Monkey Love is back! Donations sought in Shelton, Stratford, Valley

Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi, hosts of Monkey Love Sunday, pose with donations last year. They will host the fourth annual Monkey Love Sunday Jan. 18 in Stratford. / Submitted photo 

SHELTON - Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave. is once again collecting stuffed monkeys for Valentine's Day.
Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts from now through Feb. 6.

Organizers of the drive are putting a twist on the annual collection this year. 
They are going to challenge celebrities to a “monkey love challenge” through Twitter and Facebook. 
 The hope is that celebrities will join in by encouraging their fans to mail new stuffed monkeys to J-Cuts. 
J-Cuts will be keeping track so at the end of the collection they can announce the winning celebrity who had the most fans participate. Fans should write the celebrity's name on the bottom left corner of the package. 

Additional drop off locations include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, 2nd Floor.
Each year, Minuteman Press of Shelton donates posters.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, frightened children involved in police calls, as well as children treated for emergencies, cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals.

The Shelton Lion’s Club participates each year by collecting and dropping stuffed monkeys off at J-Cuts.

Monkey Love Sunday relocated
Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their 4th Annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 18.
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford. Last year, they collected more than 100 stuffed monkeys. 

They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. 
Plush monkeys can be dropped off Jan. 18 or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun. 
Finnegan and Marconi said they hope to have other pubs join in this annual event by promoting a Monkey Love Sunday of their own to benefit area children in need.
Finnegan said, “Any extra monkey we can collect is an extra smile and one more warm heart within a child who needs it the most.” 

J-Cuts owner Jennifer Sneider surrounded by some plush friends. /Submitted photo 

The eighth Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive in 2014 collected and distributed more than 2,000 stuffed monkeys.
They were given to: the Milford and Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Clubs; Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital; TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; the Shelton Police Department;  ACT-Spooner House in Shelton; Griffin Hospital in Derby; the Department of Children & Families in Milford; and the Lower Naugatuck Valley-Parent Child Resource Center.

As a result of greatly surpassing the previous year’s final numbers, coordinators were able to reach out to additional agencies who service children. 
With the assistance of Jack Walsh, President of Valley United Way, some monkey love was spread even further.  
The VNA of South Central Connecticut, the International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport and Julia Day Nursery & Kindergarten of Ansonia received some new friends to present to children in need. 
Coordinators also dropped off 26 stuffed monkeys in Newtown to be given to children affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

'An amazing feeling'
Sneider uses her business as the main collection and drop off location. She wanted to help out by taking this drive over from the former owners of Luther’s Garage automotive repair business, previously located around the corner from her shop.

“This is my fifth year doing it,” Sneider said. “It is an amazing feeling to know each and every one of these monkeys will find comfort in the arms of a child in need and the children will find comfort in these monkeys.
"Each year, we hope to have an even more successful drive to create miles of smiles on the faces of precious children in great need.”

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by the Milford Fire Department. This is their third year being involved. Last year, they collected more than 50 stuffed monkeys.

Newcomers to the annual collection last year included Bright Horizons child care center, 3 Corporate Drive, and United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St.

Last year, the United Methodist Women, led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 25 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. “We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys for a good cause – children,” Tchakirides said last year.
“I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2015.] When I learned the drive will continue, I became very excited because we can get a head start on crocheting!” 

Area individuals, corporations and groups are also encouraged to become involved by holding collections of their own.
For health and safety reasons, stuffed monkeys must be new with tags.

J-Cuts also holds an annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive beginning July 1 each year.

For more information, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.


This post is taken from a press release from Monkey Love organizers.

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!

Talks at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on blood glucose

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free discussions about blood glucose Jan. 13 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Entitled “Monitoring Your Blood Glucose,” the programs will discuss what blood glucose and insulin are; blood glucose targets and how you feel when your blood glucose is in and out of your target ranges; monitoring and knowing your A1c; what can make blood glucose go up and down and preventing high and low blood glucose; and using your monitoring results to manage your diabetes.

The presentations will be at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A. Ask for directions to these rooms at the hospital’s front desk.


The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns.

All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.

For more information, call Mary Swansiger at 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Valley United Way funds mental health first aid courses

ANSONIA - BHcare’s Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) received funding from the Valley United Way to provide Mental Health First Aid classes throughout the Valley. 
These courses include Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health First Aid for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Course. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.

Adult Mental Health First Aid educates participants about the prevalence of mental illnesses in the U.S. and their emotional and economic cost, along with the potential warning signs and risk factors for depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. 
The course includes a five-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect to professional care and provides the resources available to help someone with a mental health problem. 

Mental Health First Aid for Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Public Safety provides participants with a better awareness of the particular needs of people with mental illness which can help officers and staff better serve the public, work more efficiently, and increase safety. This course teaches an officer or staff person how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, a valuable tool when assessing an individual or incident.

Studies have shown that the program:

1. Improves people’s mental health.

2. Increases understanding of mental health issues and treatments.

3. Connects more people with care.

4. Reduces stigma.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at www.vsaac.org.

The Valley United Way Special Needs Grants Program is a small grants program created with funds that donors have designated to address needs in the community. The funds are separate from the traditional United Way funding program which takes place each year.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities. 

This is a press release from BHcare.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer bereavement support

DERBY - Griffin Hospital offers support groups and a new series of bereavement sessions this winter for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one.

The meetings provide grief education and support to ease the pain of loss as well as encourage healing and growth. 

The groups meet in eight-week cycles at the hospital, 130 Division St., and require pre-registration due to limited capacity.

Starting Sunday Griffin Hospital will offer a series of bereavement sessions that focus on specific topics in living with loss. 

The eight sessions will be from 2-3:30 p.m. at the hospital and topics include Emotions; Speaking It; Rituals; ”Unusual” Feelings or Experiences; Changing Lives; Caring for Yourself; Where to Put the Love; and Moving On.

The following groups will begin on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 and meet weekly.

The afternoon General Bereavement Group meets every Tuesday from 2:30- 4 p.m. Attendees should ask the Information Desk for the location of each meeting. This group is for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

The evening General Bereavement Group meets Wednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Attendees should ask the Information Desk for the location of each meeting. This group is for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

To learn more or to register, call Janice Lautier, 203-732-1132 or Cormac Levenson, 203-732-1100 or email jlautier@griffinhealth.org. 

Online registration is also available through the calendar on griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby Historical Society to mark end of Yuletide season

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to all of my readers far and near.

It's Monday morning and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to the weekend.

Wondering if there's a fun, family-oriented, local activity planned next weekend? Look no further than the Derby Historical Society's annual "Twelfth Night" celebration on Sunday.

Today is Jan. 5, and depending on which calendar one follows, it is either the 11th or 12th Day of Christmas. I've read that some say the First Day of Christmas is Dec. 25, while others say the 12 Days of Christmas start on Dec. 26.

In the Christian calendar Jan. 6 is Epiphany, or Three Kings Day.

Whatever you believe, the festivity-filled season is drawing to a close. I for one never want it to end. And who likes taking down decorations? Not I. 

But just think - in 11 short months we'll be doing it all over again!

I'm re-posting information about the historical society's celebration here:

Junior docents photographed in The Keeping Room at the Gen. David Humphreys House in Ansonia. / Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Join the Derby Historical Society as it marks the end of the Christmas season with its annual Twelfth Night celebration from 1-4 p.m.  Jan. 11 at the Gen. David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

This event features tours led by costumed docents of the 1698 house, birthplace of Humphreys in 1752.

Spark up a conversation with a historical actor and take yourself back to an earlier time in American history.

Try some mulled cider and punch alongside some samplings of Colonial cookery and modern day baked goods.   

There will be demonstrations of Colonial skills such as spinning, weaving, and open hearth cooking.

Be sure to visit the gift shop to find that unique item. Toys of yesteryear, local history books, and watercolor prints of Derby from long ago are available for purchase.

For information call 203-735-1908.  
Limited parking is available in back of the house.  Additional on-street parking is available on nearby Thomas Street. 

This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society, a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.  Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.  

For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org  

Children's room at Derby Library to offer crafts, yoga

     DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 10, and at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 22.
    All levels of building skills are welcome to attend this drop-in program, which will be held twice a month.  
    There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided. 
    The masterpieces will remain on display in the Children’s Room for everyone to admire!

   

Crafty Kids

          The Library invites children in kindergarten through Grade 4 to stop by the library at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 13 for a winter-themed Crafty Kids program. 
          All materials will be provided and there is no fee to attend.

        Registration is requested.  

Yoga class

      The Library will host a yoga program for kids ages 8-11 at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. 
      Kathy Trusdell will present this fun, innovative yoga class which incorporates basic yoga and movement into a themed program. 
      Participants are urged to wear comfortable clothes and bring along a towel or yoga mat.  
    The program is free; registration is requested.

     For further information or to register, visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.

This is a press release from Sue Sherman, Children's Librarian, Derby Public Library.