Visit northhavensoc- cerclub.org. If you have questions, run into issues while registering or are interested in volunteering with NHSC, email nohavensoccerclub@gmail.com.

Crisis prep

Masonicare will host "Planning Before a Crisis"

Wednesday, March 15, 3 to 4 p.m., in the Knapp Auditorium at Masonicare at Ashlar Village, 74 Cheshire Road, Wallingford. Attorney Steven L. Rubin will discuss the legal aspects of having a plan for your future care vs. making decisions at the time of a crisis. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 203-679-6460.

NARFE meeting

The monthly meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is scheduled for Monday, March 6, 1 p.m., at North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church St. Guest speaker Steve Anderson of Amston Home Transition Solutions will discuss how to create an action plan to free yourself of clutter. Active and retired federal workers are invited to attend.

Hospice volunteers

Masonicare Hospice volunteers assist in many ways. Volunteers set their own schedules and receive ongoing support and training.

To learn more, contact Jolan Szollosi at 203-679-5342.