'Turnback Tuesday' features Frank P. Witek, Medal of Honor recipient from Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Medal of Honor series during WWII which are true tales of the Nation’s Highest Honor by Arthur S. Curtis. 

The strips ran from 1945 to 1949. 

The artist was Michael Arens. This strip is about Marine P.F.C. Frank P. Witek of Derby, a selfless young man who sacrificed his life to protect others. Frank was awarded the Medal of Honor for knocking out several enemy positions and killing 16 enemy soldiers before he himself was killed on Aug. 3, 1944. 

Witek Memorial Park in Derby was dedicated and named in his honor on May 29,1999. 

Thank you to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Derby seeks donations for Easter distribution

File photo

DERBY - The St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank is in need of Easter candy to make candy bags for its annual Easter Give-out.

The organization also needs homemade Easter baskets for the younger ones, and donations of hams for holiday dinners.

Proceeds from the thrift shoppe (pictured above) support the nonprofit's food bank at 237 Roosevelt Drive.

This is shared from a Facebook post.

Ansonia Library to host virtual presentation on distracted driving

Derby Public Library presents weekly scavenger hunt

 

Seymour Public Library to host hiker's presentation on his Mt. Kilimanjaro ascent

Shared from the Seymour Public Library Facebook page:

"An honest and engaging account of one amateur hiker's journey to spiritual transformation as he climbs 19,341 feet to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro-Africa's highest peak.

"Suzanne Garvey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

"Topic: Call of the Kilimanjaro - Jeff Belanger- Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83415487496...

Meeting ID: 834 1548 7496
Passcode: Mountain

Rochelle shares info on state's rental assistance program, vaccine roll-out

Friends and Neighbors, Today [Monday], the state launched the UniteCT program to provide rental and utility assistance to residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approved tenants can receive up to $10,000 in rental assistance paid to their landlord and up to $1,500 in past due electric utility bills paid to their utility company. The program is funded by Connecticut's $235 million share of the federal stimulus package that was passed in December. Residents can complete and track an application from any computer or smart phone device. Applicants needing help filling out the application can call the UniteCT call center at 1-844-UniteCT (1-844-864-8328) or email DOH-UniteCT@ct.gov. Click the button below to learn more about the program and apply! Learn More and Apply Here

COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline Accelerated

Good news! The State announced several key updates regarding the phasing and pace of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. First, the next phase of the roll out, which expands eligibility to individuals aged 45 to 54, will begin this Friday, March 19. If you are in this age category, you will be able to begin the scheduling process at 8:00 am on Friday morning.   The State also announced today that general availability to all individuals 16-years-of-age and older will begin ahead of schedule. Eligibility is tentatively scheduled to begin for this age group on Monday, April 5. This acceleration comes as the State was informed by the Biden administration that we should anticipate receiving a significant increase in supplies of all three federally authorized vaccines over the next several weeks.   It’s important to note that these dates are for appointment eligibility. They are not a guarantee of a timeline in which you will receive the vaccine.   Connecticut continues to rank among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of our population that has been vaccinated. Individuals who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine in Connecticut include: All individuals age 55 and older; Healthcare personnel; Medical first responders; Residents and staff of long-term care facilities; Residents and staff of select congregate settings; and PreK-12 school staff and professional childcare providers. All eligible individuals in Connecticut who would like to receive the vaccine must make an appointment in advance. Information on making an appointment and finding the closest available clinic can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the Internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The assist line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.   While a large portion of eligible residents have received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are still a number of residents that need to be vaccinated. We must have patience as we wait to roll up our sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine.   Today’s news is good sign that the end of this pandemic is closer than ever before.

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates. All my Best, Kara Rochelle State Representative

Valley Community Foundation seeks inspirational photos of hope during pandemic

Reflecting on a year of living with COVID-19, The Valley Community Foundation is asking local residents for help by sharing their inspirational pictures from the past 12 months.

“In light of everything we have endured during this pandemic, our 2020 annual report will be about a year of resilience. Despite the challenges, life-adjustments, and adversity that so many have faced, there still remains hope and inspiration during such unprecedented times. We would like to see what inspired the members of our community this past year,” said VCF President & CEO Sharon Closius. 

“We are looking for snapshots of these messages of hope, encouragement, and love reminding us that we are in this together. That is why we are asking Valley residents to share their pictures so we can paint an accurate picture.”

Pictures can include yard signs thanking frontline workers, appreciation for first responders, inspirational messages in windows, words of encouragement written in chalk on driveways, images of hearts, and so on. 

Please send high resolution images in JPG format to VCF’s staff at contactus@valleyfoundation.org.

Out of an abundance of caution, the 2021 VCF annual reception will not be held in person because of COVID-19. VCF will again host the event in a digital format. 

The staff hopes to create a video montage of community-submitted pictures that reflects the resilience of the Valley community during this pandemic at the event.

About the Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves.

VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, please visit the website at www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Recuperation journey: Morning sky

 Looking west at sunrise - my sunset view! 

Have a sparkling Tuesday.