Capturing Friday night's moon

Spooky! It is officially full on Nov. 4.

Recuperation journey: Late afternoon walk

Although I was craving a nap this afternoon, I forced myself to take a walk. 
I took some photos of the November sky along the way. 
You can tell my pace wasn't too brisk! I kept stopping, briefly, to snap pics.

The clouds were so dramatic.

And when I got back home I caught the sun as it started to set.

Valley author to read his new book at Derby Public Library

Diabetes support group in Derby to host talk on low vision

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host free presentations on low vision Nov. 14./ Contributed photo

DERBY- The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about low vision at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Leslie Prescott and Fran Harmeyer, occupational therapists from Griffin Hospital Rehabilitation Services and the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital, will present “Diabetes and Low Vision Occupational Therapy.” 

Low vision is a chronic medical condition affecting 1 in 6 adults over 45 years of age usually caused by macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Occupational therapy teaches persons with visual impairment to safely and independently complete the daily living tasks, and the Lions Low Vision Center offers adaptive devices free of charge.

The presentations will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A. There will be free valet parking for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September-June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

No registration is required. 

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby Neck Library to present Tech Talks, dog whisperer, more

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library presents Tech Talks at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 15. 

It is a monthly program devoted to explaining features of new technology and how to best use it in your daily life. Topics change each month.

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20 the Derby Neck Library hosts Women’s Forum, a monthly discussion group devoted to short stories and Valley history.  
This session will focus on “Cut-Throat Farm” by J.D. Beresford and “Called to the Rescue” by Henry Spicer, two short stories about crimes.  Copies of these stories are available at the library.  
Feel free to bring a light lunch; we serve coffee and tea.

Dog whisperer

The Derby Neck Library presents Phil Klein, a certified dog-whisperer, at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 26. He explains how to understand your pet.  
Learn how to interact more smoothly and modify your animal companion’s behavior in a kind manner. Find out how human-animal contacts really happen. 
Please leave your canine companion at home, but bring yourself to an informative, free session.  

Evening Book Club

The Derby Neck Library hosts the Evening Book Club at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27.  
This month’s selection is “The Story of a Marriage” by Andrew Sean Greer - set in San Francisco in 1953.  
Copies of this award-winning novel are available at the library. Join us for an informative, stimulating discussion.  

For details on all programs call 203-734-1492. The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is a press release from Pat Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library. 

Newsletter: Ansonia Rotary gives dictionaries, Treasured Time fundraiser

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter is out, featuring the Ansonia Rotary Club giving dictionaries to third graders, photos with Santa in Shelton, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti

Derby Neck Library to host trip to La Salette Festival of Lights

Photo from Facebook page

DERBY - The Friends of Derby Neck Library will conduct a trip Dec. 2 to the La Salette Festival of Lights in Attleboro, Mass.

This is the most visited Christmas event in New England and features beautiful grounds and over 100,000 lights. 

The cost is $84 per person, which covers free raffles on the bus. The bus departs from the Derby High School parking lot at 10:15 a.m. Also included is lunch at Morin’s in Attleboro.

Stroll the grounds and shops and experience the magic at twilight as the lights bring a joyous life to the evening. 

Estimated time of return is 9 p.m. Seats are being filled daily and are limited to 52; register as soon as possible. Deadline to register is Nov. 6.

*Sharing from the Derby Neck Library Facebook page.  

Learn to paint with watercolors at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host another popular Water Color Painting Workshop at 6 p.m. Dec. 4.

Ages 18 and over are invited to enjoy this fun evening resulting in fabulous art!  

Participants will go home with new friends, great memories, and a newly-created masterpiece that will show off your “inner-artist.” 

No experience? No problem! 

Rich DiCarlo, Valley Arts Council president, will guide you step-by-step on this creative journey as you learn the ins and outs of creating your own watercolor painting.  

No previous artistic experience necessary - it's great for beginners or seasoned professionals. Snacks will be provided.  

It is promised to be a surprisingly easy and fun way to spend an evening! 

Registration is required.  

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.

Dodgeball tournament slated at Seymour Community Center

*Sharing this info from the Office of the First Selectman Facebook page.

Ansonia Rotary donates dictionaries to Assumption School 3rd graders

Ansonia Rotary Club members John Yeager, left, and Rich Knoll pose recently with students at Assumption School in Ansonia./ Contributed photo 

ANSONIA - Ansonia Rotary Club members John Yeager and Rich Knoll handed out personal dictionaries to Karen Clayton’s third grade class at Assumption School this week, completing the club’s annual contribution to local education. 

The club purchased dictionaries for all 200 of Ansonia’s third graders.  
Assumption staff and students welcomed the gift. They located the longest word in the English language in the books and attempted to pronounce it.  

The distribution of dictionaries at Assumption followed distributions at Mead and Prendergast elementary schools in the previous weeks. The effort was organized by Rotary Club member and Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone and Club President Lori Veillette. 

The annual purchase and distribution is part of the Ansonia Rotary Club’s Community Services program.  
The Ansonia Rotary Club meets for lunch weekly at Crave Restaurant. For more information, go to www.ansoniarotary.org, or call 203-888-1101.

This is a press release from Ansonia Rotary Club.

Pet photos with Santa slated Saturday to benefit Shelton Animal Shelter

All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Shelton Animal Shelter. 

All pets must be leashed.

*Sharing from a Facebook event page.

Guy's Eco-Garden in Shelton to host appreciation day Nov. 11

  Guy's Eco-Garden in Shelton. Photo from Facebook.

Sharing from a Facebook event page:

A customer appreciation day will be hosted from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Guy's Eco-Garden, 276 Leavenworth Road, Shelton.

"Please join us as we say "Thank you" to our wonderful customers. 

"We will have samples of our baked goods, light snacks and beverages. Come visit our store and learn about the farm and our plans for fall/winter hours! Looking forward to seeing everyone! 

"All veterans will receive a complimentary treat!"

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day.