Center Stage in Shelton to present 'Carols & Cocktails' performances

 

SHELTON - Center Stage Theatre will present “A Center Stage Christmas: Carols & Cocktails” Dec. 15-17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with some of your favorite Center Stage performers performing carols new and old accompanied by a live, three-piece band. 

Cabaret style seating; bring your own refreshments and holiday cheer! Purchase tickets at centerstageshelton.org.

Center Stage Theatre is an inclusive and intergenerational community-based theatre providing high quality and affordable performances, educational programming and volunteer opportunities. 

The theatre produces five full-scale productions a year including its annual Youth CONNection summer musical, as well as year-round theatre education for adults and students grades K-12. 

Founded in 2005 by Gary and Francesca Scarpa, Center Stage is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre attracting actors and audiences from throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, and was named “Best Community Theater” by Connecticut Magazine’s “Best of CT 2022” round-up. 

For more information, visit centerstageshelton.org, or the theatre’s Facebook (@centerstageshelton) or Instagram (@centerstageshelton) channels.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

The holidays can be challenging after losing a loved one, but life goes on

Last weekend marked two years since my dear husband Ralph passed. It's hard to believe how quickly those years went by.   

The date he died is a palindrome: 12-2-21. A good friend of ours joked that Ralph, who was a detail-oriented guy, did that on purpose!

The weekend timing of his passing was perfect - being a part of several Christmas season events helped me get into the spirit.  

I attended the Ansonia Christmas tree lighting Friday at Veterans Park. 

The program run by the Ansonia Cultural Commission is a nostalgic one for me. Ralph served as commission chairman for several years, and was an integral part of  organizing it.

Although the weather didn't cooperate there was a great turnout. Despite the drizzle Santa was able to get there to hear all the childrens' Christmas wishes. My blog post about the festivities can be read here.

On Saturday actor Patrick Spaddicino brought his adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" to Derby Public Library. He portrayed 25 characters from Charles Dickens' Christmas classic in a wonderful performance directed by Library Director Scott R. Brill. His one-man show was awe-inspiring.

Next up I had a great time shopping with a friend at the Holiday Marketplace in the Ansonia Armory, which gave me another reason to get into the season.

And on Sunday I truly felt the holiday spirit at the church I attend, First United Methodist Church of Ansonia. It was our second annual Christmas Sing-A-Long and churches from the community were invited. Friends and I sang classic carols and enjoyed musical interludes from a violinist, flutist, and guitarist.

I hope to attend more local events this Yuletide season. 

Ralph would want me to do just that. 

Make a snowflake craft at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Sharing from Shelton Library System Facebook page:

SHELTON - Snowflakes & Sparkles will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St. 

Get in the holiday spirit with Miss Maura and Miss Chris and come make snowflakes!
This program is open to all ages; please register by calling 203-924-9461.

Holiday Marketplace slated Dec. 2 at Ansonia Armory

Get into the Yuletide spirit and check out all the crafters and vendors!

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. 

St. Vincent de Paul in Derby helps to brighten Christmas for needy

Nonprofit distributes food, gifts to 123 Valley families

All was quiet inside the thrift shoppe Dec. 22, which was closed before the holiday distribution.

Volunteers strike a pose as they wait to give out bags of groceries, frozen turkeys, and gallons of milk. Kudos to Jim Guarrera, an owner of Carey & Guarrera Real Estate in Shelton, for once again getting staff and friends to help with the distribution.

Families receive age and gender-appropriate gifts based on wish lists they submit to the organization.

St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley Thrift Shoppe and Food Bank is at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby. 

Director Sandi Bailie said the nonprofit gave out more than $161,000 worth of food and gifts for Christmas, thanks to the generous donations of local businesses, organizations, and individuals.

I wish her and thrift shoppe manager Cindy Barbian all the best in the New Year as they continue to make a difference in the community. 

Hours are 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information or to volunteer, call 203-734-7577.

Shelton business sponsors needy family through BHcare in Ansonia

Delivering a dose of holiday cheer at the drop off site, Assumption Church in Ansonia, are DiMatteo Group employees Rosemarie Esposito, second from left, and Barbara Gelozin, second from right, pictured with Debra Soulsby, far left, Development Coordinator, BHcare, and Tammy Burrell, right, Holiday Drive Chair and Secretary of the BHcare Board of Directors./ Contributed photo

The DiMatteo Group in Shelton and its caring staff of 22 certainly got in the spirit of giving this holiday season.
They pooled their resources and purchased a variety of gifts to help out a local family in need through BHcare in Ansonia.

“Giving back to the community is part of our company’s mission,” said John DiMatteo, President of DiMatteo Group. “We treat others as an extension of our family and are involved in many philanthropic service projects.”

Founded over 55 years ago, DiMatteo Group is a family-owned and operated business specializing in insurance, employee benefits, income tax and financial services.

“Ten years ago we established the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation and an annual golf tournament,” DiMatteo said. 

“The foundation was established as a tribute to our late father who was battling cancer at the time. Since then, we have contributed over $300,000 for various well-known local and national charities that fund research, education and finding a cure for diseases.”

“BHcare appreciates the generosity of the DiMatteo Group and all of their employees,” said Tammy Burrell, Chairman of the Holiday Drive and Secretary of the BHcare Board of Directors. “This gesture of kindness will bring joy to a local family and make a tremendous difference in their life. The DiMatteo Group exemplifies the true meaning of the holiday season.”

BHcare is a state-licensed, non-profit behavioral health care provider serving the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and Shoreline communities. For more than 30 years, BHcare – through its founding organizations, Birmingham Group Health Services and Harbor Health Services – has been providing hope and help for individuals, families and children affected by mental illness, domestic violence and substance abuse.

This is a press release from the DiMatteo Group.

TEAM Toys 4 Kids helps needy families in Valley

ANSONIA - Part of a former factory building downtown was once again transformed into a toyland thanks to the community's generous donations to TEAM Toys 4 Kids annual drive.

The "toy store" where clients were able to choose which toys they wanted for their children was set up on the second floor of 153 Main St.

Ansonia resident Thelma Nieves was one of many volunteers who helped set up the store.

Trucks and cars and toys oh my!

A new friend for one lucky child.

And there were lots of dolls.

Lou Fusco, culinary arts teacher at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, brought his senior students to the store Friday to drop off 401 donated toys.


Read all about the annual Toys 4 Kids event in my story posted here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Ansonia tree lighting slideshow shared

My husband, Ralph, Ansonia Cultural Commission chairman, created this slideshow with photos taken by yours truly and Darlene Zawisza, who takes care of the City of Ansonia's website and Facebook page. The annual tree lighting was last Friday night.

Here's the link:


https://youtu.be/5wlHd89SlSg


Enjoy!

Celebrate Shelton to hold holiday market Saturday

House in Derby lights the night

I came upon this tastefully decorated house last night when I was on Elizabeth Street in Derby and had to stop and take a photo. It put me in a holiday mood!

That gave me the idea to ask readers to submit photos of decorated houses and other buildings in the Valley and surrounding communities.  
I will post your photos here on the blog. You can mention the town if you'd like.

I'll go out to seek some more photo-worthy ones too.

Let's get festive! 


Please send your photos to: pmcv394@gmail.com. 
Thanks in advance.

P.S. We don't have any lights in our yard; at least not yet. Maybe that's why I enjoy looking at others so much! 

TEAM seeks support for Valley Toys 4 Kids drive

DERBY - The 2015 Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign is underway and TEAM, Inc. is hoping to provide more than 1,300 needy Valley children with something special under their Christmas tree this year. 
This campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for the under-served children in our communities

The annual program provides thousands of Christmas toys for children from low-income families across the Valley – children who otherwise might “go without” during the holidays. 
“When families are struggling, they have to make decisions during this time of year between paying for heat and rent or buying the children Christmas toys. The Toys 4 Kids  program ensures that every child can have a good Christmas,” says Diane Stroman, TEAM’s  Executive Vice President. "Last year due to the generosity of our community, our agency provided 1,372 children with toys to place under their Christmas trees. 

Donations of new unwrapped toys to the Toys 4 Kids Program can be dropped off at TEAM, Inc. headquarters, 30 Elizabeth St., weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Toys 4 Kids Toy Store, 153 Main St., Ansonia, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and various drop-off sites throughout the Valley. 
The list of drop-off sites can be found at www.teaminc.org.  

Financial donations are accepted and should be sent to TEAM, Inc., Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign, 30 Elizabeth St., Derby, 06418.

The expense of the holiday season often impacts the budgets of the families we serve significantly,” says David Morgan, CEO of TEAM.
“For those families with children, parents are often overwhelmed trying to fit the expense of gifts into an already stretched budget. Our Toys 4 Kids toy drive assists parents or guardians in providing presents to their children during tough economic times. Contributions to TEAM’s Toys 4 Kids Toy Drive - either through donations of toys or monetary donations helps our families to provide a festive holiday for their children.

Applications for the program are currently being accepted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 15 at TEAM, Inc.’s headquarters, 30 Elizabeth St.  

Parents/Guardians who apply for the program must meet low income eligibility requirements and provide identification and proof of residence for themselves and a birth certificate or social security card for their children.

For additional information on donations or the application process, contact Trish Wigglesworth at twigglesworth@teaminc.org or 203-736-5420 ext. 221.

This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a private, 501c (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery. TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.

Christmas breakfast in Seymour supports TEAM Toys 4 Kids

A holiday tradition continues

A mountain of donated new toys grows Sunday morning at the 11th annual TEAM Toys 4 Kids Christmas breakfast at the home of Tom and Diane Baklik of Seymour. 

This family hitched a ride to the party. 


Stay tuned for a story and more photos in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Ansonia Police seek donations to help needy shop for Christmas

Sharing from the department's Facebook page:

"Ansonia Police will be hosting a Shop with Santa event at Target on Dec. 19, 2015. We will be selecting a few families in need to take shopping with us to make the holiday season a little brighter. Last year we were able to take 3 families shopping based on monetary donations we received. We hope to be as successful this year and we are asking for your help in making sure we can make this year's event more successful than last year's. 

"If you are able to help with a monetary donation in any way please contact the Department and speak with Lt. Cota, Det. Tenney, Ofc Esposito, or Ofc. Barry. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!!!!"

Winners of house-decorating contest in Ansonia applauded

The home of John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave., took top honors in the annual contest.

  
ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission today announced winners of its House and Yard decorating contest.

Full disclosure: I was one of the judges as a member of the Valley Arts Council, along with arts council president Rich DiCarlo.
Several members of the city's Cultural Commission also took part in the judging of the 21 entries.

Congratulations go out to the following residents who won in their respective wards.

Overall Winner: John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave.

Ward 1: David Harvey & Edward Miklos, 16-18 Sixth St.
Ward 2: Janet and Christopher Waugh, 87 Prospect St.
Ward 3: Don Anderson, 96 Myrtle Ave.
Ward 4: Charters Hose firehouse, 4 Murray St.
Ward 5: Eric & Veronica Feliciano, 195 Howard Ave.
Ward 6: Kamil Steczkowski, 28 Mountain View Road
Ward 7: Robert Myernick and Kathleen Dorsey, 7 Birchwood Drive.

The winners will be recognized at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting at City Hall. 

Looking forward to even more participants next year!

Ansonia residents show spirit of season

Decorating contest draws 21 participants

ANSONIA - Congratulations go out to John and Ann Marie Checkley of 209 Wakelee Ave. for capturing the overall winner spot in the Cultural Commission's annual House and Yard Decorating Contest. 

Beautifully decked out properties in all seven Wards - including 20 homeowners and Charters Hose Company 4 firehouse - were entered into the annual competition judged by members of the Cultural Commission and the Valley Arts Council.

A view of the decorations at 209 Wakelee Ave.

All eight winners will be honored at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting in City Hall. 
They will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate from local merchants, Cultural Commission chairman Judy Nicolari said.

Many thanks to Cultural Commission member Melissa Torres for submitting the great photos! 

Overall winning entry is this home at 209 Wakelee Ave.

Wishing a Merry Christmas to all!

May your day be filled with fun, food, family, friends, and the spirit of the Yuletide season!

A message from Seymour first selectman

"Christmas is a time to reflect on all that is good in our lives, some things big and others small. It is a time for family and friends, for good cheer and happiness. It is a time we wish joy to all. 

"But, unfortunately, this spirit only seems to last a few days. Please join me in working to keep this wonderful holiday spirit all year long. Together, let's make 2015 the best year yet. Tara, Drew, Kaitlyn and I would like to wish you all a joyous holiday season. From our family to yours, may you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year."

- Kurt Miller

* Note: This is taken from the Office of the First Selectman's Facebook page.

A message from Ansonia mayor

Happy Holidays to all! 

I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. 

As we celebrate this holiday season, focus on all the accomplishments achieved in 2014 and strive harder for a prosperous new year. Enjoy the time you spend with family and friends, but let us not forget our neighbors these holidays. A holiday season greeting may go a long way for those alone. I believe the holiday season is about giving and sharing PEACE and HAPPINESS.

My family and all of the dedicated City Hall staff wish you joy and happiness throughout the holiday season and New Year.

2014 was a great year for Ansonia and I am predicting an even brighter future in 2015. We witnessed a milestone last week when a portion of the buildings were demolished at the former Ansonia Copper and Brass site. 

We said good bye to a part of our history, but we are also welcoming a bright new future with economic growth into Ansonia. 

Join with me to help make Ansonia a better place to work and live.


- Mayor David S. Cassetti

Needy Valley families receive holiday help

Volunteers Kaitlyn Marcinko, 13, left, and Brittany LaChance, 15, Friday carry gifts out to clients of St. Vincent De Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley.


DERBY - Christmas came early at St. Vincent de Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley as the nonprofit distributed food and gifts Friday to more than 100 Valley families.

Please check out my story posted today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.