Car Cruise award winners announced

MIDDLETOWN » The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce recently announced the Sponsor Awards for Middletown’s 20th Annual Cruise Night on Main Powered by NAPA on June 14, 2017.

“We were quite fortunate to have a beautiful day and the 20th Annual Cruise Night on Main was a major success on Wednesday evening,” said Chamber President Larry McHugh. “This was once again a terrific event that attracted thousands of people and approximately 750 classic cars to downtown Middletown. I would like to again thank the City of Middletown, our sponsors, and everyone who worked to make 20th Annual Cruise Night on Main a success. We are already looking forward to next year.”

The annual event benefits Middletown youth programs, including the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program, Middletown Recreation Programs, and the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program.

The following awards were presented at the car cruise.

Best In Show Award – Powered by NAPA: Joe Lajoie of East Windsor for his 1969 Orange Chevrolet C/20

Jackson Chevrolet Choice Award – presented by Jackson Chevrolet: Ed Makuck of North Branford for his 1956 Yellow & Black Chevrolet Belair Convertible

Main Drag Award - presented by Downtown Business District: Tony Della Camera of North Branford for his 1956 Green & White Canadian Bolt Lucerne

Liberty’s Choice Award presented by Liberty Bank: Jerry Augustine of Middletown for his 1953 M38A1 Green Jeep

Apple Rehab Choice Award – presented by Apple Rehab: Charles Flechner of Middletown for his 1955 Sky Haze Green Ford Thunderbird

AAA Diamond Award presented by AAA Cromwell: Mark Hueffman of North Haven for his 1987 Black Buick Grand National

The Smokin’ Hot Award – presented by Servpro of Middletown / New Britain: Dan Bellini of Berlin for his 1957 Blue Chevrolet Belair

The Restored to Glory Award- Presented by City Church, Middletown: Ronnie & Pat Dacurto for their 1968 Blue Chevrolet Camaro

The Fat City Cycle Award – presented by Eli Cannon’s Tap Room: Sal Emanuele of Middletown for his 1965 Beige Chevrolet Nova SS

Mayor’s Choice Award-presented by Mayor Daniel Drew: Bob Gasparri of Waterbury for his 1957 Turquoise & White Chevrolet 210 For more information, visit cruisenightonmain.com

Community Music School receives grant

CENTERBROOK » Community Music School has received a $3,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County/River View Cemetery Fund to support the New Horizons Band.

Community Music School’s New Horizon Band is a notfor-profit program that provides Middlesex County with an adult beginners band of 13 members, many of whom have had never played an instrument before joining. Under the direction of Patricia Hurley, the CMS New Horizons Band performs marches, jazz selections, and music from the stage and screen, and much more. The band has recently collaborated with the John Winthrop Middle School band and has also participated in several concerts open to the public, in the past six months.

The CFMC grant will be used to further the advancement of the New Horizons Band. The New Horizons Program provides an entry point to music making for seniors, including those with no musical experience at all, or those who were active in school music programs but have been inactive for a long period. The band is nurturing, noncompetitive, and supportive in style.

There are no auditions or tryouts, and everyone is welcome, and many seniors enjoy the socialization of group instruction and ensemble playing. Seniors participating in such a music program meet new friends, become an important part of a group, and have events to look forward to. The New Horizons Band has become an important part of the cultural life of our community as well, performing in many different settings and for special events. In addition to formal concerts, performances in community centers, and summer concerts in parks, they often play for retirement and nursing homes where added events are so needed.

“This program is so important to our seniors – both those who perform in the band and those who enjoy their many concerts throughout the year,” states Abigail Nickell, Executive Director of Community Music School. “We are so grateful for CFMC’s support of this program so we can continue to serve the seniors in our community.”

For additional information, visit www.community-musicschool.org or call CMS at 860767-0026.