Ansonia, Pine High Schools to hold 55th class reunion

MILFORD - Members of the Class of 1960 at Ansonia and Pine High Schools will celebrate their 55th Class Reunion Sept. 18, at Costa-Azzurra Restaurant, 72 Broadway.

The event will start with hors d’oeuvres being served from 6-7 p.m., followed by a buffet at 7 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. a group class picture will be taken. There will be raffle and door prizes. Door prize donations are welcomed.

Advance reservations are $55 with a cash bar. Checks or money orders to be mailed and payable to Joan Homko Pizzi, 3 Golden Rod Drive, Ansonia, CT 06401.

For more information contact Joan Homko Pizzi at 203-735-2998, or Elaine Matricaria Brandon at 203-888-3496.

This is a press release from Elaine Brandon.

J Cuts in Shelton launches 9th annual book bag drive

Pictured from left Tylice MacDonald, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts; and Karen Martinez, Child FIRST Care Coordinator, LNV Parent Child Resource Center. 

Back row: Jen DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV; Jane Bailey, Shelton School Readiness Council; and Suzanne Reilly, Director of Family Support Services, TEAM Inc. / Contributed photo from 2014 drive

SHELTON - J Cuts launches 9th Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive in the Valley.

Between now and Aug. 21, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

Last year, more than 100 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected.

This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave.

J Cuts is the main collection location. Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. 
Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new.

“The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart,” said Sneider. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how 

it all balances out for children in need!”

Supplies are also being collected at Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays.

Minuteman Press, 427B Howe Ave., donated collection posters once again.

Last year, for the third year in a row, the Shelton Lions Club collected book bags and supplies during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on the Huntington Green.

In addition, Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. at 1931 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, and the First United Methodist Church in Shelton held their own collections last year to help make the drive a success.

As an added bonus last year, coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, the dental plan for HUSKY Health. They provided oral kits each containing a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss and oral health education.

Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.

Children receiving donations from the community drive last year are serviced by TEAM Inc.in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center, all in Shelton, and BHcare in Ansonia.

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 10th Annual Drive will begin Jan 1, 2016 but donations are accepted at any time. For safety and allergy reasons, donations must be new, stuffed monkeys with tags.

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive.

For more information on either community drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This is a press release from J Cuts.

Wesley Village in Shelton to host open house for memory care program

SHELTON - Wesley Village will host an Open House from 4-6 p.m. July 15 at “Lifestyle Transitions,” a new memory care neighborhood located in the newly renovated Northwest Wing of its Wesley Heights community. 

“Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights” offers specialized assisted living in a secure, supportive environment for those living with memory loss. 

The program is designed to support residents with cognitive impairment by engaging them in life and activities within the larger Wesley Heights community and providing encouragement, friendship, and a feeling of security. 

It also focuses on developing daily routines for successfully managing individualized physical, social, and cognitive challenges.

Unique to Wesley Village, “Lifestyle Transitions” offers a mission-based, relationship-centered approach to care, as well as: affordable pricing, a wander-management system, 24-hour staffing with caregivers trained by the Alzheimer’s Association, on-site physician services, engaging activities, a variety of apartment styles for individuals or couples, education and support services for residents and families, and a specialized design to maximize independence. 

Deposits are being accepted for all apartment styles, including new companion suite apartments, which will be available Aug. 1. 

For information or to RSVP for the Open House, contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024. 

Wesley Village is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers assisted and independent living, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 

To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Winners of 7th annual Housy Duck Race in Derby announced

List of the lucky duck winners submitted by race organizer Grace Torres. 

E Street Gallery opens in Derby

DERBY - The Valley Arts Council's new and improved E Street Gallery is now open
at 35 Elizabeth St. 

A grand opening will be held at 7 p.m. July 17. Read all about it in my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

President Rich DiCarlo said the revamped organization is seeking new members. Join us!

Full disclosure: I'm a member of the board of the Valley Arts Council. 


Do yourself a favor ~ stop by and say 'hi'! 

Job seekers: Derby Library to host Career Coach

DERBY - The American Job Search Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library 

from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 17.

Career Coach

During the morning session, 10 a.m.-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m., instructors will be offering 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; walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

The American Job Search Career Coach is operated by Career Resources.

The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

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