Make a wreath, help count birds at Ansonia Nature Center

Winter Wreath Workshop
ANSONIA - Celebrate Ansonia’s 125th anniversary and the festive season at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 as you create a wreath with fresh, locally grown greens, then decorate your masterpiece with natural trimmings. 

Enjoy some warm mulled cider and a cookie too. Wreath frames and wire will be provided.
There is a $10 materials fee. Please register by Dec. 10.

Winter Solstice Drumming Circle
Come to the nature center at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 with your own percussion instruments as we drum in the beginning of winter, when our portion of the planet takes a nap! 

Please bring a nutritious canned good donation for Spooner House in Shelton. Dress for the cold. Children over 10 and adults welcome.
Free, but please register in advance.

Annual Christmas Bird Count
Join the New Haven Bird Club at noon Dec. 20 for this traditional bird count, which has been taking place for over 110 years! 
Bird count results are sent to the National Audubon Society, and are included in the international census of early winter bird populations.

Dress for the weather. Rain or shine. Free. Middle-school age children and their adults are welcome. Please register in advance.

Winter holiday nature days
For children who love the outdoors and wildlife holiday nature days will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 29-31.
These popular educational classes are designed for children ages 5-10.
We’ll have a chance to explore the park’s 150 acres and visit a variety of habitats.
Come meet new friends, play games, create beautiful and useful items using natural objects and recycled materials, and much more.

Tuition: $30/day ($90 all three days) priority students (Ansonia residents and current family-level Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, Inc. members); $35/day ($105 all 3 days) all others. Advance registration only.

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road.

For more information on activities, call 203-736-1053.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

AHS art students decorate Ansonia 125 sign

Work to be displayed at tree lighting Friday

Contributed photo

Members of Ansonia High School’s Art Club stand beside a sampling of their work recently after adding a creative and wintry mix of snowflakes to the ANSONIA 125 display that has been seen at many events throughout the year.

Instructor Nancy Bennett-Morgenstern happily collaborated with ANSONIA 125 Deputy Event Coordinator Pat Henri to give the display a festive holiday facelift. 

Ansonia is celebrating its 125th birthday this year.

The full display will be on hand Friday at Veterans Park next to City Hall on Main Street for Ansonia’s annual tree lighting.

All residents are invited to attend to see the Art Club’s imaginative styling in its entirety while enjoying the tree lighting, caroling, a visit from Santa, and doughnuts and hot chocolate.


Members of the AHS Art Club are:

Ta'naisha Bagley

Tina Person

Cheyanne Rodriguez

Rebecca Kardos

Sash-Shawnna Rubie

Mercedes McClellan

Kaitlyn Sengphilom

Da'Quan Thomas


This information was submitted by Sixth Ward Alderman Patrick Henri.

Ansonia to hold Christmas tree lighting Dec. 5

AHS band to escort Santa to Veterans Park 

Ansonia's 2013 Christmas Tree

Ansonia to host 'dog days' on Thanksgiving weekend

Party along Riverwalk to celebrate Ansonia, river

See you Saturday at the Riverwalk! 

Celebrate river, Ansonia 125 at family event

Vendor spaces available for Ansonia Harvest Festival

Vendor spaces are still available for the 11th annual Ansonia Harvest Festival Oct. 4. Rain date is Oct. 11.

The Cultural Commission sponsors the downtown fest. Vendor spaces on Main Street are $50 until Sept.15, $65 after that date.

The city is anticipating a large crowd for this popular event which features ethnic foods, entertainment on two stages, and a "Roaming Railroad" which will travel through Main Street. Rides are $3.

Irish step dancers from Mulkerin School of Irish Dance and Rita Tottenham dance students will perform. Both groups have participated in the festival since its inception. The popular Connecticut Line Dancers featuring Linda Johnston invite you to join in their line dancing routines.

All three groups will perform in front of stage two.

The Valley Community Foundation will sponsor a mobile history of Ansonia's yesteryear which will be displayed at the Cultural Commission booth near City Hall. 

Vendor space numbers will be assigned one week prior to the festival with instructions on how to enter Main Street to get to designated spaces.

Joey Milardo and the Musical Cavaliers are new to the festival this year. They will perform on upper Main Street from noon to 2 p.m. The public is invited to dance to their tunes right on Main Street.

Also new to the festival is Bob's Fault Band featuring Bill Davis from Ansonia. They will perform on Stage 1 along with Mark Lanzieri and his band, a local favorite.

Magician Brian Lizotte, a Valley resident, will be making balloon sculptures and performing fantastic tricks for young and old alike.

Patty Fadden Rimkunis will perform "The National Anthem" and Jim Little, vice chairman of the Cultural Commission, will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Other bands slated to perform are The Sofa Kings, featuring Bill Gibson of Ansonia, The Kate Miz Band and the Bantam Band, a group of strolling musicians.

Two groups, Vision and the Annointed Tabernacle Choir, will sing Christian music on stage one around 11:45. DJs for the event are Tony Castle and Phyllis Kaplan.

There will be a pumpkin coloring contest at Veterans Park next to City Hall. All school children are invited to color pumpkins from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. They will be assisted by Ansonia's Unified Arts teaching staff.
A scarecrow contest will be held among the merchants and vendors.

Both contests will be judged by Rich DiCarlo, President of the Valley Arts Council.

Amusement rides will be located in the River Valley Baptist Church parking lot and a car show, sponsored by Jay's Auto Body will take place along Bridge Street.

Trophies will be awarded.

A free "Moon Walk" activity for kids, donated by TEAM, Inc. of Derby, will be available on upper Main Street.

The Cultural Commission is proud to announce the Valley Community Foundation is a sponsor of the festival, along with the Regional Water Authority and the Smith Building Association.

Please visit www.cityof ansonia.com for updates, vendor applications, and more.

For info call Judy, 203-231-3603.

This is from a press release from Judy Nicolari, chairwoman, Ansonia Cultural Commission.

As Nicolari always says, "See You on Main Street."

Party along Riverwalk to mark Ansonia's 125th

Come out and celebrate Ansonia's birthday!