Ansonia High names cafeteria after nutrition program director

Unveiling of sign at AHS cafeteria./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA – A dedication ceremony, honoring Dominick Golia, director of the Nutrition Program for Ansonia Public Schools, was held Jan. 20 at Ansonia High School. 
Nearly 100 family, friends and colleagues watched as Mr. Golia’s family unveiled a new sign on the AHS cafeteria, now named the Dominick Golia Cafeteria.

Golia has been serving the Ansonia Public Schools for nearly 50 years, first as a science teacher at AHS and more recently as head of the nutrition program for the district. 

The Board of Education voted unanimously at its November 2015 meeting to name the cafeteria at AHS in his name, honoring him for a lifetime of service to the children of Ansonia. 

Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, served as Master of Ceremonies. 
Mayor David S. Cassetti and Board President William Nimons delivered welcoming remarks. Guest speakers were Wilhemenia Christon, retired principal of AHS, and Dominick Golia, Golia's son.

Golia was born and raised in New Haven, graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor of Science degree, awarded a Master of Arts from SCSU and a sixth-year degree from the University of Bridgeport. Prior to coming to Ansonia, he taught school in Seymour and ran a family business.

In 1966, Golia moved to Trinidad, an island located off the coast of Venezuela. 
Three years later, he returned home to teach science at Ansonia High School. He is responsible for bringing in the school district’s first computer system. 

Golia speaks at dedication ceremony in
his honor. With him is Dr. Carol Merlone.

One day in the late 1990s, the late Ruth Feinberg Connors assigned Golia as the new food services director. He retired in June 1998 and began his new part-time position.

Golia is credited with building a self-sustaining nutrition department that serves thousands of meals each school day in Ansonia’s four schools. 

Two years ago, he began a free dinner program at the Boys & Girls Club in Ansonia and now serves 150 meals each day, five days a week. During the summer, his program provides free breakfast and lunch for children in nearly 20 locations throughout the region. This year, he rolled out a Universal Breakfast Program in the two elementary schools, feeding every child - regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced priced meals.

In addition to his many acts of community support, Golia is Ansonia’s homeless liaison and serves on several committees, including the district technology council, the Ansonia Youth Service Bureau, the VITAHLS committee, and the Valley Council Food Security Task Force, which published the Valley Hunger Study in 2015. 

“Those who know Dominick know that he is a gentle man with a heart of gold who loves to make a grand entrance wherever he goes,” Gary Merlone wrote in his letter to the Ansonia Board of Education in November. 
“His generosity to fundraisers for Ansonia community members, in addition to items that he has purchased for our Ansonia students, is truly a testament to his character.”

A reception in the cafeteria followed the unveiling of the sign.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

Tech time offered at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library offers 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. 

The next sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17, and at 10 a.m. Feb. 18.

No registration is needed.  
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. 

Super Bowl sub sale to raise funds for Derby Scouts

A Valley tradition continues ...
DERBY -  Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 are accepting orders for one-foot and five-foot double-wide party sub sandwiches as part of their annual Super Bowl Sub Sale fundraiser.

The subs are made to order and home delivered anywhere in the Lower Naugatuck Valley Feb. 7. 
All orders must be received by Feb. 3. 

One-foot subs are $7 each and the five-foot, double-wide party subs are $65. 
Proceeds from the sale will help the Scouts attend the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation summer camp in Goshen and a Caribbean sailing adventure.

Troop 3 is sponsored by Derby Second Congregational Church and Venture Crew 33 is sponsored by the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club. 

For more information visit www.troop3derby.org. To place an order call 203-732-0343.

The order form is below:

This is a press release from Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Ansonia police ask residents to report suspicious activity

Good morning Ansonia Hilltop neighbors. I just read this message on Facebook from our police department and thought I should share.

"The Ansonia Police would like to make residents aware of two burglaries that have occurred within the past two weeks in the area of Highland Avenue, Beverly Drive and Webster Drive. Both burglaries have had similar methods of entry and electronic items and money were taken from the homes.

"We are asking that residents who live in the area to be aware of any suspicious activity and to report any persons who may be wandering the area. Both burglaries were of homes that were unoccupied. Please keep an eye out on properties of neighbors who may not be home during the daytime.

"At this time we are not able to release any specifics as it relates to a suspects but if more information becomes available this information will be made public.

"Ansonia Police Department Phone: 203-735-1885."

Children's room at Derby Public Library to host programs

Stories with Lunch

   DERBY - Children ages 4-9 are invited to bring a bag lunch and stop by the Derby Public Library at noon Feb. 12 for Stories with Lunch.  
  Listen to stories while you enjoy your lunch followed by some hands-on dessert making.  

  Participants will be decorating Valentine’s Day sweets.  

  There is no fee to attend; registration is requested.  

Lego Time

   DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 18. 

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

   There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided.  

    Place your building masterpiece on display in the Children’s Room for everyone to admire!

    For information on either program or to register for Stories with Lunch, call 203-736-1482, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

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

Shelton Historical Society to "visit" Alaska Sunday

Ansonia Nature Center to host ice fishing class Wednesday

ANSONIA - A free ice fishing class is being offered Wednesday by the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road.  

The class is taught by certified instructors from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection C.A.R.E. Program.  

C.A.R.E. is an acronym for Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education.  

These are experienced fishermen who volunteer to share their experience and expertise with anyone wanting to learn.  

The classroom instruction will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ansonia Nature Center. 

The instruction covers the basics of the equipment, safety, dress, rules and regulations and species identification.  

Participants then have two opportunities to actually practice what was covered in the classroom session.  

The first is at a state-wide ice fishing derby Saturday held in Coventry. All equipment, bait, and instruction is provided free of charge.

The second fishing event is in Torrington Feb. 6. The  event is “No Child Left Inside” Winter Festival.  Various winter activities are offered at Burr Pond State Park.  
Ice fishing is one of the main attractions and is completely free. 
Additional information about the fishing events will be available at the classroom session.

Advance registration is required to insure sufficient materials are provided for the class. 
The class is open to all ages, and participants, not just Ansonia residents. 
It is recommended that children under the age of 12 be accompanied by an adult. Register by calling Dave Connelly, Chief Instructor, 203-231-0946.


This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.