'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby photographer, DHS Class of '32

Turnback Tuesday highlights this photo of the Derby High School Class of 1932. The image was taken by photographer James Caporale of Derby.

Caporale had a grocery store on Smith Street which he started in1925, and he added the photography studio in 1932.

The grocery store was located at 119 Smith St. while around the corner at 16½ 9th St. was the studio.

He left the grocery business in 1937 but continued his career in photography until 1946. During all this time, Caporale also gave lessons on the violin.

In this photo in the 2nd row, 6th from the right is Virgilio Caporale.

On his left is Ester Ruth Loberfeld, and in front of her is Elizabeth Johnston McWilliams. If anyone has information as to who else is in this image, please let the [staff at Derby Public] Library know.

The photo is a recent donation from John Caporale, son of Virgilio and nephew of James.

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

Memorial bird walk slated June 4 at Derby Greenway

 

'Turnback Tuesday' features 19th century Derby photographer

John W. Storrs

Turnback Tuesday talks about John W. Storrs, a local photographer in Derby from 1857-1882. After his photography career finished, he became assistant editor for the Naugatuck Valley Sentinel on Minerva Street until his death in 1887.

This is a photograph of John taken by another prominent Derby photographer, N. Thompson Morse. Morse's photo business ran from 1887-1902.

When Morse's closed in 1902, he started working for the International Silver Co until he moved to Philadelphia in 1918. Storrs wrote a book called the "History of the Twentieth Connecticut, A Regimental History," published by the Naugatuck Valley Sentinel in Ansonia in 1886.

Derby Public Library has this book in its historical collection.

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

Facebook memory offers 'Turnback Tuesday' about Valley photographer

Civil War nurse Clara Barton

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Clara Barton Tomlinson Drew. 
Clara was born in Seymour on Nov. 25, 1867 and was named after Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse who created the Red Cross. 
Clara Tomlinson moved to "Derby" (now part of Ansonia) as a young girl and later, in 1888, married John Wilbur Drew. The Drews resided at 26 New St. where Clara (Tomlinson) Drew became a pioneer among women photographers. She operated a photography studio for decades out of her home. 

This is a photo of Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse, that was taken by Clara Barton Drew, the photographer, in 1909. 
Clara Barton Drew died Feb. 21, 1946 at the age of 79.


This Facebook memory is from Feb. 6, 2018 that was posted by Derby Public Library staff.

Derby Neck Library to host author of book about NYC at Christmas

DERBY - Ever wondered how New York City and Christmas became so intertwined with each other?
Learn all about the history, stories, art, and traditions that forever linked the two when the Derby Neck Library hosts author and photographer Kevin Woyce at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18.
Woyce will discuss this topic and his book Santa’s Hometown while taking attendees on a sleigh ride through the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, and the New Year’s Eve ball drop at Times Square.

No registration required for this free event.
The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library to host author/photographer, dinner and a movie

DERBY - Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., will host Dinner and a Movie for those ages 18 and older, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5.  


This month’s feature film, shown on blu-ray and a large screen, is “The Peanut Butter Falcon.”  
Free movie refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission. 

Author to speak

The Library will present author, photographer, and lecturer Kevin Woyce at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18. 

Woyce will be showing a powerpoint based on his well-researched and informative book, “Santa’s Hometown.”  
This book describes the various Christmas traditions that have their origins in New York City over the past two centuries.  

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. This is a free program.  

For information call 203-734-1492.

This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Photographer battling form of dementia slates show in Shelton

Photos by Patrick Doyle

SHELTON - Resident Patrick E. Doyle will host a show featuring his photography from noon-3:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St.

In an email, Doyle wrote in part: 

"I could not take pictures of this quality prior to my diagnosis of Frontotemporal Degeneration, also known as Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia.
"Although it receives minimal attention, it is no less devastating and debilitating for the patient, caregivers, and loved ones than Alzheimer’s. 
"Last year Maria Tomasetti, South Regional Director of the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association, sponsored a photo show for me. I sold over $700 worth of photos, and with additional orders and donations, I raised $1,700 for the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association."

I attended that show at Three Bridges Coffeehouse on Howe Avenue and was impressed with Doyle's photography skills. He is to be commended for raising $1,700 for the Alzheimer's Association!

'Turnback Tuesday' features photo studio in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday this week shows Bradley Studios Fine Photos at 28 Elizabeth St., Derby. 

Photographer Walter L. Bradley opened his business in 1900, advertised bromide enlarging as a specialty, and carried a full line of picture frames. 

His business is seen on the left where the opened awning is located (arrow shown.) The business stayed open until 1912 when Walter moved to New Haven.

*Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week! 

See movie, learn about nature as healer, more at Derby Neck Library

DERBY - Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., has scheduled a variety of fun activities in April.

Dinner and a Movie
The Library will host Dinner and a Movie for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. April 4.

This month’s feature film shown in blu-ray high definition is “Stan and Ollie.”  

Free movie refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission.  

Nature as Healer

At 5:30 p.m. April 10 the Library presents Nature as Healer with Marlow Shami.  
Learn the healing aspects of connecting with nature - brain enhancement, mood calming, stress and pain relieving, and more. 
This event includes meditation techniques and a brief nature interaction outdoors. Join us to commemorate Earth Day.

Women's Forum

The Library hosts Women’s Forum, a luncheon literary discussion group, at 12:30 p.m. April 15.  
This month we focus on two short stories with a humorous theme. Free copies are available at the library. We serve coffee and tea at this event.  

Photographer to speak

The Library welcomes Sophie Zyla presenting a powerpoint show on The Nature in Matthies Park in Beacon Falls at 6:30 p.m. April 25. Enjoy her superb photographic skills in reproducing views of reptiles, birds, insects, and mammals living in the beautiful park.

Evening Book Club

At 6:30 p.m. April 29 the Library hosts the Evening Book Club. 
This month’s discussion focuses on the novella “At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances” by Alexander McCall Smith.
Copies of the book are available at the library. Join us for an informative, stimulating hour. 

For information call 203-734-1492.

This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Shelton resident's photos on display at Plumb Memorial Library

Photographs from resident Barbara Marsh are on display this month in Plumb Memorial Library, 62 Wooster St., Shelton. 
Stop in and view her display.

*Shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features historic photo of Derby Public Library

Turnback Tuesday offers this charming photo of the Derby Public Library. 
The photo was taken by the famous Derby/Ansonia photographer, Clara Barton Tomlinson Drew. It shows the back entrance of the Library from Elizabeth Street. 
A pioneer among female photographers, Drew had a studio in her home on New Street, Ansonia (which was Derby until 1889). 
This picture was taken and gifted to the Derby Public Library in 1920.


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

Gargoyles of Yale topic of author's talk at Seymour Public Library

'Turnback Tuesday' features photographer Clara Barton Drew of Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Clara Barton Tomlinson Drew. 

Clara was born in Seymour Nov. 25, 1867 and was named after Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse who created the Red Cross. 

Clara Tomlinson moved to "Derby" (now part of Ansonia) as a young girl and later, in 1888, married John Wilbur Drew. 

The Drews resided at 26 New St. where Clara (Tomlinson) Drew became a pioneer among women photographers. She operated a photography studio for decades out of her home.

This is a photo of Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse, that was taken by Clara Barton Drew, the photographer, in 1909. 

Clara Barton Drew died Feb. 21, 1946 at the age of 79.


*Thanks go out to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week.