On Tuesday, October 3, the Community Dining Room (CDR) hosted a Back to School Night with Branford Early Learning Center and two special guest servers who also top their parties' tickets in Branford's November 2017 municipal election. CDR Director Judy Barron was joined by BELC director Diane Pappacoda and special guest servers Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, who is also the GOP incumbent candidate for First Selectman; and Lynda Mollow, the Democratic 2017 First Selectman candidate.

For 43 years now, BELC has been a huge part of growing up in Branford. The non-profit town agency, situated in the former Pine Orchard School on Birch Road, is funded by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and provides sliding scale fees based on family incomes. Non-profit CDR, located on Harrison Avenue in Branford, serves the south-central Connecticut shoreline from East Haven to Old Saybrook including the towns of East Haven, Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook.

Indian Neck Pizza restaurant (202 South Montowese St., Branford) donated pizza to Back to School Night at CDR. Over 25 families enjoyed a night out at CDR, including participating in a popular "slime" making activity as part of the fun event.