THS' 'The Wiz' Gets Nominated

Can't Beat "The Wiz" 

The musical has been honored with numerous nominations from the Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards program for its 2012 production of THE WIZ.  THS garnered 11 nominations this year, including one for Outstanding Production of the Year.  Of the nominations, five students have been recognized for their individual performances or technical achievements and six students have been recognized for their ensemble work.

The cast and crew of over 100 students will travel to the Palace Theater in Waterbury CT on Monday, June 4 to attend the black-tie gala event at which winners in 19 categories will be announced.  As “Outstanding Production” nominees, the cast will also perform at the gala event.

The Connecticut High School Musical Theater Awards are sponsored and orchestrated by the Spirit of Broadway Theater of Norwich, CT and is a participating program of the National High School Musical Theater Awards program.

Friends, families, classmates and all musical theater-lovers are invited to attend the event.  Ticket information can be obtained at the Spirit of Broadway website at http://spiritofbroadway.org/cthsmta/index.html.

Community and business sponsors of the June 4 gala are also being sought and can contact Spirit of Broadway theater for details.

Nominations:

Outstanding Production

Outstanding Direction: Jessica Spillane

Outstanding Musical Direction: Jerold Goldstein

Outstanding Choreography: Frank Root

Outstanding Chorus

Outstanding Supporting Male: Andrew Tallian

Outstanding Supporting Male:  Matt Johnson

Outstanding Featured Performer: Jacqueline Sheehan

Outstanding Ensemble Group: Jenna Bellofiore, Sarah Tyler, Gabrielle Gottschall, Emily Ruchalski, Kaelyn Mostafa, Annie Stachura

Special Achievement—Lighting Designer: Greg St. Germain

Special Achievement --Assistant Musical Direction: Annie Lane

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Hoops, Hope and Higher Education Reunite after 40 years

The year was 1968 as Frank and Mark, two freshman hopefuls, laced up their sneakers for basketball tryouts at Notre Dame High School’s new location in Fairfield.  Across the street, the staff at the recently opened Sacred Heart University, on the site Notre Dame previously called home, were welcoming their second incoming class. It was a time of dreams for the two boys and hope for the new institution of higher education. 

Fast forward four decades and dreams and hope still thrive for the three parties. Today, they are taking shape in the form of The First Annual Love Life Charity Basketball Tournament being staged by Frank Oleynick and Mark Appelberg at Sacred Heart University’s Pitt Center. The tournament will take place on June 29 – July 1 and will benefit St Vincent’s Special Needs Services, provide partial scholarships to Notre Dame High School, newly affiliated with Sacred Heart, as well as support other local causes.

The Love Life Foundation is the brainchild of Mark Appelberg, who lost his daughter Kristin to illness when she was only fifteen. The mission of the organization is to celebrate the positive message Kristin always put forward with a smile despite her challenges. She believed that no matter what hurdles you may face, you should always embrace and “Love Life.”

During her short but fruitful life, Kristin supported St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services (SVSNS), a nonprofit organization that serves approximately 400 children and adults with complex disabilities and medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, acute brain injury and neuromuscular disorders.  Kristin and her family observed that underlying the very skilled work done at SVSNS is a palpable sense of love, joy, and excitement for each individual they serve – a perfect alignment with Kristin’s philosophy on life.

Legendary local hoops star Frank Oleynick rose through the ranks of High School and College basketball all the way to the NBA as a first round draft pick by the Seattle Supersonics in 1975. Today he shares his knowledge and love of the game with area kids through his Future Stars Basketball Academy, which specializes in camps and one on one instruction. When a new student with the name Appelberg was enrolled with Future Stars the name rang a bell and soon Frank and the dad, Mark made the connection.            

After a story filled reunion the two quickly realized they were basically in the same business-helping kids. From there the idea was hatched to join forces in a joint venture to assist kids’ attitudes and abilities with a youth basketball tournament and donate the proceeds to charity.

Sacred Heart University offered the perfect venue since it was the starting point of Frank and Mark’s journeys and also has the ideal location and capacity needed for the event at its Pitt Center. The event is aiming at upwards of 40 boys and girls youth teams participating.

As Mark put it, “Back when we were freshman, Frank was a better player but now after all these years I can say that we are both starting on the same winning team for this event.”

To find out more details about submitting a team or supporting the event as a sponsor or volunteer, see contact list above or visit ones of these websites: kristinslovelife.com; wearefuturestars.com; sacredheart.edu; and .

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2010 Park Stickers Still Valid

Vehicle Park Stickers

The Trumbull Park Sticker displayed below is the ONLY sticker that is ‘valid’ through 2012. All other stickers (i.e. the round ones of any color from any previous year) are no longer valid. Please note that current stickers which state “Expires 2010” will be good throughout this 2012 season.

If a town resident (or non-resident) does not have the rectangular 2010 sticker on their vehicle they are subject to receiving a $25 ticket.

Trumbull Vehicle Park Stickers which permit use of Town parks are available for pick-up by Trumbull residents in the Town Hall Annex (5892 Main Street) Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Motor vehicle registrations must be presented at time of sticker issuance to prove Trumbull residence.

Please remember to remove your old decal from any vehicle you no longer own and return the decal to the Trumbull Recreation Department.

Vehicle stickers limit the use of park facilities to Trumbull residents and taxpayers and are issued on private passenger, combination and camper plate vehicles. Commercial vehicles are excluded from our parks by ordinance.

The stickers are valid for a two-year period, and are issued for use on private passenger, combination, and camper plate vehicles. Please note that current stickers which state “Expires 2010” will still be good throughout this 2012 season.

Use of swimming areas will continue to require display of a driver's license identification with a Trumbull address. Contact the Recreation Department at (203) 452-5060 with any questions, and to ask about obtaining park stickers for child-care providers and guests, and permits for use of local parks for picnics.