Friday, October 17, 2014

Something new a-brewin' at the arts council gallery in Derby

Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo, left, and photographer Bill McGowan install a sign Friday outside the Gallery@37 on Elizabeth Street in Derby.

And the result: A space for the arts council to advertise upcoming events.

My husband Ralph and I are arts council members and we hope to see you at the show opening and reception starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. The event is free and open to the public.

Here are just a few of the spooky Night Gallery entries:  








Troop 3 in Derby to honor alumnus with '3 for Life' award

Charles M. Stankye, Jr.
DERBY - If your last name is Stankye and you grew up in Derby, chances are you were involved in Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3. 
Charles M. Stankye, Jr. is the patriarch of the Derby Stankyes and has never left Scouting. Charlie will be recognized by Boy Scout Troop 3 for more than 70 years in Scouting on Oct. 26 at Troop 3’s 100th anniversary celebration at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour. 

The troop is sponsored by the Derby Second Congregational Church, where it was founded in 1914, and continues to meet there.

Stankye will receive the “3 for Life” award, presented every five years by the Troop to alumni who have been outstanding in their commitment and support of Pack 3, Troop 3, and Crew 33.

Previous recipients include the late Scouting pioneer, Edmund D. Strang, Walter R. Archer, Jr, the late Walter Petz, Robert Bednarcik, the late Charles Rotteck, Jr., Rev. John Carr, former Ansonia Mayor Bill Menna, the late Christy Testone, the late Anthony Pepe, Superbowl 1 and 2 Green Bay Packers' Captain Bob Skoronski, the late Frank Skoronski, Dr. Robert Feeney, Shelton Aldermanic President and 100th anniversary dinner chairman John Anglace, Jr. and Rodman Kneen, who has been involved in Scouting for 82 years. 

1951 Scouts Charlie Stankye and Bill Elko 

Joining Stankye at the dinner as the latest “3 for Life” recipients will be Dr. Sherwood Lewis and James Florczak.

Started career in 1942
Stankye, Troop 3’s 34th Eagle Scout, started his Scouting career when he became a Cub Scout in Edmund D. Strang’s Pack 3 in 1942. 
Charlie continued on to become a Boy Scout in Troop 3 in 1945. 

While a scout in Troop 3 he served as a Den Chief and was Patrol Leader of the East Derby Beaver patrol. Charlie continued onto become a member of Explorer Post 33. While a member of Post 33 Charlie was Post Scribe and Post Guide. 

While a member of Troop 3 and Post 33 Charlie performed in the Annual Minstrel Shows as a soloist and endman. 
In 1950 Charlie attended the National Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA, where he worked at the Trading Post. He was also on summer camp staff at Camp Workcoeman in New Hartford.

In 1953, along with other scouts from Troop 3 and Post 33, Charlie traveled by train to Irvine, CA to attend the National Scout Jamboree. 

1951 Troop 3 Eagle Scouts
Charles Stankye, Jr. & Morton Goldstein
While at the Jamboree, Charlie and the other scouts had the opportunity to meet with Danny Thomas and Debbie Reynolds. 
The highlight of the trip was when the scouts of Troop 3 made national headlines after a private meeting with Mitzi Gaynor. Several of the Scouts, including Charlie, got to have their pictures taken with her.

As an adult, Charlie continued his scouting career. He joined the executive board of the Housatonic Council and served on the board for 15 years. 
While on the board Charlie served as Council Treasurer, Vice President and President. 

During his term as President, the Council renamed and dedicated its camp, Housatonic Scout Reservation in Goshen after long time Scouter, Edmund D. Strang.
Charlie was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Housatonic Council. He was also awarded the Bronze Pelican by the Archdiocese Catholic Committee. Charlie is also a recipient of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Gold Seal Award.

Charlie continued his volunteer service to the community outside of Scouting. He has been very active in the fire service not only in Derby but throughout the state.

3 generations of Eagle Scouts, Charles III, Tyler, Charles IV and Charles Jr. at Tyler’s 2011 Eagle Scout Court of Honor

He has been a member of the Paugassett Hook & Ladder Company #4 of the Derby Fire Department for 60 years. 
As a member of the Paugassetts Charlie served as a Lieutenant and Captain. He was the Company Secretary for 20 years. Charlie eventually rose through the ranks of the Derby Fire Department as Asst. Fire Chief and became Chief of the Derby Fire Department where he served for 8 years. 
In 1975 Charlie became Deputy Fire Marshal and has served in that capacity for the past 35 years. 
Charlie is a Past president of the Valley Fire Chief’s Association and currently serves as the Association’s Treasurer. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Valley Fire Chief’s Regional Fire Training School and serves as its Treasurer. 
He is also a member of the building committee of the new regional fire school.

Charlie is a Past President and the current Treasurer of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association. In 2011 Charlie was inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame. In 1999 Charlie was appointed by then Governor John Rowland to the Commission on Fire Prevention & Control; where he still serves.

Charlie serves on the Board of Directors of the Derby Public Library and is a Past President of the Board.

Charlie is retired from the New England Engineering Co. and the Hancock Engineering Co. He has been married to Anne Francione for 57 years. Anne has also been involved with Cub Scout Pack 3 for more than 45 years. Charlie and Anne have four children and 11 grandchildren. 
Charlie’s three sons,Charles, III, Ronald, and Richard are all Troop 3 Eagle Scouts. Grandsons Charles IV, Tyler and Timothy Stankye are Troop 3 Eagle Scouts and Zachary Geffert earned Eagle Scout Rank with Troop 1 Oxford. 
Ryan Stankye, of Washington state, is a fifth grandson very close to completing Eagle Scout rank. Charlie’s brother-in-law Thomas Francione is Troop 3's 51st Eagle Scout.

“Charlies Stankye was an obvious choice when we were deciding honorees for this year’s “3 for Life” award,” said Richard Williams, Troop 3’s Committee Chairman.
“As the patriarch of an eight-Eagle Scout family that has been part of Troop 3 for more than 70 years, his community service alone is a model for us all.”

All Troop 3 alumni and friends are invited to the 100th anniversary dinner at noon on Oct. 26 at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Raymond Oppel, 203-929-6616 (daytime) or 203-929-7210 (evenings), or by email, ray.oppel.cpa@sbcglobal.net.


This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Party in Ansonia to benefit Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley



Author to discuss inspirational book at Shelton community

SHELTON - The community is invited to Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at 3 p.m. Nov. 19 for a meeting of the Smiles Within A Village Happiness Club.

Author Gail J. Chiasson will be sharing thoughts from her book, Life, Spirit, and You: "The Alpha Train.”

Her inspirational, motivational, and holistic book was written to create a network of camaraderie amongst women to help relieve the feeling of loneliness, isolation, prejudice, and unfairness in personal and professional situations.

All are welcome to join us for Chiasson’s presentation; the meeting is free and open to the public.

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village campus,  580 Long Hill Ave.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Mary Ann Milano, 203-225-5018 or at mamilano@umh.org.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.




My hat's off to Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Always promoting awareness!

Actor to support Tripp campaign at Monday event in Ansonia

Republican Phil Tripp, President of the Ansonia Board of Aldermen, is running against incumbent Democrat state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco of Woodbridge. The election is Nov. 4.

Crisco holds senior fair in Ansonia

Hundreds attend annual event
State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, directs some of the hundreds of people entering his 29th Annual Senior Fair Thursday at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. / Submitted photo

ANSONIA – Democratic state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco Jr.’s 29th Annual Senior Fair was another rousing success today, attracting hundreds of area seniors who – despite the rain – trekked out to Warsaw Park to receive free dental and blood pressure screenings, a massage, nutrition tips or to meet with more than 40 state, local and non-profit vendors.

“There’s more of a need for this senior fair than ever before,” Crisco said as he surveyed the hundreds of attendees collecting information on energy assistance, transportation, housing options, fire safety, fall prevention, weather emergencies and more.

“We’re looking at a ‘silver tsunami’ of aging residents hitting Connecticut over the next 15 years, and we need to prepare for that in order to make their lives better. That’s what this senior fair helps accomplish.”

The annual Senior Fair was begun in 1987. The non-political event typically attracts several hundred area residents to get flu shots, play bingo, learn about scams and fraud, apply for drivers’ licenses, manage chronic diseases and meet with state and local agency representatives such as the local police or visiting nurses.

Mary Jane Drauss, 69, of Derby, attended last year’s Senior Fair, and is very glad she did.
“When I was here last year I got information on identity theft. I never thought I would have to use it myself. Then someone broke into my house when my husband and I were at church,” Drauss said. 
“With the help of the information we got from the senior fair, we were able to act immediately – we called the police and the bank to protect out credit and our bank accounts.”

Mary Ann Drenkhahn, 71, of Ansonia, was also pleased to be in attendance, especially after Crisco provided her with a replacement raffle ticket for the one she had just lost.

“My neighbor told be about the senior fair, and I thought I’d come and see what it’s all about,” Drenkhahn said. 
“I think it’s wonderful that someone does something like this. You can gather a lot of information just walking through here.”


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Career Coach to visit Derby Public Library


DERBY - The CT Works Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library Nov. 14.
During both the morning session, 10 a.m.-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m.,

instructors will offer Job Search Assistance.  

Learn where to look for jobs, how to get the job you want, and how to search for jobs on the Internet.

The workshop is free and open to the public. 
Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

The CT Works Career Coach is a project of The WorkPlace, Inc. operated by Career Resources.  

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit 
www.derbypubliclibrary.org


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.