About The Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade – Originating in 1962, the Freddy Fixer Parade is nationally recognized as one of the oldest Black American parade in the northeast. As such, it is incumbent upon our community to honor this distinctive heritage and to always remember to continue to pay homage to the founders, the late Dr. Frederick F. Smith, Edna Carnegie-Baker, and Dr. Charles Twyman. Their vision is one of collective solidarity toward the common goal of neighborhood beautification that culminates into a yearly celebration through the Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade. Securing our own legacy through this consistent, constructive and harmonious display of our cultural norms, values and ethics will be the impetus that conveys the story of our history we want told for many generations to come.
My name is Roxanne L. Towler. During a normal routine mammogram, I received a suspicious result on January 21, 2021 and was referred for a biopsy which was scheduled for February 12, 2021.
On that day, which was a Friday, I was preliminarily diagnosed with breast cancer at 10:00 a.m. This was an hour before my husband of 4 1/2 months died in my arms of a massive heart attack in the men’s department of Macy’s.
At 57 1/2 years of age, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Stage 1A. I had my left nipple removed during a lumpectomy on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. This would have been the first time and the first day I would have had a chance to celebrate my belated husband’s birthday.
I met my belated husband online during the pandemic on March 28, 2020. We then met in person on April 5, 2020 and married on September 19, 2020. We were never apart but one night until he died.
My surgery was followed by four weeks of radiation. During my last session of radiation, the technicians played “Roxanne” by Sting as I entered the radiation chamber. I am now 4 1/2 years cancer free!
All my biological family members reside out of state. A few of my belated husband’s last words were that he would see me through it all.
Little did I know what that would look like.
His mother, maternal uncle and his maternal cousin became my family at marriage and my support system throughout my treatments. Each one took turns driving me to radiation and my daughter flew in from Los Angeles to see me through the surgery.
I was an assistant dean at that time and my faculty donated six weeks of their sick time to me in the event I did not have enough sick time banked. I am blessed.
Each time you win a prize from WYBC, you’ll be entered to win the Grand Prize of tickets to every single show this Summer that we’re giving away tickets to!
One lucky Grand Prize Winner is going to receive a pair of tickets to all these shows:
Herman Ham’s All-White Affair at Toyota Oakdale Theate 6/28
Lupe Fiasco at Mohegan Sun 7/19
The Roots at Mohegan Sun 8/2
Nelly with JaRule at XFINITY Theatre 8/2
Cypress Hill at Westville Music Bowl 8/16
Chris Brown with Bryson Tiller at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 8/23
…and more!
So keep listening for your next chance to qualify!
Alpha from West Haven is our WYBC Art’s Keyword Grand Prize Winner of a brand-new 50-inch television courtesy of Art’s Television & Appliance, 92 State Street in North Haven!
Here she claimed her prize from Andy from Art’s with Darryl Huckaby from DeDe In The Morning!
Kimberly, working in Woodbridge, is the 94.3 WYBC Virtual Lunch Club winner for the month of March 2025! Kimberly and her co-worker enjoyed a delicious lunch with Wanda Coppage virtually courtesy of D’Amatos Seafood on Whalley Avenue in New Haven!
Want to have lunch with Wanda? Go to our WYBC Contest Page and enter to win!
Everyone needs a break, especially YOU! That’s why WYBC and SweeTy’s Treats “Touched by Tira” LLC want to give you and your co-workers an afternoon break and enjoy some delicious treats!
Enter to win some yummy treats from SweeTy’s Treats delivered to your workplace or office by the WYBC Street Team! Each week, we’ll randomly pick a winner. Then on Thursday, we’ll deliver those yummy treats to where you work!
So sign up below and you could be our next winner!
Contest open to Connecticut residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age or older to enter. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be discarded.
Comedian Katt Williams brings his “Heaven on Earth” Tour to The XL Center in Hartford on Saturday, May 17th. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com
Enter to win a pair of tickets!
Contest open to Connecticut residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age or older to enter. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be discarded. Tickets are digital so winner must have a smartphone and a valid email address to receive tickets.
Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest with Brown Roofing is the ultimate pizza tasting event in the state. The Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest with Brown Roofing will allow you to sample some of the best pizza and craft beers Connecticut has to offer. Also included will be panel discussions, live music and pizza contesting.
In the past, I used to own bars, but I really wanted to own a business that was family oriented.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I grew up around the area, so I was comfortable with the neighborhood.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
The hardest part was finding the right people to run the day-to-day operations. I had the concept, I had the building, I just needed a good team to hire.
