Learn about snakes, see puppet show, movie, more at Ansonia Nature Center

Programs planned in August
BACK TO BASICS: Natural Dyes – Aug. 1, 10 a.m. Join fiber artists Dawn Sotir and Jody Bishel to learn how to produce beautiful and sometimes surprising shades to dye your fiber using plants. They will take you for a short walk to identify plants in our area that may be used, and demonstrate their color dyeing techniques inside. Tuition: $8 per person for materials and supplies. Please register.

SNAKES OF CONNECTICUT – Aug. 1, 1 p.m. Meet some of nature’s most important predators up close and personal! Discover how they eat, what’s inside those long, skinny bodies, and how invasive species impact the natives. Ranger Jess will show us some of our indigenous snakes. Free. Please pre-register.

ENTERTAINER CHRIS ROWLANDS: Puppeteer and Singer – Aug. 7, 7 p.m. Come see Chris Rowlands, who’s famous for getting everyone involved. He brings animals to life through his music, comedy, puppets, and colorful props. Sing along as he shares his songs about animals and their environment. 

Please register for this free interactive presentation.

ROCKS IN SPACE: Perseid Meteor Showers – Aug. 8, 8 p.m. Come to Ansonia’s darkest location for some unusual night sky viewing with Bob Carruthers and the New Haven Astronomical Society. In addition to a chance to see the annual meteor showers (and touch a real meteor!), lunar rays—glass ejecta from the moon’s meteor craters—and Saturn will be visible if we have clear skies. Telescopes will be available. Meet at picnic pavilion #2. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Please register.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: Hoot – Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m. Hoot is a film about three middle school children who try to save a burrowing owl habitat from being bulldozed by a developer who intends to turn the site into a pancake house. The children successfully protect the owl habitat, making this a great movie to prove the point that children can make a difference. Jimmy Buffett fans will be pleased to learn that he composed the soundtrack for Hoot. The movie is free; you can buy popcorn and lemonade for $1. 

Please register.

AMAZING WORLD OF ARTHROPODS WITH JAMES TULLY - Aug. 15, 1 p.m. Meet some of James’s amazing arthropods. He will teach us all about animals that have an external skeleton (called an exoskeleton), segmented bodies, and jointed legs. Come up close to real live scorpions, tarantulas, and our resident Walking Sticks. 

Please call to register for this free event.

For information or to register, call 203-736-1053.


This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center,10 Deerfield Road.

Reminder: Ansonia's town-wide tag sale is today

ANSONIA - A town wide tag sale will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. today. 

This map shows the location of the 26 houses where tag sales are planned.

Career Coach to visit Derby Public Library

DERBY - The American Job Search Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library from 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 21. 

During both the morning session, 10 a.m.-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m., instructors will be offering the class, Create a Great Resume.

Participants must attend a full session.  
The classes are free and open to the public.

Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

The American Job Search Career Coach is operated by Career Resources.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit 

www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

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

Boys & Girls Club to host annual golf tourney in Stratford

STRATFORD - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will host its annual John “Red” Larsen Golf Classic Aug. 31 at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford. 

Curtiss Ryan Honda of Shelton is once again the Hole-in-One Sponsor, and Hot Tamale Mexican Grill & Bar of Seymour is our Skill Prize Sponsor.

For detailed information and a registration or sponsorship form, visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 

The tournament will have an 11 a.m. registration and lunch, followed by a 12 pm shotgun start. Entry fee of $200 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf and cart, driving range, buffet lunch, refreshments on the course, social hour with open bar and dinner (after golf), and tournament gift. A raffle, as well as live and silent auctions will also be available.

Entries should include names, handicaps, and contact email or phone number sent to John “Red” Larsen Golf Classic, Boys & Girls Club LNV, One Positive Place, Shelton, CT 06484. Checks should be made payable to the Boys & Girls Club LNV. 

Anyone wishing to become a sponsor, purchase a tee sign, or donate an auction item should contact John Schaible of SCHUTZ Dental Group, 203-922-1484, or Ann Wheeler,203-924-7462, AnnWheeler@BGC-LNV.org.

Gold Tournament Sponsorships of $2,500 include a foursome of golf, tee sign, recognition at the awards dinner, inclusion in press releases, and a full-page ad in the tournament program. Silver Sponsorships of $1,500 include a foursome of golf, 3/4-page ad in the program, and sign. Beverage Cart Sponsors of $1,000 receive ½-page ad in the program, a large sign on the beverage cart, and a tee sign. Bronze Sponsors of $1,200 receive a ½-page ad in the program, tee sign, and foursome of golf. Green Sponsors of $500 receive a ½-page ad in the program and a tee sign. Tee Sponsors of $125 receive a listing in the tournament program and tee sign. Deadline for sponsorships is Aug. 3. 

The Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, which has run 43 consecutive years since 1972, is dedicated to John “Red” Larsen. Red participated in almost every tournament and was Chairman for more than half. It was common to see Red stuffing “tee-favor bags” on Sunday night or putting out sponsor signs in the morning mist. His love for children and his dedication to our Boys & Girls Club were rivaled only by his love for his family and the game of golf. 

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has been changing the lives of young people in our area for 60 years. With programs ranging from homework assistance to nutrition to sports, we help all young people to reach their full potential, but especially those from disadvantaged circumstances. 
Proceeds from this golf classic will help provide services regardless of a family’s ability to pay.   

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.


This is a press release from the club.

School in Derby accepting applications

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave., is accepting applications for enrollment for all grades, from Kindergarten through Grade 8.

Please call the school office to make an appointment with Linda Coppola, the principal, at 203-735-6471 or e-mail lcoppola@stmarystmichael.org.

St. Mary-St. Michael School offers: low student/teacher ratio, a safe learning environment, Catholic identity, a rigorous academic program, Spanish, soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball, drama club, art enrichment, and a Before and After School Program.


This is a press release from the school.

Church in Seymour to host BBQ dinner in August

SEYMOUR - A chicken or ribs barbecue dinner will be held 4-7 p.m. Aug. 8 at Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road.

The menu will include choice of chicken or ribs, cole slaw, baked beans, dessert, and beverage.

The price per dinner for adults is $12 and $6 for children (8 and younger).

Take-out meals also will be available.

Reservations are suggested.

For additional information and/or reservations, contact Bob DeBisschop, 203-888-4159 or 203-906-2958.

Griffin in Derby to host presentation on aging

Griffin Hospital will host 50 Fabulous Things about Aging, a fun and informative discussion about the positive aspects of aging, on Aug. 6. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is encouraging seniors to take pride in their age with a free presentation that celebrates aging at 5:30 p.m. Aug 6.

Join Dr. Beverly Kidder, of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, for “50 Fabulous Things about Aging,” a fun and informative discussion about the positive aspects of aging, some of the benefits and opportunities aging provides, and how to embrace getting older.

This presentation is sponsored by the Valley Senior Services Council and is funded by the United Way and TEAM, Inc.

Dinner will be served prior to the talk compliments of Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To register or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the events calendar at griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.