Friday, April 7, 2017

Ansonia Nature Center posts May activities for all ages

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, offers a variety of fun activities in May.

NATURE EXPLORERS – Wednesdays, May 3 and 10,  10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join Wendy for our preschool/toddler program. This 4-week session is for children ages 2–5 years old with an adult. These outdoor classes will be fun exploring and learning through play. We will learn about nature and science through activities such as hiking, exploring, singing, games, reading, and making crafts. Every class is outside!!!! TUITION: $40 per 4-week session.  Please call to register, 203-736-1053.


ADVENTURES IN EDIBLE PLANT FORAGING – May 6, 10 a.m.
Karen Monger is the author of the 3 Foragers blog, which she runs with her husband, Robert, and their daughter, Gillian. Come join their family in discovering edible plants and harvesting them together in the park. Their mission is to impart their knowledge of wild edible plants to others. After the walk, try a wild food “sampler” made by the staff of the Nature Center.
FEE: $5.  Please call to register.

CARTOONING THE NATURAL WORLD – May 7 & 21, 10 a.m.
Ranger Amie Ziner, our artist in residence, will teach four classes in cartooning nature! We will use on site materials, stuffed specimens, and live animal observation to complete four cartoons with a plant and animal in each one. Improve your drawing accuracy and realism for fun, for story illustration, and for expressing yourself using pictures—a picture is worth a thousand words! For ages 10 to adult. Limited space. FEE: $5 per class. 
Please call to register.

SUNDAY GUIDED HIKE: History Hike May 7, 1 p.m.
Hike to the Nature Center’s historic sites with Ranger Dan. Discover old roads, stone walls, and even some secret treasures he’s found during his exploring. Enjoy the day off with your family on this Sunday hike. FREE.
Please call to register.

EARLY MORNING BIRDING –  May 13, 9 a.m.
Join Ranger Jessica for our early morning birding. Find the birds living in or moving through our parklands to nest farther north. This is a prime time for birders to come and spot some of our magnificent migratory birds. Bring your own binoculars or use ours. Dress for walking outdoors. We will start with a quick introduction to birds. FREE. 
Please call to register.


NATURE EXPLORERS – May 10, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Wendy for our preschool/toddler program. This 4-week session is for children ages 2–5 years old with an adult. These outdoor classes will be fun exploring and learning through play. We will learn about nature and science through activities such as hiking, exploring, singing, games, reading, and making crafts. Every class is outside!!!! TUITION: $40 per 4-week session
Please call to register.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to promote awareness of health care planning

Griffin Hospital will offer free assistance for individuals looking to determine their healthcare and end of life planning April 16-23./ Contributed photo

DERBY - In recognition of National Healthcare Decision Week, Griffin Hospital will be promoting awareness of the importance of health care planning and of having an advance directive.

This year’s theme is “It’s always too early, until it’s too late.”

Advance care planning is a process of understanding, reflecting, and discussing individual goals and values to determine one’s overall wishes should a time come when one cannot make one’s own medical decisions and is unlikely to recover from an injury or illness. ACP is the best way to make sure your health care wishes are respected by your loved ones and health providers.

“As adults, we make many choices throughout life,” said Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, director of Planetree Programs and Services at Griffin Hospital.

“Most often the best choices are made as a result of good planning, such as career planning, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and especially health care or end of life planning. Advance care planning gives comfort and reassurance to one’s health care representative knowing that he or she clearly understands one’s end-of-life preferences.”

For additional information or to schedule a free appointment contact Community Outreach & Parish Nursing at 203-732-1255 or ACP@griffinhealth.org, or visit griffinhealth.org/acp.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.