Derby employees collecting for St. Vincent de Paul food pantry

Sharing portion of an email from Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

"Dear City of Derby Colleagues and Friends,

Thank you very much!  With your help, we delivered well over 100 boxes of Pancake Mix and syrup and nearly 100 cans of other food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank today.  

If you still have pancake mix, syrup, or other canned goods, please drop them off at City Hall or directly to St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank, 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, CT – 203.734.7577.

We keep growing in our fifth month thanks to all of you.

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, in March we collected cans of Beef Stew, in April we collected Baked Beans, and in May we collected pancake mix and syrup.

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

Thank you for your cooperation and possible participation.

Celebrate Shelton to host handmade market Saturday

SHELTON - Celebrate Shelton creators Nicole Heriot-Mikula, Michael Skrtic, and Jimmy Tickey are looking forward to the June Downtown Handmade Market, sponsored by SolarCity.

“Our goal is to ignite a greater sense of community while bringing a positive presence to downtown Shelton," Heriot-Mikula said.

Tickey added, "The Monthly Downtown Handmade markets have become a destination for small businesses, artisan vendors, eateries, and culture as residents from Shelton join to shop local." 
Skrtic said, “We want to encourage our families, friends, and neighbors to shop locally and support our local businesses."

Just in time for Father’s Day, Saturday's market will feature live music and 20 handmade vendors - from teas to seasonal spices; from men’s soaps and lotions to home goods. The Downtown Handmade Market is free to enter with ample free parking. 
This will be the last Downtown Handmade Market until October.

What: Downtown Handmade Market
Where: Conti Building - 415 Howe Ave., Shelton
When: June 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

June handmade artisans include: Anam Cara Center, Anthony Videira Fine Art, Auntie Arwen's Spices, Common Bond Market, D'Green Pickles, Happy Hippie Heads, Jess Smalley Photographs Everything, Killbride Creations, Liquid Lunch/GROW, Om Pajamas, Quilts by Nancy, Reid's BBQ Sauces, Renn's Recreations, Steeped Tea, The Raven & The Rose Handcrafted Soaps, Woody Things and more!

The Conti Building Shops include: BringtheHoopla, The Glass Source Stained Glass Studio, Periodic Tableware, Nicky's Attic, Three Bridges Coffeehouse, Written Words Bookstore, Welcome Relaxation, Sage Yoga, Memories from Aunt Helen's Attic.

Special events throughout the day include Tarot Readings by Sally Russo; and there will be live music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with Lee Ann Lovelace and Paul Kramarz.

Our highlighted nonprofit of the month is: Friends of the Shelton Libraries. 
The Friends of the Shelton Libraries are individuals, families and businesses who share an appreciation for the resources and services provided by the Shelton Libraries.


This is a press release from Celebrate Shelton, a city-wide initiative created by small business owners Nicole Heriot-Mikula, Michael Skrtic, and Jimmy Tickey. 

Learn more about Celebrate Shelton at www.celebrateshelton.com and follow Celebrate Shelton on Facebook (www.facebook.com/celebrateshelton) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/celebshelton).

Derby-Shelton Rotary Club announces scholarship winners

Derby/Shelton Rotary Club

Scholarship Winners 2016

The Derby/Shelton Rotary Club is pleased to announce the 2016 winners of the Club's scholarships. 

This is the third year that the Rotary Club has implemented a new program where four of the scholarships have been changed to $10,000 scholarships with $2,500 being awarded for each of four years in school. 

This year's four-year scholarship is the Cas Turaj Scholarship.

Derby High School	Winner	Amount
Cas Turaj Scholarship 2016	Brittany Santiago (Derby)	$10,000
Shelton High School
Deceased Rotarian Scholarship	Zack Johnson (Shelton)	$1,750
Other Scholarships not awarded strictly by school
Dr. Edward Bednar Scholarship	Anthony Gonzalez (Derby)	$1,750
Edward Handi Scholarship	Celina Chapman (Shelton)	$2,000
Robert Dickgiesser Scholarship	James Butler (Derby)	$2,000

This information is shared from the club's website.

VSAAC: Parents urged to help teens stay substance free

Data finds drug, alcohol abuse increases over summer

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council is urging parents to spend time talking to their teens about personal responsibility, social host laws, and enjoying graduation and summertime activities without alcohol or drugs. 

“Youth enjoy celebrating this season with friends, however, it is also one of the most likely times for them to experiment with alcohol or other substances”, said Pamela Mautte, Director of VSAAC.  

Student survey trend data consistently shows that drug and alcohol use among students increases over the summer. 

While alcohol remains the substance of choice for students in the Valley, marijuana and prescription medication are also substances of concern. The survey also highlighted that students who reported recent use (past 30 days) of alcohol reported about the location of their use:

• 80% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at the homes of others in the past 30 days. 
• 64% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at their home in the past 30 days. 
• 65% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at a party without an adult present in the past 30 days. 
• Approximately 10% report having ridden as a passenger with a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol while 2% report having driven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol themselves.

“We want young people and their parents to have wonderful memories of their special occasions and enjoy the summertime and not have memories of tragedy,” Mautte said.

What can you do?

Reinforce Expectations: Have clear rules and establish consequences for breaking them. Be clear that drinking and drug use is unacceptable.

Encourage teens to make each moment count: Reinforce that one bad decision can change their life forever.

Provide safe alternatives: Encourage teens to volunteer, work part time jobs, or find activities that keep them engaged with safe and productive free time.

Set a good example: Secure alcohol, lock up medications and dispose of unused medications.

Provide a safety plan: Discuss ways in which your teen can leave a party or situation they are not comfortable with no questions asked. Utilize a code in which they can call or text you and safely leave a situation. 

Understand the CT Social Host Law: Connecticut’s “social hosting” law prohibits anyone from permitting people under 21 to possess alcohol in any residence or other private property. 

A first violation of this prohibition constitutes an infraction resulting in a $146 fine, and each subsequent offense mandates a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

To learn more visit www.vsaac.org, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/vsaac or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vsaac.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities. 

For more information, visit www.VSAAC.org. 

This is a press release from BHcare.   

Vintage vehicles headed to Shelton History Center June 19

A Father's Day tradition continues

One of the antique Fords on display at last year's classic car show. / Submitted photo 

SHELTON - Despite storm and water damage that was done to the roof of the Brownson House at the Shelton History Center late last year that necessitated the closing of the house to visitors, the Shelton Historical Society is getting

back on track with one of the community’s favorite events: 

the Vintage Vehicles Antique & Classic Car Show.  

Held each year on Father’s Day which is June 19, it provides an opportunity to stroll the grounds and spend the day with Dad admiring cars of all kinds.

Two wheels or four, from Model T’s to muscle cars, there’s

bound to be something that will trigger a memory from every visitor.  
The car show will take place at the Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  

'55 Packard seen at 2015 show. Photo by Ralph Villers

Past shows have featured everything from a 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom to a 1911 wood-paneled Model T truck.

Cars from nearly every decade of automobile history 

from the 20^th  century have gathered on the shady grounds of the Shelton History Center with more recent muscle cars, Mustangs, and Army Jeeps joining Ford Model As and Ts.

All vehicle owners generously share information, their cars, and their hobby with the public.

Owners of antique and classic vehicles of all kinds are invited to register for this event.  

Entry forms may be found at www.sheltonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling 203-925-1803. 
Pre-registration costs $8 but will be $10 on the day of the event.  

Awards in five categories will be presented to crowd favorites.   

Sponsors of this year’s show include the Valley Community Foundation, D’Addario Automotive Group of Shelton, and

The Mouse That Roared Classic Car Repair.  

Admission for visitors is $1 for dads, $5/adults and $10/family. 

Proceeds will benefit the repair and restoration of the Brownson House and provide museum safe storage boxes 

for documents and artifacts to replace those supplies that were lost when the ceilings were damaged.  

The Shelton Historical Society owns Shelton History Center, a museum complex of six historic buildings located just

north of the Huntington Green. It strives to provide

programs of historical importance to the community.  

Some programs this year have had to be canceled due 

to damage to the house, but the organization is addressing

all repairs and hoping to rebuild stronger than ever with the community’s support.  

This is a press release from Tracey Tate, Executive Director, Shelton Historical Society.

Derby Public Library to celebrate birthday of Harcourt Wood

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will commemorate the birthday of Holton Harcourt Wood, the young boy in whose memory the Library was built, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 20.

Holton Harcourt Wood

The Library will be decorated with flowers in compliance with Colonel H. Holton Wood’s request, which he made at the dedication of the Library in 1902.

At that time he asked that flowers be placed throughout the Library every year on the birth date of his son. 
His request has been honored ever since. 

Several years ago, the Library also added the tradition of commemorating this special day with a birthday cake.

This time honored tradition has become well known over

the years, not only throughout the Valley, but well beyond.  
It has been written about in the New York Times

A memorial plaque in Harcourt’s memory is displayed at the front entrance of the Library.

The public is invited to visit throughout the day for cake and to learn more about the history of the library.

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St. or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


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

Seymour summer concert series starts Saturday

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Culture and Arts Commission will kick off its summer concert series Saturday with the local favorite Flashback performing music from the 50s and 60s. 

The concert will be held downtown on the corners of First and Bank Street from 6-8 p.m. 

There is no rain date or location for the concert. Please bring your own chairs. 

Parking is available on surrounding streets, but do not park in the First Street plaza as shop owners will have your car towed. 
For more information please contact Kim, 203-888-7880.


This is a press release from the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission.

Valley United Way President announces plan to retire in November

Jack Walsh

SHELTON - It is with mixed emotions that Valley United Way announces the retirement of John J. Walsh “Jack,” President and Chief Operating Officer. 

Jack has served as President for the organization for 27 years, beginning his career with them in 1989. Jack, a life-long resident of Derby, is committed and passionate about making the Valley a better place to live and work. He will be retiring at the end of November.

During his leadership, Jack helped Valley United Way create many successful programs to strengthen collaboration and build resources including the Youth Leadership Program, Volunteer Center, and Valley Council for Health and Human Services and Leadership Greater Valley. In addition, he was instrumental in the creation and execution of the Corporate Cup, a collaborative event with Griffin Hospital, Valley YMCA and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce to improve health and wellness for Valley employees through a series of fun, competitive events. He was also one of the leaders of the group that earned the Valley the All America City Award in 2000.

During his time at Valley United Way, Jack was the longest serving Chair of the Chief Professional Officers Council for United Way of Connecticut and is a past member of their Board of Directors. Jack also serves on many community committees including the Derby Greenway Committee, Electronic Valley Project, Derby Neck Library, Derby/Shelton Rotary and Derby Historical Society, just to name a few.

Prior to his time at Valley United Way, Jack was a teacher in both Shelton and Derby, head coach of the Shelton High Schools Boys Basketball team, and Director of the Recreation Camp in Derby, one of Valley United Way’s funded partners.

Jack’s efforts and dedication to the Valley certainly do not go unnoticed. He is a past recipient of the Great Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold and Platinum Seal Awards, Valley Council’s Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, Derby Historical Society’s Dr. John I. Howe Award, Parent Child Resource Center’s Outstanding Service to Children and Families Award, YMCA’s Strong Community Builder Award, Spirit of St. Mary St. Michael School Award and Griffin Hospital’s Caring Heart Award. 

In addition, Jack was named to the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

Jennifer Bull, Valley United Way Board Chair, is currently working with a committee to create the job posting that is expected to be made public mid-June. 

The open position will be available on the United Way World Wide website. 

Interested applicants can wait for the posting or contact Jen directly at 203-929-3535.

This is shared from the Valley United Way website.