Resident at Wesley Village in Shelton celebrates 100th birthday

Wesley Village resident, Christina Sudol poses for a birthday photo with staff member, Graciela Lopez and “Jonah,” a visiting Shih-Poo. /Contributed photo

SHELTON - Residents and staff at the Wesley Village senior living campus gathered Dec. 4 to celebrate Christina Sudol’s 100th birthday. 
Sudol, a resident in the Lifestyle Transitions neighborhood on the campus, was the first person to move in to the new wing, which was opened in January 2015. 
Staff from across the campus joined in the celebration and sent birthday wishes through 100 greeting cards, which were presented to Sudol by Lifestyle Transitions program director Lisa Kelleher. 
“We’ve been collecting cards from everyone – staff, residents, family and friends. Students from Park City Magnet School in Bridgeport even sent a bundle of handmade cards for Christina,” Kelleher said. “She was delighted!”

“I’m not 100,” Sudol argued, with a smile. 
“How about 50 x 2?” Kelleher suggested, to which Sudol agreed. 
Along with the birthday cards, the festivities included a beautiful birthday cake and Sudol’s favorite musical tunes: big band, classical, and Frank Sinatra. 
Wesley Heights Resident Services Coordinator Donna Brice also surprised Sudol, a dog lover, with a visit from her dog, Jonah, a Shih-Poo. 

Sudol received a proclamation from Mayor Mark Lauretti, recognizing her 100^th year and sending her best wishes. Before cutting her cake, she stopped to thank her guests and enjoyed the afternoon, posing for birthday photos and reading her many birthday cards. 
“It was a big party,” she told her daughter.

Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. on the Wesley Village campus. 
The program offers specialized assisted living and memory care options for individuals in need of personalized routines and a supportive environment. 
The campus also offers assisted and independent living, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Troop 1 barracks in Bethany to remain open, lawmakers credit bipartisanship

From left: Bethany First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski, state Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge), State Representative Lezlye Zupkus (R-Prospect) and House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby, pose Thursday outside the State Police Troop I barracks on Route 63 in Bethany. / Contributed photo

BETHANY – A bipartisan effort by state and local officials has helped save the potential closing of the State Police Troop I barracks on Route 63, state lawmakers said Thursday.

Assembled on the front lawn of the Troop I barracks, and joined by local leaders just days after the General Assembly voted on a package of budget cuts that did not include the closing of Troop I (as was suggested in September by Gov. Malloy), state Sen. Joseph Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and state Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, R-Prospect, said they are overjoyed that a bipartisan and concerted effort by Democratic and Republican legislators, town and school officials, parents and others resulted in keeping the Troop I barracks open.

Troop I serves 19 towns in south-central Connecticut, from East Haven to Naugatuck, Shelton to Meriden; the governor’s plan was to redistribute the 60 troopers there to other, regional barracks and to rely on smaller, local police forces, resident state troopers and constables in order to save $1.4 million annually. 

“This was a wonderful example of bipartisanship and state-local cooperation to address a very crucial public safety issue,” Crisco said. “This troop receives 100,000 9-1-1 calls a year.”

“It was universally agreed that this state police barracks is much too valuable to public safety to close,” Klarides said. “I want to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, both Republicans and Democrats, and the governor, for coming together to protect this vital community and regional resource.”

“We fought very hard to keep this barracks open," Zupkus said. “These troopers are an invaluable asset to public safety, not just in Bethany, but to the entire region.”

Crisco, Klarides, and Zupkus joined together Nov. 19 to issue a statement voicing their opposition to the planned closure and urging residents to contact the governor’s office.

“I was very, very pleased that everybody came together,” Bethany First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski said. “Everyone recognized that public safety is a priority, and that Troop I needs to stay here.”

“I am so grateful for the support that our government leaders showed in keeping this barracks open,” said Bethany Superintendent of Schools Colleen Murphy.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Derby Public Library pairs pastry, movie classics

DERBY - The new year promises to be a bit sweeter at Derby Public Library.

The library will start a new weekly series for ages 18 and over,

Tuesday Morning Donuts and Movie Classics, at 10 a.m. Jan. 5.

Each week a popular movie classic will be shown and donuts will be provided.  
A listing of scheduled movies will be posted at the Library, 313 Elizabeth St. Movie suggestions are also welcomed.  

Registration is requested.  
For more information, stop by the Library, call 203-736-1418 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


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

Chamber networking group awards grants to Valley entrepreneurs

Three Valley women were recently selected as recipients of the 12th annual Women in Networking Entrepreneurial Grant program. 

The WIN grant is a named fund with the Valley Community Foundation. 

WIN is one of three leads groups affiliated with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The grant recipients are: 

Tracy Tenpenny, owner of Tea with Tracy, Seymour, at $1,500; Alyssa DeMatteo, owner of Wildflour Confections, at $1,500, Seymour; and Samonna Jones, owner of the Party Unique Boutique, Ansonia, with a WBDC Scholarship.

The grant is distributed from funds received from WIN membership dues and fundraisers organized by the group.

The recipients will utilize the grant in different ways: Tea with Tracy will utilize the funds for an equipment upgrade needed in their business expansion; Wildflour Confections will obtain a floor mixer used for unimaginable amounts of icing; and Party Unique Boutique will obtain a scholarship for WBDC Passion to Profits program.

“We are pleased to continue the legacy of awarding annual grants to well-qualified entrepreneurial women in the Valley,” said Mary Jo Romano, Chair of the WIN Group and Principal with Mary Jo Romano - Financial Planner. 

“During these difficult economic times, we are pleased to offer over $3,000 in grants and scholarships to encourage economic development in the Valley.”

Sharon Massafra, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care and independent consultant with Arbonne International, chaired the grant selections committee.

This grant-in-aid program provides financial assistance to women 18 years or age or older in the Greater Valley area in the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. 

The WIN grant can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business.  Recipients are also invited to a complimentary one-year membership to the WIN Group.

Since its inception, WIN has given just under $40,000 to 44 grant recipients.

About Women in Networking

WIN is the first group of its kind to service the six-town region of the Greater Valley.  

Founded in 2002, the group was formed by a successful group of businesswomen who meet to discuss common issues. Meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.  

These meetings are either held at the GVCC office or off-site at a Chamber member location.  

Social and educational events are scheduled throughout the year.

For more information, call the GVCC 203-925-4981 or visit www.greatervalleychamber.com.

This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations to the recipients, and best wishes for their continued success!