Newsletter features festival in Ansonia, concert in Derby, Shakespeare in Shelton

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter is available.

You can check it out here: 

http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_dea7bdd529ac49ad9f89e5d2fe0c30f8.pdf

Community breakfast planned July 9 in Ansonia

Presentations on investing planned at Ansonia Library

ANSONIA - A program, Broadening Your Knowledge of Investing, will be held from 11 a.m.-noon weekdays in July and August at Ansonia Library.  

Photo from library website

The purpose is to help you increase your knowledge beyond your current investments.  
Included in this presentation: develop an investment strategy; stick with quality; learn about the diversity of bonds, stocks, and mutual funds; invest for the long term; and focus on what you can control.  

Bob Condon of Edward Jones Investment is the presenter. 

The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

For more information, call the Ansonia Library, 203-734-6275.


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

Valley Shakespeare Festival to present raucous comedy at park in Shelton

SHELTON - Batten down the hatches and man the lifeboats because there’s a storm coming as Valley Shakespeare Festival presents “The Taming of the Shrew.”  

Shakespeare’s wild and raucous comedy about courtship and marriage comes to the Valley for four free performances in Veterans Memorial-Riverwalk Park on the evenings of July 14-17.

The cast of characters includes a shrew (of course!), a boor, a goody-two-shoes, a love-sick boy and a whole crew of confused, conflicted and hapless miscreants all on board to escort you on a tumultuous journey to true love.

The story revolves around two sisters, daughters of a wealthy gentleman in Padua, Italy.  

The younger, Bianca, is daddy’s perfect little girl: demure, virtuous, sweet and infinitely marriageable.  

The older, Kate, is the shrew.  She is quick-witted, independent and anything but subservient; not the ideal Elizabethan bride!  

The problem is that Sr. Baptista (aka Daddy) won’t let Bianca marry before Kate does.  

But, as is often the case in Shakespeare and in life, people are not always what they seem.

Jessica Breda, who is playing the role of Bianca, explains:

“I think that Bianca is a strong-willed lady who knows what she wants and how to get it … She’s definitely got some antagonistic qualities, especially when it comes to her relationship with Kate.”

Iris McQuillan-Grace will take on the role of Kate.  She’s played the role before, when she was 10 years younger.  

She’s looking forward to giving the character another go:

“I’ve had a long time to reflect on how I saw her and approached her before, and it’s so rare that you get to repeat a role - I’m looking forward to finding new things, especially in her family relationships and how she became the person she is at the beginning of the play.”

These are the kind of sisters who give sibling rivalry a bad name and audience members can count on plenty of sparks flying, hair pulling and cat-fighting!   

Woe to the brave men who choose to woo these two!

Lucentio is Bianca’s suitor of choice for husband material and Mitchel Kawash will tackle his role: 

“He (Lucentio) comes to Padua excited to travel and motivated to study and within 50 lines he’s fallen in love and that’s all a distant afterthought.  

Then he spends the bulk of the play disguised (as a classics tutor to Bianca). Then, all of a sudden, we see him with his father and he’s married!”

Petruchio, on the other hand, is wealthy in his own right, has been to war, and has seen his share of the world and life. He has come to Padua to “wed wealthily, then happily.”  

Like Kate, he is quick-witted, sharp-tongued, feisty, knows exactly what he wants and fears nothing and no one.

So, the stage is set for a battle royal – or two! Who, if anyone will prevail?  Come on out on and decide who you will root for!

All four performances are free and open to the public and begin at sunset, around 8 p.m.  

Audiences are invited to arrive up to two hours early to picnic and enjoy family time in the park prior to the show.

This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit theater company dedicated to bringing free and low-cost theater to the lower Naugatuck Valley and its surroundings.

Treasured Time to host softball marathon to support Derby family

Treasured Time’s 3rd Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon Aug.13-14 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Stadium will support the wish of Nicole Mather of Derby, pictured at left with her son, Austin, and husband, Brian. /Submitted photo

DERBY - Treasured Time, Inc. is hosting its Third Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon Aug. 13-14 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Stadium in Stratford to help make the wish of a terminally ill mother in Derby come true.

This semi-competitive event encourages the community to form softball teams and play one-hour games to win a night in the Treasured Time Suite at a Bridgeport Bluefish Game.

Proceeds support the charity’s mission to grant the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses. 

This year’s Extra Innings Marathon will directly benefit the newest Treasured Time “gift of moments” recipient, Nicole Mather of Derby.

“Treasured Time is so excited to once again put on this fundraiser,” said Suzanne Major, Founder/CEO of Treasured Time. 

“The money we raise from this event will assist our newest families and we can’t wait to have everyone come down and join us at the stadium for two days of fun.”

This two-day event starts at 7 a.m. Aug. 13 and runs until 9 p.m., including an exciting Home Run Derby for both men and women at 7:30 p.m. 

The Home Run Derby winners will get a dinner for two at Vazzy’s Cucina in Shelton. The marathon resumes at 7 a.m. Aug. 14 and concludes with a championship game at 7:30 p.m. that day.

Registration is limited to the first 40 teams consisting of at least 10 players per team. The team that scores the most runs in a win on Saturday will play in the championship against the team that scored the most runs in a win on Sunday.

“The great part about this event is that you don’t have to be a softball player to join in on the fun,” said event organizer Jenn Moffat. 

“We have many companies and families who have been affected by life-threatening illnesses, who come out to enjoy the day and support our mission. We match the teams up by skill level, so everyone is welcome to play. The weekend is really not about competition, it’s about the cause.”

In addition to supporting Treasured Time, the marathon is held in honor of former Bluefish General Manager and Treasured Time supporter Ken Shepard.

Derby woman hopes to renew vows in Vegas

Nicole Mather, 43, of Derby, became sick at age 15. After a few years of not knowing what was wrong and undergoing various tests, she was diagnosed with lupus at 17.

Since then, life has been very difficult. She has been in and out of the hospital throughout her life. Shortly after her diagnosis, Mather was in a major car accident in which she was put on life support and administered Last Rites by a priest.

Mather defied the odds of the accident and her illness and found true love in her husband, Brian. 

The couple was told they would never have children, but Mather again proved the exception and was blessed with her “miracle baby,” Austin, who is now 17. 

Mather recently was diagnosed with diabetes and has suffered two severe strokes and three mini-strokes. She has APS lupus which creates blood clots throughout her body, intensifying her susceptibility to strokes. 

Mather could have a stroke that changes her life forever at any time, but for right now she does what she can to enjoy life despite her limitations.

Mather's wish is to go to Las Vegas and renew her vows with her true love and have her son walk her down the aisle. They will be married 20 years this September.

The entry fee for the Extra Innings Marathon is $250 per team, and the deadline to register is July 31. Home Run Derby participants can enter for a $25 fee. 

Tickets for spectators to attend the softball marathon are $5. 

There will be activities throughout the event including corn hole, DJs, and raffles.

For more information or to register a team or for the Homerun Derby, contact Jenn at 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

Treasured Time, Inc. is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  

With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments.”

To see how you can help make a difference, visit www.treasuredtime.org.

This is a press release from Treasured Time. 

Conroy: State establishes hotline for treatment of opioid addiction

State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) announced today the state now has a 24-hour hotline for people seeking treatment for addiction to prescription opioids and heroin.

State Rep. Theresa Conroy

“There were more than 700 opioid-related deaths in Connecticut in 2015 – the numbers of deaths have been climbing significantly each year,” Conroy said. "This is a public health crisis that requires a broad response.” Conroy is an APRN.

The legislature this year approved a wide-ranging bill to limit opioid prescriptions and require first responders to carry Narcan, the life-saving overdose antidote.

The state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has opened 1-800-563-4086. 

Callers will be immediately connected to a walk-in treatment clinic.


This is a press release from Conroy's office.

Derby Public Library offers Tech Time sessions

DERBY - The Derby Public Library continues to offer monthly Tech Time sessions.  

Every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and every

third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. a staff member will be on hand to answer your tech-related questions and concerns.

Also included is a demonstration of the Library’s 3-D printer.   

Whether you are having trouble downloading e-books, 

searching databases, completing on-line job applications, scanning/sending documents and photos, etc., your problems will be addressed.  

The next sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 20 and at 10 a.m. July 21.

No registration is needed. 

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Derby Public Library.

Back to school drive in Valley marking 10th year

Shelton shop serves as main collection site

Pictured from left, front row: Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts; Marcia Jones, BHcare; Nicole Polifka, Bright Horizons Day Care; and Phyllis Hyde, Barb’s Corner Consignment.  

Back Row:  Ross James, barber at J Cuts; Jennifer Olson, Principal of Irving School; Jen DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV; Suzanne Reilly, TEAM Inc., and Jessica Lanzi, LNV Parent Child Resource Center./Contributed photo 

SHELTON - J Cuts, 505 Howe Ave., has launched the 10th Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive in the Valley.

From now until Aug. 21 book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

Last year, more than 150 book bags, and an abundance of back to school supplies, were collected.

This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, the main collection location.

Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper, and folders. Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. 

All book bags and supplies must be brand new.

“The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart,” Sneider said. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how it all balances out for children in need!”

For the first time last year, Bright Horizons Day Care, 3 Corporate Drive, and First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road, both of Shelton, held their own collections and drop-off donations. 

In addition, Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, joined the drive last year by taking up a collection.

Minuteman Press, 427B Howe Ave., donated collection posters once again.

Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations. 

For a second year in a row, coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, the dental plan for HUSKY Health. They provided oral kits each containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and oral health education.

According to Romaniuk, “The oral health kits contain tips to keep the mouth healthy as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth for the benefit of a person’s general health. The beginning of the school year traditionally correlates with starting new routines and habits. This seems like the perfect opportunity to spread the oral health message of the importance of daily oral hygiene and scheduling a dental exam.”

HUSKY Health members can contact the CTDHP call center at 855-CT-DENTAL or visit www.ctdhp.com for help connecting to one of the 1,900 dental providers available.

Over 250 oral kits were given to all students who received back to school donations, as well as, the Milford Department of Children & Families office.

Children receiving donations from this community drive last year are serviced by TEAM, Inc. and Irving School in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center (LNV/PCRC), and the Shelton School Readiness Program, all of Shelton; along with BHcare in Ansonia.

“The Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is forever grateful for receiving backpacks and dental kits to support our families in need,” says Jen DeLeon, Unit Director.  

“The smiles on our members’ faces are absolutely priceless as they feel so much more confident getting ready for their first day of school!”

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive.  

The 11^th annual drive will begin Jan. 1, but donations are accepted at any time. For safety and allergy reasons, donations must be new, stuffed monkeys with tags.

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive.

For more information on either community drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This post is taken from a press release.

Festival in Ansonia to Rock the Valley Aug. 20

Save the date!