Derby Library to host children's activities in May

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. May 2. All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this drop-in program which will take place 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!

Play, Learn, Create!

The Library introduces Play, Learn, Create! at 10 a.m. May 4 through June 1. This learning center based program is open to preschoolers age 3-5 offering an opportunity to enhance social and school readiness skills through activities focusing in the areas of art, literacy and language, number concepts, dramatic play, blocks, puzzles/games and music and movement. 
Each week will consist of different learning centers to give preschoolers the benefit of exploring a variety of areas of interest all fostering their developmental skills.

This program is designed for a preschooler to attend independently while a parent/caregiver remains in the Children’s Room for the length of the program. There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested.

American Girl theme
The Library will offer a series of American Girl themed programs with the first one at 11 a.m. May 2. In celebration of Grace, the 2015 American Girl of the Year, this program will feature activities that coincide with her passion for baking. We will be decorating sweet treats and creating a bakery box/bag to package these culinary masterpieces along with some book talk about Grace. 

This program is suited for children ages 8-11. There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested. Space is limited.

Therapy dogs
Read to Payson takes place at 10 a.m. May 2 when the popular children’s reading to a therapy dog program continues for the spring. Children ages 5- 11 are invited to share a book with Payson during this interactive reading program.

Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Payson. 
Payson, an Australian Shepherd, is a rescue dog who was found roaming the streets of Kentucky. She and her owner, Janet Sabovik, are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer throughout the community.


This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills achieved during the school year and encourage a love of reading. 
Participants are encouraged to stop by the Children’s Room to select a book with Payson’s “paw of approval” to share with her for the program.

Mother's Day craft
A Mother’s Day craft program will take place at Derby Public Library at 3:45 p.m. May 5 for children in kindergarten through Grade 4. Get creative and design a card for mom along with a special surprise for Mother’s Day. 
All materials will be supplied and there is no fee to attend.
Registration is requested. 

For information or to register for any programs, call 203-736-1482, stop by the Children’s Room at 313 Elizabeth St., or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Sue Sherman, children's librarian, Derby Public Library.  

Derby Library participating in The Great Give

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is participating in The Great Give for the first time this year.

This 36-hour community online giving event for nonprofits begins at 8 a.m. May 5 and lasts until 8 p.m. May 6. 

Any charitable donation received will make the Library eligible for thousands of dollars in grant prizes provided by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The Valley Community Foundation, and other generous community sponsors.

Visit www.thegreatgive.org anytime during the 36-hour giving drive, search for “Derby
Public Library” and click on “Donate Now.” 

The Library will also have a dedicated “Great Give” computer available during the event with Library "helpers" available to assist you with your "giving."

Various matching prizes will also be available to the Library during the event, such as 
most money raised and greatest number of individual donors. 
Your donation will go a long way in helping the Derby Public Library provide needed services to the community.

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.

Students from O'Brien Tech in Ansonia congratulated

ANSONIA - Kudos to students from Emmett O'Brien Technical High School who participated in a recent SkillsUSA state competition in Meriden. They competed in the fields of drafting, culinary arts, and math.

Please click here to read the story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Students from Derby school take part in free throw contest

Students from St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby, Emily Tokash and Max Shuart, recently participated in the Knights of Columbus Northwest Regional Free Throw Competition. Emily placed first for the girls' 13 division and will be going to the state finals Saturday in Bristol. Max was runner up for the boys' 10 division. / Contributed photo


Congratulations to both of them on their athletic achievements!

Diaper Dash Drive By slated Saturday in Seymour

This event is sponsored by the Seymour-based Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc. 

Derby Public Library to host open house, performance

Festivities to end with The Music of Johnny Mercer  
DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites everyone to its Annual Spring Open House from

11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 4.

Information on all Library services and events, including summer programs, will be available.  

Cookies and punch will be on hand throughout the day, and two free Spring-themed basket raffles will be held. 

Johnny Mercer
Photo from Wikipedia

The festivities will conclude at 6:30 p.m. with The Music of Johnny Mercer presented by singer/actress Patty Carver.

Mercer was a legendary American composer, lyricist and singer with a career that spanned over 40 years.

He won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two ASCAP Awards, and a Grammy.

Many of his works are now a part of the American Songbook and will continue to delight audiences for generations to come.

Carver will sing some of Mercer’s greatest hits and share nostalgic stories about his colorful life, his lyrics, and his career.  

Her performance will include: Lazy Bones, Jeepers Creepers, Goody Goody, Too Marvelous, Dream, Moon River, The Days of Wine and Roses, and more.

So Accentuate the Positive and come to this cabaret-style program, sure to bring a smile and lots of happy musical memories.  

Registration is requested.  

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.

Lifestyle in spotlight at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital invites the community to experience its new lifestyle change and disease self-management programs at a free Wellness Open House from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 15 in the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

The event will feature presentations and information about Griffin’s evidence-based lifestyle change program, Wellness for Life, and its Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management and Diabetes Self-Management programs. 

There will also be information on other fitness and preventative health programs and support groups offered at Griffin.

“We’re living longer and longer with each generation, so it’s important that we understand how to strengthen our vitality and make sure chronic diseases and disorders don’t limit our ability to get the most out of life,” said Exercise Physiologist and Wellness for Life Director Eunice Lisk. 

“These programs give you the tools and know-how in order to lead a healthy and productive life for many, many years.”

Wellness for Life
Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring a Fitbit activity tracker, a personal health coach, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve sleep and energy, and increase personal strength and resilience.

A pilot of this program run at Griffin Hospital in 2014 succeeded in significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure for participants, receiving a 96 percent rating in meeting expectations and an “A” grade for all of the presentations by the expert speakers.

Live Well
The Live Well self-management programs help individuals suffering from chronic conditions take back control of their lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one of four adults in the U.S. has two or more chronic health conditions.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops provide health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, and pain and anxiety increase their energy and manage their health.

The Live Well Diabetes Self-Management Workshops focus on several topics for those with diabetes, including what to eat, foot care, low and high blood sugar, sick day guidelines, tips for dealing with stress, and how to set small and achievable goals.

To register and for more information about the Wellness Open House, contact Lisk at 203-732-7107 or elisk@griffinhealth.org. 
For more information about Wellness for Life or the Live Well self-management workshops, visit griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.