Make a bittersweet vine wreath, take a hike, more at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has a variety of programs scheduled in October.

NATURE EXPLORERS – Oct. 4, 11, 10 a.m.

Join Wendy for our preschool/toddler program. This 4-week session, which began in September, 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: $20 to join us for these 2 weeks, space permitting  (cash or check payable to Ansonia Nature Center). Please call to register.

BITTERSWEET WREATHS – Oct. 7, 2 p.m.

Bring your own clippers and gardening gloves for this workshop led by Ranger Dawn. When you collect these beautiful orange-berried vines, you’re actually helping the park by removing this invasive plant species. FEE: $5. Please call to register.

ROPE MAKING: The Ancient Way – Oct. 14, 1 p.m.

A beginner’s chance to learn a skill practiced long ago.  Learn which native plants have been used to make rope.  Children must be accompanied by an adult who will assist in creating a sample to take home. FEE: $6 per person. Please call to register.

AUTUMN FESTIVAL – Oct. 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Celebrate this wonderful season with the staff and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center (FANCI)! Take a ride through our community gardens and fields in our horse-drawn story wagon, where you’ll hear some spooky Halloween tales! Learn about bats, spiders, and owls! Have some fresh apple cider and baked goods. Visit the Nature Shop to buy some creepy and crawly nature-related items. Enjoy nature-related exhibitors and vendors. You can try your hand at pumpkin painting, get your face painted, and make some original crafts. All proceeds will benefit the Nature Center. RAIN or SHINE. No park admission fee. Call us for more information at 203-736-1053. 

CREEPY CRAWLIES – Oct. 28, noon

Hold a real life tarantula, hear a cockroach hiss, and learn all about insects. Arthropods are fascinating creatures! Join us for this special Creature Feature family program. FREE. Please call to register.

SUNDAY GUIDED HIKE: Fall Foliage – Oct. 29, 1 p.m.

Join the Nature Center naturalist for a stroll through our woodlands, old fields, and wetlands. Enjoy the beauty and the crisp fall air while learning about New England’s flora and fauna. Wear appropriate shoes.


This is a press release from Ansonia Nature Center.

Newsletter features Harvest House VII in Shelton

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features Valley United Way's Harvest House VII constructed last week by volunteers at the Shelton Riverwalk.

Thanks for reading,

Patti

BHcare's Umbrella Center to hold 18th annual vigil in New Haven

To raise awareness of domestic violence
BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence. 

The 18th Annual Sound of Hope will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven.
The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence.

Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence.

The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities.

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Police to receive recognition awards

Pilar Gonzalez, Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, will be guest speaker and members of local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence.

The 2017 Police Recognition awards include Officers Maria Frey, Officer Kate Bruno and Capt. Vaughan Dumas of the Milford Police Department; Detective. Freddy Salmeron, Detective Mike Torre, Officer Maegan Moran, Officer Matthew Vernik, Officer Brandon Cain, Officer Joshua Smereczynsky, Officer David Simpson, and Lt. Renee Dominguez of the New Haven Police Department; Detective Craig Casman, Detective Jonathan Suraci, Officer Audrey Jefferson and Officer Kimberly Paris of the West Haven Police Department, and Officer Meredith Anderson of the Guilford Police Department.

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.
If you need immediate assistance, please call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge.
Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope.

Learn more at bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare.

Public invited to Ansonia school's open house to mark its 100th anniversary

Sharing from a Facebook event page:
ANSONIA - Julia Day Nursery and Kindergarten will hold an open house to celebrate its 100th anniversary from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22.

Visitors can look at the building, the playground, and a slideshow featuring pictures past and present of the school.
Refreshments will be served.

Julia Day Nursery is at 76 Central St. 

Friends of Seymour Public Library to hold used book sale

SEYMOUR - The Friends of the Seymour Public Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. 

The Library is at 46 Church St.  

Public parking signs installed in downtown Ansonia

City of Ansonia Facebook page photo

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"A reminder about public parking available downtown! Below is a listing of available free downtown parking. 

"Look out for new signage designating the city's West and East Main Street lots."

LOT #2: West Main St (185 spaces)

LOT #3: East Main St (170 spaces)

ON STREET PARKING: (300 spaces)

SENIOR CENTER PARKING: (30 Spaces)

Adjacent [to] Crave Restaurant (Open to public after 5pm weekdays & all day weekends)

Architecture tour slated at Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby

DERBY - Travel back in time with a special architecture tour of the Osborne Homestead Museum Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Explore the transformation of this modest 1800s farmhouse into an elegant 20th century Colonial Revival style home. 

Frances Osborne Kellogg

Learn about Frances Osborne Kellogg’s profound attention to detail, the architectural career of her husband Waldo Kellogg, and his design influences in the home.

Whether you’re into the Cape Cod style craze or romantic over Italianate architectural style, come to the Osborne Homestead Museum and gain an appreciation of this Colonial Revival style home. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is open for free guided tours Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. 
It is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave.

For additional information call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

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