News In Brief: Hiking, Clotheslines and the WPCA

A New Release from a Trumbull Native: Scribner has just released a new short story, "Someone's Uncle," by Alison Espach, available as an e-book here for 99 cents.

Espach's first published novel was The Adults.

Clothesline Project: A Clothesline Project is held in a community to increase awareness of the impact of violence against women and children. It is a visual display of T-shirts with graphic messages and illustrations prepared by victims or concerned others. They are displayed for a specific period of time. This display serves as both a tribute and a vital means of conveying to the community the enormity of the problem of violence against women. According to a press release, in the United States, one in four Girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18. 

The project is part of a national network with CLOTHESLINES in over 500 communities and several foreign countries. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In conjunction with this October observance the Trumbull Rotary, Trumbull Library, Trumbull Cares, Trumbull Woman’s Club other organizations and a broad committee, under the Chairmanship of Steve Hodson (immediate past-President of Trumbull Rotary) are working with THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & FAMILIES of Eastern Fairfield County, The Trumbull Woman’s Club, and Trumbull Cares to bring the CLOTHESLINE PROJECT to Trumbull. 

It is planned to run at the through Oct. 15 with a Candlelight Vigil taking place on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Trumbull Gazebo/Library.

T-shirts will be available at the Library the week prior to the event at no cost or people can create their own.

For organizations or individuals wishing to participate contact Sue Horton at 203-452-5197, or Steve Hodson at 203-260-1369 or Stephanie Stacy at the Center For Women and Families 203-334-6154.

Their email addresses are steve@hodsonrealty.com; shorton@trumbull-ct.gov; pegperillie@charter.net; and stacy@cwfefc.org

This project is not a fundraiser.

WPCA Billing Changes: The WPCA is investigating changing its billing method and will hold an Oct. 13 public hearing at 7 p.m. at Frenchtown Elementary School, 30 Frenchtown Road.

The WPCA is changing from the "averaging" method to an "actual" method based on actual consumption of water.

Hike the Pequonnock Valley Trail: Join the & the for an expedition into the Valley. Learn about the natural landscape, wildlife & history of the Pequonnock Valley. Bring your own water, snack or lunch. Hiking boots and long pants are strongly recommended. The rain date is Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. Call the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center for more info, or to register call 203-452-4421. Meet at the Park Street commuter parking lot, off Daniels Farm Road.

St. Vincent's Medical Center's "House of Hope": The Hospital will be collecting donations through Nov. 15. 

Visitors to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, employees of the hospital and Aquarion, and the public are being asked to drop off donations in the “House of Hope” – a special shed located at the hospital entrance for the duration of the drive.

Items collected will be delivered to area food banks. The organizers ask that only nutritious, non-perishable items be donated. They suggest canned fish, meat, soup, stews, fruits and vegetables as well as pasta, peanut butter, cold cereal and powdered milk.

“During these difficult times we all need to step up to help our less-fortunate neighbors,” said St. Vincent’s President/CEO Susan L. Davis, RN, EdD. “Every day, tens of thousands of people in Greater Bridgeport are at risk of not having enough to eat. That figure includes many thousands of children, plus homeless teens, seniors, and adults unable to put food on the table. By joining together, we can help many of those struggling with hunger so they can focus on other important needs.”

“Aquarion sees St. Vincent’s as the perfect partner for this kind of effort,” according to Charles Firlotte, President and CEO of Aquarion Water Company. “If every visitor to the hospital dropped off one food item on every visit, we would make a tremendous contribution to the overall health and well-being of our area.”

People wishing to make a monetary donation to the House of Hope may do so at the hospital information desk.