Rt. 34 to be closed for repairs on Stevenson Dam

Stevenson Dam (photo from Wikipedia)

Please read the press release in the Valley Independent Sentinel here.

Valley Community Foundation to hold The Great Give May 5-6

The Valley Community Foundation is once again a presenting sponsor of The Great Give®, the annual, online giving event created by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to raise visibility and support for local nonprofits in the region. 

In addition to matching funds and prizes by TCF, The Valley Community Foundation will match gifts made by people who live and/or work in the Valley up to $25,000 on a prorated basis to encourage local giving in and to the nonprofits that serve Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 
To see a video of participating Valley nonprofits and learn how to make an impact on your favorite charitable organizations, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

“The Great Give is an incredible event and it is certainly something to be excited about,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO. “This year, we are trying to encourage more organizations to participate and new donors to support their favorite nonprofits, ultimately resulting in more dollars raised.”

Last year, The Valley Community Foundation distributed more than $192,000 to 29 nonprofits located in the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton thanks to donor support, matching grants and prizes provided through The Great Give® 2014. 
These funds were further augmented by grants and prizes provided by VCF donor advised funds.

A list of complete rules, grant prizes and the participating nonprofits in The Great Give® 2015 is online atwww.thegreatgive.org. Donors wishing to support their favorite cause or charity can visit giveGreater.org® to find information on local nonprofits, including their mission, governance, programs, financials and community impact.


To learn more about how you might be able to support The Great Give® or Valley nonprofits through establishing a permanent endowment, contact Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162. 
For more information about the Valley Community Foundation, please visit VCF’s website atwww.valleyfoundation.org, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.



This is a press release from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Seymour Public Library offers book clubs, crafts, music, more

May happenings announced

Seymour Public Library

5/6,13, 20, 27 – Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.– Lapsit for little ones 6-24 months old.  Read and play with your little one in a nurturing developmentally enhanced way.

5/7, 14, 21, 28 – Thursdays 10:30 a.m.– Story hour for 2-5 year olds.  Stories, songs, finger plays and a craft.

5/7- Thursday 4 p.m.– StoryKids’ Book Club for K-Grade 2 .

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

5/12 – Thursday 10:30 a.m.– Lynn Lewis - Music & Movement for ages 0-6.   A fun time!

5/13 - Wednesday 4 p.m. – Nutmeggers’ Book Club for Grades 5 and up. Book talks, craft and a snack. The club features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees.

5/14 – Thursday 4 p.m.– BookChatters’ Book Club for Grades 2-4. Book talks, craft and a snack. The club features the Magic Tree House Series 

5/15 – Friday 3:45 p.m. – YA Origami! Amazing Crafting with Miss Tina 

5/19– Tuesday 10:30 a.m .– Science Snoopers ‘Sea Mammals’ ~ natural science, story and a craft –for ages 2-5  Child must be able to sit and listen. Milk and milk products will be used.

5/28 – Thursday 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 in Grade 6 and up. 
Snacks will be served.

All Programs Are Free! Fun! and Formative!

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

The library is at 46 Church St.

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

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

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer health care classes

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers is accepting applications for its spring Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy programs./ Submitted photo

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Ave. Suite 206, will offer classes for its spring Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician and Phlebotomy programs starting May 18.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited.

Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant
The school’s five-week, accelerated CNA program will start May 18 with classes Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The fifth week of the program will be a clinical rotation held from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at a nursing home facility and Griffin Hospital.


The accelerated CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule. Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the State exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. 
The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation.

The Phlebotomy programs will begin on the May 19 and the PCT class May 22.


Patient Care Technician
The 16-week PCT program starts May 22 with practical training on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and either day (9 a.m.-noon) or evening (6-9 p.m.) Phlebotomy classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The last four weeks of the PCT program is a clinical rotation from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for a total of 160 hours.
The PCT program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room. 
The course tuition includes textbook, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and national certification.

Phlebotomy
The 13-week Phlebotomy program starts May 19 and offers day (9 a.m.-noon) and evening (6-9 p.m.) class options on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The course tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification, lab coats, CPR certification, malpractice insurance, and textbook.

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 
Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, located at 300 Seymour Ave.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

School honors 5 at recognition dinner in Seymour

St. Mary-St. Michael School of Derby recently honored five members of the community for their commitment to Catholic education and the community at the fifth annual Alumni Recognition Event. The ceremony was held at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.
Pictured are the honorees with the principal and pastor.
Front row: Linda Coppola, principal, Donna Carloni, Helen Ploski, Chris Carloni, and Pat Knott. Back row: John Anglace, Jr., the Rev. Janusz Kukulka, pastor of St. Mary Church, and Jeff Heitmann. / Submitted photo