Community snapshots

Preschoolers from Salem Community Child Care Center recently attended a story time at the Whittemore Library. The children listened to a story about mittens then created their own mittens. –CONTRIBUTED

Sophia Scampolino, of Prospect, won the Citizen’s News Easter coloring contest in the 6- to 8-year-old age group.-LUKE MARSHALL

Naugatuck Special Olympics competed in the Northwest Invitational March 16 held in Waterbury taking home a gold medal. Pictured, bottom row from left, Nick Capozzi, Joseph Thiel, Craig Taylor and Meaghan Jones. Back row from left, Tasha Hopkins, Willie Burdick, Dan Renzoni,Nicole Gervais, coach Jim Miele and Jake Segla. –CONTRIBUTED

Preschoolers from Salem Community Child Care Center recently attended a story time at the Whittemore Library. The children listened to a story about mittens then created their own mittens. –CONTRIBUTED

Webelo II from Pack 27 of Prospect crossed over to Boy Scouts at a Blue and Gold Ceremony on March 17. Pictured, front row from left, Collin Lacey, Luciano D’Amelio, Bailey Williams, Ethan Ligi and Brandon McClusker. Back row from left, James Champagne, Jonathan Tanguay, Joshua Thompson, Ethan Carlone, Zachary Bertrand, and Mary Beth Knobel. –CONTRIBUTED

Chase Collegiate junior Matthew McClain, of Naugatuck, (second from the left in the back row) and senior William Billy Robinson, of Naugatuck, (second from the left in the front row) earned All-HVAL honors as members of Chase Collegiate’s boys basketball team. McClain was named to the first team and Player of the Year. Robinson made the second team. The team finished with a 17-8 record and won the regular season and tournament HVAL championships and was a New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class D finalist. Pictured, back row from left, Charles McClain, McClain and Ryan Shiel. Front row from left, Kyle Bonicki and Robinson. –CONTRIBUTED

A pastel painting by Naugatuck artist Liz Monahan entitled ‘Winter’s End.’ Fine Line Art Gallery is hosting an Open House Reception on April 6 to welcome three new Connecticut artists, including Liz Monahan of Naugatuck. The gallery is located at 319 Main St. South, Woodbury. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. –CONTRIBUTED

Alexander Gelada, of Naugatuck, won the Citizen’s News Easter coloring contest in the 3- to 5-year-old age group.-LUKE MARSHALL

Naugatuck artist Kiki Michalek was recently accepted into the Artist in Residence Program at the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon. The program provides free studio space for three months to ‘emerging’ fine artists or artisans seeking to explore new directions and enhance their creative vision. Michalek was chosen with another artist, Anna Murfin, as a shared residency which will last through May 2013. Michalek, who has worked as a freelance artist in the state for over 30 years, will be focusing on a series of large, fine art carousel paintings during her residency. –CONTRIBUTED

The Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation recently awarded a $2,500 grant to Special Olympics Connecticut to support its 2013 Basketball Invitational, a one day tournament held in Waterbury that features teams consisting solely of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Pictured, from left, Special Olympics athlete from Naugatuck Jake Segla, Naugatuck Savings Bank Vice President of Human Resources Kathleen McPadden and Regional Global Messenger Assistant for Special Olympics Connecticut Raymond Hadden III. –CONTRIBUTED