Golf outing in Monroe to benefit Treasured Time

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Docks

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Derby Docks. The Docks were located at the end of Commerce Street in East Derby. Over the years, packet boats regularly sailed from this area, and cargoes containing coal and other raw materials for Derby and Ansonia factories were landed here. 
The Docks were established in 1642 by John Wakeman of New Haven. William Croffut - owner of the Croffut Hotel referenced in last week's post - was the superintendent of the Docks for many years. Once the property was purchased by the New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad Co., the Derby Docks were officially closed in April of 1927.


A big thanks to Derby Public Library for providing this interesting local history! 

Ansonia Nature Center schedules July fun

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has scheduled fun and educational activities for July.

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER NATURE DAYS! 
July 31–Aug. 4, Aug. 7–11 (FULL), Aug. 14–18, 9 am–3 p.m.               
For children from 5 to 11 years old who love the outdoors and wildlife, these popular classes will be not only educational but also a chance to explore the 156 acres the park offers. We explore a variety of the park’s habitats. A great choice for a fun late-summer experience! 
TUITION: $150 priority students (Ansonia residents and FANCI members), $175 all others. 

CREATURES OF LONG ISLAND SOUND –July 6, 11 a.m.This is a great weekday family program to learn all about the creatures of Long Island Sound. We will explore the Nature Center’s salt water tank and learn how to identify and hold common critters you will find at New England’s local beaches this summer. 
FEE: $6 per person.

DEEP FAMILY FISHING CLASS – July 8, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. The Nature Center is sponsoring this CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection C.A.R.E. Program class. 
The topics covered by the 2-hour classroom instruction are • Connecticut Waters • Fish Identification • How & Where Fish Live • Fishing Tackle & Techniques • Fishing Laws & Regulations • How to Tie a Strong Knot • How to Clean & Cook Your Catch • Sportsmanship & Safety • How to Cast The instruction will be immediately followed by fishing with the instructors in Redwing Pond. All equipment will be provided. Adults over the age of 16 must have a fishing license to participate in the fishing event. 
This FREE program, taught by Certified DEEP C.A.R.E. Instructors, is open to everyone 7 years old and up; children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. To pre-register or for more information call the Chief Instructor, Dave Connelly, 203-231-0946.

MOONSHINE AND FIREFLY HIKE – July 9, 8 p.m. Follow the Nature Center’s ranger along our wooded paths looking for glowworms in the leaf litter under the light of the moon.  
We’ll end the hike with a show by beetles in the Lampyridae family, better known as lightning bugs and fireflies. FEE: $3 per person. Wear shoes for  hiking.

MONDAY NIGHT TRAIL RUN – Mondays starting July 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. This is a call to all of the runners who want something that is out of the ordinary! Ranger Dan will lead you through our 156-acre network of trails, while you burn off the weekend's extra calories. 

We guarantee that this FREE program is the best way to start off your week. Please register.

FAMILY ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM – Tuesdays, July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1, 8, 15; Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26. The nature center will be continuing family-friendly activities in our organic garden. Learn about growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Dress appropriately; keep in mind you will get water and soil on your clothing. 

FREE, with the potential to take home fresh local produce!

CHRIS ROWLANDS: Puppeteer and Singer – July 28, 7 p.m. Rowlands is an award-winning singer and songwriter who offers an interactive kid-friendly presentation for those who love music and nature.  Rowlands brings animals to life through song, dance, puppets, and colorful props, to teach children about animals and their habitats.
Don’t miss this FREE musical program! Please call to register 203-736-1053.


This is a press release from the nature center.

Seymour Recreation to hold basketball camp at middle school

Opinion: Gentile urges bipartisan cooperation on state budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

Wednesday, June 8, marked the official end of the regular 2017 legislative session. 

But there is still work to be done.

The legislature will now go into special session to discuss and approve of a two-year state budget. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile 

Passing a bipartisan budget has always been my hope. Regardless of political party, the legislature needs to go into special session with a sense of urgency and pass a responsible budget that helps strengthen our state and local economies, and reflects the priorities of the people of Connecticut. 

I don’t believe that failure to agree upon a responsible budget is an option.

Good ideas are not exclusive to a political party. I am hopeful that my colleagues across the aisle will drop all political campaign rhetoric, and work in a collaborative manner to meet the challenges we all face.

I truly believe our future is stronger when both parties work together, so it is my hope that we can put our political differences aside and talk openly and honestly about the budget and what needs to be done. 

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, have set the stage for Democrats and Republicans to come together to have these conversations. 

And we must have these conversations and work towards a solution and agree on what’s best for the districts we represent, as well as the state.

When I walk into special session, I will continue to fight for a budget that will protect hardworking families, hospitals, and education, not only in the 104th District, but for the State of Connecticut, as well. 

I will fight for a budget that promotes job growth and encourages economic development. And, I will fight for a budget that ensures our tax dollars are being spent as efficiently as possible. 

This is about forging a path for a stronger Connecticut, with policies that work for all of us. I will be working with all of my colleagues to accomplish this. 

I hope that we will all come into special session ready to work together to put forth a responsible budget that reflects the priorities of our districts and our state.

Gentile, a Democrat, represents the 104th District, which includes parts of Ansonia and Derby.

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

Recuperation journey: Raising awareness on 5-week birthday of new kidney

Five weeks ago today I received a kidney transplant, for which I will always be grateful. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease. 

I hope to meet the wonderful person who generously donated his or her healthy kidney to a stranger (i.e. me).

March is National Kidney Month, and in March, 2016 I posted 31 days of a PKD challenge to raise awareness of the disease that may not be that well known.

I want to continue raising awareness of the genetic disease that causes cysts to grow in the kidney, eventually leading to renal failure.

There are two types of PKD: autosomal dominant (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive (ARPKD). 

According to the PKD Foundation website, ADPKD is the more common type and affects more than 600,000 Americans and 12.4 million people worldwide. 
ARPKD is a rare form of the disease that occurs in 1 in 20,000 children worldwide.

The website says a typical kidney is the size of a human fist and weighs about a third of a pound. PKD kidneys can be much larger and weigh up to 30 pounds.

The disease is prevalent on my late father's side of the family. 
He suffered with PKD as did four of his five siblings. My two oldest cousins have passed from complications of the disease. 
After having an ultrasound in my 20s I learned I had cysts on my kidneys. 
My maiden name is McDonald, and I've dubbed PKD "the curse of the McDonalds," and I'll always think of it as that.

An older cousin had a transplant in 2001 and thankfully he is doing well, and we recently learned that a first cousin once removed had a successful transplant about 13 years ago. 
So that makes me the third recipient in our extended family. 

All I can say is organ donors are awesome.