Master's Table to host community Christmas dinner in Ansonia

Griffin Hospital in Derby holding Show Your Mo! contest

Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men is hosting its annual Show Your “MO!” Contest. /Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men is hosting its annual Show Your “MO!” Contest this November to support men’s health awareness.

Everyone is invited to submit a picture of their “MO” (aka mustache or facial hair) for a chance to win great prizes. 

Real or fake, all “MOs” are welcome!

Simply email a photo to him@griffinhealth.org by Nov. 30 to be entered into a contest for three prize baskets that include tickets for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, BIC shaving products, and gift certificates to The Connecticut Sports Center in Shelton and The Dew Drop Inn in Derby.

HiM hosts this fun contest to raise awareness about men’s health and funds for free men’s health screening and education. 

For more information about HiM, visit griffinhealth.org/him.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Fundraiser Dec. 4 to support Huntington Fire Company in Shelton

White Hills firefighters in Shelton slate community tree lighting

Ansonia mayor offers Thanksgiving message to residents

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

A Thanksgiving Message from Mayor Cassetti ~

As we begin this extended Thanksgiving weekend, let us find peace within and be thankful and grateful. 

Our strong sense of pride here in Ansonia, along with our close community, are truly a blessing. The sacrifices made by our veterans - particularly those serving overseas right now, stand out foremost in my mind. We should also remember the service of our police officers, firefighters, EMS, and their work to keep us safe and secure.

It’s important to cherish our friends, family, and neighbors, that we may take for granted; the support and friendship we extend to each other on a daily basis, make our lives a better place.

As another year passes, I again would like to personally thank Ansonia residents for all the support you have shown me and my administration over the past four years. 

We continue to grow as a community each year and am I thankful for all of you.

In closing, before you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with your family, let’s get out and root for our undefeated Ansonia Chargers Thanksgiving morning in Naugatuck, as they continue their quest to defend our football state championship trophy.

May God bless each of you and our great city.

Mayor David S. Cassetti

Go Chargers!  

Wakelee Memorial in Ansonia donates $1,000 to Adam's House

ANSONIA - Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home owner John Zaleski and his wife, Milly Zaleski, office administrator, recently presented a $1,000 grant to Allison Wysota, founder, Adam's House grief education center in Shelton.


Read more about the grant in today's Valley Voice newsletter.

Holiday Marketplace slated Dec. 2 at Ansonia Armory

Get into the Yuletide spirit and check out all the crafters and vendors!

Gentile lauds state funding to combat blighted sites in Ansonia, Derby

To help boost economic development 

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today lauded efforts to increase local economic development and combat Derby’s and Ansonia’s blighted properties through approval of $400,000 in funding to assess its brownfield sites for future revitalization.

Ansonia and Derby were two of 14 municipalities selected to receive a portion of $13.6 million in state-funded grants to combat blight across Connecticut.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the round of funding Monday.

This funding includes $12.1 million in grants for eight remediation and redevelopment projects, and an additional $1.5 million for eight assessment projects.

These funds will pay for the assessment of these properties and prepare them for future revitalization.

Ansonia and Derby have been awarded:

• A $200,000 grant for the investigation of a 2.7-acre parcel located at 65 Main St. in Ansonia.
• A $200,000 grant for the investigation of 19 acres on Derby’s Main Street related to the city’s downtown redevelopment plans.

“This funding is a key investment in Ansonia’s and Derby’s local economies. Not only will we be putting these properties back into productive use, but we will be increasing our tax base while simultaneously building a better place for our residents to live, work, and raise a family,” Gentile said.

Connecticut has invested more than $220 million in brownfield redevelopment since 2012. Through this, more than 3,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction jobs have been created in the state.

All of the funds will be awarded through the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

For information about DECD’s brownfield redevelopment programs, visit www.ctbrownfields.gov.

This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Road closures listed in Shelton, Derby for Thanksgiving Day 5K race

The course of the 16th annual Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day 5K Road Race runs through the historic downtowns of Derby and Shelton. It starts and finishes along the Shelton Riverwalk.

There will be several road closures while the race is taking place. 

The race begins at the Farmer's Market on Canal Street in Shelton at 8 a.m. It also ends there.

During the race, Canal Street will be closed to traffic from Wharf, Hill, and Cornell Streets. There will be one lane of traffic open on Howe Avenue (Route 110) between Cornell Street and Bridge Street. 

The bridge between Derby and Shelton will be closed. ​

​In Derby, Main Street (Route 34) will be closed between Olivia and Elizabeth Streets, with detours during the race. 

Access to Elizabeth Street from Main Street up to the Derby Public Library at Seymour Avenue will also be limited during the race.

Below is a listing of the affected streets:​

Shelton

Canal Street

Cornell Street

Hill Street

Wharf Street

Howe Avenue

Bridge Street

Derby/Shelton Bridge

​Derby

Main Street at Olivia Street/Roosevelt Drive

Elizabeth Street at Main Street

Elizabeth Street at Third Street

Elizabeth Street at Thompson Place

Elizabeth Street at Fifth Street

Elizabeth Street at Cottage Street

Elizabeth Street at Seymour Avenue/Caroline Street
​
It is anticipated all runners will be off the course by 9 a.m., at which time roads will be reopened to traffic.

​Residents along the race course are asked to please use caution and be aware of runners on the course when pulling into or out of your driveways.


To see a map of the course, click here. 

*Information shared from a Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley site. 

Remember that mystery photo? Location revealed

I posted a mystery photo Nov. 10 and I know from my stats that quite a few readers saw it. 
But I only received one response from a reader who wrote on Google Plus, not in the comments, and I thank him. I always appreciate the feedback!

He was certain I snapped this photo in Shelton but wasn't sure where.

This interesting sculpture sits at the entrance to an office building at 1000 Bridgeport Ave. I noticed it when I was at Dr. Bruce Sofferman's 31st annual Thanksgiving food drive to support Spooner House.

I'll try again to get responses as soon as I find another mystery photo!

Derby Neck Library to host cooking demo, movie, Tech Talks

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., will host Chocolate Truffles at the Library, a cooking demonstration led by Maria Brandriff, at 6 p.m. Dec. 12.  
Learn how to prepare these elegant, enticing treats for yourself or your holiday guests - or even as unique gifts. 
Learn about the various types of chocolate and how to work with them. Samples and recipes will be given out free.  
This program is limited to 20 attendees; call early to reserve your seat.

Teen Choice Movie Night

The Library hosts Teen Choice Movie Night at 5 p.m. Dec. 18. 
Come with your friends and select the movie we show on blu-ray and a large screen TV.  

Free movie refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission.  Registration is required; seating is limited.  

Tech Talks

On Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m., the Library hosts Tech Talks, a monthly presentation on what is new in technology and how to best use it in your daily life.  

For more information and to register for all programs, call the library, 203-734-1492.

This is a press release from Pat Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

31 get free prostate cancer screenings at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital recently provided 31 free prostate cancer screenings to help encourage men to get checked for the disease and to increase their  health awareness.

This is the first year Griffin has offered these free screenings to the community. 

Participating physicians included Dr. Joseph Cardinale of the Center for Cancer Care, and Drs. Grace Biggs and Joseph Camilleri of Griffin Faculty Practice Urology.

As a result of the screenings, two men were referred for further testing.

Screenings recommended

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men at 50 years old. 

Men at higher risk, including African-American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should be screened at age 45. 

Men at a very high risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should receive be tested at age 40.

If you or someone you know is due for a prostate cancer screening, contact your physician, or call Griffin Faculty Physicians at 1-800-382-0903, or visit griffinfacultyphysicians.org.

For more information about men’s health, including a “check-up list” for screenings, visit Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men website, griffinhealth.org/him.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.