Registration now open for Great Park Pursuit

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced registration for the 2017 No Child Left Inside Great Park Pursuit — Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure is now open at www.NoChildLeftInside.org through Friday, May 5.

Registration is not required, but families or teams (with at least one adult 18 years or older and one child under 18) who do register and attend all six weeks of the program will be eligible to win a prize. Registrants will also receive a wristband that allows them to get into the park for free for that day’s program. To be eligible for the final prize, families must register by May 5, attend all six weeks of the game, check in at the registration table at each location, hand-in an activity card and provide documentation that they attended the self-guided events.

The 2017 Great Park Pursuit kicks-off with the free Family Fishing Day (no license required) at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth on Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will end June 17 at a location that will be announced as the game progresses. There will also be activities at a different state park on the four Saturdays in between. Families will learn the location of these activities by following clues at www.NoChildLeftInside.org.

The Great Park Pursuit is a series of activities designed to introduce families to the outdoors, build the next generation of environmental stewards and showcase Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests this spring.

Masquerade ball benefits The Connection

MIDDLETOWN/ BRANFORD >> The Connection will hold its first Masquerade Ball from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at Woodwinds, 29 School Ground Road, Branford. This Connection signature event includes a silent auction and dance music provided by the Hot Cat Jazz Band, which specializes in swing, big band jazz and classic rock music.

The Masquerade Ball’s theme of “Unmasking Homelessness” is a way to de-stigmatize and tell the stories of a complex issue that affects so many of The Connection’s clients. We are proud and grateful that we have, during our 45-year history, helped many individuals and families to find safe and stable homes, recovery and successful reintegration into their communities.

A current Connection client who has been homeless and has a history of incarceration will share her story about the ways in which our caring staff and programs have helped her find success in her life.

Funds raised at the Unmasking Homelessness Masquerade Ball will be used where most needed — providing support to unfunded and underfunded initiatives in programs that serve homeless clients in each of the Agency’s three service areas: Behavioral Health, Family Support Services and Community Justice.

Tickets and sponsorships are available by contacting Beth Connor at 860-343-5500, x1600 or at bconnor@theconnectioninc.org. To view and print the event flier and ticket/ sponsorship information, visit www.theconnectioninc.org/ unmaskinghomelessness2017.

The Connection is a Connecticut-based, nonprofit human services and community development agency that partners with individuals and their families to provide the needed resources to improve their lives. For information about The Connection, visit www.theconnectioninc.org or call the toll-free Helpline: 855Help955 or 855-435-7955.

Chamber to offer shredding service

CLINTON >> The Clinton Chamber of Commerce has arranged for the public to shred unwanted documents. A truck from ‘The Shredding Source of Guilford will be parked next to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce office at 50 East Main Street in Clinton on Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Volunteers from Vista Life Innovations and the Chamber of Commerce will assist in removing boxes from your car to take to the shredder. Sweitzer Waste Removal is again donating a cardboard recycling container. This is an ideal service for senior citizens who may not be able to lift heavy boxes.

The Shredding Source personnel will destroy personal and legal documents on site and issue a certificate of destruction if requested. Cost is $6 box. Staples and paperclips do not have to be removed. Schweitzer Waste Removal has donated use of a recycling dumpster for patrons to leave any unwanted cardboard boxes.

The public is invited to participate. It is not necessary to be a Clinton resident or chamber member to participate. Questions can be directed to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860-669-3889 or emailed to chamber@clintonct.com