Monday, May 2, 2016

Vendor fair on tap Saturday at John G. Prendergast School in Ansonia


OEM Controls, Inc. in Shelton marks golden anniversary


This cake is decorated with OEM Control's original logo, at left, and its new logo unveiled Monday at a 50th anniversary celebration at the business, 10 Controls Drive in Shelton.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer free smoking cessation program

DERBY - Griffin Hospital offers free education, advice and support to help individuals prepare to quit smoking with its four-week smoking cessation program starting May 11.

“That’s It – Learn to Quit” teaches a variety of methods to help individuals quit smoking. The program consists of Wednesday night meetings from 5:30-7 p.m. on May 11, 18, 25, and June 1 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

“The goal of the program is to help you learn how to quit,” said Carrie O’Malley, RN, a co-coordinator of the program. “There are different methods of quitting and managing nicotine withdrawal. If one method didn’t work for you in the past we’ll help you understand all your options.”
Through group discussion and interactive activities, participants learn how to develop a quit plan that addresses their personal behaviors and habit. 
Strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal, behaviors, triggers, and urges are all discussed as well as weight control and stress management.

Participants must be prepared to attend all four sessions. 
To register for “That’s It – Learn to Quit,” call 203-732-1476.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.  

City of Derby collecting donations for food bank

Sharing a message from Marc Garofalo, Town/City Clerk:

Dear City of Derby Colleagues and Friends,

Thank you very much!  With your help, we delivered well over 100 cans of baked beans and nearly 100 cans of other food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank today.  If you still have baked beans or other canned goods, please drop them off at City Hall or directly at St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank, 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, – 203.734.7577.

We keep growing in our fourth month thanks to all of you.  A special thanks this month to Mike Mayko of the Connecticut Post for the nice article, the Derby High School Athletic Department, and the Derby High School National Honor Society for their extra help this month!

For those who may be new to our distribution list, the Derby City Hall staff, in lieu of a Holiday Secret Santa Gift, donated food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in December.

After discussions with the operators of the Food Bank, we asked them for monthly suggestions for food collections to concentrate on what is in short supply.  We decided that we would start a monthly collection of one specific item to help them feed those in need in our City and the Valley.  In January we collected jars of jelly, in February we collected jars of mayonnaise, in March we collected cans of bbeef stew and in April we collected baked beans.

It’s May and Mother’s Day is this Sunday, college graduations right around the corner, and Memorial Day on its original day this year, May 30.  
This month we will be collecting Pancake Mix and Pancake Syrup for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank.  As the end of the school year nears, they need to stock up on breakfast foods for children who will be home for the summer.

Please consider donating a box of pancake mix and a bottle of syrup and bringing them to the Town / City Clerk’s Office by the end of May and we will deliver them.

I have attached a flyer, as requested, for your convenience.

Please forward to friends, relatives, associates and colleagues.  We appreciate your support.

Thank you for your cooperation and possible participation.



Wesley Village in Shelton to offer 4-week caregiver course

Contributed photo
SHELTON - During the month of May, Wesley Village will host a free Caregiver Course, a four-week training program for caregivers, family members, and friends of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. 
The course will be presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, with Maria Tomasetti and other speakers from the local community. 
It will be held on Wednesday evenings: May 4, 11, 18, and 
25, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community (on the Wesley Village campus, 580 Long Hill Ave.). 
A light supper will be served. Registration is required.
RSVP to Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org
Weekly course topics will include: 
  • May 4 – Overview of Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease & Alzheimer’s Association Programs and Services (w/Vivian Argento, MD, Bridgeport Hospital Center for Geriatrics)
  • May 11 – Communication Techniques and Behavioral Challenges/Strategies: Making Quality Connections with People with Dementia (w/Maria Tomasetti, South Central Regional Director, Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter)
  • May 18 – Keeping the Caregiver Healthy/Community Resources/Family Dynamics (w/Health Services Panel)
  • May 25 – Legal and Financial Issues (w/Ann Fowler-Cruz, Elder Law Attorney, Cohen and Wolf, P.C.)


The above information is also available at www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Sports Talks sessions now in 11th year at Derby Public Library


DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 11th season of hosting Sports Talks.
These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball season.

They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi of Ansonia.

Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively 
conversation and more. All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.

No registration is necessary.  
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit  

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


Animal rescue group slates fundraiser May 14 in Meriden


Celebrate Shelton Saturday at Downtown Handmade Market

SHELTON - Celebrate Shelton creators Nicole Heriot-Mikula, Michael Skrtic, and & Jimmy Tickey are looking forward to the May Downtown Handmade Market, sponsored by SolarCity. 
Just in time for Mother's Day on Sunday, there will be artisan vendors for all your gift needs - from teas to jewelry; from jams and jellies to home goods. 

Downtown Handmade Market is free to enter with ample free parking. 

What: Downtown Handmade Market
Where: Conti Building - 415 Howe Ave., Shelton 
When: Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Featuring live music and over 20 handmade artisan vendors! 

Our May handmade artisans include: Auntie Arwen's Spices, Bead Dangle Design, Chalk it up, Color By Amber, Common Bond Market, Greystone Bookworks, Happy Hippie Heads, Hipponotic Candle, Jess Smalley Photographs Everything, KilbrideCreations, Lilla Rose, Liquid Lunch/GROW, OM PAJAMAS, OmNomNom Jams and Jellies LLC, Origami Owl, Renn's Recreations, Shimmer and Sugar, Steeped Tea, Sugar Pop Crochet, The Little Dog Laughed, Quilts by Nancy, BBA Bracelets. 

The Conti Building Shops include: The Glass Source, BringtheHoopla, Written Words Bookstore, Periodic Tableware, Shadee Lady, Memories from Aunt Helen's Attic, Nikki's Attic, Three Bridges Coffee Shop, Sage Yoga, Welcome Relaxation. 


Our highlighted nonprofit of the month is the Parent Child Resource Center - the area’s leading provider of children’s behavioral health, serving over 1,200 Connecticut children and families each year. 
They will have a table with information about their work and how you can get involved.


Special events throughout the day include Tarot Readings by Sally Russo, 15-minute herbal consultations with Clinical Herbalist Tynne Love, and live music by Joe Ballaro.

Learn more about Celebrate Shelton at www.celebrateshelton.com and follow Celebrate Shelton on Facebook (www.facebook.com/celebrateshelton) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/celebshelton)


This is a press release from Celebrate Shelton.