MultimediaSlideshows Community snapshots By mycitizensnews - December 13, 2013 0 147 Prospect hosted its annual Holiday Light Parade on Dec. 8. –LUKE MARSHALL Planetree President Susan Frampton, right, congratulates Griffin Hospital Environmental Services staff member Michael Currie, of Naugatuck, in early October on receiving the Caregiver Award at the 2013 Planetree Annual Conference in Montreal, Canada. The award recognizes commitment to both Planetree and Griffin Hospital’s patient-centered approach to providing care. -CONTRIBUTED The Fox Hill Condo Association recently held its first food drive to benefit the Naugatuck Ecumenical Food Bank. This effort was organized by Harlene Sprei, chairperson of the Fox Hill Food Drive Committee, and Erica Pucci, a board member of the association. Through the generosity of Fox Hill neighbors and employees of the Naugatuck Board of Education, four turkeys and 350 additional food items were collected to aid the food bank’s Thanksgiving effort. The association is planning to run another food drive in December. -CONTRIBUTED Naugatuck’s 10th annual Holiday Kickoff was held Dec. 9 on the Town Green. –LUKE MARSHALL Beacon Hose Company No. 1’s held its annual Tree Lighting and Bonfire Dec. 7. -JEREMY RODORIGO Matthew Fortney, of Naugatuck, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut in New Haven. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Fortney will also serve on the Finance Committee. Fortney is a financial planner with Barnum Financial Group in Shelton. He is chairman of the Naugatuck Education Foundation and sits on the executive boards of the Naugatuck YMCA and Naugatuck Rotary Club. Additionally, he is a member of the finance board for St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Naugatuck and coaches baseball in the Naugatuck Babe Ruth league. ‘We are delighted to have an individual with extensive financial experience serve on our board and Finance Committee. His knowledge of nonprofit board responsibilities along with his commitment to the mission of the VNA/SCC to provide the best services to every patient every day in the comfort of their home will be a positive addition to our board.’ said John Quinn, president and CEO of VNA/SCC, in a press release. -CONTRIBUTED Laurel Ledge School in Beacon Falls celebrated School Spirit Week the week of Nov.25. Staff and students dressed as superheroes on Nov. 25 and farmers on Nov. 26. The week culminated with a pep rally on Nov. 27 as everyone wore their Laurel Ledge T-shirts to celebrate the ways everyone shows respect as part of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support framework. -CONTRIBUTED Seven members of the Special Needs Division from USA Martial Arts in Naugatuck performed well and took home gold at a competition Nov. 10 hosted by Cheezic Tang Soo Do at the Waterbury Athletic Center. The form was for board breaking and traditional forms. Pictured, from left, Joseph Grouse, Jimmy Leonetti, Hannah Durivage, Matthew Macchio, Michelle Bernardini and Chris Crane. Not pictured, Nate Peterkin. -CONTRIBUTED Naugatuck residents Makayla Teixeira and Frank Ruela received the Youth Referee of the Year award from Naugatuck Youth Soccer at its annual ceremony held Nov. 23 at City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck. -CONTRIBUTED Naugatuck’s 10th annual Holiday Kickoff was held Dec. 9 on the Town Green. –LUKE MARSHALL The Naugatuck Senior Center hosted its annual Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 5. –LUKE MARSHALL Dr. Steven Aronin, chief of the Infectious Disease Section and hospital epidemiologist at Waterbury Hospital, has been elected a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The fellowship is intended to honor individuals in the field who have achieved professional excellence and who have provided significant service to the profession. Aronin, a Naugatuck resident, has been at Waterbury Hospital since 1997. ‘We are proud of Dr. Aronin’s achievements over the many years he has been with us,’ said Darlene Stromstad, president and CEO of Waterbury Hospital, in a press release. ‘This most recent appointment is among the most honorable that one can receive, since it is one bestowed by his peers. We are honored to see that Dr. Aronin’s fellow infectious disease colleagues across the country recognize and value his contributions as much as we do.’ -CONTRIBUTED Beacon Hose Company No. 1’s held its annual Tree Lighting and Bonfire Dec. 7. -JEREMY RODORIGO Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Ryan Pesce recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Pesce completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Pesce, a 2007 graduate Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, is the son of Amy Davis of Prospect and grandson of Joseph Pesce of Naugatuck. -CONTRIBUTED Prospect hosted its annual Holiday Light Parade on Dec. 8. –LUKE MARSHALL Beacon Hose Company No. 1’s held its annual Tree Lighting and Bonfire Dec. 7. -JEREMY RODORIGO Prospect hosted its annual Holiday Light Parade on Dec. 8. –LUKE MARSHALL Naugatuck’s 10th annual Holiday Kickoff was held Dec. 9 on the Town Green. –LUKE MARSHALL The Naugatuck Senior Center hosted its annual Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 5. –LUKE MARSHALL Seven members of the Special Needs Division from USA Martial Arts in Naugatuck performed well and took home gold at a competition Nov. 10 hosted by Cheezic Tang Soo Do at the Waterbury Athletic Center. The form was for board breaking and traditional forms. Pictured, from left, Joseph Grouse, Jimmy Leonetti, Hannah Durivage, Matthew Macchio, Michelle Bernardini and Chris Crane. Not pictured, Nate Peterkin. -CONTRIBUTED