Golfers sought for fundraiser at Brownson Country Club in Shelton

SHELTON - There is still room for golfers in the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s John “Red” Larsen Golf Classic, teeing off Aug. 28, at Harry B. Brownson Country Club in Shelton. 

NFP Insurance, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Nick Luise are Gold Sponsors of the event. 

For detailed information and to download a registration form, visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 

The tournament day begins with 11 a.m. registration and lunch, followed by a noon 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 AnnWheeler@BGC-LNV.org.

The Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, which has run every year 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 more than 60 years. 

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

This is a press release from the club.

Griffin Hospital in Derby offers Wellness for Life program

Griffin Hospital is offering its 12-week lifestyle change program starting Sept. 26./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make the change for a healthier life this fall with its Wellness for Life program.

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 US 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.

Starting Sept. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, a wellness visit with a physician, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, group physical activity, and small, interactive health seminars and discussions so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. 

Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy – it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Co-Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group support every step of the way to better health.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, behavioral change coaching, and weekly group sessions to promote healthy weight management, better sleep and energy, chronic disease prevention/management, and increased personal strength and resilience.

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life graduates have reported increased knowledge, skills, and confidence in making lifestyle changes (physical activity, stress management, nutrition, resilience), and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Another gift from a special friend

Not only did my new friend Robin give me her kidney, she gave me a key fob featuring a bone kidney!

Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford is an altruistic donor who gave up a healthy kidney on May 9 for a perfect stranger, which turned out to be yours truly. 

She found the kidney on this fun site featuring gifts for transplant patients. 

Who knew there was kidney transplant jewelry? Not I. 
But I like it! 
I wonder which pair of earrings I will buy? Hmmm...

Logan to hold coffee hour Friday at Hamden diner

Logan, a Republican, lives in Ansonia.

Today's concert in Ansonia postponed to Aug. 23

Radar screenshot taken at 4:11 p.m.

ANSONIA - Today's concert in Veteran's Park, a performance by Southern Voice, is being postponed until Aug. 23 due to impending rain/thunderstorms.

Shelton cancer survivor to SWIM Across the Sound Saturday

BRIDGEPORT - Shelton resident Kim Adler and her team will join approximately 200 swimmers Saturday to take turns swimming 15.5 miles from Port Jefferson, N.Y., across Long Island Sound to Captain's Cove Seaport.

All are participating in St. Vincent's 30th anniversary SWIM Across the Sound marathon to raise funds for cancer patients.  They will be accompanied by a fleet of 100 boats. Adler - Clinical Nurse Educator, Peri-operative Services, at St. Vincent's Medical Center - is a member of the "Sink or Swim" six-person relay team.  The money they raise from pledges goes to St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound, which helps cancer patients and their family deal with the non-medical challenges that cancer brings and that insurance does not cover. Adler's own battle with cancer began in 2011, when the then 47-year old was diagnosed with stage 3B colon cancer.  Her treatment required a colon resection followed by six months of chemotherapy. Around July 2012, Adler found out that the cancer had metastasized to her liver and underwent a liver resection and four more months of chemotherapy.  Throughout the following year, she faced more medical procedures at St. Vincent's Medical Center. "Throughout my fight with cancer, during the radiation treatments, and working through my chemotherapy, I realized that working at St. Vincent's has been such a blessing," said Adler.  "Not only did they work around my schedule when I had to have the treatments done, but everyone was very supportive and it showed me how family-oriented the St. Vincent's environment truly is."    After Adler's initial diagnosis, she didn't work for six months. She approached the SWIM, filled out the application and the SWIM paid her mortgage for a month.  Right before the SWIM marathon in 2016 - in which Adler participated - her doctors found a spot in her lung; however, treatment didn't begin until the end of August. In September, special markers were placed in her lungs and she had three doses of radiation.    Adler's story continues to this day as she is still fighting cancer, although the radiation therapy seems to be working.  As a nurse at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Adler shares her story with patients who need the comfort and understanding another survivor can provide. "I have always been the glass is half full kind of girl instead of half empty," Adler said. "You can't sweat the small stuff because life's too short."  Help others like Kim who continue to fight the most important battle of their lives by supporting the Swim Across the Sound. Donations can be made at swimacrossthesound.org/ marathon2017.

About St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound is a charitable not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation of Bridgeport, CT. Founded in 1987 and celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, the SWIM has had a unique niche helping individuals and families struggling through the difficult changes that cancer brings with it.  The SWIM serves approximately 30,000 people annually by providing more than 45 programs, including cancer education, screening, prevention, and support programs at low- or no-cost for the uninsured and underinsured.  In addition, the SWIM helps individual cancer patients on a case-by-case basis with specific financial assistance, funding of wigs and prostheses, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, day-care scholarships, support groups and more.  For more information, contact St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 203-576-5451, or visit www.Swim AcrossTheSound.org.

Devastating Flood of '55 is topic of talk at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will take A Look Back at the Flood of ’55 at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29.

August marks the 62nd anniversary of one of Connecticut’s worst natural disasters.  

The Flood of ’55 devastated much of the state, including the Naugatuck Valley. It caused more than $40 million in damages, with lives and homes destroyed.  

The Library Local History Coordinator will discuss causes of the flood, its impact on the Valley, and the changes it wrought on flood control measures for the Naugatuck River.  

Registration is requested.  

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.