Monday, March 28, 2016

Valley Shakespeare Festival plans event at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Come one, come all to the Elizabethan event of the year!  
SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival, the Valley’s most innovative theater company, will hold a free public event May 3 at Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St. 

Beginning at 2 p.m. with Afternoon Tea with the Queen, the half-day event will continue at 4 p.m. with Shakespeare Jeopardy & Pizza and culminate with an evening performance of Shakespeare’s grand adventure play, “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” at 7 p.m.  

The public is invited to attend any, or all, of the three free presentations.

The event is being held in conjunction with the company’s participation in the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s yearly GreatGive event, in which non-profit organizations compete to raise funds.  

Valley Shakespeare Festival is a fully volunteer-run, non-profit theater company which relies completely on grants and individual contributions to fund its productions. 

In addition to presenting its annual free summer productions at the Riverwalk-Veterans Park and script-in-hand readings of A Christmas Carol every December, VSF partners with Porky’s CafĂ© in Shelton for its popular twice-yearly “Theater in the Bar” productions and produces a traveling Education Initiative program for schools, libraries, and other organization wishing to bring the Bard of Avon into their communities.

The May 3 event follows a VSF tradition of bringing Shakespeare to the Valley in fun and unusual ways, thereby hoping to continually attract new audiences, and consequently, their support.  
Admission is free, but VSF hopes attendees will enjoy the experience so much they will be moved to help out by contributing to them via the GreatGive.  

There is a multitude of organizations which participate in the two-day giving event in various ways, but Valley Shakespeare Festival believes that “experiencing is believing” and that is why it has chosen to hold a live event. 

“Lots of organizations pull their members together to get on their phones or go the robo-call route,” says company founder Tom Simonetti, “but we are a theater company and live action is what we do best, so we’ve decided to put it all on the line in one day and show what we have to offer.”

Simonetti, also the company’s Executive and Artistic Director, is known for his uncanny ability to adapt classic works of literature and make them topical and accessible to contemporary audiences without altering the original text. 

The success and rapid expansion of programs offered by Valley Shakespeare Festival are the best evidence that his concept seems to be working.


This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Save the date: Griffin Hospital in Derby slates 5K Walk-Run


DERBY - Griffin Hospital's eighth annual 5K Walk-Run will step off at 9 a.m. June 4.

The 5K (3.1-mile course) benefits The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. It starts and ends in the Center's parking lot.


It's always a fun event and it raises money for a great cause. 
I'll be walking again with my "McVillers" teammates.

For information or to register, visit www.griffinhealth.org/5K.

See you there!

History, Tech Talks, movies, more offered in April at Derby Neck Library


DERBY - The Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., has scheduled a variety of programs for April.

Dinner and a Movie
The Library presents Dinner and a Movie, for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. April 7. 

This month’s feature film is “Brooklyn.”
Free refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission. No registration is required.

Teen Movie Night
The Library presents Teen Movie Night at 5:30 p.m. April 14. This monthly event is open to teens and tweens. Attendees get to vote for a favorite movie, from a group of four feature films. 

Free refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner.

Women's Forum
The Library hosts Women’s Forum, a discussion group that focuses on literature, history, and the arts, at 12:30 p.m. April 18.

This month we discuss two short stories by a contemporary author—Robert Lorenzi. Both stories, “Damage” and “Kristi, the Barmaid” are available free at the library. Bring a light lunch if you wish; we serve free coffee and tea.

Tech Talks
At 6 p.m. April 18 and again at 10:30 a.m. April 20, the Library presents Tech Talks. 

This is a monthly program that offers information on what is new in technology and describes how to best use it for your needs. Attendees are also free to bring their questions.

Writers' Round
At 6:30 p.m. April 21 the Library hosts Writers’ Round, a workshop for authors of all genres—fiction, poetry, prose, scripts, history, etc. Bring your original works to share with others.


Scarf tying
The Library presents Joann Czeczot with “Tying Fashion Scarves” at 2 p.m. April 24.
Learn all the special techniques involved in getting that special look for spring and summer. 
A variety of fashion hints will be offered to make the most of a simple, yet functional accessory. 
There is no program fee, but registration is requested. Attendees will be eligible for a free raffle. Bring a friend and enjoy an interesting afternoon.

Evening Book Club
At 6:30 p.m. April 25 the Library hosts the Evening Book Club which meets around the fireplace in the Reading Room. 

This month’s book is Jane Austen’s “Lady Susan.” Copies of the book are available at the library. Come enjoy an informational and stimulating evening.

'Newspapers in the Civil War'
At 6:30 p.m. April 26 the Library presents Prof. Hamish Lutris of Housatonic Community College speaking on “Newspapers in the Civil War.” 

This power point presentation will focus on the diverse and interesting manners in which reporters covered the war, including the use of telegraphy and their rough lives camping with soldiers. 
An informative and amusing talk on this fascinating era in American history. 

For details on any program or to register call 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

PKD Challenge for March: Day 28 ~ Show caregivers you care

March 28Caregivers

Let's hear it for caregivers! 


Give a shout out to a caregiver in your life.