Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton kicks off summer reading

Program to collect items for Spooner House
SHELTON - Plumb Memorial Library kicked off its summer reading program Monday and it will run through Aug. 4. 
Besides reading books, participants will be encouraged to "Pay it Forward."
During the summer program, the children will each receive a Bingo card with squares to be crossed off for each book read.
The students will also earn a square if they bring in a "Wish List" item for Spooner House at 30 Todd Road and place it in the labeled box.
The theme of this year's program is Build a Better World and we are thankful to the summer reading program participants for helping build a better world locally.

This is the Plumb Memorial Library 2016 Summer Reading Program collection for Spooner House./ Contributed photo This is a press release from Spooner House.

Duck race in Derby to benefit Spooner House

Rubber ducks ready to go into the Housatonic River at last year's race./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Have a swimmingly good time watching your duck and help support Spooner House from now until June 23. 

The Housy River Duck Race takes place June 24 at 2 p.m. starting at the Derby/Shelton Bridge on the Housatonic River. 

The enter-to-win tickets are $5 per duck of which $2 will support Area Congregations Together Spooner House. You may purchase your duck tickets at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any tickets you purchase will have a corresponding number for your duck during the race. 

Last year 150 ducks were sold by Spooner House, which resulted in $300 being raised to help financially with the ACT hunger and homeless initiatives in the Valley.

Each duck ticket will give you an opportunity to win a prize for the first 65 ducks to cross the finish line. The grand prize is $1,000 cash; 2nd place is a 55" LED HDTV, 3rd place is $500; 4th place is an Apple iPad mini; and the 5th place winner receives $250. 

The prizes and contest are sponsored by the St. Mary-St. Michael School Development Committee in Derby. 

The school group has other organizations participating in the ticket selling as well, which means there will be more ducks.

 “It is great to be able to support St. Mary-St. Michael School through this partnership as they have been a wonderful supporter of Spooner House throughout the years,” said Susan Agamy, Executive Director at Spooner House.

A list of all prizes and winners will be posted on the St. Mary-St. Michael School website at:

https://stmarystmichaelct.eduk12.net/. Search for upcoming events.

Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Lower Naugatuck Valley's social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT. It is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 175 men, women and children each year. Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.


This is a press release from ACT.

Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to host art show opening

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will host an opening for a display of artwork from Blue Rock Studio, Oxford, from 6-8 p.m. June 20 at Kellogg Environmental Center.  

The public is invited to attend the art show opening and meet the artists. 

The exhibit is free and will be open to the public through July 23.

Blue Rock Studio’s team is JoAnna Elizabeth Lucas and Chris DellaRocco. 

Lucas is an award-winning fine artist, a wildlife and landscape painter, and a hiking enthusiast. DellaRocco is a photographer, personal trainer, and an endurance athlete. They both are avid birdwatchers, and this shines through as the focal point in their art displayed at the Kellogg Environmental Center.

Blue Rock Studio showcases fine art specializing in birds, wildlife, and nature. 

The studio rests on eight acres of land with natural gardens, birdhouses, nature trails, and a stream and pond, which is an ideal location for artists and photographers to encounter wildlife to inspire their creations. 

This exhibit features a mixture of fine arts, wildlife photography, and shadowboxes that connect you to the natural world. The paintings and photographs on display are rich with vibrant colors and the wildlife subjects seem to come alive.

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There is no charge.  

Call the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov for further information or directions. 

For more information about Blue Rock Studio and its services, visit www.bluerockstudio.co. 

This is a press release from Connecticut DEEP.

Ansonia summer camp registration slated at Armory

ANSONIA - The city's Summer Camp will be held from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 19-July 28 at Nolan Field, Wakelee Avenue. 
Cost is $20 a week.

Cost is $25 a week from July 10-28 at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road.

Registration will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 15 at the Ansonia Armory.
Camp is for Ansonia residents only.

Any questions call Jeff Coppola, 203-231-2209.

*Information shared from the Ansonia Recreation Facebook page.

Logan, Gentile to host coffee hour at Valley Diner in Derby

Seymour Public Library slates fun summer programs

Derby Public Library offers resume writing workshop, Sports Talks

DERBY - The Derby Public Library continues to hold Resume “Right”-ing Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  

During these sessions, participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.  

The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 5.

Registration is not required.  

Sports Talks

The Library is now in its 12th season of Sports Talks.  These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball season.  
They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi of Ansonia. 
Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively 

conversation and more.  
All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.  

No registration is necessary. 
For more information on any program, 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.