Food Trucks on the River now two days

Food Trucks on the River now two days

Celebrate Shelton is holding its annual Food Trucks on the River from 5 to 10 p.m. on June 2 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 3 at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Shelton. There is a rain date for June 4.

There will be more than 25 food trucks per day, live music, bar including craft brews sponsored by New Belgium Brewing Company and LoveLou Wines, handmade artisan vendors and children's activities.

This event is free to attend, with a $5 suggested donation.

The June 2 activities include a visit with Heeler Pup from 6-7 p.m. followed by dance party with DJ Doey Joey starting at 7 p.m., ax throwing, psychic medium readings with Anna G and flash tattoos with Silence is Golden Gallery all evening.

The lineup for June 3 kicks off with a Beardsley Zoo wild assembly at 11:30 a.m., followed by seed planting with Wells Hollow Farm, BringtheHoopla's Hoopla Zone and mini canvas painting with The Giggling Pig. Live music includes Gold Eris and Gentleman Brawlers.

North Shore Animal League and Halfway Home Rescue will be hosting an adoption event on-site.

In conjunction with the city, there will be a LGBTQ pride flag raising at 2 p.m. on June 3 at the Derby-Shelton Rotary Pavilion.

This event is sponsored by Liberty Bank, the city, Tuttle Insurance, RD Scinto, Valley Community Foundation, Cedar Village at Carroll's, Griffin Health, Apple Rehab, Prestige Builders, Cohen & Thomas and New Belgium Brewing.

National Trails Day hike June 3

In celebration of National Trails Day, the Shelton Trails Committee will hold a guided hike at 10:30 a.m. on June 3 on Shelton's newest trail, the Woodsend Trail Housatonic Woods.

This moderately challenging hike runs along the hillside above the Housatonic River, with some seasonal views of the river. The varied terrain includes many ups and down, some water crossings, occasional rocky footing and a passage between cliffs known as the "Tangerine Squeezer." The return will be on the Paugussett Trail, making for a two-mile "lollipop loop."

The hike may not be suitable for small children due to a sharp drop off near the trail. Dogs on leash are welcome.

The hike will start at the intersection of Cynthia Drive and the end of Woodsend Avenue (use 50 Woodsend Ave. for the GPS). There is limited parking at the trailhead, but plenty of on-street parking on Woodsend Avenue and Cynthia Drive. Avoid blocking driveways or mailboxes.

Arrive at 10:15 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. start. Pre-registration is not required. Rain date is June 4 at 1 p.m. For updates, including weather delays, see http://sheltontrailscom.blogspot.com/p/work-part.html. To receive email notices of future Shelton Trails Committee events, email [email protected].

Rotary Flags for Heroes seeking flag sponsors

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club Flags for Heroes will fly flags again on the Shelton Riverwalk, and for the first time, also on the Derby Green.

The Flags for Heroes will be presented from May 27 to June 15. All flag sponsors and everyone in the community are invited to join the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club for a Flags for Heroes ceremony on the Riverwalk at 11 a.m. on June 10. Heroes may be veterans, current service members, first responders, public safety officials, teachers, coaches, essential workers, or family members. Heroes may also be single moms or dads, special grandparents, and even neighbors. Last year, more than 200 flags flew at the Shelton Riverwalk.

Individuals and businesses can sponsor one or many flags. Donors can choose to fly the flags at Derby Green or Shelton Riverwalk.

The following sponsorship levels are available: Stars and Stripes Sponsor for $2,5000 to honor 10 heroes; Friend of Vets Sponsor for $1,000 to honor eight heroes; Medal of Honor Sponsor for $500 to honor six heroes; Betsy Ross Sponsor for $250 to honor four heroes and Individual Flag Sponsor for $60 to honor one hero. All funds raised by the program will go right back to the communities of Shelton and Derby, including through grants, scholarships to Shelton and Derby high school seniors. The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club retains the flags to use at future events. Visit the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club website to download an order form or purchase sponsorships online: www.derby-sheltonrotary.org, or contact Chairperson Linda Holmes-Hannon with questions and more information at [email protected] or 203-650-2391. For high school students looking for community service hours, contact Lucy Andrade at [email protected] or 203-258-4519.

American Legion to conduct Memorial Day services

American Legion Post 16 of Shelton will be conducting and participating in ceremonies throughout the city.

The Post Honor Guard will participate in the memorial service at 6 p.m. on May 26 at Shelton Intermediate School. The Honor Guard and Rifle Squad will conduct services at Veterans Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. on May 28. After this ceremony on Sunday, the Post Rifle Squad will take part in the Monroe Memorial Day Parade.

Monday morning, prior to the Shelton-Derby Memorial Day Parade, Post 16 will join White Hills Voluntary Fire Company at Fire Station 5 for a ceremony at 7:20 a.m. followed by a 7:40 a.m. ceremony with the Shelton Police Department at Shelton Police Headquarters. After taking part in the parade, the post will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony at Post 16.

Members of Post 16 will be decorating the graves of Shelton veterans at local cemeteries with American flags the week of May 21. The Post will also be sending a bugler to take part in the Taps on Main Street program in Newtown on May 27.

DTC dinner to honor Coughlin

The Shelton Democratic Town Committee will be honoring Martin "Marty" Coughlin at a dinner on June 17 at Highland Golf Club.

Coughlin will be presented with the Member Emeritus Award. This will only be the fourth time that an individual has been so honored. The award is given for his many years in support of the Democratic Party in Shelton, including his time as an Alderman and as President of the Shelton Board of Aldermen.

He's also being honored for his service as president of the Shelton Historical Society and Long Hill Cemetery, working on several city building projects and as an active member of Shelton Economic Development Commission since its inception.

His current project is the rebuilding of the Shelton Locks, which he hopes will draw more people downtown.

Anyone interest in attending the event can go to sheltondemocrats.com or contact Jean Cayer at [email protected]

AARP Driver Safety Program June 3

Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on June 3 at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers aged 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle safer in today's increasingly challenging driving environment and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. As a bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to "AARP." To register, call Tammy at 203-732-1523.

Boys & Girls Club selected to benefit from Big Y Community Bag Program

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has been selected by Big Y in Shelton as the benefiting nonprofit in May's Community Bag Program.

Every $2.50 reusable community bag purchase sends a $1 donation to the club. These special bags are marked and marketed separately from the store's own reusable shopping bags. Ask a cashier if the specially marked Community Bag is not out. Bags can be purchased through May.

For more than 65 years, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has provided a positive environment for children and teens throughout the Valley. For more information about the Club, visit https://BGC-LNV.org. For more information about the Big Y Community Bag Program, visit bigy.bags4mycause.com

Author talks about Gettysburg book

Author Carolyn Ivanoff will discuss her latest book, "We Fought at Gettysburg," at 6:30 p.m. on June 15 at Plumb Memorial Library.

Her latest book features first-hand accounts by the survivors of the 17th Connecticut Infantry and their experiences at Gettysburg during the Civil War. These first-hand accounts describe what the men experienced, saw, thought and felt on the battlefield. Many of these men were wounded, taken prisoner and lost friends.

Ivanoff, a former Shelton resident, is a retired high school administrator and educator. She writes and speaks frequently on American history at local, state, and national venues. In 2003 she was named Civil War Trust's teacher of the year. In 2010, 2011 and 2013 her education programs received awards of merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations.

In 2016 Ivanoff was honored by the Connecticut Council of Social Studies with the Bruce Fraser Friend of the Social Studies Award. In 2018-19 she served as project coordinator for the 17th Connecticut Flagpole preservation and re-dedication ceremony on Barlow's Knoll at Gettysburg National Military Park. This project was honored with a 2019 Award of Merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations for preservation.

To register for the program, call the Plumb Library at 203-924-1580 ext. 5102 or visit sheltonlibrarysysytem.org.