Sharing sad news of passing of Ansonia bake shop owner

Roy Tidmarsh photographed in February 2015 at 'In Love and Chocolate' fund-raising event in Shelton.

ANSONIA - I was saddened this afternoon to read the news of the passing of resident Roy W. Tidmarsh.

I met him in his bake shop at 66 Westfield Ave. a few days before Valentine's day in 2012, and thoroughly enjoyed our chat about baking, candy-making, and Valley traditions that go back decades. 

The last time I spoke with him was in February at 'In Love and Chocolate,' a fund-raising event in Shelton.

I extend my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.

Please click here to read the story I wrote in 2012 about Tidmarsh for the New Haven Register. 

Local artist to present craft program for kids at Derby Public Library

DERBY - In recognition of the fifth annual Take Your Child to the Library Day, Derby Public Library has scheduled a variety of activities Feb. 6.  

For anyone who is unfamiliar with this now nationwide day of recognizing libraries, it began as a collaborative effort by Children’s Librarians in Connecticut to encourage families to stop by and discover all the resources and opportunities their local library offers.  

Think of it as a sampling of what today’s libraries are all about.   

Thumbprint sample

Families with children ages 4-11 are welcome to come by at 11 a.m. for Thumbody Loves You, presented by Derby artist Evie North.

Participants will create greeting or note cards using their thumbprints to make different characters.  

What a perfect idea for Valentine’s Day giving!  

Lego Time is slated for 12:30 p.m. for children ages 4-11.  

All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this drop-in program   

The day also includes a raffle, refreshments, a scavenger hunt, and more!

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

This is a press release from Sue Sherman, children's librarian, Derby Public Library.

Teens to learn 3-D printing at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Maker Space from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 for an Introduction to 3-D Printing. 

Attendees will explore various aspects of this new technology. 

This program is a prerequisite for future 3-D printing programs. 

Light refreshments 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 Tony DeLos, young adult/reference librarian, Derby Public Library.

Ansonia soccer to hold registration this week at Armory

School in Derby to recognize alumni, friends at annual dinner

DERBY- Five alumni and friends of St. Mary-St. Michael Elementary School will be recognized from 6-9 p.m. March 12 at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

The 2016 honorees are: Marc J. Garofalo and four others who will be announced.
A keepsake program book is being produced and advertisements, congratulatory and “in memoriam” messages are available by contacting the school office.

The cost is $40 per person, with tables of 10 available at a cost of $350.

Reservations are requested by March 4 and may be made by contacting Mrs. Coppola at lcoppola@stmarystmichael.org, or 203-735-6471.

The school is at 14 Seymour Ave.

Valley United Way seeks humanitarian award nominations

SHELTON - Valley United Way is accepting nominations for the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award. 

The award, the Valley’s oldest and most prestigious award for community service, has been presented annually since 1971 when Alice Russ Cochran of Shelton was named the first winner. 

The award is restricted to living persons whose service has been to the entire Valley community. 

Their service must not be limited to just one town or one organization.

The award is named for the late Mr. Flynn, who was, at the time of his death, editor of The Evening Sentinel and had been one of the founders of the Valley United Fund. 
He had been president of the Ansonia Community Chest. In 1968, he led that organization into a merger with the Derby-Shelton Community Chest and the Seymour United Fund which resulted in the formation of what is now known as the Valley United Way.

A native of Derby, he was an Ansonia resident most of his life and a long time Sentinel employee. He had an abiding interest in the Valley community and served it in myriad ways.  
At the time of his death he was first vice-president of the Valley United Fund; president of Catholic Family Services; president of the Ansonia Board of Assessors; director of the Ansonia Public Library and director of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Chapter, American Red Cross.

Following his death in 1969, this award was established because of his life long dedicated service to the entire Valley. 

Anyone wishing to nominate someone for the Flynn award may do so by submitting a written resume of that person to the Valley United Way, 54 Grove St. or by filling out and submitting an electronic nomination form that can be found at http://www.valleyunitedway.org. 

The award will be presented at United Way's annual dinner meeting in April.

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. 
United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.

Ebenezer Bassett is focus of history sessions at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History

Information sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.  

During this time Mary Bisaccia, the Library’s Local History Coordinator, offers information on monthly highlighted topics.

Ebenezer Bassett

February’s topic will be Ebenezer Bassett, First African American Diplomat. 
President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Bassett to be ambassador to Haiti in 1869. 
Bassett, a Derby native, was an educator and civil rights activist.

Assistance also will be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent local figures, major area events, and more.

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. 

Valentine fun planned at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

SHELTON - Plumb Memorial Library will host a Valentine-themed program for children at 6 p.m. Feb. 3. 

Kids ages 5 and up with their caregivers are invited to join Mrs. Fritsch and Mr. Al for a story, crafts, and refreshments.

Registration is required. 
Call the children's department at  203-924-9461.

The library is at 65 Wooster St.


This information is shared from the library's website.

Kellogg Center in Derby hosts photo exhibit featuring birds of North America

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection invites you to the Kellogg Environmental Center to discover birds of North America through photographs by Sophie Zyla.  

Stop by during normal operating hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., to see her beautiful work and experience her passion for nature and photography. 
The photographs will be displayed until Feb. 28.

Zyla is an outstanding photographer and birder who has traveled all around the United States to get a glimpse of specific bird species and capture them on film to share the beauty of nature with everyone.  
She has a background in conservation biology, environmental studies and photography. Zyla has studied at New York Institute of Photography, Nikon School of Photography.  

Her images can be found at: www.SophieZylaPhotoSZ.com and are available for purchase from the photographer.

Kellogg Environmental Center is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave.  
For information call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from DEEP.