Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

Ct’s 2nd aerial park to open Friday in Storrs

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The opening celebration for Connecticut’s second aerial forest ropes park is scheduled for Friday, June 7, at 2007 Storrs Road in Storrs.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and will continue until dusk.

Adventure Park festivities will include
a ribbon cutting, cake and coffee in the morning, demonstration climbing, free sample climbs for the public all day long, as well as free ice cream later in the afternoon. The public is invited.

This event had been scheduled for May 29, but was postponed because of the threat of thunder storms.

The park, with zip lines, is operated by Outdoor Ventures Group, the same company responsible for Bridgeport’s Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum, Park Avenue.
Both parks are now open weekends; they will be open daily June 17 through Labor Day.

“The Park’s design works with the natural arrangement of the forest to create a healthy, environmentally friendly, recreational venue in the trees for kids, teens and adults. The activities require no electricity or motors,” the company says.

“All climbers wear safety harnesses that employ ‘double-clipped-on’ technology to help keep the climber continuously connected to a safety cable throughout their time in the trees. Climbing is suitable for ages 7 and older, with appropriate challenges available for kids, teens and adults.”

For more Storrs info: 860-946-0606.
For more Bridgeport info: http://www.discoveryadventurepark.org

Blackhawks and Bluefish to raise money for veterans Saturday

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Sikorsky Aircraft with Teamsters Local 1150 is once again descending, literally, upon the Ballpark at Harbor Yard to raise money for veterans during a Bluefish game.

The world’s largest helicopter maker, headquartered in Stratford, will fly one of its aircraft into the Bridgeport ballpark before the game, delivering Sikorsky President Mick Maurer and Local 1150 Secretary-Treasurer Rocco Calo to throw out the first pitch in the Sikorsky Salutes Veterans night game. Other dignitaries will also attend.

The landing is expected around 5:15 p.m. and last year’s Sikorsky even sold out. The first batter of the game between the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Somerset Patriots is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

This is the second year Sikorsky has teamed with the Bluefish to raise money for veterans charities. Last year, the ballpark sold out for the game and $15,000 was raised for a variety of charities, including the Harkness House shelter for homeless vets, and Connecticut Veterans Legal Charities.

Paul Jackson, a spokesman for the company, said this is a great cause and provides a fun family time for people.

While this game has not yet sold out, Jackson was already predicting the company would double the amount raised by last year’s event.

There will be fireworks after the game and various dignitaries will be on hand, including several politicians locked in key races this year.

For more information on the event and game, visit www.bridgeportbluefish.com.

WNBA champ Yolanda Moore to headline Stratford fundraiser

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Press release:

Two-time WNBA Champion Yolanda Moore will be the Keynote speaker at the March for Education Dinner Dance Fundraiser to send 100 Bridgeport students to the inspirational MLK Monument in Washington DC on Aug. 6th.

Music will be supplied by the phenomenal “Old Skool” Terry Billups Band and Bridgeport’s own up and coming songstress Providence Gypsy.

Tickets are $50.00 in advance and $60.00 at the door. If you cant attend, donations are welcome and tax deductable and maybe you can help someone elses child to go.

Stratford Conference Stratford Center 225 Lordship Boulevard I-95, Exit 30 Stratford, CT 06615

Call Tim Cooper for Tickets 203 -522-2511 or 203 -377-3514

Bunnell boys soccer team to be honored at council meeting

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After winning the Class L state championship in November, the Bunnell boys soccer team will be honored tonight at the Stratford Town Council meeting. The meeting is set to begin at 8 p.m.

Read about the Bulldogs recent victory here.

Stratford names fieldhouse after Terry Backer

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The Stratford Town Council Monday night named the new Stratford Little League Fieldhouse at Short Beach in honor of State Rep. Terry Backer.

Backer assisted in securing funding for the construction of the fieldhouse.

He has represented Stratford since 1993 and is currently serving his ninth term.

Erin’s Gym opens in Stratford

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Erin’s Gym, a new sporting facility located next to Sterling House Community Center, opened to the public Saturday with a celebratory ribbon cutting and open house.
 
Youth sporting leagues operated by Sterling House will have full use of the 14,000 square foot gymnasium, which has batting cages and a turf field. The facility is also available for rent.
 
The gym was built in memory of Erin Babineau, a former Stratford resident who was killed in a motor vehicle collision while being shuttled to a Jamaican resort at the start of a family vacation in February 2005. She was 10 years old.
Since their daughter’s death six years ago, Jeff and Donna Babineau founded the Erin Babineau Memorial Fund to support athletic and community programs for Stratford youths. 
 
Erin’s Gym was privately funded by the memorial fund and a donation from Jeff and Donna Babineau, who will manage the facility.

Bunnell coach wins national award

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Bunnell High School Athletic Director David Johnson has been named National Athletic Director of the Year of 2011 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSCA). 

Tonight the Stratford Town Council will honor Johnson at its regularly scheduled meeting at 8 p.m. in the town hall council chambers.

New home for Stratford Little League

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Press release:

For over 60 years Stratford Little League has had a strong commitment to thousands of local families who have taken advantage of the League’s programs and clinics. And for much of that time they have relied on volunteer coaches to store equipment during the off-season. That is about to change.

Stratford Little League and the Town of Stratford are actively accepting bids for a general contract professional to construct a 2-story, 1,800 square foot Field Control Center. The facility addresses several needs for the League as it continues to grow its ranks and for the town as it meets demand for the ballfield complex

In addition to providing winter storage for equipment, the new building will have rest rooms and a snack bar. The grounds will see much needed improvements, including the installation of a patio area, redesigned walkways, and a brick entrance way to the facility.

“This is a much needed facility,” said Keith Ferrara, League Treasurer and Building Needs Committee Co-Chair. He added, “it is critically important for us to have a centralized location to store, organize and inspect all of the leagues equipment. Also, with the money raised by the snack bar we can put much needed funding back into the equipment for all players and much needed field improvements,”

For the past 18 months a Building Needs Committee has been meeting on a regular basis, with State and local officials to review site plans as well as scope the size and duration of the project. Construction is slated to begin this spring, with facility up and operating during the fall baseball season. Former Stratford Little League President and Building Needs Committee Co-Chair Chris Tyler commented that, “a tremendous amount of time has gone into getting the details right. We want this building to be more than just facility to serve the needs of the people who will use it – This will be a permanent home for Stratford Little League.”

The idea for the project began when the league felt it was could not keep pace with the growing demand for the baseball and softball programs it offers to hundreds of Town boys and girls each year. They turned to State Representative Terry Backer who immediately recognized the importance of the project and set about securing a grant from the State of Connecticut to aid in the construction. The League is also aided by the support of several local firms who offered pro-bono services, including those of: Robert L. Tobin, architect; Silver Petrucelli and Associates, OWI Construction Management, and Perreiera Engineering. “I am extremely grateful for all the time and effort everyone has put in to make this project a reality. The generosity of volunteering services is in keeping with the values of our League, and a great example for our kids,” said current Stratford Little League President Bill Augustine.

Plans and documentation for anyone interested preparing a bid are available through the town of Stratford. The League is actively looking for donations of any of the building materials specified in the bid package and has committed to recognizing the generosity of those make contributions to the project with permanent signage. Questions should be directed to the Stratford Little League by calling 203 545-9963, or by emailing StratfordLittleLeague@gmail.com.

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