Friday, November 18, 2016

Shelton fitness business holds grand opening

iLoveKickBoxing.com held its grand opening celebration Nov. 9 at its 702 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton location in the Center at Split Rock. Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell joined staff members at the ribbon cutting. / Contributed photo

iLoveKickboxing.com is owned by Susan Gillis and offers exceptional workouts to burn fat, burn calories, and build and tone muscle - all with hands-on personal-fitness attention from incredible instructors.  


This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.



Valley United Way joins global day of giving Nov. 29

SHELTON - Valley United Way has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

Occurring this year on Nov. 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

Valley United Way is fighting to improve the lives of every person in our community.  
United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their potential through health, education and financial stability.

Each year, the dollars Valley United Way raises are invested into local programs, services and our Volunteer Center.  In the last year alone, donations to Valley United way allowed us and our funded partners to help 107,964 Valley residents by providing basic needs, assisting people in crisis situations and preparing youth to be successful in life.

Community Campaign Chair Jimmy Tickey said, “The Valley United Way and our partner agencies do unparalleled work in the community, but it all begins with our Community Campaign. Without the funds raised into our Community Campaign; we cannot allocate funding locally. And without that, the Valley United Way cannot help to strengthen families, help people in need and prepare youth to succeed.”

Tickey continued, “The old adage is true – with the United Way, you give once but help many. Please join us in Giving Tuesday this year, and help us fight for a stronger community now and in our future.”

92Y − a cultural center in New York City that, since 1874, has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back − conceptualized #GivingTuesday as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. 
In 2015, the fourth year of the movement, #GivingTuesday brought together over 45,000 partners in 71 countries and helped raise nearly $117 Million online in the US alone.
“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of #GivingTuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our fifth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”

Those who are interested in joining Valley United Way’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.valleyunitedway.org.


This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. 
United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families, and people in crisis. 
Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.


Griffin Hospital physician receives Planetree Clinician Champion Award

Neil Pearson, MD, of Southbury, was recently honored with the Planetree Clinician Champion Award./ Contributed photo


DERBY - Neil Pearson, MD, of Southbury, was recently honored with the Planetree Clinician Champion Award.

The Clinician Champion Award is part of Planetree’s Annual Spirit of Planetree Awards, which recognize individuals around the world who personalize, humanize, and demystify the health care experience.
Pearson is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Vascular Medicine. He is President of the Griffin Hospital Medical Staff and is highly respected by his colleagues, hospital staff, and patients. 

The award especially recognizes Pearson’s involvement in Griffin’s Congestive Heart Failure Collaborative, which established standard CHF care protocols to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions and improve the quality of life for patients.
“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our Annual Conference,” said Planetree President Dr. Susan Frampton. 
“At the heart of the Planetree patient-centered model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Awards we celebrate individuals like Dr. Pearson who, with their compassion, empathy, and simple human kindness, are improving the patient experience, and that is most definitely worthy of recognition.”

About Planetree
Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic health care experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care. 
Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the health care system for more than 30 years. 
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ho, ho, ho ~ Shop at Holiday Marketplace Dec. 3 in Ansonia Armory


All generations race at Wesley Village Halloween 5K in Shelton

On your mark, get set, GO! This was the starting line at Wesley Village’s 8th annual 5K and Fun Walk in Shelton./ Contributed photo



SHELTON - Wesley Village hosted its eighth annual 5K and Fun Walk Oct. 29 on its senior living campus on Long Hill Avenue. 
Truly a “Race for All Generations,” the event was sponsored by Serra & DelVecchio and boasted more than 300 total participants, 40 of which were over the age of 70! 

Participants (some in costume) crossed the finish line at the front entrance of Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, to the roaring cheers of dozens of Wesley Village residents, staff, volunteers, and family members. 

The 5K Run featured a flat out and back course sponsored by C.E. Floyd Company, along with a 1-Mile Fun Walk sponsored by M&T Bank and a Kids Run, sponsored by Merit Insurance. 
The community event was coordinated with the help of JB Sports Event Management. 
Race festivities were hosted across the beautiful Wesley Village Campus and included trick-or-treating, face painting, a bounce house, music, food, and a trophy and awards ceremony. Proceeds from the race benefitted award-winning resident programs at Wesley Village as well as The Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter. 

Wesley Village would like to thank Mayor Mark Lauretti, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, the Pine Rock Park Volunteer Fire Company, Silvia Rodriguez and the Youth 2 Youth Program, and the many other local sponsors and participants who helped to make this year’s race a huge success! 
For race results, photos, and video highlights from the race, visit http://www.umh.org/5k-road-race-2016

The Wesley Village Campus offers independent and assisted living, memory care, short-term rehab and skilled nursing, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
The campus is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community. 
To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Seymour changes schedule for fall leaf pickup

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Department of Public Works is changing the way it does its annual fall leaf pickup this year. 

Pickup will now be executed on a schedule based on residents’ garbage pickup day.

The schedule is below.

Garbage Pickup Day Leaf Pickup Schedule:
Monday 11/28 - 12/2
Tuesday 12/5 - 12/9
Wednesday 12/12 - 12/16
Thursday 12/19 - 12/23
Friday 12/28 - 1/5

Things to know:
Leaves must be placed on the curb in brown bags.
Leaves in plastic bags will not be accepted.
Residents can also bring their leaves to the transfer station Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.




This is a press release from First Selectman Kurt Miller's office.

Learn about fall prevention at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering a free fall prevention program Dec. 9 at the hospital, featuring risk assessments, prevention techniques, and exercises to help improve balance./ Contributed photo


DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program from 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 9 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.



This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Celebrate Shelton to present handmade market on 3 Saturdays