Western Elementary School reading consultant Debbie Maskuc, left, pours chocolate sauce on ice cream for Moe Shira and his daughter, Lilly, 4, Feb. 4 at the school during an ice cream social to raise money for second-grader Olivia Thompson, who had underwent heart transplant surgery in November. The ice cream social drew over 200 people and raised more than $400 for Thompson and her family, Western Principal Brenda Goodrich said. –LUKE MARSHALL
Ion Insurance Corp. recently presented Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. with a check for $755, which was raised from their Quotes for a Cause program. Pictured, from left, Acts 4 Ministry Executive Director Sarah DiMeo-Carabetta, Acts 4 Ministry Board Chairwoman Ellen Rogers and President and CEO of Ion Insurance David Drescher. –CONTRIBUTED
Sophia Deown, 8, of Naugatuck makes a meatball muffin a cooking class run by the Naugatuck Parks and Recreation Department Jan. 21. –LUKE MARSHALL
Western Elementary School third grader Emma Jackson, right, takes an ice cream as computer teacher Lindsay Swiatek, left, and physical education teacher Lauren Warren scoop out servings Feb. 4 at the school during an ice cream social to raise money for second-grader Olivia Thompson, who had underwent heart transplant surgery in November. The ice cream social drew over 200 people and raised more than $400 for Thompson and her family, Western Principal Brenda Goodrich said. –LUKE MARSHALL
Brayden Blake, 5, left, and Jayden Wood, 8, both of Naugatuck, make meatball muffins during a cooking class run by the Naugatuck Parks and Recreation Department Jan. 21. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck Woman’s Club President Laura Smith, second from the left, presents a check to Betty Proulx to help pay to renovate the bathroom in the home of Proulx’s granddaughter, Kaley Langzettel, who has RETT syndrome, to make it more accessible. Pictured with Smith and Proulx are club member Mary Santos, left, and club Treasurer Beverly Hudson. –CONTRIBUTED
Local officers and state troopers were honored recently at the Connecticut State Police Awards. State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89), center, ranking member of the legislature’s Public Safety Committee, was on hand to congratulate the winners. Pictured, from left, Trooper Benjamin Kores from Troop I (medal for lifesaving), Troop I Commander Lt. Kelly, Zupkus, Beacon Falls police Officer Caroline O’Bar and Prospect Resident State Trooper Matthew Comeau (medal for lifesaving). –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck Historical Society member Ron Gagliardi portrays a town crier during a presentation on the story of Chauncey Judd to seventh-grade social studies students at City Hill Middle School in January. Social studies teacher Annette Caselli coordinated the presentation with members of the Naugatuck Historical Society, including Bridget Mariano, Wendy Murphy, Sandra Clark, Budd Cushman and Gagliardi. Students played the parts of the characters and afterward asked questions about the event. -DIANE GAGLIARDI
Liberty Bank celebrated a grand re-opening at its Naugatuck branch at 333 Church St. Jan. 26. Liberty Bank acquired Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan, in January. The bank distributed $25,000 to local nonprofits, including United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, Naugatuck Adult Education, Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation, Naugatuck Partnership for Children and Naugatuck YMCA, at the re-opening. Pictured, from left, Liberty Bank President and CEO Chandler J. Howard, Naugatuck Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Ron Pugliese, Liberty Bank Chairman of the Board Mark Gingras, Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bielik, Naugatuck Mayor Warren Hess, state Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) and Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary. –CONTRIBUTED
Lisa Hossein, left, talks with her daughter, Ava, 3, Feb. 4 at Western Elementary School during an ice cream social to raise money for second-grader Olivia Thompson, who had underwent heart transplant surgery in November. The ice cream social drew over 200 people and raised more than $400 for Thompson and her family, Western Principal Brenda Goodrich said. –LUKE MARSHALL
Jayden Wood, 8, of Naugatuck makes a meatball muffin a cooking class run by the Naugatuck Parks and Recreation Department Jan. 21. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck High School DECA officers Alanna Readel and Amanda Rinaldi visited the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill in January as part of their public relations project to increase awareness of the issue of U.S. veteran homelessness. Pictured, from left, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator Chuck Leone, a veteran who lives at the Rocky Hill residential facility, Rinaldi, Readel and Director of Residential Programs and Services Maria Cheney. –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck High School DECA officers Amanda Rinaldi, left, and Alanna Readel present information on the issue of veteran homelessness to an audience at the Whittemore Library in Naugatuck Jan. 27. The presentation was part of a public relations project Rinaldi and Readel are working on for the state DECA competition. Rinaldi and Readel are also selling “House A Vet” bracelets in conjunction with the Naugatuck Exchange Club. The bracelets are $5 each and all proceeds are going to a program dedicated to housing homeless veterans. To help veterans with a donation or for more information, contact DECA advisor Tim Reilly at reillyt@naugy.net or (203) 232-0725. –LUKE MARSHALL
