Donations sought for Derby Senior Center tag sale

DERBY- The Derby Senior Center will host its annual tag sale from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Oct. 22.

Members are seeking more treasures to help raise money for senior center activities. 

Please check your basements and at­tics for the following:
knick knacks, jewelry, glass ware, holiday decorations, curtains, and the like. No clothing will be accepted.

Donations can be delivered directly to the Derby Senior Center, 293 Main St., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Organizers ask that all donations be delivered by 4 p.m. Oct. 14.

For more information, call the Derby Senior Center at 203-736-1484 or email seniorcenter@derbyct.gov.

This is a press release from Derby City/Town Clerk Marc Garofalo.

CT Independent Party endorses Jaumann in 104th

ANSONIA - The Connecticut Independent Party has endorsed Republican Joseph Jaumann for state representative in the 104th District. 

Joseph Jaumann

Jaumann, a political newcomer, is a local attorney and chairman of the Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commission, and his name will now appear on both the Republican and Independent ballot lines on Election Day.

“I’m proud to be endorsed by both the Republican and Independent parties and I look forward to serving the residents of our great community,” Jaumann said. 
“The Independent Party’s goal of non-partisan problem solving is the same approach that I believe in, and it is same the approach that we need in Hartford to move Connecticut in the right direction.”
The Independent Party is the third-largest political party in Connecticut and has endorsed many candidates across the state this year.

It is estimated that Connecticut will face another budget deficit in the 2017 legislative session. In 2011 and 2015, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile sided with Gov. Dannel Malloy, and voted for the two largest taxes in state history.

To that point, Jaumann added, “We need a new start. A leader who will be independent minded and a voice of the people of Ansonia and Derby, and not simply a rubber stamp for the Governor. It is clear that the policy of raising taxes and borrowing to pay for the state’s spending problem isn’t working. We need to have and open and honest discussion about our budget and not wait till the 11th hour to have the conversation. We need to tackle the budget problems in this state head on starting on the first day of the session, so we can start focusing on the future and our children’s futures.” 


This is a press release from the Jaumann campaign.

Sharing historic photo taken in front of home on Derby Hill

This week's “Turnback Tuesday” photo is of Oliver B. Sherwood and his wife, Charlotte (Fowler) Sherwood. Oliver was born in Greenfield Hill, Fairfield County, and moved to Derby with his father in 1817. Charlotte was born in Milford where the two met. They married Sept. 3, 1836 and had four children together. Oliver was a farmer, aka “seed grower,” and distributed his produce all the way up to New York.

The photograph was apparently taken by one of Oliver’s relatives, Elizabeth Sherwood, in front of their home located on Derby Hill. 

It was taken sometime during the late 1880s or early 1890s before Charlotte’s death in 1892. Sentinel Hill Road and Sodom Lane were both listed as cross streets, so the house was located somewhere in that area. 

Oliver and Charlotte are buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery on Hawthorne Avenue in Derby.

*A big thank you to Derby Librarians for sharing this interesting photo on my Facebook timeline.

Therapeutic touch workshop offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Holly Major, Therapeutic Touch coordinator for Griffin Hospital, will conduct a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop Oct. 14 and 15./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is offering a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 14 and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 for individuals interested in learning about this healing method.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

Therapeutic Touch is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of healthcare professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The purpose of this Basic Level TT Workshop is to explain the concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. Participants must attend both workshop sessions to receive credit. 

The workshop is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to attend.

The workshop instructor, Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, is an adult nurse practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. 

Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.

Fee is $100, and includes all class materials. The deadline to enroll is Oct. 3.

For more information, or to enroll, contact Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466 or lkmurphy@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Flashback to perform Saturday at block dance in Seymour

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Culture and Arts Commission will end its summer concert series Saturday with a block dance.

The concert will feature the band Flashback playing music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. 

The concert will be held at the corners of First and Bank Streets in historic downtown Seymour from 6-8 p.m. in conjunction with First Saturday events. 

Please join us for a great night out! 

Parking is located on the streets and parking lots around the downtown area. 

Do not park in the First Street plaza lot – your car will be towed by the plaza owners! 

Bring your own chairs. There will be no rain date or location for this concert. 

For more information please contact Kim Osgood, 203-888-7880.

*Sharing this information from Facebook.

Treasured Time to host softball marathon to support Derby family

Treasured Time’s Third Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon Sept. 10-11 will support the wish of Nicole Mather of Derby, pictured from left with her son, Austin, and husband, Brian. / Contributed photo

STRATFORD - Extreme heat in mid-August has resulted in Treasured Time’s Third Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon to be moved to Sept. 10-11 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Stadium.

This semi-competitive fundraiser aims to help make the wish of a terminally ill mother in Derby come true by encouraging the community to form softball teams and play one-hour games to win a night in the Treasured Time suite at a Bridgeport Bluefish game.

Proceeds support the Treasured Time’s mission to grant the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses. 
This year’s Extra Innings Marathon will directly benefit the newest Treasured Time “gift of moments” recipient, Nicole Mather of Derby.

The event starts at 7 a.m. Sept. 10 and runs until 9 p.m., including an exciting Home Run Derby competition for men and women at 7:30 p.m. that night and a Home Run Derby Jr. competition (13 and younger) at 8 p.m. 
The Home Run Derby winners will get a dinner for two at Vazzy’s Cucina in Shelton. 
The marathon resumes at 7 a.m. Sept. 11 and concludes with a championship game at 7:30 p.m. that day.

Registration is limited to the first 40 teams consisting of at least 10 players per team. The team that scores the most runs in a win on Saturday will play in the championship against the team that scored the most runs in a win on Sunday.

The entry fee to participate is $250 per team, and the deadline to register is Sept. 6. 
The fee for the Home Run Derby Jr. is $20, and $25 for the adult Home Run Derby. 

Tickets for spectators to attend the softball marathon are $5. 
There will be activities throughout the event including corn hole, DJs, and raffles.

For more information or to register a team or for the Homerun Derby, contact Jenn at 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

“The great part about this event is that you don’t have to be a softball player to join in on the fun,” said event organizer Jenn Moffat. “We have many companies and families, who have been affected by life-threatening illnesses, who come out to enjoy the day and support our mission. We match the teams up by skill level, so everyone is welcome to play. The weekend is really not about competition, it’s about the cause.”

In addition to supporting Treasured Time, the marathon is held in honor of former Bluefish General Manager and Treasured Time supporter Ken Shepard.

Derby woman hopes to renew vows in Vegas

Nicole Mather, 43, of Derby, became sick at age 15. After a few years of not knowing what was wrong and various tests, she was diagnosed with lupus at 17.

Since then, life has been very difficult. She has been in and out of the hospital throughout her life. Shortly after her diagnosis, Mather was in a major car accident in which she was put on life support and administered Last Rites by a priest.

Nicole defied the odds of the accident and her illness and found true love in her husband, Brian. The couple was told they would never have children, but Mather again proved the exception and was blessed with her “miracle baby,” Austin, who is now 17. 

Recently, Mather was diagnosed with diabetes and has suffered two severe strokes and three mini strokes. She has APS lupus which creates blood clots throughout her body, intensifying her susceptibility to strokes. 
Mather could have a stroke that changes her life forever at any time, but for right now, she does what she can to enjoy life despite her limitations.

Mather's wish is to go to Las Vegas and renew her vows with her true love and have her son walk her down the aisle. They will be married 20 years this September.

Treasured Time, Inc. is a CT based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  
With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments”.

For more information, visit treasuredtime.org.

This is a press release from Treasured Time.

Master's Table meal in Ansonia to feature Sister Funk performance