Seymour High School senior earns title of 'commended student'

SEYMOUR - Seymour High School Principal James Freund announced Friday that senior Gurman Singh has been named a "Commended Student" in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.  

A Letter of Commendation from Seymour High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corp., which conducts the program, will be presented by Freund to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 "Commended Students" throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.  

"Commended Students" placed among the top 5 percent of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2017 competition by taking a 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named "Commended Students" have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” a spokesperson for NMSC said. 

“These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.” 

Freund said, "We are very proud of Gurman's accomplishments; his future is very bright. I can't wait to see where it will lead him." 

This is a press release from Rich Kearns, Seymour Public Schools' Director of Security. 

Newsletter features grand opening in Shelton, Humphreys House rehab in Ansonia

Dear readers,

It appears that I'm slipping..I forgot to post a link to Thursday's newsletter on Thursday. 

It highlights the continuing renovation work being done on the David Humphreys House in Ansonia, an advance of the Ansonia Harvest Festival, and more.

Here is the link: 

http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_d6453f287eca4e65ac8e22e397a88249.pdf

Thanks for reading!

Newsletter features grand opening in Shelton, Humphreys House rehab in Ansonia

Dear readers,

It appears that I'm slipping..I forgot to post a link to Thursday's newsletter on Thursday. 

It highlights the continuing renovation work being done on the David Humphreys House in Ansonia, an advance of the Ansonia Harvest Festival, and more.

Here is the link: 

http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_d6453f287eca4e65ac8e22e397a88249.pdf

Thanks for reading!

Derby expected to receive $2.99M for athletic field project

Plans call for multipurpose field, relocation of baseball field

 HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby), state Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) and state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) today announced the imminent approval of state funding for Derby. 

The State Bond Commission is expected to approve $2.99 million for an athletic field project when it meets Sept. 30.

The project consists of construction of a new multipurpose artificial turf field with rubberized track, and the relocation and construction of a baseball field in Derby.  

The multipurpose field will be located off Kings Court. 
The location of the baseball field will be determined after a public hearing.

“This is great news for all the teams that will utilize this facility. I am especially delighted for the high school and middle school track programs who have been without a usable home track for meets for more than a decade,” Conroy said.

“Replacement of the high school's athletic field and track is critical to the health and well-being of our young people,” Gentile said. “Athletics plays a critical role in their overall development, especially during their secondary school years. I am very pleased that the state is approving these funds for the Derby High School community."

The budget for the project is $2.99 million so the entire cost should be covered by the state grant.

“This is fantastic news for the entire Derby community,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway. 

“This funding will provide much needed updates to our athletic facilities, fields and programs and provide greater access for all kids and adults. This will help preserve and carry on Derby’s long tradition and pride it holds for sports that spills over into every other part of a child’s life and will continue to define us as a family and what makes this family and city the great place that it is.”

“I played sports throughout high school and college, so I know how much pride students and parents take in their athletic achievements as well as their academic achievements. It’s a source of pride for the entire town, too,” Crisco said. 
“The kids in Derby deserve this. They’ve gone on long enough without sufficient athletic facilities, and I want to see them succeed and be happy. I think this state bonding will help accomplish that.”  

Conroy said, “I want to thank my legislative colleagues, Superintendent Matt Conway, the Derby Board of Education - especially Kenneth Marcucio - and Mayor Anita Dugatto for their dedication to this project. Our unified voice helped make this funding a reality.”

The state Bond Commission meets at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building.

This is a press release from Connecticut House Democrats.

Ansonia High School PTSO to host craft and vendor fair

*Info shared from Facebook

Community offers ideas for future of downtown Derby

Kayleigh Apicerno, standing at right, facilitates a group Thursday night at a Community Voices workshop in Derby. The well-attended session was held to get ideas from members of the community for the future of the downtown district.

Residents, staff at Bishop Wicke in Shelton laud intern

Bishop Wicke staff, volunteers, and residents give student, Alex Capobianco “thumbs up” for his great work during his internship at the community. 
Pictured from left: Wilma Dorso, Libby Berti, Alex Capobianco, Mary Barbin, Kim Capobianco, Olga Kort, Shirley Conway, Angie Budd./ Submitted photo


SHELTON - When asked their thoughts about intern, Alex Capobianco, patients and residents at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center can’t help but share their adoration. 

The whole building lights up when he makes his way around and greets the residents. 
“He is very pleasant,” says resident Shirley Conway. “He always has a smile.”

Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center on the Wesley Village Campus on Long Hill Avenue, offers skilled nursing care and a variety of short-term rehab options. 

When Alex approached Bishop Wicke Therapeutic Recreation Director Mary Barbin, about potentially doing an internship at the community, Barbin happily agreed to work with him.

Capobianco, a Seymour resident, is an individual with cerebral palsy. 
He is a student at Southern Connecticut State University, a member of the class of 2017. He is a Recreation major with a concentration in Travel and Tourism. 
Capobianco has also been on the Dean’s List every semester since 2013. 
“Alex has given our residents great motivation to try and work hard through their rehab,” Barbin said. “He is so engaging. He got residents and patients involved who don’t normally participate in activities and encouraged them to come out and make connections with others.” 

As part of his program of study, for 10 weeks and 260 hours in the spring/summer of 2016, Capobianco worked with the team at Bishop Wicke as an intern. 
He helped enhance the community’s recreational programs, met with new residents to assess their interests, facilitated group activities, and coordinated a two-day-long 1940s-themed program, complete with dancing, entertainment, history, food, and more. His favorite part of the last 10 weeks? “Playing ‘Left, Right, and Center’,” Alex shared; a fun group dice game that stimulates the mind and encourages a little friendly competition.

Volunteer Libby Berti, expressed her appreciation of Alex, “I really enjoyed his company. He was so much fun. He has a great level of maturity; watching him grow was amazing. We were all a great team!” 
His mother, Kim Capobianco, also expressed her appreciation of Bishop Wicke for giving her son such a valuable opportunity. “It was a great place for him; such a wonderful experience.”

The staff, residents, and patients of Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center would like to extend their sincere and heartfelt thanks to Capobianco for his time, effort, and influence throughout his 10-week internship. 
Though he has completed his internship and will be continuing his studies at SCSU, his many friends at Bishop Wicke are confident they will continue to keep in touch. “Isn’t he amazing?” staff exclaim when chatting about him. “We are his number one fans!” says Berti.

Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center is an award-winning skilled nursing and rehabilitation center located on the Wesley Village senior living campus. Also part of the campus continuum of care is Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent Living Cottages and Assisted Living Apartments, and Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living and Memory Care Community. 
The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community and is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. 
To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Ansonia to celebrate all things autumn at Harvest Festival Saturday

Polish restaurant opens in downtown Ansonia

Cassetti: 'Main Street is becoming a dining destination'

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti welcomes Warszawa Restaurant owner Michael Dembowski to the city./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - At 6 p.m. Sept. 9 Warszawa Restaurant opened its doors to a full crowd.
Owner Michael Dembowski has hired six full-time employees. 
The restaurant at 350 Main St. occupies approximately 1,800 square feet of space. 
Warszawa features a piano and dance floor for dining entertainment. 

“We are excited about the first Polish restaurant in the Valley," Mayor David S. Cassetti said. 
"The food is superb and we are hoping that residents of Ansonia and neighboring towns will stop in for dinner. It is a nice complement to our Polish deli Europol Deli and Gifts located on the same side of Main Street. 
"Main Street is becoming a dining destination for Ansonia and the Valley," he said."We hope to attract visitors from all over who want variety.” 

Corporation Counsel John Marini added, “There is a lot of activity in downtown and a lot happening. These restaurants are drawing much-needed foot traffic into the downtown and that’s good news for Ansonia.” 

The restaurant serves traditional Polish fare such as blintzes and a Polish platter which consists of pierogis, golumpkis, and blintzes.
It is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m., Thursday - Saturday from 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 9 p.m.

The new restaurant is one of many developments occurring on Main Street. 
A new Thai restaurant will be opening soon, and Massimino’s new construction project, which will consist of a restaurant and catering venue (new construction on Main Street hasn’t happened since the '90s). 

In addition, the purchase and sale of the site adjacent to Target for the redevelopment of a big box store and restaurant is forthcoming.  
Road Ready is preparing to open, Fitzpatrick’s Chrysler Jeep Dealership is in the middle of a million-dollar expansion, LuLu Pazza Italiano is about to open in the former Antonio’s restaurant location with a multi-million dollar renovation, and the city is preparing for the sale of the ATP/Palmer buildings.

This is a press release from Cassetti's office.