The Bridgeport Post from Bridgeport, Connecticut • Page 41

BRIDGEPORT SUNDAY POST, APRIL 16. 1961 C--FIVB Kennedy Center Sets Sights on Larger Facilities Bridgeport, nationally acclaimed as a pace-setter in its handling of the problem of mental retardation, soon i will chalk up another nationwide first. Plans are currently under way to build a new Kennedy Center. And when it Is completed II will be unique--Ihe only center in the nation built specifically for the mentally retarded and entirely by gifts from the community. Now In progress is a campaign to raise $230,000 from Individuals, families and business firms in the area toward build- Ing the new Kennedy Center.

It will replace the present small center on William street. BRIDGEPORT HAS had a Kennedy Center for five years. But the demands on it have been so great and the building itself Is so inadequate that a point of no return has been reached. At present a maximum of 120 menially retarded children and adults may take part in its various programs. At least double lhat number would attend the Center if they could.

Bui they cannot be accepted for lack of space. What Is the purpose of the Kennedy Center? To do whatever it can for the mentally retarded of all ages and abilities, regardless of creed, color or ahility to pay. There Is, for example, the pre-school group. These youngsters, currently more than 30 of them, are being prepared by a specially qualified teacher to attend the separate classes for educable and trainable retarded youngsters in our public school systems. But (here arc some children and young adults who either have not attended or cnnnot qualify for public school.

Their needs are served by the Center's junior and senior day care programs. At present, 36 children, from three to 14 years and over, take part in these programs on a full- day, five-day-a-week basis. And what of teenagers who may have completed public school or adults in need of special help? For them the Kennedy Center conducts special programs. At the vocational rehabilitation unit and sheltered workshop they arc taught semi-skilled jobs and, de- nn their abilities, arc either placed in jobs in the community or given work at the sheltered workshop. Some 24 men rnd women are now enrolled in the programs--but many more are en a waiting list.

fN ADDITION, the Kennedy Center offers part-time recreational programs for children and group therapy programs for certain high-grade retarded youngsters and also for the parents of menially retarded children. For the many youngsters who have SKicch difficulties, the Center conducls individual programs under the direction of a speech therapist. Some S8 youngsters now are enrolled in speech therapy programs. One of the most rapidly expanding of the Center's services is the diagnostic clinic which is staffed by a learn of specialists In medicine, psychology, speech and hearing, vocational rehabilitation and allied fields. In 1956, the clinic's first year, fewer than 80 children were examined--this year the number will reach ZOO.

As its name implies, the clinic is primarily diagnostic--It determines whether or not child is retarded and evaluates the extent and degree of retardation. Rut it does much more, for it also develops a program and course of treatment best suited to the needs of the individual child and his family. There arc many other Important programs lhat the Kennedy Center would like to establish and many youngsters and adults on ill walling lists that the Center would like to accept. But It cannot do either until the new and much larger Kennedy Center Is completed, on Its five-and-a-half aero site on Virginia avenue. To help make this new building possible an area-wide campaign for funds now Is being conducted.

fS HE RETARDED? The answer to that question will depend on results of thorough psychological and medical examinations conducted by the Kennedy Center's diagnostic clinic. ABOVE: LEARN AS YOU PLAY is the purpose of these play therapy toys absorbing two members of the Kennedy Center's pre-school class. After special les- both will "graduate" from the Center and attend separate classes for mentally retarded youngsters at Bridgeport's public schools. LEFT: EVERYONE itIKES A GOOD STORY: Here a supervisor, left, explains the plot to a highly interested audience. Children shown here are among those who, unable fo qualify for special classes at public school, attend the Kennedy center's junior and senior day care programs.

EIGHT: LEARNING TO SPEAK, natural development for normal youngsters, often presents difficulties to the mentally retarded child. But with time, patience and the expert help of the Kennedy Center's speech therapist this little girl, and many like her, will be taught 10 understand others and be understood by them. USEFUL SKILLS are taught to menially retarded adults. The program includes a sewing center where, under the guidance of a supervisor, right, women make aprons and other notions for sale. CLASSIFIED ADS IMPROVE YOUR PROFIT PICTURE More and more successful, progressive businesses are daily using the Classified Columns of The Post-Telegram to reach the they know to be their best prospects -the people who have already decided to buy and are reading Classified Ads to decide Smart businessmen team up Classified with their display advertising to give a powerful I 2 punch to sales efforts by reaching two great newspaper audiences at once.

-They like the fact that Classified is flexible, can be quickly changed to take advantage of new sales opportunities. Decide today to cash in or this easily affordable, immediate-action medium. Dial ED 3-0161 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. for an experienced Account Representative who will show you how your business will profit by using Post-Telegram Classified Ads.

Post-Telegram Classified Ads IPliere proxrr.ssiw. firms find extra profit 34 County Artists Included In Watercolor Exhibition Thirty-four Fairficld county, residents arc included among artists whose work is on view through April 23 in the a a exhibition of the American Watercolor society, Fiftli avenue at' S9th street. New York. Artists from all parts of the U. members and non-members, are represented in the exhibition by almost 300 paintings in water- 10LLYW OOD-(AP) One way color, gouache, casein or pastels.

I Many of the county artists have breaking into the movies is two on display. use the yellow pages ot the The show is open daily and'phone hook. Comes In Yellow Pages ForAnnMargret Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. County artists represented are: Edward A. Anderson, Wesl Redoing; Harry Anderson, Ridge- lick Arcier, Canaan: Gordon Aymar, Noroton (two): Leonard Bcsscr, Wostporl, (two: Betty Christen- scn.

New-town, (two): Dorothy G. New Canaan; Stevan Dohanos. Wcstport; Robert F. Gault, Westport. Also, Ann Gibb, Daricn; Ilardic Gramatky, Westport, (two); Grace Gray, Riverside, (two); Lealand Gustavson, Westport; Tom Hill, Wilton; Edvard Johnson, Wcstport; Louis Karp, Greenwich, Alexander ICortner, Greenwich; Eileen Mon- aphan, Norwalk, Nicholas, Wiltnn, (two); (two); Tom effect) and three from Northwestern Ann-Margaret (the last name is Olson but she dropped it for professional schoolmates university thought they were booked into Las Vegas as a lounge act.

When they drove to the Nevada gambling resort, they found their singing and instrumental group had no job. Also no money. Ann-Margaret turned to the Los Angeles phone book listing for and called (hem all until she talked one inlo representing her. That was only a few months ago. Now she is signed to a 20th Olsen, Westport, (two); John C.

Pellew, Westport, (two). Alice Harvey Ramsey, Westport: Ronnie Reddy, Stamford; Walter DuBois Richards. New Canaan, (two); Ray Ridabock, Redding Ridge; Alex Ross, Wilton, (two); Craig Rubadoti.v, Bethel; Edwin Schwartz, Stamford; Elizabeth D. Simonds, Monroe; Robert Vcrnam, Darien; Hans Axel Walcen, Wilton, (two); Patricia Waters. Westporl; John Wheat, Stamford; Frederic Whitakcr, Norwalk, (two).

THREE OF THE COUNTY nriists won awards. Thomas Nicholas, of Wilton, received the SMI) Emily Lowe award lor "Across the River;" John C. Pellew. (if Westport, the $175 Lena Newcastle Memorial award for "City and Frederic iWhilaker, of a the Grumbacher Purchase prize of for "Foggy Morning." Herb Century-Fox contract, has been featured in George Burns' nightclub act and has appeared with Jack Benny on his TV show. Besides a pleasant telephone voice, Ann-Margaret has other assets.

She's 19 and luscious. On the Spot BALTIMORE (AP) Members of four different clubs of fire buffs in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Washington, D.C., turned out for a regional meeting. Just as everyone settled down In enjoy a movie of a storage tank fire in Kansas City, a real fire alarm sounded in Baltimore. All hands scampered away to help serve coffee and cakes to the professional firefighters at the SIDELINE FORT WORTH, Tex. (UPI) Al Burgin, by day a history teacher at Paschal High School, doffs his suit for chaps and stirrups when a rorleo comes (o and performs in the I roping events.

Long-Range Study nAI-TIMORE-(AP) As a gimmick at the school fair at Lcith Walk Elementary school, students released 575 helium-filled balloons to see how far they would travel A kindergarten pupil, five-year- old Keith Lind, won first prize, a i balloon landed 420 miles north 'at Black Donald Mines, Ontario. A LOW COST CITY TRUST AUTO LOAN gives you more mileage, too! Easy to No extras, No red tape! When you've selected your new car, phone or stop in at the nearest City Trust office for all the facts on a low-cost auto loan--the total cost, nnmberof monthly payments, and the amount of each payment. Your car in placed with your own agent and premiums financed-aloDg with your auto loan. You'll receive prompt, friendly service when you arrange an Auto Loan at City Trust where you can do all your baakirjgundcrooeuoof. WITH OUR COMPLIMENTS a handsome gold-plated key ring and ignition key ready to be cut to fit the car of your choice, will be presented to you when you finance your car wilh a low-cost City Trust Auto Loan.

CITY TRUST COMPANY Main Officei Meln, John and Bank SbeeU, Bridgeport Eatt Side Officei East Main end Arctic Streets, Bridgeport North End Offlcet MaVt at North Avenue, Bridgeport FXrfWd Post Road et the Center, Soutn NorwMt Officei 93 Washington Street, SouUvNOMMel CMntxjry Offlcei 234 Main Gtreet, Danbury Shelter Rock Office! Shelter Reck Road, Danbury MEMBER FEDWAU RESERVE SYSTEM FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.