The Fiddler’s Brawl will celebrate its 29th anniversary on Thursday, March 2, at Whitlock’s.
Hosted the first Thursday of every month by bandleaders Billy Michael and Howie (Bujese) Carlough, the Brawl has delighted attendees of all ages during that 29-year span. Featuring some of the area’s most talented string players, the monthly event attracts loyal and enthusiastic locals, as well as out-of-towners.
The local establishments have varied over the years have included the Putnam House, One Front Street (now The Notch), Molly Darcy, Redding Roadhouse, and Whitlock’s, the Brawl’s home base.
The players also vary each month, but the core group has kept the Brawl going with the dozens of performers over the years. Twenty-nine years ago, the lineup was master fiddlers Howie Bujese, Bob Christopher, Larry Deming, and Steve Negri, all orbiting around Billy Michael on guitar. Since then, Tim Cole on mandolin, Kathy Jones on fiddle, Julie Sorcek on flute and Chuck Pomeroy on bass have joined.
Reservations are suggested by calling Whitlock’s at 203-791-2707
Bethel
Volunteer firefighters’ campaign supports AED for sports complex
The Bethel and Stony Hill volunteer fire departments are encouraging residents to purchase and install a blue reflective address marker — with proceeds going toward the purchase of an automated external defibrillator for the school sports complex.
As of Feb. 19, the departments were 50 signs away from meeting their fundraising goal.
The fire departments have been campaigning for two years for residents to install these address markers, which make identifying a home in an emergency much easier for first responders. The sales also benefited the fire departments.
In an effort to get more signs around town, the departments announced a fundraising campaign in January as a special goal. Between both departments, they set a goal to sell 500 signs (250 by each department), with all of the profits (about $4 per sign) going toward a fund to purchase an all-weather AED housing, along with an AED, to install at the Bethel school sports complex.
The unit costs $2,000, and would make an AED available to the general public 24/7. It would be placed in a locked box that uses a pin code that a 911 dispatcher can give a caller in an emergency.
A couple weeks into the campaign, Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills went into cardiac arrest on the field, which showed the important of having an AED available.
Since the Hamlin incident, the sports boosters in town agreed to buy a second unit for the lower sports fields. And in February, Newtown Savings Bank has offered to match all funds raised up to $1,000.
As of Feb. 19, 122 signs were sold, which is $610 raised, along with $105 in direct donations. That $715 will be matched by Newtown Savings Bank, putting the departments at $1,430. That’s about $500 shy of the goal.
Orders can be placed at www.bvfdinc.com and www.stonyhillfiredepartment.com
Danbury
CT Master Chorale plans for Spring Concert
The Connecticut Master Chorale, under the direction of founder Tina Johns Heidrich, will present its Spring Concert on Sunday, March 5, at the First Congregational Church of Danbury at 164 Deer Hill Ave.
The concert will feature Dave Brubeck’s “To Hope! A Celebration.” This concert was originally planned for 2020, in honor of 100th anniversary of Brubeck’s birth.
Also on the program is “I’m Gonna Sing!” an exciting and innovative collection of spirituals by Andre Thomas, the master of spiritual writing.
The Chorale will be accompanied by the Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra and Joseph Jacovino on piano, and joined by mezzo-soprano Wendy Gerbier and tenor Marques Hollie.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets are available from any singing member, by calling 203-740-9533 or sending an email to info@cmchorale.org
For more information, visit www.cmchorale.org.
Brookfield
Artists to perform Beethoven, Debussy
The Valley Concert Series has announced its next concert, “Great Music, Made Anew,” at Valley Presbyterian Church in at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5.
The program features Beethoven’s “String Quartet No. 16 in F, Op. 135” and Debussy’s “String Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10.” The concert is free and open to the public.
The performing artists include violist Ronald Carbone; violinist Sander Strenger; cellist Robert La Rue; and violinist Yevgenia Strenger.
The mission of the Valley Music Series is to empower goodwill and understanding within the community by offering free concerts featuring artists from communities near and far. Parking is free and the building is wheelchair accessible. The doors will open at 2:30.
For information, visit www.valleypresct.org/valley-music-series.html or call 203-775-2624.
Danbury
Free home cleanup available for seniors, veterans
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush with Kindness program is offering senior and veteran homeowners on fixed incomes free yard clean up services this spring.
Eligible homeowners are invited to apply for the program.
Brush with Kindness is a free volunteer-based program that available to homeowners in upper Fairfield County and lower Litchfield County. Repairing exterior stairs, replacing rotted boards, exterior painting and yard work are among the types of work performed.
To apply or to schedule an in-home consultation, email: info@housatonichabitat.org or call 203-744-1340. Rehab centers, senior-oriented service organizations and veteran programs are encouraged to call for more information.
Housatonic Habitat is also looking for donations of material to be used on projects, including tools and more. Volunteers are also needed. Visit housatonichabitat.org for more information.
Danbury
Alzheimer’s Disease presentation to be held
A presentation on the “Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease,” as defined by the Alzheimer’s Association, will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 6 at Elmwood Hall Danbury Senior Center.
This event is sponsored by the Danbury Commission on Aging. Call Elmwood Hall at 203 797 4686 to sign up.
Danbury
Job fair to be held at Danbury Fair mall
The Spring 2023 Greater Danbury Job Fair, sponsored by the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board and the Western Connecticut State University Career Success Center, will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at the Center Court of the Danbury Fair mall at 7 Backus Ave.
Employers interested in attending should email the Greater Danbury Chamber at info@danburychamber.com or the WCSU Career Success Center at careersuccess@wcsu.edu as space is limited. All businesses and industries are welcome, and participation is free for companies looking to hire.
The career fair is free to job seekers, who should dress for success and bring multiple copies of their resume.
A list of participating employers to-date can be found at www.wcsu.edu/careersuccess/career-fair/. About 90 employers are registered and ready to hire.
Danbury
‘Tastes of Danbury’ to dish up dining deals
CityCenter Danbury is bringing back a “new and improved” version of “Tastes of Danbury” for the month of March.
For only $25, participants will enjoy four different meals at establishments in the downtown area. To purchase tickets and for more details, visit https://citycenterdanbury.com/event/tastes-of-danbury-march-2023
Kent
Kent Art Association honors student artists
The Kent Art Association has announced the winners at its 31st Student Art Show.
The “Connie Horton Award of Excellence” went to Lucy Sanchez from The Frederick Gunn School for her metal work jewelry.
This Best of Show award is named in honor of Connie Horton, KAA past president and lifelong art teacher who died last year.
Best of School awards went to Leila Pongracz from Marvelwood School, Emily Iorio from The Hotchkiss School, Ishbel Craig from Forman School, Adam Hock from Housatonic Regional High School, Lucas De Pedro Sanchez from South Kent School, Carrie McGuinness from Kent School and Taryn Redl from Millbrook High School.
New Milford
Rotary Club to hold document-shredding event
By popular demand, the New Milford Rotary Club will hold a Community Document Shredding Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Pettibone Community Center, 2 Pickett District Road.
No appointment is necessary, and there is no limit on the number of boxes. The event is open to residents and businesses from any town.
The shredding is done, while you watch, by a mobile on-site document destruction process. All shredded materials will be recycled.
The cost is $10 per standard copy paper-type box. All money collected will be donated by the New Milford Rotary Club to support community projects and scholarships.
For more information, or if you have a large number of boxes, call 860-866-7141, email shredfest@nmrotary.org or visit www.nmrotary.org.
Newtown
Garden Club offers presentation on spring wildflowers
Naturalists Barbara and Peter Rzasa will provide a PowerPoint presentation highlighting some of their favorite native spring wildflowers at the Feb. 28 meeting of the Garden Club of Newtown, to be held at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library at 1 p.m.
Hepatica, wood anemone, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, trillium, trout lily, lady-slipper, May apple and wild ginger will be described in the presentation. Uncommon flowers such as early saxifrage, pink corydalis, bird’s-foot violet and cuckoo flower will also be highlighted.Stories and flower folklore of our native spring wildflowers will be shared.
Barbara and Peter Rzasa are nature photographers who provide presentations on trees, plants and wildflowers, with the goal of encouraging people to look more closely at the wonders of our natural world.
Washington
Students invited to submit poetry, prose for writing celebration
ASAP! is accepting submissions for its 18th annual Celebration of Young Writers.
Public, private and homeschooled students from across Connecticut are invited to submit poetry and prose for the chance to work with an orator and read their piece in front of a live audience.
This year’s top selected writers will present at the Spring Hill Arts Gathering on Friday, June 23, in New Preston.
The annual Celebration of Young Writers empowers students to share their love of writing with the world, and is inspired by ASAP!’s objective to foster children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. It was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary, and Susanna Salk.
Submissions are due April 3. For more information and to submit, visit asapct.org/celebration-of-young-writers.
