Local history session at Library to highlight Derby churches

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays.

During this time Mary Bisaccia, the Library’s Local History Coordinator, offers information on monthly highlighted topics.

April’s topic will be The History of Derby Churches.

Assistance also will be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent local figures, major area events, and more.

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. 

Check out our latest newsletter about the best of the Valley

Dear readers,

Here's the link to our latest Valley Voice newsletter: http://goo.gl/iXdbfE. 
Please feel free to share it!

I also delivered a few hard copies to the following locations:

• Town Clerk's Office, Ansonia City Hall, 253 Main St.,  Ansonia
• Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St., Ansonia
• Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., Derby
• Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby
• Written Words Bookstore, 415 Howe Ave., Shelton
• Lizzie's Corner Consignment and Gifts, 19 Bank St., Seymour 

I'll try to get them out to more Valley locations as time goes on.

Update: Now there are copies at Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 W. Main St., Ansonia.

MDA ambassador from Waterbury seeking help to win adaptive bike

Dakota Fortier, 2016 Goodwill Ambassador

WATERBURY - Resident Cheryle Elliott is seeking support from the community so her son Dakota Fortier can participate in The Great Bike Giveaway. Dakota is an MDA Connecticut Goodwill Ambassador.

The prize is a Duet Tandem Wheelchair bicycle. The giveaway was started by Friendship Circle of Michigan, an organization that supports individuals with special needs. 
According to The Great Bike Giveaway Facebook page, The Giveaway is a national contest that gives away hundreds of adaptive bikes to children with special needs. Monetary donations are sought so that 600 children receive bikes. 

According to the Facebook page as of Friday afternoon 84 bikes had been funded through donations.

Elliott said Dakota, 11, needs more than 100 votes by March 30.
I voted for him, and I urge you to do the same. It only takes a few seconds! 
To support Dakota, click here: https://www.friendshipcircle.org/bikes/2016/02/dakota-f-2.The 

I met Dakota at a Muscular Dystrophy Association of Connecticut Lock-up in January at The Original Antonio's restaurant in downtown Ansonia. He uses a wheelchair and cannot speak, yet he has a smile that lights up a room.

Elliott said Dakota loves the outdoors and having the adaptive bike would be great when the family goes hiking. Bike raises funds to awardThe Great Bike Giveaway raises funds to award adaptive bikes to kids with special needs, so they too can experience the joy and inde

Reminder: Book and Bake Sale slated Saturday at Ansonia Library

ANSONIA -The Friends of the Ansonia Library will hold a Book and Bake Sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

Come and browse our fine selection of gently used books, cds and dvds, great selection of children’s books, all at very reasonable prices! 

Hand-crafted beaded bookmarks, T-shirts, and totes along with delicious home baked goods will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from this sale will support library programs, resources, and events for the benefit of our community. 

It is the goal of the Friends of the Ansonia Library to make our library the best it can be. 

We can only do this with your support by attending our book sales and other events and becoming active members of Friends.

For more information, 203-734-6275.

The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Ansonia Library Director.

Irving School students in Derby enjoy learning to play golf

Fourth grader Bria Hayden practices hitting the target in the Irving School gym./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Students at Irving School recently were introduced to the game of golf through The First Tee program.

The program promotes healthy, active lifestyles for young people through the game of golf. 
The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing golf and its inherent values to young people. 

Christine Ortiz, Irving School’s Physical Education/Health teacher worked to bring the program to the school. 
“The First Tee is designed around teaching students the game of golf, as well as helping them develop The First Tee Nine Core Values, which are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment,” Ortiz said. 

Under Armour sponsored Irving School and provided $3,750 in funding for the First Tee’s National School Program. 
The fee includes a full Kindergarten through Grade 5 curriculum, equipment for students, and three-hour online teacher training for Ortiz. 
At Irving School, students in grades K-5 will be introduced to golf through activities and skills stations while learning the core values that can extend throughout the school as well as at home and in their communities. Lessons are delivered and skills are practiced once per week for 40 minutes. 

VITAHLS partnership
The Derby School District is partnered with the Valley Initiative to Advance Health & Learning in Schools. 
VITAHLS brings together Griffin Hospital, the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and the Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Shelton school districts and the Emmett O’Brien Regional Vocational Technical School in Ansonia. 

The mission is to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain a Valley-wide, school-based childhood obesity prevention program to reduce the prevalence of obesity in students in grades Pre-K-12. 
Ortiz is an active member of VITAHLS and represents the school at the monthly collaborative meetings along with Jessica Cahill, RN. 

Principal Jennifer Olson said, “The First Tee golf program is another opportunity to expose our students to an activity that promotes health and wellness. Many of our students would not get an opportunity to learn about this game at such a young age without a school-based program like this one.” 

According to The First Tee, “research has shown the primary reason young people, especially those who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, do not play the game is due to a lack of affordable junior golf programs.” Ortiz said.
“The students are having lots of fun and are excited about learning how to use all of the new golf equipment," she said.
Fourth grader Bria Hayden said, “I want to learn how to get better at hitting the targets.” 
Aniyah Roman, a kindergartener said she liked when “they got to take turns using the golf clubs.” According to the First Tee website, there are currently 86 elementary schools in Connecticut participating in the program. 
Avid golfer and Derby Public Schools' Business Manager Mark Izzo says, “I started golfing when I was in my twenties. In the time I have been golfing, I can say this humbling game has helped me further develop as a player, teammate, and individual. The First Tee Nine Core Values will allow our young students to develop these critical life-skills at a very early age. ” 

Olson said, “I want to thank Mrs.. Ortiz for seeking out this program for our students. We are tremendously grateful to Under Armour and the team from the First Tee for helping to make this possible for the students here at Irving School.” 

Youth development organization
The First Tee was established by the World Golf Foundation in November 1997 as a not-for-profit organization 501(c)3. 
The initial focus was on creating affordable access for those not previously exposed to the game of golf. 
It has since broadened its focus to that of a youth development organization that teaches life skills using golf as a platform. 
Founding partners include the PGA TOUR, LPGA, PGA of America, USGA, and the Masters Tournament. 


This is a press release from Irving School.

Great Hill Hose in Seymour to hold 28th annual Easter Egg Hunt

*Shared from the Facebook page of the Office of First Selectman of Seymour.

PKD Challenge for March: Day 18 ~ Share graphic to raise awareness

March 18

Raise awareness of PKD by sharing this graphic on social media. 

Use #PKDChallenge,#kidneymonth and #endPKD in your posts.