Saturday, August 31, 2024

Recuperation journey 2.0: Lesson learned


Earlier this week I did a stoopid thing. I almost let myself get scammed by some lowlifes on the Internet.

I accidentally clicked on a link that took me to a page featuring all kinds of scary warnings. I couldn't exit out of the page.

I believed the warnings and immediately called the toll-free number that was now flashing on my desktop screen. It was accompanied by a female voice that was screeching at me about how I had to call said number.

I dialed the number, naively believing that it was legit and I'd get support to fix the problem. Instead I got connected with someone on the other side of the world.

I was so rattled that I didn't realize at the time he and his co-worker were using terms to convince me they were helping me.

For example: 

"Your phone line is not secured; it can be tampered with."

"I'll make a duplicate transaction to confuse hackers."

They kept referring to "hackers," which apparently meant they were referring to themselves.

After a stressful hour on the phone with them I hung up and called my bank. I was advised to close the account, which I did.

The next day I called the bank to make sure there were no unauthorized charges on my account. There weren't any, so I guess I can say all's well that ends well.

That's my public service announcement. I hope it might save someone from the unnecessary stress that I endured.


Learn to make healthy juices at Plumb Memorial Library program in Shelton


 The Library is at 65 Wooster St., Shelton.


This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.  

Klarides-Ditria: Grants available for small businesses, nonprofits hit by flooding


The Women's Business Development Council announced they have partnered with the state to administer $5M in funding for a micro-grant program to help small businesses in western Connecticut rebuild and recover from the record rainfall and flooding impacting the state in August 2024.

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties that experienced damage from the floods. Grants can be used to cover various expenses to help in the recovery, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost inventory, and replacing equipment.

Applications open on Tuesday, September 3 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

Learn more about the program by clicking HERE.


Sincerely,







Friends of Derby Public Library reschedule monthly meeting



DERBY - The Friends of Derby Public Library meeting scheduled for Aug. 29 has been **rescheduled** for Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Monthly meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

New members welcome! Become an advocate of Derby Public Library.

Seymour Public Library to close Tuesday for Labor Day holiday



SEYMOUR - Seymour Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 3 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Derby Neck Library to present Musical Bingo fun


Taylor, Rihanna, Ariana, BeyoncĂ©, Gaga, or Miley... which pop music queen will reign supreme? 

Find out on Sept. 19 during Musical Bingo: Battle of the Pop Girlies! Choose your favorite artist of the bunch and check off her songs as they come up on our shuffled playlist. 

The winner will receive a $10 Spotify Premium gift card. This event has TWO SESSIONS, separated by age and time. 

At 3 p.m., teens can join Miss Sarah for Teen Takeover, So Bad It's Good: Bingo Night. 

At 6:30 p.m., adults 18+ will be joining Kate for the adults-only version. 

Derby Neck Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

Registration encouraged, but not required!


This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 1912 war games in the Valley




In the summer of 1912, the New England and New York National Guards 'invaded' Derby in a war game. War games are a type of military exercise to test or improve tactical skills.The two groups combined and collaborated so that each 'army' had a mix of soldiers from each guard. This image depicts the invading Red army which arrived with 50 carloads of soldiers, horses, and equipment at Derby Depot on Aug. 12. The next day they crossed the bridge into Shelton. On Aug. 17 the defending Blue army was declared 'defeated' in Newtown.
This post was first published on this date in 2017.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Griffin Hospital in Derby recognized in annual national review


DERBY - Griffin Hospital has been recognized as one of the “100 Great Community Hospitals” in the U.S. for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review.


This annual list recognizes community hospitals as a crucial piece of the overall health care system in the U.S., and honors those that excel at optimizing health care, uplifting communities, and providing convenient access for patients.

Griffin Hospital and physicians affiliated with Griffin Faculty Physicians are the safety net for many residents of its communities who have challenges accessing preventive services and care for more emergent issues. 


Griffin Health has also been a leading institution in the Lower Naugatuck Valley working to address social influencers of health by partnering with other organizations in the region to improve access to healthy foods, obtain stable housing and utility assistance, connect with emergency assistance programs, and sponsor allied health training programs to help individuals improve their personal economic stability. 

Griffin is committed to addressing the social factors that influence health as an essential part of its mission to provide leadership that improves the overall wellness of the community it serves.


Community hospitals on the 100 Great Community Hospitals are focused on bringing clinical and academic excellence, personalized and holistic care, and overall improved health to their communities. The Becker's editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on nominations and considered several outside rankings and ratings organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS, The Leapfrog Group, the National Rural Health Association, and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

For more information about Becker's 2024 edition of its “Great Community Hospitals” list, visit www.beckershospitalreview.com/100-great-community-hospitals-2024.


About Griffin Health

Griffin Hospital is a 160-bed acute care community hospital serving more than 130,000 residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Region. Griffin Hospital is the flagship hospital for Planetree, an international consumer health care organization dedicated to promoting patient-centered care, and has received national recognition for creating a health care facility and an approach to patient care that is responsive to the needs of the whole person and their loved ones. 

Griffin’s commitment to the patient-centered care philosophy enhances its mission to improve the well-being of its communities by empowering individuals with health education, wellness programs and assistance with social determinants of health. Many health care organizations around the world send visitors to Griffin Hospital’s facilities and incorporate its Planetree concepts into their health care models.

Griffin Hospital is recognized for having industry-leading patient satisfaction ratings and has received numerous quality and clinical excellence awards. 

Griffin Hospital was listed as one of the “World’s Best Hospitals” by Newsweek magazine for six consecutive years (2019-2024) and was recognized as Connecticut’s Most Socially Responsible Hospital by the Lown Institute in 2022 and 2023 for continued focus on equity, diversity, and improving the health needs of the surrounding community. 


For more information, visit griffinhealh.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 


Learn about AI at Plumb Memorial Library program in Shelton


What is AI and How Does it Work?

Location: Plumb Memorial Library Meeting Room, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Date/Time: Sept. 27, 2 p.m.

Krishiv Patel will be back at Plumb Library to explain and answer questions regarding AI – Artificial Intelligence. 
What it is, how it works and what the dangers/benefits of it are. 
Questions are welcome!
A computer is not required for this class.

Register online: https://sheltonlibrarysystem.org/.../what-is-ai-and-how.../
or by calling (203) 924-1580 ext. 5102.


This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page. 

American Cancer Society Relay for Life slated Sept. 14 in Shelton



SHELTON - Join us for our annual opening ceremony for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Naugatuck Valley at 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at 100 Canal St.
After the opening ceremony we will be hosting our 29th annual Survivor and Caregiver luncheon sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Caloroso Eatery & Bar, Market 32 of Oxford, and Bagel Bros & Co.
Luncheon will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Brunch will be provided along with several games of Bingo!
FREE to ALL Survivors and Caregivers!

The day will run from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and include:

Vendors / Crafters / Teams (over 60+)
Touch A Truck
Kid's Zone
Dunk Tank
Food Trucks
Moon bounce
Full entertainment schedule

Shared from a Facebook event page.


Bingo at The Hops Company in Derby to benefit The Valley Goes Pink


Tickets went on sale Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Event sells out quickly - tickets MUST be purchased online. Get more info and tickets here: https://VGPOctoberBingo.givesmart.com


Event supports The Hewitt Center For Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital


This is shared from the Valley Goes Pink Facebook page.


Griffin Health to host fire safety events for Valley seniors in September


DERBY - Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut are hosting a series of fire safety events for seniors throughout the Valley in September.


The events will feature a discussion of home fire prevention and safety tips by the area fire department representatives, and the American Red Cross will be scheduling appointments for their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign which offers free smoke alarms with installation. 


Griffin Health caregivers will also be offering free blood pressure screening and consultations. 

The events are scheduled for Sept. 9 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Seymour Senior Center, Sept. 12 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ansonia Senior Center, Sept. 25 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Shelton Senior Center, and Sept. 26 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Derby Neck Library.


These offerings are part of the AgeWell program which is co-sponsored by Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut to increase access to care and prevent disease among the Valley senior community through a series of health screenings and healthy living education sessions each month. 

Periodically, this program provides nutritiously balanced and delicious foods for attendees.

Registration is required to attend the AgeWell fire safety events. To sign up, contact the location (Ansonia Senior Center: 203-736-5933; Seymour Senior Center: 203-888-0406 ext. 1; Shelton Senior Center: 203-924-9324; and Derby Neck Library: 203-734-1492).



This is a press release from Griffin Health.


Local foodies to share favorite bites at Huntington Branch Library in Shelton

SHELTON - Huntington Branch Library will be hosting Emily and Freddie of The Side Dishers (https://www.instagram.com/thesidedishers/ ), local foodies who will be dishing out all the information as to the best eats in Fairfield and New Haven County!
Their presentation will be from 5:15-6:15 pm. Sept. 4. The Library is at 41 Church St,

One look at their Instagram page will show just how seriously these two take great Connecticut food, and we are excited to have them share their favorite bites with us!


Tuesday, August 27, 2024

CT Foodshare to host Pop-Up Pantry at Seymour Oxford Food Bank


Connecticut Foodshare has been in close communication with network partners in the areas impacted by the recent flooding and they have been working hard to provide services to the families and individuals who were.

To better address this increased need for support in the area Connecticut Foodshare will be hosting emergency pop-up food distributions with our partner program, Seymour Oxford Food Bank, on the next three Fridays (8/30, 9/6 and 9/13) from 2:15-3:15 pm.. 

These emergency pop-ups are in addition our regularly scheduled Mobile Pantry distributions which can be found here: https://www.ctfoodshare.org/mobile-food-pantry along with the Mobile texting service, just text Foodshare to 85511 to get connected to the site closest to you.

You can also text COMIDA to 85511 to receive this information in Spanish. 

Sincerely,