Crisco's senior fair in Ansonia draws big crowd

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco talks with Lillian Norwid, left, and Arlene Jachyra right, both of Derby, at the 30th annual Senior Fair Thursday at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. / Contributed photo 

ANSONIA -  State Sen. Joseph Crisco Jr., D-Woodbridge, today celebrated yet another successful Senior Fair at Warsaw Park, welcoming hundreds of seniors to the 30^th annual event.

Nearly four dozen vendors were on hand to inform Valley seniors about valuable programs and services offered by the AARP, VNA of South Central Connecticut, American Red Cross, Ansonia Nature Center, Connecticut Library for the Blind, YMCA, Woodbridge Human Services, The Kennedy Center, Griffin Hospital, Connecticut Association of Optometrists, Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, University of Bridgeport School of Dental Hygiene, Valley Transit District, Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, and others.

“This Senior Fair is a very small token of my appreciation for all of the senior citizens in the Valley who have given so much to our communities over the decades,” Crisco said. “It’s one way of saying ‘thank you’ and to make life a little easier not only for our seniors, but for their families, too. We’ve got a lot of information here that can be helpful to mom and dad as well as their kids.”

Arlene Jachyra of Derby was at today’s event, her second in two years.

“I don’t have a computer or access to the Internet; I wouldn’t know where to begin looking for phone numbers. But they have a lot of brochures here that and helpful,” said Jachyra, who found information on assisted living options for a relative. “These fairs are very good – I hope Senator Crisco keeps them up.”

Jean Steeves of Derby is a regular at the senior fairs; she says she brought two friends from Ansonia who normally don’t get out much.

“There are new things all the time for seniors. You get a nice massage, they feed you – what’s not to like?” she said.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Spooner House in Shelton to benefit from event at TD Bank

Tomorrow's the Day! Bring Your Change to TD Bank Shelton to "Bring Change"

Got change? On Friday, donate your loose coins at the Penny Arcade located in the TD Bank Shelton store at 820 Bridgeport Ave. to support Spooner House.  The bank will be open from 8:30 a.m-.4 p.m. On top of your donation, TD Bank will match a portion of the coins counted to help folks at Spooner House get back on their feet. We hope to see you tomorrow! This is a press release from Spooner House.

Wesley Village in Shelton slates open house

United Methodist Homes' Wesley Village in Shelton. /Submitted photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village will host an After-Work Open House from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28 at “Lifestyle Transitions,” a new memory care neighborhood located in the newly renovated Northwest Wing of their 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 studio suite apartments, which are now available. 

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

Wesley Village at 580 Long Hill Ave. 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.

Derby recognized for clean energy commitment

Contributed photo

DERBY - Communities across the state came together Wednesday to celebrate their achievements in energy efficiency at Oakdale Theater in Wallingford.

The city of Derby was honored as a high-achieving participant in Clean Energy Communities, an Energize Connecticut program sponsored by United Illuminating Co. and the Connecticut Green Bank.
Curt Spalding, EPA Administrator for the New England region, was keynote speaker at the morning event.

Mayor Anita Dugatto was presented with a plaque and statuette on behalf of the city.

According to Energize CT, 541 homes in Derby have participated in residential energy savings programs. Additionally, 72 business and municipal energy-saving projects have been completed in the last couple of years.

Dugatto accepted the honor on behalf of the city. “I am very pleased that we have made an investment in energy-saving initiatives over the last two years," she said.
“We need to continue to use our creative energy to save our taxpayers money through the use of green energy. I congratulate all those who participated in these programs and encourage all citizens to consider energy efficient options for power consumption.”

Dugatto and her administration initiated a solar panel project last year at the Derby Transfer Station that will save the city significant energy costs over the next several years. 
That project is expected to begin construction in the next month. 


This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.

Seymour High School cheerleaders win plaudits for turning pink

Sending a shout-out to Seymour High School cheerleaders for showing their support of Seymour Pink Day Wednesday! 


* Photo shared from the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour Facebook page.

Seymour Pink board, supporters celebrate special day

SEYMOUR - Wednesday was the sixth annual Seymour Pink Day and residents and friends celebrated in many pink-themed ways.
Resident Mary Deming founded Seymour Pink, Inc., a community's fight against breast cancer, in memory of her mother who died at age 55 from the disease. 

The day culminated with a party at Hot Tamale Mexican Grill and Bar at Seybridge Plaza attended by board members, breast cancer survivors, and supporters.

The nonprofit will receive 20 percent of the restaurant's sales from Wednesday.

This beautiful quilt created out of team T-shirts from last year's Pounding the Pavement for Pink 5K run/walk was a raffle prize at the party.  

My daughter and I attended the event, and as a breast cancer survivor I felt the warmth and caring of board members and other volunteers. 

Thank you all for everything you do to make this journey easier! The support means a lot.

Please click here to read my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

The restaurant's tables were decorated with pink roses and ribbons. So pretty!