Friday, May 10, 2019

Celebrate conservation efforts at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

CT.gov photo
DERBY - Join the staff at the Kellogg Environmental Center at 10 a.m. May 18 to learn about the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.  
Eric Hammerling, Executive Director of Connecticut Forest and Park Association will present on the past and future works by CFPA in conservation of land and natural resources. Established in 1895, CFPA is the oldest private, nonprofit conservation organization in Connecticut. It is credited as an important early pioneer of the national land conservation movement and as an early advocate of long distance trail building. 
Kellogg was part of CFPA Board of Directors in the 1940s.  
Learn how her involvement in this organization helped add some special places to Connecticut’s State Parks.  

The focus on conservation continues May 19 at 1 p.m. when the Center hosts Lauren Cosgrove from National Parks Conservation Association in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of National Parks Conservation Association. 
One hundred years ago, two people, Stephen Mather and J. Horace McFarland spearheaded the creation of the National Park Service to ensure many of America’s most iconic landscapes would be protected for all who would come long after them. 
Those same visionaries also knew the parks would need an independent agency, unconnected with and uninfluenced by government, to protect them and also formed National Parks Conservation Association.  
NPCA’s mission - to protect and enhance America's National Park System for present and future generations - is just as relevant today as it was 100 years ago at its founding. 
Today, we are looking ahead to the next 100 years, engaging advocates as diverse as the parks themselves, and inspiring the next generation to love our parks as much as we do.
The Kellogg Environmental Center, a facility of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection at 500 Hawthorne Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 
For more information or directions email donna.kingston@ct.gov or call 203-734-2513. 

This is a press release from the Kellogg Environmental Center. 

Cassetti, volunteers prepare Valley United Way garden in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti starts planting a row of collard greens Thursday afternoon.

Volunteers work Thursday afternoon at the community garden on Central Street.

ANSONIA - The Valley United Way’s "Grow Your Own Garden Party 2019" was held Thursday with the first garden planting on Central Street. Several volunteers including Mayor David S.Cassetti and members of his staff assisted with garden prepping. 
This is VUW's third season of gardening success throughout area towns.
Community gardens have also been set up elsewhere in the city: at Gatison Park on Fourth Street, Valley YMCA, Howard Avenue (across from the Boys & Girls Club) and a debut garden at the Salvation Army.
The gardens are open to all city residents who volunteer to plant, maintain, and harvest as needed. 
Anyone interested in becoming a garden volunteer or with related questions can call Yvette Thompson, 203-926-9478.

This information is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Artist of the month named at Main Street Gallery in Ansonia

Robert Kukiel of Seymour


Shared from the Main Street Gallery Facebook page:
Congratulations to Bob Kukiel, our Artist of the Month! 
Bob is a talented painter and photographer. He is a U.S.M.C. veteran who was instrumental in the initiation of our successful Visions from Veterans Exhibition, currently on display at  Main Street Gallery, 258 Main St., Ansonia. Stop in and see Bob's work and a fine selection of fellow veterans' art!

Derby Public Library slates Teen Maker Space program



DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Maker Space, Build a Better World, at 3 p.m. May 30.
Available resources include 3D design programs, 3D printer, 3D doodle pens, Legos, and more! 

Light refreshments will be provided. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.
For more information call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


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


Support group to host talks on mental health at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two presentations on mental health issues May 14 at the hospital. /Contributed photo

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations on mental health issues for individuals diagnosed with diabetes May 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Certified Diabetes Educator Mary Swansiger, BSN, MPH, will facilitate an open discussion on mental health issues and diabetes, especially depression and diabetes distress. 
The talk will cover the signs and symptoms of depression, how depression and diabetes are linked, how depression is treated in people who have diabetes, and self-management tools.

The presentations will be in the hospital’s Dining Room Meeting Room 1.

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


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.