DOT to work on Rte. 8 ramp in Ansonia, Derby

Attention Valley drivers: Reconstruction near Exit 18 on Route 8 Northbound will soon start.

Read the story - which includes information on lane closures and more - in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Hamden woman donates AED to Seymour Middle School in son's memory

Pictured from left, Seymour Middle School Principal Bernadette Hamad, Lauren Rossi, Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation, Seymour Middle School Assistant Principal Ernie DiStasi, and Associate Superintendent of Seymour Schools Nancy Snopkowski. /Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - Lauren Rossi of the Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation of Hamden and mother of the late Michael Vincent Sage Friday presented Seymour Middle School Principal Bernadette Hamad and Assistant Principal Ernie DiStasi with a Defibtech Automated External Defibrillator and AED Cabinet for use at Seymour Middle School. 

The Defibtech AED was obtained by Seymour Public Schools Director of Security Rich Kearns, through a grant offered by the Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation.

The Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation, Inc. was established in memory of Michael Vincent Sage, who died on Feb. 5, 2010 at the age of 29 from a sudden cardiac arrest, SCA. 

Michael Vincent Sage

The mission of the Michael Vincent Sage Dragonheart Foundation is to raise awareness and support research into the early diagnosis and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest, including bystander awareness education, CPR training, and availability of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools, athletic facilities, and other public forums.

Rossi told school officials, “We carry on in the hope that Michael’s story shines a light on the importance of bystander education, AED training and availability of AEDs so there are fewer sad endings for families whose loved ones suffer an SCA. Michael’s presence in our lives was, and continues to be, a gift and we hope to be able to share this gift with others.”

Associate Superintendent of Seymour Public Schools Nancy Snopkowski, who was on hand for the presentation said, “It is so comforting and reassuring to know that this AED will be available if the need arises for our students, staff, and visitors at Seymour Middle School. We sincerely thank the Michael Vincent Dragonheart Foundation for this generous donation and all that they do for the communities they have touched.”


This is a press release from Seymour Public Schools Director of Security Rich Kearns.

Softball game to benefit Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The fifth annual Ansonia v. Derby softball game will be held at 11 a.m. April 25 at Ryan Athletic Complex in Derby. The game raises funds and awareness for breast cancer.

Read the release in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Sports Talks in 10th year at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 10th season of Sports Talks. 
These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball 
season. 

They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi.

Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively conversation, and more.
All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Marazzi and his group of Silver Sluggers. 

No registration is necessary. 

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.

Paul Winter Consort to perform Sunday in Ansonia

Paul Winter

ANSONIA - Assumption Church, 61 N. Cliff St., will host The Paul Winter Consort in concert at 5 p.m. Sunday as part of the church's "Sundays at 5" series. Tickets are $25.

Read the press release here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Organic gardening, Earth Day on April agenda at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has posted a variety of activities for April.

FAMILY ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM –
Fridays, 3:30-5 p.m. April 17-June 26.
Food Corps and the Ansonia Nature Center will lead fun, family-friendly activities in our organic garden.
Learn about growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Dress appropriately; keep in mind you might get water and/or soil on your clothing.
Closed-toe shoes, please!
Free, with the potential to take home fresh local produce.


SPRING WILDFLOWERS OF CONNECTICUT -10 a.m. April 18 
Connecticut is blessed with many colorful spring wildflowers.
Known as spring ephemerals, these perennial plants emerge quickly in the spring and die back to their underground parts after a short growth and reproduction phase.

Our Powerpoint presentation will highlight several native wildflowers such as wood
anemone, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, saxifrage, trillium, trout lily, lady’s slipper, wild geranium, squawroot, Jack-in-the-pulpit, May apple, wild ginger and others.

Stories and folklore of our native spring wildflowers will be shared. Indoors program with optional hike. Geared for adults and older children.

Presenters: Peter and Barbara Rzasa. Free.

STEPPING STONES MINI EXHIBIT: Healthyville
April 21-May 5 
The Nature Center welcomes Healthyville, a portable exhibit promoting healthy choices. Shop at the Good Foods Market, use a pulse meter, balance food choices with physical activity, practice brushing and flossing in a big mouth, and more.

Healthyville was created by Stepping Stones Museum for Children. 
Healthyville Mini Exhibit was made possible by GE Capital with additional support by Newman’s Own Foundation, People’s United Community Foundation and Purdue Pharma.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 10 a.m.–4 p.m. April 25
Every day is Earth Day at the Nature Center! 

We invite everyone to honor Mother Earth with our Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center co-hosting this event.
Enjoy in free hikes, live animals, and much more! Join one of our naturalists for an amphibian walk, and enjoy a variety of food. Local vendors and exhibitors will be on hand.
All are welcome, young and old. Bring friends and family.




This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Ansonia invites participants in Memorial Day Parade

Club to hold spring carnival in downtown Shelton

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will hold its annual spring carnival, produced by Coleman Bros. Carnivals, from April 14 –26. 
The carnival will be held at its usual location at Veteran’s Park/The Slab, downtown Shelton. 

Dates and times are as follows:

Weekdays: 6-11 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 2-11 p.m.

Bring the family down for a day or night out and enjoy carnival rides, games of chance, and attractions for the young and the young at heart!

Candied apples, fried dough, soda, and other carnival fare will be available for purchase. A portion of the carnival proceeds will go to support our Boys & Girls Clubs in Shelton and Ansonia.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit us at www.BGC-LNV.org. 

This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

BHcare to host Employment Salute in Ansonia

ANSONIA - BHcare and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the 21st Annual Employment Salute at noon April 29 at Molto Bene Italian Kitchen, 557 Wakelee Ave.

The luncheon is complimentary for employers and businesses based in Oxford, Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton.

The Employment Salute will feature keynote speaker Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. He will discuss the business value of employees with disabilities.

BHcare recognizes that employment is integral to an individual’s recovery and therefore promotes competitive employment in the community through individualized support services.

Employment Salute honorees include the City of Ansonia as Employer of the Year, and Lynn Ownings as Employee of the Year.

Seating is limited. For additional information and to RSVP, call John Yeager, 203-736-2601, ext. 1412 or e-mail jyeager@bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare, a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities. 
For more information, visit bhcare.org.

Counseling center in Shelton slates musical fundraiser

Performance to be presented by The New Paradigm Theatre Co.


*Information shared from the Christian Counseling and Family Life Center's Facebook page.

AARP presents award to Conroy at Seymour Seymour Center

AARP advocacy volunteers Rich Alage, Pat Bright, and Rich Bright present state Rep. Theresa Conroy, third from left, with the Legislative Achievement Award from AARP-CT Thursday at Seymour Senior Center. / Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) received the Legislative Achievement Award Thursday from AARP-CT for her work on legislation to help seniors.
“AARP thanks Representative Conroy for championing legislation that removes barriers to full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses, expanding access to high-quality health care for Connecticut residents,” said Nora Duncan, state director of AARP, which serves nearly 600,000 members age 50 and older in Connecticut.

“She provided integral leadership to pass legislation last year that will help make the lives of Connecticut’s family caregivers – and those that they care for – a little bit easier.
“I am committed to working for seniors,” Conroy said. “From healthcare issues, to aging at home to making our town centers easier to navigate, I want to make sure seniors have the support they need.”


This is a press release from Conroy's office.