St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton slates Holly Fair

 

Valley Shakespeare Festival to perform 'A Christmas Carol' at Plumb Memorial Library

Tom Simonetti

SHELTON - After a two-year hiatus, Tom Simonetti and the Valley Shakespeare Festival company are back at Plumb Memorial Library to present “A Christmas Carol.”

Celebrate the season with this wonderful performance! Registration is required. Tickets are available for two performances: Dec.16 at 7 p.m. or Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. The Library is at 65 Wooster St.

Click here for more information and registration:

https://sheltonlibrarysystem.org/valley-shakespeare.../

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Emmett O'Brien Tech in Ansonia to sponsor holiday dinner for seniors; RSVP required

This is shared from the Looking Around the Valley Facebook page.

 

Second Congregational Church in Derby to host Country Christmas Concert

Shelton Police to sponsor Stuff a Cruiser Saturday at Walmart

 

Ansonia Police seek public's assistance in finding girl, 15

Zamiah Rodriguez

ANSONIA - Police are looking for the public's assistance in locating Zamiah Rodriguez, a 15-year old female who ran away Monday, Lt. Patick Lynch said in a written release. 

Zamiah is a Hispanic female, 5 feet tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen at 5:45 p.m. in the area of Westfield Avenue.

Zamiah was wearing a blue and orange Knicks sweatshirt, black sweatpants, white Nike sneakers carrying a blue bag with draw strings.

Anyone who has seen Zamiah or has information as to her whereabouts is asked call the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885, or tips can be left anonymously via Tip411 at the link below https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553

This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch.

Cabrera votes to extend cost-savings measures, including heating assistance

HARTFORD - State Sen. Jorge Cabrera, D-Hamden, Monday joined the state Senate in special session as it extended important cost-saving measures first approved this spring that will provide more than $200 million in financial benefits and savings to state residents in coming months. 

Senators voted to keep the state's gas tax exemption, saving motorists $90 million through May 1; extend free bus fare through next spring, saving riders $10.8 million; allocate $75 million to a state program aiding essential workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic; and invest $30 million to programs aiding residents who need assistance with high energy costs. 

The bill passed 33-0 and now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont.

 

"Cutting the gas tax and making public bus rides free have been a success and it just makes sense to keep these going through spring of next year," said Cabrera. "The additional funding for energy assistance should also help during the winter. I know for many; costs are still too high, and bills are piling up. I've experienced the same in my life and I know these cost-saving measures will provide some relief, as will the bump in funding for hero pay. These frontline workers embody the spirit of Connecticut and community and I'm proud to vote yes on a funding increase to the essential worker fund."

 

Most prominently, the Senate voted to retain the state's holiday on the gas tax, which has saved residents 25 cents per gallon purchased since April 1 amid fluctuating fuel costs. 

That gas tax holiday will be phased out gradually, avoiding a financial cliff and allowing for residents to acclimate to shifts in price. Under the current proposal, the tax will see 5 cents removed from the exemption each month from Jan. 1 (25 cents per gallon to 20 cents per gallon) through May 1 (5 cents to 0 cents). Without action, the gas tax would have resumed in full on Thursday, Dec. 1.

 

Additionally, the Senate voted to keep free bus fare available to state residents through April 1. Free bus fare was initially introduced alongside the gas tax earlier this year to allow for residents without personal vehicles to enjoy financial savings on transportation as well. Since then, reports indicate bus ridership is at an all-time high. A resident traveling to work, or to purchase groceries, pick up a prescription, see a doctor or any number of other everyday tasks, currently saves up to $3 on each leg of their journey. The April 1 ending date is due to federal regulation; the extension will cost a total of $10.8 million for those four months.

 

Further measures passed today by the Senate included two allocations of funding to bolster programs aiding state residents. These include $75 million added to the pandemic worker bonus fund, which will pay out bonuses of up to $1,000 to more than 130,000 residents who worked in essential in-person roles during the pandemic. That fund, initially budgeted at $35 million, will see its allocation swell to $105 million to ensure workers receive bonuses they were promised. Funding will be sourced through unexpended funds from the CT Essential Worker Program and projected lapsing appropriations in the general fund. Payments will be reorganized by income brackets; workers earning under $50,000 will receive $1,000, with bonus amounts reduced gradually among increasing income brackets.

 

The Senate also acted to invest $30 million into the state's heating oil assistance programs, in particular the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program, as a contingency in the event federal funding cannot support program costs. 

This adds to $97 million in state and federal aid already dedicated to helping Connecticut residents struggling to pay for heating costs. On the heels of EverSource and United Illuminating filing rate increases increasing electricity bills by up to 40%, and with already-high numbers of individuals seeking aid continuing to increase amid financial challenges for many, this allocation is vital in helping countless Connecticut families stay warm without sacrificing other important needs.

 

Additional actions taken Monday include a requirement that 95% of proceeds from fines administered by PURA in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 will go toward Operation Fuel and a requirement that nonprofits submit annual reports to PURA regarding use of proceeds. This will ensure additional financial support in these programs. 

The Senate also voted to ensure retailers' existing inventories of beverage containers not marked for recycling can continue to be sold after Jan. 1, when new bottle laws take effect in the state.

Cabrera represents the 17th District.

This is a press release from Cabrera's office.

 

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

 ... through a tangle of backyard branches. 

'Turnback Tuesday' visits Carl Lutters Cutlery & Grinders in Derby

Turnback Tuesday visits the short-lived business, Carl Lutters Cutlery & Grinders.

Carl was employed by the Williams Typewriter Co. from 1905-1907. J. Newton Williams was an inventor and manufacturer of typewriters. While Carl was working for him, he opened up his cutlery business out of his home in 1906 at 141 Hawkins St. Unfortunately his business only lasted for the year and by 1907 he moved to NY.

This business/advertising card is part of the Derby Public Library’s historic collection.

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

Valley Council for Health and Human Services to honor 4 at annual meeting via Zoom

The Valley Council for Health and Human Services will hold its annual meeting via Zoom at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6.

Three individuals have been chosen to receive the Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, and one for the Richard O. Belden Award.

Here are descriptions of what the award is about.  Attached is why each was chosen.

 

The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award will be presented to an individual for extraordinary service as an employee in the non-profit community who has made a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. The award is named in honor of Lewis Savitsky a long-time employee of Valley United Way who was active not only with Valley United Way, but also with multiple groups in the community.

This award will go to Susan Agamy, Spooner House- Elizabeth Laden, Griffin Health- and Nancy Cahoon, BHcare.

*******************************************************

The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award is for an individual or organization outside the non-profit sector whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. It is being presented for the first time in 2008 in honor of the late State Representative Richard O. Belden and his high standards of ethics and community involvement throughout his long and storied life.

This award will go to Corey Shoop, Wines and More! in Milford.

 

Corey and his team continuously make efforts to support community organizations that serve the Valley and beyond. 

He has been integral to the Rape Crisis Center of Milford’s fundraising efforts throughout the pandemic and has continued the relationship beyond. 

Wines and More! is always looking for new ways to get involved in community organizations in its area, and its support has helped raise funds to increase services to victims of sexual assault and their families in the Valley towns of Ansonia, Seymour, Derby, and Shelton that RCC serves. 

We are very grateful for Corey and his team and they deserve the recognition!

This is a press release from Valley Council for Health and Human Services. 

 

Huntington Fire Co. 3 in Shelton preparing for Popcorn with Santa

Get ready for Popcorn with Santa! See him on the road in the Huntington District of Shelton from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 17.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Handmade ornaments given to Ansonia mayor for City Hall Christmas tree

                    Mayor David S. Cassetti shows handmade ornaments.

Mayor David S. Cassetti received handmade ornaments for the City Hall Christmas tree.

Ornaments were made by Elizabeth Morales and Khenzie Montini. We all thank you!!

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

My Sister's Place Thrift Store in Ansonia posts weekly sales

 

My Sister's Place Thrift Store is at 380 Main St., Ansonia.

All profits support BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

This is shared from the store's Facebook page.

Assumption Church committee in Ansonia to host dine-in community breakfast

 

Historic Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby offers tours of holiday decorations

Photo from November 2018 of 'Storybook Holiday' decorations 

Museum Holiday Hours 2022

"Holiday Feast"

Nov. 25-Dec. 17 
Thursdays thru Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holiday Twilight Tours 
Fridays - Dec. 2, 9, and 16 ~ 4-7 p.m.

Guided Tours

The Museum will be offering self-guided tours and docent-led guided tours.  

Self-guided tours will allow guests to experience the museum on their own. Docents will be present to answer questions and direct traffic flow.  Registration is required to maintain safe capacity limits. 

Register for a self-guided tour by calling 203-734-2513 or emailing DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov. Walk-in registrations are accepted. The museum is at 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.

Docent-led guided tours will allow guests to experience the museum with a trained tour guide or docent. Docent-led guided tours will be offered on a limited basis to ensure guests’ safety and to maintain safe capacity limits. 

Docent-led tours require advanced registration. To register for a docent-led tour and check availability, call 203-734-2513 or email DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov. 

Twilight Tours are self-guided tours during the twilight and evening times on Fridays from 4-7 p.m. No registration is required for Twilight Tours. 

Many wonderful clubs and decorators contributed to this year's holiday festivities. 

They include:  Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Garden Club of Woodbridge, Valley Arts Council, Women Redefining Retirement from Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club.   

This is shared from the CT DEEP website.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

 ... at 4:15 p.m. 

Sharing my backyard view again! Along with a photo of today's moon in waxing crescent phase, 27 percent illuminated.

Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Co. 1 in Shelton slates popcorn ball Sunday

SHELTON - Be ready in the “Downtown“ district on Dec. 17 as members of Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Co.1 bring Santa around on the firetruck for their annual popcorn ball Sunday.

Quaker Farms Fire Co. in Oxford prepares for annual Popcorn Sunday

OXFORD - It’s that time of year again! 

Santa will be mounting a firetruck and traveling around the Quaker Farms Fire Co. district between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 11.

Santa and our firefighters will be spreading holiday cheer and tossing out popcorn balls and treats for our four-legged friends. Be on the lookout and listen for the sirens! 

We will try our best to provide updates via Facebook so parents can get their little ones bundled and ready.

Rain Date - 12/18

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

White Hills Fire Company 5 in Shelton to hold tree lighting Saturday

Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelton slates career fair

 

Master's Table Community Meals offers Christmas Dinner in Ansonia

 

First United Methodist Church in Ansonia to host Christmas Sing-A-Long

 ANSONIA - First United Methodist Church is inviting the public to join in a Community Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long at 4 p.m. Dec. 11.

During the busyness of Advent, this can be a wonderful opportunity for people to relax and gather with others to help get into the spirit of the season by singing familiar and traditional Christmas carols.

Fairview Tree Farm in Shelton to host 'Night of Lights' Christmas fun

SHELTON - Join us at Fairview Tree Farm for a magical night of holiday lights on our first Christmas nighttime hayride! 

A 30-minute tractor pulled wagon ride will take you through our decorated and lit tree fields and holiday scenes. The farm is at 2 Saw Mill City Road.

Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and more! Holiday spirit throughout our farm! 

Sit by a cozy bonfire while sipping on tasty treats. Family fun for all ages!
Beginning Dec. 2 and running select nights through Dec. 18.

Night of Lights hours: 5-9 p.m.
Reservations are required! Children ages 2 and under are FREE! Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. 

Purchase your tickets in advance here:

fairviewtreefarm.ticketleap.com/a-merry-christmas-hayride2022

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia to hold Christmas Craft Fair

Salvation Army Greater Valley in Ansonia asks support from community

28 Days ‘til Christmas – 28 Days to Make a Difference

tinyurl.com/100DaysofChristmas2022

By supplying free fresh produce, canned goods, and healthy frozen items, our food pantries provide valuable meal supplementation while helping those in need.

The Salvation Army Greater Valley Corps is located at 26 Lester St., Ansonia. 

For information call 203-736-0707. 

This is shared from the Corps' Facebook page.

Seymour postpones annual Christmas Parade until Dec. 4

SEYMOUR - The Christmas Parade has been postponed until next Sunday, Dec. 4. The parade will be held at the same time.

This is shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

...at about 5 p.m. today.

The moon is in waxing crescent phase, and is 9 percent illuminated.

Great Hill Hose, Citizens Engine Cos.in Seymour to hold Popcorn Ball Sunday

SEYMOUR - It’s that time of year again! When you hear sirens coming down your street starting at 8 a.m. Dec. 18, be sure to come outside for Popcorn Balls and a visit from Santa!

Crews will hit the road at 8 a.m., and make their way down every street in town.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Storm Engine Co./Ambulance Corps Co. 2 in Derby preparing Popcorn Ball Sunday

DERBY - Our Annual Popcorn Ball Sunday will be in the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 18 starting around 1 p.m. 

If you live on the West Side of Derby keep an ear and an eye out for us coming down your street. 

We will have Santa riding along and throwing out treats. Hope to see you all.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

Backyard view of Friday's sunset. Happy Saturday!

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop in Derby readies post-Thanksgiving sale

We've been busy adding LOTS of new stock ~ CHRISTMAS too!

Reopening Monday, November 28 ~ open 9:30-2:30, Monday to Saturday and now accepting credit cards!

Come shop with us at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

This is shared from the organization's Facebook page.