DEEP grant to preserve open space on Ansonia-Seymour town line

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby, has announced a $112,500 grant to preserve open space on the Ansonia/Seymour town line. 

The funds, from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program, will add significant acreage to Abe Stone Park.

“In the spirit of the season, I am so thankful that Ansonia will be able to add nearly 14 acres to the park in the city’s north end,” said Gentile. “I remember going to the park with my family as a child to play and swim in the summer and ice skate in the winter. Now I go there to watch my granddaughters play soccer. This beautiful treasure of natural beauty and splendor must be preserved and saved from development. It will provide children and families in Ansonia hours of recreational enjoyment for generations to come.”

The acquired open space will prevent the land from being developed. Several recent proposals were rejected.

"We are very grateful to Rep. Gentile and DEEP for their support in preserving and protecting this property on Castle Lane,” said Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti. “The property adjacent to the park will complement the area with additional space for trails and other recreational use."

"Because Ansonia is very small in size we must be thoughtful about the way we develop and/or preserve the space that remains,” said Economic Development director Sheila O’Malley. 

“This is a significant grant that helps us create additional open space in the city. Thank you to Rep. Gentile and Dave Stygar of DEEP for their assistance."

This is a press release from Gentile's office. 

Club shines spotlight on ex-Shelton educator as part of anniversary celebration

As part of its year-long 60th anniversary celebration, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will be recognizing the life of someone who has been positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club on a regular basis throughout the year.

This month the Club recognizes Louis “Lou” Dagostine, Sr. 
Lou’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club has been as a club member, a staff member, and a member of the Board of Directors. 
Lou fondly recalls many of the activities he participated in as a Club member, including the stamp collecting club and woodworking club. 
Games room and gym activities were popular then, as they are now, and Lou especially enjoyed ping pong (with sand paddles!), pool, and basketball.
Lou, like many of the Boys Club members of the late ’50s and early ’60s, transitioned from the Boys Club to the Community Center (back room to front room) and continued to be an active member of the Community Center.

After graduating from Western Connecticut State College, Lou began a 34-year career in the Shelton School System that included teacher, counselor, and principal. 

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club, Lou has served as Second Vice President of the Parent Child Resource Center Board of Directors, a member of the Shelton Youth Services Bureau Juvenile Review Board, and a mentor in the Shelton Student Mentoring Program. 
He was the recipient of PCRC’s Award for Significant Contributions to Children and Families in the Valley Area.
Lou, his wife Jenny, and their three sons, Louis, Peter, and Ralph have all been involved with the Boys & Girls Club as members of the Board of Directors, members of the Corporation (Corporators), and as various committee members. 
Their family has expanded to include Louis’ wife Renee and grandchildren Emery and Maria; Peter’s wife Michelle and granddaughter Madeleine; and Ralph and his girlfriend Andrea.

The club is looking for stories about anyone whose life was positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club. 
Stories are welcome all year long, from Club members, past members, friends, and family. 
If you have an experience you’d like to share please email Press@BGC-LNV.org, or call Ann Wheeler, 203- 924-7462. For details visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Derby school board, superintendent recognized for leadership

DERBY - The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway have been recognized by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education for exhibiting the most effective leadership, characterized by their ability to work together as a “team.”

The CABE Board Recognition Awards are designed to recognize boards which provide effective leadership to their districts through the use of good practices. 
This program which acknowledges the importance of school board members and superintendents working together as effective teams continues an important trend among school boards associations across the country.

CABE Board Leadership Award - Level Two includes 19 items and boards need to fulfill 12 of these with at least two completed in each of the following areas: board leadership/student achievement, board member professional development, policy, community relations, and related organizational leadership.
Conway said, “This is the fourth year in a row that the Derby Board of Education has been recognized, and the second time they are receiving the top award. The recognition speaks to their level of commitment and drive to achieve even higher goals.”

Board Chairman Kenneth Marcucio stated, “To be honored as a Board of Distinction in our state is a great honor for me, the members of our Board of Education, Dr. Matt Conway, the Derby School System, and the city as a whole. It has been our objective to do whatever is necessary to make our school system the best it could possibly be for our students, given the tough times in today’s society. We have a great leader in Dr. Matt Conway who has helped us to do this during his short tenure in Derby. I am sure with his continued leadership we will continue to improve and have one of the best school systems in the state. Our students will continue to benefit from the hard work of our board members, Dr. Conway, administrators, teachers and all the other employees who work so hard in the background. Thank you to CABE for bestowing this honor on our small city.”

Robert Rader, Executive Director of CABE stated, “We are thrilled that the Derby Board of Education has joined other boards from around the state in receiving a CABE Board of Distinction Award! For a Board, leadership means carrying out its roles and responsibilities consistently, thoughtfully, in line with best practices and with the highest ethical standards. 


This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.   

Holiday open house at Derby Public Library to feature carolers

DERBY - The Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., invites everyone to its Annual Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14.

The entertainment will begin at 1:30 p.m. when staff member Marc Weissman moves from the computer keyboard to the musical keyboard to play some favorite holiday melodies.

In what has become a holiday tradition, the festivities will include a visit from the Connecticut Yuletide Carolers from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Connecticut Yuletide Carolers/Photo from website

These Victorian-garbed Carolers will fill the cold winter air with the warm sounds of the season, bringing holiday cheer to young and old alike. 
They will greet visitors as they enter the main lobby, inviting all to sing-along.

There also will be free holiday-themed basket raffles 

open to all visitors.  

As usual, this beautiful historic building will be decked, inside and out, in all its holiday glory.

Everyone is invited to take part in this special day.  
Cookies and punch will be available throughout the day.

For information, stop by the Library, call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.      


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

Master's Table to host Christmas dinner in Ansonia; Santa to visit

Griffin Hospital to host free Army Band concert at Shelton High School

The 102nd Army Band will perform Dec. 6 in Shelton./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Griffin Hospital invites the community to a free holiday concert Dec. 6 at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St.

The Griffin Hospital Annual Holiday Concert will feature the 102nd Army Band. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the auditorium will open at 7 p.m.

The 102nd Army Band is the official musical emissary for the Connecticut Army National Guard. Beginning in 1863 as the First Regiment, Connecticut National Guard Band, its musical tradition has continued through many designations and locations.

The 102nd Band served in World Wars I and II, and the Korean Conflict. 

'Goodwill Ambassadors'

As “Goodwill Ambassadors,” the 102nd performs in a variety of concerts, ceremonies, and parades around the world. The band has had the honor of playing for U.S. troops returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle and a NATO Change of Command ceremony in Heidelberg, Germany.

The band plays a variety of music such as classical, jazz, show tunes, rock and pop.

This event is sponsored by the President’s Fund at Griffin Hospital as a thank you to Griffin’s sponsors and the community, and as a celebration of the hospital’s family of employees, medical staff, volunteers, corporators, and trustees for their dedication, compassion, and expertise.

Tickets are free. Seating is general admission and given on a first come, first served basis. 

To get tickets, contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 203-732-7504 or email development@griffinhealth.org (please put “Holiday Concert” as the subject of the email).

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Vendors sought for marketplace at Ansonia Armory

Seymour Pink to hold holiday open house

The nonprofit Seymour Pink is a community's fight against breast cancer.

See you at the open house!