Seymour Oxford Food Bank to distribute holiday meals; signup requested

 

'Turnback Tuesday' from 2016 featuring downtown Derby decorations in 1940s

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a festive, holiday-themed photo of downtown Derby, looking east on Main Street and taken near the Elizabeth Street intersection.

The first break between buildings on the left is Minerva Street and off in the distance, you can see the Farrel-Birmingham Co. building. To the right is approximately where Woolworth's was located.

This photo is thought to be circa the 1940s. Our utmost thanks to local historian Rob Novak for providing this unique photo and information.

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

Make your own reindeer food at The Children's Room at the Ansonia Library

Ansonia Library photo

ANSONIA - The Children's Room at the Ansonia Library's Make Your Own Reindeer Food bar is open and we welcome you to come down and get yours while you can!

It will be available until 11 a.m. Friday. The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

This is shared from the Ansonia Library Children's Room Facebook page.

Salvation Army in Ansonia seeks help to brighten Christmas season

Spread kindness on St. Nick's Day Today is St. Nick's Day, and you have an opportunity to create joy for others, just like he did nearly two centuries ago. In addition to a warm meal or a new coat, your incredible generosity can bring hope and happiness to children who are in desperate need. Make the season brighter for a child near you. Help The Salvation Army turn this Christmas into a truly memorable and heartwarming experience for those who need it most. GIVE TODAY    The Greater Valley Salvation Army is located at 26 Lester St., Ansonia.

Get creative at Ansonia Library's holiday ornament party

 The Library is at 53 South Cliff St., Ansonia.

Derby Historical Society Yuletide celebrations spur memories of holiday fun

The 'Twelfth Night' celebration at the David Humphreys House in 2020 recently came up in my Facebook memories.

Click here to read newsletter:

https://3d62a228-eb5f-443c-a1ec-b9ff5c58ad34.filesusr.com/ugd/329bf6_c9941c6082194cd5b438a4ea13013993.pdf

An old-fashioned Christmas last month at the Humphreys House

ANSONIA  - The old-fashioned Christmas celebration at the David Humphreys House on Dec. 18, 2022 was a big success, Derby Historical Society publicity committee chairman Joseph DiRienzo said. 

Preparing snacks!

It featured Yuletide carolers, Christmas stories read by the fire, holiday games and crafts, gingerbread cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and colonial period snacks.

A costumed docent speaks with visitors.

A big thanks goes to Joseph DiRienzo, Derby Historical Society publicity committee chairman, for the photos and text.

Sharing sentimental Christmas season memories

I wanted to post this newsletter from three years ago but I'm at a loss as to how to enlarge. 

Hoping someone knows how to make it legible!

A frosty winter's night tale

This is a true story. 

It may not be a feel-good Christmas tale but it did happen last week to a good friend.

She had to work late on a bitterly cold night. When she got out to her car, all four doors were frozen shut. She eventually managed to bang the right rear door open and climb in. 

Her next move was to hang over the seat and pound on the driver's-side door until it opened. A Christmas miracle right there, I'd say. 

In a stroke of luck her car started up. But the fun wasn't over. The wipers were frozen to the windshield. What else could go wrong? 

You guessed it. The defroster didn't start working until she had reached her neighborhood and was almost home. Fortunately she doesn't live too far from her job.

Home sweet home? Well, almost. A rod in a gate that opens a fence that surrounds her driveway was frozen shut. She needed to defrost it and fast. She was freezing!

She kicked in the back door until it opened and  was able to get some hot water to pour on the latch. Her hand got wet and froze to the metal! Finally our heroine was able to open the gate.

After she was snug inside, she started wrapping presents. And you guessed it, she ran out of tape. So the wrapping had to wait a day. To quote her text: "You can't make this stuff up."

How did your last few days before Christmas go? Mine were fairly frantic, as usual. 

But definitely not anything like my friend's unfortunate account.

Ansonia Mayor Cassetti's chat with Santa via Zoom available to watch

 
In case you missed last night's epic Q/A session with Santa, here it is.
You can catch the FREE rebroadcast of the Zoom meetup. Watch Santa take the time out of his busy schedule to answer the kids' toughest questions. It's a fun and informative Christmas experience...even for you non-believers!
Enjoy and Have a Merry Christmas!

https://zoom.us/.../eyPIUwiobYoGzuJLc9d5IbJvi4MSOk317W9yg...

Derby Historical Society in Ansonia to celebrate 12th Night of Christmas

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society will mark the end of the Christmas season with our annual Twelfth Night Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 5. 

This event features docent-led tours of the General David Humphreys House at 37 Elm St.
Spark up a conversation with one of our historical interpreters as they spin, weave, and cook over the hearth. Try our mulled cider alongside samplings of colonial cookery and other baked goods.
Join us for our annual reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol at 3 p.m.
Be sure to visit our gift shop to find that unique item.
For more information call 203-735-1908. 
Onsite parking and additional side-street parking available.

There will be music and cheer!

Three Saints Orthodox Church in Ansonia to present benefit concert

Recuperation journey: Christmas coincidence?

Last night as I was driving home from a meeting two deer ran in front of the car ahead of me on Prindle Avenue in Ansonia, near the intersection with Pulaski Highway. 
Of course we both stopped and waited until they crossed the road.

At the meeting a friend had given me a Christmas gift. 
When I got home and opened the bag, this is what I found:

A beautiful glass ornament with two deer. Coincidence? I think not!

Lawmakers to ring bell for Salvation Army at Amity Stop and Shop

First Congregational Church in Derby decorated for Christmas season

First Congregational Church in Derby

My husband Ralph and I love the simple beauty of our historic church, especially when the sanctuary is decorated for the Christmas season.

Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia to host event with Santa

Save the date!

Shelton Historical Society offers tours of refurbished Brownson House

The 1822 Brownson House is located at the Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road. 
It sustained major water damage in late October of 2015 when a storm tore a tarp from the roof, which was under repair, and rain flooded the house. 
Now returned to its former beauty, the house is decorated for the Christmas season, and on Sunday the Society offered free tours.

Photos by Allegra Villers 

Recuperation journey: Serene scene at Veterans Park in Ansonia

The reason for the season

I've photographed the Nativity scene in Veterans Park when it was illuminated at night but never while the sun was shining. 

Looking at the Christmas display Thursday morning gave me a peaceful feeling, if only for a short while.

Santa to arrive by train in Seymour Dec. 2, help light tree

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Culture and Arts Commission is ready to host another holiday tradition on Dec. 2.
Santa will come in on the train to help residents light the tree and bring in the Christmas season. 


The Seymour High School Chorale will lead sing-a-long carols starting at 5:45 p.m. and Santa will arrive at approximately 6:10 p.m.
He will travel down Bank Street on his motorized sleigh, light the tree, and pose for pictures.

There will be face painting, strolling carolers, letters to Santa at the Post Office, hot dogs, and all the glamour and glitz of First Saturday at the fabulous Shops at Seymour. 
The downtown shops will all stay open late for holiday shopping. 

*Sharing information from a Facebook event page.

Wishing readers a Merry Christmas with a little help from some friends

Griffin Hospital staff supports needy Valley family

Michael J. Wynne, VP Children’s Services at PCRC, left, and Sarah Beard, Director of Clinical Services at PCRC, second from left, receive a donation from Griffin Hospital staff, from right, Katie Grant, Chris Thornley, and Robin Quickel./ Contributed photo

DERBY -  Staff from Griffin Hospital’s Operating Room and Anesthesia departments got into the spirit of giving by supporting a family in need this holiday season.

For the third straight year, the staff worked with the Parent Child Resource Center to fill the wish list of a local family whose children are receiving services at the Center. 
This year, they provided clothes for two children along with a grocery store gift card and cash.

“We started doing this because we are blessed to have jobs and our health when those around us in the community have much less than we do, and we love paying it forward,” said Robin Quickel, Griffin Hospital Operating Room Materials coordinator.

PCRC, a division of BHcare, is a state licensed, nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider serving children and families throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley and beyond. 

For more than 40 years, PCRC has been providing hope and help to children, adolescents, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.