Seymour to distribute at-home COVID tests to residents Thursday

Seymour has obtained a limited supply of at-home COVID tests from the State. Each testing kit contains two rapid tests. 

Town staff and volunteers will distribute testing kits to Seymour residents on a first-come, first-serve basis, free of charge on Thursday, Dec. 30 from 4-6 p.m. at Seymour High School. 

If all tests are distributed, we will close early.

Tests will be distributed to Seymour residents only. Please bring your driver’s license or piece of addressed mail to establish proof of residency. 

Due to limited supplies, each vehicle will receive a maximum of two testing kits (4 tests total). 

Again, test kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be respectful to your fellow residents and those staffing the event and take only what you need.

Residents must enter Seymour High School via Botsford Road. Police officers will be present to direct traffic.

Derby to distribute at-home COVID-19 tests to residents Friday

The City of Derby will distribute free COVID-19 test kits to Derby residents on Friday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Derby High School, 75 Chatfield St.

Residents must provide a valid proof of residency to receive a kit.

There is a limited supply of test kits, and they will be distributed on a first come, first-serve basis. The site will close if the supply of kits is exhausted before 2 p.m.

The Derby Fire Department and Emergency Service Personnel will direct vehicles to the distribution area.

Please direct any questions to Emergency Management Director Mark Neuendorf atmneuendorf@derbyct.gov.

This is shared from Derby Town Clerk Marc J. Garofalo's Facebook page.

Shelton to distribute COVID-19 at-home tests to residents Thursday

Shared from the Shelton Police Department Facebook page:

The City of Shelton will be distributing COVID-19 at-home rapid tests.

The purpose of this distribution is to provide test kits to be used this week to reduce the spread of the Omicron virus and to supplement existing testing. The primary focus is for residents who have a known exposure or are symptomatic and are unable to find another test.

The City of Shelton is getting approximately 8,000 tests and they will be given out on a first come first serve basis.

Each vehicle will receive two kits. You must be a Shelton resident and identification is required to receive a test.

The distribution will take place on Thursday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. at Shelton High School. Entrance to the high school will only be from North Constitution Blvd. The high school Meadow St entrance will be closed to all vehicular traffic.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby druggist

Turnback Tuesday looks at Clarence F. Hotchkiss, druggist. Clarence started working for Henry B. Peck Pharmacy around 1903 as a clerk. He became a drug clerk and then advanced to druggist in 1913.

Clarence eventually took over the business and continued to remain at 249 Main St. in Derby until his retirement in 1946.

Clarence and his wife lived at 205 Minerva St. This postcard was created sometime after 1913.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Ansonia to distribute COVID-19 tests Thursday to city residents

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti has an important message regarding COVID-19 testing!

The City of Ansonia has obtained over 2,000 self-test kits from the State of Connecticut (via the Federal Government), each containing 2 rapid tests. City staff will be distributing these tests to Ansonia residents – FREE OF CHARGE –  Thursday, Dec. 30, from 1-4 p.m. at Nolan Field, 333 Wakelee Ave.

Please bring your driver’s license, photo ID or piece of mail addressed to you, as proof of Ansonia residency. 

Each Ansonia family will be provided with 2 free kits. Again, each kit contains 2 tests.

The virus is now spreading rapidly through our community. Testing for COVID-19 is an easy way to help control its spread.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Ansonia's own Alyssa Goggi to headline at Fairfield Comedy Club

 Sharing from a Facebook event page:

Alyssa Goggi graduated Quinnipiac University in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in Film, Video, and Interactive Media. While attending Quinnipiac, she was head writer and host of the college's comedy late night television show, "Quinnipiac Tonight," mostly known for her own segment, "Walkward." 

Following graduation, she studied comedy at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, IL, and then at The Upright Citizen's Brigade in New York City.
She now works at The Stress Factory Comedy Club in Bridgeport, CT, where she is the House Emcee, and known as “The Door Girl,” performing most weekends. 

Her recent credits include opening for Craig Robinson, Damon Wayans, Colin Quinn, Marlon Wayans, Jessica Kirson, Michael Rapaport, Deon Cole, Gilbert Gottfried, Nimesh Patel, Taylor Tomlinson, Brad Williams, and Vinnie Brand.

Local favorites Chris Warren (hosting) and BJ Kwaygen (featuring) will be on the show, too!

Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers offers winter semesters

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers is accepting applications for winter semesters of its Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Phlebotomy programs./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206, is accepting applications for the winter semesters of Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Phlebotomy programs.

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program runs for 28 weeks with classes five days a week from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., including 160 clinical hours at Griffin Faculty Physicians’ primary care and specialty offices such as gastroenterology, OB-GYN, surgical, and cardiology.

Tuition includes CPR certification, national exam fees, textbooks and online course materials.

The program prepares students to become multi-skilled healthcare professionals that specialize in outpatient settings. Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties and assist a variety of providers including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Graduates of this program may find entry-level positions in medical offices, clinics, urgent care centers and may work in general medicine or specialty practices. This program also provides the diversity of other job options in the hospital or laboratory setting.

The 6-week CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule with classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The school is also currently accepting applications for a CNA Spring evening program.  

The content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, vital signs, and restorative care. Students practice hands-on skills prior to their clinical experience with role-playing, simulations, and other modalities. The program’s clinical training will be at Griffin Hospital AND a long term stay facility, totaling 40 hours. After successful completion of the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the state certification exam for a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. CPR certification, textbooks, and malpractice insurance are included in tuition.

The 14-week Phlebotomy program holds classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. The course tuition includes a 32-40-hour internship, national certification exam, CPR certification, malpractice insurance, and textbook.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited. 

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

About the School of Allied Health Careers

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 

College credits are offered for eligible certification earners. Classes are taught by certified instructors or Master’s prepared nurses in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, 300 Seymour Ave., Derby.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

My Sister's Place in Ansonia posts weekly sales

My Sister's Place family thrift store is located at 380 Main St., Ansonia. 

All proceeds benefit BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

Derby Public Library offers weekly scavenger hunt fun