Wishing all a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

Tech Time sessions offered at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library continues to offer monthly Tech Time sessions.  

Every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and 

every third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. a staff member will be on hand to answer all your tech-related questions and concerns.

  
Whether you are having trouble downloading e-books, searching databases, completing on-line job applications, 

scanning/sending documents and photos, etc., your problems will be addressed.  

January sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and at 10 a.m. Jan. 19.
No registration is needed.  

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

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

Seymour's Christmas tree pickup schedule shared

2016-17 Christmas Tree Pickup Information
SEYMOUR -The Department of Public Works will be collecting Christmas trees on a schedule based on residents' normal garbage and recycling pickup schedule.

Due to the holiday on 1/2, however, the schedule will be slightly different. 

Crews will begin operations at 7 AM so residents are encouraged to place their trees neatly at the curb free of obstructions the night before. If crews are unable to reach all the trees on a given route, they will resume the following morning so leave your tree out.

Please note, Christmas trees must be free of decorations when placed at the curb for pick-up. Artificial trees are not accepted for curbside collection. 

Residents can also discard of trees at the transfer station Tuesday through Saturday 8 AM-2:45 PM.

Garbage Pickup Day	Christmas Tree Pickup
Monday & Tuesday	Tuesday, January 3
Wednesday	Wednesday, January 4
Thursday	Thursday, January 5
Friday	Friday, January 6

On behalf of the Department of Public Works, we would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!


*Information shared from the town's website.

Talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on improving literacy skills

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free educational talk about free resources to improve literacy skills at 2 p.m. Jan. 19.

Kathi Hunt, Program Manager, Valley Program of Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, will present “Literacy & Health,” an overview of free tutoring available for residents of Shelton, Derby, Ansonia, and Seymour who would like to improve their reading, writing, and speaking English skills. 
Valley Program of Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven offers Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language courses. 
In addition, the presentation will provide information about how low literacy can impact one’s health and wellness.

There will also be information on how people can volunteer to be tutors for the Valley Program of Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle-related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia ice skating enthusiasts await freezing temps

Gold medal-winning figure skater Marisa Panuczak, 15, of Seymour poses at the ice rink with Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti in this photo from Feb. 17.


ANSONIA - The portable ice rink at Nolan Field is filled with water and now all that's needed is freezing temperatures.

Read all about it here in a story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host 'New Year, New You'

 Griffin Hospital will host a series of free talks entitled “New Year, New You” in January to help people achieve better health in 2017./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a series of free talks to help people achieve better health in 2017.

Entitled “New Year, New You,” the talks will offer information on stress management, meditation, positive thinking, healthy eating, smoking cessation, chronic disease self-management, weight-loss and fitness. 

All of the talks will be held at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The series starts Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. with “Positive Thinking and Finding Your Passion.” 

This presentation will feature information and demonstrations on meditation and practicing gratitude and discovering your passion by Griffin’s Spiritual Care and Psychiatry departments to help individuals lessen stress and foster a more positive mindset.

On Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. “Healthy Steps” will feature information on Griffin’s free smoking cessation program and its free self-management program for individuals with chronic diseases, including pain, stress, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The series will finish Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. with “Healthy Eating, Exercise and Weight-Loss,” featuring expert advice on nutrition, fitness and weight-loss procedures from Griffin’s dietitians, exercise psychologists, and bariatric surgeons.

This series 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 your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Newsletter features Seymour Pink, K of C free throw contest in Ansonia, more

Dear readers,

This week's Valley Voice newsletter is out. 

Please click here to read about Seymour Pink, Twelfth Night in Ansonia and more.

We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2017.

~ Patti and Ralph

Martial arts business owner donates $810 to Seymour Pink

Seymour Pink founder Mary Deming, left, accepts a donation of $810 Tuesday from Bushi Ban owner John Lombardo, his wife, Tanya, and son, Vincent, at Seymour Pink gift shop. 
Lombardo held fundraisers during October, breast cancer awareness month, at the Bushi Ban Martial Arts and Fitness locations he owns in Seymour and Southbury.

I happened to be at the shop at 3 Franklin St., Seymour, when the Lombardo family stopped by to make the presentation. 

Please stay tuned for more on Seymour Pink in Thursday's Valley Voice newsletter.

Crisco pens farewell column, thanks constituents

By Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. 

I would like to thank my constituents for the privilege of serving as your state Senator for the past 24 years.

As I write this, the start of the 2017 legislative session is just one week away. But for the first time, I will not be there.

I was first elected to the state Senate in 1992, a Wilbur Cross High School and UConn grad who spent most of my life commuting back and forth from the Valley to my day job as director of government affairs for the United Technologies Corp.

Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. 

There are all kinds of ways to serve your fellow man: for a long time I took a lot of pride in my athletic accomplishments on the football field at Wilbur Cross and UConn. 
Teamwork and dedication, win or lose, were the hallmarks of my youth, and they instilled in me a spirit of effort and compromise, of commitment and acceptance.

There really is no better place to spend your time than in the General Assembly. I really consider it my second home. 
The staff and the other legislators become your second family; you rely on them for advice, and for comfort, for support, and you come to trust their judgment. You have to, because there are so many important issues that we deal with.

I had been in the legislature just six years when I struck on the idea of creating a ‘Family Day’ in Connecticut to celebrate what I think is the most important teacher of individual responsibility and morality. As the father of six and the grandfather of 18, I honestly believe that.

I was happy to launch the Connecticut Hall of Fame in 2006 to recognize all the famous and productive people who have called Connecticut their home. Katherine Hepburn, Mark Twain, and Igor Sikorsky were the first three inductees.

Along the way I kept the annual 17^th District Senior fair going on at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. I was happy to sponsor the annual Young Women in Technology Expo to help introduce 7^th-grade girls to the types of careers you might find at UTC or any of the other high-tech companies now located throughout Connecticut. 

There were state grants, too, for the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center and the Sterling Opera House in Derby, for athletic fields and libraries, animal shelters and affordable housing and recreational trails. I worked with area legislators to help keep the Troop I Barracks in Bethany.

I used my position as chairman of the Insurance Committee to fight for better patient care, especially when it came to women’s breast cancer. 
I was so happy to be introduced to Dr. Nancy Cappello, because we had a years-long partnership working to improve health insurance coverage for women’s breast exams, which led to the legislature’s passage of the ‘dense breast tissue’ and breast MRI bills which have undoubtedly saved many lives here in Connecticut, throughout the nation and the world. 
This has become even more of a personal issue for me now that my wife is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

My concern for the health and welfare of Connecticut’s residents is also reflected in my creation of the Biomedical Research Fund, which has awarded millions of dollars over the years to Connecticut-based researchers doing work in heart disease, cancer, smoking-related illnesses, Alzheimer’s, stroke, and diabetes. 
Just two months ago I was at Griffin Hospital in Derby to celebrate $1.3 million to be used for research at Griffin’s Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center.

Everything I’ve done in my life has been in that spirit of teamwork and dedication, win or lose, showing effort and commitment whether it be in a practice or the big game. 
I’m so happy to have fought and won for you, and to have had your support and your trust for so many years. 

It is my sincerest hope that the work I have done will live on for years to come, doing good, and that you and your families have a wonderful New Year, this year and for our future to come.  


Crisco, a Democrat, is a Woodbridge resident.

Griffin Hospital fundraiser collects $8K for Spooner House in Shelton

Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House, left, joined Kim Hall, Sr. Applications Coordinator at Griffin Hospital, and hospital staff Dec. 21 in drawing tickets for the Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser./ Contributed photo


DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s annual Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser collected more than $8,000 for Spooner House in Shelton to help feed and shelter area families in need this winter.

As part of Griffin’s Planetree Patient-Centered Care Philosophy, the Holiday Wonderland of Trees calls on hospital departments to decorate three-foot artificial evergreen trees that are raffled off. 

The fundraiser aims to help improve health the community by supporting the Spooner House’s free shelter and food.

This is the sixth year of the fundraiser, which has raised more than $37,900 in total.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Learn local history, discuss novels at Derby Neck Library

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., has scheduled several activities in January.

Talk on Civil War memories
At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10 the Library offers “The Civil War Career of Maj. Wilbur F. Osborne,” the library’s founder.  
This powerpoint presentation by reference librarian Pat Sweeney includes archival research on the Connecticut First Heavy Artillery using Osborne’s remembrances of the war, among other documents.  
Join us to commemorate Osborne’s mid-January birthday. 

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. Jan. 16 the Library hosts Women’s Forum, a discussion group that focuses on short stories, Valley history, and other artistic topics.  
Bring a light lunch if you wish; free coffee and tea served.  

Tech Talks

On Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 the Library hosts “Tech Talks,” an ongoing series of programs that discuss what is new in technology and how to best use it for your needs. This month’s topic is ”PC Maintenance: Hardware.”  

Evening Book Club

The Library hosts the Evening Book Club, moderated by reference librarian Pat Sweeney, at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30. This month’s selection is “The Sense of an Ending” by Julian Barnes.  
Copies of the book are available at our library.  
Come join us at our cozy fireplace for an informative and stimulating discussion. We focus on short novels by award-winning authors.  

For details on any program call 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer 12-week Wellness for Life program

Griffin Hospital is offering two sessions of it 12-week lifestyle change program Wellness for Life starting late January 2017./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Resolve to start a healthier lifestyle in the New Year with Griffin Hospital’s Wellness for Life Program.

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. 

It’s designed for individuals ready to make changes in their nutrition, physical activity and stress management. 

With the support of a multi-disciplinary staff, Wellness for Life members take ownership of making long-term lifestyle changes in their lives.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

Wellness for Life will hold two sessions starting in late January 2017. 

There will be an evening session on Tuesdays from 6-8:30 p.m., starting Jan. 31, and an afternoon session on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., starting Feb.21.

The program encourages participants to make a commitment for a healthier life through custom fitness evaluation and planning, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health seminars. 

Each participant also receives an activity tracker, which helps monitor his or her activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

Wellness for Life meets at the Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion in the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Co-Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

DEEP to announce 2016 winners at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

'The Sky's the Limit' hiking challenge

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will announce the winners of 2016 Hiking Challenge - “The Sky’s the Limit” at the First Day Hike at 1 p.m. Sunday at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

A total of 168 people successfully hiked all 14 locations of “The Sky’s the Limit” Challenge that highlighted bodies of water: lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, canals, wetlands and Long Island Sound and they are eligible to receive a hand-crafted walking stick made by Connecticut Wood Carvers Association. 
Fifty names will be drawn at 3 p.m. after the First Day Hike to determine the winners. 
Over 300 participants hiked at least 10 of the designated locations and received a hiking staff medallion and certificate. 
"DEEP held this hiking competition for the second time this year that encouraged families and friends to enjoy Connecticut’s state parks and forests any time of the year,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. "We learned that people like to participate in friendly competition to win prizes and by the high number of hikers who joined in we know the program was a success.”

Success Stories

“The Sky’s the Limit” has taken on a life of its own. Participants have created letterboxes and geocaches to support the adventure. 

This year showed how technology can be incorporated into the challenge by tracking your hike using an app. Some people are much more competitive than others - one man accomplished 10 hikes in four weeks. 

"Some participants who carried their children the first year, now have toddlers who are walking to join the adventure,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  Or as someone wrote to us and said – ‘Sky’s the Limit’ renewed your mutual love for the outdoors and this beautiful state because of the challenges along the way’ - the hope is that people will continue their ‘adventure’ in 2017.”

Background on “The Sky’s the Limit”

      Participants hiked any number of designated 14 state parks and forests in Connecticut throughout 2016 and took two photos – one of themselves at a state park or forest sign and one at each location they hiked.  Photos were emailed to DEEP for verification. The program began in 2015 to encourage exploration of Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests and help people discover the unique historical, cultural and natural resources in the beautiful state of Connecticut. 

The new challenge for 2017 will involve hiking to historic locations. Photos from the DEEP State Park archives are being posted on the website and participants will be asked to take current photos from the same location. For more information:  www.ct.gov/deep/SkystheLimit

This is a press release from Connecticut DEEP.

Derby's Osbornedale State Park will be site of First Day Hike; 4 others also planned

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection joins America's State Parks and all 50 state park systems for free, guided First Day Hike Programs on New Year’s Day 2017.  
If weather conditions are questionable, contact hike leader. 

This year DEEP offers the following guided First Day Hikes:

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby, 1 p.m., moderate, 2.5-mile hike in Osbornedale State Park. 
Sponsored by CT State Parks & Public Outreach.  
Contact:  Diane Joy, diane.joy@ct.gov, 203-734-2513. Bring along your furry friend, dogs on leash are allowed. Join us for a cup of hot chocolate back at the Center.  
Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. for winners of the 2016 “Sky’s the Limit” Hiking Challenge. 

Hammonasset Beach State Park, 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, 1 p.m., easy, one hour hike, meet at Meigs Point Nature Center. Sponsored by Friends of Hammonasset. Led by two outdoor enthusiasts, the hike through Meigs Point trails will include searching for wintering birds and seals, while enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty of the Park. Binoculars are suggested for enhanced viewing opportunities. No dogs please.   
Contact:  Meigs Point Nature Center 203-245-8743.

Mansfield Hollow State Park, Bassett’s Bridge Road, Mansfield, 11 am. (arrive by 10:45 a.m.), moderate, two hikes - 4.5 mile and 2.2 mile; meet in the Mansfield Hollow Recreation Area parking lot. Sponsored by Friends of Mansfield Hollow.  Contact:  Ron Manizza, 860-428-36673. pedlinron@gmail.com  

Scantic River State Park, Melrose Road, East Windsor, 1 p.m., moderate, 2.5-mile hike, two hours, meet in parking area at end of Melrose Road off Broad Brook Road. Sponsored by East Windsor American Heritage River Commission.  Donations will be collected for the local food pantry (human and pet items).

Contact:  ahriver@sbcglobal.net

Sleeping Giant State Park, 200 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden, 1:30 p.m. (arrive by 1:15 p.m.), strenuous, 1½ hr. and 2½ hr. hikes, meet at the bulletin board by the kiosk. Sponsored by Sleeping Giant Park Association. No dogs please. Contact:  hike_the_giant@yahoo.com

Make a New Year’s resolution to your health and happiness by kicking off 2017 with an invigorating First Day Hike at a state park near you. On Jan. 1, all 50 states will be participating in the sixth annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration.

“First Day Hikes offer families the opportunity to rejuvenate and reconnect with nature on guided outdoor adventures,” National Association of State Park Directors President Domenic Bravo said. 
“There are shorter options for families with young children, to longer treks for adventure seekers. State parks offer stunning views, unique cultural and historical experiences, and wintering wildlife for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

“Taking a hike with your family and friends is a great way to begin the New Year,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  
“Connecticut’s state parks are great to visit any time of the year, but there is something invigorating and special about being outdoors as you celebrate the first day of 2017.  Whether you join DEEP for a guided hike or venture out on your own, you will not be disappointed in the variety of hiking trails that Connecticut has to offer.”

Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes.

“America’s State Parks provide havens for young and old alike to explore the beauty and serenity of nature through outdoor recreation,” National Association of State Park Directors Executive Director Lewis Ledford said. 
“Hiking offers inspiring ways to improve your physical and mental health, while discovering beautiful public lands in every state.”

First Day Hikes originated more than 25 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation - a state park in Milton, Mass. Last year, more than 55,000 people participated on guided hikes that covered over 133,000 miles on 1,100 hikes across the country.

CT DEEP joins America's State Parks in their commitment to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks. 


This is a press release from DEEP.

Greetings and best wishes to all my readers near and far on Christmas

Ansonia holds parade, house decorating contest continues, McDonald's reopens

Dear readers,

Here is the link to Friday's Valley Voice newsletter that I completely forgot to post yesterday. 

I hope you enjoy reading about the Parade of Champions in Ansonia, the rebuilt McDonald's in Derby, and more.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and thanks for reading!

~ Patti

Seymour Pink donates $10K to Griffin Hospital Development Fund

Sharing this from Seymour Pink's Facebook page:

"Yesterday, Seymour Pink presented a check for $10,000 to Pat Charmel for Griffin Hospital Development Fund. 

"These monies will support the the ability of Griffin Hospital Hewitt Breast Wellness Center to utilize a less invasive, less caustic option for treating breast cancer called Stereotactic Radiosurgery.
"It is a "must have" technology for progressive cancer centers.

"Currently, those patients who are candidates for this treatment are referred to satellite cancer/medical/surgical centers.

"I want to personally thank Colleen Garofalo, Secretary of Seymour Pink, (at left), and Christine Vartko, Treasurer of Seymour Pink, for making this presentation happen yesterday!

AND thank YOU...ALL who support the FIGHT against breast cancer...your support is and will continue to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives impacted by this horrific diagnosis!~"

*As a breast cancer survivor who was fortunate enough to have received assistance from Seymour Pink in the past, I had to share this wonderful news! 

Seymour Pink is a great organization that continues to do so much to help those who are diagnosed with the disease.

Wishing readers a Merry Christmas with a little help from some friends

Shelton police officer, K9 graduate narcotics detection class

Sharing from the Shelton Police Department Facebook page:

Shelton Police Officer Dan Loris and K9 Stryker graduated Dec. 16 from the Connecticut State Police 185 Narcotics Detection class. 
K9 Stryker is currently trained in all aspects of evidence recovery, tracking, apprehension, building searches, and narcotics detection.

Griffin Hospital staff supports needy Valley family

Michael J. Wynne, VP Children’s Services at PCRC, left, and Sarah Beard, Director of Clinical Services at PCRC, second from left, receive a donation from Griffin Hospital staff, from right, Katie Grant, Chris Thornley, and Robin Quickel./ Contributed photo

DERBY -  Staff from Griffin Hospital’s Operating Room and Anesthesia departments got into the spirit of giving by supporting a family in need this holiday season.

For the third straight year, the staff worked with the Parent Child Resource Center to fill the wish list of a local family whose children are receiving services at the Center. 
This year, they provided clothes for two children along with a grocery store gift card and cash.

“We started doing this because we are blessed to have jobs and our health when those around us in the community have much less than we do, and we love paying it forward,” said Robin Quickel, Griffin Hospital Operating Room Materials coordinator.

PCRC, a division of BHcare, is a state licensed, nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider serving children and families throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley and beyond. 

For more than 40 years, PCRC has been providing hope and help to children, adolescents, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Seymour Pink seeks applicants for special license plate

We NEED YOUR help! In mid-October,  we launched a new adventure for Seymour Pink, inc. The first breast cancer license plate here in the State of CT. The state of CT unfortunately is #1 in the nation for most breast cancer cases per year. In launching this project, we felt it would be a way for us to show support to those who have been victimized by this horrific diagnosis and to spread awareness of Seymour Pink and its mission in the FIGHT against breast cancer. The Department of Motor Vehicles here in CT will not cut a new plate until the organization (in this case, Seymour Pink) has collected 400 PAID license plate applications. This is where we NEED YOUR help! To date we have just over 100 PAID applications. You do not have to live in Seymour to support this project. You need to have a vehicle registered or are newly registering  here in CT. It can be residential and or commercial; the fees are the same. Below is a link  to some info about the application as well as a link to print out a copy of the application. If you need any assistance or questions, please feel free to contact us at www.seymourpink.com We are setting a tentative deadline of January 15th, 2017 to reach the needed 400 PAID applications. This is such a HUGE endeavor for Seymour Pink, Inc. and the State of CT. PLEASE help us! Even if you are not personally interested, we would appreciate you helping by spreading the word so that we can reach our needed goal of 400 PAID applications! I know we can do this! Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Mary Deming mdeming@seymourpink.com Mary Ellen LoGiudice melogiudice@seymourpink.com

I applied for mine and I'm helping to spread the word!

Suspense novel is topic of discussion at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled its next Lunchtime Book Discussion for 12:30 p.m. Jan. 25.

The selected title is the suspenseful novel Before the Fall by Noah Hawley.

On a foggy summer night 11 people depart Martha’s Vineyard on a private jet headed for New York. Sixteen minutes later the plane plunges into the ocean.

A look into the passengers’ lives, along with odd coincidences, point to a conspiracy.

The suspense builds as investigators scramble to salvage the truth from the wreckage.

This story raises questions of fate, human nature, and the ties that bind us together.

Multiple copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.  

Participants are asked to bring a sandwich and a friend as they “chat and chew.” Dessert and beverages will be provided.

Registration is requested. For more information, stop by 

the Library at 313 Elizabeth St.,call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


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

Brownie Troop brings holiday spirit to Bishop Wicke Health Center in Shelton

SHELTON - The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all the residents to hear! 

Shelton’s Brownie Girl Scout Troop #60465 helped spread the holiday spirit this season by visiting residents at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center for a fun-filled day of caroling and gift giving. 

This is the second year in a row these Girl Scouts have hosted this Annual Christmas Caroling event and they certainly brightened the spirits of the residents. 

Debra Samorajczyk, Administrator at Bishop Wicke, said,“To see the smiles on the residents’ faces is such a wonderful sight. This wonderful event brings both the younger and older generations together which is something we really value here.

"This was the second year in a row that they participated.  When I saw them at the end of the night, I asked if they would like to come back again next year and they all cheered, they want to make it a tradition," she said.
   

"In addition, they handed out handmade Christmas cards and jingle bell wands that the residents used during the musical event.  They even got a chance to visit with Santa.

This was a great community event that brought both the younger and older generations together.  

"The event was attended by residents and their family members, staff and their family members as well as these wonderful young Girl Scouts."

Bishop Wicke offers short-term rehab and skilled nursing care, including specialized programs for surgical recovery, orthopedics, cardiac and respiratory rehab, heart failure and more. 

The facility is located on the Wesley Village Campus at 584 Long Hill Ave. and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, not-for-profit organization.

 

For more information about relationship-centered care at Bishop Wicke, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or call 203-929-5321.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.