'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Public Library reference room

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday reminds us of the wealth of information and research materials available at Derby Public Library.

Published in 1935, "The Pictorial and History of the Lower Naugatuck Valley," written by Leo T. Malloy, is a treasure trove of information.

And it does not end there.

Our History Reference Room has many books on its shelves for you to peruse including those on genealogy, the history of neighboring towns, and about the Valley in general.

The room has a large table for patron use as well as a microfilm machine to view local newspaper archives.

Thanks go to Derby Public Library for making available its extensive amount of historical information about the Valley and surrounding communities.

'Turnback Tuesday' features downtown Derby business

Turnback Tuesday looks at the local business of Elias B Nager, (Naggar), (Najjar).

Elias started out as a peddler in Derby in 1901. By 1910, he had a storefront for Dry Goods located at 10 Water St. He then moved his location in 1911 to 60 Water/Factory St. He remained at this location until his death in 1939.

We would like to remind those of you doing research about your family that it does take time and patience. One reason we say this is just look at the (3) different spellings of Elias’s last name: the name "Nager" was stated in the Derby City Directories.

The name "Naggar" was listed above the awning of the store. And the name "Najjar" is how it is spelled on his grave marker.

Also a friendly reminder that Derby Public Library has a great collection of resources to help with your research.

We have City Directories going back to 1872, a collection of all the Derby High School "Lookout" yearbooks plus local newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1855.

And our staff can help you find just what or who you are looking for.

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

Griffin Health recognizes first Black female astronaut

Honoring Black Leaders in Medicine

In honor of Black History Month, Griffin Health has partnered with the Ansonia NAACP in recognizing Black Americans who have made significant contributions to medicine.

Today, we spotlight Dr. Mae C. Jemison.

Dr. Jemison was the first Black female astronaut in NASA history (August, 1992). 

After earning her medical degree at Cornell in 1981, Dr. Jemison went on to research various vaccines in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control (CDC). She continued her medical research on the shuttle Endeavour by conducting experiments in materials processing and life sciences in space.

This is shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host genealogy program Saturday

Genealogy Program: Researching our Roots - Digging Deeper

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Date: Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m.

Register online https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2661&BranchID=826&Branch=Plumb%20Memorial%20Library&EventID=541165&PK=
or call 203-924-1580.

Genealogical research is both rewarding and challenging. Have you hit a roadblock in your ancestral research? 

Are you not sure how to find more generations of your family? Join instructor Sarah Miller as she shares tips and tools to help you dig deeper into your family’s past. 

Sarah will present a case study of how she solved a difficult family mystery, and will introduce international research. She will also discuss strategies to feel confident in sourcing your research. 

Please bring any family documents and information you have, as well as a tablet or laptop, for guided research time.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Research your roots at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

The Library is at 65 Wooster St., Shelton.

Sharing from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host program on starting ancestral research

SHELTON - Are you interested in building your family tree? 

Join instructor Sarah Miller at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at Plumb Memorial Library as she presents strategies to begin your ancestral research using a variety of online sources. 

We’ll focus on American records available and how to locate them. The presentation is followed by guided research time with access to paid genealogical subscriptions. Please bring family documents and information, as well as a tablet or laptop. This class is designed for those just beginning their ancestral research.

Sarah Miller has been researching her family history for over 20 years. She combines her experience as an elementary school teacher with her passion for genealogy to give new researchers the tools to build their own family trees. 

Sarah works as a Literacy Tutor for the Seymour Public Schools. She lives in Oxford with her husband and daughter and their 6 cats. 

Register online https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2661&EventID=538729&PK=
or call 203-924-1580.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights 1898 map of Derby, Shelton

Turnback Tuesday is highlighting a map located in the History Reference Room of Derby Public Library.

This 1898 map is a view of Derby and Shelton with the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. It not only shows the street names, but also where the train tracks and the trolley tracks were located. The red star is where the Library is today.

We have many items in the collection for research and to learn about the area.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Public Library's microfilm collection

This week's edition of Turnback Tuesday views the world of microfilm, a medium for storing documents and newspapers.

The first commercial use for microfilm started in the 1920s with copies of bank records.

Then, in the 1930s, a microfilm camera paved the way for the preservation of newspapers.

Although microfilm started out as a way to preserve, it ended up being used in libraries as a way to access information.

Here at the Derby Public Library, we have two microfilm machines and 933 rolls of microfilm to view.

The newspapers on microfilm go back to 1846 starting with the Derby Journal, to the Derby Transcript, then the Evening Sentinel and ending with the New Haven Register until 2019.

We invite you to come to the Library to do your historical research, while a friendly staff member is always available to help you find a copy of a birth record, an obituary, a school game result or a wedding announcement.

We look forward to seeing you.

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

Beacon Falls Public Library to host talk by paranormal investigator

Space is limited; please call 203-729-1441 to RSVP, or register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../joe-franke-the-warren...

Beacon Falls Town Hall is at 10 Maple Ave.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Program on genealogy slated at Oxford Public Library

OXFORD - Are you interested in building your family tree? 

Join instructor Sarah Miller at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Oxford Public Library as she presents strategies to begin your ancestral research using a variety of online resources. We will focus on American records available and how to locate them. 

The presentation is followed by guided research time with access to several paid genealogical subscriptions. Please bring family documents and information as well as a tablet or laptop. 

This class is designed for those just beginning their ancestral research.

The Library is at 49 Great Oak Road.

This is shared from the Oxford Public Library Facebook page.

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby offers Healthy Me program

DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is partnering with Colorado-based digital health company incentaHEALTH to offer a free online diabetes prevention program to study volunteers from the Lower Naugatuck Valley as part of a research project to improve health in low-income communities.

The Healthy Me program is a year-long virtual lifestyle change program to help people reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes. It includes video sessions, exercise plans, meal ideas, and coaching from a certified Diabetes Lifestyle Coach. 

In addition, Community Health Workers will connect participants to local resources to help them meet their health goals.

Additionally, study volunteers can receive cash incentives for achieving a healthy weight with the support from coaching and at-home progress tracking.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three American adults has pre-diabetes, and 90% don’t know it. People with pre-diabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Pre-diabetes can lead to serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes that focus on healthful eating and physical activity can often prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes and its complications.

People who would like to enroll in this no-cost program will be screened to meet the following criteria: (1) be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes; (2) be a resident of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck Oxford, Seymour, or Shelton; and (3) meet income requirements. For example, someone who qualifies for public assistance such as food stamps, SNAP benefits, unemployment benefits, welfare, or Medicaid (also known as HUSKY Health) will most likely qualify for this program.

For more information or to see if you qualify, please contact Rockiy Ayettey, Project Coordinator, at 203-732-1125. There are a limited number of available spots. 

More information about the Healthy Me program is available at https://healthyme.incentahealth.com/

About the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center
The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center was established in 1998 through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One of 26 Prevention Research Centers nationwide representing academic-community partnerships, the PRC is engaged in interdisciplinary applied prevention research designed to develop innovative approaches to health promotion and disease prevention that will directly benefit the public’s health. The Center has been researching the role of nutrition in chronic diseases for more than 20 years.

About incentaHEALTH
Since 2003, incentaHEALTH has been reimagining how to make health rewarding by creating long-term, sustainable behavior changes that result in cost savings and improved health outcomes. It offers lasting weight management and diabetes prevention solution to individuals, employers, physician groups, and health systems. IncentaHEALTH programs provide daily, personalized health coaching, along with grocery shopping lists, customized meal plans, and easy-to-follow video exercise plans. 

This approach engages members through skill building, social accountability, and reinforcement. A patented Smart Scale delivers full body photographs and validated weight measurements to track members’ progress.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Seymour Historical Society to host author's talk on genealogy research

SEYMOUR - An award-winning author will offer tips on how to research your family’s history at 2 p.m. May 22 at the Seymour Historical Society, 59 West St.

The program will be hosted by Jill Marie Snyder, a retired corporate executive who turned her own genealogy research into an award-winning book about her parents, “Dear Mary, Dear Luther: A Courtship in Letters.”
Snyder now conducts family history workshops, and her book has been featured in newspapers and on Connecticut public radio stations.
She’ll talk about her own research, offer advice on genealogy research sources, and suggest the best ways to share everything that you ultimately learn about your family.

The program is free and open to the public.
Doors open at 1 p.m. for those wishing to reserve good seats. 
Masks are recommended, but not required.

For more information: email president@seymourhistoricalsociety.org or message us on Facebook.

This is shared from the Society's Facebook page.

Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center in Derby seeks volunteers for diabetes study

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital is offering a free online Diabetes Prevention Program to eligible adults as part of a research study./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital is offering a free online Diabetes Prevention Program to eligible adults as part of a research study.

The study will measure the effects of eating healthy and improving activity.

 

Participants must be 18 years or older and meet income eligibility, residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, or Shelton, and willing to complete a year-long online program that runs weekly for 16 weeks, then every two weeks for the next four months, and then every month for the final four months.

Participants in this free program will receive a Fitbit activity monitor, wireless scale, and support from a health coach. 

They will also receive up to $200 for completing this study with the opportunity to earn additional money for losing weight.

For more information, please call 203-732-1125.

About the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center 

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center was established in 1998 as a partnership between the Yale School of Public Health and Griffin Hospital located in Derby. 

It is one of 26 PRCs nationwide that are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and work as a network to conduct health promotion and disease prevention research. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Bar in Shelton to host fundraiser for Seymour Pink

Contest at Zois Pizza in Seymour to benefit pancreatic cancer research

Save the date!

Zois Pizza is at 48 Main St., Seymour. 

Sharing from the Project Purple Facebook page:

"Come and join us for our 5th Annual My Big Fat Greek Style Pizza Eating Contest on June 6th at 11AM. Proceeds go to benefiting pancreatic cancer research and patient aid.
"Teams of two will compete in a relay race format to see who can eat a Greek style pizza first (size varies on division). Teams must work together to fundraiser $300 for the event's official charity partner, Project Purple."

Divisions:
• Women's Amateur - Prize Money $200, $350, $750
• Men's Amateur - Prize Money $200, $350. $750
• First Responders - Prize Money $200, $350, $750
• Pro - Prize Money $500, $1000, $2000

*Professional eaters are only allowed to compete in the Pro Division*

Fundraising:
• Women's Amateur - $300
• Men's Amateur - $300
• First Responders - $300
• Pro - $200

Fundraising Ends 5/31/2020

Rules:
1. Each entrant must be 18 years or older to participate.
2. Teams are made up of 2 participants, no exceptions.
3. Teams must fundraise a minimum to compete (see minimums for each division listed above).
4. Throwing up will disqualify you immediately.
5. Pizza will be served at room temperature.
6. Water will be provided by Zois at the beginning of the contest.
7. Participants must sign a waiver upon acceptance into the contest.

Register your team online today at: https://raceroster.com/events/2020/29695/my-big-fat-greek-style-pizza-eating-contest

Attorney/UFO investigator to speak at Ansonia Library

Shelton firm raises $4,805 for Seymour-based Project Purple

SEYMOUR - Staff members at Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte and Sterczala, P.C. in Shelton took it upon themselves to support Project Purple, a Seymour-based nonprofit, by naming the nonprofit as the recipient of its 2018 Jeans for Charity Fundraiser.

The staff was encouraged to donate to a fund which was matched by the firm every Friday, in exchange for being allowed to wear jeans. DHL&S raised more than $4,805 for Project Purple as part of its annual campaign.
DHL&S, which specializes in accounting, tax, auditing, and business consulting, has raised more than $58,905 for local charities with its Jeans for Charity campaign since 2004.

“Fundraisers like this are so important for spreading awareness and sharing our mission,” said Project Purple CEO Dino Verrelli.

Project Purple is a national charity that paid out $100,000 in patient financial aid to 152 patients and families who were fighting pancreatic cancer in 2018, while donating $1.38 million in research grants last year.

This cause is near and dear to the DHL&S office staff, as some of its members have been impacted personally by the disease.
“We are proud to support such a worthy organization,” DHL&S said in a Facebook post.

Click here to contact the Seymour-based Project Purple.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to receive $1.3M in research grants for MS Center, lawmakers say

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D- Ansonia, announced today that, as a result of Connecticut’s recent budget agreement three Connecticut hospitals will share $3.9 million in state Biomedical Research Trust Fund grants in order to conduct new research into multiple sclerosis, children’s diabetes, bladder cancer, and breast cancer.

Griffin Hospital in Derby will receive $1.3 million to fund research activities at its Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center; the Yale School of Medicine will receive $1.3 million for its Children’s Diabetes Research Program; and the University of Connecticut Health Center will receive $1.3 million to fund its Clinical and Translational Breast Program and Bladder Cancer Institute.

“It gives me great pleasure to see state funds put to such good use, funding research that can help thousands of people lead better lives and eliminate so much heartache and pain for the friends and families of loved ones who have to endure these ailments,” Crisco said. 

“There is so much great research going on in Connecticut, both in the private sector and in the public sector, that I know these grants are going to make a difference in the speed and the direction that our needed, life-saving medical research will take.”

“I know that the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital is committed to improving the care and well-being of individuals living with MS and will put these funds to good use in the effort to increase understanding of the approaches that are most effective in the prevention and management of Multiple Sclerosis and its symptoms as well as to help those with M.S. live a healthier and more fulfilling life,” Gentile said.  

“Research is key to finding new ways to provide quality healthcare." 

The Griffin Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center offers a comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related conditions.  

“This grant presents a wonderful opportunity for the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center and Griffin Hospital, home of the CDC funded Yale-Griffin Prevention Center, with its considerable and impressive research capability to investigate new dimensions of care for our patients, design care effectiveness studies, and continue patient advocacy for patients suffering from this complex disease,” said Joseph Guarnaccia, MD, Director of the Center. 

Guarnaccia, who founded the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital in 2000, is a national leader in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and a strong advocate for those afflicted by MS. His Center has the largest panel of multiple sclerosis patients in Connecticut and attracts patients from across Connecticut as well as from surrounding states due to Guarnaccia’s expertise and holistic approach.

“We are grateful for the opportunity we have had  to partner with Dr. Guarnaccia in his effort to  advance the care of individuals with MS,” said Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital.  

“This grant represents a tremendous validation of his work and recognition of Griffin’s research capabilities in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and complementary therapies where a great deal of Multiple Sclerosis research is focused nationally and will enable Dr. Guarnaccia  to continue his efforts to improve the care and treatment of MS patients here in Connecticut and beyond.”

The funding for this research comes from Connecticut’s Biomedical Research Trust Fund, which was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2002 to fund biomedical research into illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. A total of $3.9 million of the Trust Fund’s $5.9 million balance is being used to fund research at these three hospitals.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Kellogg Center in Derby to train citizen scientists to count butterflies, bees

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection invites those interested in becoming citizen scientists to join DEEP staff and volunteers for a training session at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.  

After training, you will be able help DEEP staff and volunteers count monarch butterflies and bumble bees as part of a research team project.

  Monarch Watch training – monarch butterflies

   7 p.m. May 17 

 Great Sunflower Project training – bumble bees

  10 a.m. June 4

Families and individuals may take part in either, or both, of the programs, but must attend a training.   

Upon completion of the training program(s) we will ask you to be part of the Kellogg volunteer research team recording the activity of monarchs and bumble bees in the fields and gardens surrounding the Kellogg Environmental Center.  

Research takes place May through September.  

Volunteers will be scheduled for weekdays or weekends based on their availability.  

Data will be compiled and submitted to the national website research stations, helping scientists understand population fluctuations in North America and how it relates to habitat loss, diversity and climate.

This is a great family event to get children and parents outside observing the natural environment.  All ages can help collect information and photos of bee and butterfly activity.  

Registration for either, or both, of the free trainings is required.  

For further information, directions, or to register, call the Center, 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.  

This is a press release from DEEP.

Library sessions in May to highlight mothers in Derby's history

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History

Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. 

During this time resident Mary Bisaccia, the Library’s Local History Coordinator, offers information on monthly highlighted topics.

May’s topic will be Historical Mothers of Derby.  

Assistance also will be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent local figures, major area events,

and more.  

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth 

St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.