Sharing thanks from Derby official for monthly food collections

Note from Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

"Dear City of Derby Colleagues and Friends,

Thank you very much!  

With your help, we delivered 85 cans of beef stew and 2 more jars of mayonnaise to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank today.  

If you still have beef stew or other canned goods, please drop them off at City Hall or directly at St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank, 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, CT – 203.734.7577.  We keep growing in our third month!

For those who may be new to our distribution list, the Derby City Hall staff, in lieu of a Holiday Secret Santa Gift, donated food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in December.

After discussions with the operators of the Food Bank, we asked them for monthly suggestions for food collections to concentrate on what is in short supply.  

We decided that we would start a monthly collection of one specific item to help them feed those in need in our City and the Valley.  

In January we collected jars of jelly, in February we collected jars of mayonnaise and in March we collected cans of Beef Stew.

It’s April and College Basketball is set to crown its National Champions, its opening day of Baseball season, and the flowers are blooming.  

This month we will be collecting Baked Beans for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank.

Please consider donating some cans of Baked Beans and bringing them to the Town/City Clerk’s Office by the end of April and we will deliver them.

I have attached a flyer, as requested, for your convenience.

Please forward to friends, relatives, associates and colleagues.  We appreciate your support.

Thank you for your cooperation and possible participation."

Extra, extra: Check out our newsletter

In case you missed it, I'm re-posting the link to our latest Valley Voice newsletter here:

http://goo.gl/CmkMFT


Today I dropped off copies at the following locations: 

• Town Clerk's office, Derby City Hall, 1 Elizabeth St., Derby.
• Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., Derby.
• United Cigar Store, 41 Elizabeth St., Derby.
• Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St., Ansonia.
• Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 W. Main St., Ansonia.

I plan to drop them off at two more locations tomorrow. Stay tuned!

We also sent out slightly more than 100 newsletters via email this week. 
If you would like to be added to our email list, please send your address to ralphvillers@gmail.com.

Sports Talks sessions in 11th season at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 11th season of Sports Talks.

These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball season.

They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules consultant Rich Marazzi.

Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively conversation, and more.  

All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Marazzi an dhis group of Silver Sluggers.

No registration is necessary.  
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.

Vendors sought for 3 festivals in Ansonia

Bicycles! Local history! Music! Crafts! Pumpkins! 

Festivals to feature fun for the whole family.

Women's Health Initiative to host tea fundraiser at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Get a head start on Mother's Day by spending an enjoyable afternoon together April 24 at the Women's Health Initiative Tea Fundraiser featuring a buffet meal, raffles, and door prizes. 

And be sure you all wear a “favorite” hat!

Hosted by members of the Women's Health Initiative to benefit the Valley Breast Health Care Fund, the Tea will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Dining Room at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Dr. Mark Melendez of Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery Associates, with offices in Shelton, Fairfield, and Greenwich, is special guest speaker. 

Elizabeth Johnson, representing Bigelow Tea in Fairfield, will be on hand to describe the various teas and associated health benefits.

This annual event is co-chaired by Patricia Tarasovic and Kate Cosgrove.

Cost is $30 per person. Reserve your seat by contacting Nancy at 203-734-6945 or nvbv@hotmail.com or send a check made payable to the Valley Breast Health Care Fund to Nancy Valentine, 18 Farrell Drive, Ansonia, 06401. Donations are also welcome.

The Valley Women's Health Initiative is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women's health issues including breast cancer awareness and heart disease. 

Established in 2001 to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

Committee members include co-chairs Kate Cosgrove and Dr. Stephanie Wain; Daun Barrett, Carey Carpino, Christine Cooper, Dolores Chew, Karen Cusick, Dorothy Gandy, Antoinetta Hallett, Elizabeth Johnson, Lisa Kechijian, Peggy Marlowe, Frank Michaud, Mia Talamelli, Pat Tarasovic, and Nancy Valentine. The group also sponsors an Annual Women Making A Difference Tribute and Fundraiser each October in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Membership is open to all persons interested in promoting and supporting breast cancer awareness and wellness.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Valley Chamber of Commerce to sponsor SchmoozaPalooza 2 in Shelton

SHELTON - Join area business professionals as they gather for some early evening networking from 2:30-6:30 p.m. April 21 at the Greater Valley Chamber SchmoozaPalooza 2 - 15th Annual Business Expo & After Hours at 2 Armstrong Road.

Bring your friends, coworkers, and clients to preview the latest products and services from exhibitors in a fun and casual networking environment.

The evening will include music, networking, food tastings, door prizes and more!

From promoting your company, making new contacts, and generating sales leads to winding down after work with a drink and tasty treats from some of the Valley’s best restaurants and caterers, the SchmoozaPalooza experience is all about business in action and making connections.

For exhibitor details, contact Laura at the Chamber, 203-925-4981.


This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Derby Public Library seeks submissions for scholarship

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its annual scholarship prize of $500.

The prize is open to all high school seniors living in Derby

who plan to further their education, regardless of where they go to school. 

The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on an essay explaining the role of libraries in their life.

The award will be presented at the Library Board of Directors meeting June 15.

In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will

be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Young Adult Department. 

High school seniors may submit their entry directly to the Library Director now through June 1.  

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

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

Valley Community Foundation to host reception in Shelton

Mosquito-borne diseases topic of talk at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

DERBY - Phillip Armstrong, research scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will present The Latest Buzz on Mosquito-borne Diseases in Connecticut at 1 p.m. April 23 at the Kellogg Environmental Center.  

Armstrong will share the latest information on issues around diseases spread by mosquitoes and the impact here in Connecticut.  
He will also inform attendees about the science of the insect as well as the research into their connection to human health.

The mission of CAES is to develop, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge, improve agricultural productivity and environmental quality, protect plants, and enhance human health and well-being through research for the benefit of Connecticut residents and the nation.  Seeking solutions across a variety of disciplines for the benefit of urban, suburban, and rural communities, Station scientists remain committed to "Putting Science to Work for Society,” a motto as relevant today as it was at their founding in 1875.

Kellogg Environmental Center is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave.  

The program is offered free of charge, but donations are welcome.  
Please register to attend by contacting the Kellogg Environmental Center at 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

This is a press release from DEEP.