Stories
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With lots of spring in their step, four hundred-plus people from the Greater Danbury area and beyond filled the Amber Room Colonnade at 7:30 this morning for RVNAhealth’s 23rd Annual Spring Breakfast. It was a true breakfast of champions and a celebration of a nonprofit that has been an essential part of communities for 106 years! </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">As table hosts poured hot coffee for their guests, the room buzzed with lively conversation and laughter. RVNAhealth Board Member Andrea Gartner skillfully gathered the attention of the enthusiastic crowd, welcoming them and preparing for the morning’s program to commence.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Cantor Penny Kessler began the event with a heartfelt invocation. Senator Julie Kushner, a dedicated Danbury resident deeply aware of RVNAhealth's impact, took the podium next. Senator Kushner presented a special proclamation, recognizing the RVNAhealth Well-Child team for its remarkable achievements. She highlighted the team's vital role in providing medical care, nursing, translation services, and social services to over 500 underserved children and families in Danbury each year as part of the agency's longstanding commitment to Community Health & Wellness programs.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, thanked the guests for their presence at this significant event. She highlighted the agency's comprehensive continuum of care, which now includes the newly launched Parkinson's Center, as well as dedicated support for dementia and hospice care.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">One of the morning's highlights was gaining a firsthand understanding of the pivotal role RVNAhealth plays in our community. Anne Mead, Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships, shed light on the significant impact of RVNAhealth's Well-Child Program in the Danbury Public Schools, where hundreds of underserved school-aged children receive medical care and immunizations at no cost. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">After Anne Mead's inspiring speech, Auctioneer Michael McGuirk realtor, kicked off the live auction. Attendees were invited to bid on an array of enticing items, including a summer getaway to the Cape, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa, an exquisite dinner party, Broadway, golf outings, and Major League Baseball.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh, what a morning! Thank you to the many local businesses and individuals who stepped up to make the morning’s raffle (there were more than 60 prizes) and the live auction was hugely successful! </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Funds raised allow RVNAhealth to fulfill its mission of providing a continuum of care when and where it is needed to residents of over 35 Connecticut towns regardless of age, diagnosis, or financial circumstances. Most importantly, it helps the organization make a lasting impact on the lives of those served. Some programs the funds will benefit include providing Well Child Clinics, flu vaccinations, and nursing and rehab care for senior citizens in need of these services. It is truly an inspiring morning and a great way to start the day! </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Once again, photographer Deborah O’Brien captured the morning beautifully! To view additional photos, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Visit RVNAhealth online </span><a href="https://rvnahealth.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://rvnahealth.org/</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> to learn more about this important nonprofit. </span></p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">In attendance this morning were First Selectmen and Mayors (l to r): New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, Roxbury First Selectman Patrick Roy, Bethel First Selectman and RVNAheath Board Member Dan Carter, Ridgefield First Selectperson Rudy Marconi Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, and Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci. They are shown in the photo with RVNAhealth President and CEO Theresa Santoro.</em></p><p>*All images courtesy Deborah O'Brien Photography. Learn more <a href="https://deborahobrien.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://deborahobrien.com/</a></p>
<p>Immaculate High School is proud to present Disney's The Little Mermaid this weekend at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown.</p><p>Three performances are happening "under the sea" this weekend!</p><p>Friday 4/26 at 7pm</p><p>Saturday 4/27 1pm</p><p>Saturday 4/27 7pm</p><p>Tickets can be purchased at <a href="https://ihsfinearts.booktix.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Immaculate High School</a></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It is our pleasure to invite you to join Rock n' Rescue on Wednesday, June 12th for a day of golf, dinner and fun to benefit RnR. The tournament will be held at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury. It will begin at 1pm and will be filled with fun and excitement including contests for all golfers.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After the tournament, players are invited back to Cafe on the Green for a full cocktail hour and dinner where we will have more prizes!</span><span style="color: rgb(117, 117, 117);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don’t golf, come for dinner! Sponsorship opportunities available. Get our earlybird discount: </span><a href="https://bit.ly/49LmRXK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);"><u>https://bit.ly/49LmRXK</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Prizes include:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Swag bags for all</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Weekend golf getaway for 2 people for hole-in-one winner</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Closest to the pin winner</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Longest drive winner</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Beat the pro - par 3 hole</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cocktail Hour and dinner</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Great Silent Auction prizes</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Early bird discount open until May 1</span></p>
<p>Join us Saturday, April 27th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, for the 15th Newtown Earth Day Festival. Held annually, our festival provides a forum for local committees, organizations, and businesses to socialize their efforts, whether eco-initiatives like the Lions Club’s Lose The Litter cleanup, Newtown’s Recycling Center, or products to save you money while staying green.</p><p>New this year will be a hybrid/electric car showcase from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Local dealers and enthusiasts will display their rides and answer questions about tax breaks, fuel savings, and reduced maintenance costs. And let’s not forget about the inner warmth that comes from the environmental benefits of a reduced carbon footprint.</p><p>It’s not all business though! Live music is provided throughout the day on the Earth Day stage, great food is available from the Newtown High School’s Fair Food Project and the Colossal Kielbasa Homestyle Grille food truck. Additionally, we’ll have Sharon Audubon’s Animal Menagerie program to entertain kids of all ages.</p><p>Kicking off the weekend, Newtown Earth Day and Bridgeport’s WPKN will be screening Regenerating Life, a movie about how to cool the planet, feed the world, and live happily ever after. Following the movie, director John Feldman will host a Q&A session.</p><p>The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 25th, at 7:00pm in the Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-screening-of-the-documentary-film-regenerating-life-tickets-871259890787?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent;">Tickets are $10 for adults and $5.00 for students</a>.</p><p>Learn more <a href="https://www.newtownearthday.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.newtownearthday.org/</a></p>
<h2><a href="https://reddingctlandtrust.org/calendar/2024/5/7/regenerative-farming-eat-better-save-the-planet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit; background-color: transparent;">Regenerative Farming — Eat Better, Save the Planet</a></h2><ul><li>Tuesday, May 7, 2024</li><li>6:30 PM 7:30 PM</li><li>Mark Twain Library <a href="http://maps.google.com/?q=439%20Redding%20Road%20Redding,%20CT,%2006896%20United%20States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.7); background-color: transparent;">(map)</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://marktwainlibrary.org/events/regenerative-farming-eat-better-save-the-planet-in-person/?fbclid=PAAab3zdXiQAaV6o6dLC03wVhyGA2CVVV0dt0U0oK2ho1SQ2XMSfmVHNtZTqA_aem_AS54dnQu9GL_gv4NRjVWg5ZskQp1lbhsG0AseeuiIqGHSsXqO0I3pxTGnwuF_Pd1VaU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(112, 141, 83); background-color: transparent;">Click here to register</a>.</p><p><strong>This program is co-sponsored by Little Meadow Farm of Redding and Redding Land Trust </strong></p><p>What did our planet look like before industrial farms, crowded cities and pollution-emitting factories? How can we reverse the damage to our atmosphere, wildlife populations and health?</p><p><strong>Whitney Freeman</strong> discusses the principles of Regenerative Farming, a conservation and rehabilitation approach to food production. Whitney, owner of Henny Penny Farm in Ridgefield, will discuss ecological methods to grow food and raise livestock, and how this method can be used as medicine for our planet and our bodies.</p><p>Whitney will talk about the integral role that livestock can play in healing soils, which aids in bringing back wildlife to our habitats — and how all of this is tied to producing better food. Learn about Regenerative Farming to find out how to eat better and make better food choices.</p><p><strong><em>This is a hybrid program that will take place both live at the Library, and virtually over Zoom. </em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Our first Edmond Town Hall Gala is right around the corner! There will be fantastic entertainment, food, drinks, wonderful people and some really awesome raffle items to bid on. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Join us on Saturday, May 4th and help raise money to renovate the dressing rooms in our beloved historic theater!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Purchase your tickets </span><a href="https://www.friendsofeth-gala.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.friendsofeth-gala.org/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">Learn more </span><a href="https://www.edmondtownhall.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.edmondtownhall.org/</a></p><p><br></p>
<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The NAMM Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2024 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Awards, a signature program now in its 25th year of recognizing and celebrating school districts and individual schools for their support and commitment to music education and their efforts to ensure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Among the 975 school districts in the country that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education are several in Fairfield County including Danbury, Darien, Bethel, Newtown, Wilton, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, and Norwalk.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Now in its 25th year, the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education program recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to ensure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">According to The NAMM Foundation, “The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education."Learn more about The NAMM Foundation</span><a href="https://www.nammfoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </a><a href="https://www.nammfoundation.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">https://www.nammfoundation.org/</a></p>