Diabetes support group to host free talks at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free talks about risk factors for stroke in those with diabetes, stroke warning signs, prevention, and how to take action at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. May 10.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

Diabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of serious, long-term disability. 

This presentation will teach the importance of acting “F.A.S.T.” in the event of a stroke.

Both presentations will be held in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom B. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. 

Anyone with diabetes and their families are welcome to attend. 

No registration is required.

For more information, call Mary Swansiger,  203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia High School senior earns Scouting's highest honor

Teen becomes Troop 3 Derby's 303rd Eagle Scout

Troop 3 Eagle Scout Joseph Szewczyk, center, with his parents Peter and Myra Szewczyk and brother, Michael, left. /Submitted photo

DERBY - Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby Scout Joseph Szewczyk was recently recognized for achieving Eagle Scout Rank during a Court of Honor held at the troop’s sponsoring organization, the Derby Second Congregational Church.

Joseph B. Szewczyk is the 17 year-old son of Peter and Myra Szewczyk and is the older brother of First Class Scout Michael Szewczyk, all of Ansonia. 

Joseph was a Cub Scout in Pack 5 Ansonia, where he earned the Arrow of Light Award prior to crossing over into Boy Scout Troop 3 Derby. He is also a member of Venture Crew 77 of Ansonia.

45 merit badges earned

Joseph was a member of the Troop 3 Ghost Riders Patrol, where he served as Scribe, Quartermaster and Patrol Leader. 

As a Patrol Leader, he consistently led his patrol to top five finishes in Housatonic Council Camporee and Klondike Derby competitions. Joseph also served as the Troop Scribe, Senior Patrol Leader, and currently serves as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. For three years he has also performed as an endman, or joke teller, in the Annual Scout Gang Show.  

Joseph has earned a total of 45 merit badges, and he has also earned a Bronze Palm in addition to Eagle Scout Rank.

In addition to enjoying many weekend campouts and weeks of summer camp at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, Joseph also attended the 2010 BSA National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and traveled with the troop on a three-week cross country camping adventure, in 2014. 

This summer, Joseph will represent Troop 3 as an Exchange Scout to Limerick, Ireland.

Joseph is a lifelong parishioner and altar server at Three Saints Orthodox Church, Ansonia. His Eagle Scout community service project took place at Three Saints Park, in Bethany, where he led a team of volunteers in constructing a 40-foot bridge over a brook and re-establishing a hiking trail. 

The project encompassed more than 300 hours of teamwork and included digging footings, pouring concrete, laying telephone poles across the span, securing the decking, and installing railings.

Szewczyk is a senior at Ansonia High School, where he is valedictorian of his class. 

He attended American Legion Boys’ State and is the Co-President of the National Honor Society, where he has helped to create a peer-tutoring program in addition to coordinating blood and book drives. He is pursuing a career as an actuary and will attend the University of Connecticut with a major in Mathematics and Actuarial Science.

Eagle Scout Justin Patten served as Master of Ceremonies for the court of honor. The program was under the direction of Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter. Mayor David Cassetti of Ansonia and Mayor Anita Dugatto of Derby presented gifts and proclamations to the Szewczyk behalf of their communities. 

Also giving greetings were Housatonic Council Scout President Gary Parker, Scout Executive John Zseller and District Director Roger Stewart. Scouts who were part of the ceremony include James Chopak, Mike Szewczyk, Tyler Tallberg and Naveen Madivala. 

Additional participants included Eagle Scouts and Scout leaders William V. McDonnell Jr, John Spinetti, Charles Hemstreet, Sr, Matthew Moran, Ryan Cafaro andRyan Amato. Also participating were Troop 3 Advancement Chair Margie Kish, Ansonia High teachers Rachel Sopko and Amy Donofrio, and Fr. Patrick Burns of Three Saints Orthodox Church.

Letters of recognition we read from President and Mrs. Obama, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Gov. Dannel Malloy and members of the Connecticut House of Representatives.

“Joe’s dedication and commitment to the Scouting program makes him a strong role model for our younger Scouts,” Scoutmaster Randy Ritter said. 

“We are very proud of Joe’s accomplishments at school and in Scouts, and his community service has been extraordinary,” Ritter added. 

Eagle Scout Szewczyk said, “Scouting has been a life changing program for me that has helped me to come out of my shell and it has given me the self-confidence to speak to an audience and to take on new experiences”.

Szewczyk is Troop 3 Derby’s 303rd Eagle Scout since the Troop was founded in 1914. 

Nationally, only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts attain the rank of Eagle. 

Szewczyk and the completed 40-foot bridge at Three Saints Park, Bethany./Submitted photo

Troop 3 meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Derby Second Congregational Church and invites all boys from throughout the Valley at least 11 years of age to join in on the Troop’s Scouting adventures. 

For more information call 203-732-0343 or visit www.troop3derby.orgor https://www.facebook.com/groups/troop3derby/?ref=bookmarks.

This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.

Griffin Hospital in Derby recognizes volunteers

3 Valley high school students awarded scholarships

This year’s Griffin Hospital Volunteer Scholarship winners are, from left, Hubert Adams of Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, Andrew Krzywosz of Shelton High School, and Austin Turecek of Ansonia High School./ Contributed photo

Griffin Hospital honored its volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to the hospital in 2015 at its Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen in Ansonia recently.

A total of 424 hospital volunteers logged more than 34,905 hours last year while serving as ambassadors, bakers, shuttle drivers, room service, soft touch massage providers, writers of vital patient stories and many more roles that benefited hospital patients, visitors, and staff.

“This recognition not only highlights the volume of hours selflessly given by volunteers throughout this past year, but acknowledges the true value of their work which touches the lives of patients, their families and hospital staff in countless ways,” said Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, LNHA, Director of Planetree Services at Griffin Hospital.

Betkoski thanked the volunteers for the heartfelt human interactions they provide each day and for the community spirit they bring to the hospital.

Students honored
Griffin Hospital also awarded its annual scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000 to high school volunteers going on to college next school year.

For 48 years, Griffin Hospital has awarded scholarships to community students pursuing advanced education. 

In order to qualify for these scholarships, the students must have volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital, been in high academic standing, have been accepted into an accredited college or university, demonstrated initiative and perseverance and possess exemplary moral character.

This year’s winners are Andrew Krzywosz of Shelton High School, Hubert Adams of Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, and Austin Turecek of Ansonia High School.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Do you YOYO? Derby Public Library to host demo for teens

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to a demonstration and performance program focusing on the Art of Y0Y0, from 4-5 p.m. May 19.

Participants will be shown a variety of tricks and receive yoyos to keep and exercise newly-acquired skills. 

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 librarian, Derby Public Library. 

Ansonia Library schedules Social Security workshop

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Library will host a Social Security Workshop from 1-2 p.m. May 12, and again from 5:30-7 p.m. that day.

When to collect Social Security may be the single most important decision you make when it comes to your retirement. 

There are a number of common mistakes people make when signing up for benefits. A most basic one is, don’t assume you can draw full benefits at age 65. The rules have changed.

This is a great opportunity to learn key concepts you need to know before applying for Social Security. 

Several little-known strategies may boost lifetime benefits and increase retirement income by tens of thousands. 

We will inform you about: How Social Security benefits are calculated and the advanced planning required to increase them; why married couples can miss out on significant lifetime sums (we suggest spouses attend!);

special strategies for married couples, divorced individuals and minor children; case studies that will show you the advantages of some of these strategies. 

Please join hosts Michael Alimo and David Weyner of USA Financial as they help you navigate important retirement decisions.

For more information or to register, call the Library, 203-734-6275. The library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Director, Ansonia Library.