Month: September 2015

FAIRFIELD, CT/AUGUST 31, 2015 – Lifelong learners take note: The Fairfield Museum and History Center is looking for people in the community who want to share their interest in history with students and adults by becoming a Museum Docent. A free training session will be held on Friday, September 25^th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Museum, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required by calling 203-259-1598 or visiting http://docentorientation.eventbrite.com.

The Education Staff at the Museum will present an overview of docent opportunities as well as a “highlights of the Historic Town Green” walking tour. The program is intellectually stimulating and socially rewarded, and includes readings and discussions on various topics in American history and education.

Future docents will learn how to present guided tours including walking tours of Fairfield’s Historic Town Green, house tours of the 1750 Ogden House and exhibition tours. The volunteer position offers adults the chance to learn about local history and also to work directly with the public.

Mike Brennan became a docent at the Fairfield Museum after a 35-year long career in publishing. “Especially gratifying to me,” he said of his role at the Museum, “is to experience the awakening awareness of the past in young children. It is a privilege to be a part of this process.”

Docent benefits include field trips, access to evening lecture series by noted historians and the opportunity to meet others interested in history and education.

Barbara Lucia, another Fairfield Museum docent, said she enjoys the educational opportunities afforded by the volunteer position. “In addition to being able to share my knowledge and interest in history with both children and adults, it is also an opportunity to further my own learning through the excellent workshops, lectures, and daytrips that are offered.”

“This fall, we will launch Handcrafted: Artisans Past & Present, an exhibit highlighting artisans who work in the region today and the area’s strong history of decorative arts,” according to Christine Jewell, director of education and community programs. “Docents will be an important part of the new educational programs we are planning to go along with the exhibit.”

Whether you’ve lived in the area for many years or are a new resident, you are invited to discover the rewards of sharing the rich history of the town of Fairfield and the region with students, families and adults.

About the Fairfield Museum and History Center

The Fairfield Museum and History Center is a regional cultural arts and education center established in 2007 by the 103-year old Fairfield Historical Society. Located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield, CT, the Museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for students and seniors. Members of the Museum and children under 5 years of age are free. For more information, call 203-259-1598 or visit Fairfieldhistory.org

# Bridgeport CT– A press conference happened and no one showed up.  It happened Friday, and we aren’t talking a no named public official but the Chief of Police Joseph Gaudette Jr.!  On August 2nd, CT Post’s Daniel Tepfer wrote an article headlined “No crime in Bridgeport — until after the election”.  Their source was an unnamed city official.    On August 3rd Chief Gaudettte posted press release announcing holding a weekly press conference regarding crime statistics.

 

On the first week of the of the conferences, myself, Frank Recchia along with a News12 photographer, a WFSB photographer and a CT Post reporter were in attendance.  The second week myself, a News12 photographer and a CT Post reporter was in attendance.  I was finding that since I had already covered the news stories discussed,  it wasn’t a good use of my time.  So the third week I did not attend.  The only reporter there was a News12 photographer.

 

The fourth week, Friday September 4th no one showed up to the press conference.  Here is a meeting that was being held pretty much to appease the CT Post and they can’t show up for it.  If there was an issue with getting information on news stories in Bridgeport you know I would lead the charge, but there has been no issue.  Many news sources now take press releases, rewrite it and call it their breaking news. They want the news handed to them.  A good example was the airplane that skidded off the runway at Sikorsky Airport on Monday.  It was a twenty minute round trip for me and a ten minute write up to tell you what happened at show you a picture of it.  CT Post and all the other media sources (except News12) showed stock photos and relied on press releases.

 

As a result my audience continues to grow and my internet traffic according to Facebook is over four times the traffic as CT Post.  Please keep up what you are doing, or not doing, but don’t blame the city, the chief or the mayor.  Its just lazy reporting on your part, don’t blame anyone but yourself.  Oh, by the way, I am a one man show at DoingItLocal.com and have no problem going to the crime scenes to inform the public on what is going on.  Do your job and stop blaming others.