New preschool opens in downtown Ansonia

Pictured from left, Ansonia Alderman Lorie Vaccaro, Caroline Ruiz, Founder and Executive Director of Creative Minds Academy, and Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti at the grand opening of Creative Minds Academy, Child Care and Preschool, 375 Main St., Suite B in Ansonia./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA -  “I am pleased to announce the opening of Creative Minds Academy,” Cassetti said in a release Wednesday. “I welcome them to Ansonia. They are providing a much needed service for our residents and others and I know they will be successful," he said. "I encourage visitors to come in and tour the facility. It’s impressive.”

The new facility will offer child care and preschool services. It will be open seven days a week Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Hourly drop in care is offered.  
They are licensed for 33 children and serve children from six weeks to 12 years old (Under 3, Preschool and school age).


This is a press release from the mayor's office. 

Analyze your handwriting at Derby Library session

DERBY - The Derby Public Library welcomes David DeWitt, Certified Graphoanalyst, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10.
He will discuss his self-assessment guide book, Handwriting Analysis:  

Discover Your Own Vocational/Potential.  

DeWitt has spent decades studying and interpreting the handwriting of countless 

individuals, helping them to understand themselves and their personal strengths and weaknesses. 

The insightful results that he produces are astounding, as well as personally and professionally transformational.

This presentation offers a fresh, new approach on handwriting analysis, demonstrating how to explore career options and life choices through graphology and personality awareness.

Registration is requested.

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

www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  

Crosby Commons in Shelton grants wish to resident

Crosby Commons resident Marie Bawol poses with her daughter, Alison Cotter, during a special “trip to England” celebration, part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Marie Bawol has lived as a resident of Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community for the past three years and has always dreamed of visiting England again. 

Although she has lived in the United States since she was 18, Marie was born and raised in Liverpool, England. She vividly remembers life during the bombings of World War II, and the difficulties that followed during and after the war. Even still, she longed for the chance to return again to the place she grew up, where many of her family members reside. After sharing her dream with Crosby staff, she was surprised with a special day to make her dream come true!

As part of the community’s Journey of Dreams program, staff and residents took “a trip to England” together with Marie!
On June 30, the community hosted a Tour of England celebration, with a traditional English meal prepared by the Crosby Commons Dining Services team, a tea party hosted by Bigelow Tea, and a musical performance by Brett Bottomley, who entertained residents on the Chapman Stick, a unique multi-string electric guitar. 

Lectures on English history were offered throughout the day, as well as a fun photo booth opportunity, which featured a giant double-decker London city bus that was custom-built by a staff member. Residents and staff posed behind the bus windows for pictures, which were then transformed into postcards and sent to friends and family members. 

In honor of her special day, Marie was presented with an album of photographs of the royal family, a china tea pot and tea cup, biscuits and jam, and English toffee. A champagne toast ended the day, along with a look back at the royal wedding celebration. 

“I didn’t realize the celebration was going to be so elaborate! It made me stop and think how lucky I am to have such a loving family here; at Crosby Commons and in England,” Marie said. “The day was absolutely fantastic.”

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community is located on the Wesley Village campus in Shelton.

The award-winning “Journey of Dreams” program was created on the campus to offer opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment of individual dreams. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons or other dreams that have been fulfilled for residents, visit www.crosbycommons.org or contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Ansonia WPCA cuts sewer fee, wins plaudits

ANSONIA - As Ansonia residents my husband, Ralph, and I were pleased to learn Tuesday from Mayor David S. Cassetti that the Water Pollution Control Authority had voted July 1 to reduce our sewer use rate by 5.35 percent.

The reduction was primarily attributed to an approximately $95,000 decrease in the WPCA's operational budget.

Cassetti thanked the WPCA and its chairman, Nunzio Parente, for putting the interests of residents first.

"I firmly believe tax and fee reduction is absolutely essential to growing our business base and moving Ansonia forward," Cassetti said in a press release Tuesday.

I admit I'm not good with numbers, but I do know this action will help us and many of our fellow taxpayers.

Thank you, members of the WPCA, for reducing the financial burden on homeowners like ourselves.

Artwork on display at Kellogg Center in Derby

Collection features wildlife, landscapes

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced that artwork by Ray Olsen of Cornwall Bridge is on display at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

A Natural Collection features wildlife scenes and landscapes.

The free exhibition is open for viewing from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through August.

Olsen finds the natural world the most inspiring subject he could work from using oil, acrylic, and pastel painting, etching, and woodcut mediums. To his eye each tree and flower is an individual just as each persons’ face is unique.

Olsen graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He also studied at the Art League and the School of Visual Arts. 

He is an art director and designer as well as a fine artist. Olsen is also a professional photographer. His works have been shown in many galleries throughout the New York area and New England.

For more information or directions, call 203-734-2513 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, or e-mail donna.kingston@ct.gov.

This is a press release from DEEP. 

Actress enthralls audience at Derby Historical Society fundraiser

Actress Sheryl Faye portrays Helen Keller Monday at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen in Ansonia. The slide is a photo of Keller's mother, Kate Adams Keller.

Sheryl Faye stays in character as she greets audience members after her wonderful performance.


It was the Derby Historical Society's 25th annual Silver Tea.

Please check out my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.