Dear readers: May your holidays be merry and bright

Sharing a favorite photo from several years ago.

Lego Time slated Monday at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library children's department will host Lego Time from 11 a.m.-noon Monday.

The program is for ages 4-11.There is no registration required for this program, just come on down.

The Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time. 
All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this “drop-in” program. 

There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided.

The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.


This is a press release from Derby Public Library.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer massage, Reiki workshops

Griffin Hospital will host workshops on the ancient healing art of Reiki, seen here, and Soft Touch Massage this February./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., invites the community to learn how to perform the healing benefits of Soft Touch Massage and Reiki with two workshops at the hospital in February.

The Soft Touch workshop will be held from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 20. 
The Reiki workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27. Both therapies are offered to patients and their caregivers at Griffin Hospital as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle rub that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. 
The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30 for the public and free to current Griffin Hospital volunteers and staff. The registration deadline is Feb. 6. To enroll, contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor at 203-732-7466.

Reiki is a complementary healing method based on ancient healing practices. It involves the conscious direction of healing energy - through the practitioner's hands - to the patient. 
When channeled properly, this energy promotes healing by relieving energy blockages to the body. The practice of Reiki is intended to bring balance to the energy fields thereby promoting healing on all levels.

Reiki Masters Eileen Carino, R.N.-BC, MA, ADS, and Mark Sampieri, R.Ph., will teach the basic concepts of Reiki, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. 
The cost is $125, including certificate and Reiki book. 
Griffin Hospital employees and current volunteers can register at the discounted rate of $25.

Workshop space is limited; pre-registration is required by Feb. 13. 

To register, call Laura at 203-732-7466.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

TEAM Toys 4 Kids helps needy families in Valley

ANSONIA - Part of a former factory building downtown was once again transformed into a toyland thanks to the community's generous donations to TEAM Toys 4 Kids annual drive.

The "toy store" where clients were able to choose which toys they wanted for their children was set up on the second floor of 153 Main St.

Ansonia resident Thelma Nieves was one of many volunteers who helped set up the store.

Trucks and cars and toys oh my!

A new friend for one lucky child.

And there were lots of dolls.

Lou Fusco, culinary arts teacher at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia, brought his senior students to the store Friday to drop off 401 donated toys.


Read all about the annual Toys 4 Kids event in my story posted here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Treasured Time to host holiday movie Sunday in Seymour

Salvation Army holiday party in Ansonia features food, friendship, fun

You can feel the enthusiasm! 

This cute little guy (he's almost 3) was in perpetual motion throughout the event.


My husband, Ralph, and I are members of the Advisory Board for the Greater Valley Salvation Army, and I attended the holiday party Sunday. 

Please click here to check out the slideshow he created using photos I snapped. 

And click here for a video of the entertainment provided by Alexander Tomassini on guitar and Raymond Irizarry on conga drums.

United Methodist Homes in Shelton receives award

Carlene Rhea, Director of Mission Development, UMH, left, accepts a CALA Best Practices Award with colleague Stacy Kesl, Executive Director, UMH’s Middlewoods of Newington community./ Submitted photo



SHELTON - United Methodist Homes, a mission-based, not-for-profit senior living organization based in Shelton, was recently the recipient of a 2015 Best Practices Award for Staff Recruitment and Retention from the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. 
The organization, which consists of Wesley Village, Shelton, Middlewoods of Farmington, Middlewoods of Newington, and Foxbridge, Memphis, Tenn.,offers independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab options and is well known for their 140-year legacy of caring for older adults. 
Each year, CALA presents a Best Practices award to an assisted living provider who creates innovative programs or unique approaches in the area of staff recruitment and retention which exemplify excellence and are worthy of sharing with others. 
UMH was recognized for their staff in-service program, “Mission, Values, and You” which introduced and discussed the practical ways the organization’s mission and issues related to the aging experience could be shared and best understood by all employees. 

The award was presented at CALA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, which was held Dec. 2 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. “This award is truly a reflection of the hard work of several wonderful people working in our outstanding organization,” said Carlene Rhea, Director of Mission Development at United Methodist Homes. 
“We invited staff to be part of the planning process from start to finish and are so thankful to have launched a program that is working well for our team.” The program will continue to be offered to new and current employees in the coming year to help them become and remain engaged members of the UMH community.

UMH, as it stands today, is proud to carry on a tradition of caring for people across the continuum; seniors who are independent and those needing assistance, those living with dementia, and those rehabilitating from illness or surgery. 

To learn more about United Methodist Homes or a UMH community, visit www.umh.org or call 877-929-5321. 


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.