Seymour students win fire prevention poster contest

2 posters will compete on county level

Photos submitted by Bungay Elementary School.

SEYMOUR - Congratulations go out to the talented students who recently were recognized for winning a fire prevention poster contest. 
The town has been participating in the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Recognition Program for at least 15 years.  

This is a cooperative effort between the Office of the State Fire Marshal, CT Fire Marshal’s Association, Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, Connecticut Board of Education, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Fair Plan representing the Insurance Industry.  

This year the Seymour Fire Marshal’s office chose four winners (two of which will be forwarded to the state program to compete in the New Haven County portion of the contest).  
These four students, a fourth and fifth grader from Chatfield-LoPresti School and Bungay School were selected as the town winners.  

They had the opportunity to ride a fire truck to school along with a parent. This was a joint effort with the Seymour Fire Department and Fire Marshal’s office.

It is events like this that create lasting memories and will hopefully impress upon the students how important it is to practice fire safety activities.  

This year’s winners were fifth grader Sara Kochiss and fourth grader Louis Zhu from Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School, and fifth grader Gabriel Sand and fourth grader Camille Grandy from Bungay Elementary School. 

Gabriel Sand and Camille Grandy’s pictures were chosen as the town winners and will be forwarded to the New Haven County competition. 

This is a press release from the Seymour Fire Marshal's office.

Needy Valley families receive holiday help

Volunteers Kaitlyn Marcinko, 13, left, and Brittany LaChance, 15, Friday carry gifts out to clients of St. Vincent De Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley.


DERBY - Christmas came early at St. Vincent de Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley as the nonprofit distributed food and gifts Friday to more than 100 Valley families.

Please check out my story posted today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Derby Public Library to host winter bingo for kids

DERBY -The Derby Public Library Children's Department will host Winter Bingo at 11 a.m. Monday. 

Families with children ages 4-11 are invited to attend and try their luck.

Registration is required; be sure to register each child separately. 

Parents/caregivers do not need to be registered, only their children.

Children will be creating their own bingo card prior to the game. 

Books will be among the prizes for bingo winners.



This information is taken from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Ansonia Nature Center posts January activities

Hikes, healthy living, crafts slated

NEW YEAR DAY’S HIKE – Jan. 1, 10 a.m.
Join Ranger Martin, who will ring in the New Year by celebrating with you during an invigorating hike along our woodland trails. 
If we have snow cover, we may even break out the snowshoes! Free; please register early.

HEALTHY LIVING SERIES – Jan. 3, 2 p.m.
It's resolution season, the time of the year when we’re thinking about how to improve our lives, and maybe even the lives of those around us.
Join Ranger Mike as we discuss just that in the first of three sessions on healthy living. 
We’ll craft our own personal vision boards, and brainstorm other strategies to keeping focused on our goals. Hopefully we’ll leave with the tools we need to transform our bad habits into a good routine! Free; please register in advance.

FULL WOLF MOON HIKE – Jan. 3, 6 p.m.
This full moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full moon in February. Join Rangers Jess and Mike for this winter hike. Please wear appropriate winter clothing and shoes. Fee: $1. Call to register.

PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Sundays, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, March 1, 11 a.m.
Losing a beloved animal can be extremely tragic and a very emotional time for humans. There are numerous resources to turn to for the loss of a human loved one; however, there are limited resources for when we lose an animal. 
Susan Wilson has created this support group for those of us who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. Join us for these free sessions.

NATURE’S CHILD: Owl Babies – Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Join naturalist Wendy and learn about our nocturnal friends whooooo live in Raptor Woods. 
This program for preschoolers and their adults will include the story “Owl Babies,” an up-close look at one of our resident owls, and perhaps a short hike into owl territory. Tuition: $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). 
Please register in advance.

BACK TO BASICS: Knitting 101 – Jan.10, 2 p.m.
What could be better on a cold winter day that creating something cozy? Join Ranger Dawn and other folks to learn to make such things as scarves and hats. Tuition: $5. Bring yarn and #10 short needles. Please register in advance. 
And check out the Jan. 13 listing for the Fiber Arts Group!

HEALTHY LIVING SERIES – Jan. 11, 2 p.m.
Join us for the second of three sessions on healthy living. Americans over-consume processed foods yet we are undernourished! We are polluted from the foods we eat! Learn why everyone should eat clean and detox at least once in his/her life. If you experience fatigue, indigestion, joint pain, anxiety, skin problems, or many other issues it may be time to take charge of your health and rid your body of toxins from food that has been altered by chemicals. Free; please register in advance.

FIBER ARTS GROUP - Tuesdays starting Jan. 13, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc.
If you took our Knitting 101 workshop, you can continue the project you started there! A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. Free.

To register or for more information call 203-736-1053.



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