West Hartford CT Community Notes


Thursday, July 11, 2013

'Art Talks' new to lineup at WHC-TV

West Hartford Community Television announces Art Talks, a new interview show hosted by JoAnne Bauer and Mike DeRosa. Airing several times a month on WHC-TV, the show is produced by West Hartford resident Jerome Howard and coordinated by Jitu Huntley.

“Art Talks provides opportunity for artists who work or exhibit in West Hartford and the Greater Hartford area to describe their artwork and artistic process and cultural influences.” said co-host JoAnne Bauer. “We want to engage a wide audience in discussions about creativity.” Art Talks will give artists a new opportunity to show and discuss their work, added Mike DeRosa, and TV audiences may see work that has not been available to them in the past, including talented musicians and poets.”
JoAnne Bauer and Mike DeRosa.

Concurrent with the June exhibit at the West Hartford Art League juried by Vivian Zoe, Mike and JoAnne interview two members of Connecticut Women Artists, Nancy Whitcher and Patricia Corbett. Show times may be found at whctv.org.

 A prize-winning artist, JoAnne Bauer has studied and worked in a wide range of art mediums and has been juried into more than 75 gallery exhibitions over a decade. She is an Elected Artist of the West Hartford Art League and a former board member of ArtWorks Gallery of downtown Hartford. Currently, Bauer coordinates Third Sunday Arts, a showcase for young artists, serves as publicity officer for the CT Poetry Society, and this year was a judge for the National Arts Program in Hartford.

Co-host Mike DeRosa has been involved in broadcast and visual media for over 25 years. He produces the weekly New Focus radio show at WWUH FM, heard also on WHUS and WESU in CT. An avid painter and photographer, DeRosa was active in the New Haven Artist’s cooperative, and his paintings were accepted and shown all over Greater New Haven.
Recently he has shown his paintings at ArtSpace Gallery in Hartford and at the Hygienic Art Gallery in New London, CT.

For more information about Art Talks: 860-233-7852.

Alumni’s spirit lives on at St. Thomas

WEST HARTFORD — Although nearly 40 years have passed since Joseph Lenihangraduated from St. Thomas the Apostle School and a dozen years since he was killed tragically in the World Trade Center bombings, his spirit lives on at his alma mater.

Samuel and Ruth Peters recently were awarded the annual Joseph A. Lenihan Memorial Scholarship. The students attend St. Thomas the Apostle School.

“We decided to establish a scholarship at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Joe’s name because his Catholic education was so important to him, and we thought it would be fitting to help other families for whom it is also important,” said Betsy Lenihan Smith.

 An award reception was attended by members of the Lenihan family, including his mother, Anne Lenihan, brother John Lenihan, and sister Betsy Lenihan Smith.

HARC honors retiring chief, staff and supporters

BLOOMFIELD—More than 80 people attended the 62nd annual meeting of HARC, Inc. recently to review the events of the past year, and to honor supporters of the organization that serves people with intellectual and related disabilities.

A tribute to outgoing, longtime HARC President /CEO Dr. Stephen Becker, included thanks for Becker’s, “selfless and tireless advocacy” during an “exemplary 36-year career” as the head of HARC. Becker was honored for his years of service to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, as well as the many lives he touched during his tenure.
Photo by Rick Koehler. Bernice Matty (center)

West Hartford resident Eileen Able was honored for 30 years of service as director of Staff Development for HARC, and staff members Tom Barry, 30 years of service, and Darlene St. Jean and Christine Crawford, each for 25 years of service, were also honored for their work with HARC.
Photo by Rick Koehler. John and Jean Weiss (left)

The 2013 Professional Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Carol Starr, of Bloomfield, the former medical director of HARC’s Behavioral Health Clinic.
A heartfelt tribute was offered to Bernice Matty for her dedication and support of HARC over many years, and Jean and John Weiss were also honored for their on-going support of the organization.

About HARC
HARC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disability and their families. It was founded in 1951 by families, long before community services were available and institutionalization was the only option. HARC remains a strong advocate for civil rights and opportunities, and a major provider of clinical and supportive programs that span the entire lifetime: early intervention (Birth-to-Three), family support, respite care, employment and day services, residential, recreation, behavioral health and elderly services.
HARC is a Community Investment Partner of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and serves Greater Hartford.
For further information about HARC go to the website: www.harc-ct.org

Chamber celebrates Noah Webster award winners

WEST HARTFORD – The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated two 2013 Noah Webster Award recipients at the Chamber’s annual meeting at Wampanoag Country Club.
 Elizabeth “Bepsie” Perry, director of Hello! West Hartford, and teacher at Intensive Education Academy, and Richard Patrissi, better known as “Mayor of Park Road,” was recognized posthumously.
Submitted. The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The Chamber also recognized its Volunteers of the Year: Barney Graduate Consulting Services, Jeff Ziplow of BlumShapiro, and Dave Kelly of University of Hartford. The Chamber acknowledged outstanding contributions for office marketing and technology initiatives.
 This year’s Youth to Business (Y2B) $2,000 Scholarship winner was Mariangela Bassi Zacarkim. Mariangela just graduated from Conard High School and will be attending Manchester Community College in the Fall.
 Opening and closing remarks were given by Peter Lisi, Chairman of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Meeting attendees were invited to a cocktails and hors d’oeuvres reception after the event.

Greenhouse project connects generations at HHC



Jessica Nathan and HHC resident Teddy Manheim.
WEST HARTFORD — Jessica Nathan, 12, is working on an intergenerational greenhouse project for her Bat Mitzvah Project at Hebrew Health Care.
Jessica is working closely with resident Teddy Manheim, an avid gardener. This project holds deep meaning for both Jessica and Hebrew Health Care. Her great-grandfather, Dr. Morris “Moe” Nathan, established Hebrew Health Care’s greenhouse and took care of the vegetation for many years.

Senior volunteer recognized for library service

WEST HARTFORD —State Senator Beth Bye made a surprise visit to the West Hartford Public Library recently to present special citations from Governor Malloy and State Legislature to West Hartford resident, Ruth Merblum, who will turn 95 this month.

 In September of 1986, Merblum began volunteering 2-3 hours a week for the West Hartford Public Library, assisting with interlibrary loan service that enables library users to borrow books from libraries around the state and even around the country.

 Over the years, Merblum has maintained files, prepared monthly statistical reports and easily learned to use the computerized catalog system. Much of her time has been spent searching out books “hiding” on library shelves, a challenge she enjoys.

In the words of her supervisor, Carol Sonne, “Along the way, Ruth, who will celebrate her 95th birthday in July, has been a wonderful role model, mentor, and good friend in addition to being, always, an awesome volunteer.”

JFS renames food pantry in honor longtime supporter

WEST HARTFORD — Friends and supporters of Jewish Family Services gathered at the West Hartford-based social service agency recently to celebrate the rededication of its kosher food pantry in honor of Anja Rosenberg, a tireless champion of food programs in the Greater Hartford community, including the food pantry at JFS.

Rosenberg and her husband, Gene, have been extremely generous donors and stalwart supporters of JFS and its programs, said Michelle Souza, director of marketing and development. Anja serves on the JFS board as first vice president. Gene Rosenberg took advantage of a family naming opportunity at JFS to honor his wife’s hard work in the community, and as a gift for her birthday, Souza said.

During the dedication ceremony, JFS Executive Director Anne Danaher praised Anja Rosenberg’s sensitivity and empathy.
Anja Rosenberg, pictured with her husband, Gene.

“Anja never forgets that so many people face overwhelming challenges in their lives every day,” Danaher said. “She always wants to take action to make the world a better place. We see this very clearly in her commitment to JFS. At a time when one in six children in Connecticut live in households that struggle against hunger, Anja and her family have stepped forward to be part of the solution to this issue.”

In addition to her work at JFS, Anja Rosenberg has helped prepare and serve an estimated 44,000 meals at House of Bread in Hartford, her husband said. Anja also is a long-time volunteer with the Hebrew HealthCare Auxiliary and reads to children as part of her work with Jewish Literacy Program.

JFS has the only kosher food pantry in the Greater Hartford community and offers non-perishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, bread, eggs, and fresh produce to clients in 18 towns.

Demand for services has more than tripled in ten years. In the first three months of 2013, the pantry distributed an average of 286 bags of groceries a month to a total of 343 families, Souza said. For more information about this event and JFS programs contact Michelle Souza at (860) 761-7082 or by email: msouza@jfshartford.org.

About Jewish Family Services
Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford is a 100 year old social service agency helping individuals and families deal with life cycle transitions and adversity. Guided by the highest professional standard in counseling, advocacy and educational programming, the agency seeks to enhance and strengthen quality of life for all those in need through the Jewish tradition of caring and compassion. The JFS staff of licensed clinical social workers, with an average of 15 years of experience, has the training, credentialing, and expertise to identify and deliver the compassionate services each client needs.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford is licensed by The CT Department of Children and Families, and accredited by The Council on Accreditation (COA).

Founded in 1977, COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations.
To learn more, visit our website at http://www.jfshartford.org.

West Hartford recipients announced for American Legion School Awards

WEST HARTFORD— American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 has awarded its 2013 School Awards. The awards, which are presented annually, recognizes students who posses high qualities of Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship, and Service.

The 2013 recipients are: Conard High School, Sarah Allen, School Award, Emily Tuite, Honorable Mention; Hall High School, Keilani Lai-Hipp, School Award, David Dobrynin, Honorable Mention; American School for the Deaf, Christian Collazo, School Award, Keiondra Hurt, Honorable Mention; Northwest Catholic, Alison Connors, School Award, Elizabeth Lathrop, Honorable Mention.

Recipients of School Awards for the Middle Schools are: Bristow Middle School, Sierra Lyles, Medal, James Doar, Certificate; King Philip Middle School, Jose Vasquez, Medal, Charlotte Apter, Certificate; Sedgwick Middle School, Jeff Remy, Medal.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion of West Hartford is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available at www.post96.org or visit Hayes-Velhage Post 96 at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.

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