Learn to paint with water colors at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host another popular Water Color Painting Workshop at 6 p.m. Sept. 29.

Ages 18 and over are invited to enjoy this fun evening resulting in fabulous art.

Participants will go home with new friends, great memories, and a newly-created masterpiece that will show off your 

“inner-artist.”  

No experience?  No problem! 
Derby resident Rich DiCarlo, Valley Arts Council president, will guide you step-by-step on this creative journey as you learn the ins and outs of creating your own water color painting.

No previous artistic experience is necessary. This class is great for beginners or seasoned professionals. Snacks will be provided.  

It is promised to be a surprisingly easy and fun way to spend an evening!  
Registration is required.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or 

visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.   


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

Bingo planned to benefit Seymour Ambulance Association

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

$17K raised in Ansonia for families of Nyah and Leah

ANSONIA – More than $17,000 was raised in two fundraisers to support the families of two six-year old children who lost their lives in car accidents in August. 

Nyah Marcano, a Prendergast student, and Leah Rondon, a Mead student, were about to enter first grade this year. 

In addition to the two fundraisers, the City of Ansonia donated $6,780 from the proceeds of the “Rock the Valley” event on Aug. 22.

The two fundraisers were held last week: A ziti dinner on Aug. 27, and an “Ansonia Goes Blue for Nyah and Leah” balloon fundraiser on Aug. 28 and 29. 

Hundreds of volunteers, including parents, staff from Ansonia Public Schools, the Ansonia Fire Department, the Ansonia Police Department, Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, and other agencies donated their time for one or both events. 

More than 400 people attended the ziti fundraiser, while more than 2,200 balloons were sold and delivered to Ansonia homes and businesses. 

An additional 700 balloons were tied to the fronts of every school and public building in town as well.

“On behalf of Ansonia Public Schools, we are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support during this time of sadness for the Marcano and Rondon families,” said Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools. She gave special thanks to the City of Ansonia, the many companies that donated to the fundraisers, the staff of Ansonia Public Schools, and every volunteer. “Ansonia is a caring community that showed its unity and its strength,” Merlone said.

The Valley United Way is serving as fiduciary for all funds that were raised. A committee has been formed to distribute the funds that were raised.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

Valley United Way names Shelton resident campaign vice-chair

Jimmy Tickey

Valley United Way has announced an addition to this year’s campaign team. 

Shelton resident Jimmy Tickey has graciously accepted the prestigious volunteer position of Campaign Vice-Chair.  

Tickey, working alongside this year’s campaign chair, Superintendent of Shelton Public Schools Freeman Burr, and Sara Aylward, Director of Resource Development for Valley United Way has set an aggressive goal to raise $1,050,000 to support Valley United Way and its partner agencies serving individuals and families right here in our five-town community.  

No stranger to Valley United Way, Tickey had been a Youth Leader in high school and now has returned to help the organization that helped lead him on the path to community service.

Together, with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers, Tickey, Freeman, and the staff at Valley United Way look forward to a successful campaign season to raise $1,050,000 for the Valley.

Valley United Way is an important non-profit deeply rooted in our local community.  
The mission is simple: to improve lives through philanthropy, volunteerism and collaboration.  

Valley United Way focuses on education, financial stability, and health because those are the building blocks for a good, quality life and strong, thriving community.  

For more information on Valley United Way or to donate to this year’s campaign visit www.valleyunitedway.org or call 203-926-9478.

Meet the Campaign Team at Valley United Way’s Community Kickoff Sept. 16.  
The free event runs from 5:15-7 p.m. at the Shelton Riverwalk.  

For more information contact Sara Aylward, 203-926-9478 or e-mail sara.aylward@valleyunitedway.org.  


This is a press release from the Valley United Way. 

Ansonia to host harvest fest

ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission is planning the annual autumn event. 

The family-friendly festival will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 3 on Main Street, rain or shine.

Save the date!

Seymour to sponsor free concert Saturday

SEYMOUR - The Culture and Arts Commission will host a performance by Flashback, a band covering tunes from the '50s to the '80s, from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.

The concert, which features a block dance, will be held at First and Bank Streets in the downtown business district.

* Sharing this from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.


I just checked out the band's song list. It includes music by The Beatles, The Temptations, Beach Boys, Five Satins, Elvis Presley, Van Morrison, Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Everly Brothers, to name a few.

I love the oldies. Sounds like it will be a great concert!

Suspect identified in Ansonia, Derby burglaries

Davon Miller (Derby Police Department photo)

I'm relieved to share this information with Hilltop residents.  

Thanks to our Ansonia and Derby police officers for making the arrest! 

Please click here for the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Sharing info about burglaries from Ansonia Police

"Burglary update:

"On 09-02-2015 Ansonia Police along with Derby Police took an individual into custody after reported suspicious activity, a male standing on a deck, in Derby near Sunset Drive. During the course of the investigation information was obtained that led officers to believe that this individual may have been involved in the recent rash of burglaries in the hilltop area of Ansonia. The individual was taken into custody by Derby Police for his involvement in the Derby incident.

"Ansonia and Derby Police executed a search warrant at a residence in Ansonia where officers retrieved items that were believed to have been stolen in previous burglaries in Ansonia. The burglaries are still under investigation and police will be speaking to the victims to see if any items seized can be identified.

"We are still asking that residents make sure they close and lock windows and doors and pay attention for any suspicious activity in their neighborhood. Please report this activity to the police at 203-735-1885."

*Shared from Ansonia Police Facebook page.

Valley United Way in Shelton slates finance workshops

SHELTON - Valley United Way has announced the dates for its Fall Financial Education Series of programs. 

The series will begin Sept. 10 with an informative program offered by the Social Security Administration entitled “Understanding Social Security”. 

The free program will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Valley United Way, 54 Grove St.

The program includes a meal and registration is required. 
Simply call Valley United Way 203-926-9478 or visit valleyunitedway.org to make a reservation.

Other programs in the series which focuses on retirement in the fall include “A Closer Look at Your Social Security Benefits” on Sept. 30, “Roadmap to Retirement” on Oct. 14 and “Are you prepared for the Financial Challenges of Retirement” on Oct. 28. 

These programs will be presented by experts from Prudential Financial.

The final program for the fall will be Estate Planning and Probate which will be offered by Attorney Tom Sutnik, a noted expert on the topic and a former Judge of Probate for the State of Connecticut.

The periodic series of workshops and seminars are designed to help individuals and families with their finances. 

United Way is partnering with leading experts in all areas of economic importance to provide the free series of programs which is funded by a grant from Pitney Bowes. 

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. 
Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.

Church in Derby to host 7th annual festival this weekend

A crowd enjoys entertainment at last year's festival. (Photo from church website)

DERBY - St. Jude Church grounds, 71 Pleasant View Road, will be the place to be Monday as the seventh annual Family Labor Day Festival gets under way. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read all about it here in a story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Derby Scouts enjoy 'trip of a lifetime' in England

Derby, England Mayor Paul Pegg and Lord Lieutenant Willie Tucker met with the Troop 3/Crew 33 Derby, Connecticut and Derby, England Scouts in the City Council Chamber, where Troop 3 Committee Member and Derby Alderman Felicia Monaco presented Councillor Pegg with a key to the city on behalf of Mayor Anita Dugatto./ Contributed photo


DERBY – Twenty-nine Scouts, leaders, and parents from Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 Derby, recently returned from a two-week adventure to Derby and London, England, where they stayed with host Scout families, met the mayor, visited castles and attended an international Scouting event with 7,000 other Scouts.

“It was a trip of a lifetime,” according to Troop 3 Senior Patrol Leader James Chopak. “We made loads of new friends, who we are still in contact with and I’m already planning my return to England”, Chopak added.

Hosted by the families of the 107th Derby and Trent Explorer families, the Scouts were treated to a Medieval banquet as well as a tour of the Derby Gaol, or jail, where author and ghost hunter Richard Felix discussed the jail’s history. Felix had previously visited Connecticut and Derby’s haunted Sterling Opera House, and he was very excited to meet fellow Derbyites from across the pond.


The two Derby groups also encamped at Peak2015, on the grounds of Chatsworth House, the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Peak is an international Scouting event hosted every five years in the Peak District of England by the Derbyshire Scouts. Scouts from 15 countries participated in activities that included caving, rappelling, wheelchair basketball, stilt walking, hoover craft and Segway riding. Several Derby Scouts also met Bear Grylls, Chief Scout in the United Kingdom.

“We expect to continue our international exchange Scout program next summer by sending our top Scouts to Derby, England and Limerick, Ireland, while also hosting scouts from there,” said Richard Williams, Troop 3’s Committee Chairman.

“This ongoing program allows the Scouts to experience the world and expand our world Scouting friendships,” he added.

Troop 3’s Patrol Leaders Council recently completed annual calendar planning and decided on the following monthly troop meeting and camping weekend themes: International Scouting, Circus Skills, Outdoor Scout skills, water activities, film/photography, Duty to God & country, Merit Badge College, Health/Fitness and games, climbing and trampoline.

The Scouts resume meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Sept. 9. The troop meets at their sponsoring organization since 1914, Derby's Second Congregational Church, on Elizabeth Street. All young men ages 11 to 17 are encouraged to join in on the Scouting adventure.

Call 203-732-0343 for more information.

On Sept. 26 Cub Scout Pack 3, Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 will host their 21st annual Ed Strang Day on the Derby Green.
The free event for boys and girls will take place from noon to 3 p.m. and includes a rope bridge, archery, craft making, face painting, model car building, and racing as well as many circus related skills training.


This is a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.