<p>Lauralton Hall will host <em>Christmas in the Mansion</em> on Sunday, December 8, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at 200 High Street, Milford, CT. Admission is $10 at the door, and children ages 12 and younger are free of charge.</p><p>At <em>Christmas in the Mansion</em>, visitors are invited to tour the school's decorated Victorian Gothic mansion built in 1864, shop for holiday gifts from among more than 65 vendors offering items ranging from handcrafted goods and modernized vintage jewelry to designer fashions and upcycled decorative pieces. Guests can also visit the crèche in Lauralton's century-old chapel in Mercy Hall, bring children to see Santa in his workshop, and enjoy crafts facilitated by Lauralton student "elves." Be sure to bring your camera to capture a photo with Santa.</p><p>Visitors can also view curated displays of student artwork along with additional special collections on loan from Friends of Lauralton. This year’s event features guest author Michael C. Dooling, an archivist, former news librarian, and author of works including <em>Milford Lost and Found</em>.</p><p>For those who want to shop early, a reservation-only Preview Party will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. The party includes hors d'oeuvres, a light dinner buffet, dessert, libations, Christmas music, and much more. For details and to purchase Preview Party tickets, visit <a href="http://www.lauraltonhall.org/christmas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lauraltonhall.org/christmas</a>.</p><p>"For more than 20 years, Lauralton has welcomed the greater community for <em>Christmas in the Mansion</em>," said Lauralton Hall Director of Advancement Kathleen Donahue ‘80. "We are delighted to welcome the community to Lauralton as they enjoy many beloved time-honored traditions. We look forward to sharing Christmas cheer and hospitality as our campus is transformed into a showcase of the season, decorated in classic Christmas colors to match this year’s theme of <em>Deck the Halls</em>.”</p><p>All profits from <em>Christmas in the Mansion</em> support educational programming and scholarship opportunities for our students.</p><p>For more information or to purchase tickets to the Preview Party, visit <a href="http://www.lauraltonhall.org/christmas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.lauraltonhall.org/christmas</a>. For questions, email Christmas@lauraltonhall.org.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Join us on <strong>Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30 pm</strong> as we welcome back Lauralton Hall Alumna and NYT Times bestselling author Krystal Marquis '05 as she shares her journey to writing her award-winning book series, <em>The Davenports</em>.</p><p><strong>This is a FREE event; please use the link to RSVP:</strong><a href="http://www.lauraltonhall.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> www.lauraltonhall.org/events</strong></a></p><p>___</p><p>*Instant New York Times Bestseller*</p><p>"The perfect read for fans of escapist historical fiction.” —NBC’s TODAY</p><p>The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a not-for-profit, professional theatre company in Milford debuts its new musical, “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz” opening Friday, December 6 at the Milford Arts Council, The MAC on Railroad Avenue in downtown Milford.</p><p>The new musical mash-up by Bert Bernardi and Justin Rugg find Dorothy in Kansas longing for the excitement, friendship and magic of her previous journey to Oz.&nbsp;This time, she travels over the rainbow on a mission to celebrate the holidays and find what she misses most—family. All of Oz’s familiar characters return along with some new ones like the jolly old elf in the red suit! There’s all kinds of unexpected moments, sight gags, jokes and plenty of memorable music.</p><p>“I’ve been obsessed with everything Oz since I first saw the MGM musical as a child,” admits Bernardi. “Bringing Dorothy to Oz at Christmas is fun, exciting and perfectly ‘Pantochino’ he adds. “While the musical has so many funny twists and turns, at the heart of it all is family.”</p><p>The cast includes Pantochino’s core company members Mary Mannix, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Maria Berte, Don Poggio, Valerie Solli,&nbsp;Jimmy Johansmeyer and Rugg. They are joined by Killian Meehan, Chad Celini, Leanne Onofrio, Justin Amaro and Katie Durham. Three young actors join the company for this production, Ella Bedenbaugh, Davis Burke and Brennan Simonelli. The production also features the ‘quintessence of effervescence’ herself, Victoria Sautee.&nbsp;</p><p>The musical features sets by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jakob Kelsey, sound by Tyler Kittleman and Christina Ronquillo will stage manage. The production is sponsored by Berchem Moses PC.&nbsp;</p><p>Pantochino Productions Inc., now it its fifteenth year, is Milford’s ‘ridiculously entertaining’ theatre company for family audiences founded and produced by Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer. In addition to its original musicals, the company presents its popular Summer Theatre Camp series for children, an acclaimed Teen Theatre company, After-school Drama Clubs in area schools, classes, podcasts, and other special events.&nbsp;</p><p>“Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz ” will be performed December 6 - 22 with shows on Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 5:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $35.00. and seating is cabaret-style. Audiences are invited to bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performance. The Milford Arts Council, The MAC is located at 40 Railroad Avenue South on the eastbound side of the Metro-North tracks. Free parking is available in the train station lots at showtime. Further details and tickets are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://pantochino.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pantochino.com</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Milford, CT</strong> – Lauralton Hall is proud to announce its 9th Annual Mary Ann Wasil Daisy Walk, a cherished event held during Pink Week to honor and remember the remarkable legacy of Mary Ann Wasil, founder of the Get In Touch Foundation. Known for her pioneering work in breast health education, Mary Ann launched the Daisy Wheel, an innovative, interactive tool that empowers individuals to perform breast self-exams through eight simple steps.</p><p>This year’s event will feature a keynote address by actress and breast cancer survivor Miranda McKeon. Her personal journey reflects the spirit of this year’s theme: <em>Courage &amp; Faith to Hope &amp; Strength</em>. Following the keynote, participants will gather on the Lauralton Hall track for a celebratory run/walk, bringing the community together in support of breast cancer awareness and education.</p><p>The Mary Ann Wasil Daisy Walk not only honors a beloved advocate but also serves as a rallying point for the Lauralton community to reaffirm their commitment to health education and support for those affected by breast cancer. Lauralton Science Teacher and National Honor Society Moderator Theresa Napolitano shares, “The best legacy for Mary Ann Wasil is her emphasis on early education leading to early detection. We are all part of the solution, and the energy on the field and during Pink Week helps elevate awareness!”</p>

<p>The Lazy .5K Charity “Run” is set for Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 10am to noon at Dockside Brewery 40 Bridgeport Ave in Milford, CT.</p><p>The Lazy .5K Race is a fun, Halloween-themed event to raise funds and awareness for Bridges Healthcare’s community mental health services.&nbsp;Put on your best Halloween costume and join in for games, food and a leisurely .5K stroll to the finish line.&nbsp;Tickets are $35 per person (plus fees) and include 2 drink tickets and light fare after the “race”. Register at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-themed-lazy-5k-charity-run-tickets-976253409227" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-themed-lazy-5k-charity-run-tickets-976253409227</a></p>

<p><strong>Lauralton Hall Varsity Volleyball Team Achieves an Impressive 15-0 Record with 45 Straight Set Victories</strong></p><p><strong>MILFORD, CT</strong> – The Lauralton Hall Varsity Volleyball Team has achieved an outstanding 15-0 record with 45 consecutive set victories this season. The team's unwavering dedication, skill, and teamwork have propelled them to the top of the league standings, leaving a lasting impression on the volleyball community.</p><p>Under the leadership of Head Coach Laura Discenza, the team has showcased exceptional athleticism and strategic prowess on the court. The players' relentless pursuit of excellence has not only led to their success in matches but has also fostered a spirit of unity and sportsmanship that extends beyond the game.</p><p>Coach Discenza shares, “The team is led by a class of eight seniors who have set the tone for the program. Through their hard work and trust in each other, this group has established a new standard for Lauralton Volleyball. These girls bring more than just athletic talent to the team; they have become outstanding leaders in our program. They show our underclassmen how hard work, fun, and a love for the game can combine to produce amazing results. I am so proud to coach them every day.”</p><p>Lauralton’s Athletic Director, Chris Lindwall, credits the team's success to rigorous training, a strong team bond, and their commitment to supporting each other both on and off the court: "Every game is a new challenge, and we face it together."</p><p>The team is eagerly looking forward to their next away game on Thursday, October 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, where they will continue their pursuit of excellence.</p>