Wednesday, November 29, 2017

'Turnback Tuesday' on Wednesday features Housatonic River in Derby


This week's 'Turnback Tuesday' features the Housatonic River or "Ousatonic" as it was originally spelled. 
The river was named by the Paugussett Tribe as Potatuck which means “River with Falls” or “Great River.”
The Housatonic actually starts near Pittsfield, Mass. and runs for 148 miles into Long Island Sound. 
In the early 1800s, factories were built along the river. These factories in Birmingham harnessed the water to power their turbines and water wheels. 
A covered bridge was built in 1839 to connect Shelton to Derby and the Ousatonic Dam was dedicated in 1870. Dikes were installed along parts of the river after the Flood of 1955. 
Not all use of the river was for commercial purposes as recreational boating was very common. 
In fact, the Yale University boat crews used the river to practice and race, hence the Gilder Boathouse on Roosevelt Drive. 
This picture was taken standing on the Derby/Shelton Bridge in 1904. You can see the dam in the background and Oak Cliff Cemetery to the right on the hill.

Thanks go out to the Derby Public Library for providing this interesting local history!

Event in Derby to benefit Helping Heroes Fly charity

Sharing from a Facebook event page:
"Two Roads & THC are coming together again for the second annual Road Home for the Holidays event!
"Proceeds from the event go directly to the Helping Heroes Fly charity organization which helps reunite military service men and women with their families for the holidays.

"The night features:
*Ugly Holiday Outfit Competition at 9 p.m.!
*Raffles featuring excellent Two Roads Prizes!
*Different Holiday & Beer Themed Games with Two Roads Prizes!
*All-Star Two Roads Tap List!

"Two Roads & THC are donating $1 per pint of Two Roads sold throughout the event!" 
The fundraiser will be held from 3-9 p.m. Friday at The Hops Company, 77 Sodom Lane, Derby.

Troop 105 selling Christmas trees at Hilltop Hose in Ansonia


Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton to host Cyber Security talk

Essential Do's & Don'ts

SHELTON - In today's technology-controlled world, cyber security has never been more important. 
But for the average person, there is a ton of information flying around much of which can be wrong or hard to understand. 

The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a free session at 8 a.m. Dec. 7 that aims to give attendees an easy to understand breakdown of what you need to know and a checklist of items for personal and business survival.
The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 10 Progress Drive, 2nd floor.

Click here for more information.


This is a release from the Chamber.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host community health discussion



DERBY - Griffin Hospital and the Naugatuck Valley Health District invite the public to a free discussion, “Improving Community Health in the Valley” from 5-7 p.m. Monday (Dec. 4) at the hospital, 130 Division St.

This open discussion will feature an overview of the Valley’s 2016-2018 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which was developed based on community input on health priorities and data from the “Understanding the Valley Region” report published last fall.

The CHIP includes the following seven key focus areas for improvement:
Creation of a Community CARE Team; Chronic Disease Management and Prevention; Substance Use Prevention; Childhood Obesity Prevention; Lung Cancer Screening/Smoking Cessation; Asthma Prevention and Self-Management; and Healthy Homes.

Participants will learn more about the CHIP and will be invited to share their input about improving community health and well-being in the Valley.

Please RSVP to 203-732-1511 or register on Griffin’s online calendar at griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia Police post winter parking, snow removal regulations

ANSONIA - Winter Parking Regulations will be in effect from Dec. 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018, police said today.

There shall be in the city a Twenty Four (24) hour a day, seven (7) days a week parking ban on all city streets and highways. 
The purpose is to allow snow equipment to remove snow and ice as quickly as possible from all city streets and highways, with the following exceptions:

For this winter season: 
Motor vehicles shall be allowed to be parked, starting on Dec. 1, 2017, on the odd-numbered side of municipal streets continuing until March 31, 2018.

City streets that display “No Parking Signs” shall be exempt from alternate side parking during the winter parking season in the area designated by the “No Parking Signs.” 

These streets include: South Cliff Street, North State Street, Crescent Street (Howard Ave to Day St.), Franklin Street (Jackson to Wakelee Ave), Colony Street, Division Street and North Spring Street (from Hill Street to Jewett Street), High Street (Lester St. to Howard Ave), Doyle Drive, Fourth Street (Gatison Park area), Church St., Holbrook St. (Pork Hollow to Jackson St.) and Pork Hollow.

Parking is only permitted on the even-numbered side of the following streets, regardless of the calendar year:
  • Fifth Street; 
  • Jewett St. (North Spring Street to Platt Street); 
  • Hotchkiss Terrace (the area west of Kathy Lane); 
  • North Cliff Street ;
  • Colony Street, north of Gardner’s Lane;
  • Park Place.

Parking is prohibited on the following streets: Stage Coach Road, Remer Street, Union Street, Crowley Street, Pleasant Street, Beaver Street, (North Street to the Seymour Line), Holbrook Court and Father Lar Drive, Lawton Terrace, Crescent Street (Howard Ave to Lester St.), North Fourth Street, Prospect Street, (Moulthrop St. to Viselli Court), Rockwood Ave. Ext., Viselli Court, Walkers Court, Oak Lane, and Carver St. 

Parking is prohibited on Main Street, West Main Street, and East Main Street from midnight to 6 a.m. 

Any person receiving a written notice for violating the regulation must either submit payment of $15, or file a formal appeal, to the Police Department within ten (10) days. The fine will increase to $30 after ten (10) days.

Residents should also be aware of the city regulation that requires the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours from the end of the snowfall.
The owner of the land and or the person having care and control of the property shall be responsible for the removal.  
Any violation of this may result in an infraction for violation of a town ordinance.


Christ Church in Oxford to hold Grinch-themed cookie walk, fair

Sharing from a Facebook event page:

"Please join us for the Christ Church ..Look for the Grinch COOKIE WhoALK & FAIR
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
9am‐2pm
470 Quaker Farms Road, Oxford

Thousands of COOKIES to choose from‐ $8 per pound
MARTHA MAE WHOVIER BOUTIQUE
Featuring candles, bath bombs, jewelry and more
GRINCH BAKERY:Offering cakes, pies, breads, fudge & fruitcakes
Whobalation to include Homemade Soups, Complimentary Tea Table, Crafts, & Raffle."

Derby Public Library slates movie, pizza, baking program for teens


DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Holiday Teen Movie, Pizza, and “Baker” Space from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 19.
Participant creativity will be applied to a variety of bakery treats. 

All materials will be provided. Registration is requested.
For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.

Recuperation journey: Another beautiful sunrise


Have a great Wednesday.