Club, Master's Table to host breakfast at church in Ansonia

Derby Neck Library to host teen programs, Tech Talks, writing workshop

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., has scheduled activities for January.
Video games
From 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 a Teen Video Tournament will feature the newly-released Super Mario Maker on Wii U. 
All teens and t'weens are invited to compete for a grand prize. Free refreshments will be available. Bring your friends for a fun time. 

Discussion group
At 12:30 p.m. Jan. 18 the Library will host Women’s Forum, a literary discussion group that focuses on short stories and poetry. This month’s stories are “Ted and Angeline” by Dinah Lampitt and “Stuff and Sawdust” by Valerie Thame. 
Copies are available at the library. Feel free to bring a light lunch; coffee and tea served. 

Tech Talks
On Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 20 the library presents Tech Talks, a program which describes the latest in technology and how to best purpose it for your own needs. For this month’s topic call 203-734-1492. Your questions are welcomed.

Writers' Round
The Library hosts Writers’ Round, a monthly workshop for writers of all genres—scripts, prose, poetry, fiction, history, etc. at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21. 
Bring your original works to share with others and join us in practicing your creativity with a writing prompt. 

Evening Book Club
The Library hosts the Evening Book Club at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25.This group meets monthly in the Reading Room near the fireplace to discuss novellas written by award-winning authors. 
Among selections are fiction, memoirs, and on occasion non-fiction. This month we discuss “The Moon is Down” by John Steinbeck. 
Copies of the book are available at the library. 

For details on any program call 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

I'll meet you at the corner - Lizzie's Corner in Seymour

Downtown consignment shop to hold grand opening Saturday

Oxford resident Liz Pisano poses Monday in her new shop in Seymour. She's holding one of the decorative Re-Designed by Elizabeth bottles she creates. 

SEYMOUR - On Monday I had the pleasure of visiting Liz Pisano and family members as they were busy getting Lizzie's Corner Consignment and Gifts ready for Saturday's grand opening. 
The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Pisano said, since it is First Saturday, the monthly downtown shopping event. The shop is at 19 Bank St.

Wine stoppers, holders, and signs are for sale, as are Pisano's unique lighted bottles. 

She is accepting small furniture, home decor, wall art, new gifts, crafts, and anything wine-related. 

Fun gifts for the wine lover in your life. 

Wall decor!

Kitchen items.

Decorative soaps.

Pretty scarves hang in the window.

Brian Pisano was working hard Monday to get the store ready.

The shop offers a 50/50 split with consigners. Crafters should check with Liz Pisano for the monthly fee and commission information.

She said eventually she'll host Ladies Nights featuring chair massages and manicures. 
Pisano also is considering hosting fundraisers for local organizations, with a percentage of her sales on a particular day going to the nonprofit. 


For information call 203-888-1030.

TEAM in Derby seeks input from Valley residents

DERBY - TEAM requests public input as the agency embarks on planning for its 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. 

In order to plan effectively for the next three years, TEAM is seeking input from municipalities, organizations, and local residents to identify the needs within the community.

The survey seeks input on topics like jobs, education, housing, childcare, transportation, elderly, health care, community needs, and more. 

While TEAM has sought survey input from clients on specific topics, this is the first time that a comprehensive survey has been done across the Lower Naugatuck Valley community.

“Feedback from the survey will provide for critical guidance for TEAM’s planning and coordination of efforts to address the complex needs in our communities. I encourage all residents to make sure their voice is heard,” David Morgan, TEAM President/CEO, said. 
“Your responses will help continue to improve services in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities.”

The community is invited to participate by going online to: www.tiny.cc\TEAMsurvey.  
Paper copies are available at the following locations: 

• TEAM, Inc., 30 Elizabeth St., Derby
• Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Shelton, Seymour and Oxford City/Town Halls
• Local libraries – Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, and Seymour 

The anonymous paper survey will be available until Jan 15, 2016 and is expected to take less than 15 minutes to complete. The online survey is available until Jan. 21, 2016.  Your responses are confidential and extremely valuable.

For more information call 203-736-5420 ext. 207. 

This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a private, 501c (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. 
It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.

Dreaming of a (Seymour) Pink Christmas

My daughter guessed correctly about what I wanted for Christmas: a breast cancer survivor bracelet created by Ansonia resident Alyssa Antonucci, owner of Beads By Alyssa. 

If you haven't heard about BBAs please visit the website linked above. All of Alyssa's bracelet creations are beautiful and made with love.

Allegra bought the bracelet at Seymour Pink gift shop, 3 Franklin St., Seymour. 
The shop is closed until Jan. 5, when it will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 
I highly recommend checking it out! You'll have fun shopping while supporting a great organization. 

Shelton-based Monkey Love Drive kicks off 10th year

Contributed photo

Picture from the ninth annual Monkey Love Drive:  Back row from left: Ross James of J-Cuts; Jennifer DeLeon, LNV Boys & Girls Club; Suzanne Reilly, TEAM, Inc. and Nicole Polifka, Bright Horizons. 

Front row, left to right: Jennifer Sneider, owner, J-Cuts and Bonita Robinson, Milford Department of Children & Families.

SHELTON - Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave. has launched the 10th year of collecting stuffed monkeys for children.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts through Feb. 8. 

Additional drop off locations will include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Progress Drive, second floor, both of Shelton. 
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. 

This year, Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their sixth annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon-3 p.m. Jan. 31.
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Blvd., Stratford. 
Last year, they collected more than 180 stuffed monkeys. They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. Stuffed monkey donations can be dropped off this day or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun.

They hope to have other pubs in the area join in this 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.” 

The ninth annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive, held in 2015, collected and distributed more than 1,800 stuffed monkeys to the Boys & Girls Club in Ansonia and Milford, along with the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club in Shelton; Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven; TEAM Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; Griffin Hospital of Derby; the Department of Children & Families in Milford; International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport.

Coordinators also shared 26 of the stuffed monkeys as “26 Random Acts of Kindness.”

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, which was located around the corner from her business.

“This is my sixth year being involved,” 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 children to show them they are loved.” 

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by members of the Milford Fire Department. This is their fourth year participating. 

Once again last year, Bright Horizons child care center at 3 Corporate Drive and United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St., Ansonia, joined in by holding collections of their own.

In addition 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 in 2015. “I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2016.] 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. 

In celebration of the 10th year, coordinators are hoping to mark this milestone by launching a “monkey love challenge” and have it go viral. They would like to have people participate by buying some monkeys, making a cute video, posting it on social media and calling out others to do the same, then mailing or bringing their donations to J-Cuts.

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 is a press release from Monkey Love organizers.

Derby Public Library offers resume workshops

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now offering Resume Workshops at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. 

 

Participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.

Often a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change. The next class will be held Jan. 6.

Registration is not required. 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.