Vendors still sought for Rock the Valley, Harvest Festival in Ansonia

Derby Public Library discussion to focus on memoir about love, cooking

DERBY - The Derby Public Library's next Lunchtime Book Discussion will be at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 30.  
The selected title is the pleasurable memoir Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard.  

In Paris for a weekend, Bard sat down to lunch with a handsome Frenchman, and never went home again.  

This is the chronicle of a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs – one with her new beau, and the other with French cuisine.  
It is a great, light read that lovers of food and romance will relish.  

Dessert and beverages will be provided.  

Registration is requested.  
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 Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Spector Spectacular in Ansonia to benefit TEAM, Valley troupe

What do you get when some local professional actors and tell them they can perform inside a furniture showroom? 

A wonderful and unexpected experience you won’t want to miss.  

Spector Furniture and Mattress Gallery, TEAM, Inc., and Valley Shakespeare Festival have teamed up to bring you Spector Spectacular Presents Psycho Beach Party!  

The furniture showroom at 385 Main St., Ansonia, is the perfect set for the professional actors of the Valley Shakespeare Festival to perform a rendition of the off-Broadway show that combines 1950s psychological thrillers with 1960s beach movies with the 1970s slasher films – Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch.

“This is a show that is a ton of fun for an adult evening out! So many remember those Annette and Frankie moments, but never like this! Like last year, it’ll be an experience not to be missed,” said Tom Simonetti, Director, Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Doors will open to Spector Spectacular at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 with the show starting around 7 p.m. 

The event will feature a silent auction, a raffle, a variety of foods from surrounding restaurants, including sushi and stuffed cookies, and music. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. 

Advance tickets are on sale at $35 per person ($40 at the door) with net proceeds to benefit TEAM, Inc. and Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Tickets can be purchased online at www.SpectorFurniture.com.  

For program updates, follow Spector Spectacular on Facebook. 

This information is shared from a press release.

Recuperation journey: A 'friend' returns

Look who returned! 
Photographing wildlife in our yard has been a part of my healing process since May so I'm filing this with my recuperation journey series. 

I just happened to see him and was able to capture a quick photo through the back window. He looks to be enjoying the afternoon sun.
He hasn't been around in a while, or I should say I haven't seen him in a while.

Recuperation journey: It's only natural

A recipient of a donated organ wouldn't be human if he or she didn't wonder who gave them the gift of life.

I've been wondering since Day 1 who my donor was, and was overjoyed Thursday to meet her, a wonderful woman named Robin Gilmartin. 

I was glad to hear my fellow recipients say when they saw other patients waiting for appointments they would look at them and try to guess if they were their donor.

I did the exact same thing! 
At a pre-surgery appointment I noticed a woman seated with her family and I convinced myself - incorrectly of course - that she was about to be my donor. 
The need to know is human nature.

Here's a photo my daughter took of me (at right) and Robin at Thursday's press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital: 

We were part of an 18-person kidney exchange! 
I had no idea so many transplants were involved. It's wonderful and overwhelming all at once to be a part of it.