<p>The Network of Executive Women (NEW) is now accepting applications for their 2025 Scholarship Program. The organization was founded in 1979 by Phyllis Holt, to address the common interests of businesswomen in the community and help them grow and prosper. One of the primary community services of NEW is the annual scholarship program, providing monetary support to women who would not ordinarily be able to afford&nbsp;educational programs. The objective of the NEW scholarship awards is to offer scholarships to women in need of financial assistance for educational undergraduate degrees, retraining, or certification purposes thereby enabling them to find meaningful employment, better their present position, or re-enter the work force.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>To be considered, applicants must:</strong></p><p>· Be at an undergraduate level, <strong>but not </strong>transitioning from high school to college. </p><p>· Be enrolled at an accredited school in New Haven or Fairfield Counties. </p><p>· Demonstrate financial need. </p><p>· Be enrolled, continuing, or returning to school to further their educational goals or training to enhance their job skills. </p><p>· Members of the Network of Executive Women of Milford and their families are not eligible for this scholarship. </p><p><strong>This scholarship is not open to high school graduates or students who have continuously schooled since high school. </strong>The program is designed for women who have had their education interrupted or delayed, never had the opportunity to pursue high education, or otherwise need additional credentialing to advance their career.</p><p><strong>The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February 21, 2025, at 5 PM Eastern Time. </strong>No application submitted after that deadline will be considered by the committee. To learn more about NEW and the scholarship program visit, <a href="https://networkofexecutivewomen.org/scholarships" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">networkofexecutivewomen.org/scholarships</a>. </p><p>For questions and to request an application, please email Debbie Siena, Deb.Siena@snmc.com. Applications are available online, <a href="https://networkofexecutivewomen.org/scholarships" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">networkofexecutivewomen.org/scholarships</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>About Network of Executive Women</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Network of Executive Women (NEW) is an organization that addresses the common business interests and issues of women in executive, professional and entrepreneurial roles through the exchange of ideas, information, and experiences.&nbsp;For more information visit, <a href="https://networkofexecutivewomen.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">networkofexecutivewomen.org</a>.</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">The ever-popular </span><a href="https://email.lauralton.myenotice.com/c/eJxczj2OhyAUBPDTQGn4ErCg2MZrGESUl-BjI--v2dtvbLbYcor5zaSGFBMtsAUpzeid4FtQaRwFz0E6bY0VQk-8hDxGOdpd6t1N3ljrNzvpyb5hT2JNHIJ1XhgnTF6TlYvcV5cm6wQzorYUa2mdhjNC5TUUou_O9BdTM1Pz8zxDjZ8rVmpYYq1Duw6m5tTO84NAP0zN-c5InakZLugF4SjEXwzweN97obU3_Aq4ZuwN39H_IqeAjWCHFAkaLj1fN6TMKWNEWjCeOfyV-B3UbwAAAP__0a1eSQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 165);">Irish Night</a><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);"> event is an evening of fun, good cheer, and entertainment that brings the Lauralton community together to celebrate the school’s long affinity for Irish culture and hospitality.</span></p><p><em style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">New this year!</em><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);"> Introducing The Night Visitors,&nbsp;featuring Colleen Filush from the Highland Rovers. The Fairfield Gaelic Pipe and Drum Band, Brennan-Lucey Academy of Irish Dance, and LH Irish dancing students will also entertain.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">Join us on Saturday, March 1</strong><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">. </span><a href="https://email.lauralton.myenotice.com/c/eJw8zz1uxCAUBODTQLcWv8ZbUKSxUuQOFn5gg4QfK_PWe_3IRVKP5tMMNKQAtJTopTR2coJHr8BawZOXTo9mFEI_efZrlM5qY62EmJ5RGRM3sUmAKRjhtOTFj24SxgmTVhjlIrfVwXN0ghlRG4SaW6fhCKXy6jPRqzP9xdTM1Pz5fIa9XAnC8Xr3AdrB1Nwht1Y7U_NPeJ-hUsPvUCtTc7oS0h2Us_T8wLJneiihLL_1gvt9ZxJaT4afHteEveG94s_JodahnTsnj43KViBQabj0dF4FEqeEAWnBcCT_X-KXV78BAAD___weY2s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 165);">Tickets are $25 per person</a><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">; advanced reservations are required — this is always a sell-out event! Age 21 and over. Doors open at 6:45 pm; entertainment starts at 7:30 pm. Desserts, coffee/tea provided. Optional Table Decorating contest.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">For sponsorship opportunities, event details, and tickets, visit </span><a href="http://email.lauralton.myenotice.com/c/eJxczk1uhyAQQPHTwNLwNYgLFt14DTMiyiQUGpn-vX7jthf4vZd6Y0y80RG1dhBmJY9oEoCSOepZgVp8sFqWiEsOpz1dNloD5GQtGjTKzWdwi_NeUvSAevcew47KbfrEI4EyAMKp2hPW0gdP30hV1liYf4awX8KswqzP80wVf2-s3FvBWqd-X8Ks-ZMbD2FWummURldh-QLUrnfZgQ3Kyju2PbfR2xv6r0iOrTOdlJCpt23k-0Mp_wUAAP__bzFQuQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 104, 165);">www.lauraltonhall.org/irishnight</a><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">. This special event raises funds for educational programming and scholarships.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>Join the Milford Garden Club for our January 14th program: “Half Sized Plants for Half Sized Spaces” presented by Adam Wheeler, Horticulture and Container Production Manager at Broken Arrow Nursery.&nbsp;Adam’s lecture will touch on the growing diversity of diminutive treasures that are primed for gardens in the region.&nbsp;He’ll explore ornamental appeal with a special eye toward rare, unusual and new options.</p><p>Adam’s presentation begins at 1:00 pm and will be held at the DAR Chapter House, 55 Prospect Street, in Milford.&nbsp;The admission fee is $15.00. payable in cash or check.&nbsp;To reserve your table space, please text or call Membership Chair Bunny Elmore by January 13th&nbsp;at 203-848-7459.</p><p>The Milford Garden Club’s mission is to advocate for the preservation and restoration of our natural environment, and to beautify and educate our community through programs and civic projects.&nbsp;</p><p>We meet monthly on Tuesdays from September through June.&nbsp;If you are interested in joining the Milford Garden Club please contact Bunny Elmore at 203-848-7459.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Milford Public Schools&nbsp;invites the Milford community to engage with us on the Board of Education's long range facilities planning work to date in a community conversation. The meeting will take place on&nbsp;<strong>Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Jonathan Law High School from 9:30am-12:00pm</strong>&nbsp;(check-in begins at 9:00am). Please fill out the form via the link below if you plan to attend.&nbsp;</p><p>Sign up:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milforded.org/page/community-conversation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.milforded.org/page/community-conversation</a></p>

<p><br></p><p>On Saturday, January 11, 2025, downtown New Haven will come alive with the energy of Girl Scouts gathering for the “Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally &amp; Entrepreneur Fair.” Hosted by Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT) at the Omni New Haven Hotel, this annual event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves as the official kick-off to the highly anticipated Girl Scout Cookie season.</p><p>The event, now in its second year, is expected to welcome more than 300 attendees and offers workshops on money management, leadership, entrepreneurship, customer care, cybersecurity, and presentation skills.</p><p>“The Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair is one of our most popular events because it equips Girl Scouts with hands-on techniques to enhance their cookie businesses,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “Everyone leaves the event informed, excited, and empowered to make this Cookie Sales Season their most successful yet!”</p><p>Attendees can participate in six Badge Activity Stations to work on Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy badges, visit over 30 company vendors—including M&amp;T Bank, Junior Achievement, and the UConn Extension Financial Literacy Education Program—and explore the Girl Scout Activity Zone featuring indoor archery, hula hoop games, and SWAPS (small tokens of friendship exchanged among Girl Scouts).</p><p>“Beyond business skills, this event highlights life-balancing activities that reinforce the four primary pillars of Girl Scouts: STEAM, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and the Outdoors,” added Spearman. “Our goal is for attendees to leave with a deeper appreciation for the amazing year-round programs Girl Scouts offers.”</p><p>Other highlights include a Summer Fun Zone showcasing camp and travel opportunities, sing-a-longs, the Council Shop featuring the latest Girl Scout gear, and workshops on yoga, mindfulness, fire safety, and self-defense. A Volunteers Lounge provides a space for attendees to connect with GSOFCT management team members.</p><p>The event is open to all girls in grades K-12 with an adult chaperone. Pre-registration is available until January 3, 2025, at <a href="https://www.gsofct.org/en/sf-events-repository/2025/great-girl-scout-round-up-2025----dbjcsa---new-haven--ct.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Girl Scouts of Connecticut Events</a>. For more information, contact Customer Care at 800-922-2770 or CustomerCare@gsofct.org.</p><p>Girl Scout Cookie season officially begins on January 24, 2025, with order-taking, followed by statewide booth sales starting March 22, 2025.</p><p><em>Photo: The 2nd Annual Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair will be held at the Omni New Haven Hotel at 155 Temple Street, offering workshops on leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to hundreds of attendees.</em></p><p><em>Credit: Girl Scouts of Connecticut</em></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc., a not-for-profit, professional theatre company in Milford has added a new performance of “Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz” on Sunday, December 22 at 5:30pm&nbsp;at the Milford Arts Council, The MAC on Railroad Avenue in downtown Milford.</p><p>The new musical mash-up by Bert Bernardi and Justin Rugg find Dorothy in Kansas longing for the excitement, friendship and magic of her previous journey to Oz.&nbsp;This time, she travels over the rainbow on a mission to celebrate the holidays and find what she misses most—family. All of Oz’s familiar characters return along with some new ones like the jolly old elf in the red suit! There’s all kinds of unexpected moments, sight gags, jokes and plenty of memorable music.</p><p>“It’s a hot ticket,” says co-producer Bert Bernardi. “Performances have seen capacity crowds and all of our upcoming shows are all nearly full—the demand for tickets prompted us to add one more performance,” he added.&nbsp;Co-producer Jimmy Johansmeyer said “We’re so happy to be able to add one more performance and give audiences of all ages the chance to take a holiday trip over the rainbow with some favorite Oz and holiday characters.”</p><p>The cast includes Pantochino company members Mary Mannix, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Maria Berte, Don Poggio, Valerie Solli,&nbsp;Jimmy Johansmeyer and Rugg. They are joined by Killian Meehan, Chad Celini, Leanne Onofrio, Justin Amaro and Katie Durham. Three young actors join the company for this production, Ella Bedenbaugh, Davis Burke and Brennan Simonelli. The production also features the ‘quintessence of effervescence’ herself, Victoria Sautee.&nbsp;</p><p>The musical features sets by Von Del Mar, costumes by Johansmeyer, lighting by Jakob Kelsey, sound by Tyler Kittleman and Christina Ronquillo will stage manage. The production is sponsored by Berchem Moses PC.&nbsp;</p><p>“Dorothy’s Christmas in Oz ” features cabaret seating. Audiences are invited to bring their own food and drink to enjoy during the performance. The Milford Arts Council, The MAC is located at 40 Railroad Avenue South on the east bound side of the Metro-North tracks. Free parking is available in the train station lots at showtime. Further details and tickets are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://pantochino.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pantochino.com</a>.</p>