Fundraiser slated in Seymour for Griffin Hospital employee battling cancer

Students take part in cooking contest at Griffin Hospital in Derby

From left: Anthony Nakis, Derby Middle School, Victoria Caiza, Seymour Middle School, Emma Jackson, Western Elementary School, Naugatuck, Kayla Kilincoglu, Perry Hill School, Shelton, and Colin Cepeda, Mead School, Ansonia, competed in the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools Healthy Cooking Competition Finals at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Derby Middle School eighth grader Anthony Nakis was top chef at the 4th Annual Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools (VITAHLS) Healthy Cooking Competition.

Nakis’s Tex-Mex Bison Burger Sliders were named best by a panel of judges that included elected officials and representatives from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Naugatuck at Griffin Hospital in DerbyMay 23. Nakis’s recipe beat out tasty and healthy entries by Colin Cepeda, of Mead School in Ansonia, Kayla Kilincoglu, of Perry Hill School in Shelton, Victoria Caiza, of Seymour Middle School, and Emma Jackson, of Western Elementary School in Naugatuck.

“Each year, the contest provides a fun and exciting way for local students to showcase their talents for cooking, and to encourage a passion for both healthy eating and cooking within the local community,” said Kim Doughty, MPH, PhD, VITAHLS Coordinator at The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The five contestants advanced to the finals by winning regional competitions in their school district. 

All finalists received a personalized apron, a gardening basket from Massaro Community Farm, a $25 gift card to Sports Center of Connecticut, and other items. 

As the grand prize winner, Nakisalso received a basket and gift card from Common Bond Market in Shelton and passes to Monster Mini Golf in Orange, Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park in Trumbull, and “IT,” the ropes course at Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven.

The event was emceed by John Vazzano, chef and owner of Vazzy’s restaurants.

VITAHLS is a childhood obesity prevention initiative collaboration between Griffin Hospital, Yale Griffin PRC, and the Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, and Naugatuck school districts. 

Since 2011, VITAHLS has integrated a variety of nutrition and physical activity programs into the existing school structure to help reduce childhood obesity.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Entertainer to teach 'A Passion for Birds' at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, will present "A Passion for Birds" with Henry Lappen at 2 p.m. June 11.

Henry Lappen

In this family program, participants learn how birds adapt to their environment, and why they look and act the way they do. 

Be captivated by Henry Lappen’s beautiful masks and by his dances among the crowd demonstrating the form and motion of the different species. 

The audience joins him while learning some mime skills and imaging. 

Registration is required. Fee is $5 per person.

Please call to register, 203-736-1053.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center. 

St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby to host casino bus trip

DERBY -  St. Mary-St. Michael School is hosting a bingo/casino bus trip to Foxwoods Casino June 17.

The bus will depart the school, 14 Seymour Ave., at 7:30 a.m. and return around 6:30 p.m. 
The trip will provide attendees plenty of time to play bingo or enjoy other games and attractions at the casino. There will also be bingo on the bus.

The cost is $30 per person and includes a slots play coupon and a food coupon that is good for the casino’s all-you-can-eat buffet. 
The coupons are only available to individuals 21 years and older.

Proceeds will support the St. Mary-St. Michael Home School Association, which supports the needs of the school.

For reservations or information, contact Gene, 203-893-9663, or Christian, 203-520-1480. 
Or send your reservation to: St. Mary-St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave, Derby, CT 06418. Please make checks payable to “St. Mary-St. Michael HSA.”


This is a press release from the school.

Newsletter features Civil War monument restoration in Derby

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter is out. 
Please click here to read about restoration of the Civil War monument on the Derby Green, results of The Great Give, and more.

Thanks,

~ Patti and Ralph

Adam's House in Shelton posts summer event schedule

Support Adam's House this Summer!

Support Adam's House this Summer at our Family Friendly Events! June 13 - Join Us for TACO TUESDAY at Chipotle in Shelton from 4-9 p.m. Show our Flyer and Adam's House will receive 50 percent of the sales! Click Here for our Flyer and get your taco time on! June 24 - It's Derby Day, a celebration for the start of summer in the town of Derby. Visit our table from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for a day filled with food, entertainment, and fun the whole family can enjoy. June 28 - Adam's House at Music Under the Stars. Enjoy a free evening of great music on the Huntington Green in Shelton. Stop by and see our booth from 7-9 p.m. July 1 - Let us do the baking for you this holiday weekend! Visit our Bake Sale outside the Stop and Shop in Shelton from 11-2 p.m.