3 to receive WIN grants at reception in Shelton

Networking group marks 11th year

SHELTON - Three Valley women were recently selected as recipients of the 11th annual Women in Networking Entrepreneurial Grant program.

The WIN grant is a named fund with the Valley Community Foundation. WIN is one of three leads groups affiliated with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The grant recipients are: Eileen Robinson, owner of Move Books, Beacon Falls, at $2,000; Meghan Tarby, founder, Connecticut Partnership for Children, Oxford, at $750; and Alyssa DeMatteo, owner of Wildflour Cupcakes & Sweets, Seymour, with a WBDC Scholarship.

All three winners will be presented with grants during the WIN Holiday Hoopla Wine & Apps reception 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Downtown Handmade Marketplace at the Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave. 

The grant is distributed from funds received from WIN membership dues and fundraisers organized by the group.

The grant recipients will utilize the grant in different ways: Move Books will be upgrading their office technology equipment; Connecticut Partnership for Children will be utilizing the funds to take certification classes for state licensing; and Wildflour Cupcakes & Sweets will obtain a scholarship for WBDC Passion to Profits program.

“We are pleased to continue the legacy of awarding annual grants to well-qualified entrepreneurial women in the Valley,” said Mala Vaish, Chair of the WIN Group and Principal with Metropolitan Real Estate Services.

“During these difficult economic times, we are pleased to offer over $3,000 in grants and scholarships to encourage economic development in the Valley.”

Sharon Massafra, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care and independent consultant with Arbonne International, chaired the grant selections committee.

This grant-in-aid program provides financial assistance to women 18 years of age or older in the Greater Valley towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

The WIN grant can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business. These expenses may include: equipment, tuition, books, transportation, business wardrobe or childcare necessary to reach the applicant’s career goals. Recipients are also invited to a complimentary one-year membership to the WIN Group.

Applicants are evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, national origin, religious affiliation or disability. The minimum one-time grant is $500. Greater amounts may be awarded according to individual needs and funds available. Since its inception, WIN has given over $44,000 to 41 grant recipients.

WIN is the first group of its kind to service the six-town region of the Greater Valley. Founded in 2002, the group was formed by a successful group of businesswomen who meet to discuss common issues.

Meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

These meetings are either held at the GVCC office or off-site at a Chamber member location.
Social and educational events also are scheduled throughout the year.

For more information on the Chamber and WIN, call the GVCC, 203-925-4981 or visit www.greatervalleychamber.com.



This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Griffin to host talk about health insurance exchange

DERBY - Looking for information about getting health insurance through the state health care exchange?

Griffin Hospital will host “Health Insurance – Get It and Get the Most Out of It” at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.


Hosted by Certified Health Insurance Assister Margaret Sessa, and Dr. Elizabeth Arbia, of Shelton Primary Care, this free talk will provide information on navigating Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange, and about the benefits of establishing a “medical home” with a primary care physician.


When it comes to taking care of your health, having health insurance is just a start. Creating a relationship with a primary care physician, also known as a primary care provider, can help you manage your health and save money.

Primary care physicians care for their patients as entire persons. They get to know their patients personally and understand their patients’ medical history so they can recognize changes in a patient’s health and provide one-on-one information about preventative care or how to manage chronic illness. 
Primary care physicians can also act as an advocate for patients with the insurance company if special treatment is needed.

Dr. Arbia will also highlight the importance of regular physicals and what tests are recommended for individuals as they age.

In addition to the free talk, members of Griffin Hospital’s Valley Parish Nurse Program will provide free blood pressure screenings and consultation for attendees. Blood pressure is considered one of the most important health screenings a person can get because high blood pressure has no symptoms so can’t be detected without being measured. High blood pressure greatly increases your risk of heart disease and stroke – two of the largest causes of natural death in the country.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U program, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 
Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

AHS art students decorate Ansonia 125 sign

Work to be displayed at tree lighting Friday

Contributed photo

Members of Ansonia High School’s Art Club stand beside a sampling of their work recently after adding a creative and wintry mix of snowflakes to the ANSONIA 125 display that has been seen at many events throughout the year.

Instructor Nancy Bennett-Morgenstern happily collaborated with ANSONIA 125 Deputy Event Coordinator Pat Henri to give the display a festive holiday facelift. 

Ansonia is celebrating its 125th birthday this year.

The full display will be on hand Friday at Veterans Park next to City Hall on Main Street for Ansonia’s annual tree lighting.

All residents are invited to attend to see the Art Club’s imaginative styling in its entirety while enjoying the tree lighting, caroling, a visit from Santa, and doughnuts and hot chocolate.


Members of the AHS Art Club are:

Ta'naisha Bagley

Tina Person

Cheyanne Rodriguez

Rebecca Kardos

Sash-Shawnna Rubie

Mercedes McClellan

Kaitlyn Sengphilom

Da'Quan Thomas


This information was submitted by Sixth Ward Alderman Patrick Henri.

2 residents of Shelton facility enjoy plane ride on Veterans Day

Pictured from left, pilot George Clark with Helen Carlson and Bob Shields./ Contributed photo


SHELTON - On Nov. 11 two Crosby Commons residents, Bob Shields and Helen Carlson, enjoyed a memorable ride in the sky.

The residents were treated to a high-flying trip in a Cessna Model 177B plane, known as the Cardinal.

The plane was flown by George Clark, son of Crosby Commons resident and veteran, George “Bush” Clark (103 years old), in honor of his dad and his service to our country.

Though his dad was not able to take part in the flight, Clark offered to fly any other interested residents as part of a Veterans Day celebration.

Shields served as a U.S. Naval officer in the South Pacific on an LST (Landing Ship Tank) during World War II. He was responsible for moving troops, tanks, and aircraft fuel through the area, often under fire, as part of an early wave of landings on the beaches of Guam, Saipan, New Guinea, and others. 

Carlson took the ride in memory of her husband, veteran Roland A. Carlson, an Air Force pilot who spent two years in Germany as a prisoner of war in the Stalag 13 camp after his plane was shot down during World War II.

Crosby Commons is an award-winning, assisted and independent living community located on the Wesley Village campus at 580 Long Hill Ave.

For more information about the community, visit www.crosbycommons.org or call 203.225.5000.



This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Derby elementary schools win plaudits

Congratulations go out today to the teachers and administrators at Derby's elementary schools, Irving and Bradley, on being recognized recently by the state for their "exemplary" programs.

Check out the story by Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Griffin physician to host open house in Shelton

Free health screenings will be offered
SHELTON - Griffin Faculty Physicians invites residents of Shelton and the surrounding communities to meet its new primary care physician, Dr. Elizabeth Arbia, DO, and tour her new office at 2 Ivy Brook Road, Suite 115, from 5–8 p.m. Dec. 9.

Dr. Arbia focuses on providing comprehensive care, preventative health education and treating patients as partners. 

She received her degree in osteopathic medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed a residency in family medicine at Duke University Medical Center where she served as chief resident. 

Throughout her medical career, Dr. Arbia has been committed to sharing her knowledge about preventative health with the community and her expertise in public health with her fellow physicians.

The open house will feature free health screenings and consultations, information on Griffin Hospital’s services, and demonstrations of Griffin’s complementary therapies, including massage. 
Refreshments will be served and the first 100 attendees will receive a gift.

Individuals interested in attending the open house are asked to RSVP at 203-924-5540.

Griffin Faculty Physicians provides patient-centered, personalized care throughout the Naugatuck Valley, with primary care locations in Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour, Shelton, Southbury, Southford, and Oxford. 

In addition, the practice provides specialized care in geriatrics, breast surgery, bariatric surgery, general surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology and urology. 

Find more information about Griffin Faculty Physicians at griffinfacultypractice.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Meet Santa Saturday at branch library in Shelton

Donate toy or book to TEAM's annual drive
SHELTON - Santa will visit Huntington Branch Library from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The library is at 41 Church St.

Bring a new, unwrapped book or toy, or a donation, to give to Santa for TEAM’s Toys 4 Kids toy drive, and have your child’s picture taken with Santa.

Enjoy music and games, story time, and cookies and hot chocolate!

This event is hosted by the library and co-sponsored by TEAM, Inc., Echo Hose Ambulance Corps, and Shelton Volunteer Fire Companies 3 and 4.

Admission is free.

This information is taken from an online calendar. 

Ansonia police announce winter parking

ANSONIA - Sharing a message from the Ansonia Police Department: 

Winter parking will begin today, Dec. 1, 2014, and parking
will be on the "even side" this year.



Info taken from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia Nature Center group seeks members

ANSONIA - Join the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, Inc. at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10 for its monthly meeting.

All those with an interest in wildlife, environmental education, organic gardening, and protecting our environment are invited to join a group of area residents dedicated to helping the Center with its work and family programs.

For more information call 203-736-1053.


The Center is at 10 Deerfield Road.

Seymour High School to host exhibition today

SEYMOUR - Seymour High School will host its first Unified Arts Exposition from 6-7:30 p.m. today.

This event will be held in the cafeteria and adjacent hallways at Seymour High School, 2 Botsford Road.

Students from business, technology, music, and art classes will demonstrate what they have learned this year. 

This will include applied mathematics, science and engineering, intellectual, collaborative and thought-provoking assignments, and creative works of art and music.

Please join educators in celebrating the effort and perseverance that students have displayed through their hands-on project and performance-based learning assignments and competitions.


Information for this post was taken from an online calendar.

Sharing a Monday morning mystery photo

Any guesses? If you think you know where this is, please leave your answer in the comments. 

Time to have a bit o' fun!