Seymour to hold annual Sidewalk Sale on First Saturday

SEYMOUR - The Shops Downtown will hold their annual Sidewalk Sale in conjunction with the First Saturday Celebration from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 

Don't miss this month! 
Merchants will be offering refreshments and bargains!

Lizzie's Corner Home Consignment and Gifts is hosting a Mini Flea Market at the corner of Bank and Wakeley Streets too! 
Start your day downtown with breakfast or come later for lunch or dinner. 
The Culture and Arts Commission is hosting a concert at 6 p.m., and The Strand Theater will show a classic movie at 7 p.m. 
There will be lots of activities for the whole family. 
Thanks for supporting the local shops!

*Note: Rain date is Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This is a press release from Lizzie's Corner.

Banko's Music in Ansonia invites community to grand re-opening

ANSONIA - Banko's Music invites the community to an official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday from 5-7 p.m. (with an official cutting at 5:30 p.m.) and also to its Grand Re-Opening Celebration Saturday from noon-5 p.m. 

Banko's Music, 360 E. Main St., is under new ownership. All are cordially invited to join in the festivities.

Invited guests are Mayor David S. Cassetti and Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell. Wine and beer will be served and there will be live music.

The Saturday Grand Re-Opening Celebration will have a free all-day cookout with non-alcoholic refreshments served, free giveaways, and live music.

Banko's Music has been in continued operation and at the same location for over 60 years. 

The original owner, Frank Banko, opened the store in 1955. It was then passed on to Joe and Sherry Salvati in 2001. 

Now the legacy of Banko's has been handed over to new owner Joe Shapiro.

He said, "As a loyal customer of the store for many years, I jumped at the opportunity to buy Banko's when I heard the previous owners were selling. I am grateful Joe and Sherry Salvati have agreed to stay on with us as employees. Going forward, I foresee Banko's Music reclaiming its past and rightful place as the center of the musical community in the Valley and beyond."

Banko's has recently been restored, renovated, and expanded. 

Banko's is committed to serving the musical needs of the Greater Valley area and beyond while providing a community-oriented environment. 

For more information visit www.Bankos.Rocks or contact natalie@bankos.rocks.

This is a press release from Banko's.

Cast of Beatlemania to headline Rock the Valley in Ansonia

Derby Public Library to host water color workshop

DERBY - Derby Public Library will host another popular Water Color Painting Workshop at 6 p.m. Aug. 28. 

Ages 18 and over are invited to enjoy this fun evening resulting in fabulous art!  
Participants will go home with new friends, great memories, and a newly-created masterpiece that will show off your “inner-artist.”  

No experience?  No problem! 
Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo will guide you step-by-step on this creative journey as you learn the ins and outs of creating your own water color painting.  

No previous artistic experience necessary - great for beginners or seasoned professionals. Snacks will be provided. It is promised to be a surprisingly easy and fun way to spend an evening! 
Registration is required. 
For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

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

Vendors still sought for Rock the Valley, Harvest Festival in Ansonia

Derby Public Library discussion to focus on memoir about love, cooking

DERBY - The Derby Public Library's next Lunchtime Book Discussion will be at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 30.  
The selected title is the pleasurable memoir Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard.  

In Paris for a weekend, Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman, and never went home again.  

This is the chronicle of a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs – one with her new beau, and the other with French cuisine.  
It is a great, light read that lovers of food and romance will relish.  

Dessert and beverages will be provided.  

Registration is requested.  
For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

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

Spector Spectacular in Ansonia to benefit TEAM, Valley troupe

What do you get when some local professional actors and tell them they can perform inside a furniture showroom? 

A wonderful and unexpected experience you won’t want to miss.  

Spector Furniture and Mattress Gallery, TEAM, Inc., and Valley Shakespeare Festival have teamed up to bring you Spector Spectacular Presents Psycho Beach Party!  

The furniture showroom at 385 Main St., Ansonia, is the perfect set for the professional actors of the Valley Shakespeare Festival to perform a rendition of the off-Broadway show that combines 1950s psychological thrillers with 1960s beach movies with the 1970s slasher films – Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch.

“This is a show that is a ton of fun for an adult evening out! So many remember those Annette and Frankie moments, but never like this! Like last year, it’ll be an experience not to be missed,” said Tom Simonetti, Director, Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Doors will open to Spector Spectacular at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 with the show starting around 7 p.m. 

The event will feature a silent auction, a raffle, a variety of foods from surrounding restaurants, including sushi and stuffed cookies, and music. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. 

Advance tickets are on sale at $35 per person ($40 at the door) with net proceeds to benefit TEAM, Inc. and Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.SpectorFurniture.com.  

For program updates, follow Spector Spectacular on Facebook. 

This information is shared from a press release.

Recuperation journey: A 'friend' returns

Look who returned! 
Photographing wildlife in our yard has been a part of my healing process since May so I'm filing this with my recuperation journey series. 

I just happened to see him and was able to capture a quick photo through the back window. He looks to be enjoying the afternoon sun.
He hasn't been around in a while, or I should say I haven't seen him in a while.

Recuperation journey: It's only natural

A recipient of a donated organ wouldn't be human if he or she didn't wonder who gave them the gift of life.

I've been wondering since Day 1 who my donor was, and was overjoyed Thursday to meet her, a wonderful woman named Robin Gilmartin. 

I was glad to hear my fellow recipients say when they saw other patients waiting for appointments they would look at them and try to guess if they were their donor.

I did the exact same thing! 
At a pre-surgery appointment I noticed a woman seated with her family and I convinced myself - incorrectly of course - that she was about to be my donor. 
The need to know is human nature.

Here's a photo my daughter took of me (at right) and Robin at Thursday's press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital: 

We were part of an 18-person kidney exchange! 
I had no idea so many transplants were involved. It's wonderful and overwhelming all at once to be a part of it.

Early bird registration ends soon for Pounding the Pavement in Seymour

Sharing a message from Mary Deming, founder of the nonprofit Seymour Pink, a community's fight against breast cancer.

"There are just 3 days left to early bird registration. The cost is still $25. 

"On August 1 registration fees will increase to $30. Do not delay. Head over to runsignup.com now and register for this amazing 5K and join the FIGHT against breast cancer! 

"Thank you for your continued support!"

Church to host 2nd annual Ansonia Police Appreciation Day, fundraiser

Recuperation journey: My wonderful donor

I love this photo! 
From left: my wonderful kidney donor, Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford, me, my equally wonderful sister-in-law Suzanne Watson of Laconia, N.H. (Ralph's baby sister), and Suzanne's kidney recipient, William Greenwood of Bethel.

I can't thank Robin enough for her altruistic gift.


Photo by Allegra Villers 

Recuperation journey: Good question; feeling silly

Less than two weeks ago this marigold plant had only one bloom ... now I'm wondering if my kidney donor has a green thumb and it has been passed on to me! 

Hmmm ... I'll have to ask her about that.   🌼 

Recuperation journey: Meeting my kidney donor

Medical professionals at Yale-New Haven Hospital uttered the word altruism several times at today's press conference celebrating a recently completed kidney exchange.

I received a kidney May 9 from an altruistic donor as part of the first group of surgeries in what turned out to be an 18-person kidney exchange.

I met my donor, a wonderful woman named Robin, for the first time just before the press conference. It was incredibly exciting to meet the person who changed my life for the better; I told her I couldn't thank her enough! 

I'll be writing about this adventure in future posts. 
Please stay tuned, and thanks as always for reading.

I wanted to share a photo I snapped before the event of this little guy waiting patiently for the big reveal. 
Coincidentally enough he turned out to be the grandson of my sister-in-law Sue's recipient! 
Sue was an altruistic donor, and was thrilled to finally meet the man who now has her kidney.

Recuperation journey: Today's the day

I could barely sleep last night anticipating today's event: a meet and greet for nine kidney recipients and their donors followed by a press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital. 

I'm so excited to meet the person whose gift changed my life for the better! 

'Turnback Tuesday' on Wednesday features organ company founder

Businessman's house still stands in downtown Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of Charles Sterling's house. Mr. Sterling was the founder of the Sterling Organ Co. in 1845. Originally from Sharon, CT, Charles moved to Derby after marrying the daughter of Edward Shelton and prior to opening the factory. In 1860, the Sterling Organ Co. began to produce pianos as well. Their popularity no doubt led to the company becoming more widely known as the Sterling Piano Co., especially after a separate branch was opened in 1871 specifically to produce pianos. Sterling served as president of the company until his death in 1887. His house was located on the corner of Cottage and Caroline Streets, where it still stands.


*Many thanks to Derby Public Library for sharing this interesting local history each week!

Hilltop Hose in Ansonia participating in town-wide tag sale Saturday

ANSONIA - Hilltop Hose Co. #5 is participating in the City of Ansonia’s Town-Wide tag sale Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Hilltop Hose firehouse is located at 80 Pulaski Highway, Rte. 243. 

The sale will be in the garage at the rear of the property.

This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

*Note: For those tag sale participants who are unable to sell their unwanted goods, My Sister's Place, a thrift shop at 380 Main St. will accept goods as donations via drop-off or pickup. 

All of its proceeds benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, a program of BHcare.

Lodge in Ansonia collecting school supplies for Valley students

ANSONIA - Members of the James H. Wilkins Lodge #9 are once again asking the community's help in outfitting Ansonia and Derby students for back to school. 

The organization has been collecting school supplies for needy children since 2005.

Lodge member Gregory Gatison said in an email this week that six schools have sought support for a total of 361 at-risk students. 

The schools include Irving and Bradley elementary schools and Derby Middle School in Derby, and John C. Mead and John G. Prendergast elementary schools and Ansonia Middle in Ansonia.

"We intend to fulfill each school's request," Gatison said. "I am trying to reach out to new donors."

He said binders and binder paper, pencils, and pocket folders are the most important items to collect. 

Donations need to be delivered to the Lodge, 150 Tremont St., before Aug. 20. 
For information contact James Hodge, 203-735-7549 or Gatison, 203-685-0937. 

Checks or money orders should be sent to James H. Wilkins Lodge #9, P.O. Box 36, Ansonia, 06401.

SCHOOL  SUPPLIES  REQUEST  LIST  2017

BINDERS, 3 RING                          75 each

BINDER PAPER                             1,500 sheets

COLORED PENCILS                       72 packs

CONSTRUCTION PAPER                19 packs

CRAYONS                                     105 packs

DRY ERASE MARKERS                    60 packs

GLUE STICKS                                20 packs 

INDEX CARDS                                420 each

MARKERS, BLACK                         600 each

MARKERS, COLORED                     42 packs

NOTEBOOKS                                 650 each

PENCILS                                        2,100 each

PENS                                             350 each 

POCKET FOLDERS                         2,000 each

50th annual Festa! slated at Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia

Photo from a previous Festa! held on Holy Rosary Church grounds in Ansonia. 

Sharing information from a Facebook event page:

ANSONIA - Holy Rosary Church parishioners are busy preparing Italian food delicacies for FESTA! 2017, the 50th annual summer festival slated Aug. 10-12.

Foods such as porchetta, soffrito, pasta e fagioli, lasagna, fried calamari, sausage and pepper subs, zeppole, gelato, and the FESTA! signature dish, pizza fritta, will be on the menu.

Special musical entertainment with an Italian flavor is featured each night beginning at 5 p.m.

Enjoy the musical talents of local favorites Tony Santoli, I'Liguri, Mark Lanzieri, Head Over Heels, and The Groove Time Band.

The free event is a celebration all things Italian, including the history of the parish, which dates back to the early 1900s.

Bring the kids to enjoy great rides, games, and fun. Scupine the Clown will be strolling around the festival entertaining even the littlest guests.

Visit the Italian Marketplace for gifts, T-shirts, and memorabilia.
The church is located at 10 Father Salemi Drive, and parking is available across the street at the Big Y supermarket.

Concert, market on tap tonight at Veterans Park in Ansonia

Recuperation journey: Visited beach

... and I have no egrets.

I only wish the sun had been out - for a sunset photo opportunity - at Bradley Point Park in West Haven.

August community meals slated in Ansonia

Career Coach returns to Derby Public Library Aug. 18

DERBY - The American Job Centers Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Aug. 18. During both the morning session, 10 a.m .-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m., instructors will be offering Job Search Assistance.  

Learn where to look for jobs, how to get the job you want, and how to search for jobs on the Internet.  

The workshop is free and open to the public.  
Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come first served basis. 
The American Job Center Career Coach is operated by Career Resources.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org


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

Centers in Ansonia, Derby offer free job search help

Lecture at Seymour Public Library to focus on Nile River

Griffin Hospital in Derby recognized for organ donation awareness

From left: Sharon Bartley and Angelo Bernardo of New England Donor Services present Griffin Hospital VP Patient Care Services Barbara Stumpo and Inpatient Services Administrator Kelly Egan with the WPFL Silver Award./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., recently received the Health and Human Services Work Place for Life Silver Recognition Award from New England Donor Services for raising awareness about organ donation.

The WPFL Hospital Campaign encourages hospitals to coordinate donor awareness and registry enrollment activities with their staff, patients, and community members. 

The goals of the campaign are to increase organ and tissue donation awareness in the surrounding community, cultivate a hospital culture that incorporates educating and registering potential donors as part of their standard mission, and provide online organ and tissue donor registration opportunities.

Last year, Griffin Hospital assisted with four organ donations that resulted in life-saving organ transplants for 12 people. 

Partners in the WPFL campaign are committed to building awareness of the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation registration. 

According to New England Donor Services, there are more than 117,090 people in the U.S. and 1,343 in the state on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants. 

One donor has the potential of saving up to nine lives through organ donation and can enhance the lives of 50 people through tissue donation.

For more information about organ donation, visit donatelife.net.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

*A subject near and dear to this kidney recipient's heart!

Gentile hails House approval of state employee concession plan

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby, applauds the House approval of a $1.2 billion state employee concession plan that will enact several significant structural changes and save $24 billion over the life of the agreement.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

This is an historic agreement that prioritizes structural, verifiable reductions to long-term pension and benefit costs, while also achieving significant savings in the coming biennium. 
This groundbreaking agreement substantially reduces the unfunded liability for both the state employee retirement system and our retiree health benefits trust fund.

Under this labor deal, the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition has agreed to zero wage increases for three years, higher health co-pays and premiums, and three unpaid furlough days in 2017-18.

“This labor agreement is the first step toward solving our budget deficit as it adopts a spending plan that generates new revenue, restructures our pension system into the future, while respecting the promises made in the past, and takes advantage of our demographic reality,” Gentile said. 

“This deal will put Connecticut on the path to financial sustainability, produce immediate savings in healthcare and enact several significant structural changes by gradually shifting costs onto employees and retirees into the future.”

Other structural changes include overtime capped at 60 percent, health insurance redesign, pension reforms, increased co-pays, premium cost sharing and COLA reforms. 

Additionally, the plan will require all employees to pay 2 percent more into their pension over biennium and establish a new tier IV of employees going forward that will have a defined benefit and contribution plan.

In regards to savings, this agreement:

• Saves taxpayers approximately $710 million in Fiscal Year 2018 and $850 million in Fiscal Year 2019,
• Savings grows to $24 billion over the next 20 years,
• Turns a $20.7 billion unfunded liability into a $1.5 billion surplus over 30 years.

This is a press release from the House Democrats' office.

Newsletter: Harvest House VII plan, Ansonia sports signups

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter features a slight "bump in the road" during my kidney transplant recuperation, information about the upcoming Harvest House VII in Shelton, and more.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

~ Patti

5K in Shelton to benefit BHcare's Alliance for Prevention & Wellness

Treasured Time golf outing in September to benefit Stratford family

The “Driving For Memories” Golf Outing will benefit the Stanton family of Stratford./ Contributed photo

Treasured Time, Inc. is hosting its inaugural “Driving for Memories” Golf Outing to help a Stratford family make lasting memories.

The Stanton Family will be the featured family and “Gift of Moments” recipients for the event. 

Tim Stanton, 46, was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in February 2017. 

At the time of his diagnosis, it had spread to his liver and lymph nodes. Stanton had a 10 cm mass surgically removed from his colon in March, along with 10 inches of his colon and 17 of 25 lymph nodes. At the time of his diagnosis in February, the tumor mass on his colon was measuring at 6 cm, indicating this is a fast-growing cancer.

Stanton started chemotherapy in April. He had the choice to start with a more basic chemo but opted to go for a more aggressive form of treatment. 

He had four rounds on this aggressive chemo and unfortunately his scans showed negative results. There were no improvements to his colon or his liver metastases. 

If the next set of scans do not show favorable results, he will begin exploring clinical trials that may help to slow down the progression of the cancer.

Stanton has three children Alanna, age 24, and twin boys Blake and Lucas, age 6. His eldest daughter Alanna is a huge support, taking him to doctor’s appointments and helping with her brothers and chores around the house. Stanton’s wife, Missy, can’t take much time off since she just started a new job.

Stanton and his family spend much of their time creating memories together. 

Stanton would love the opportunity to take his family to Disney World and explore the magic it has to offer before he is unable to do so.

Driving For Memories will be held Sept.13  at Whitney Farms Golf Course in Monroe. 

This is a rain or shine event with a shotgun start at noon. The cost is $125 per person and includes a dinner reception and auction after golf. 

Tickets for just the dinner reception and auction are $50 per person.

To register, visit treasuredtime.org. Registrations will be on a first come, first served basis.

'Gift of Moments'

Treasured Time, Inc. is a Connecticut-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.” 

To see how you can help us make a difference, visit treasuredtime.org.

This is a press release from Treasured Time. 

Bereavement support groups offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering new support groups Mondays and Wednesdays this summer./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is offering ongoing support groups this summer for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one.

These groups are assisted by caregivers in Griffin’s Department of Spiritual Care and Education and provide grief education and support to ease the pain of loss as well as encouraging healing and growth. 

There will be groups meeting Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m., and Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Due to limited capacity, registration is required. 

To learn more or to register, contact Heather Billingham, 203-732-1132 or hbillingham@griffinhealth.org, or Janice Lautier, 203-732-1100 or jlautier@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.