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, a 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 a 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].

Shelton History Center involved in Connecticut Open House Day

Be a tourist in your own backyard on June 10 during Connecticut Open House Day. Shelton History Center, located at 70 Ripton Road, will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to participate in this statewide event. Admission is free.

Families can help plant the pumpkin patch, tour the historic 1820 Brownson House, try some games and activities in the 1860 Wilson Barn or the 1872 Trap Falls School, and be a farmer for the day -- the old-fashioned way -- by taking home a seedling to nurture.

Connecticut Open House Day is an annual event scheduled the second Saturday of June, where cultural organizations and tourism attractions throughout the state open their doors to Connecticut residents, inviting them to discover - and rediscover -Connecticut's fascinating world of art, history, film and tourism with a variety of special visitor incentives.

The one-day event is part of a broad state initiative that began in 2005 and is coordinated by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (www.CTvisit.com).

For more information about the Shelton History Center, call (203) 925-1803, visit www.sheltonhistory.org or see www.facebook.com/SheltonHistoricalSociety.

Flag Day celebration June 17

The Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter, NSDAR, is hosting a Flag Day celebration on June 17 at the Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St., from 10 a.m. to noon. The group will be meeting in Craft Room No. 1 on the second floor.

Flag Day commemorates the First Continental Congress' First Flag Resolution, which adopted the American Flag on June 14, 1777. This flag is known as the Betsy Ross Flag. The resolution read: "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation."

The Chapter's Flag Day Celebration will be recognizing those in the community that proudly and correctly display the Flag of the United States of America.

Games will follow the recognition ceremony where people will learn fun facts about the flag. Prizes will be awarded.

This program is free and open to the public and is suited for all ages.

Teen Laser Tag at Community Center field

Shelton libraries are celebrating the end of the school year and launching the Shelton Libraries' Summer Reading Program with laser tag.

Teens, 13 and older, will get an opportunity to play laser tag for free. Participants will learn the rules of the various types of games that will be played. Laser Tag On The Go will offer games of capture the flag, team laser tag and a free-for-all.

This is an outdoor event so dress accordingly. In the event of bad weather, the library will reschedule the program and a new date will be announced.

This event will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 17. There will be two sessions. Sign up for only one session to play. Session 1 is from 1 to 2 p.m. Session 2 is 2 to 3 p.m. This program will be held at the Shelton Community Center baseball field, 41 Church St.

Registration is required to play. Visit sheltonlibrarysystem.org or call 203-924-1580 or 203-926-0111 to register for the program.

History center hosts classic car show

The Shelton History Center is hosting its annual antique and classic car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Father's Day, June 18. Rain date is June 24.

The event will be held at the center's property, 70 Ripton Road. Exhibitors are asked to arrive early, as space is limited. The cost is $20 per entry. Entry fees are $5 per person, with children 12 and younger free. For more information, call 203-925-1803.

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 go back to the communities through programs, grants and 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.

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 covers a variety of topics, including maintaining 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 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.

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.

Shelton Historical Society a Stop & Shop Community Bag Program beneficiary

Shelton Historical Society has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for June.

The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.

Shelton Historical Society was selected as the June beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Stop & Shop, located at 898 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. Shelton Historical Society will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during June, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

"We were delighted to be chosen as the recipient of this program for June," said Tracey Tate, Executive Director of Shelton Historical Society. "We'll have a busy summer and this partnership will benefit a gardening program for families that we are starting soon. Along with new volunteers and community partners, this opportunity is coming at a perfect time."

Shelton Historical Society is a nonprofit founded in 1969. It owns and operates Shelton History Center at 70 Ripton Road, a complex of six historic structures that includes a museum with objects and paper-based items that reflect present-day or historic Shelton. These resources are used as a foundation for many educational programs and presentations for all ages. Learn more about Shelton Historical Society, its buildings, programs and special events by visiting www.sheltonhistoryt.org.

For more information on the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, visit stopandshop.2givelocal.com.