Stories
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Derrick Crivelli burst onto the ski scene at the age of three when he started skiing at Thunder Ridge in Patterson. He has climbed the ranks ever since. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Last weekend, as an eighth grader at Wells Middle School he represented Brewster Central School District at States in Giant Slalom and Slalom. At States, he helped his team, Section 1, to win gold and proved he has but one direction to go-up.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I worked so hard to train this season. Even though I knew based on my times during league races, I might make it to States,” he said, “it was still a shocker. Usually, kids make it when they are juniors and seniors in high school, so I was really happy to make it as an eighth grader.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Varsity Ski Coach Kirsten Rusinko, attended States with Crivelli said, </span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">"Derrick has worked extremely hard this season. Every practice Derrick would go above and beyond to better his skiing, yet always made time to assist his teammates. Qualifying for States as an 8th grader, on its own, is a challenging feat. Placing 14th in Giant Slalom and 21st in Slalom is beyond impressive. I am excited to see what Derrick's future holds."</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Crivelli not only finished in the top 30 at States but was a contender for skimeister or top overall skier. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Although his parents grew up in the city and did not grow up skiing, Crivelli and his two siblings are all top skiers.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“My brother made it to States as a ninth grader and my sister made it as a junior,” he said.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How was it being at States? </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“It was really exciting. We were on the bus by 6:30 am and spent the entire day on the mountain. I was on the chair lift and looked over at skiers I really respect. I competed against top skiers. I got a glimpse of what it’s going to be like in high school. And the neat thing was my dad, Paul Crivelli, who is the coach at John Jay High School, was our Section 1 coach, so he was my coach for States.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But Crivelli and his siblings could not have done it alone. It is their parents who drive three hours for the training they now do at West Mountain in Queensbury New York every weekend for ski school and intensive training.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“They are really the reason all this is possible. They drive me every week. I am really grateful to have such amazing parents.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What’s next for Crivelli?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I want to represent Brewster High School next year at States, follow my brother as a semi-professional, and see what happens next!”</span></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Butter churning and cider making; furniture graining and stenciling; candle making and creating whirly-gig toys are just a few of the hands-on learning experiences in which C.V. Starr 4th graders</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> became apprentices for the day to gain an appreciation for how challenging life was for Colonists.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The Colonial Fair began in 2001 with a generous grant from the Brewster Education Foundation and has been going strong ever since. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">The day is the culmination of the fourth grade’s study of New York state history which started with a unit on Native Americans and ended with the Colonists. </span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Students learn that the Colonial era is a time in New York’s history when European explorers traveled in search of a new life and settled in and around Brewster and often worked with, and learned from, the Native Americans to build homes and use resources to survive. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Last week, 4th graders welcomed Deborah Oswald from the Southeast Museum to kick off the social studies unit. Oswald brought replicas of artifacts, such as clothing and games. She also discussed how different and difficult life was for African Americans during this period. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Today students dressed the part in Prairie dresses, Colonial soldiers’ uniforms, tricorn hats and wigs and learned typical trades.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Good day lads and lasses,” said Master Craftswoman Michelle Marzziotti, “welcome to our furniture shop where we will be making treasure boxes.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Down the hallway in Michelle Maselli’s classroom, students were apprentices and making candles.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Do you know what the Colonists would have used to make wicks?” asked Maselli.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Horse hair and tall reeds,” said Tatiana.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">In Danielle Recine’s classroom, students were meticulously dabbing paint onto stencils on wooden boards.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Colonists used stencils to make designs on the walls like wallpaper,” said Ben Berish,”When the Colonists came to the New World, they thought it was going to be easy, but life was hard. They had to make everything themselves. They had to make their own furniture, wallpaper, and candles. They did get help from the Native Americans who taught them how to harvest and make medications. But it was hard. There wasn’t a lot of free time.”</span></p>
<p><strong>PCDOH Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic - March 2025</strong></p><p>Attention Putnam residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 22nd from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the clinic is being held at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park (Upper Park), 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, and is open to all Putnam County residents.</p><p>Please bring a photo ID as proof of Putnam County residency, as well as proof of prior rabies vaccination. Tags are not acceptable. If you do not have proof of prior rabies vaccination, your pet will receive a one-year rabies vaccine. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old. All dogs must be leashed and controlled. Any dog that may become aggressive must be muzzled. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers, top-loading carriers preferred, no harnesses. <strong>All animals must be supervised by an adult. For the comfort and safety of the animals, social distancing and bringing a minimum number of people are suggested.</strong></p><p>For more information and directions, please call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43160.</p><p> </p>
<p>The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County. Classes will be held in person on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Department of Health, beginning March 10, through April 21, with an extra class on Thursday, April 3.</p><p>The program will be at no cost to the participants, and they will be supplied with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as long as the supply lasts. Pre-registration is required. Class size will be limited.</p><p>Register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-from-smoking-program-smoking-cessation-registration-1226391101799?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>For questions call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43155.</p>
<p>The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County. Classes will be held in person on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Department of Health, beginning March 10, through April 21, with an extra class on Thursday, April 3.</p><p>The program will be at no cost to the participants, and they will be supplied with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as long as the supply lasts. Pre-registration is required. Class size will be limited.</p><p>Register at <a href="https://pcdohfreedomfromsmoking2025.eventbrite.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">https://PCDOHFreedomFromSmoking2025.eventbrite.com</a></p><p>For questions call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43155.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">In 2025, The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE) will commemorate its 50th anniversary with events and initiatives designed to honor its history, engage the community, and inspire continued action. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The year-long celebration will begin with the Annual Dinner on April 11, 2025, at the Amber Room Colonnade, a special evening of reflection, gratitude, and hope—recognizing the visionaries, staff, volunteers, donors, and community members who have made this work possible. Be part of this milestone anniversary </span><a href="https://e.givesmart.com/events/Fu2/?isOrderFormActive=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">here</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Fifty years ago, Alice Chapman, Mary Elizabeth Corso, and Bonnie Law saw a need in their community and took action. From a simple gathering in a kitchen, they built a movement—one that has provided safety, support, and empowerment to countless individuals. What began as The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury in 1975 has since evolved into The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE), a place of hope for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Today, CEE remains a lifeline for those in crisis, offering 24/7 confidential services at no cost. Each year, over 22,000 individuals receive support through crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and emergency shelter. CEE also works to prevent interpersonal violence through education and outreach, creating a ripple effect of awareness and change. In 2024 The Center had 2900 clients from Ridgefield. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">As CEE looks ahead, its mission remains clear: to build a future where every person is treated with dignity and respect, free from the threat of violence.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Join us in this journey. Learn more and get involved at</span><a href="https://thecenterct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"> thecenterct.org</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Please attend our dinner to learn about CEE or donate to help us continue our mission by clicking </span><a href="https://e.givesmart.com/events/Fu2/?isOrderFormActive=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">here</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><br></p>
<p>The Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) is thrilled to return to the Puppy Bowl for the seventh year, with three adorable puppies—Sprinkle, Zoe, and Marigold—competing in the big game!</p><p>Puppy Bowl XXI will be the largest yet, featuring 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across the country. This fun and heartwarming event raises awareness about pet adoption and showcases the incredible work of shelters like DAWS.</p><p>Be sure to cheer on the DAWS Puppy Bowl players on <strong>Sunday, February 9, at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT on Animal Planet</strong>. Will <strong>Team Ruff</strong> or <strong>Team Fluff</strong> take home the coveted "Lombarky" trophy? Tune in to find out and celebrate the power of rescue! <a href="https://www.animalplanet.com/?xp=sistersite" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watch here</a>.</p><p><strong>Support DAWS and Our Puppy Program</strong></p><p>DAWS works tirelessly to save and rehome animals, with over 1,000 lives saved last year alone. Sponsorship opportunities are available to help cover the costs of our puppy program and participation in this annual tradition.</p><p><strong>Learn more about DAWS and our Puppy Bowl journey:</strong> <a href="https://daws.org/dawspuppybowl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://daws.org/dawspuppybowl/</a></p><p><strong>Make a donation to support our mission:</strong> <a href="https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/danbury-animal-welfare-society/puppy-bowl-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donate here</a></p><p>Join us in celebrating these incredible pups and the joy of rescue!</p>