Santa visited the Horgan Academy of Irish Dance in Naugatuck on Dec. 9. Dancers performed traditional Irish dances for Santa and enjoyed dinner with their families and friends. Pictured, from left, Irish dance teacher Maureen Horgan, Santa, dancer Leah. -CONTRIBUTED
The Kid Kicks program at USA Martial Arts in Naugatuck held a karate grading Nov. 26 The students demonstrated skills in sparring, forms, kicking, board breaking, rolls and break falls. Pictured, first row, Sabrina DaSilva, Nico Albanese, and Nina Peterson. Second row, Emily Labracque, Shayla Cummings, and Ean Rupwani. Third row, Liz Recce, Justin Oliver, Noah Oliver, Karli Butcher, Lauren Mulinski, and Nathaniel Smith. -CONTRIBUTED
Raymond Mercure of Naugatuck was presented with an invitation to grade to 2nd Dan Black belt during a karate grading Nov. 29 at USA Martial Arts. Mercure demonstrated black belt skills in sparring, forms, one-step self defense, black belt kicks, board breaking, an Asian weapons form, rolls and break falls. His 2nd Dan graduation will be held in February. -CONTRIBUTED
Boy Scout Christopher Giaquinto of Troop 104 in Beacon Falls, left, is presented a proclamation from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Dec. 2 at which Giaquinto earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, Giaquinto planned, organized, and facilitated a troop drive to send care packages to military personnel. He raised $1,933 and sent 112 care packages, surpassing his goal of 40 care boxes. Also in attendance at the Court of Honor was State. Rep. Len Greene Jr. (R-105). -CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck Savings Bank recently hired Valerie Arch as a cash management specialist. –CONTRIBUTED
A group of seven local women, Heather Lally, Krista DeRosa, Dena Cassidy, Annabelle Maia, Holly Burton, Jackie Flynn, and Mary Halloran (not pictured) went to Rockaway Beach in Queens, N.Y., in November to help clean up from Superstorm Sandy and bring donations. The effort was initiated by Flynn, who owns Balanced Body Chiropractic Center in Naugatuck. The group was able to bring about $500 worth of supplies, which were donated by the community. -CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck High School student Alex Hernandez plays the piano and sings during the Crossing the Line program Dec. 12 at the school. The program, which features skits, dances, and videos, teaches students an anti-bullying message and gives students a place to voice their thoughts and stories about being bullied. The program was the brainchild of Naugatuck High seniors Mason Cabanas and Chelsea Maza.-LUKE MARSHALL
Hunter Bernier, 7, of Beacon Falls gazes into a holiday display during a visit to the Naugatuck Park and Recreation Department’s Santa’s Village Dec. 14.-LUKE MARSHALL
Air Force Airman Stacey Alfes recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Alfes, a 2007 graduate of Woodland Regional High School, is the daughter of Joyce Alfes of Prospect. -CONTRIBUTED
Don Bragg, left, Bob Moraniec, Doug Merriman, and Walter Shea, all from American Legion Post 194 in Prospect, lay a wreath at the foot of the town’s war memorial Dec. 7 to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. -CONTRIBUTED
