Adams stores in Derby, Shelton raise $3,690 for TEAM's Meals on Wheels

Photo courtesy of Fred Ortoli Photography

TEAM announces the Adams Hometown Markets raised $3,690 for TEAM's Meals on Wheels  program by running a fundraiser at their Derby and Shelton locations. Pictured from left are Shelton Store Manager Christopher Morin, TEAM's Executive Vice President Diane Stroman, TEAM's Director of Family Support Services (including Meals on Wheels) Suzanne Reilly, Shelton Store Manager John Varrone, and TEAM's President/CEO David Morgan.

Crisco: Virus screening will protect newborns' health

HARTFORD - Every hour, a child in the United States becomes disabled due to a cytomegalovirus infection. 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, thanked Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today for signing legislation into law that aims to reverse this trend by screening newborns for CMV. 

Providing a test for CMV to any infant who fails a newborn hearing test can mitigate the devastating impact this disease has on infants and their families.

“Screening for CMV can help prevent a lifetime of struggles for vulnerable newborns,” Crisco said. “By connecting parents with specialists early on we can equip them with the knowledge they need to support their newborns and to help them live healthy and happy lives.”

Most people who are infected with CMV have no symptoms and do not experience any harmful effects. 

However, when a woman becomes infected with CMV during pregnancy she can pass the virus to her unborn child. In an unborn child, congenital CMV can result in damage to the brain, eyes and inner ear. Congenital CMV can lead to lifelong struggles with deafness as well as physical and learning disabilities. 

CMV is the leading non-genetic cause of childhood hearing loss, and presents in more than 30,000 newborn babies every year.

House Bill 5525, An Act Concerning Cytomegalovirus, requires that hospitals and other healthcare institutions test newborn infants for CMV if they fail a newborn hearing test. This simple test will allow parents of affected newborns to adopt best practices for care and treatment of a child with CMV. 

By implementing screening, medical professionals will also improve awareness of the risks associated with CMV so that parents can adopt better habits that will minimize the transmission of CMV. 

CMV is the most common viral infection among infants born in the United States. About 1 in every 150 children is born with CMV. 

About 80 percent of babies born with the infection never have symptoms or problems. Pregnant women can reduce their risk of CMV infection by minimizing their exposure to young children’s saliva and urine through effective hygiene practices.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Centenarians feted at Wesley Village in Shelton

Wesley Village residents gather for a special birthday party to honor several centenarians who celebrated their birthdays during the month of May.

SHELTON - Wesley Village, a campus of senior care communities, recently honored several centenarians at their assisted and independent living communities. 
Wesley Heights residents gathered for their monthly birthday party May 11,  honoring those born during the month of May. 
The month’s festivities included resident Minnie Sutton, who will celebrate her 105^th birthday on Wednesday. 
Along with Minnie were four other residents at Wesley Heights who celebrated 100 years or more! 
Residents enjoyed birthday cupcakes and punch provided by the Wesley Heights Dining Services team, as well as dancing and entertainment by Larry and Doreen Crasilli.

Crosby Commons resident Marion Prescott also celebrated her 100^th birthday in February. 
As part of her birthday wish, she and her friends at Crosby Commons worked together to create over 35 gifts bags for families in need. 
With the help of Activities Director Mary Ann Milano Prescott and her fellow residents recently donated the gifts to BHcare, a community health-care provider serving the lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and Shoreline communities. http://bhcare.org/

Wesley Heights and Crosby Commons are located on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. and offer award-winning independent and assisted living, as well as a new memory care neighborhood, Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights. 

For more information about senior living at Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Seymour remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

Sharing photos from the Facebook page of the Office of First Selectman of Seymour:

 A service was held Monday at Veterans' Grove in French Memorial Park in Seymour. 

Vietnam veteran Mike Kearney, Commander, Emil Senger Post 10, American Legion, addresses the crowd at Monday's service at French Memorial Park.  

PCRC seeks volunteers for Sunday event in Shelton

Birthday celebration planned at Derby Public Library

Annual event to remember Harcourt Wood
DERBY - The Derby Public Library will commemorate the birthday of Holton Harcourt 

Wood, the young boy in whose memory the Library was built, from 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

June 19.  

H. Harcourt Wood 

The Library will be decorated with flowers in compliance with Col. H. Holton Wood's request, which he made at the dedication of the Library in 1902.

At that time he asked that flowers be placed throughout the Library every year on the birth date of his son. 
His request has been honored ever since.

Several years ago, the Library also added the tradition of commemorating this special day with a birthday cake.

This time-honored tradition has become well know over the years, not only throughout the Valley, but well beyond. It has been written about in the New York Times.

A memorial plaque in Harcourt’s memory is displayed at the front entrance of the Library, 313 Elizabeth St. 

The public is invited to visit throughout the day for cake and to learn more about the history of the Library.

For more information, stop by the Library or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


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

Diabetes is topic of talks at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free discussions about managing diabetes through the summer months on June 9 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Sharon Allkerstedt, RN, will present “Managing Your Diabetes through the Summer,” which provides tips on skin care, travel, and making healthier food choices during vacation, special occasions or at barbecues.

The presentation will be offered at 2:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A and at 6:30 p.m. in the hospital Dining Room. 
Ask for directions to these rooms at the hospital’s front desk.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns.

All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session. 
For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.