Oxford firefighters to give Santa a ride to visit residents

K of C to give coats to needy children at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

ANSONIA - Valley Council 23 of the Knights of Columbus will give out a limited number of new coats for needy children from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Assumption Church hall. 
The distribution will be held during the Master’s Table annual Christmas Dinner.

The church is at 61 N. Cliff St.

The knights will give away free new winter coats to children in need on a first come, first serve basis. 

Children must be present to receive a coat. Sizes are: girls coats 4-16, boys coats 4-18.

Learn health self-management during holidays at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host free presentations about health self-management during the holidays Dec. 12./ Contributed photo 

DERBy - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about health self-management during the holidays Dec. 12 at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Certified Diabetes Educator Mary Swansiger, BSN, MPH, will lead “Navigating the Holidays,” a presentation of a holiday meal survival guide and open discussion of strategies for making the holidays happier and healthier.

The presentations will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A. There will be free valet parking for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. 

Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 

For information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Friends of Ansonia Library to hold rescheduled book, bake sale

'Turnback Tuesday' features Naugatuck River in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the Naugatuck River as it goes under the Route 34 bridge and alongside downtown Derby. 
The Naugatuck River proper starts in Torrington where its east and west branches meet. The total length is 40.2 miles, and the river empties into the Housatonic River at Derby. 
“Naugatuck” is derived from an Algonquian term that means “lone tree by the fishing place.” Originally, the Native Americans used the river’s abundant food source. 
Since the 19th century, the Naugatuck River has had a long history of industry using the water for washing and power generation. Due to this industry, the river suffered great damage by 1915 that wasn't improved upon until the early 1970s. With the help of the DEP and the Valley community, progress has been made towards the river’s restoration. Passageways have been constructed at the dams along the river. 
Having made great strides with cleanup efforts, the return of fish is now quite apparent. This can be seen on any given day in the spring and summer along the Derby Greenway. Bald eagles and osprey can be spotted in the trees along the river, as well as nests from our aquatic birds that dot the edge.

Thanks go to the Derby Public Library for sharing this local history each week!

Miller takes oath for 4th term as Seymour first selectman

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria administers the oath of office to Seymour First Selectman W. Kurt Miller Monday at Seymour Middle School. 


*Please stay tuned for more coverage in an upcoming edition of the Valley Voice newsletter.

Newsletter: Defibrillators donated to Seymour High, Ansonia tree lighting

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter features defibrillator donations to Seymour High School, Santa visiting Ansonia's tree lighting. 
Thanks for checking it out!

 ~ Patti and Ralph