Library sessions in May to highlight mothers in Derby's history

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History

Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. 

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

May’s topic will be Historical Mothers of Derby.  

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.

Ansonia Animal Shelter to host fundraiser at ARMS building

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Animal Shelter will host an Earth Day, Gardening in Containers fundraiser from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 30 at the ARMS Building on West Main Street.  

ARMS building
(Photo from City of Ansonia website)

Marie Androski, a horticulturist and former landscape designer, will be guest speaker.  

Bring a recycled container, such as a tin can, to make your own garden.  
The cost for this event is $5. Please register by April 25.  

To register or for more information call the Ansonia Animal Shelter, 203-410-7716.

Resume workshop slated May 4 at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is offering Resume Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

During these sessions, participants are 

welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.

The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 4.

Registration is not required.  
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.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on making healthy choices

Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation about how lifestyle changes can help individuals prevent common health disorders April 20./Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. will host a free presentation about how lifestyle changes can help individuals prevent common health disorders at 6 p.m. April 20.

Dr. Victoria Costales and Eunice Lisk, M.S., co-chairs, Griffin Hospital’s Wellness for Life Program, will present “The Way to Wellness,” an open discussion of how making healthy choices can lead to significantly increased vitality.

According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health. 

This program will explain how individuals can control a healthy weight, work to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve sleep and energy, and increase personal strength and resilience.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U Talks, a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.



This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

School in Derby to host casino bus trip fundraiser

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School is hosting a bingo/casino bus trip to Foxwoods Casino June 18.


The bus will depart the school, 14 Seymour Ave., at 7:30 a.m. and return around 6:30 p.m. The trip will provide attendees plenty of time to play bingo or enjoy other games and attractions at the casino.
The cost is $30 per person and includes a free $15 KENO play coupon and a free $10 food coupon. There will be bingo on the bus.

Proceeds will support the St. Mary-St. Michael Home School Association, which supports the needs of the school.

For reservations or more information, contact Gene at 203-893-9663 or Christian at 203-520-1480. 
Or send your reservation to: St. Mary-St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave. Derby, 06418. 
Please make checks payable to “St. Mary-St. Michael HSA.”


This is a press release from the school.

Local author to discuss new novel at Ansonia Library

ANSONIA - Andrew L. Cota, Jr. will talk about and sign copies of his new novel, Whitestone, at 6 p.m. April 28 at the Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St.

The story is about an individual named Alex who is headed to the apex of his life and starts to realize there is more to life than just living for today. 
He was doing pretty well until something outside the norm started to occur in his life. His experiences take him through a whirlwind of action that teeters among all the possible realms of reality that exist.

Cota, a retired Derby police chief, has experienced many things in his own life and has had a broad array of life experiences to call upon in writing with a depth of understanding that will be found in this book. 

The fiction aspect of the book gives him the liberty to project his thoughts in a fictional story form. 
Cota is the author of a non-fiction book, Through the Lens of an Old Man. That book delved into the depths of the human condition from the perspective of the spiritual, philosophical, and psychological life of people.


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

Griffin Hospital in Derby offers health career courses

Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers is accepting applications for its summer Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy programs./Submitted photo 

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206, is offering day classes for its summer Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy programs.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. 

Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited.

There will be two sessions of the accelerated CNA program this summer semester with one starting on May 16 and another starting on July 11. The PCT and Phlebotomy programs begin May 17.

Classes for the CNA program will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule. 

Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care.

The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation. The clinical experience will be at a long term facility and Griffin Hospital from 7 a. m.-3:30 p.m. for 40 hours. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the state exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut.

The 16-week PCT program starts May 17. Practical training will be from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and there is an option to take the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday classes either during the day from 9 a.m.-noon or evenings from 6-9 p.m.

The PCT program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room. The clinical experience is 160 hours. The course tuition includes textbook, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and national certification.

The 13-week Phlebotomy program starts May 17 with day (9 a.m.-noon) and evening (6-9 p.m.) class options available for its Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday schedule. The course tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification, lab coats, CPR certification, malpractice insurance and textbook.

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

About The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 

Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, 300 Seymour Ave.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.