Honoring Community Heroes

flag
June 10, 2022
The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club kicked-off its first annual “Flags for Heroes” event on Memorial Day Weekend. The stunning visual presentation gives us an opportunity to honor and thank our community's heroes.

Flags will be flown through June 15th on the Shelton Riverwalk.
Heroes may be veterans, current service members, first responders, teachers, coaches, essential workers, or family members. Heroes may also be single moms or dads, special grandparents, and even neighbors.

I hope you will consider joining me tomorrow, June 11, for the moving ceremony from 11AM - 2PM at the Riverwalk. If you can't make it to the ceremony, I recommend heading down to see the over 200 flags before they're taken down on the 15th.
 
CT Open House Day
This is Saturday is Connecticut Open House Day!

Residents and families across the state can enjoy more than 200 museums, arts and cultural venues, historical sites, farms and restaurants, with free or discounted admission or special offers.

Click the buttons below to access this year's lineup for New Haven County and the rest of the state.
New Haven County Events
Statewide Events
 
Roadwork in Orange & Woodbridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that it will begin a milling and resurfacing project on Route 114 in Orange and Woodbridge beginning next week.

The project is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 16, and run through Thursday, July 14.

No work will be performed on 4th of July Weekend.

Lane Closure Info:

  • Expect lane closures on Route 114 from Muirfield Road to Sun Brook Road
  • The work schedule is Sunday - Friday from 7:00PM - 5:30AM
  • Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone
 
Free Transportation to CT Beaches & Parks
It is now easier than ever to visit a Connecticut State Park!

ParkConneCT, a transportation service that offers

FREE buses to Connecticut beaches and state parks, is now open for the summer season. This expanded service will run through Labor Day. ParkConneCT makes our state parks and beaches more accessible, ensuring that all residents will be able to enjoy Connecticut's beautiful outdoor offerings.
The following parks are included in the ParkConneCT program: 
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison)
  • Silver Sands State Park (Milford)
  • Fort Trumbull State Park (New London)
  • Sleeping Giant State Park (Hamden)
  • Sherwood Island State Park (Westport)
  • Osbornedale State Park (Derby)
  • Indian Well State Park (Shelton)

As a reminder, all statewide buses will continue to operate without fare collection until December 1st, 2022. If you are looking for a great outdoor activity during the summer months, I encourage you to take advantage of the free ParkConneCT buses.

For more information on the program, including a schedule, please click here.
 
Orange Bicentennial Celebrations
Don't forget, the Orange Bicentennial Summer of Celebration is well underway! Check out the links below for Upcoming Events:

On Saturday, June 25 at 2PM, the Town will hold its Bicentennial Parade! The rain date set for the Parade is Sunday, June 26 at 2PM.
 
Beekeeping in Woodbridge
Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge will host a beekeeping workshop tomorrow, June 11, for the entire family!

From 9AM - 10AM the farm will host a workshop that will take individuals through various steps of backyard beekeeping, from hive assembly and bee introduction to detecting disease and preparing the hive for winter. Class size is limited to 30, so please click here to RSVP.
 
Bulk Pick-Up in Derby
The City of Derby sent out a reminder that Derby residents are allowed two bulk pick-ups each calendar year at no cost.

Appointments may be made by emailing derbybulkpickups@citycart.net or by calling (203) 736-1464 if you do not have a computer.

Please visit the city's website for more details.
 
In The News

I had the privilege of talking with New York Times Reporter, Ellen Barry, about not only our groundbreaking children's mental health legislation, but also how parents', students' and teachers' needs weren't being heard. I was happy to offer her resources and background on all of our work in the Committee on Children to ultimately draft this nation-leading initiative.
 
What Does Our Community Need?
TEAM, Inc. is working on there annual Community Needs Assessment and wants to hear from you!

Residents of Derby, Orange and Woodbridge are asked to take this short survey, which will clarify what resources we need in the community to better provide for residents like you. The group is hoping to receive responses by mid-June, so if you are willing, please click or scan the QR code below to take the survey.
 
Aid for Ukraine
As we continue to watch the horrifying and saddening conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I wanted to remind you all that we do not have to sit back helplessly, there are ways we can offer aid and support to the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

Fellow community member, Olena Lennon, provided us with this list of legitimate donation sites for aid to the Ukrainian community.

Click here to help volunteer to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn more about projects helping Ukraine.

Click here to support funding to cover administrative costs to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn how to help Ukrainians.

Our community, state and country all stand with the innocent citizens of Ukraine and we will continue to do all we can to offer support while actively trying to deescalate conflict.