Contents SUMMER 2019 ISSUE #19
MAGAZINE
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Annemarie F. Sliby, Executive Director Orange Economic Development Corporation
Editor
Mary Bialy Orange Economic Development Corporation
Contributing Writers
Carolina Amore, Kathy Bauer, Alyssa Davanzo, Carrie Ehorn, Kimberly Kick, Shaileen Kelly Landsberg, Christopher Miller, Kara Murray, Marion Rizzo, Karen Singer, MacKenzie Stuart, Sue Vigorito
Contributing Photographers
Linda Bradford, Inma Medina, Jennifer Higham Real Estate Photography, Sarah Kasuba Muratore, Susan Robinson, Paula Severino, Stony Creek Urgent Care, Mai Wu, Website: Fotolia.com
Advertisement & Graphic Artist Paula Severino
Design & Production
Dale J Pavlik | DJP Design LLC | djpdesignllc.com
Printing
LSC Communications, Inc., Chicago, IL
OrangeLife Magazine
is distributed semi-annually by the:
Orange Economic Development Corporation 605A Orange Center Road Orange, CT 06477 203-891-1045 www.OrangeLife.net | OrangeEDC.com
To Advertise
Rates are listed on www.OrangeLife.net. Contact us at (203) 891-1045 or email mary@orangeEDC.com
Submit Photos and Ideas
To be considered for photographs for our cover (seasonal) and ideas for articles featuring the people and business community of Orange, submit to: asliby@OrangeEDC.com.
On the Cover
The cows of Shamrock Farm grazing in the field. Shamrock Farm participates in the Orange Community Farmers’ Market. See Farm Market story on Page 51.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the OEDC. The OEDC shall not be held liable for typographical errors or errors in the publication or for failure to publish an advertisement. For more information, email asliby@OrangeEDC.com. 4
| MEET THE ORANGELIFE TEAM
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THE HILTON HOMEWOOD SUITES Rejuvenation Awaits You JOHN APICELLA From Business Owner to Famed Writer RENEE’S RESALE Where You Can Make Your Fabulous Happen KELLY MARCHETTI GRASSO Writer, Humanitarian and Pet Portrait Artist BARCODE Not your Typical Neighborhood Bar CONNECTICUT PEST ELIMINATION, INC. Local, Customized Pest Elimination NEW ENGLAND ROOFING Roofing and Home Repair at its Best NEW BUSINESS ACTIVITY Current Development Projects BEECHER WALK The Newest 55 and Older Community
GARDEN CLUB CREATIVITY Recreating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ORANGE CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY A Dentistry with Children in Mind ORANGE PEDIATRIC THERAPY A Wide Array of Therapies for Children EDUCATION Building Confidence in Children BUSINESS MILESTONE Stony Creek Urgent Care Celebrates 10 Years FITNESS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS A Review of Fitness and Health Apps ORANGE COMMUNITY FARMERS’ MARKET Celebrating Five Years FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL Race Brook Elementary School’s Fundraiser CALENDAR OF EVENTS Summer and Fall THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend SUMMER 2019
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Publisher’s Letter
In our last edition we began highlighting businesses operating from the home, and the uniqueness of such industries strikes me as amazing. Touching on this topic again in this issue, we feature a woman who paints pet portraits, an idea which came to her by chance and has proven not only enjoyable but successful. Additionally, she is a writer and illustrator of children’s books; all while operating her main business of graphic design.
Also discovering a business venture by chance, we feature a resident who began a writing career after he retired. Upon taking a writing seminar within his retirement community, his stories became so popular he published his first book and is now working on a second. Before his late writing career, he began an insurance Adjusters firm from his home 42 years ago that grew into a family business, and moved into a commercial space.
With summer upon us, there are many events going on in the community. We highlight a few and list a full event schedule, so be sure to mark your calendars! Enjoy this issue and have a fantastic summer. When visiting or interacting with any of the residents or businesses we have featured, please let them know you read their story in Magazine. ANNEMARIE F. SLIBY
Executive Director, OEDC
As always, we wish to thank First Selectman, James Zeoli; the Orange Economic Development Commission; and the Orange Economic Development Corporation board members; as well as our advertisers. Please support the advertisers and let them know you saw their ad in OrangeLife Magazine.
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
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Rejuvenation Awaits at the Hilton Homewood Suites WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA DAVANZO
Who says a vacation must be a plane ride away? With a prime location at 99 Marsh Hill Road near the Yale West Campus in Orange, the Hilton Homewood Suites is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and stay awhile. When Orange resident Vinay Patel and his brother Shailesh found the space to build the Homewood Suites two years ago, they jumped at the opportunity. Owning hotels in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri, this is their first property in Connecticut.
“I’ve been in the business for almost 18 years and my brother and I noticed that there were not many hotel options in this area,” Vinay said. “It took us some time to close on the property, but once we did, we started to design the space and put a plan together. The Town of Orange has been very helpful with getting this project off the ground. Since I live here and my kids go to school locally at Race Brook and Mary L. Tracy, my first choice was Orange.”
silverware, pots and pans to whip up a real home-cooked meal. COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST
For a delicious and nutritious start to each day, guests can fill their plates with daily assortments of complimentary breakfast foods, from eggs, bacon and oatmeal to grab-and-go snacks. Every night from 4-6pm, guests are invited to the Homewood Suites social, where beer, wine and appetizers are on the house.
“Outside there is a barbecue pavilion area with a fireplace and plenty of places to sit and chat,” Vinay said. “After a long day of work, I could see this area being a popular spot where families and friends will hang out and unwind.” EXPANSIVE MEETING SPACE
Corporations in the area looking to get employees off-site and into an immersive environment can book training classes and team meetings in
PRISTINE SUITE UNITS
Complete with 121 pristine suite units slated to open in June 2019, the Hilton Homewood Suites gives guests the unique chance to enjoy the best of both worlds with spacious beds and flexible work spaces. The studio and one-bedroom suites sleep 1-4 people and the two-bedroom suite sleeps 1-8 people, with two private bedrooms and bathrooms. All rooms include sizable kitchens with full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, cooktops and plenty of SUMMER 2019
Photo: Paula Severino
Construction of the hotel to be completed this summer.
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the hotel’s expansive meeting space. The Hilton Homewood Suites support staff ensures that all meeting needs are met, and the package includes beverage service (coffee, tea and water), flip charts with markers, Wi-Fi and morning and afternoon breaks.
With Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale University only a few miles away, patients, students and their relatives coming in from out of town will appreciate an authentic home-awayfrom-home experience at the Hilton Homewood Suites. The hotel conveniently provides a shuttle service to and from downtown New Haven, home to a plethora of museums, shops and award-winning restaurants. PLENTY OF WAYS TO EXERCISE
For fitness enthusiasts, the Hilton Homewood Suites has a 24-hour gym, an indoor swimming pool and basketball courts. Free Wi-Fi, a Suite Shop Convenience Store and an on-site laundry facility are also available for all guests to utilize.
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“Outside there is a
barbecue pavilion
area with a fireplace
and plenty of places
to sit and chat,”
Vinay said. “After a
long day of work,
I could see this area
being a popular spot
where families and
friends will hang out
and unwind.”
The hotel has a designated storage space for those in a transition period, whether they are in the process of purchasing a new apartment or renovating their current home. AMPLE STORAGE AVAILABLE
“If someone is relocating to the area and they are staying at the hotel, they don’t have to stress about finding and renting a place to store their belongings,” Vinay said. “They will feel at ease knowing that there is plenty of space here.”
Whether you are looking to book a two-night staycation with your family, host a corporate meeting with your global colleagues or organize a bachelorette weekend with your best friends, the Hilton Homewood Suites provides the comfort and space you need to feel relaxed, productive and right at home. 쮿
To reserve a room, call 877-214-6722 or view the website at hilton.com.
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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John Apicella: From Business Owner to Famed Writer WRITTEN BY: MACKENZIE STUART
After 55 years of experience in the property insurance claims adjusting business, John Apicella considers himself 99 percent retired. A resident of Orange since 1962, John opened his own business in 1977, Apicella Adjusters. in Orange. Now the vice-president of the company along with her husband Mark, Maria says, “We approach things as a team,” noting that clients feel comfortable trusting a family business that strives to serve its community.
The company has been serving the community ever since, with John’s children now owning and operating the business. He does, however, handle the odd case here and there. About once a month an old client will call his cell phone looking for his expertise — after all, you don’t run a successful business for that long without developing client relationships that last for decades.
RETIREMENT IN FLORIDA
APICELLA ADJUSTERS IS BORN
John decided to open Apicella Adjusters after working for insurance companies for 14 years. In that role, he was tasked with meeting policyholders and verifying the claims they made on their policies. This experience proved helpful when he went into business as a public adjuster at his firm, Apicella Adjusters. Public adjusters work as an advocate for the consumer, helping insurance policyholders to file claims and make sure they receive the benefits for which they’re entitled. For example, just a few winters ago, the pipes froze at Peck Place Elementary School. The Orange Department of Education hired Apicella Adjusters to document the details of the damage, submit a claim to the insurance company, and ensure the school was fairly compensated. 12
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Photo: Mai Wu
John Apicella
While that was being handled, Apicella Adjusters helped coordinate the relocation of students, teachers, and classroom supplies to Yale’s west campus so that children could continue to learn while the school was being repaired.
Apicella Adjusters began to grow when John’s daughter Maria joined as an employee in 1984, followed by her then-boyfriend, Mark Sandillo, now her husband. John’s other daughter Elaine also joined as an employee after working as a staff accountant for the CIT Group after college. Having expanded into a family business, Apicella Adjusters relocated from John’s home to Lambert Road
Now 80 years old, John lives in a condo complex in Florida for the majority of the year and returns to Orange to enjoy the summer sunshine. Ever since he moved down south 10 years ago, John has enjoyed his well-earned retirement while Maria, Mark, and Elaine do an excellent job running the company. John points out that the evolution of technology has streamlined the business beyond what he could have ever imagined — it takes two hours to perform a task that would have taken him two weeks back when the firm started. Apicella Adjusters has only continued to grow as a result. While the business is rooted in Connecticut, John, Maria, and Mark are also licensed in Florida. In fact, Apicella Adjusters has helped a number of people facing hurricane destruction receive compensation.
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began offering an informal writing seminar. John had always been complimented on his storytelling, so he figured he could give the class a shot and try his hand at putting his ideas down on paper. This adventurous attitude paid off, and he found that he was a talented writer. WEEKLY WRITING SEMINAR
Photo: Mai Wu
John Apicella discussing his book with Fred Trotta, family friend and former town building inspector.
A NEW HOBBY: WRITING
With business matters taken care of at the firm, John picked up a new hobby: writing. In fact, he published a book last summer. If You Know What I Mean is a collection of funny stories and anecdotes amassed over John’s life, which he self-published using the CreateSpace program offered by Amazon. He passed out copies at his 80th birthday bash last summer, to great popularity. More and more people have requested the book, with John passing out around 300 copies as a result. The book is also available for purchase on Amazon.
It all started when a retired writing teacher at John’s condo association
The seminar met every Thursday, where students passed around the two-page writing assignment they had worked on and received feedback from others. People found John’s stories hilarious and started circulating them around the condo association; in fact, people that John had never even met before were approaching him and requesting to read what he had written. It got to the point that he started carrying around extra copies of his stories with him, to meet the inevitable requests. All this positive feedback encouraged John to publish If You Know What I Mean, two years after the seminar started. FIRST WORDS MAKE THE TITLE
If You Know What I Mean is a collection of John’s best stories, told in much the same way that he would confide them to you in real life: they’re short, punchy, and timing is everything. Though John’s stories are certainly unique — from the time he and a friend got scammed in the basement of the Sistine Chapel to
Photo: Mai Wu
John Apicella’s first book.
meeting Joe DiMaggio — there is also a familiar undercurrent to anyone who has grown up in southern Connecticut. His ItalianAmerican heritage is woven throughout the work, with the title even taking its name from Italian slang: If You Know What I Mean is the definition of “CahPEESH?”, which John claims is the first word every Italian kid learns. SELF-PUBLISHING ADVOCATE
John has enjoyed the self-publishing process because it’s allowed him to retain creative control over his writing. His prose is not necessarily grammatically correct, but his colloquial style has allowed John’s voice to shine through. Everyone who has read the book agrees that his personality leaps off the page, and you can hear his voice as if he were personally telling you the story, which is exactly what he aimed for. John also intends for his stories to be unique, saying, “Every one of my stories has to have something that makes it different — a little twist at the end, no matter how subtle, that makes it something you will never forget.” WHAT’S NEXT?
Photo: Mai Wu
Apicella’s 80th birthday cake. SUMMER 2019
So what else is in store for this retiree? John continues to write. Check out John’s book on Amazon. And keep an eye out for a second installment — John hopes to publish another book this year. 쮿
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Renee’s Resale: Where You Can Make Your Fabulous Happen WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA DAVANZO
There’s nothing more satisfying than showing up to a corporate cocktail party in a stunning Chanel dress, knowing that you only paid a fraction of the Chanel price tag. 13 years. Soon after finding out about the consignment business from a friend, Renee decided to take the dive into a new business.
Welcome to Renee’s Resale Clothing Outlet, open seven days a week at 220 Indian River Road next to the Christmas Tree Shop. When some think of secondhand boutiques, visions of stuffy, cramped corners filled with disorderly shelves may come to mind. At Renee’s, the vibe could not be more opposite.
Whether someone is shopping for Free People jeans, patterned J. Crew sweaters, a Louis Vuitton wallet or Christian Louboutin pumps, Renee says that every customer has the chance to find what they’re looking for at their price point.
CLEAN AND CONSISTENT
“At my store, you won’t find that smell, must or clutter that people feel are associated with consignment shops,” said Renee Mizrahi, owner of Renee’s Resale. “Everything is clean and consistent, and it’s all sized and colorized.”
Sized and colorized, indeed. Labeled by brand and size, vibrant racks of organized blouses, blazers, skirts and dresses stretch as far as the eye can see.
“When you come into a store like mine, you have to realize that most things that you will find will be a oneof-a-kind,” Renee said. “To find your treasure — whether that be a vintage Fendi bag or a Chico’s top — you have to go through and check out the racks one by one.” While the store originated in Stratford, Renee realized after a while that with little parking and not much foot traffic, she was ready to
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Photo: Paula Severino
Renee Mizrahi
expand. Opening Renee’s Resale in Orange in October 2018, her space drastically jumped from 800 square feet to nearly 4,000 square feet. With more room comes more merchandise, but the store’s size gives the wide variety of clothes breathable homes of their own. ALL HANDS ON DECK
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Renee learned the value of hard work and the “all hands on deck” mentality at an early age. She worked at her parents’ diners in Stamford and Norwalk, and then ran a laundromat in Stratford for
“Here, I’m trying to be affordable for everybody,” Renee said. “The concept is that I want people to walk in and feel comfortable and confident that they can find something really special. My slogan is that Renee’s Resale is where you can make your fabulous happen.” MANY OF THE ITEMS STILL DON ORIGINAL TAGS
Debunking the misconception that all clothing in resale stores have long histories of wear and tear, Renee says that 40% of the items still don original tags.
“This has a tag, that has a tag, this has a tag,” Renee said. “A lot of the clothes have never been worn, and all of the secondhand clothes and accessories are in excellent shape. You don’t have to come in here and dig, and you won’t go home with a new outfit and find a tear. Everything
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collection of feathered hats, prom dresses, beaded bags and leather belts.
“When I first opened, I put out these pheasant hats out for decoration, but everyone loved them,” Renee said. “All of these vintage accessories are so beautiful — they are my babies!”
With exceptional customer service always top of mind, Renee shares her key to success.
Photo: Paula Severino
has been processed. By the time something leaves my store, I’ve either washed it or steamed it to make sure it’s perfect.”
Renee’s process of choosing used clothes for her store is straightforward and convenient to those looking to consign.
“I buy outright, and I buy in bulk,” Renee said. “Someone will come in
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with their stuff, I’ll pick and choose what I think I can sell in the store, and they go home with cash in their pocket. I offer a price, and they either take it or they don’t. Sometimes I’ll go to people’s homes because they have too many things for me to look at.” BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE ACCESSORIES
One of the most popular sections of the store includes an intricate
“I love my store and I love my business,” Renee said. “I’m a people person, and it’s great to meet and get to know people from the community. My concept is to make sure everyone walks out of my door happy. I want my customers to know that I love them and that when they come in, I have something for them. That is the route of my business. It’s truly the only way to be successful.” 쮿
To check out the latest styles on the racks, follow Renee’s Resale on Facebook or on Instagram at @renees.resale.outlet. Contact Renee at 475-422-9977.
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Writer, Humanitarian and Pet Portrait Artist WRITTEN BY: MACKENZIE STUART
Orange resident Kelly Marchetti Grasso of KMG Design has been passionate about art throughout her life. She started drawing at a year old and took private art lessons from the ages of 9 to 13. Her training was in pencil sketching, pen and ink, vine charcoal, oil painting, and pastels. The next animal painting Kelly worked on was of a store cat. On a visit to Northpoint Pets & Company (formerly Thomaston Feed), a holistic pet food store in Cheshire, Kelly was informed of the unexpected passing of the cat who always greeted customers. Wishing to commemorate the beloved store cat, the staff commissioned Kelly to paint a portrait of the dearly departed feline for the store’s owner. That got Kelly thinking about the possibilities of this niche product. A few years ago, she had created a memorial shadowbox for her dachshund Louie, who had passed away after living for an astonishing 17.5 years.
Photo: Sarah Kasuba Muratore
Kelly Marchetti Grasso in her studio.
She went on to study graphic design at Southern Connecticut State University and has been an art director/designer in the advertising and marketing field for 25 years. During this time, she has also been operating her own graphic design business from her home. In addition, Kelly is a long-time pet owner and member of the ASPCA, so when the opportunity presented itself to combine these passions, she couldn’t pass it up. Enter KMG Pet Portraits, Kelly’s new business offering a unique product: pet portraits.
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IT ALL STARTED WITH PENGUINS
The idea first came to her when she was volunteering her time to work on a Race Brook School play in which her triplets were performing. The play was about penguins, and the props and scenery required paintings of over a dozen different breeds of the arctic bird. Kelly had huge paintings of the penguins all over her house, in various stages of progress, when a neighbor popped over for a visit and marveled at her work. That neighbor happened to have a sister who loves Emperor penguins, and commissioned Kelly to paint yet another pet portrait, this one as a gift.
“He was truly a fur-child to me,” said Kelly. “His passing was heartbreaking, as most pet owners can agree. Pets become important members of the family.”
Kelly realized that a pet portrait is a great way to both delight a current pet owner or memorialize the departed animals that hold a special place in our hearts. PERSONALIZED ACRYLIC PAINTINGS
KMG Pet Portraits offers personalized acrylic paintings of pets, based on photos of the animal that the customer supplies. Kelly is also creating customizable stock paintings of the most popular breeds of pets, which she can graphically add the pet’s name, a descriptive phrase or dates if SUMMER 2019
it’s a memorial. After purchase, customers receive a high-resolution digital file of the stock photo of the breed with personalization that can be printed through any photo printing company on canvas, film or paper, etc. The ordering process is streamlined through Etsy, where the desired portrait size is selected. Paintings are created on box wrapped canvas, which is ready to hang or be framed. KMG DESIGN
In addition to KMG Pet Portraits, Kelly runs her own thriving freelance graphic design business, KMG Design. She offers a variety of services to companies looking to grow their business, including logo/identity branding, website redesign, ads and more. A few notable clients have included Timex, Frito-Lay, and Ghirardelli Chocolates, as well as local clients, such as Orange Visiting Nurse Association and Bishop’s Orchards. Kelly has been growing this business since she graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1992. At first, free-
lancing was something she did on the side in addition to her full-time job, but now that she desires more flexible hours and less traveling, KMG Design is her top priority. WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Kelly also has another talent up her sleeve — writing and illustrating children’s books. Currently, she has three books in the works and in 2006, she self-published What Freedom Means to Me. Told through rhymes and gorgeous pictures, What Freedom Means to Me teaches children about all that we have to be thankful for in our country, which Kelly thought was an especially important message post-9/11. She donates a portion of the proceeds to the Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit organization that gives back to military families through funding rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and the creation of scholarship funds for the children of fallen service members. Similarly, Kelly also donates a portion of each pet portrait
sale to the Humane Society, and/or local organizations that fight for the welfare and humane treatment of animals.
KMG Pet Portraits offers personalized acrylic paintings of pets, based on photos of the animal that the customer supplies.
While Kelly is passionate about art, she also sees a bigger picture, saying, “I love my design career, but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself: Who are you helping? I have that humanitarian need in me, and I want to give back.” 쮿
Kelly Grasso can be reached via email at KMGPetPortraits@gmail.com; on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/KMGPetPortraits; or on Facebook at KMG Pet Portraits;
Books can be purchased through Amazon.com.
Photo: Sarah Kasuba Muratore
Grasso’s Golden Retriever, Libby. SUMMER 2019
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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BarCode: Not your Typical Neighborhood Bar WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA DAVANZO
Sprawled out across a large, plush couch with your friends, you find grilled hotdogs and nachos to your left, fried dough balls to your right, and the game on a 65-inch TV straight ahead. No, you are not in your living room — you made it to Happy Hour at BarCode! Since opening in September 2018 at 501 Boston Post Road in Orange, BarCode has earned the reputation of being an upscale sports bar with nightlife on the weekends.
After years of driving through Orange, brothers Mike and Chris Del Vecchio of West Haven realized there were only a few places to hang out and watch their favorite teams play. “We wanted to change that and add to the nightlife scene in Orange,” Mike said.
Combining Chris’ promotions experience at Connecticut bars and casinos with Mike’s business expertise from owning pawn shops, the brothers joined forces to open a place of their own. They leased, gutted and remodeled the space that used to be LT’s Corner to give it a spacious, modern feel. MORE THAN JUST A SPORTS BAR
Complete with pool tables, dart boards and surround sound, BarCode offers fun lined up every night of the week. “Trivia games fall on Monday nights, and every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday with $2 tacos and $5 margaritas,” Mike said. “Wednesday is bar bingo with drink and food specials. It’s free to participate, and players have the chance to win prizes. SUMMER 2019
Photo: Paula Severino
Owners, Chris and Mike Del Vecchio.
Every Thursday is Ladies Night with $5 martinis all night and a $5 menu of select appetizers.”
For those looking to dance, BarCode has live bands on Friday nights and a DJ on Saturdays.
“From jazz to reggae, we have a little bit of everything,” Mike said. “Our goal is to mix it up. We want to get crowds of different ages in here to see the place. The bands tend to attract an older crowd and the DJs bring in a younger crowd.”
Sports are BarCode’s specialty, and on any given day a wide range of games are on display on all 17 of the bar’s 65-inch TVs. “We have all the sports packages here, and we show popular boxing and UFC fights,” Mike said. “You could come in, reserve a spot on the couch and order a spread of food and drinks. The section holds about six people, and it’s free to reserve, but you have to guarantee that you’ll spend $300 overall. For just $50 per person, you get your own TV, you have free reign to put on whatever you want on TV and you feel like you’re at home.”
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French fries and onion rings. What sets the bar apart from any other around, Mike says, are its wings and dessert menu.
“Our wings are cooked to perfection — they’re unbelievable,” Mike said. “For dessert, we have carnival type food like fried Oreos, Pop-Tarts and Twinkies. People look forward to getting these desserts during the summertime at fairs, but at BarCode, these treats are always in season.” Photo: Paula Severino
The expansive room where bands and DJs play on the weekends.
SPACE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES
In addition, the expansive semiprivate back area can be reserved for any private function at no charge, but it is required that food and drink be ordered from BarCode’s catering and bar menus.
Organizations and clubs are welcome to host charity events and fundraisers at BarCode. “We recently held a benefit for a local DJ who took his own life,” Mike said. “He left behind
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two little kids. DJs across Connecticut came together, and iHeart Radio and ESPN were here. It was a massive event and we raised a ton of money for suicide awareness.” FANTASTIC WINGS AND CARNIVAL DESSERTS
Classic bar food is served in the spacious dining room, including beerbattered pretzels, chicken quesadillas and “frings” — a combination of
Mike admits that opening his own bar was intimidating at first, but everything has been running smoothly. “I’ve never been in the bar business and it’s a lot more work than it looks like,” Mike said. “Everyone we’ve gotten to know in Orange has been absolutely wonderful. It took a while to adapt and get adjusted, but we’re rolling now. It’s up to us to keep it going.” 쮿
For more information or to make a reservation, call 203-298-4101 or check their Facebook page at BarCode CT.
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Local, Customized Pest Elimination WRITTEN BY: SHAILEEN KELLY LANDSBERG
Since time immemorial, humans have dealt with pests. Rodents, insects, and other creatures are drawn to homes and businesses, attracted by food, warmth, and shelter that human habitation provides. Left untreated, they can damage property, ruin personal belongings, create odors, and at times make the environment unhealthy. Connecticut Pest Elimination, Inc., incorporated in 1992, is a familyowned and operated full-service pest control company located in Orange. Their headquarters at 273 Indian River Road is a modern, wellequipped facility and is the home base for all the company’s operations.
Michael Lipsett, president, aka “The Bug Man,” described the company’s founding and growth. “We started small and have grown over the years. This is our third location, and it is by far the biggest at around 8,000 square feet. I wanted to have space with enough room so we wouldn’t grow out of it. We have 51 employees on staff, our own call center, our own training room, and we’re working to increase parking for the trucks.”
Lipsett shared that as a family-owned and operated business, the safety of those in the treated location is at the forefront of their minds, and they carefully research and choose products that are safe for humans and pet-friendly. All their technicians are licensed and participate in ongoing education. OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS
Connecticut Pest Elimination Inc. has several standard programs a home or business owner can take advantage — from targeting crawling insects to bees/wasps/hornets, to rodent control, as well as combination programs. Ala carte servicing is also available. Lipsett stated that in the winter, about 60 percent of calls are
for rodent control and 40 percent are for insects, and in the summer it reverses. In the past, cockroach control was the bulk of business, but “better roach bait that came out about 5 years ago reduced the number of roach calls. Of any one thing, rodent control is the biggest need now, especially in homes near marshland or woods.”
While many people use Connecticut Pest Elimination, Inc. reactively when they notice a pest problem in their home or business, Lipsett encourages proactive services as well. Many of their programs offer ongoing preventive services once the pest is eliminated. They also work with potential property purchasers.
INDEPENDENT FOR 27 YEARS
According to Lipsett The Bug Man, Connecticut Pest Elimination Inc. is one of the largest, if not the largest, independent pest control companies in Connecticut. Because the company is independent, they are not operating based off a corporate manual developed in another part of the country. “We tailor our programs for Connecticut customers, taking into consideration the climate, weather, physical environment, and pests found in the area. We can even customize programs for each individual customer.” SUMMER 2019
Photo: Paula Severino
Mike Lipsett
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utmost importance to Lipsett The Bug Man and the entire CT Pest family, and actual appointments are made with customers, rather than a time frame. “This way the customer knows when to expect the technician and isn’t waiting around wondering when he’ll get there. And we will call if, for some reason, there will be a delay.” Photo: Paula Severino
Standing: Mike and Maryann Lipsett; Staff from left to right: Linda Nolan (seated), Nicole Nelson, Karen Tello, Kathleen Canell, Casey Carlino
“We can treat for termites and have many homeowners on a termite program, but we also do termite inspections as well. Someone looking to buy a property can have us come out to inspect the home or business to determine if there are termites.” EFFECT AND HUMANE
Nuisance wildlife removal is also a service offered by the company. From woodchucks to squirrels, raccoons to skunks, the professionals at
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Connecticut Pest Elimination, Inc. effectively and humanely remove these animals.
Connecticut Pest Elimination, Inc. covers the entire State of Connecticut, and has a 24-hour service line manned by one of the company’s technicians. In addition to private residences, some of the locations covered are universities, hospitals, nursing facilities, large businesses and schools. Customer service is of
PROUD TO BE FAMILY-OWNED
Lipsett has been featured on local TV and radio, educating the community on pest control. “I love doing what I do and enjoy communicating to the public on being more proactive,” Mike says. “I have a great team and enjoy having my family involved in the business.” Lipsett’s wife Maryann is the Executive Vice President and daughter, Kelly Lipsett is Contract and Marketing Director. 쮿
To contact Connecticut Pest Elimination, Inc., call 203-931-PEST, (203-931-7378.) or visit their website at ctpest.com.
SUMMER 2019
SUMMER 2019
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Roofing and Home Repair at its Best WRITTEN BY: KAREN SINGER
Several years ago, JC Calderon and his wife, Stephanie, started a business to help customers avoid the same kinds of difficulties they encountered while trying to fix roofing problems at their residence. New England Roofing and Home Repair, LLC offers services ranging from roof repair and replacement to power washing, siding and gutter installation. Its mission is “to deliver dependability, longevity, reliability and unsurpassed performance,” and forge lasting relationships with residential and commercial clients “by striving for complete satisfaction,” according to the website, newenglandroofingct.com. COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY AND A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
“We work within a 20-mile radius of Orange,” JC says, adding, “We bring total transparency and a totally different perspective.”
That perspective is born of hard-won experience. In 2007, the Calderons,
then newly married, purchased a house in Orange. But the joy of home ownership turned to despair as they dealt with on-going roofing issues and incurred thousands of dollars of repair and replacement costs.
Disappointment mounted when contractors failed to return phone calls and didn’t give them a clear-cut explanation about why the problems were occurring. “I knew there had to be a better way,” JC says.
The tide turned when the Calderons hired a roofer recommended by a neighbor. They were so pleased by the results that the roofer, Walter Calderon [who is not related to the couple], became a family friend. “We used to joke about starting a company together,” JC says.
NEEDED TO MAKE A CHANGE
The joke soon became a reality. Growing increasingly weary of commuting to Stamford, where he worked as a car salesman, and missing many seminal moments in the lives of his two young daughters, JC decided to quit his job and start a roofing business.
“I wasn’t nervous because I could see JC was determined to make it work,” Stephanie says.
The enterprise got off to a running start with the help of friends with business experience and Walter, who introduced JC to suppliers and pitched in with his roofing equipment and crew.
After obtaining a state license for New England Roofing and Home Repair LLC in spring 2017, the Calderons set up shop on their dining room table. NEW OFFICE SPACE
They now have an office on Racebrook Road in Orange and a staff of 30 full-time employees, including a project manager, a friend who handles insurance claims, three roofing crews, one gutter crew, one painting crew and a masonry crew.
Photo: Paula Severino
From left to right: Office Manager, Katelyn Snell; Owner, JC Calderon; and Claims Specialist, Jim Claro. 28
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The company documents each project with before, during and after photographs. So far, New England Roofing has relied mainly on word of mouth and favorable online reviews to grow the business. SUMMER 2019
Orange resident Penny Johnson Puglisi says hiring New England Roofing to replace the roof on her 1910 farmhouse last fall was a “nobrainer” after meeting the Calderons, who used a drone to provide an aerial view to assess the project. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND GREAT LISTENING
Photo: Paula Severino
JC (center) with his wife, Stephanie and their two daughters, Peyton (left) and Alexa (right).
JC and Stephanie go to all first faceto-face appointments with prospective clients, to assist them in pinpointing their roofing [and other] problems, suggest solutions and provide an on the spot estimate for the work.
“We tell them our story about why we started the business,” Stephanie says, “to let them know we’re just like them.”
SUMMER 2019
FULL DISCLOSURE
The Calderons encourage multiple quotations and give potential customers a list of questions to ask other contractors, such as whether their company is licensed and insured and whether it pulls permits.
“They really listened to me,” Puglisi says. “More importantly, they educated me about products without using big words, in a business I didn’t understand.” Puglisi says she was so impressed with New England Roofing’s competence and courteousness she has hired the company for other work. “We really like to have a personal relationship with customers,” Stephanie says. 쮿
New England Roofing can be reached at 203-795-3947.
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Originally proposed development plans for a FedEx distribution facility on the former Stew Leonard’s land.
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SUMMER 2019
New Business Activity
WRITTEN BY: ANNEMARIE SLIBY
There are many projects in process on tracts of land in Orange that have been vacant for some time and the town is pleased to welcome new business. Companies such as Hilton Homewood Suites, FedEx, Eastern Tech and the VA Community Care Center will be opening for business soon. In addition, the recently-purchased FireLite Plaza is currently being redeveloped and plans are currently in the works. Marsh Hill Road FEDEX
HILTON HOMEWOOD SUITES
Photo: Paula Severino
Work has just begun at 161 Marsh Hill Road, the former Stew Leonard’s land. The land was purchased in February and a 47,178 square-foot distribution facility and 9,680 square-foot maintenance building will be constructed for FedEx. A date of completion has yet to be determined.
Photo: Paula Severino
Located at 99 Marsh Hill Road, the new Hilton Homewood Suites is slated to open this summer. The four-story hotel consists of 121 all-suite units with kitchens, a fitness center, indoor pool, conference room, storage units, basketball court, outdoor grills and fireplaces. This will be Orange’s second hotel.
Check the OEDC Website for Updates on New Business Activity as well as Information Regarding Available Properties www.OrangeEDC.com
SUMMER 2019
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Edison Road VA COMMUNITY CARE CENTER
EASTERN TECH COMPANY
Photo: Paula Severino
The entrance to the new VA Community Care Center lies at 200 Edison Road. The one-story, 57,370 square-foot building will house health related services for veterans. Construction is scheduled for completion in the fall.
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Photo: Paula Severino
Adjacent to the VA Community Care Center on Edison Road will be the new home for Eastern Tech Company. Currently located in Milford, Eastern Tech is set to relocate its new headquarters by year end. Eastern Tech Company is a specialty ink and coatings manufacturer of water-based products for digital printing applications. The 42,000+ square-foot building will house the company's chemists, engineers, production, marketing, and administrative team members.
SUMMER 2019
Beecher Walk: Life’s Simple Pleasures WRITTEN BY: KATHY BAUER, NEW HOMES MARKETING DIRECTOR
If shuffleboard and easy riding three-wheel bicycles immediately come to mind when you hear the term “over 55 community,” think again! Nowadays in Connecticut, a typical over 55 community has very little in common with the “active adult” communities of years ago, and in many cases, its residents haven’t come close to retiring. Regardless of whether you are of retirement age or not, a move to a 55 and over community may be a perfect fit, and here’s why. SIMPLER WAY OF LIFE
We believe Beecher Walk at Orange provides a perfect solution for buyers who wish to treat themselves to a simpler way of living in a beautiful new condominium. Living in the northeast, we have the pleasure of experiencing all four seasons and then, of course, the necessary chores associated with each seasonal change, such as lawn mowing, leaf raking, and the dreaded snow shoveling. If the image of “new everything” isn’t enticement enough, you might be amazed to see just how freeing life can be living in our Beecher Walk community when you no longer need to worry about things like ongoing seasonal maintenance.
The homes at Beecher Walk are very inviting with their detailed entries, gables, and dormers. Designed with the “aging” homeowner in mind, Beecher Walk offers buyers a choice of models, all arranged with easily accessible open floor plans. Our models provide the convenience of ranch style living with a first-floor owner’s suite and laundry room, with the bonus of an additional bedroom and bath on the second floor for guests. Without question, family and SUMMER 2019
friends will feel right at home visiting, and you will find yourself comfortably entertaining in the open kitchen/ dining/great room area that serves as the heart of this home.
nearby, as well as New Haven’s downtown cultural scene, sporting events, country clubs, and golf courses are all just a short drive away.
ENERGY EFFICIENT
The southernmost tip of this 25-acre community borders picturesque Indian Lake. Development plans include the addition of scenic walking trails and private dock access upon completion — perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, fishing or kayaking.
Features may vary between models; however, all units are built with energy efficiency in mind. Highefficiency natural gas heating systems and central air conditioning, tankless hot water heater, energy saving lighting, and gas range all come standard in your new Beecher Walk home. Need more space? For those wishing to expand their living area or merely desiring extra storage room, all units have a full basement.
With so much to do in and around Orange, this new 55+ community of just 60 homes is convenient to an assortment of dining choices, shopping, services and so much more. Interstate 95 and train service are
PLENTY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Whether you’re contemplating downsizing, moving closer to family or just yearning to live in a community environment that condo living can provide, Beecher Walk has homes available now starting at just $249,900. Our sales consultants are available for private showings at 203-234-1821 or visit our website at beecherwalk.com for open house information. 쮿
Photo: Jennifer Higham Real Estate Photography
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
SUMMER 2019
Garden Club Creativity WRITTEN BY: MARION RIZZO
Members of The Garden Club of Orange have once again demonstrated that their skills are not just limited to horticulture, floral design and gardening. and thread and adding additional polyfill to create features began. Ears were made from the same types of materials and eyes were cut from felt and glued into place. Faux fur beards were cut to match each character.
Bodies were created from wire “stick figure” type armatures, then wrapped Photo: Susan Robinson in a polyester filling Seated L-R: Gail Nixon, Teresa Evangeto match each body type and heads lista, Betty Hadlock, Diana DeFillippo, were attached. Nancy Bartle, Diane Geary, Marion
Rizzo, Sandy Horling and Larry Huzi.
As participants in the Osborne Homestead Museum holiday event last December, they were faced with the challenge of creating a scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the museum’s dining room. Not content with one or two-dimensional figures, the team created the seven life-like dwarfs and Snow White. The prototypes were designed by Larry Huzi and Teresa Evangelista. Huzi said, “The process was a lot of work, although enjoyable. It took us 5 months to complete the project.” Huzi went on to describe the development and said soft sculpture heads were made from a nude colored polyester fabric and stuffed with a polyester filling; then the task of sculpting by hand with needle SUMMER 2019
Hands were also created from wire with individual fingers wrapped with polyfill and wooden blocks cut for feet/shoes.
Work packets were made with hand, shoe and clothes patterns with carefully chosen fabric for each dwarf. Belts cut from faux leather with buckles cut from chimney flashing were also included.
Using the patterns prepared for them by Teresa Evangelista, Garden Club members chose a work packet for their desired dwarf, received instructions, began sewing and magic was created. Evangelista noted, “Members put a lot of effort into the project but we all enjoyed the result.” A Meeting was held to dress their chosen dwarf and add their hands and shoes.
Snow White’s head was sewn from a polyester nude colored fabric stretched over a styro head form with the addition of polyfill. Felt facial features were added and completed with wig and red bow. The body was a dressmaker’s form.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was so well received at the Osborne Homestead Museum holiday event, the garden club looked for additional events to display them. The figures were next featured at a production of Snow White which took place at the East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford. Art Director Susan Rizzo Muckle (former Orange resident) thanked The Garden Club of Orange for sharing their handiwork noting, “The addition of these beautifully crafted figures to the school’s event made it truly memorable.” 쮿
The figures
have been sold to a
collector of
Snow White
memorabilia.
The proceeds
Photo: Linda Bradford
The figures on display at the Osborne Homestead Museum holiday event.
will fund the
next Garden
Club project.
| 35
A Dentistry with Children in Mind WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER MILLER
With a hint of hometown warmth and children-oriented services, Doctor Paula Cerqueira brings the first Pediatric Dentistry to Orange. WARM AND UNCLUTTERED
At 518 Boston Post Road lies Orange Children’s Dentistry, an emerging pediatric practice that opened its doors January 1st, 2019. Dr. Paula Cerqueira, endearingly called “Dr. C” by her patients, has put thought into each and every aspect of the practice and that becomes apparent immediately. Upon entering the office, one encounters an open, bright space of light-orange and white walls that give visitors a warm and relaxed feeling. From the calming, uncluttered aesthetics, to the cozy, familiar hometown vibe felt within its walls, Orange Children’s Dentistry welcomes children to enjoy their visit.
Trisha, the receptionist, is warm and inviting. Diverse toys are available for the entertainment of the children, including a ceiling-mounted projector that provides interactive games for the kids to play on the floor with their feet. Beyond the reception area, and entering the care territory, the calming and minimalistic feel continues. “Every piece was considered, ‘is it me, does it fit my philosophy?’ Sometimes in children’s offices, there is too much going on. But for me, it needs to be clean, peaceful,” Dr. C says.
privilege to place it in a bucket for a local charity. Nearby is a display section on the wall where local businesses advertise their goods and services.
The examining rooms are equipped fully to keep the potential rambunctious, energetic patients occupied/ distracted — with TVs on the ceilings and toys at hand, the temptation for resistance is subsided. RELAXED ENVIRONMENT
The calm that pervades the room is all part of Dr. C’s vision: from the initial call to exiting the office, every aspect is in line with the philosophical foundation of her practice “My goal is to provide a hometown feel that you don’t see anymore — that one-on-one connection and interaction with the families.” Dr. C explains further that
the experience provided also depends on hiring employees that, “understand the working parent, or the stay at home mom or dad — they have to understand what it is like to have a child at some level.”
“When you expand, you lose the true
essence of the practice, I would like to grow within.”
CALLING ORANGE HOME
When asked about her decision to open her practice in Orange, she says, “I wanted to bring the best part of me and my services to a community that would benefit from having
THE CAVITY FREE WALL
Walking through the door one immediately sees the “Cavity Free Wall.” The wall features the children who were cavity free, or had the existing cavities remediated in the visit. The children featured on the wall are given a dollar and have the 36
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Photo: Paula Severino
The child-friendly waiting room SUMMER 2019
a pediatric dentist, to create a dental home for myself and my patients. And, little by little, my goal is to become more involved in the community, and hopefully be around for a long time.” IMPRESSIVE EXPERIENCE
Doctor Cerqueira gained her undergraduate degree from NYU, then moved onto Tufts Dental School. Thereafter, she did her residency at UConn, followed by three years of work in a general practice. Dr. C finally returned to UConn for pediatric dentistry and commenced practicing the specialization in 2009. However, for Dr. C, the practice of dental healthcare was not always in the forefront. During her high school years, she worked in a dental office in Long Island, under the eye of Dr. Rubin. Fortunately, Dr. Rubin recognized her potential talent and urged her to pursue dentistry “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer at that time, but he insisted I study dentistry,” and thankfully, she heeded his advice.
SUMMER 2019
Photo: Paula Severino
Dr. Cerqueira in front of the Cavity Free Wall.
Her calm and warm demeanor is wonderfully suited for children – though as she admits, “children can be very easy or complicated,” when it comes to dental health. INFANTS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS
The age range the practice oversees extends from infancy to college students. When asked about present issues affecting children’s teeth,
she says, “The biggest factor is modern diet, the highly processed food. Fortunately, we are starting a new movement towards natural foods, which is good.” Dr. C recommends the first visit to the dentist by the time a child is one-year-old, and brushing at a minimum once a day however hard that may be. She explains we all have “an oral defiance,” especially young children and babies, but brushing is essential, despite the seeming agony it may cause to both child and parent “Brushing small children’s teeth can’t be promised to be rainbows and sunshine, but like the diaper, it has to be done,” she says laughing. The expansion of the practice beyond the current location isn’t something Dr. Cerqueira is concerned with, “when you expand, you lose the true essence of the practice, I would like to grow within.” 쮿
To contact Orange Children’s Dentistry, call 203-404-2224 or view website at: orangechildrensdentistry.com
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A Wide-Array of Therapies for Children
WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER MILLER
Orange Pediatric Therapy is one-of-a-kind children’s therapy center, providing physical, speech, occupational, aquatic, and feeding therapy for the community. Seeking to provide diverse and synergistic therapy services for children in Orange, Craig Goldstein partnered with Amy Cahill to replicate the current success of his practices in Cheshire and Meriden.
With a dutiful tone, Craig Goldstein, co-owner of Orange Pediatric Therapy, located at 308 Racebrook Road, indicates that it was only natural to seek a career where he can service children. “Growing up surrounded by people who helped others, I wanted to follow suit,” says Craig. The service vocation was inherited from his parents who dedicated their careers
to help children; his mother as a speech language pathologist and his father as a teacher. IT ALL BEGAN 20 YEARS AGO
Craig graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania with a Master’s Degree in physical therapy and has been practicing the discipline since 1996. He first opened a children-oriented physical therapy center in 2001, called Cheshire Fitness Zone, and subsequently expanded his practice to Meriden. In March of 2019, he partnered with Amy Cahill who graduated from the
University of New Hampshire and has been a part of the Occupational Therapy Team for the Cheshire Fitness Zone since 2009, to open the Orange Pediatric Therapy, a satellite facility of Craig’s original Cheshire and Meriden practice.
“There is nothing like
this in Orange,” says
Craig, “nothing dedi-
cating out-patient,
orthopedic therapy
to children only.”
INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPIES
Photo: Paula Severino
Occupational Therapist, Leah Kragh working with Ava Sullivan’s motor skills of tying shoes. 38
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While the children’s physical therapy center is new to Orange, Craig and Amy each have over 20 years of experience providing a wide array of therapies to children (from birth to 21 years old) of all abilities. Whether it is temporary physical therapy for sports or recreation-related injuries, to more complex needs such as for children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, or neurological/neuromuscular impairments; “Our goal is to see progress — our approach has to be functional and therapeutic. We make sure that all children get the benefit of the therapy.” SUMMER 2019
“There is nothing like this in Orange,” says Craig, “nothing dedicating out-patient, orthopedic therapy to children only.” 쮿
For more information, call 203-920-1885 or view their website at Orangepediatrictherapyct.com.
Exercises that Improve Motor and Visual Skills • Shoe Tying — the task requires bilateral coordination skills, fine motor strength and visual motor skills.
Photo: Paula Severino
Leah Kragh with patient Ava Sullivan getting ready for the zip line.
The therapies offered are designed to fit each individual patient, whether the desired outcome is implemented via physical, aquatic, or occupational therapies, one-on-one or in a group setting. Additionally, the practice offers speech and feeding therapy, ensuring an all-encompassing and well-rounded center where the children can thrive; from physical disabilities to picky eaters, all clients will benefit from the specialized therapies available.
Craig and Amy are proud to serve Orange and its surrounding towns, specifically, they are very excited about the location — while centrally located, “it’s a plus to be in the FireLite Plaza, we have plenty of parking and it is positive for some sensitive patients to be away from the noise and traffic of the Post Road,” says Craig, adding that the Town is a perfect match to the “familyoriented” business he conducts.
• Puzzles — work on visual perceptual skills (ie. to recognize colors, shapes, patterns) and visual motor skills by rotating a puzzle piece or fitting it into another piece. • Zipline — Core strength, upper body strength and fine motor/grip strength are all being used when using the zipline.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
The diversity of services is evident by the state-of-the-art facility as a whole, from colorful, bright, open spaces that include a multitude of sensory stimulating equipment, to a kitchen area staged to encourage motor skills, to six private treatment rooms where speech therapists can assist and work with the little patients. There’s even a rock-climbing wall and a zip line on site. Everything comprised within the 5,000 squarefoot facility located just off the Boston Post Road, coupled with the expertise and vast assortment of therapeutic backgrounds of the staff, ensures the children have the best opportunity for improvement in an environment functional for a group or one-on-one therapy.
Photo: Paula Severino
Leah Kragh pushes Ava Sullivan into the zip line. SUMMER 2019
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
SUMMER 2019
Building Confidence in Children SUBMITTED BY: KIMBERLY KICK, OWNER OF THE GODDARD SCHOOL
Instilling confidence in young children helps them develop their social skills and a sense of self-worth. When we feel good about ourselves it shows; situations seem easier to handle and we communicate in a more upbeat and positive manner. That positivity can spread to others. Smiles are contagious! Children need to feel validated and loved. Their parents’ positive reinforcement and encouragement helps them gain confidence, and once they are in school, educators and peers also influence their self-worth. How children feel affects how children act. MODEL CONFIDENCE
Our children are in tune with our actions, so what we feel and perceive can influence our children. A positive self-image provides a strong example to children and helps them feel good about the world. Since children can mirror our behavior, we need to lead by example and model confidence. Bad days happen, and sometimes we feel overwhelmed or down for no reason. When we feel unhappy, it is a good idea to remind children that challenges are a part of life, and we feel happy and fulfilled on most days. If we aren’t happy, we owe it to ourselves and our children to seek out ways to feel fulfilled and joyful, which may include reading, meditating, exercising or listening to music.
healthy sense of self-worth by acknowledging their strengths and the qualities that make them unique. Everyone seeks praise and responds positively to compliments. Children develop a positive self-image when their parents acknowledge their strengths, trust in their abilities and see mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.
who will make them happy. Make time to talk to other parents at your school’s drop-off or pick-up times. Talk to your children about their play dates and pay attention to their attitudes afterward. Are they smiling and excited about the fun they had, or are they withdrawn?
KNOW YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDS AND THEIR PARENTS
Children need to be able to express how they feel, but also able to control their tempers. Suppressing feelings does not help children deal with the issue and keeps them from learning how to communicate effectively with others. Finding the right balance is difficult, but if we model healthy ways to talk about our feelings, children will learn how to express how they feel in a mature, controlled and ageappropriate manner. 쮿
The people around us can affect how we act. Our values may differ from other parents’ and children’s values. Part of our job as parents is to get to know our children’s friends and their parents, and observe any behavioral changes in our children, positive or negative. We can’t always choose who our children befriend, but we can encourage them to play with children
EXPRESS, DON’T SUPPRESS, FEELINGS
INSTILL A POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE
Parents influence their children’s sense of self-worth. Our children should like who they are and feel comfortable in their own skins. Children should feel as though their voices will be heard and as though they can make a difference in the world. We help them develop a SUMMER 2019
Photo: Fotolia.com
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BUSINESSES GET NOTICED 365 DAYS PER YEAR with the
BOSTON POST ROAD BANNER PROGRAM
For more information about the banners on the decorative light poles that line the Boston Post Road Call Orange Economic Development at 203-891-1045
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
SUMMER 2019
Stony Creek Urgent Care Celebrates 10 Years WRITTEN BY: SUE VIGORITO
Stony Creek Urgent Care has cared for more than 100,000+ patients since opening in 2009. Stony Creek Urgent Care (SCUC) celebrated its ten-year anniversary in February. SCUC, an urgent care facility that provides care for non-lifethreatening illnesses and injuries, first opened its doors in Branford on February 2, 2009. Due to the overwhelming success in Branford, Stony Creek Urgent Care opened its second location in March of 2013 at 236 Boston Post Road in Orange. The two facilities have served as an important resource for the growing communities in southern Connecticut. Beginning with a staff of five, SCUC has grown and now employs over 30 medical and administrative personnel.
SCUC Founder and CEO, Dr. David Young says, “We’ve really grown over the past ten years and are very grateful for our success.”
became reality. But Dr. Young did not start his career in the medical field early-on; he has had many jobs before going into medicine. Growing up in Vermont, skiing was his favorite past time and he became a ski patrol officer at a local ski resort. In addition, Young did carpentry for 15 years, but realized he wanted more, as he’s always had a passion and concern for helping people. Putting this passion to realization, Young spent time helping communities in Nicaragua rebuilding homes and villages during the revolution. It was there he found his calling. Upon his return to the states, he enrolled in medical school where he obtained his degree in emergency medicine and then went on to become an ER Attending Physician. Dr. Young
says, “I enjoyed my time as a ski patrol as well as carpentry, but my passion lies within the medical field.” LEADING DOCTOR REFERRED FACILITY
In addition to offering premium medical services to the general public, SCUC has developed strong relationships with area businesses and many local doctors in the medical community. In fact, SCUC is the leading doctor referred urgent care facility in New Haven County. With medical services ranging from school, camp & DOT physicals to treating workers comp injuries, respiratory conditions & IV infusions, Stony Creek’s place in the communities it serves, has become invaluable.
A NEED FOR URGENT CARE
SCUC originated with Young’s vision when he was an ER Attending Physician at a major local hospital 10 years ago and saw a need for urgent care facilities in the area. “It was unfortunate to see the majority of people waiting for hours needlessly in the hospital ER with ailments or injuries that could be seen more efficiently in an urgent care setting,” says Young. At that time, Young began to put things in motion and his vision
SUMMER 2019
Photo: Stony Creek Urgent Care
Dr. David Young
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ALL-STAR MEDICAL TEAM
Young attributes these last 10 years of success and unparalleled medical care to his all-star medical team, his dedicated administrative team and his CFO, “my wife, Deanna.” Young says, “We all live by Stony Creek’s motto: ‘It’s all about you,’ the patient. But mostly I want to thank all our patients, all 100,000+, who have visited one of our facilities over the last 10 years. Thank You for trusting us with your most valuable possessions: YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!! Welcome to OUR Family!”
Photo: Paula Severino
An exam room designed with children in mind.
COMPASSION AND QUALITY
A patient wrote, “Stony Creek Urgent Care is the best…their compassion & concern goes beyond their medical expertise.” As Dr. Young says, “The urgent care market today is very fragmented in Connecticut. For patients, this
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means you can’t always count on the quality of care you will receive. After 10 years of service, we at SCUC have established and proven what urgent care services should be, high quality medical care you can always count on.”
Between both facilities, SCUC has seen over 125,000 patients and has become the #1 doctor referred urgent care in New Haven County… a title for which Dr. Young is very proud. 쮿
Contact SCUC at 203-815-1054 for more information or view their website at: stonycreekurgentcare.com
SUMMER 2019
SUMMER 2019
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Fitness at Your Fingertips WRITTEN BY: CAROLINA AMORE
Keeping track of what you consume and monitoring activity is one of the most important aspects to staying healthy and maintaining a desirable weight. Utilizing phone apps is a helpful way to monitor diet and log exercise. Below are a few apps that are available. WORKOUT FOR WOMEN: FITNESS APP
A Workout App for Female Fitness — Free
Are you tired of the same workout plans for both men and women? Do you recognize that women are built both physically and chemically different than men? Well, Workout for Women understands those recognitions and is ready to help any woman reach her fitness goals. Workout for Women has 4.8 stars and is rated #14 for health and fitness in the app store. It is a free workout app geared towards female fitness. This app features short and effective workouts for any time, place, or day of the week you feel like getting active. It is scientifically proven to improve overall health and it is also beginner friendly! To help with beginners, this app also includes a personal trainer with voice and video instructions. There is no gym equipment necessary, your body is the sole tool you need!
Browse through the app
store’s health section for
more useful apps.
SUMMER 2019
MYFITNESSPAL
The App that Tracks Diet and Exercise — Free but a charge for Premium Membership
MyFitnessPal is a relatively popular fitness app. It is a great tool for a number of goals. Whether you want to lose weight, tone up, get healthy, change habits or even start a new diet, this app can help fulfill your wishes! MyFitnessPal has 4.7 stars and is rated as the #1 health and fitness app for four years straight. This app is particularly special due to its widespread database for logging foods. Its consumer reports rated the app #1 related to diet. MyFitnessPal has the largest food database with over six million foods including global items as well as cuisines. It also includes a barcode scanner—making logging foods easier than ever before— with over four million barcodes recognized. Not only are there millions of built in food options, there is also the ability to personalize your experience!
You can create your own recipes and meals and save them in the app for future use. MyFitnessPal also counts calories, and logs exercises and steps so you know exactly what is going into your body, as well as what is
being burned. When it comes to the exercise portion of the app, there are over 350 exercises to choose from as well as the choice to create your own workout! You can also sync over 50 apps and devices in order to get the full experience of your workout. The app itself is free, but premium membership is $9.99 per month, or $19.99 per year. Due to its numerous features and extremely widespread database, MyFitnessPal is PC Magazine Editor’s Choice Selection. If your diet is the most important part of your health routine, this app was made just for you! WEIGHT WATCHERS
The Diet and Weight Loss System’s App — Members Pay a Monthly or Annual Subscription
Weight Watchers is a widely known program and has made its way into the convenience of an app! It has 4.8 stars and is rated #24 in health and fitness in the app store. According to US News, Weight Watchers was rated #1 for weight loss nine years in a row. For the diet portion of this program you can track what you eat using a barcode scanner, as well as by searching the Weight Watchers database that entails over 250,000 foods to choose from.
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The database, as well as the overall program, is backed by nutritional science to ensure guidance towards a healthier diet. Weight Watchers makes an effort to make clean eating fun by having created SmartPoints, which is part of what helps create healthier and happier choices regarding diet.
Not only do they carry a widespread database and an innovative way of tracking what you eat; but they also have over 4,000 recipes catering to any and all your needs. My personal favorites are the ‘quick and easy’ recipes which are perfect for dinners after having worked a long day, leaving little to no energy for cooking.
While this app has several outstanding benefits, the only downside is that it is not free. The monthly subscription is $21.99 while the yearly is $219.99. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, change your eating habits, or just lead a healthy lifestyle with a constant support system, then Weight Watchers just might be for you! ASANA REBEL
Yoga and Fitness — Members Pay a Monthly or Annual Subscription
Are you looking for a more mindful approach to your daily workouts? Asana Rebel is a fantastic outlet to meet all your fitness and holistic needs. The app has a 4.6 rating in the app store and is geared towards yoga-inspired programs. It entails anywhere from high-intensity workouts to mindful meditations. Mindfulness is considered to be the ultimate skill to level up training as well as increase productivity. Asana Rebel emphasizes the importance of incorporating mindfulness into your workout.
It has been shown to keep both your mind and body sharp while simultaneously enhancing your efficiency. Asana Rebel gives you the opportunity to be your own gym! The yoga portion is specifically helpful in being your own gym while 48
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it is the practice of connecting your mind, body, and spirit; consequently, only needing those three aspects to complete the workout. The programs within the app may help bring clarity to your workouts with guided session as well as the ability to ‘get in the zone’ with their feature, Music for Focus. You can obtain all these marvelous opportunities with either a 3 month’s subscription at $37.99 or a 12 months subscription at $58.99. Asana Rebel is the perfect fit for anyone who enjoys yoga or is looking to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives. ALLTRAILS
The App for the Running, Hiking and Biking Enthusiast — $29.99 per year or a lifetime fee of $99.99
Are you searching for a fitness routine that incorporates the underrated wellness of the outdoors? Well this may be the perfect app for you! AllTrails is a phenomenal guide to the outdoors, helping you discover hiking trails, running paths, and biking trails all around the world! There are over 60,000 carefully selected trail maps ready to be explored. In order to get an idea of the journey you choose, AllTrails has reviews as well as photos obtained from millions of hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners for your viewing.
There are a multitude of features on this app — one is the capability to discover new trails and even national parks in your neighborhood. The app is worldwide, so if you are taking a vacation, or even crave to leave town for a day and wish to partake in wholesome exercise, AllTrails will help guide you to all the trails in the designated area. The app will locate trails and paths that are dog-friendly, kid-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and all according to your specific experience level. Your adventures can be recorded by turning your phone into a GPS activity tracker and will help you follow the trail as well as record your exercises for the day. This brings forth the opportunity to share your adventures with whomever you’d like, on nearly any social platform you prefer.
AllTrails lets you save your favorites routes, so when you chose to go back it will be easier than ever! All these amazing features are available for $29.99 a year. You can obtain even more from your experience if you upgrade to AllTrailsPro, which allows you to download offline maps and track your GPS location while you navigate through the trail, even without a cellular signal. You can access more maps and toy with premium map layers including Topo, Terrain, and so much more. Upgrading to Pro even gives you information on air quality and satellite weather. By upgrading for a one-time payment of $99.99 you have a lifetime of hikes and trails without the distraction of ads for obtaining your optimal workout experience. 쮿
Photo: Fotolia.com
SUMMER 2019
Orange Community Farmers’ Market Celebrates Five Years WRITTEN BY: ANNEMARIE SLIBY
Strolling through the pavilion at High Plains Community Center during the summer on a Thursday afternoon, one may smell the fragrance of basil and fresh vegetables, hear the banter of vendors describing their products to visitors and music coming from the Gazebo in the adjacent field. Vendors line both sides of the Pavilion at High Plains Community Center during the Orange Community Farmers’ Market, which is held on Thursdays, 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm. from June through September. Products such as fresh vegetables, raw honey, maple syrup, eggs, meats, herbs, plants, and flowers are sold. In addition, bakery items, pasta, handmade soaps and candles, allnatural dog food, and crafts are also available for purchase. Multiple food trucks are located in the field, close to the pavilion, selling delicious food and dessert items. FARMERS AND THE OEDC COLLABORATE
The event was formed in 2015 through a collaboration between a group of resident farmers and the Orange Economic Development Corporation to offer farmers a means to sell fresh produce all at one location. Most of the farmers sell at their farms as well, but this method is not only more convenient to the public for one-stop shopping, but it is a place to gather, get a bite to eat, listen to music, and socialize.
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Town concert nights were rescheduled from Wednesdays to Thursdays a few years ago to coincide with the Farm Market so the public could enjoy the market and stay for the bands performing live music under the Gazebo. On nights when bands are not scheduled, instrumentalists will perform at the edge of the Pavilion to entertain guests.
“Music is a great addition, it gives the market a nice vibe and entertains visitors — they can take a seat at a picnic table and enjoy the music,” said Marianne Miller, one of the market’s regular patrons. PET FRIENDLY EVENT
The market is pet friendly, as patrons come with their dogs. There’s even a pet water fountain bordering the pavilion. The three-tiered fountain, which accommodates adults, children and pets, and is wheelchair accessible, was donated and installed by the Orange Lions Club. An all-natural dog food vendor has been participating in past years and dogs seem to enjoy the food. “All-natural fresh bone marrow broth, which can be added to pet food, is a favorite of Peaches,” said Miller (Peaches is Miller’s Yorkie).
Photo: OEDC
Local produce from Shamrock Farm on display for sale.
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“Music is a great
addition, it gives the
market a nice
vibe and entertains
visitors — they can
take a seat at a picnic
table and enjoy the
music.”
Photo: OEDC
Flowers from Buttermilk Lane for sale.
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Foot traffic and vendor count have been growing each year. Originally hosting mostly farmers and one food truck, the market has increased participation to allow for additional food trucks and guest and part time vendors to sell items such as jewelry and crafts.
NOT JUST FLOWERS AND PRODUCE AVAILABLE
“Last year, we had Harper Keehn, a knife sharpening vendor, which was a big hit, and also added jewelry vendors which the women seem to enjoy,” said Patti Clark, a market vendor of Maple View Farm.
Keehn and the jewelry vendors will be back this season, as well as four food trucks. Opening day is Thursday, June 27th and the band Boogie Chillun’ will be performing at 6 pm. The Market has turned into a Thursday destination for the community! 쮿
The Orange Community Farmers’ Market is a Certified Connecticut Grown Farmers’ Market. Check the website frequently for vendor schedule at FarmMarketOrange.com. For more information, call 203-891-1045.
SUMMER 2019
Race Brook School’s Food Truck Festival WRITTEN BY: KARA MURRAY
Everyone has a favorite type of food. For some it’s seafood, for others it’s pizza, and still for others it’s barbecue. Regardless of preference, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone to enjoy at the Race Brook School Annual Food Truck Festival.
Photo: Inma Medina
Food trucks lined up for the festival.
The festival is known as Race Brook Elementary School’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and is organized and sponsored by the school PTA. This year, it will be held on Friday, May 24th, from 4-8 pm at the Orange Fairgrounds at 525 Orange Center Road. SUPPORTING THE PTA AND REFLECTIONS PROGRAM
Inma Medina, who is one of the coorganizers this year, said the funds from the festival go directly to the PTA, who in turn uses them to support programs for the school such as cultural events, guest speakers, classroom supplies, educational events, athletic equipment and building enhancements. Funds also support transportation for student field trips.
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In addition, some of the money supports a program called Reflections, which is run by the National PTA. Each year, over 300,000 students in pre-k through grade 12 create original creative works that follow a student-selected theme. Student winners from a local level can move up through their district, region, council and state PTAs to the national level, according to the official PTA website.
Some of the trucks on board for the event are 744 Express, Chompers, Cousins Maine Lobster, Lemonade Grenade, Reno’s Pizza, The Snickering Coyote, Three Little Pigs, Crazy Taco Mex, Pierogies on Wheels, Tipsy Cones, Fried Cookie Dough, Meriano’s Cannoli Truck, Ted’s World Famous Burgers and Zuppardi’s Apizza, with almost all of them local to Connecticut.
A VARIETY OF FOOD AND FAMILY FRIENDLY
Although food trucks are the main focus of the event, there are also fun activities for families to do as well, such as inflatables, face painting, pottery and crafts. Teach Art 2 Me, an art school in Glastonbury, is one of the vendors who will be at the festival. DJ Chris Hughes, an alum of Race Brook School, will also be there to play music.
There are a variety of different trucks at the festival each year, depending on which vendors return or are newly participating. “Since it is a familyfriendly environment, the types of foods served are usually more traditional, including hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and barbecue,” Medina said.
LOTS OF FUN TOO
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“Right now, we are allowed 25 trucks,” Medina said. “But that’s a lot of trucks, so usually [we have] 15 or 20.”
While Nicefaro came up with the original festival idea, it was Jennifer Antalik, treasurer of the PTA at the time, who has been running the event up until last year. Photo: Inma Medina
Activity and craft vendors are plentiful.
While there are 25 trucks allowed at the festival this year, it didn’t originally start out that way. After seeing a food truck festival in Hamden, Melissa Nicefaro was inspired to organize a similar event in Orange.
“I went onto their Facebook page and read all the comments afterward, and that was a big help in guiding us through the first one,” Nicefaro said.
Since Nicefaro was the president of Race Brook’s PTA at the time, she
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was already familiar with Principal Michael Gray and broached the concept to him first. After receiving his permission and encouragement, she took her idea to the Town of Orange for approval.
The festival was limited to only 10 trucks the first year, but since it turned out to be such a success among the community, the PTA was able to negotiate with the town to receive more trucks the second year and has been increasing in size ever since.
This year Medina, along with Amy Burns (Co-president of the PTA), are co-chairs for the festival and work together coordinating the event. Medina, who moved to Orange from New York, said she feels Orange is a wonderful, safe community. “My 11year old son enjoys running around the festival with his schoolmates.” The event will kick off the holiday weekend and there are no parking fees or entrance fees. “It’s a fun event for the town — we encourage visitors to bring a chair or a blanket and their appetite!” 쮿
For more information, check their website at: facebook.com/FoodTruckFestivalRBS/
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Summer and Fall Calendar of Events WRITTEN BY: MARY BIALY
MAY 24: RACE BROOK SCHOOL FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
JULY 5: INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT AND FIREWORKS
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center, 4pm to 8pm. Admittance is free and open to the public, free parking. Over fifteen food trucks are scheduled to participate. For up-to-date information, check their facebook page at: facebook.com/FoodTruckFestivalRBS.
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center, 6:30pm, food vendors, music by “Back in Time — a Tribute to Huey Lewis and the News.” Fireworks begin at 9:30pm, free admission, parking donation $5 will benefit Orange Little League (rain date: July 6).
JUNE 5: ORANGE BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EXPO
JULY 17: ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL PICNIC
New Location: University of New Haven, Rec Center, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven; 11am to 4pm. Network with over 60 business vendors, free & open to the public. Many activities, seminar, free head shots, food vendors, raffle and more. Additional: One-on-One Speed networking ($15). Call (203) 891-1045 or view website at: OrangeEDC.com/Events_Activities. JUNE 8: STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL & RED AUTO SHOW
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center; 9am to 5pm. Vendors, crafters, live entertainment, children’s games, rides, strawberry treats, food vendors. Call 795-9749 or view orangecongregationalchurch.org (Rain Date: 6/9). JUNE 27: ORANGE COMMUNITY FARMERS’ MARKET OPENING DAY
Under the Pavilion, High Plains Community Center, 3:30pm to 7pm. Market runs each Thursday from June 27 to September 26 except 7/4, 8/1 or 9/12. A variety of vendors (farm, food, craft, etc.), food trucks, live entertainment. Check website for market and band information at: FarmMarketOrange.com
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Under the Pavilion at High Plains Community Center, 5:00pm, $25 per person, food, mojitos, beer & wine. Call (203) 795-3328 to purchase tickets or for more information. AUGUST 1 TO 4: ORANGE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S CARNIVAL
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center; rides, food vendors, activities. Proceeds go to the Volunteer Fire Association for purchase of equipment and training costs. For hours and information, view website at: orangevfd.com/carnival. AUGUST 10: ORANGE ROTARY LOBSTERFEST
Under the Pavilion at High Plains Community Center, 3:30pm to 7pm. Twin lobsters, raffles, & family fun. For more information and order tickets, check website at: rotarycluboforange.org Proceeds will benefit the local community. AUGUST 30 TO SEPTEMBER 1: ODYSSEY GREEK FESTIVAL
St. Barbara’s Greek Church, 480 Racebrook Road, free admission, free parking, rain or shine. Greek food, dancing, marketplace, live music. For more information call (203) 795-1347 or saintbarbara.org
SEPTEMBER 10: OEDC ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Race Brook Country Club, 246 Derby Avenue, Shotgun start at 12:30pm, 18 holes with cart, tournament gift, lunch, snacks, drinks, dinner and cocktails in the club house, awards, $225 per golfer, or dinner-only tickets $60. Call (203) 891-1045 for information. SEPTEMBER 21 TO 22: ORANGE COUNTRY FAIR:
Tractor Pull on Friday night, 9/20 at 6 pm; Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center; Saturday 8am–7pm; Sunday 8am–6pm; Entrance fees vary with age. Agricultural fair includes exhibits, contests, food vendors. For information, orangectfair.com OCTOBER 26: TRUNK OR TREAT
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center; 1pm to 3pm. Free and open to Orange residents only. Costume contest, games, and treats from beautifully decorated trunks. Call (203) 891-1045 for information. (rain date: 10/27)
NOVEMBER 28: ORANGE ROTARY TURKEY TROT 5K
High Plains Community Center, 8am start, $25 pre-registered or $30 raceday registration, Walkers welcome — fees vary; USTAF Sanctioned event. Visit: rotarycluboforange.org for more information. TOWN CONCERT NIGHTS
Orange Fairgrounds at High Plains Community Center; bands to perform at 6pm. Dates and bands are: June 27 – Boogie Chillun (rain date 7/11); July 18 – Fools on the Hill; July 25 – Al n Sal Duo; 8/8 – Bad Moon Risin’ (rain date: 8/15); 8/22 – The Vybrations (rain date: 8/29)
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Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend the Strawberry Festival WRITTEN BY: CARRIE EHORN
The 11th Annual Orange Congregational Church Strawberry Festival and Red Car Show is scheduled on Saturday, June 8th, with a rain date on Sunday, June 9th, from 9 am to 5 pm at the Orange Fairgrounds. 10. STRAWBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES
They are the star of the show, the fruit of the season, and offered at the festival in a variety of ways. Come enjoy a strawberry shortcake, take home a jar of homemade strawberry jam, top off your ice cream with strawberries, or walk around the grounds sipping strawberry lemonade. Can’t pick one? Go crazy and try them all. We won't tell. 9. PIE EATING CONTEST
For the true strawberry lovers out there, dive in face first to the annual pie eating contest – open to all who want to give it a try. What’s a festival without some small-town competition? 8. RED CAR SHOW
Can’t get enough red from the strawberry covered faces? We can’t either. This year we will be hosting the 6th Annual Red Car Show during the festival. Last year over 60 beautiful, gleaming, and perfectly detailed red cars and trucks of every era were on display on the fairgrounds. Do you have a red car you want to show? Join us and see if your car has what it takes to win this year’s trophy!
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7. ENTERTAINMENT
If the car show and pie covered faces weren’t enough, we will be programming the day with live entertainment featuring a live band in the gazebo. 6. FAMILY FUN
Like strawberries, the festival is for all ages! Bring the whole family to enjoy everything it has to offer. Kid’s carnival rides will be running all day, find the magicians and balloon animal makers around the grounds, or hop on an afternoon hayride — all ages welcome! 5. CRAFT VENDORS
As a small-town festival, we are thrilled to feature our local craft makers once again. Explore vendor booths of every kind dotting the fairgrounds or browse the Country Store tent for special strawberry delights. 4. THE FOOD
For those who think strawberries aren’t a proper lunch, don’t worry, the festival features a variety of delectable choices. Visit the festival grill for hotdogs, hamburgers, fries and other staples of summer.
3. PANCAKES FROM CHIP’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
Set your alarms — breakfast starts around 9:00 AM and features pancakes from Chip’s Family Restaurant (and of course a strawberry topping!) 2. STRAWBERRY SLUSHIES
The strawberry slushie was a new addition in 2018 and was such a hit it deserved its own number on this list. On a warm summer day, there is nothing better than this frozen treat. 1. ADMISSION IS FREE
And so is parking! This way you can bring the whole family to the 2019 Strawberry Festival. Look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 8th! 쮿
If you have questions about the Festival, call the Orange Congregational Church at 203-795-9749 or visit their website at orangecongregationalchurch.org. If you have a specific question about the RED Car show, call George Catalano at 203-799-6748.
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Orange Marketplace
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| THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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