Calendar of Events

The MAC presents their first mini-fest with the Souped-Up BluesGrass BASH on January 12th & 13th. Come in from the cold and let that warm festival spirit wash over you as you enjoy a concert with acclaimed DEADGRASS on Saturday January 12th at 8:00PM (reserved cabaret seating, $30), then return on Sunday afternoon for four hours with four bands; Long Meadow Bluegrass, Hitch & the Giddyup, the Wool Hats and the Meadows Brothers, soups from Milford restaurants, beer from Armada Brewing, tickets $45. Come to both days and bundle your tickets for a $15 discount! Coming from out of town? follow the link to a discounted overnight stay at the Hampton!

For details and tickets visit: www.milfordarts.org 

For BUNDLE call: 203.878.6647 

 https://www.milfordarts.org/https/souped-up-blues-grass-bash

Free and Open to the Public

Milestones Behavioral Services, a not-for-profit that provides education and services to infants through adults with autism and other developmental disorders, is hosting a free panel discussion on Transitioning to Adulthood for Families with Special Needs Children: Legal, Financial and Emotional., 6:30-8:30pm. Supported with a Spanish translation of Questions & Answers. Open to all.

Speakers: Great E. Solomon, a partner with Cohen & Wolf, in Trusts and Estates, Heather LaTorra, CEO of Marrakech, a professional in the statewide organization that helps find employment, supportive services and access residential care for people facing challenges, and Suzanne Letso, co-founder and CEO of Milestones.

Not all birds fly south for the winter--at the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center in Milford, the windows of the observation room are the perfect portal for exploring the world of winter birds.

Join us for a teacher-naturalist led program to learn the field marks that help identify the birds that could be visiting your own backyard during the winter season. Discover which birds are at our feeders, what they like to eat and their unique behaviors. Get tips on how to create a bird-friendly backyard, and what bird seed and feeders to use.

The program fee is: CAS members $5/person; non-members $8/person. Pre-registration required. Sign up at: https://www.ctaudubon.org/2018/12/register-backyard-birding-at-coastal-center/; call 203-878-7440 for more information.

 Milford Alive!’s first Recognition Awards for 2019 will celebrate those businesses that support our local non-profits.

We have asked local non-profits to tell us whom they would like to recognize for their outstanding contributions to their organizations. Many local businesses contribute critical resources to these organizations, including:

• Donated labor
• Financial donations
• Supplies
• Other resources, including in-kind contributions

Without these community stars, local non-profits would not be able to do the work that helps members within the community in need.

There are no hard-and-fast criteria, since each nonprofit has its own unique needs and values. For instance, one company may have given a cash donation, whereas another company may have sent some employees to volunteer to build a community garden. Each non-profit will have the opportunity to choose what is important to them, and nominate the company, based on their criteria.

Community Stars Celebration is being co-sponsored by Milford Economic & Community Development, More Prospects Now, and Joey C’s Boathouse and Roadhouse restaurants.

Milford’s Mayor, Honorable Benjamin G Blake will also be attending to present the awards.

Networking from 11:00am – 12:00pm
Program begins at 12:00pm.

We’re excited to be able to bring these companies to the awareness of the community. Because of their involvement and support, Milford is a better place to live for everyone!

Taxpayers should bring with them, all information and documents that apply to their 2018 Income Tax, including a copy of their 2017 Income Tax Return, W-2 and tax statement forms, W-10, certain gambling forms, social security benefit statement, original cost of stocks, bonds and mutual holdings sold during 2018, all documents that relate to deductible expenses, such as medical, State income taxes, property taxes, contributions and mortgage interest.

The VITA Program will be providing free income tax preparation for all ages and low income families at the Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, on Sundays from 12:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. and Mondays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, beginning January 27 to April 15^th. Participants need to schedule an appointment by calling  211 and  following the prompts option 3 and option 6 or WWW.211CT.ORG/TAXHELP 

14 recipients are being honored for service to the Milford Chamber of Commerce, greater Milford’s business community, and the community in general. This year’s award winners are featured below: 

Chamber Advocate & Director of the Year: Elena Fusco, Bin 100

Rising Star Award: Jennifer Paradis, Beth-El Center

Community Service Award: Jim Hassenmayer, Orange Ale House

Entrepreneur of the Year: Dan Thornberg, Aced My Interview & TLC Lawn Care

Business Person of the Year: Wanda Carlson, Carlson Insurance Agency, State Farm Insurance

Cultural Contribution Award: Firehouse Gallery (Walnut Beach)

Lifetime Achievement: Raymond A. Macaluso, Westcott & Mapes 

Milford Heritage Award: The Milford Bank

Health and Wellness Award: Susan Olderwald, Always Best Care

Environmental Sustainability Award (Innovation & Energy Preservation):

Connecticut Post Mall, Ken Sterba, General Manager

Community Tourism Award: DMBA, Tracy Bonosconi, 2014-2018 President, Karen Fortunati, 2019 President 

Public Sector Award: Peter Erodici, Finance Director

Human Service Award: Rick George

Friend of the Chamber: Robert Kiley, Hacienda Storage

Presenting Sponsor

SUBWAY World HQ

$65 per person and tables of eight or ten available

No Walk-In's and Event must be prepaid

Adam Agee and Jon Sousa

Irish Traditional Musicians from Colorado

Friday, February 1, 2019, 7 pm, IHSM Clubhouse

131 Bridgeport Ave, Milford, CT

Admission: $5

This fiddler and guitarist from Colorado are creating waves across the States and beyond. Not only do they play the music of the Auld Country with sensitivity and soul, they also bring their own brand of modernism to the Irish tradition.”
—Irish Music Magazine

“Adam’s music has been familiar to me for many years… I’ve never heard him play a note that wasn’t sincere and from the heart. His music is true and free from pretense. He constantly seeks the deepest expression of the music.”
—Martin Hayes

Adam Agee & Jon Sousa began playing together in Boulder, Colorado in 2005 and moved to Ennis, County Clare, Ireland in 2008. They now tour in the United States and internationally. As educators, Adam & Jon teach Irish tunes and technique at music camps, festivals, and international schools across the world.

Through opportunities in America and Ireland, Adam has studied fiddle with many of today's living tradition-bearers. He has been teaching and performing for more than 20 years.

Jon’s passion for Irish traditional music has taken him all over the world and eventually to reside in Ireland in 2008. There he refined his skills in interpreting Irish music while earning his Master of Arts degree in Traditional Irish Music Performance at the University of Limerick.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Lacey at (203) 258-2634 or amyjlacey2@gmail.com

This event is co-sponsored by the Irish Heritage Society of Milford and P.V. O’Donnell Branch Comhaltas

Restaurants, faith communities and businesses throughout Milford, Stratford and Orange are needed to support or participate in the 'Souper Bowl' fundraising campaign to help the Beth-El Center and those in our community who are experiencing homeless or hunger.  The 'Souper Bowl' campaign leverages the biggest weekend of football to bring attention and support to the less fortunate who are in need of shelter and a warm meal.

Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, drink for Milford Alive!’s first annual Corporate Challenge Cornhole Tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Milford.

Compete for the title of “Best Business in Milford*” and win a special trophy and bragging rights all year!  Live Entertainment and Cash Bar!  Spectators Welcome.

– Entries are for a single team consisting of two players.
– Entries are representing local businesses
– 100% of entry fees goes directly to Boys & Girls Club of Milford
– Each entrant receives a free beer, courtesy of Tribus Brewing Co
– Wine tastings and services provided by Wines & More, Inc.
– Cash bar for the REALLY thirsty…

Businesses who enter a team will receive significant online promotion at no additional cost, a slot in the championship bracket, a free beer, and many bucket loads of good karma!

Want to participate and receive the free promotion for your business?   Sponsor a team for your favorite non-profit, we’ll make a donation of a portion of the entry fee in honor of the Boys and Girls Club of Milford!

Announcing the Cornhole Plus event package!  **Only 16 available! 

Teams wishing to “spice things up” a little can go for our $500 level team entry.  Businesses who enter a team at the $500 “Plus” level receive the following benefits:

• Single team entry into the tournament
• Each entrant receives a free beer, courtesy of Tribus Brewing Co
• Each entrant receives one additional drink voucher
• Each Plus level entrant gets their logo emblazoned onto one of the Cornhole game sets for everyone to see and envy.
• At the end of the tournament, Plus level businesses get to KEEP the Cornhole set as a thank you for their support!
  • Includes two wooden, regulation-sized cornhole boards and one set of 8 regulation cornhole bags
• Each Plus level entrant also receives a one point advantage on their match.

Lessons on Happiness

              The Milford Senior Center is presenting a video of a TED Talk by Robert Waldinger, “What Makes a Good Life?”  The presentation will take place at the Center, 9 Jepson Drive at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 4.  Lessons from the longest study on happiness, TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short powerful talks that began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged and today covers almost all topics from science to business to global issues.  They believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.  Visit TED.com to learn more about this organization.  The program is facilitated by Michele Lefer of Bright View of Shelton.  You may call Program Director Amanda Berry at 203 877-5131 for details. 

              There is an opportunity to learn the importance of keeping lungs healthy and knowing signs and symptoms of respiratory disorders during a discussion that will take place at the Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, Tuesday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m.  The presentation will review specific exercises and foods that can help make lungs stronger and less prone to breathing issues.  This program also educates ways to stay protected and minimize illness during the winter flu season. The Village of Angels Home Health Care L.L.C. presents this program.  Details 203 877-5131

              The Milford Senior Center is hosting a healthy heart presentation Monday, February 11 at 1:00 p.m. The program will be led by Atrinity Home Health Nurse Educator, Jennifer McManus, RN who will discuss What is Heart Disease and Stroke, Signs and Symptoms, Chain of Survival, Risk Factors, Preventative measures, Living  Healthy Lifestyle, Diet and Exercise, and Blood Pressure Screening.  This program will encourage participation and will conclude with questions and answers in addition to a Mindful Meditation.  The Milford Senior Center is located at 9 Jepson Drive. Additional details can be obtained by calling Program Director Amanda Berry at 203 877-5131.

Fireside Restaurant
385 Boston Post Rd.
Orange, CT 06477
Appetizers included
Tickets: singles $40, couples $70
Drop ins $45
Purchase tickets: www.artsinct.org/fireside 
Sponsored by Arts in CT
Raffles and Give a Ways!

More information contact Arts in CT www.artsinct.org or (203)936-8567

              Friday, February 15^th, an afternoon matinee movie, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” will be shown at 1:00 p.m. A group of British seniors move to India to live out their golden years. The movie is circa 2011.