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Bethel's Ability Beyond Honors Mental Health Advocates At Autumn Breakfast Bethel's Ability Beyond Honors Mental Health Advocates At Autumn Breakfast
Bethel's Ability Beyond Honors Mental Health Advocates At Autumn Breakfast BETHEL, Conn. -- The Bethel-based Ability Beyond will host its Autumn Breakfast honoring community members who are making a difference in the lives of individuals with mental health challenges on Wednesday, Nov. 15.  The annual event benefiting the mental health services of the nonprofit organization will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Ethan Allen Hotel at 21 Lake Ave. Ext., in Danbury. Funds raised assist men and women living with mental illnesses by helping them find a job and their own home to become part of the community. All proceeds go directly to Ability Beyond programs. This fu…

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by Daily Voice
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From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues
From High School To Real World: Trumbull Program Tackles Autism Issues TRUMBULL, Conn. — Transitioning from high school to college or a job can be a daunting experience for anyone. For someone with autism, the change can be even more overwhelming. Enter Transition Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (TOPS), a first-of-its-kind preparedness program created through a partnership with The Kennedy Center and Fairfield University. Begun this fall, TOPS addresses a multitude of social challenges, independent living skills and self-advocacy for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS). The pilot program is led by the Trumbull-based center and interns an…

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by Meredith Guinness
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Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile' Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile'
Norwalk River Valley Trail Prepares To Make Push For The 'Redding Mile' REDDING, Conn. — The team that is working to complete the Norwalk River Valley Trail is readying its push for the Redding Mile — that town’s first leg of the trail. Stuart Green and David Pattee, the Redding leaders of the NRVT, led a hike on Oct. 28 on the Wilton Loop, a showcase trail for the NRVT.  First Selectman Julia Pemberton and a dozen Redding residents joined the hike. “It’s great to see the growing enthusiasm for the Redding Mile, the first leg of the NRVT in our town," Green said. "We want Redding to become the first equestrian section of the NRVT.” The Redding Mile,…

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by Daily Voice
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Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium
Veterans Day Salute From One Navy Seal To Another At Maritime Aquarium NORWALK, Conn. – Retired Navy Capt. Peter Wikul, a longtime and decorated Navy SEAL, got a kiss from Rasal the harbor seal for Veterans Day during a seal-training demonstration at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk on Saturday. Wikul, a resident Ridgefield, participated in each seal-training demonstration Saturday as part of the aquarium’s Veterans Day Weekend. He assisted aquarists Azzara Oston and Sarah Penfold in the shows for aquarium visitors.  Wikul retired in 2009 after a 39-year Navy career with the honorific title of “Bullfrog 13” as the longest-serving active-duty SEAL.  His roles …

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by Daily Voice
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Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist
Dream Bigger, Says Stamford Singer, Who Doubles As Massage Therapist STAMFORD, Conn. -- Sometimes, the hardest times bring about the greatest achievements.  So it was for Christina Connors who used her years of struggling to make it as a New York City singer/actress into a new album. Now a Greenwich massage therapist who continues to perform on the side, Connors has just released "Dream Bigger: Songs of Hope, Healing, and Inspiration." The album was recorded at Factory Underground in Norwalk and features the music of Composer David Friedman, himself a Norwalk resident. Friedman's work is well-known; he's written songs for Diana Ross, Barry Manilo…

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by Jeanne Muchnick
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92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake 92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake
92-Year-Old Shelton Veteran Returns To The Sky Over Candlewood Lake SHELTON, Conn. -- Paul Hurd, a 92-year old U.S. Army veteran, has always loved flying. During the war, he spent time in Italy, flying in helicopters and even jumping out of them. Now a resident of Crosby Commons Assisted Living in Shelton, Hurd often takes advantage of the different trips offered by the community.  When visiting the Sikorsky Helicopter Museum, he took an interest in aviation and showed delight touching the controls of a grounded copter. Kelly Coppola, recreation director of Crosby Commons, began to think how she could incorporate Hurd's love of flying into a Journey of Drea…

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Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours
Weir Farm National Historic Site Salutes Veterans With Gifts, Tours RIDGEFIELD/WILTON, Conn. — In honor of Veterans Day, Weir Farm National Historic Site will be offering special tours and a gift to all military veterans who visit the park on Saturday, Nov. 11.  The park will be open from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Although the buildings would nornally closed for the season, Weir Farm will be opening up the Visitor Center, Weir House, Weir Studio, and Young Studio to visiting veterans and their families on Saturday.  The Weir Farm staff thanks all veterans for their service. Weir Farm National Historic Site is located at 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton. A National …

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5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen' 5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen'
5-Year-Old Geography Whiz From Stratford Drops In Again To Wow 'Ellen' STRATFORD, Conn. — Nate Seltzer, a 5-year-old whiz kid from Stratford, is becoming a regular of sorts on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”  The pint-sized geography expert will appear on the popular talk show again on Wednesday, Nov. 8.  First, Nate shows off the “Ellen” set he built using LEGOs. And of course, he then blows Ellen away with his talent for geography by identifying city grids from all over the world. (And maybe he had a bit of help with one!)   Ellen also surprises Nate with a life-size LEGO version of himself. If you can't get to a TV, watch Nate's appearance above.  Nate first…

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by Karen Tensa
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UPDATED: Veterans To Commemorate Service, Sacrifice On Nov. 11 In Monroe UPDATED: Veterans To Commemorate Service, Sacrifice On Nov. 11 In Monroe
Updated: Veterans To Commemorate Service, Sacrifice On Nov. 11 In Monroe UPDATED: Due to predicted strong winds and cold temperatures, this ceremony has been moved indoors to the Baptist church across from Stepney Green. MONROE, Conn. — All veterans of war and peacetime service and the public are invited to commemorate Veterans Day on the Stepney Green on Nov. 11. The American Legion posts from Monroe and Easton will hold an 11 a.m. ceremony, including wreath presentations to acknowledge veterans’ contributions and sacrifices. Speakers will include Easton First Selectman Adam Dunsby and Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek. Following the ceremony, veterans and …

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by Meredith Guinness
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Get Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookies After Voting In Bethel, Newtown Get Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookies After Voting In Bethel, Newtown
Get Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookies After Voting In Bethel, Newtown FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — After casting your ballot on Election Day, treat yourself to your favorite Girl Scout Cookies.  Girl Scouts will be out in force on Election Day and through Sunday, Nov. 12, in Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Danbury, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, Newtown, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Shelton, Southport, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull and Wilton. Available cookies will include Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si- dos, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, Girl Scout S’mores, and the gluten-free cookie, Toffee-Tastic. Don’t want to eat Girl Scout Co…

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by Daily Voice
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Former Stamford Attorney Trades Law For Lit With Latest Page-Turner Former Stamford Attorney Trades Law For Lit With Latest Page-Turner
Former Stamford Attorney Trades Law For Lit With Latest Page-Turner STAMFORD, Conn. — When Wendy Walker was a student at Brown University, she snagged a coveted two-year internship at Goldman, Sachs & Co., then headed off to earn her J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center. So it might surprise her classmates to know she’s now… a best-selling novelist. “I took one creative writing course at Brown and I took it pass/fail,” the Stamford resident said with a laugh. “As a lawyer you write a lot, but it was not a passion. “But once I started doing it, I realized I had a lot to say.” This year, Walker is celebrating the release of “Emma In The Night,” her …

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by Meredith Guinness
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Support Surges To Help Family After Death Of UB Baseball Player, 18 Support Surges To Help Family After Death Of UB Baseball Player, 18
Support Surges To Help Family After Death Of UB Baseball Player, 18 BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — After the death of Christopher Flanigan, an 18-year-old freshman and pitcher on the baseball player at the University of Bridgeport, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the community is rallying to help and support his family.  Flanigan, a lifelong resident of Derby, had received an athletic scholarship to attend UB, where he was a pitcher for the Knights. "Chris was one of my old teammates ... He was one of those guys that always seemed to put a smile on my face. Good player, even better kid. He will be sorely missed," said one post at a GoFundMe page started to help his fam…

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