Veterans Day ceremony; forum on drug costs; tennis organization morphs

NORWALK, Conn. – Some news for you:

• Veterans Day ceremony and free concert
• Prescription drug prices to be topic of Tuesday forum
• Grassroots Tennis merges with Stamford Youth Tennis Academy

Norwalk Veterans Day ceremony and free concert

The public is invited to honor veterans at a free concert by the American Festival Band from 9:30-10:30 a.m. this Mon., Nov. 11, in the Norwalk Concert Hall.

After the concert, the Veterans Day Ceremony will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. featuring the Brien McMahon High School Navy Junior ROTC and the Norwalk High School Air Force Junior ROTC. The traditional “One Minute of Silence” will precede a rifle volley salute by the Norwalk Police Department Honor Guard and Rifle Detail, after which NHS Marching Bears and BMHS Marching Senators’ buglers will offer a unique version of Taps, and Norwalk Deputy Fire Chief Ed Prescott will render Amazing Grace.

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony in the Community Room, courtesy of American Legion Post 12 Auxiliary.

Tong, Dathan to discuss drug prices in public forum

A forum hosted by State Representative Lucy Dathan and Attorney General William Tong planned for 6-7 p.m. this Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Norwalk City Hall (3^rd Floor Room A333) will discuss measures being taken to address the skyrocketing costs of generic prescription drugs.  Dathan and Tong, along with State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Reps. Chris Perone, Gail Lavielle and Travis Simms will hear from Fairfield County Medical Association, CT Insulin 4 All, Connecticut Pharmacists Association and others.

Tong will discuss the state’s amended and expanded complaint alleging artificial price manipulation of more than 100 different generics by some of the largest drug manufacturers. Dathan will take up enacted state legislation requiring drug companies to justify large price increases.

Public input is welcome.

Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education merges with Stamford Youth Tennis Academy

Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education has merged with Stamford Youth Tennis Academy to form Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education (NSGTE).   Helmed by Betsy McNeil who previously led the Norwalk organization, this new strengthened entity expects to give free year-round tennis instruction, academic support, and character development to 200-250 underserved youths ages 5-18 in 2020.

Founded in 1995 using the ideals of tennis legend Arthur Ashe, the Norwalk group was honored multiple times by the United States Tennis Association.  The Stamford body launched in 2014 with similar programs and goals. “Our mission is to build strength of character and a foundation for success through tennis and education,” said executive director McNeil. “We provide programming both on and off the court that supports the whole child – meeting their physical, academic, and social-emotional needs.”

NSGTE’s offices, youth center and outdoor courts (the new William Rippe Tennis Center) are at 11 Ingalls Avenue, South Norwalk.  Stamford’s primary location is Cummings Park, although Stamford enrolees will also play on the Norwalk courts. During the winter, indoor courts at various clubs will be used.

Special programs include Monday Girls Club for U10-U12, and Friday Teen Night.

The founder of both organizations, Arthur Goldblatt happily endorsed the merger. “Players from both programs have been practicing together already, and it is wonderful to see how well they work together,” Goldblatt said.