Halloween celebration slated on Derby Green

Learn to make soap, take a hike, more at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center has scheduled a variety of fun activities in November and December.

FULL BEAVER MOON HIKE – Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m.

This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. 
Another interpretation suggests the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon. 
Join the Nature Center guides as we lead you around our park by the light of the moon. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable shoes for uneven terrain. FEE: $1. Please call to register.

FIELD TRIP: Rowanwood Farm in Newtown – Nov. 5, meet at farm at 1:45 p.m.; tour starts 2 p.m.

During our visit, participants learn firsthand about the animals that live on Rowanwood Farm. 
Everyone has an opportunity to interact up close and personal with these amazing creatures. At the same time, we share the animals’ history, characteristics and care. Topics include where llamas come from, how they are sheared, what they eat, and many other interesting particulars that participants learn about our animals. 
FEE: $10 per person; must pre-pay by Nov. 1. Go to www.rowanwoodfarm.com for directions.

BACK TO BASICS: Soap Making – Nov. 11, 1 p.m.

This two-hour class will provide the basic skills you’ll need to make wonderful soaps! Attendees will learn basic safety and traditional techniques required for this time-honored craft which makes great gifts—or soaps to keep for your own use. Soap samples and recipes will be provided. Bring a small container for your take-home samples. Instructor is Dawn Sotir. FEE: $10 per person. Please call to register.

SUNDAY GUIDED HIKE: Woodlore – Nov. 12, 1 p.m.

Join Ranger Jess to learn how to identify trees by their bark and branches. Hear stories of how people have used wood over the years for many different things. Discover how magical trees really are!  FREE. Please call to register.

TWO COYOTES WILDERNESS SCHOOL: Nature Connection – Nov. 18, 1 p.m.

Join Two Coyotes Wilderness School naturalist Karianna Rosenberg and embark on nature connection games where you will become the cougar, the tracker and the tracked!  Hone in on your awareness and stealth as we lead games for all ages outside in the crisp fall air.  Karianna has a deep respect for nature and a passion to help others discover their personal connection to the Earth. Great program for families and scout groups.  
FEE: $5 per person. Please call to register.

SUNDAY GUIDED HIKE: History Hike: How These Trails Came to Be – Nov. 19, 1 p.m.

Learn from Ranger Dan how ancient people utilized their tracking skills and followed animal signs. Gain a long list perspective on who created the trails we walk and the roads we drive today. 
FREE. Please call to register.

DECEMBER PROGRAMS

WINTER WREATH WORKSHOP – Dec. 2, 10 a.m. 

Celebrate winter and the festive season as you create a wreath from fresh locally grown greens, then decorate your masterpiece with natural trimmings. Enjoy some warm mulled cider and a cookie too! 
Wreath frames and wire will be provided. Please bring your own hand clippers.. MATERIALS FEE: $15. Please call to register. 

PRINCIPLES OF FIRECRAFT – Dec. 9, 1 p.m. 

Basic firecraft principles are very important to know. Whether or not you’re the family camp-out fire starter, knowing how fire works is paramount to safety. Join Ranger Dan in learning about wood-gathering, fire safety, and fire starting with only one match! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the outdoors. FREE. Please call to register. 

***ONGOING PROGRAMS***  

Creature Features – Saturdays, noon  

Come to meet our furry, scaly, and feathery animal ambassadors. You’ll have the chance to touch and hold them in this FREE family program for all ages.

Sunday Guided Hikes – 1 p.m.

Join a Nature Center guide on Sunday afternoons for fun, exercise, and learning about our trails! See the above listings for hikes with a specific theme.

Monday Night Trail Run – 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For all the runners who want something out of the ordinary! Ranger Dan will lead you through our 156-acre network of trails, while you burn off the weekend's extra calories. This FREE program is the best way to start off your week.  Please register and wear appropriate footwear.

Fiber Arts Group – Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. FREE.

For information on all programs call 203-736-1053. 

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center,10 Deerfield Road. 

Boys & Girls Club alliance recognizes Oxford resident at leadership dinner

Pictured front row from left: Fred and Lisa Serra, Bill and Stephanie Miller, Susan DeLeon, Shaye Roscoe. 

Back row from left: Mike Healey, John Schaible, Alex Miller, Joe Pagliaro, Lisa Savoid. / Submitted photo

The Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Connecticut Area Council held its second leadership dinner Oct. 11 at Costa-Azzura Restaurant in Milford. 
The Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs provides a mechanism for joint decision making and cooperative action among the 17 organizations in the state and seeks to promote and strengthen relationships with public and private agencies to increase support for clubs.

William M. Miller, Jr., was one of eight Boys & Girls Club Board members throughout the state of Connecticut who were recognized for leadership, dedication, and service to clubs. 

Miller learned service and philanthropy from his father - “Bing” Miller, who served on the Board for more than 50 years. Miller has been a valuable member of the board for 22 years.

His commitment goes far beyond showing up at meetings; he shares his experience and expertise. He’s led a Back-a-Kid annual appeal campaign for many years, despite the time commitment - as a business owner, when he’s giving his time to others, his own earnings are put on hold.

In addition to the Boys & Girls Club, Miller shares his talents with many other organizations. He has served seven additional community organizations through the years, including the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Valley United Way, Oxford Economic Development Corp., Derby Historical Society, Griffin Hospital, OHS Booster Club, and St. Thomas the Apostle Church. He still actively serves on five of these organizations.
Miller grew up in Shelton and graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in economics. He is the owner of Miller Investment, an independent investment practice, which he started in 1996.
Miller resides in Oxford with his wife, Stephanie. They have three sons. Their oldest, Mason, serves in the Special Forces Division of the army and is 4th Engineer. Andrew lives in Boston and works for Stonehill College, and Alex graduated from Rollins College in Florida and works for a baseball development company.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org. 


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

E Street Gallery in Derby to host closing reception for Night Gallery

Attention artists and art lovers:

DERBY - Come to the Valley Arts Council's closing reception at 7 p.m. today at E Street Gallery, 35 Elizabeth St.

The arts council's annual exhibit, Night Gallery, is a celebration of autumn and Halloween!  

You'll see the creativity of local artists in a collection of sometimes spooky, fall-themed paintings, sculptures, and photography.

Julia Day Nursery in Ansonia to mark 100th anniversary Sunday

ANSONIA - Julia Day Nursery will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an open house from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the school, 76 Central St.

Students, families of students, directors, teachers, staff, members of the Board of Managers past and present, and the public are invited.

History of the school
In 1913, a group of women interested in the welfare of children and known as The Ansonia and Derby Nursery Association began to work for the establishment of a day nursery "for the benefit of mothers who were compelled to work and had no place to take their children while engaged in their daily vocation."
For three years, they raised money by sponsoring teas, dances, cake sales, and the like, until they raised $1,500.

Mrs. Charles (Julia) Brooker offered the use of a home on Factory Street. 
Mrs. Louise M. Clark was engaged as the "Matron" to head the nursery.

The program, which opened its doors in June of 1915, began with five children and by November, the enrollment increased to 27.
For two years, the nursery flourished and seemed to fulfill a long-felt need in the community.

After the death of Mrs. Brooker, the house was sold in the process of settling her estate and the Day Nursery was without a home. The Ansonia Board of Education offered the use of a few rooms in the old high school for the summer.

The Hon. Charles F. Brooker generously offered to give the property at 76 Central St., if $1,500 could be raised for repairs.
After a committee worked hard to raise this amount, Mr. Brooker paid for all the repairs and authorized the committee to use the $1,500 for operating expenses. (According to one source, the house was given as a grant by Mr. Brooker and Mr. Alton Farrel.)

The new building was opened on Nov. 6, 1917. Contrary to popular belief, "Julia Day" was not the founder of the school.

The Julia DAY Nursery is named in honor of Julia Clark Brooker whose generosity and interest made the Nursery possible.

After the Nursery became overcrowded in the small white house, Mr. Brooker offered to build a brick wing containing a playroom, bathroom and locker rooms.

The addition was completed in 1927. In May of 1929, with a bequest from Mr. Brooker's will, a main building was added to complement the brick wing. This is as it stands today.

On Nov. 7, 1917, the incorporators of the Nursery met to adopt its Constitution and By-Laws and to elect its original Board of Managers.

The school continues to serve as a non-profit, tax exempt corporation which, in addition to tuition, donations, and grants has some funding from Valley United Way.

It is NAEYC accredited- a prestigious recognition achieved by approximately 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide.
A volunteer Board of Managers operates Julia Day Nursery.

The program consists of Preschool, Prekindergarten and Before and After School Care. All children are provided with free breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Julia Day Nursery gets some school readiness funding and accepts subsidies such as Care 4 Kids Programs.


This information was provided by the board.

Recuperation journey: Night out with friends

... for a good cause!

Daughter Allegra and I had a great time with friends at Bras for The Valley Thursday night at Il Palio Ristorante in Shelton.

Mystery model!

The fashion show featuring men (and one lovely woman) modeling "creatively decorated" bras was a benefit for The Valley Goes Pink, an initiative each October that benefits The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

The Valley Goes Pink seeks to:

• create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection;
• support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and;
• showcase partnering organizations.

As a six-year breast cancer survivor I was happy  to see so many people turn out for the fun and support this important cause. 

The place was packed! 

*Stay tuned for more photos in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

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