Sharing slideshow from Ansonia's Memorial Day parade

Dignitaries on the reviewing stand in front of Ansonia City Hall.

Hi Valley readers,

My husband helped to organize Ansonia's Memorial Day Parade this year, and he put together a slideshow of photos he and I took before and during Monday's parade.


Please check it out by clicking on this link:


https://youtu.be/b7sFgAO35XM

Derby Historical Society tea to feature performance about Helen Keller

We received our invitation this week to the Derby Historical Society’s 25th annual Silver Tea - the silver tea’s silver anniversary.

Sheryl Faye (website photo)

This year the nonprofit will present Helen Keller, Champion of the Disabled, portrayed by actress Sheryl Faye. The performance is written from Keller's mind's eye.

The tea will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. July 13 at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen, 557 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia.

Donation is $25 per person.

To make a reservation no later than July 3, call 203-735-1908 or 203-676-0324.

We’re looking forward to this summer tradition!

Heart association recognizes Griffin Hospital in Derby

For high quality care to stroke patients

DERBY - Griffin Hospital was recently recognized by the American Heart Association for providing high-quality care to stroke patients.

Griffin was awarded the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement, which recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

The Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program helps Griffin Hospital’s staff provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based care with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. 
The guidelines focus on appropriate use of care for stroke patients, including aggressive use of medications such as clot-busting and anti-clotting drugs, blood thinners and cholesterol-reducing drugs, preventive action for deep vein thrombosis and smoking cessation counseling. The quick and efficient use of guideline procedures can improve the quality of care for stroke patients and may reduce disability and save lives.

“We are pleased to recognize Griffin Hospital for their commitment to stroke care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee. 
“Studies have shown that hospitals that consistently follow Get With The Guidelines quality improvement measures can reduce length of stay and 30-day readmission rates and reduce disparities in care.”

To receive the Silver Plus Quality Achievement award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for at least 12 consecutive months and during the same period achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures.

Griffin Hospital has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and this award demonstrates our commitment to ensuring patients receive care based on nationally-respected clinical guidelines,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“Griffin Hospital is dedicated to making our care for stroke patients among the best in the country. The Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program is helping us reach this goal.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. 

Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 5 million patients since 2001.  

For more information, visit heart.org/quality or heart.org/QualityMap.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Holocaust survivor speaks at Ansonia High School

Fairfield resident Elizabeth Deutsch, center, a Holocaust survivor, was a guest speaker Friday at Ansonia High School. With her are AHS English teachers Amy Donofrio, left, and Christine Davis.

On Friday I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth Deutsch, 87, a Holocaust survivor. She spoke about her experiences to students and staff at Ansonia High School. A native of Hungary, Deutsch was 12 when World War II broke out.

I'm in the midst of writing a story today about her riveting presentation. Her message, in a nutshell, is "Never, ever forget the Holocaust."


Stay tuned for the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

'Helping Hands' nonprofit in Derby needs volunteers

DERBY - On Thursday I visited St. Vincent de Paul, Helping Hands of the Valley Thrift Shop and Food Bank and chatted with thrift shop manager Cindy Barbian.

She and executive director Sandi Bailie are always grateful for the community's assistance and donations. The proceeds from the shop at 237 Roosevelt Drive go toward purchasing food for the nonprofit's food pantry.

Barbian said what they need are volunteers to help with the sorting of donations and to work on the shop's selling floor. 

Items may be be dropped off between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. There is a red bin in the parking lot for clothing donations.

The nonprofit does a great job in helping the needy in the Valley.
While I was there a took a few photos to give folks an idea of what the organization does.

The store features gently used clothing for men, women, and children, housewares, books, toys and more. Prices are always more than reasonable!

Below is a display of girl's summer clothing:

And these photos show some of the shelves in the adjacent food pantry:

Derby Public Library to host book discussion

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled its next Lunchtime Book Discussion for 

12:30 p.m. June 24.  
The selected title is the enchanting novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

This is an inspiring story about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian

desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids.

Along the way he meets a gypsy woman, a man who calls himself a king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest.

Multiple copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.  

Participants are asked to bring a sandwich and a friend as they “chat and chew.” Dessert and beverages will be provided. 

Registration is requested. 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.

Seymour Library slates activities for children

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St., has announced June activities planned for children and young adults.

June 3 and 10 – 10:30 a.m. – Lap sit for little ones six -24 months old.  Read and play with your little one in a nurturing, developmentally enhanced way.

June 4 and 11 - 10:30 a.m. – Story hour for 2-5 year olds.  Stories, songs, finger plays and a craft. 

June 4 - 4 p.m. – Story Kids’ Book Club for K-Grade 2 .

Book talks, craft, and a snack. Child must have some reading ability.

June 10 - 4 p.m.– Nutmeggers’ Book Club for Grade 5 and up. Book talks, craft and a snack - features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees

June 11 –  4 p.m. – BookChatters’ Book Club for Grades 2-4. Book talks, craft, and a snack. Club features the Magic Tree House Series. 

June 16 - 10:30 a.m.– Science Snoopers ‘Ewe and I’ - natural science, story and a craft –

for ages 2-5  Child must be able to sit and listen.

June 18 – 10:30 a.m. – Lynn Lewis - Music and Movement for ages 0-6   A fun time!

June 19 – 3:45 p.m. – YA Origami! Amazing Crafting with Miss Tina. 

June 25 –  4 p.m. – The YA Circle- a teen reader’s and writer’s advisory. Create, share, and talk about trends in books, art, movies and what you like! For YAs Grade 6 and up.  Snacks will be served.

June 23 – Sign-ups begin for the Summer Reading Program.

All programs are free, fun, and formative!

Some programs have limited enrollment; registration is required for all programs.

For information call 203-888-3903, visit us on Facebook or at www.seymourpubliclibrary.org.

               

This is a press release from Ann Szaley, Head of Children's Services, Seymour Public Library.

Conroy hails bill to increase access to opioid antagonists

HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, this week hailed House passage of legislation that addresses the state’s opioid crisis (HB6856).

Between 2009-2014, there were more than 2,000 accidental and unintentional opioid involved deaths that occurred in 150 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

State Rep. Theresa Conroy 

“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis across Connecticut that requires aggressive action by the state,” Conroy said.

The legislation improves the monitoring and reporting of narcotic prescriptions by prescribers and pharmacists.
It requires practitioners, before prescribing greater than a 72-hour supply of any controlled substance, to check the patient's record in the prescription drug monitoring program and to review the patient's record at least every 90 days if prescribing for prolonged treatment with narcotics.

“Prescription abuse is often the first step,” Conroy said. “When prescriptions become too costly or difficult to find, heroin becomes the next step.”

The legislation also increases access to life-saving opioid antagonists. Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist that works to reverse the effects of opioids. Nalaxone is not addictive and has few side effects.

"It is effective in saving the lives of people who have overdosed on an opioid like heroin," Conroy said. "This legislation will allow pharmacists to dispense Naxalone without a prescription."

The bills await action by the state Senate.


This is a release from Conroy's office.

Ansonia High School to host annual pops concert

ANSONIA - The 2015 Ansonia High School "Snap, Crackle, Pops" annual spring pops concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 4 in the school auditorium, 20 Pulaski Highway.

Admission is $4.

Music teacher Maria Tangredi said students in band, drum line, chorus, vocal vibes (an after-school chorus), and various senior acts, will be presenting works by John Williams and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
They will perform songs including Low Rider, Best Day of My Life, and Don't Stop Believin', she said.

A reception will follow.

This promises to be a great concert!

Job seekers: Career Coach to visit Derby Library

DERBY - The American Job Search (formerly CT Works) Career Coach returns to the 

Derby Public Library June 19.

During the morning session, 10 a.m.-noon, and the afternoon session, 1-3 p.m., instructors will be offering the class, Using Social Networking in Your Job Search.

Both sessions will explain very useful tools that job seekers need today.

Social Networking has become one of the most popular ways of landing your next “big” job by creating useful connections online.

These connections make it easier to look for a job on-line through your created network.  

The classes are free and open to the public.
  
Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

The American Job Search Career Coach is operated by Career Resources. The library is at 313 Elizabeth St. 

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Crisco: Senate makes change regarding future of 11th grade testing

HARTFORD - The state Senate approved a bipartisan plan today to unburden high school juniors from controversial standardized testing. 

The proposal would end the requirement that 11^th-grade students participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) testing. Instead, students would be able to take a nationally recognized college readiness exam. 

“High school students are practically under siege from testing,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge. 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco

“This bill will help us to relieve some of the pressure our students are facing and allow them to focus on their classes. Standardized testing must have a benefit for our students. This bill will help make sure that is the case moving forward.”

“This is a common sense proposal that will open doors of opportunity for Connecticut’s students,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. “At the same time, we can ease the burden of test-preparation and test-taking on students and teachers alike. I want to thank Sen. Slossberg, Rep. Fleischmann, and the ranking members of the Education Committee for their work on this proposal.”

“By providing a state sponsored, nationally recognized college readiness test in place of the SBAC, we are opening the door to college for students, relieving the stress of over-testing, restoring instruction time to the classroom, and providing a financial benefit to families and towns alike. This is a win for everyone,” said state Sen. Gayle S. Slossberg, D-Milford, Senate Chair of the Education Committee.

SBAC is a Common Core Standards-aligned set of tests that Connecticut administers to students from third grade through eighth grade, and once in high school. Although they are designed as untimed tests, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium estimates that 11^th-graders will spend a total of eight and one half hours taking English language arts and mathematics assessments.

Legislators have heard objections from principals, teachers, parents, and students regarding the SBAC tests. The most strenuous opposition has focused on the onerous testing burden placed on high school juniors. 

In addition to the SBAC test, many juniors also take the SAT, Advanced Placement Exams, and class finals all within a window of just over a month. 

A survey of more than 1,100 K-12 teachers in Connecticut taken between May 8-15 found that more than 90 percent of participating teachers felt “the time it took to complete the SBAC test caused student frustration and apathy,” and just under 90 percent agreed that SBAC test preparation “takes away significant time and resources from teaching and learning in my classroom.”

More than 97 percent of participating teachers did not agree that SBAC is a useful indicator of school effectiveness, and over 96 percent agreed with the statement, “I generally view the SBAC as an obstacle for my students to overcome”.

There have been vocal pockets of opposition to the test. In one Seattle high school, 100 percent of 11^th-graders opted out of the test in April. Closer to home, Greenwich High School 11^th-graders are facing what some students describe as a marathon, according to the Greenwich Time. 

Many juniors signed up to take the SATs May 2. This was followed by two weeks of Advanced Placement Exams. Some students took the SAT for a second time, and some for the first, on June 6. One week later, final exams took place between June 12 and June 18. 

Legislators noted the advantages of providing a state sponsored entrance exam, helping open the door to college for every student. Thirteen Connecticut school districts currently provide the SAT to students for free.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Valley Regional Adult Education to hold graduation in Shelton

SHELTON - The 2015 Valley Regional Adult Education graduation ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Lafayette School complex, 54 Grove St.


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

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Valley Community Foundation releases snapshot of quality of life indicators

The Valley Community Foundation Wednesday announced the release of The Valley Now: A 2015 Snapshot, representing the start of a multi-year process that will culminate in the creation of a community index for the Lower Naugatuck Valley towns in 2016.

 

The snapshot report includes a brief summary of changing demographics and population growth, health indicators, employment rates, education and student achievement, income and accessibility to basic needs among residents in the region.

“This snapshot report represents the start of an ongoing commitment to learn the changing needs and opportunities in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, President & CEO of the Valley Community Foundation. 

“A comprehensive community index will be published next year, which will include the data of a statewide wellbeing survey conducted by DataHaven and the Siena College Research Institute. Your answers are critical in helping us paint an accurate picture of the Valley. Please answer the call.”

Snapshot focuses on range of factors
Last year, VCF hosted an advisory committee of key stakeholders and nonprofit organizations to discuss critical focus areas affecting the Valley and to define the scope of this snapshot report, which expands upon the 2010 Valley CARES Quality of Life Report. This snapshot looks at a range of factors affecting quality of life and wellbeing in the region, which includes the five towns served by VCF: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, as well as Beacon Falls and Naugatuck. 

The addition of these two towns, which were included in the region as part of the All-American City Award in 2000, will help provide continuity and a historical comparison to the study of economic, health and education trends within the region. 

The full 12-page snapshot report is available at www.valleyfoundation.org.

According to the preliminary snapshot report, the Lower Naugatuck Valley has seen a rise in overall population since 2000, but a decline in families with young children and the under-18 population in general. 

Just over half of all Valley adults report being in good health. Performance of the Valley’s economy is in line with the rest of the state, and the report indicates that the Valley has a strong middle class. A third of all Valley residents, however, struggle to afford basic needs such as food and housing, and student achievement varies widely between schools in the region. 

Valley residents who follow VCF on its Facebook and Twitter accounts will get the latest information from the 2015 Valley Snapshot report and ongoing survey.

Data collection for this snapshot was provided by DataHaven, a nonprofit with a 25-year history of collecting, sharing, and interpreting public data for effective decision-making throughout Greater New Haven and Connecticut. 

DataHaven, in conjunction with the Siena College Research Institute, will be conducting a statewide survey over the next few months. Data from its 2015 Community Wellbeing Survey will be featured in the Valley’s community index report, which will be published in 2016. Residents are encouraged to pick up the phone (calls will come from a 518 area code) and take the time to answer the survey questions, as each participant will contribute to high-quality, meaningful data collection.

About Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grant making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. 

To learn more about how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, contact Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162. Follow VCF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vcfct and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vcf_ct.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Pedal for PCRC fundraiser Sunday to feature new activities

SHELTON  -The Parent Child Resource Center is well on its way to a new goal of raising $80,000 for children’s behavioral health programs and services that provide life-changing services to children and families in Connecticut with “Pedal for PCRC,” which will be held Sunday at PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Ave. 

Free kids’ bicycle helmets will be distributed to the first 250 kids who register. 

The 4th annual “Pedal for PCRC” has new features including a Kids Ride, Walk, Health Fair, “Activity Spree” (https://www.facebook.com/ActivitySpree), and Cycling Expo. Although this event has grown exponentially each year, there has previously been no chance for PCRC clients and general community members to participate in PCRC’s signature event. 

Now, this event is open with opportunities for people of all ages.  

The Kids Ride and Walk have a two-mile course located in the secured upper parking lot at PerkinElmer, which is monitored by hired security and volunteers. This allows a chance for kids to ride their bikes and support PCRC, with their parents or guardians able to walk or ride with them. 

The course is open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for entry at any time during this period. 
There is a $25 entry fee for the Kids Ride & Walk.

In support of the Kids Ride and Health Fair, the Valley Parish Nurse Program of Griffin Hospital (http://www.griffinhealth.org/About-Us/Community-Initiatives-Outreach-Benefit/Valley-Parish-Nurse-Program.aspx) has donated helmets to PCRC to allow free helmets for the first 250 kids who register. 
This includes a proper helmet fitting, helmet care, and safety education. 
Trained individuals and groups will assist the nurses with the helmet fitting that expects a large turnout with the variety of activities available for kids and their families at the fundraiser. 

'Activity Spree' planned

The Health Fair and “Activity Spree” are open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Health Fair will be offering free health screenings, including free vision screenings for children and adults by Health Eyes Vision Alliance and complimentary spinal screenings by Southern Connecticut Chiropractic. 
The Fair will also be attended by ConnectiCare, Valley Parish Nurse Program, COSTCO, YMCA, Hawley Lane Shoes, and more TBA. 

The “Activity Spree” offers more than 15 activities, workshops, and demonstrations for all ages, including yoga, face painting, drum circles, a Mickey Mouse bounce house, and marketing technology demonstrations. 

The list of providers to date includes The Kidnetic Clubhouse (Shelton’s upcoming Children’s Museum), BringtheHoopla, CrazyFun Facepainting and Body Art, JumpBunch Naugatuck, Phoenix Yoga Studio, Cloud Media Marketing, Fred Astaire of Orange, Housatonic Valley Crossfit, TITLE Boxing Club of Milford, and Mark Zarrillo, rhythm-based music for meditation and inspiration. 
General admission for the Spree is $10.

“Pedal for PCRC” will have the three usual Street Rides, including 15, 30 and 62-mile loops, with the largest route traveling throughout Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and Southbury. 
The registration fee for a rider is $25; we ask that riders raise $75 through individual fundraising, such as gaining support from friends and family. 
PCRC has documents that may assist you with your fundraising. Contact Veronica Parsloe at 203-954-0543 x130 or vparsloe@LNPVCRC.org for outlines of routes and details about riding.

Event Website & Registration: http://pcrc.kintera.org/pedal2015

Alternate Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/pedal-for-pcrc-2015

The ride will conclude with a “Thank You” BBQ by David M. Grant Caterers and beer provided by Two Roads Brewing, Southport Brewing and Black Hog Brewing. Food and beverages will be sold at cost for all guests who are not riding.

We would like to thank our sponsors: PerkinElmer, Ned Miller Agency, Griffin Hospital, Fletcher-Thompson, The Exchange Club of Shelton, Sikorsky, DHL&S, Robinson+Cole, Qualifacts, Better Packages, People’s United Bank, Aquarion, DiMatteo Insurance Group, and Pereira Engineering, Devil’s Gear Bike Shop of New Haven, WPLR, and E Strait Design.  

Please follow our social media:

Facebook: Pedal for PCRC

Facebook: PCRC’s Activity Spree

Twitter: @PedalforPCRC

Google +: Parent Child Resource Center

For information on sponsoring, riding, walking, running a workshop or demonstration at the “Activity Spree,” or exhibiting at our Health Fair, contact Veronica Parsloe, 203-954-0543 ext. 130 or Vparsloe@LNVPCRC.org.

This is a press release from PCRC, the leading provider of behavioral health services to children and families in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Programs, including the Child Guidance Clinic, Valley Kids Belong programs, Child First, Triple P In-Home services, Early Childhood Consultation Partnership, Therapeutic Mentoring Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and the Prevention through Early Intervention Program, help children and their families so that they may develop to their fullest potential.

Local artist's work on display at Kellogg Center in Derby

DERBY - Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced Wednesday that artwork by professional graphic designer and local artist Barbara Rzasa is on display at the Kellogg Environmental Center. 

Come and enjoy the beauty of local wildflowers, birds and still life pastels and watercolors. 
The free exhibition is open for viewing Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. until June 12.

Rzasa obtained a B.S. degree in graphic design from Southern Connecticut State University. Along with graphic design, she fostered a passion for fine art painting.

Rzasa studied pastel painting technique under the direction of Eilene Smith of Prospect, Connecticut, for eight years and concentrated on painting nature-based themes. 
Her love of nature and art also inspired her to take courses in botanical watercolor illustration through Yale Peabody Museum. 
To view more of Barbara’s graphic and fine art visit her blog at
http://bjr-design.blogspot.com/

The Kellogg Environmental Center, operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave. 
For more information and directions to the Center, call 203-734-2513 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from DEEP.

Therapy dog program calendar at Griffin Hospital in Derby raises $1,450

Tess, a registered therapy dog with the Griffin Hospital P.A.W.S. program, and her companion Inge Van ark, pose with a gift bag designed to bring comfort to the families of patients admitted to Griffin’s Hospice program. The bags were purchased through the 2015 PAWS Calendar fundraiser. / Submitted photo

DERBY - The therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital has helped bring comfort to patients for years. Thanks to a recent fundraiser, the canines are now bringing extra comfort to the families of terminally ill patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital, sold calendars featuring photos of its canine caregivers this winter and raised $1,450.

The funds were used to purchase care bags for the caregivers of hospice patients. The bags include items to help relieve stress and provide comfort, including poetry and aromatics.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who purchased a calendar in support of this cause,” said Ruth Tuccio, P.A.W.S. Coordinator at Griffin Hospital. “Providing extra support and care is at the heart of our program and we wanted to make sure families of our most special patients receive a little extra comfort when they need it most.”

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation 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.

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.

Author to address happiness club at Shelton community

SHELTON - The community is invited to Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community at 6 p.m. June 11 for a meeting of the Smiles Within A Village Happiness Club. 
Author Emily Filloramo will present “Be Unforgettable: How to Permanently Erase the Negative Self Talk So You Can Unleash Your Best Self.” 

Filloramo will discuss the cutting-edge, little-known, and powerful modality that can help to permanently erase the critical voices that hold you back from living the life you want. 

She will be sharing insight from her book, which addresses nutrition, self-image, psychology, self-actualization and spirituality. 
All are welcome to the presentation; the meeting is free and open to the public.

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village campus at 580 Long Hill Ave.


For more information or to RSVP, contact Mary Ann Milano, 203-225-5018 or by e-mail at mamilano@umh.org.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Seymour to dedicate French Memorial Park upgrades

Note: Sharing this from the Facebook page of the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour. 

Ansonia's Memorial Day Parade, Part II

ANSONIA - I inadvertently omitted these photos when I published a blog post from Sunday's Memorial Day parade. 

What's a hometown parade without some beautiful horses marching in it?

Or an adorable pony, who I hear stole the show along the parade route without even trying.


It was a great day for Ansonia!

Phases of Venus, CT Trails Day on Ansonia Nature Center calendar

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has announced several activities slated in June.

THE TURNING OF VENUS –  7 p.m. June 5.

Gaianne Jenkins, a retired mathematician with an interest in paleo-astronomy, will tell us about an ancient calendar used as late as the Middle Ages that predicts the motions of the moon and some planets.

Venus (NASA website photo)

She will focus on the eight phases of Venus and the ancient five seasons of the year. 
On the night of this talk Venus will be near maximum Eastern elongation, turning from the phase of the lake to the phase of the earth, and we will be changing from spring to high summer. 

After the talk, weather permitting, we will view Venus through telescopes; it should appear as a bright half disc. Free; pre-register by calling 203-736-1053.

CT TRAILS DAY - 9 a.m. June 6.

Join Nature Center director Alison Rubelmann, an avid hiker and nature buff, for this morning walk. Discover the flora and fauna of our typical New England woodland.

This moderate hike will also visit the settlement of the Paugasucks. Bring water and a snack, and please wear sturdy shoes. This hike is suitable for older children and adults. Free; call 203-736-1053 to register.


OUTER ISLAND FIELD TRIP – 8:30 a.m. sharp June 7.

Join the staff of the Ansonia Nature Center on this amazing field trip to Outer Island, one of the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford.
Meet us at 8:30 am at the Thimble Islands Ferry Service for the 9 a.m. ferry. 

Wildlife refuge
Outer Island is a wildlife refuge and also an ecological preserve and refuge for migratory birds. 
Its habitats include rocky intertidal zone, marsh, and beach, all typical of Long Island Sound. 
A docent will teach us about the flora and fauna and the beauty of this unique natural environment. 

Cost: Round trip ferry fee is $10 per person. 
Registration required; trip is limited to 14 people. Call 203-736-1053.

FANCI ANNUAL MEETING AND POTLUCK SUPPER - 5:30 p.m. June 10.

Join the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, Inc. to see what new and exciting projects they've been working on.
Bring your own table.

NATURE’S CHILD: Tidal Pools – 10:30 a.m. June 12.

Come to meet some animals from Long Island Sound who are visiting the Nature Center's salt water tank. Snails, crabs, a sea star perhaps, and even a sponge may be on hand to delight you.
A craft to take home is planned, and a short story too. This class is for preschool children.
For tuition information call 203-736-1053. Please pre-register.

NATURE GAMES FOR CHILDREN – 2 p.m. June 13.

“You Can’t See Me!” 
Come join Ranger Jessica for an afternoon of hiding in the woods, chasing each other through the fields, and pretending we are the animals that live in Connecticut's forests, while learning about the wonderful wild world around us!

 We’ll top it off with a wilderness scavenger hunt. Free.


This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Adams stores in Derby, Shelton raise $3,690 for TEAM's Meals on Wheels

Photo courtesy of Fred Ortoli Photography

TEAM announces the Adams Hometown Markets raised $3,690 for TEAM's Meals on Wheels  program by running a fundraiser at their Derby and Shelton locations. Pictured from left are Shelton Store Manager Christopher Morin, TEAM's Executive Vice President Diane Stroman, TEAM's Director of Family Support Services (including Meals on Wheels) Suzanne Reilly, Shelton Store Manager John Varrone, and TEAM's President/CEO David Morgan.

Crisco: Virus screening will protect newborns' health

HARTFORD - Every hour, a child in the United States becomes disabled due to a cytomegalovirus infection. 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, thanked Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today for signing legislation into law that aims to reverse this trend by screening newborns for CMV. 

Providing a test for CMV to any infant who fails a newborn hearing test can mitigate the devastating impact this disease has on infants and their families.

“Screening for CMV can help prevent a lifetime of struggles for vulnerable newborns,” Crisco said. “By connecting parents with specialists early on we can equip them with the knowledge they need to support their newborns and to help them live healthy and happy lives.”

Most people who are infected with CMV have no symptoms and do not experience any harmful effects. 

However, when a woman becomes infected with CMV during pregnancy she can pass the virus to her unborn child. In an unborn child, congenital CMV can result in damage to the brain, eyes and inner ear. Congenital CMV can lead to lifelong struggles with deafness as well as physical and learning disabilities. 

CMV is the leading non-genetic cause of childhood hearing loss, and presents in more than 30,000 newborn babies every year.

House Bill 5525, An Act Concerning Cytomegalovirus, requires that hospitals and other healthcare institutions test newborn infants for CMV if they fail a newborn hearing test. This simple test will allow parents of affected newborns to adopt best practices for care and treatment of a child with CMV. 

By implementing screening, medical professionals will also improve awareness of the risks associated with CMV so that parents can adopt better habits that will minimize the transmission of CMV. 

CMV is the most common viral infection among infants born in the United States. About 1 in every 150 children is born with CMV. 

About 80 percent of babies born with the infection never have symptoms or problems. Pregnant women can reduce their risk of CMV infection by minimizing their exposure to young children’s saliva and urine through effective hygiene practices.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Centenarians feted at Wesley Village in Shelton

Wesley Village residents gather for a special birthday party to honor several centenarians who celebrated their birthdays during the month of May.

SHELTON - Wesley Village, a campus of senior care communities, recently honored several centenarians at their assisted and independent living communities. 
Wesley Heights residents gathered for their monthly birthday party May 11,  honoring those born during the month of May. 
The month’s festivities included resident Minnie Sutton, who will celebrate her 105^th birthday on Wednesday. 
Along with Minnie were four other residents at Wesley Heights who celebrated 100 years or more! 
Residents enjoyed birthday cupcakes and punch provided by the Wesley Heights Dining Services team, as well as dancing and entertainment by Larry and Doreen Crasilli.

Crosby Commons resident Marion Prescott also celebrated her 100^th birthday in February. 
As part of her birthday wish, she and her friends at Crosby Commons worked together to create over 35 gifts bags for families in need. 
With the help of Activities Director Mary Ann Milano Prescott and her fellow residents recently donated the gifts to BHcare, a community health-care provider serving the lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and Shoreline communities. http://bhcare.org/

Wesley Heights and Crosby Commons are located on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. and offer award-winning independent and assisted living, as well as a new memory care neighborhood, Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights. 

For more information about senior living at Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Seymour remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

Sharing photos from the Facebook page of the Office of First Selectman of Seymour:

 A service was held Monday at Veterans' Grove in French Memorial Park in Seymour. 

Vietnam veteran Mike Kearney, Commander, Emil Senger Post 10, American Legion, addresses the crowd at Monday's service at French Memorial Park.