'Turnback Tuesday' highlights The Bassett Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday visits one of the oldest manufacturing companies, The Bassett Co. 
It was started in 1836 by David Bassett who was the pioneer auger manufacturer. 
In 1842, the property was passed on to his son, Robert N. Bassett. Robert continued to make augers and added galvanized pump chains to the production line. 
He brought much success to this metal specialty manufacturing company with corset steels, dress stays, etc. In 1859, they produced hoop skirt wire and then added covered corset wire.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week!

White Hills Fire Company 5 in Shelton turns on holiday lights

This is a great way to boost the community's spirits! 

State issues latest update of COVID-19 cases as of March 31

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 3 more Shelton residents die from COVID-19

Recuperation journey: Squirrel watching

He's diggin' it.

Right paw up ...

and left paw up before he scurried away.

I took this sequence of photos this afternoon through a glass door. Trying to keep busy whilst staying in the house.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Shelton offers food to residents in need

Smilow, Yale Cancer Center to hold digital patient forum Wednesday

NVHD update COVID-19 cases in Valley as of 4 p.m. today

Salvation Army Greater Valley in Ansonia announces new pantry hours

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Derby needs donations; thanks community

Sharing from St. Vincent de Paul Facebook post:

"THANK YOU TO SO MANY THAT HAVE BROUGHT FOOD TO US FOR VALLEY NEIGHBORS IN NEED. And we are STILL GIVING OUT FOOD by appointment, from the back of the building - safely and quickly, with a very small, dedicated and big-hearted crew. 
"NEED IS HIGH! Please swing by with any food donations - which can be brought to the back while we are "open" (Mon/Tues 9:00-2:30). 
"EASTER HAMS ARE NEEDED. 
"And we are also in particular need of jelly, instant potatoes, pasta sauce, veg oil, mayo, canned chicken, Hamburger Helper, baked beans, Chef Boyardee, canned peas - carrots - corn, egg noodles, broth, saltines, oatmeal, coffee, tea. 
"Thank you for helping us keep this vital assistance flowing to our neighbors in need, during this unsettling and tense time.
FOOD = LOVE."

Derby Neck Library to host virtual music and story times

Sharing from Derby Neck Library's Facebook event page:

"Join Miss Kathi on our Facebook page in this virtual version of her popular classes, Pre-Threes and Music and Movement! Featuring age-appropriate stories, finger plays, nursery rhymes, puppets, coloring pages, and of course, music!"

Times are:

MON

30

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

TUE31

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

April 2020

THU2

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Make some art, participate in Valley Arts Council's contest

State posts update on COVID-19 cases in CT as of Saturday

Change of pace: Sharing a bit of Derby history

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Derby Railroad Station, taken after the mid-to-late 1800s, once the depot was built on the west side of the Naugatuck River. 

The Birmingham Iron Foundry is clearly seen behind it as well as the white-painted Sterling Piano Factory.

The steeples of St. James and St. Mary's Churches are well in the background. The depot was originally on the east side of the Naugatuck River from 1849 to the early 1900s.


*Shared from a Facebook memory of a 'Turnback Tuesday' post from March 29, 2016. 

A big thanks to Derby Public Library staff for sharing local history with the community each week!

Derby Historical Society to launch online 'Tuesday Tours at Ten' this week

Introducing "Tuesday Tours at Ten," an onsite LIVE feature from the Derby Historical Society!

Our virtual guests can tune in for a brief presentation on a wide variety of local history topics, from sneak-peeks of rooms inside the David Humphreys House to artifacts in the extensive collection of the DHS, we will keep YOU connected to the history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley!

Tune in on our Derby Historical Society Facebook page this coming Tuesday, March 31st at 10:00 a.m. for the first of the Derby Historical Society's "Tuesday Tours at Ten."


*Shared from a Facebook event page.

Text of Cassetti's Code Red Message to Ansonia residents

Ansonia Mayor Cassetti’s Code Red Message sent this evening [Saturday]. 

If you are not receiving alerts, and want to sign up, please follow the link at the bottom of this message.

Good Evening Residents of the Great City of Ansonia:

This is Mayor David Cassetti calling to remind you: keep your spirits up and stay strong! While this crisis may have disrupted our way of life, it will never defeat us. With time and patience, we will see a brighter day!

Senior citizens: I want you to know that TEAM Inc. is working hard to assist elderly and disabled residents in need of meals. Please call 203/736-5420 or for more information dial 211.

Business owners: please visit the city’s webpage for a listing of state and federal programs providing relief to local businesses in this time of economic uncertainty.

If you are home and unable to work, I want you to understand your EMPLOYEE RIGHTS under the new Families First Act going into effect next week. A copy of the Act is on the City website.

And finally, please remember to keep a safe distance and avoid gatherings of 5 or more. I know this is not easy, but we need time and patience to ensure the end of this crisis.

Finally when you may be thinking your life has been inconvenienced or wondering when this will all be over, I ask that you think of all of our employees that are on the front line, the police who are putting their lives on the line, our ARMS personnel and our firemen. Also be grateful for our wonderful health care providers and the employees working in stores, pharmacies, and other essential services. They are working round the clock making sure we are safe and out if harms way. We are especially grateful to them for all they do.

As always, please call me directly with any questions at 203-736-5900 or email me at dcassetti@ansoniact.org.

https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/FCEA60D43B77

PUBLIC.CODEREDWEB.COM

Community Notification Enrollment

First United Methodist Church in Ansonia to hold service at 10 a.m. today

"Live Stream Worship on our Facebook Page"

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
MARCH 29, 2020
10:00 AM Worship
"Let Him Go!"
SCRIPTURE READING
Ezekiel 37:1-14
John 11:1-45


*I just noticed this on the First United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Friday night moon

Friday's moon was in waxing crescent phase, 8 percent illumination. 
Venus was nearby but unfortunately not in my photo. 😞

Hope everyone reading this is hanging in there during this unusual time in our lives.

Sharing update of COVID-19 cases in CT as of Friday

Recuperation journey: Friday sunset

 My backyard view.

Community Foundation releases $1.3M to help nonprofits cope during pandemic

NEW HAVEN - The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's (The Foundation) President & CEO Will Ginsberg announced that The Foundation distributed $1.3 Million in grant-making today to help Greater New Haven nonprofits cope during the COVID-19 pandemic; some of these grants would have normally been awarded in the next 6-12 months while others were directed by donor advised fund holders. 

Thirty-one nonprofits serving Greater New Haven received $1.1 Million of accelerated funding, including 3 grants made by The Foundation’s partner in philanthropy, the Valley Community Foundation.

“Knowing that regular income sources are on hold for many nonprofits, we are hopeful that this acceleration of funding provides some immediate relief,” said Ginsberg. “This is just one of several steps The Foundation is taking to provide assistance in our community of twenty towns and cities.”

On March 20, The Foundation announced it had created a Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven.  

The Fund now has $1 Million in contributions from donors and $500,000 from The Foundation. Community-wide fundraising continues; the public is invited to give to the Fund online and help build resources for the recovery of the community. The first grants from this new Fund are expected to be made next week. 

For more information about the Greater New Haven COVID-19 Community Fund and to donate online visit www.cfgnh.org/covid19fund. 

U.S. community foundations (nearly 187 in 49 states and Washington D.C.) are moving decisively to help those in need during the COVID-19 crisis, mobilizing more than $282 Million, as of March 27. These funds are providing critical support to those who are facing challenges such as lost income, housing and food instability.

About The Community Foundation

Thanks to the generosity of three generations of donors, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is composed of hundreds of individually named funds and distributes millions of dollars in grants annually to build a stronger Greater New Haven region. The Foundation’s 20-town service area includes: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven, Woodbridge. 

For more information about The Community Foundation, visit www.cfgnh.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.org/cfgnh or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cfgnh

Health District posts today's update on COVID-19 cases in Valley

Recuperation journey: Social distancing

I participated Thursday with one pink bear. Today she has a friend with her out there! And they are practicing social distancing. 
I hope some little kids will see them.

Seymour Public Library to hold virtual story hours next week

Sharing information from the Seymour Public Library Facebook page:

Join us right here on Facebook live for a fun story hour!

Select a date and time:

TUE, MAR 31

12:00 PM

WED, APR 1

12:00 PM

Seymour Pink offering lawn signs to demonstrate unity, spirit

In trying, challenging times, we all look for ways to ease stress, to bring comfort and hope for a better day.

In an effort to join TOGETHER, even though we cannot gather together, Seymour Pink will be offering these complimentary lawn signs as a way for us to be united in our resolve, that TOGETHER we will get through these difficult and trying times!

EACH day brings us opportunities to come together in SPIRIT, to continue to be there for others by spreading HOPE and PROMISE that on the other side of this, we will be TOGETHER again, joining hands and hearts as one!

It is our hope that these lawn signs will bring all of us HOPE and PROMISE that TOGETHER we will get thru this more UNITED than ever.

Our lawn signs are FREE (however donations will be kindly accepted)
-First come, first serve
(delivery of signs will begin on or about this coming Wednesday April 1st)
-We will deliver to your front lawn- no contact
-LIMITED supply in our initial production
-If you live outside of the Lower Naugatuck Valley (Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Beacon Falls, Oxford) we will set up a pick up location with designated day and time-practicing ALWAYS our social distancing (details for pick up to follow)

Be safe, be healthy, we will get through this TOGETHER!

****These signs have been sponsored by a very generous ANONYMOUS donor! Thank you for your generosity!

We also want to thank Grand Concepts of Seymour for their partnership in this idea.

PLEASE contact us at seymourpink09@aol.com to reserve your lawn sign.

We will get through this TOGETHER!

Valley Chamber president seeks equipment donations for Griffin Hospital staff

Sharing message from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell:

Dear Chamber Members & Friends, As the coronavirus pandemic accelerates in our Valley, we are blessed to have our Award-Winning Griffin Hospital working on the front-lines to stem the tide. Griffin's dedicated caregivers are working tirelessly to prepare for and respond to the needs of what is expected to be a growing number of community residents that will be infected by the COVID-19 Virus. To ensure they have the capability and capacity to respond, it is essential that we protect the health and well-being of caregivers by ensuring access to an adequate supply of Personal Protection Equipment.

If you or someone you know is interested in supporting Griffin Health with this critical need, there are two ways you can help: 1. By donating the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items: Respiratory Face masks Medical Grade Isolation Masks and Gowns Face Shields Medical-Grade Gloves (non-latex)  The above items should be in their original, unopened packaging. Small quantity donations can be brought to the Hospital's Main Lobby located at 130 Division Street in Derby between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. For large quantity donations, please email them or call 203-732-7539 to make delivery arrangements. 2. Griffin Hospital is also accepting monetary donations to the Griffin Health Covid-19 Fund. Click here for details. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can be tested at Griffin's new test facility located at the main campus of the hospital. You will need to have a valid order for the test from a licensed independent healthcare practitioner (MD, DO, APRN or PA) then schedule an appointment by calling 203-437-6815.  For specific questions or concerns about COVID-19, call their Hotline at 203-204-1053 or visit their website. Support your other Chamber Member Non-Profit Caregivers on the Front Lines In addition to meeting the needs at Griffin, many of our Non-Profit Caregivers and Private Providers are also experiencing critical shortages. Please click here for a list of our Non-Profit Members, with Private Providers to come later.   Thank you for your attention to this critical need, and for all that you do to support our Valley community. STAY WELL! Bill

Organization offers meal delivery to seniors in Valley, surrounding communities

Health District reports COVID-19 death of elderly Shelton man

BHcare offers update on COVID-19 policy changes

An Update from us on COVID-19 To our committed supporters and community: I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support, and give you a quick update about how we're continuing in our mission during this uncertain time. As a healthcare organization, we are deemed essential and we’re working hard to continue providing quality care for our clients and a safe work environment for our staff. Our residential programs and UCDVS shelters remain fully operational, however we have implemented changes to ensure the safety of residents and staff.  For the rest of the organization, we transitioned to telehealth-only appointments on Monday, March 23. Our staff worked around the clock to transform our face-to-face organization into a virtual safety net for all of our clients at BHcare, PCRC and The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.  I honestly have never been more proud. Thanks to their dedication, and with your support, we will remain a constant for our clients in an environment that's constantly changing. We will continue to update you as we work through this challenging time together. On behalf of the entire BHcare family, please accept our heartfelt wishes for your health and safety. With gratitude, Roberta J. Cook President/CEO