Recuperation journey: More about naps and, ahem, aging

The napping elf got me today. 

I wrote about naps in this post last week. 
The word nap is short for Natural Aging Process, in my humble opinion. 

Naps are often necessary when a kidney transplant recipient like myself doesn't sleep well at night - thanks to the twice-daily cocktail of meds I must take. 
The medication must be the cause of my interrupted sleep. The melatonin suggestion didn't seem to help at all. 

But taking all the meds is a small price to pay to stay healthy and take care of my new kidney.

For the past two days I was proud of myself because I "powered" through the afternoon without taking a rejuvenating nap. 
But today I really needed one. So I caved in! 
The afternoon snooze gave me enough energy to face the rest of what I had to do today, such as make dinner and do a load of laundry.

Sleepless in the Valley: That could be a good title for this post. 
Guess I can use that one next time, if this annoying problem persists.

Learn to prevent falls in program at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering a free fall prevention program Sept. 22 at the hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon 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.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Gas & Electric Co.

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is an image of the Birmingham Electric Co., which became the Derby Gas & Electric Co. 
In 1859, a group of prominent Derby men - including William Wooster, Dr. Ambrose Beardsley and Edward Shelton - petitioned the state legislature in Hartford for a charter to manufacture and distribute gas in the Boroughs of Birmingham and Ansonia. At the time, both boroughs were still part of Derby. The petition was granted in May of 1859, and 10 years later, the charter was amended to include part of Huntington. 

However, the building was not officiated until 1871, when the first officers and President were selected. 

The building was located in four previous locations - at Gould's Armory, at 141 Main St., on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets, and in a different Elizabeth Street building (exact location unknown) - before settling on 22 Elizabeth St. in 1931.

*Many thanks to the Derby Public Library for sharing this local history. 

Flea Market Flip to benefit My Sister's Place in Ansonia

ANSONIA - My Sister’s Place Flea Market Flip is a fun, creative twist on recycling or upcycling similar to the HGTV show with the same name, Flea Market Flip. 

Proceeds from the sale of each flip item will benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. 

Individual participants or teams of two must purchase their flip item(s) at MSP for $25 or less by Sept. 25. 
Registration forms are available at the store and must be completed at the time of purchase. No more than $50 may be spent on repurposing/up-cycling the item(s). Receipts must be shown when submitting the repurposed item.

Items will be displayed and sold on Oct. 1 during Shelton Day. Any items not sold that day will be placed on sale at the store. All flips must be delivered to Howe Avenue, Shelton by 9 a.m. on Oct. 1.

Shelton Day attendees will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite flip, and the flip with the most votes wins! 

A Flea Market Flip kickoff will be held at the store Aug. 17 from 5-7 p.m. featuring special flip items and, honor of National Thrift Store Day, shoppers will receive 25 percent off their purchase of $15 or more.  

For more information, visit bhcare.org or stop by the store at 380 Main St.

MSP, a program of BHcare, offers quality new and gently used clothing, furniture and house wares at discount prices. All proceeds from MSP support BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.  
Each year UCDVS helps more than 6,000 adults and children who are experiencing domestic violence; all services are provided free of charge.

To learn more about the flip, visit the store, or find us online at www.bhcare.org, and www.facebook.com/MySistersPlace.


This is a press release from BHcare.

Seymour Pink to celebrate anniversary of gift shop

The nonprofit Seymour Pink is a community's fight against breast cancer.

Summer festival slated in Oxford to benefit CT Partnership for Children

Take in a movie on Wednesdays at Derby Public Library

DERBY - Derby Public Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series for ages 18 and over.  Newly-released DVDs will be shown every Wednesday at 

1 p.m.  

Light snacks will be provided. Registration is requested. 

For a list of featured films, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.  


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