Celebrating after inaugural ceremony in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, right, shares a laugh Monday night at Ansonia High School during a post-inauguration ceremony reception with event coordinator Rich DiCarlo.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Shelton High's 2014 robot shows its stuff at contest

Shelton High School students demonstrated their 2014 Gaelhawks robot's abilities at the FIRST LEGO League competition Nov. 21 at the school. Here it picked up three plastic containers and moved them across the floor. It was not part of the qualifying tournament that day. 

Kudos to the three Shelton teams that did qualify for the upcoming FIRST LEGO League state championship Saturday! Great job.

Check out the story here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Celebrate Shelton to host tree lighting Friday

TEAM to hold career fair in Ansonia

*Sharing from the Facebook page of the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour.

Ansonia Cultural Commission slates coloring contest

ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission is holding a coloring contest for children. 
According to commission member Melissa Torres, parents can download the picture and have their children color it, and upload their creations to www.facebook.com/ansonia125.

The winner will be the one with the most likes on Facebook. 
Torres said children should only enter if they will be at the event, since the winner will help with the countdown and lighting of the tree at 6 p.m. Friday alongside Mayor David S. Cassetti and Santa on the Green next to City Hall.

This is the drawing to be colored:

Have fun!

Griffin Hospital in Derby wins high marks for quality, patient safety

DERBY - Griffin Hospital was recently recognized by two national healthcare organizations for continued excellence in quality and safety.

Griffin Hospital was named a 2014 “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®” this month by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, and was honored with an “A” grade in the Fall 2015 update to the Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital safety rating organization whose Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety.

Griffin is the only Connecticut hospital to be named a Top Performer by The Joint Commission four times, and it is the third consecutive time the hospital earned top Hospital Safety Score. 
Griffin is one of only 1,043 hospitals out of more than 3,300 eligible hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2014 Top Performer distinction, and one of an even more select group of 773 hospitals nationwide receiving a Leapfrog Group A grade.

“As a patient-centered care hospital, Griffin Hospital is focused on doing what is best for patients, caregivers and our community,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “These recognitions are a tribute to the staff at Griffin Hospital who work together to make sure patient-centered care starts with high-quality, safe care.”

Top Performer

As a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®, Griffin was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2015 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. 
The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. 
The performance measures included in the recognition program are heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, stroke, venous thromboembolism, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use.

To be a 2014 Top Performer, hospitals had to meet three performance criteria based on 2014 accountability measure data, including:

• Achieve cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures; 
• Achieve performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure with at least 30 denominator cases; and
• Have at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and within that measure set, achieve a performance rate of 95 percent or above on all applicable individual accountability measures.

“Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of Griffin Hospital for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO, The Joint Commission.

For more information about the Top Performer program, visit jointcommission.org/accreditation/top_performers.

“A” Grade for Safety

The Leapfrog Group is an independent hospital safety rating organization whose Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety. 
The score is compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading patient safety experts, rating hospitals on errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The first and only hospital safety rating to be peer-reviewed in the Journal of Patient Safety, the Hospital Safety Score is published widely to give consumers information they can use to protect themselves and their families when choosing a hospital stay.

“Griffin Hospital’s A grade is a powerful reminder of its commitment to putting patient safety above all else, and we are pleased to recognize the persistent efforts of your clinicians and staff to protect your patients,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which administers the Hospital Safety Score.

Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single A, B, C, D, or F score, representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm. 

More than 2,500 U.S. general hospitals were assigned scores in October 2015, with Griffin Hospital among only four Connecticut hospitals in the select group of 773 hospitals nationwide receiving an A grade.

The Hospital Safety Score is fully transparent, offering a full analysis of the data and methodology used in determining grades on the website. Patients can also review their hospital’s past safety performance alongside its current grade on the Hospital Safety Score site, allowing them to determine which local hospitals have the best track record in patient safety and which have demonstrated consistent improvement.

To see Griffin’s full score, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. 
Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices. 

The hospital is at 130 Division St.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Santa to visit Huntington Branch Library Saturday in Shelton

Shelton business raises more than $26K for nonprofits at golf tournament

Event benefits The Umbrella, Boys & Girls Club, Spooner House

The 10th Annual DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament was an overwhelming success with several generations of DiMatteos organizing the tournament at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford. John DiMatteo of Bethany, center, President, the DiMatteo Group in Shelton, is pictured with his two sons, Anthony, left, and Michael, right, who all volunteered./Contributed photo

            The DiMatteo Group in Shelton recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament. 
       Nearly 123 area golfers played a round of golf at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford and at the same time supported three local charities.  

The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation raised more than $26,000 for three vital non-profits: The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton, and Spooner House in Shelton.

The foundation was established by the DiMatteo Group in Shelton. 
This spirit of philanthropy resulted in the creation of the DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation 10 years ago and the annual golf tournament. 
The foundation was started as a tribute to Anthony “Tony” DiMatteo, their late father who was battling cancer at the time. 

        “Our Family Foundation is committed to supporting various organizations that have made a difference in the lives of our family, clients and staff,” said John DiMatteo, President of the DiMatteo Group. “Since its inception over a decade ago, we have contributed over $300,000 for various well-known local and national charities that fund research, education and finding a cure for diseases.”

Founded more than 55 years ago, this family-owned and operated business specializes in insurance, employee benefits, income tax and financial services. Giving back to the community is part of their company’s mission.
Volunteers recognized

A committee of nearly 30 volunteers plans this annual golf tournament.  
The following volunteers deserve special recognition for volunteering more than five years: Shelton residents Barbara Gelozin, Nancy Opitz, Karen Minopoli, and Maureen Yash;

Milford residents Maria Rodrigues and Jenine Motasky; Christine Libby of Ansonia, Anthony DiMatteo of Bethany, Sue Doolan of Orange, and Genie Tricarico of Seymour.

            Many area companies and business associates of DiMatteo Group contributed to the tournament as sponsors. Top gold sponsors included: the Southern New England Regional Office of The Hartford, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Fairway Payments, and the DiMatteo Group. 

            At the silver sponsor level, the following generous sponsors were: Preferred Tool and Die, Inc. of Shelton and the Homebuilders Association of Hartford County.

            In addition, for the past 10 years, Steve Geremia from Safelite AutoGlass in Bridgeport organized a "Hit the Windshield" putting contest on the day of the tournament and donates the prize and the proceeds.  

           Other major donors were Park City Ford of Bridgeport for the hole-in-one and signs by Think Link, LLC of Shelton.

Grateful to supporters 
        John DiMatteo said, “We are extremely grateful to all our many friends, family members and customers who have so generously contributed to our golf tournament year after year. This annual event is the major source of funding for our family foundation and we depend on the ongoing support of the community. This year we are proud to touch the lives of others in need.”

            Some of the past beneficiaries of the golf tournament have included: Project Purple, National Kidney Foundation, St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services, The Kennedy Center, Juvenile Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound, Homes for the Brave Female Soldiers/Forgotten Heroes and MovingWithHOPE.   

               DiMatteo Group continues to maintain its foundation of integrity, personalized service and treating others as an extension of the family. “We have successfully transitioned the business from our parent and founders to the second generation with three siblings and two spouses, each of whom manages a key department,” John DiMatteo said. 

             Three siblings serve as officers of the company.  
             John specializes in financial planning and works with his wife, Kim DiMatteo of Bethany, a partner in the business.  
             Loretta Lesko of Shelton, the second youngest sibling, serves as Vice President, and is in charge of Operations, while her husband Robert Lesko is a partner.  
             In addition, Rosemarie Esposito of Shelton, the eldest sibling, is the agency’s Treasurer, an Enrolled Agent and manages DiMatteo Group – Tax & Accounting Services LLC. 
         View www.dimatteogrp.com for more information.


This is a press release from the DiMatteo Group.

Sharing slideshow of photos from time capsule at Derby Elks Lodge

My husband Ralph put together this slideshow with my photos from Friday's opening of the time capsule at the Derby Elks Lodge at 73 Elizabeth St., Derby. 

It was a fascinating event to witness.

I forgot to post the slideshow here Saturday ~ had too much turkey I guess! Please check it out.

Seymour Library to host crafts, music and movement, more for kids

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St., has scheduled fun activities for children in December. Registration is required for all programs.

Dec. 3 - 4 p.m. – StoryKids’ Book Club for K-Grade 2. Book talks, craft and a snack. Child must have some reading ability.

Dec. 9 - 10:30 a.m.– Preschoolers’ “Winter Wonderland Crafty~Party.” Join us for games, stories, crafts, refreshments, and fun! For all children - infants - 5 year olds.

Dec. 9 - 4 p.m. – Nutmeggers’ Book Club for Grade 5 and up. Book talks, craft and a snack - features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees

Dec.10 – 4 p.m. – BookChatters’ Book Club for Grades 2-4.  - Book talks, craft and a snack - features the Magic Tree House Series.

Dec.15 –10:30 a.m. – Science Snoopers "Arctic Adventures" - Natural science and a craft for ages 2 and up - must be able to sit and listen.

Dec.17 -10:30 a.m. – Lynn Lewis - Music & Movement for infants through age 6. And a live visit from Rudolph! Fun for all!

Dec.18 – 3:45 p.m.– YA Origami – Miss Tina teaches how to make a splendid winter holiday craft.

For ages 10 and Up!  Great for giving -or keeping!

All programs are free; some have limited enrollment.

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


This is a press release from Ann Szaley, children's librarian, Seymour Public Library.
                 

Learn local history at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library welcomes back local historian Rob Novak, Jr. at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 to discuss Yesterday's Headlines.  

Novak has specialized in presenting local history in fun, interactive formats for both general and specific audiences

for more than 20 years.  

He is past director of the Derby Historical Society and the city of Shelton's Municipal Historian.

In addition, he has authored four books through Arcadia Publications, and has been a popular historical columnist.

Participants will be taken back to 1915, 1940, and 1965 to 

see what was happening locally 100, 75, and 50 years ago in the Valley.  
A look back at holiday news of the times will be included.

Registration is requested. 

Holiday decorations in Derby

The Library holds weekly Local History Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m.

Tuesdays and from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. 

During this time the Library’s Local History Coordinator offers information on monthly highlighted topics.

December’s topic will be A History of Holiday Decorations in Derby. The first session is 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Assistance will also be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent 

local figures, major area events, and more.  

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.

Great Hill Hose in Seymour to host tree lighting Friday

Christmas breakfast in Seymour supports TEAM Toys 4 Kids

A holiday tradition continues

A mountain of donated new toys grows Sunday morning at the 11th annual TEAM Toys 4 Kids Christmas breakfast at the home of Tom and Diane Baklik of Seymour. 

This family hitched a ride to the party. 


Stay tuned for a story and more photos in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Thanksgiving week: A retrospective of Valley events

Celebrating the holiday right here in the Valley, that's me.

My husband, Ralph, and I enjoyed the camaraderie at the Master's Table Community Dinner Sunday in Assumption Church hall in Ansonia. 
It was the nonprofit's annual Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey and all the fixings. 

Master's Table fed close to 200 people that afternoon. 
The meal is free; donations are gratefully accepted.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, right, greets Master's Table 
founder Jim Fedak.

Attendees were pleasantly surprised by a visit from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and two of his aides. 
Murphy spoke with Master's Table founder Jim Fedak, and also met with volunteers and members of the community.

That evening, daughter Allegra and I attended the Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving service. 
The service offers participants a chance to experience a variety of faith traditions.
Each year a different house of worship hosts the event, and this year it was held at the First United Methodist Church in Ansonia.

On Thanksgiving Day I took a break from preparing our dinner to pose wearing my new hat. 
Lovely, isn't it?

Allegra and I attended yet another community event on Friday: the opening of a 100-year old time capsule that was removed from the cornerstone of the Derby Elks Lodge building. 
It was fascinating to see the items that had been placed inside by members of the Lodge a century ago.

Read the story and watch a video by Derby resident Jack Walsh here.

And below is a slideshow that Ralph created from my photos:  

Today daughter and I took in the sights of the ever-elegant and welcoming Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby. 

Each year area garden clubs beautifully decorate the Colonial Revival-style home for the holiday season. 
Hours for guided tours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 19. 
Twilight tours will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 11, and 18.

This year the theme was "Holiday at the Farm." 

As you can see, our visit was a moo-ving experience.


Please stay tuned to The Valley Voice website for many more photos of the homestead decked out for the holiday season. 
We recommend a trip to 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby to help you get into the Yuletide mood.

Ansonia to host Christmas Tree Lighting

Derby Elks open time capsule from 1915

Derby resident George Kurtyka, a 25-year member of the Elks, holds a time capsule from 1915 on Saturday moments after it was taken out of the cornerstone of the Elks Lodge building at 73 Elizabeth St., Derby.


Stay tuned for a story and more photos in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Talk at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on healthy eating for the holidays

DERBY - The Diabetes Education and Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk about eating healthy for the holidays at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Griffin Hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A, 130 Division St.

Certified Diabetes Educator Mary Swansiger of Griffin’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program, will host “Healthy Holiday Eating.” 

This open talk will discuss how to handle healthy eating at holidays and special events, including the importance of planning ahead, stress management, and making time for physical activity.

The Diabetes Education and Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. 
All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. 

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Swansiger at 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Author of local history book to speak at Seymour Library

 *Sharing from the Facebook page of the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour.

Reminder: Derby to hold annual Christmas tree lighting today

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Dear readers,

I want to thank every one of you who visits me here.

The number of readers each day has been about the same for quite a while, which indicates to me the same folks are stopping by, and for that I'm grateful.

I hope your Thanksgiving Day is filled with making memories with family and friends.

Gobble, gobble.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host Wellness for Life open house

Exercise Physiologist Eunice Lisk and the Wellness for Life health experts will host an Open House Dec. 15 to give interested individuals a hands-on experience of the lifestyle change program./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital invites the community to experience its lifestyle change program, Wellness for Life, at a free Open House from 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

Visitors will get to experience first-hand this health empowerment program with fitness demonstrations, holiday smoothie samples and snacks, and a talk about preventing diabetes with a Wellness for Life health expert. Information will also be available on additional fitness and preventive health programs and support groups offered at Griffin.

Participants will also be entered in a raffle for a Fitbit activity monitor.

“We’re living longer and longer with each generation, so it’s important that we understand how to strengthen our vitality and make sure chronic diseases and disorders don’t limit our ability to get the most out of life,” said Exercise Physiologist and Wellness for Life Director Eunice Lisk. “Wellness for Life gives you the tools, knowledge and the support people need in order to lead a healthy and productive life for many, many years.”

Wellness for Life
Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. The centerpiece is an immersive lifestyle change experience, featuring a Fitbit activity tracker, personalized nutrition and fitness sessions, and weekly group meetings to establish healthy weight control, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve sleep and energy, and increase personal strength and resilience.

While these services provided separately would total several hundred dollars, tuition for the program is being made available to the community for $350 - half the cost of similar programs.

To register and for more information about the Wellness Open House, contact Eunice Lisk at 203-732-7107 or elisk@griffinhealth.org. 

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Market place slated at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

Ansonia to hold inauguration Monday

Derby to hold inauguration of Mayor Dugatto, city officials Dec. 5

Ansonia Police seek donations to help needy shop for Christmas

Sharing from the department's Facebook page:

"Ansonia Police will be hosting a Shop with Santa event at Target on Dec. 19, 2015. We will be selecting a few families in need to take shopping with us to make the holiday season a little brighter. Last year we were able to take 3 families shopping based on monetary donations we received. We hope to be as successful this year and we are asking for your help in making sure we can make this year's event more successful than last year's. 

"If you are able to help with a monetary donation in any way please contact the Department and speak with Lt. Cota, Det. Tenney, Ofc Esposito, or Ofc. Barry. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!!!!"

Road closures for Commodore Hull race in Shelton, Derby listed

Re-posting info from Electronic Valley:

Temporary Road Closure Thanksgiving Morning There will be several road closures in Derby and Shelton during the Commodore Hull Thanksgiving Day Road Race on Thursday while the race is taking place.  The race begins and ends at the Farmer’s Market on Canal Street in Shelton at 8 a.m. During the race Canal Street will be closed to traffic from Wharf, Hill and Cornell Streets. There will be one lane of traffic open on Howe Avenue (Rt. 110) between Cornell Street and Bridge Street.  The bridge between Derby and Shelton will be closed. In Derby, Main Street (Rt. 34) will be closed between Olivia and Elizabeth Streets with detours during the race. Access to Elizabeth Street from Main Street up to the Derby Public Library at Seymour Avenue will also be limited during the race. The race begins at 8 a.m., and it is anticipated that all runners will be off the course by 9 a.m. and all roads reopened to traffic. In the event of snow, the race may be cancelled or an alternate route used which would not involve closure of state roads. We'll have notices of any cancellation or change in plans on the website as well as on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. The following streets will be affected:  Shelton Canal Street Cornell Street Howe Avenue Bridge Street Derby/Shelton Bridge Derby: Main Street at Olivia St./Roosevelt Drive Elizabeth Street at Main Street Elizabeth Street at Third Street Elizabeth Street at Thompson Place Elizabeth Street at Fifth Street Elizabeth Street at Cottage Street Elizabeth Street at Seymour Avenue/Caroline Street Residents along the race course are asked to please be aware of runners on the course in entering or leaving driveways with their motor vehicles.

Valley holiday tradition continues Sunday in Seymour

Troupe to perform holiday radio play at Strand Theater in Seymour

Valley Shakespeare Festival to present 'A Christmas Carol' in Shelton

Holiday classic slated Dec. 11,12 at Plumb Memorial Library
Charles Dickens wrote his holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” in London in 1843 in the midst of England’s industrial revolution.  
It was originally written to be published as a pamphlet to inspire social reform.  
At the time, London was teeming with problems: in only 80 years its population quadrupled from 1 million to 4.5 million; crime was rampant-the police estimated that 20,000 children were being trained in thievery; the city’s water supply was polluted; housing was sparse and cramped with entire families living in one small room; and education for children was at an all-time low.

It is into this world that Valley Shakespeare Festival will take its audiences at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, and at 1 p.m. Dec.12.  


Presented without elaborate period costuming and staging, VSF’s production puts the emphasis on the true meaning of the story.

Jeremy Funke (Scrooge) explains: “What I like best about VSF’s stripped-down presentation of this classic tale is that it forces the audience to focus on the story-the audience’s imagination is our special effects designer, and I can’t think of a better way for them to experience it.”

Audience members will join Ebenezer Scrooge on his transformational journey through his own personal darkness of bitterness and disillusion on that fateful Christmas Eve and emerge with him on that brilliant Christmas morning with renewed faith in God and humanity.

Tom Simonetti, the company’s Executive and Artistic Director (and Bob Cratchit), echoes this sentiment,

“The story is powerful enough on its own not to need all kinds of embellishment. I love to see the children’s and families’ reactions to Jacob Marley’s chains, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge’s last speech. It’s a story that needs to be told because it reminds us of the kind of people we should be all year long. It’s exactly what we need.”

Gary Harger, who will be playing multiple roles, said he is “looking forward to coming up with three distinct characterizations, accents, mannerisms, etc.  I’ve always loved the story…ever since I was a kid, and although there are many film and musical versions out there now, my favorite is still the 1951 film version with Alistair Sim-the one I watched when I was a kid!”

Valley Shakespeare Festival will present it staged reading of “A Christmas Carol” in the Reading Room of Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton, which Simonetti describes as a “dream venue” for the story.

“It reflects the time period perfectly with its Romanesque style, huge fireplace, and Victorian wing chairs,” he said.

Anyone wishing to experience this memorable moment in history may reserve seats by calling Valley Shakespeare Festival, 203-513-9446, or by visiting www.vsfestival.org.  

The event is presented free of charge with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged.

This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit theater company serving the communities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Ansonia dog, owner win pet therapy award

Baby Cakes and owner Janice Correia of Ansonia were honored with the Spirit of Planetree Therapy Animal of the Year Award. /Contributed photo

DERBY- Baby Cakes, a Chihuahua terrier mix, and owner Janice Correia of Ansonia, were honored with the Spirit of Planetree Therapy Animal of the Year Award at the 2015 Planetree International Conference in Boston.

Baby Cakes and Correia have been visiting patients at Griffin Hospital since 2008. Staff and patients appreciate visits by Baby Cakes for his engaging personality and his ability to light up a room with his wagging tail and endless enthusiasm.

Baby Cakes was nominated for the award by Ruth Tuccio, coordinator of People and Animals Working in Spirit, the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital.

Although dealing with a cancer diagnosis, Baby Cakes continues to make routine visits and special visits by request, Tuccio said. 
His ability to say “Mama” on command has helped many patients to forget they are in the hospital for a moment while being entertained by him.

 “His indomitable spirit is a true asset to our patients and staff,” Tuccio said.

The Spirit of Planetree Awards were created to promote patient-centered care by publicly recognizing those who personalize and demystify the healthcare experience for others as well as programs and services that support extraordinary achievement in patient-centered care.

The initiative helps communicate the character and quality of the caregivers and healthcare organizations serving the community in the Planetree network. 

The Awards positively impact staff morale in affiliated institutions through an award process that includes and reflects appreciation by peers and administrators and, in many cases, recognizes those who have not been in the spotlight for professional achievements.

About Planetree

Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care. 
Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years. 
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Baking program slated for teens at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen “Baker” Space, a Holiday Treats Decorating program, from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 15.

Participants’ creativity will be applied to a variety of baked goods. 

All materials 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 Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.

Celebrate Shelton to host festivities this weekend

Church in Ansonia to hold 'Journey to Bethlehem' in December

ANSONIA - Each December High Acres Christian Church, 11 High Acres Road, hosts a live, interactive drama called “Journey to Bethlehem.”

Guests walk a wooded trail to experience authentic, time-period appropriate scenes, starting in Nazareth and culminating at the Nativity.

These 30-minute journeys will depart from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, and 6, rain or shine.

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to everyone.

This information is shared from the church website.