Monday, April 30, 2018

Master's Table to launch emergency food program for needy in Valley

Sharing an email message from James Fedak, President, Master's Table:

ANSONIA - Master's Table Community Meals is launching a new program to help needy residents.

"We are now receiving non-perishable food items from Five-Star Products Inc. out of Shelton. 
"We will now provide emergency food assistance to anyone who calls 203-732-7792 (leave a message) with your name and phone number (slowly and clearly) and one bag of assorted non-perishable food will be available to last a couple of days.

"This isn't a food bank and is available for anyone who needs that extra help; they also will be provided a list of nearby food banks that can assist them further."


Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley honors Irving School teacher in Derby

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley coalition coordinator Cathi Kellett, right, Monday presents a certificate of appreciation for volunteerism to Candace Lebel, a Grade 2 teacher at Irving School in Derby. 
Kellett and Lebel worked together during the  school year to bring informative safety programs each month to students at Irving. 

Plant seeds in loved one's memory at Adam's House in Shelton


Sharing from a Facebook event page:

Join us [at Adam's House in Shelton] for The Great Give May 1st 4-7pm & May 2nd 10am-3pm!

Honor your loved one by planting seeds or flowers in our memorial garden. 

Pick your special place on the Adam's House grounds to plant your seeds and add a commemorative nameplate that you can visit year after year. This is also a great event for kids as they can customize their loved one's name plate. 

Can't make it? You can still order flowers to be planted with a commemoratory nameplate online here. Once our volunteers have finished planting, we will send you a location and photo. 

Help Support Adam's House for The Great Give, the Valley Community Foundation's 36 Hour Online-Giving Event.


Businesses to sponsor landscaping of Ansonia Armory grounds

Ansonia Armory on State Street./ Contributed photo


ANSONIA Mayor David S. Cassetti announced today three businesses have agreed to sponsor an extensive landscaping and beautification project involving the Ansonia Armory grounds located on State Street.
The sponsors include Regional Water Authority, Southern Connecticut Dental Group, and ION Bank. 
Each entity is contributing $2,500 for the needed makeover.
“The armory is a classic art deco renaissance-like structure and city landmark. Unfortunately, it has forever had a bland-looking campus. It is about to get a dramatic makeover almost overnight,” Cassetti said.
“Our hope is that when residents and visitors are looking up at the armory, it will now be  aesthetically pleasing."
The Phase I landscaping will include:
  • Permanent removal of invasive vegetation; 
  • Planting entire area with creeping vinca vine;
  • Planting of combined (15) Canadian hemlocks, dogwood, and cherry trees;
  • Planting rose bushes and other perennial flowers at the cannon base monument and throughout;
  • Replacement of a 150-foot length of eroding fence with a new black chain link fence atop the cement wall alongside North Main Street
Once completed, the grounds will only require occasional maintenance of ivy edging, tree pruning ,and other light gardening, thus reducing Public Works manpower hours there by 80 percent each summer.  

The city will pursue an extended similar landscaping with a Phase II, possibly this fall or next year, which will continue an additional 150 feet along North Main Street to Assumption Church. 
Also planned are large vertical cloth banners to drape the front façade reading ANSONIA ARMORY and GORDON-VISELLI POST 50.

“The grounds makeover is expected to take two weeks and should be completed by end of May,” said Greg Martin, director of constituent services for the city. 
The landscaping contract has been awarded to D & J Landscaping of Trumbull.
In 2000, the state turned over the use, maintenance, and property ownership to the City of Ansonia for $1.

Ansonia previously received a $500,000 state grant to complete an extensive building exterior restoration including pointing, brick replacement/cleaning and masonry work which began in fall 2017 and is expected to be completed this summer. 

Constructed in the early 1920s, the armory was home to the National Guard for more than 60 years and was the training facility for personnel involved with the national security Nike Missile Site, located in Ansonia, during the 1950s/1960s Cold War. 
In addition, its expansive gymnasium hosted numerous fundraiser events over the years including annual firemen and policemen balls, Polio Cure Benefits for the President Roosevelt Foundation, auto and electronic shows and high school dances.

Today it is still used as home of the Valley Arts Council and Gordon-Viselli Post 50 headquarters while the gym remains active for youth basketball, YMCA summer children programs, practice location for cheerleading and baseball, and city political functions.

A permanent sign marker will be installed at the site to acknowledge the sponsors involved with providing the beautification project funding.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be announced soon. 
On a similar note, the pilot planting of perennial lavender Russian Sage and Creeping Phlox will begin May 2 as part of last fall’s removal of invasive plants atop a 250-foot stretch of historic granite walls near East Main Street. 
Based on its success, up to another half mile of walls could be targeted for future plantings.

This is a press release from the City of Ansonia.

Irving School 2nd graders visit Griffin Hospital in Derby on Safe Kids Day

Cathi Kellett, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley coalition coordinator, Monday taught second grade students from Irving School in Derby about staying safe. The event was held at Griffin Hospital.


Stay tuned for more photos in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice newsletter. 

Talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on pain management

Griffin Hospital to host talk on pain management./ Contributed photo

DERBY  Griffin Hospital will host a free talk on pain management at 6 p.m. May 24.
Pain medicine expert Dr. Sandeep Johar will lead “Managing Pain for a Better Quality of Life,” an open discussion about the methods to help restore and improve quality of life by decreasing pain and restoring the maximum level of function and independence. 
Johar has a multi-disciplinary medical background in interventional pain management, sports medicine, and emergency medicine, enabling him to collaborate with our other specialists to ensure patients have a comprehensive treatment plan.

The talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U education series, which features Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 
Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the calendar at griffinhealth.org.
The hospital is at 130 Division St.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.


Recuperation journey: Shower time offers a chance to 'think'

Truth be told I often write a lot of my blog posts during my morning shower, without ever planning to do so. 

Warm water is relaxing, and for me it blocks out any distractions and allows my brain to "think."

I've heard others say they get their best ideas when they're in the shower. 
Can you relate?


Master's Table slates May meal at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

Note: Jim Fedak, president of Master's Table, said in an email there will be only one dinner held in May.