Ansonia Nature Center celebrates Earth Day

Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center staff and supporters marked Earth Day today under sunny skies. This is our friend, Valley Arts Council Vice President Steve DiRienzo of Derby, manning the arts council's booth.

This is the site where the wooden playground at the nature center stood for 25 years. The aging structure was razed last week after a child was injured by a large splinter. 
There is a drive to raise funds for a new playscape, pictured below. It is expected to cost more than $180,000.

Stay tuned for more photos in an upcoming Valley Voice newsletter.

Take in a movie at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library continues its weekly series

for ages 18 and over, Morning Movie Classics and Donuts, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays.   

Each week a popular movie classic will be shown and donuts will be provided.  A listing of scheduled movies will be posted at the Library.

Movie suggestions are also welcomed.  
Registration is requested. 

Movie Matinees

The Derby Public Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series for ages 18 and over.

Newly released DVDs will be shown every Wednesday at  

at 1 p.m.  
Light snacks will be provided.  
Registration is requested for both programs.  

For a list of featured films, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.  


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

Legion Post 16 Baseball in Shelton to host ziti dinner

Derby Public Library slates discussion of quirky novel

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

The selected title is the bestselling and quirky

novel from Sweden, A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman.  
Ove is a curmudgeon. He points at people he dislikes and is 

known as "the bitter neighbor from hell.” But

behind the cranky exterior, a story and sadness soon begins to reveal itself after a young family moves in next door.

This feel-good story is a thoughtful exploration of the 

profound impact one life has on countless others.  
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, 313 Elizabeth St.,

or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.   


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

Read about Master's Table, My Sister's Place, pedaling for PCRC, more

Extra! Extra! 

Here's a link to our latest Valley Voice newsletter:

http://goo.gl/NZzm8c


Please check it out!

Derby mayor honors Valley veterinarian for service to community

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, center, presents a plaque to Dr. Tara C. Nanavati at City Hall. His wife, Dwarka Nanavati, is at right. Nanavati recently was honored for his 35 years of service to the community./Contributed photo 

DERBY - The City of Derby recently congratulated Dr. Tara C. Nanavati for providing more than 35 years of service to the Valley community and its animals in need.  
Mayor Anita Dugatto presented a plaque to Nanavati, who also received similar awards from the Seymour and Oxford Boards of Selectmen last year.

Nanavati, who operates a veterinarian hospital in a building on the Ansonia-Seymour line, is credited with many pet and wild animal rescues throughout his years of service. 

He has helped many of the region's animal shelters and animal control officers, run rabies clinics with proceeds donated to charitable causes, including St. Michael’s Church in Derby, the Methodist Church in Seymour after a devastating fire, the Woodbridge Dog Pound, and the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center. 

During the past five years, Nanavati has taken on charitable work that extends well beyond the region. 

In 2010, he collected 3,000 pounds of medical supplies, clothing, bedsheets, shoes, and toiletries for the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. 
In 2011, he followed up with a collection for the Japan Tsunami victims, and he helped with settlement of Nepalese refugees in the region. 

In late August 2013, he completed another clothing and personal item collection to benefit survivors of the Oklahoma tornadoes that killed 23 people and injured nearly 400 in May of that year. 

Nanavati has operated his practice since 1988 at 876 South Main St. in Seymour. 

An Orange resident, he is joined at his practice these days by his wife, Dwarka Nanavati, and by Becky Mahon, a veterinary assistant who has been a staple at the animal hospital for more than eight years. 

Mahon said there are numerous adult cats and kittens available for adoption; call 203-735-9915 for more information. 

  

When asked what he plans to do, now that he has completed 35 years of service, Nanavati said he will try to make it to 40 years, since there is always an animal, and a community, in need.    

This is a press release from Nanavati's office.

Pink is the word today, Sunday in Seymour

*Sharing this for Seymour Pink, a wonderful nonprofit that helps local residents. The gift shop is at 3 Franklin St., Seymour.

Full disclosure: I'm one of many breast cancer survivors who has received support from the organization.

Seymour Public Library posts children's activities for May

 SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St., has scheduled a variety of programs for children in May.

May 4, 11, 18, 25 - 10:30 a.m.– Lapsit  with Baby for 6 month to 2 year olds   Read & Play with your little one.

May 5, 12, 19, 26 – 10:30 a.m.- Storyhour for 2-5 year olds  Stories, songs, finger plays, and a craft.

May 5 –10 a.m. StoryKids’ Book Club for K-Grade 2 . Book talks, craft and a snack. Child must have some reading ability.

May 11 - 4 p.m. Nutmeggers’ - YA Book Club for Grade 5 and up. Book talks, craft, and a snack, features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees.

May 12 - 4 p.m. - BookChatters’ Book Club for Grades 2-4. Book talks, craft and a snack, features the Magic Tree House Series. 

May 17 - 10:30 a.m.– Science Snoopers - ‘Tale of Tails’ - All kinds of feet! Natural science and a craft for ages 2 and up. Must be able to sit and listen.

May 24 - 10:30 a.m.– Lynn Lewis - Music & Movement for ages 0-6. A fun time for everyone!

All programs are free, fun, and formative! 

Some programs have limited enrollment; registration is 

required for all programs.

For information call 203-888-3903, visit us on Facebook, or at www.seymourpubliclibrary.org.

    

This is a press release from Ann Szaley, children's librarian, Seymour Public Library.

Derby Neck Library slates author talk, movie, Civil War presentation, more

Derby Neck Library

DERBY - Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., will host a variety of fun and educational activities in May.

Dinner and a Movie
"Dinner and a Movie" will be held at 5:30 p.m. May 5 for ages 18 and older. 
This month’s feature film, shown on blu-ray is “Only Angels Have Wings” starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur - a classic.  
Movie refreshments will be served and a free pizza dinner arrives during intermission.  
Registration is suggested.

Meet the Author

At 6:30 p.m. May 11, the Library presents “Meet the Author" with Dan Santoro, who has written “Where the Boys (and Girls) Were!”  
This is an ultimate book about Spring Break at Fort Lauderdale Beach in Florida, including a full history of the city itself.  
Santoro, a Derby native, moved to Florida in 1986, and has soaked up the sun and the history there ever since arriving.  
His book will be available for purchase at this event.  

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. May 16 the Library hosts “Women’s Forum” a discussion group that focuses on literature, history, and related arts.  
This month we discuss two short stories by Charlotte P. Gilman, “The Cottagette” and “If I Were a Man.”  Gilman was a suffragette from Hartford and  the recognized  quality author of short fiction.  
Attendees may wish to bring a light lunch; free coffee and tea served.  

Tech Talks

At 6 p.m. May 16 and again at 10:30 a.m. May 18 the Library hosts “Tech Talks” a monthly program that offers detailed information about what is new in technology and how to best use it to suit your individual needs.  
Attendees may also bring their questions.    

Evening Book Club

At 6:30 p.m. May 23, the Library hosts the “Evening Book Club,” a literary discussion group that focuses on novella-length books of fiction, and sometimes memoir or non-fiction.   
A stimulating and informative evening is always assured. 
This month’s book is “The Country of the Pointed Firs” by Sarah Orne Jewett of Maine.  
Copies of the book are available at the Library.  

Civil War program

At 6:30 p.m. May 24 the Library presents “The Civil War Drummer Boy Who Became a General” a power point program by Jack Konicki, local historical researcher.  
The topic is Charles Pine of Ansonia, who also was influential in local charities and institutions in our area.  
For more information on all programs or to register, call the library, 203-734-1492.


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

Crisco reappointed as corporator for Valley United Way

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, has been reappointed to serve a one-year term as a corporator for the Valley United Way, Inc.

Crisco was reappointed at the Valley United Way’s annual meeting April 26 at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour. (Note: Please c

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco 

lick here for my story about the 48th annual meeting.)  

“I’ve been working with and talking about the Valley United Way for years, all the good work that they do and the good works that they bring to the Valley,” Crisco said. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed as a corporator and to continue my advocacy for the Valley United Way and all the people they serve.”

Valley United Way is a leading philanthropic organization serving the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for people living and working in the Valley by funding programs and organizations that make a measurable difference.

“Corporators are a vital resource to United Way in helping to fulfill the mission of the organization,” said William Purcell, chairman of the Valley United Way’s Nominating Committee. 

“Corporators have traditionally supported Valley United Way as contributors, community advocates, committee members, and as members of the Board of Directors. They are drawn from all walks of life and represent the diversity of the community. The corporators are community-minded people with a real interest in making the Valley a better place to live and work.” 

This is a press release from Crisco's office.