Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Ansonia mayor wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti penned a Thanksgiving message today and reminded residents to help others.

Check it out in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Church in Ansonia dedicates food pantry

Here are two views of the newly expanded Kathleen C.B. Samela Memorial Food Bank at Christ Episcopal Church, 56 S. Cliff St., Ansonia. The pantry has been housed there since January 2009 and recently was expanded.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel about the dedication ceremony that was held Tuesday night in the church hall.

Wesley Village employees win recognition in Shelton


Pictured from left, top row: Larry Johnson, Richard Scaife (also pictured with Joan Jakiela and Tor Alston, from UMH’s Middlewoods communities). Bottom row from left: Veleka Coon, Kathy Vayda, Donna Brice, and Marissa Salvesen. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village employees were recognized by United Methodist Homes for winning the organization’s annual Values in Action Award.

The award, presented at UMH’s annual employee recognition celebration dinner Oct. 30, is given in recognition of employees who have demonstrated extraordinary behavior that exemplifies the organization’s core values of Respect, Spirituality, Excellence, Collaboration, and Stewardship.

All employees are eligible to be nominated or to nominate any of their team members and are encouraged to do so for any co-workers who demonstrate any or all of these core values.

One individual from each of United Methodist Homes’ six communities is chosen to receive the award.

Wesley Village award recipients included: Kathy Vayda (Crosby Commons); Donna Brice (Wesley Heights Assisted and Independent Living Community); Larry Johnson, Veleka Coon, and Richard Scaife (Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center); and Marissa Salvesen (UMH).

The staff were nominated by managers and co-workers for their professionalism, positive attitudes, flexibility, and the excellent care they provide to the residents. They were recognized with a monetary award and a trophy and were praised by their supervisors for their outstanding character and service.

Also honored at the event were 29 employees who were recognized for their length of service of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years with United Methodist Homes.

Twenty-three UMH employees were also acknowledged for five years of service to the organization. Over 150 staff from all of UMH’s healthcare and senior living communities around the state attended the event at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford.

United Methodist Homes, a local, faith-based not-for-profit organization based in Shelton, is proud to work with such a wonderful team of staff.

For more information visit www.umh.org.


This is a press release from Marissa Salvesen, Marketing and Promotions Manager, United Methodist Homes.

Derby Library offers Tech Time sessions

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds Tech Time sessions every third Wednesday of the month
at 6:30 p.m. and at 10 a.m. every third Thursday of the month.
A variety of topics is covered on a revolving basis. 

On Dec. 17 and 18 the topic will be On-Line Job Applications.

Areas covered will include information that should and should not be included, proper cover letter etiquette, and ideal follow-up techniques.
Ideas for future topics are welcomed. 

No reservations accepted; there is a seven-seat limit per class.

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

Griffin to host holiday concert at Seymour Middle School

Annual event is free
SEYMOUR - Griffin Hospital will hold its annual Holiday Concert featuring the United States Coast Guard Academy Cadet Glee Club Dec. 3 at Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Road.

The event is sponsored by the President's Fund at Griffin Hospital.
Tickets are free, but general admission seating is by reservation only. 
Limit two tickets per person. To reserve tickets call the Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 203-732-7504 or e-mail kbequary@griffinhealth.org.

Refreshments will be available at 6:30 p.m. Auditorium doors open at 7 p.m. for concert.

The United States Coast Guard Academy Cadet Glee Club is a select group of 40 men and women chosen from the Corps of Cadets by audition. The group specializes in patriotic music and songs of the sea.

Glee Club director and musical arranger is Robert C. Newton, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. 

Griffin in Derby offers canine calendars to benefit hospice program

Fundraiser features therapy dog photos

Tess and Liza, Golden Retriever companions to Inge van Ark of Oxford, grace the cover of the People and Animals Working in Spirit 2015 Calendar. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Man’s best friend is giving a helping paw to Griffin Hospital’s most fragile patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital in Derby, is offering 2015 calendars featuring professional photos of its caring canines to raise money for the hospital’s hospice program.

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation are centers to provide companionship and help decrease anxiety.

The program now has 16 certified therapy animal and companion teams with dogs ranging in size from a Shih Tzu to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Griffin Hospital Hospice program brings comfort, dignity, self-respect and tranquility to patients in the final stages of life.

The program offers trained staff that work collaboratively with family members to discuss care and respond to factors that may influence the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and provides comfort items for the patient and the family members such as flowers, afghans, candles with LED lights, and complementary therapies like therapeutic massage, Reiki and meditation.

The calendars are $12 each and are available in Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts, located on the first floor of Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

For more information, contact P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator Ruth Tuccio, 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.