Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on ancient healing art

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center, 130 Division St., invites the community to a discussion on the healing aspects of Emei Qigong at 1 p.m. Feb. 13.

Patricia Bolger, of Qi Artisans in Wallingford, will host the discussion on Emei Qigong, an ancient system for health, healing, rejuvenation and spiritual development that encompasses physical forms and exercises, meditation, nutrition, healing techniques and spirituality. 

This Q&A will focus on the healing aspects of Emei Qigong and will offer participants a brief experience with the ancient art.

This free program is part of the Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital’s Planetree Programs Health Education, a series of forums to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Tech Talks, writers' group, movies, more on tap at Derby Neck Library

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. will host Dinner and a Movie at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5. 
This is a free event for people 18 years of age and older. Our movie presentation this month is “John Wick” shown in blu-ray. 

(Image taken from library website)

Refreshments will be served as well as a free dinner during intermission. 
Come and bring friends to a fun night out.

Bedtime Music and Movement
At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11, the Library presents Bedtime Music and Movement with Miss Kathi. 
Bring a favorite stuffed animal and wear your jammies if you wish, as we will sing and dance under our indoor stars.

Women's Forum
The Library hosts Women’s Forum, a discussion group that focuses on poetry, short stories, memoirs, and more at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 16. 
Bring a light lunch. We serve free coffee and tea. This month we will be discussing two short stories—“Father and I” by Par Lagerkvist and “The Kingdom of Gordon” by J. Carol Goodman. Copies are available at the library.

Tech Talks
At 6 p.m. Feb. 16 and again at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18, the Library presents Tech Talks, a series of presentations explaining what is new in technology and how to best use it in your life. Please bring your questions for our staff as well.

Teen Movie Night
The Library hosts Teen Movie Night at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17. This month’s feature film is “Annabelle,” a horror tale. 
Seating is limited and registration is required in order to attend. Free refreshments and a pizza dinner will be served.

Writers' Round
The Library hosts Writers’ Round, a workshop for authors of all genres - fiction, poetry, non-fiction, scripts, etc. - at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19.
Bring your original works to share with others and learn more about your craft.

Evening Book Club
The Library hosts the Evening Book Club at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23. This discussion group meets in our comfortable Reading Room and focuses on books of various types—including some non-fiction and memoirs. 
This month’s selection is Facts of Life by Maureen Howard—a memoir of growing up in Bridgeport. 
Copies of the book are available for check-out at the library. 
For more information on any programs call 203-734-1492.



This is a press release from Pat Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Congrats go out to new officials at Storm Engine and Rescue Corps in Derby

DERBY - As someone who worked for about 30 years at two daily newspapers with the one and only Eddie Cotter, I was really interested in this story in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

Sadly Eddie died three years ago yesterday at age 91. 

Eddie was not only a well-known photojournalist in the Valley, he co-founded Storm Ambulance Corps in 1948 and for the first time since then no one who is related to him is in charge of the corps! 

The legacy he left in the Valley's emergency services field speaks for itself.
What an amazing, decades-long tradition of service for the Cotter and Lenart families.

Best wishes to the new leaders of the organization. Check out their photo here.

Shelton High School, Valley Community Foundation partner to grow scholarship fund

Shelton High School Headmaster Beth A. Smith, right, presents a check to Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Sharon Closius. / Contributed photo

Shelton High School and the Valley Community Foundation are pleased to announce a new partnership in which the management of all scholarship and award funds will be entrusted to the Foundation.

The purpose of this partnership is to sustain and build a substantial scholarship and recognition program benefiting the students of Shelton High School in acknowledgement of their hard work and accomplishments as they move on to pursue higher education.

Beth A. Smith, Headmaster of Shelton High School, said, “This decision was made after very careful consideration and with the full support of the superintendent of schools and the Shelton Board of Education. Shelton High School is a learning community with high academic and behavioral expectations. We believe it is important to celebrate student achievement and to recognize those students who have met our standards. It is my firm belief that this move will achieve my goal of sustainability for our awards programs, which will continue to benefit the students of Shelton High School.”

School leaders routinely communicate to students the importance of community service and of giving back to their community. 
“The donors who have continuously supported the student recognition programs are a true testament to the importance of not only caring for our students but the future generation as well,” Smith said.

She added, “The Valley Community Foundation’s consistent average return will maximize the value of our scholarship and award donations. Instead of sitting in a savings account, our funds will now be professionally managed. Donors will have a choice to set up a permanent award or one that will be spent down over time. I want to emphasize that the criteria and selection process will not change. The Shelton High School staff will continue to coordinate the selection committees and recipient notification.” 

Sharon Closius, Valley Community Foundation President & CEO, said, “We are honored to partner with Shelton High School to ensure the scholarship and award funds remain a viable philanthropic vehicle benefitting Shelton students for years to come and to expand the opportunities to grow the pool. I am especially pleased that the Valley Community Foundation has the ability to assist people who want to give back to the community and benefit Shelton students.”  

An added benefit of this partnership is the Foundation’s capacity to accept different forms of assets to grow existing and new funds for the high school. 

With VCF’s relationship with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, gifts of securities, real estate and insurance policies can now be accepted. VCF can assist in estate planning ideas such as designating a scholarship or award as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance and/or bank accounts. Life income gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts are also options to help build the program.

This partnership with VCF is a major step of collective public philanthropy to support the quality of Shelton’s education programs. 
Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr envisions a collection of philanthropic funds that will be dedicated to impacting the quality of education in Shelton. The funds provide financial support broken down into four pillars of investment: student award and scholarships; teacher creativity, innovation and resources; early childhood; quality time (such as before and after school programs, summer programs, etc.). 
This framework will allow interested members of the community to fund specific areas that they are passionate about and want to support.

If you would like to support Shelton High School, please call VCF at 203-751-9162. 

About the 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 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, visit www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President, Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Ansonia-based nonprofit requests help to receive funds

Ion Bank sponsors annual community awards

I received this message from Master's Table founder James Fedak, Jr. of Shelton:

"Ion Bank has announced their 6th Annual Community Awards Program has begun. They are asking their customers to help them give away $60,000. Every Ion Bank customer can cast ONE Vote for their favorite charity from now through March 31, 2015. The maximum award an organization can receive is $5,000. 

"If you or someone you know has any accounts with Ion Bank please encourage them to vote for us. FYI - Ion is formerly known as Naugatuck Savings Bank. Below is the information that we posted on our Facebook page.

"This is a very exciting opportunity for Master's Table to receive a grant to help us with our mission.

"If you are an ION Bank AKA Naugatuck Savings Bank customer you can help Master's Table Community Meals Inc earn up to $5,000. Every vote counts. 

"Please go to www.ionbank.com and click the Vote Today button. At the bottom click on Vote Online. 

"Fill in your customer information and fill in our organization information: Master's Table Community Meals, PO Box 175, Ansonia, CT 06401, phone is 203-732-7792. Voting ends March 31, 2015. Thank you for your support!!!"

* The next community dinner will be served from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church, 56 S. Cliff St. The meal is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

I've attended several of these community meals and have seen how hard all of the volunteers work to make them the success they are! 

'Sandwiched' series continues at Wesley Village in Shelton

SHELTON - Balancing the responsibilities of work, finances, family life, and caring for an aging loved one can leave you feeling “Sandwiched” and in need of support. 

Let us help! Caregivers are invited to join us at Wesley Village Feb. 4 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm (snow date: Feb. 5) for our caregiver education series.

Our topic for this session is entitled: Partnering with Your Parent. 

Are the challenges of aging placing a strain on your relationship with your aging parent or loved one? Hear from Jim Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life for United Methodist Homes, and learn some smarter ways to work through conflict and differences.

To RSVP, contact us at 203-925-4952 or at www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. The program will be held at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. A light supper will be served. 

This is a monthly series. Be sure to “Save the Date” for our other upcoming programs, happening on the first Wednesday of the month.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.