Don Lowe is a man of 21 talents. Professionally, he’s an adjunct professor who teaches composition and business writing at Naugatuck Valley Community College and public speaking at Mercy College. He tutors as well and teaches all subjects to “at risk” students for REACH in Newtown. In the Town of Sherman, he’s a well-known third… Read More In the Spotlight: Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist Don Lowe
SHERMAN — John Rich met skepticism in November as he opened Sacred Grounds Coffee Roasters in this rural community, but just months later his fair trade coffee business continues to grow. In four months Rich, 46, found a niche market and he is selling 16 certified organic and fair trade coffees from around the world… Read More Sacred Grounds Coffee Roasters Expands New Business into Litchfield County Towns
Strawberry Fields Farm in Sherman is hosting a special lecture, “How to Create Unique Centerpieces with Vegetables & Flowers” on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. Guests will get their creative juices flowing with Loretta Stagen, a professional floral designer with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in creative décor for weddings, parties, theater… Read More Learn to Create Unique Centerpieces With Vegetables & Flowers This Saturday
Saint Patrick’s Day is finally here me lads and lasses, so it makes perfect sense the Mighty Ploughboys, a popular five-member Irish rock band with roots in New Fairfield, Sherman, and Danbury, are in the spotlight tonight! The band is headlining at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York, a popular restaurant and live music… Read More The Mighty Ploughboys Rocking Daryl’s House on Saint Patty’s Day
Strawberry Fields Farm in Sherman is hosting a special lecture, “The Elegance of Memorable Coffee” on Saturday, March 19, at 2 p.m. Coffee enthusiasts will meet Dr. Gerald Ross, a barista’s barista. Based on years of research, explore the full range of coffee options with Dr. Ross. Improve your coffee game from espresso to presse-café… Read More Attend ‘The Elegance of Memorable Coffee’ Lecture this Saturday
Looking for a fun and elegant night out that’s also for a great cause? Attend the Sherman School’s 8th Annual Dinner and Dance Gala at The Club at River Oaks in Sherman on Saturday, March 19, from 7 PM to 11 PM. Sponsored by the Sherman School Parent Teacher Organization (SPTO), the goal is to… Read More Last Chance to Get Your Dinner & Dance Gala Tickets!
On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Labor (CT DOL) – Office of Research released their monthly Business and Employment Changes Announced in the Media report. For the month of February, six companies announced plans to seasonally or permanently hire a total of 1,615 employees. For this year, Home Depot plans to hire 900 seasonal employees… Read More 6 Connecticut Companies Announce Hiring Plans
Strawberry Fields Farm in Sherman is offering three upcoming Edible Education lectures. The first of three begins at 2 PM on Saturday, March 5, and the highlight is all about European cooking. John Jenner’s “Traveling and Cooking in Europe” experiences are sure to captivate his audience. Mr. Jenner is well-traveled and he cooked extensively in… Read More Traveling and Cooking Lecture With John Jenner On Saturday
February 29 through March 6 is the 2nd Annual Operation Wear Red Campaign to help raise awareness of Aplastic Anemia! First Selectman of Sherman, Clay Cope, First Selectwoman of New Fairfield, Susan Chapman, and their Boards; along with the Mayor of New Milford, David Gronbach, just issued formal proclamations and are encouraging their communities to… Read More Wear Red! Julia’s Wings Awareness Week Kicks Off on Monday
Especially in small town Sherman, it’s not an everyday occurrence when a new business opens its doors. When one does, word of the great news spreads quickly, and many residents can’t wait to find out for themselves what the business is all about. For John Rich, owner of Sacred Grounds Coffee Roasters, he knows firsthand… Read More Sacred Grounds Coffee Roasters Brewing Up a Successful Business ‘That Rocks’ in Sherman
Did you ever want to visit a sugar shack to see how maple sap to maple syrup is made? Well, now is your chance to see for yourself how it’s done! For one day, Strawberry Fields Farm is opening up its sugar shack to the public on Saturday, February 27th, from 10 a.m. to 5… Read More Maple Sap To Maple Syrup Demonstration at Strawberry Fields Farm
If you’re looking for something fun and entertaining to do this evening at 8 p.m., then tickets are still available to see and hear over a dozen talented local musicians perform on stage, and all in one place! The Sherman Playhouse is hosting a special event, called The Ole Sherman Opry, which offers a unique,… Read More Live Music Tonight at the Sherman Playhouse
Danbury, Conn. (Citizen News) – Over 50 people gathered in the foyer at the Danbury City Hall last Wednesday afternoon to witness and show support at Clay Cope’s first official press conference, which put his campaign to run for Congress in the 5th District into high gear. In attendance were several high-profile Connecticut Republicans along… Read More Republicans Endorse Clay Cope for Congress
Amore Restaurant Serves Up Much More Than Tasty Italian Cuisine!… Read More Live Music in February at Amore Restaurant in Sherman
Not much remains of the snow that blanketed the area only this morning, which had the school children from the Candlewood Lake towns thrilled to have a day off! This photo shows a view of Chicken Rock with Hubbell Mountain in the background. Sherman, Connecticut. Photo by Alicia Sakal.
Sherman, Conn. (Citizen News) – It seems like just yesterday Sherman, Connecticut residents were voting at the polls in the 2015 local election. First Selectman Clay Cope won his third consecutive term in office. Just as he was getting settled in the New Year, Mr. Cope announced that he is officially running for Congress. This… Read More First Selectman Clay Cope Officially Announces Running for Congress in Connecticut’s 5th District
A Parent Survival Guide to Cabin Fever! Single degree mornings. Wind chill factors. Too cold to play outside. Yes, Old Man Winter is here and children are typically one of two extremes; bouncing off the walls or bored to tears. It’s amazing how many free, low-priced, and moderately priced indoor activities there are in our… Read More 40 Places for Children to Have Fun Indoors This Winter
UPDATE: Candlewood Lake Drawdown Now Underway New Milford, Conn. – FirstLight Power Resources (FirstLight), the owner and operator of the Rocky River Hydroelectric Power Station in New Milford, issued the following statement regarding the biennial shallow drawdown of Candlewood Lake: “The shallow drawdown of Candlewood Lake was recently delayed by a mechanical malfunction of one… Read More Press Release: FirstLight Drawdown Update
Sherman, Conn. (Citizen News) – First Selectman Clay Cope, who is serving the beginning of his third term, was just informally asked to become a U.S. House of Representatives candidate for Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District in this year’s election. Regardless of whether or not First Selectman Cope decides to formally accept the nomination, it’s an… Read More Will First Selectman Clay Cope Run for Congress?
In the wee hours of morning on Saturday, Jolly Old Saint Nick was seen rolling into Holy Trinity’s parking lot with sirens blaring and lights flaring. Over 100 children, parents, and volunteers were in awe and couldn’t believe their eyes. Once again, it was a magical moment for those who believe. After 36 years of… Read More Jolly Old Saint Nick Arrives by Fire Truck at Holy Trinity
At first glance, holiday shopping options in Sherman for family and friends can appear to be quite limited. Our quaint and rural town is not about having tons of commercial buildings and streets lined with endless rows of boutique shops and national retailers. However, if one looks closer, Sherman certainly does offer “something for everyone”… Read More Uniquely Sherman: 17 Distinctive Places To Go For All of Your Holiday Shopping
Passersby will most certainly notice a festive 10-foot Christmas tree as they drive by Amore Restaurant on State Route 37 East in Sherman this holiday season. Community togetherness was the hallmark of this celebratory gathering on Friday night. Over 50 people sang Christmas carols and shared a champagne toast with the Ragosta family at their… Read More First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Amore Restaurant
Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is teaming up with the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department and Grade 4 Sherman School elves, who need money for their Washington D.C. class trip, to deliver holiday gifts directly to your home. Surprising the little ones with a delightful visit from Santa and his elves begins with an arrival at… Read More Santa in a Fire Truck is Express Delivering Gifts to Sherman Boys and Girls on Dec. 19!
Families, friends, and neighbors… share in the magic of a fun-filled night that includes a pasta dinner with a screening of the award-winning The Polar Express movie. Sponsored by the Sherman Parent Teacher Organization (SPTO), this fundraising community event for the Grade 4 Washington D.C. trip will take place at the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department… Read More All Aboard The Polar Express at the Sherman Firehouse on Friday, Dec. 11
On Veterans Day, over 450 students, faculty, parents, veterans with relatives, and elected officials attended the 5th Annual Veterans Day Assembly held at the Sherman School. They congregated to formally honor all veterans and to share the significance of this national day of recognition with the students. The Sherman Veterans Association also formally recognized SSgt.… Read More Veterans Honor SSgt. TJ Lobraico Jr. with a Memorial Plaque at the Sherman School Assembly
On Saturday, October 17th, the Sherman School celebrated its 12th Annual Harvest Fair sponsored by the Sherman Parent Teacher Organization. Over 300 people attended this year’s event including volunteers, sponsors, and children with their parents and friends. In classic small town Sherman-style, community togetherness and fun certainly filled the air, both literally and figuratively. While… Read More Community Togetherness and Excitement at This Year’s Harvest Fair
Sherman, Conn. – Parents, grandparents, and friends in neighboring towns… mark your calendars for the 12th Annual SPTO Harvest Fair at the Sherman School, which will take place on Saturday, October 17th from Noon to 4 P.M. This well attended and much anticipated family event is sure to entertain the children. Plus, the After Hours… Read More Rain or Shine, it’s… HARVEST FAIR TIME!
Sherman, Conn. (Citizen News) – Last week, the Citizen News reported on the first half of the Sherman Board of Education (BoE) Special Meeting. Although the session only lasted a little over two hours, the information the panel shared with the BoE was extremely in-depth and multifaceted. State and local education experts were there to… Read More Part 2: State of Connecticut Educators and Attorney Address Low SBAC Test Participation with Sherman School BoE
Sherman, Conn. (Citizen News) – The Sherman Board of Education (BoE) recently held a special meeting with state and local education experts to address the low 53% participation rate for students in Grades 3 through 8 who recently took the Common Core Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) exam this past spring. Over 40 educators and… Read More Part 1: State of Connecticut Educators and Attorney Address Low SBAC Test Participation with Sherman School BoE
According to the United States Census Bureau’s last American Community Survey update, 6.3 percent of the Connecticut workforce commutes out of state. In the State of Connecticut, it is common knowledge that the majority of out-of-state workers living in Fairfield County, aka “New York’s Backyard”, commute into Manhattan. Especially because the cost of living is… Read More Would you commute 144 miles a day to New York City for a job?
Sherman, Connecticut – Meet the Royals… A family that’s transforming a foreclosed farm into a multi-dimensional business and community gem. Story and Photos by Alicia Sakal Summer is here at last and so were the ripe, tasty and delicious organic strawberries at Strawberry Fields Farm in Sherman. How delicious are they? Here’s what some visitors… Read More Celebrating Summer at Strawberry Fields Farm’s Grand Opening
There Are Design Trends and a Top-Notch Customer Service Trend That Are Here to Stay. Especially in today’s busy world, wouldn’t it be incredible “if” you could save time and have a showroom brought to you, within the convenience of your own home, for your next custom kitchen or bathroom renovation project? What if you… Read More ‘Kitchens By Edward’ Brings the Showroom to Your Home!
Jackie Stager is a smart, talented, and spirited young teenager with plenty of dreams, hopes, and aspirations just like any other 14-year-old. When she is feeling well, Jackie is an A+ student at Marvelwood High School and is a gifted singer for SingOut!CT, a local pre-professional chorus. She would also love to act again… Read More ‘Run, Walk, or Roll’ in a 3K / 5K Race & Enjoy a Community Event on Saturday, May 23rd
Need a Local Master Carpenter or Cabinet Maker for your Next Custom Build? Look No Further… By Alicia Sakal Originally Published in the May 6th Edition of the Citizen News, serving Sherman and New Fairfield, Connecticut. If you live in Sherman or New Fairfield, then chances are good that you have at least heard of… Read More Building Signature Masterpieces for Over 45 Years, Addison L. Havens Custom Homes & Woodworking
Art enthusiasts of all ages, mark your calendars for this year’s much anticipated and celebrated Sherman School Art Show that is sure to offer another sensory overload experience. Over 1,000 pieces of amazing two-dimensional and three-dimensional creativity will be on display by each and every student artist in the Pre-K through the Eighth grade. Day… Read More Attend the Sherman School Art Show, Now In Its Twenty-Third Year!
An art program that brings out “the artist” in every student. The popular Sherman School Art Show now in its twenty-third year. Award-winning mosaic self-portraits and artwork by young artists. Who is the driving force behind these accolades? Why, it’s the inspirational Sherman School art teacher, Alisyn Hamilton. If you, your child, or grandchild has… Read More Alisyn Hamilton, Meet the Artist and Teacher Inspiring Young Van Goghs’
March 6 commemorates the official completion date for the much anticipated round of renovations at The Sherman Playhouse. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, especially with The Sherman Playhouse’s 2015 season starting up on the opening night of April 10 with the classic onstage sci-fi thriller, “1984”. After walking into the newly renovated areas with… Read More Bravo! The Sherman Playhouse Renovators Deserve a Standing Ovation
For a great cause, Sherman School students and their parents can watch an entertaining and lively game of hoops at the school’s gym on Wednesday, April 1, from 3:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Middle School Hoops Teams will be playing against the Faculty, which is sure to make for an energetic game! All students… Read More Enjoy a Fun ‘Student versus Faculty Game’ of Hoops to Support the Perkins School for the Blind
Kicking off the job fair season this spring is the much anticipated Danbury Career Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. This event is the first in a series of five events geared towards jobseekers with all different kinds of skill levels, and across a wide range of industries. This career fair will take place on Friday, March… Read More Attend the Danbury Career Fair in Connecticut on Friday, March 6
On Wednesday, The Connecticut Department of Labor released their monthly Business and Employment Changes Announced in the Media report. This particular report is just one indicator of how the Connecticut job market is fairing. For the Month of February, the Connecticut Department of Labor, Office of Research reported that Home Depot announced they are ramping… Read More Home Depot is hiring 900 seasonal workers across Connecticut
This original interview with the Sherman, Connecticut Public Works Supervisor appeared in the Citizen News on February 11th. Six more snowstorms added to the count in just 10 days. Talk about a tough job! Article & Photo by Alicia Sakal How Many Snowstorms Are We Up To? Sherman’s Public Works Department Sure Knows! In light… Read More Snowstorm #20, But Who’s Counting in this Rural New England Town?
Last January, Trooper First Class Michael Saraceno met with the Citizen News for an interview. One year later, Citizen News checked in with him again to see how he is liking the job and what advice he would like to give Sherman residents. For starters, and right before the New Year, Trooper Saraceno is finally… Read More Resident State Trooper, Michael Saraceno, Moves to the New Emergency Services Center in Sherman
When Sherman voters approved the lease of Happy Acres Farm to Full Circle Farming LLC on Saturday evening – by the overwhelming margin of 452 in favor to 264 opposed – they gave new life to the iconic Sherman landmark, which triggered an outpouring of relief and joy from its supporters. The results of… Read More Happy Acres Farm Has a New Tenant, Full Circle Farming LLC
“Eyewitnesses” said that at precisely 9 a.m. on Saturday, just like clockwork, jolly old Saint Nicholas came to town for another festive visit to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. One thing is for certain, Santa didn’t arrive by sleigh. As for how he got to Sherman in the first place, without his magical herd of… Read More Jolly Old Saint Nick Enjoys his 35th Year of Breakfast with Children at Holy Trinity Church
Especially in cold weather, children really do have the tendency to “bounce off the walls” with bottled up energy if they are kept inside too much. For this reason, I like to “playground hop” with my son in our town and we also like to visit playgrounds in neighboring towns to add variety and interest… Read More Cold Weather is Fun at New Castle Park Playground in New Fairfield, Connecticut
If you’re after the full nostalgic experience, then tradition and memories await when cutting down a tree with loved ones. Evergreen Lane. Windswept Tree Farm. Sounds like a magical winter wonderland, don’t you think? It just so happens to be located in Sherman, Connecticut! Last Sunday afternoon, our family excursion began to “find the most perfect… Read More Finding the ‘Perfect’ Christmas Tree at Windswept Tree Farm
In our small New England town of Sherman, many local people know Mike Luzi as “one of the nicest guys ever, who runs the Sherman IGA.” For longtime residents, if they really think hard enough, they may actually be able to count the years he first opened the store. As for newer residents, the total… Read More Mike Luzi: 30 Years of Humanitarian Service to the Town of Sherman
Saturday marked the end of the fall season for the Sherman Soccer Club. Children and parents alike had a fantastic time participating and watching the last game of the year. As a parent, it was simply amazing to see the young In-house players in action working together on their teams looking focused and serious at… Read More My Newbie Sherman Soccer Club Player
This article originally appeared in the November 5th Edition of the Citizen News, a locally printed newspaper for Sherman and New Fairfield, Connecticut. It’s part of the Blue Skies and Sunny Days series. Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal Fresh crisp air with zero humidity, spectacular fall foliage of burnt reds, oranges and yellows, and no pesky… Read More Late Autumn Walks at the Mallory Trail and Colonial Park Nature Trail
“I was paid to sail first-class transatlantic on the QE2, I yachted in the Mediterranean, saw the midnight sun in the North Cape, soaked in the hot springs in Iceland, gambled in Monte Carlo, sipped tea in London, sipped champagne in Paris, got massaged in a castle in Germany, drove a Mercedes Benz on the… Read More Is Owning a Home-Based Travel Agency a Dream Job? Sabine Scherner Tells All
Photo: COD Newsroom, Flickr.com By Alicia Sakal If you are an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, or a recent college graduate still looking for a job, then it’s a must to attend the College 2 Career Expo at Rentschler Field on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 in East Hartford, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored… Read More The College 2 Career Expo is in East Hartford, Connecticut this Wednesday
Contributed Photo By Alicia Sakal In the first exclusive interview with State Representative Richard A. Smith, he states that Connecticut’s true unemployment rate is more like 8.97 percent. The economy is failing terribly, and Connecticut-based companies and residents are continuing to leave the state in droves for better opportunity and less taxes elsewhere. The state… Read More How to fix Connecticut’s economy: An interview with State Rep. Richard A. Smith (Part 2 of 2)
This article originally appeared in the October 8th Edition of the Citizen News, a locally printed newspaper for Sherman and New Fairfield, Connecticut. Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal I’m not sure why it is that my five-year-old son and I seem to always miss the tons of well-organized events and programs geared towards children of all… Read More Just an Ordinary Day at the Sherman Library
Contributed Photo By Alicia Sakal In a recent exclusive interview with Connecticut State Representative Richard A. Smith of the 108th District who represents New Fairfield, Sherman, New Milford, and Danbury, he thinks Connecticut’s real unemployment rate is more like 8.97 percent. He also shared that the economy is in-fact failing miserably, and the state is actually in job… Read More Connecticut’s job growth crisis: An interview with State Rep. Richard A. Smith (Part 1 of 2)
Contributed Photo: Connecticut Department of Labor By Alicia Sakal With Election 2014 just around the corner, and the gubernatorial race between Governor Dannel Malloy and Tom Foley in full force, the latest report released on September 30, 2014 by the Connecticut Department of Labor – Office of Research, entitled the September 2014 – Business &… Read More Company layoffs outnumber new jobs in Connecticut for September
Photo By WCSU, Peggy Stewart, Flickr.com By Alicia Sakal If you or someone you know is looking for a job, then it is well worth the effort to go to The Danbury Career Fair on Friday, September 19th at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This job fair… Read More Connecticut: The Danbury Career Fair is this Friday
Photo By jglazer75, Wikimedia Commons By Alicia Sakal The Connecticut Department of Labor – Office of Research just released the August Business and Employment Changes Report. The list provided each month is by no means extensive and is only a sampling of activity when it comes to job growth and staff reduction trends in the… Read More Connecticut’s startups, expansions and layoffs announced
Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal Last February, the Connecticut Education Committee (CEC) proposed changing the cutoff date from January 1 to October 1. There was another failed attempt in 2011. Currently, only Connecticut and Vermont have an unusual state cutoff date of on or before January 1 for when children entering Kindergarten need to be… Read More The Minimum Enrollment Age for Kindergarten in Connecticut Needs to Change
The summertime job search advantage… … Read More Job searching: The summertime job hunting advantage
Photo By John Jacobi, Flickr.com The in-person interview starts well before the scheduled time of the interview. How will you fair? By Alicia Sakal Some of the most desirable companies to work for value their employees of all levels, including contractors and onsite laborers. Conventional wisdom knows that it’s always a good idea to be… Read More The job interview: Be nice to every person, and not just the hiring manager
The in-person interview starts well before the scheduled time of the interview. How will you fair? Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal Especially in a pro-employer job market, when all skillsets are equal between the job candidate finalists, the politest and most personable professional will likely get the coveted job offer. The reason is simple:… Read More The job interview: Not saying thank you can cost you the job offer
Here’s a feasible idea to integrate all low-income children immediately into a successful and existing part-time public preschool program, and make it universal for all children. Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal Universal Preschool Access is a hot, national education news topic. For Connecticut government and education leaders, it’s a recurring priority item since 2004. In… Read More Universal Pre-Kindergarten Access Is High Priority in Connecticut
Simply put, “Big City Life” can be very stressful. For this reason, my husband and I made the decision several years ago to buy real estate in Small Town, USA for a much better quality of life. If we had to work our lives away, we decided to at least live in a place that… Read More Why I Bought Real Estate in Small Town, USA
There is No Need to Feel the Stigma of Being Unemployed If Action is Taken Right After a Job Loss These resume filler options are attainable and realistic. They should not become all-consuming to both your job search and your personal life. By Alicia Sakal In this Great Recession, ahem… now called the “New American… Read More Laid-off from a Job? 3 Proactive Ways to NOT Have a Big Gap on Your Resume
Top 5 Water Safety Tips to Prevent Unintentional Drowning Be the “On Duty Lifeguard”. Never take lightly the dangerous threat of the water’s dark side. Especially in the summer months, don’t let your kid become a grim children’s drowning statistic. Think “safety first” with fun-in-the-water activities. Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal Most children do not… Read More Accidental Death by Drowning: Stop It From Happening to Your Child
I Am Raising a Patriotic Child by Teaching My Son Why We Observe This Important National Holiday Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal As Americans, I think it’s universal that we look forward to the long Memorial Day Weekend filled with rest-and-relaxation with family and friends. Oh, how we enjoy the Memorial Day barbeque parties and… Read More Memorial Day Through My Child’s Eyes
Here’s What I Wish I Knew Before I Began Freshman Year in College… Freshman Year can be an intense experience on so many different levels, to say the least. “Figuring it all out” in the first year is a major life adjustment. By Alicia Sakal “Live and learn the hard way” is an appropriate cliché… Read More College-Bound High School Grads: 8 Academic Survival Tips
Finding Fulltime, Post-College Employment Certainly Has Its Challenges in a “Recovering” Economy. Here are 4 “Pearls of Wisdom” I wish someone shared with me when I graduated college in a recession, and needed to find a job. Article and Photo by Alicia Sakal If you do not have a professional job lined up by graduation… Read More New College Grads: Career Tips in Tough Economic Times
