102nd Army Band rocks Ansonia with energetic performance

RipChord, the 102nd Army Band, Tuesday rocked Veterans Memorial Park in Ansonia with an energetic performance. 
The Connecticut-based band appeared as part of the city's summer concert series.

The above screenshots from a video feature the talented musicians in action.

Please stay tuned for more photos of the band in an upcoming Valley Voice newsletter.

*Next up is Bad Moon Rising, a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band performing at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Park.

Vendors sought for Governor's Horse Guard open house in Newtown

Newsletter: Armory grounds beautified, singers at Derby Public Library

Dear readers, 

Today's newsletter features the beautification of Ansonia Armory grounds, duo performs oldies at Derby Public Library, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti

Performance in Ansonia to benefit Valley Shakespeare Festival, TEAM, Inc.

Derby mayor announces start of demolition at plaza

Sharing from Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan's Tuesday Facebook post:

"Change is on the horizon...demo of the old Wal-Mart has begun. Make way for a brand new Big Y!"

Girl Scouts to hold bottle and can drive at Shelton Community Center

'Turnback Tuesday' remembers Derby's 1st 'Citizen of the Year'

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" pays honor to Daniel Waleski, Derby’s 1st “Citizen of the Year” proclaimed on July 1, 2011. 

Dan was Derby’s most dedicated citizen, often playing his bugle in parades and ceremonies. 
He attended seemingly every city meeting, always introducing himself as the “concerned citizen." 
Waleski was a Navy veteran of WWII and a member of MMVET Post 43, American Legion, Catholic War Veterans and the Derby Historical Society. 
Born on Dec. 9, 1924, Waleski died on April 9, 2014 at the age of 89. 

This photo was taken by Derby resident Markanthony Izzo on June 16, 2012 at Derby Day.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week!  

102nd Army Reserve Band to perform tonight in Ansonia

Griffin Health in Derby to offer medical assistant training

 Griffin Health has partnered with the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement to offer training./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Health has joined with one of the nation’s most innovative training programs for medical assistants, the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement, to offer affordable, cutting-edge training to those seeking a career in health care.

Applications are being accepted now for the class that will begin in September.

“Griffin is committed to improving the health of our community and providing a wide range of educational opportunities,” said Adam M. Dworkin, JD, MBA, Vice President of Operations for Executive for Griffin Faculty Physicians. “This program offers a rewarding career for graduates and a great starting point for those who want to pursue a clinical career in healthcare. We hope that many of our students will ultimately decide to work at Griffin following graduation.”

Central to the program is hands-on clinical experience at partner medical offices such as Griffin Faculty Physicians, combined with the latest online educational instruction, during a seven-month program. 

Each student works closely with a senior Medical Assistant preceptor to develop the skills and experience needed to work in a high functioning, patient-centered medical team.

NIMAA tuition, at $6,000 for 2018, offers an alternative to more expensive programs. With a 96 percent graduation rate and many students offered employment in the clinics where they undertook their clinical practice, this is an exciting opportunity to enter the growing field of health care.

“We are delighted that Griffin Health is partnering with us to provide this opportunity in Connecticut,” said Naveen Kanithi, Chief Executive Officer of NIMAA. “Students being able to practice their skills in first-rate clinics at the same time that we teach them online is an essential part of the unique NIMAA experience.”

For more information and to apply online, visit nimaa.org.

About Griffin Faculty Physicians

Griffin Faculty Physicians is a non-profit, multi-specialty group affiliated with the award-winning, patient-centered Griffin Hospital. Specialties include primary care, gastroenterology, cardiology, geriatrics, general and bariatric surgery, breast surgery, urology and cardio-thoracic surgery. 

Offices are located throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding towns.

About the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement

NIMAA is a learning institute focused on a new and innovative approach to medical assistant training created in partnership between Community Health Center, Inc. of Connecticut, and Salud Family Health Centers of Colorado. 

The NIMAA program combines the latest online teaching tools with experiential learning in high-performing clinics to train medical assistants to be effective members of the primary care team in community health centers and other healthcare organizations.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

St. Vincent De Paul in Derby seeks community's help with food drives

Seymour Recreation offers Zumba classes at Community Center

Valley Community Foundation funds nonprofits, municipalities

Volunteers and supporters of Adam's House in Shelton, a 2018 VCF Community Grant Recipient, work on the organization's memorial garden and walkway./ Contributed photo

VCF has awarded a total of $23,090 in its Community Grants Program to 11 community groups serving the Valley. 

These grants will support youth, seniors, and wellness initiatives in the region.

“VCF is proud to support these 11 organizations with more than $23,000 in Community Grants,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO. “Community Grants are responsive to volunteer groups or nonprofits with very limited staff, and support civic and community efforts in our five-towns. With this grant funding, these small organizations can have the potential to make a big impact in the Valley.”

Adam Wysota Foundation - $2,500 to support the next phase of the Adam's House Memorial Garden and Walkway.

Annual Thanksgiving Basket Committee - $2,500 to support the purchase of perishable and non-perishable food items and supplies for distribution of Thanksgiving baskets to 50 families.

City of Derby, Youth Services Bureau - $2,000 to support a program to help students recognize consequences of poor decisions and provide opportunities to make amends.

College Access for all Kids, Inc. - $2,500 to support urban youth access to colleges, universities and other higher education possibilities.

Derby Green Farmers Market - $1,400 to support the innovative Power of Produce Club program, which provides participating children with education and experience in purchasing and using healthy fruits and vegetables at the Derby Farmers' markets.

Derby Historical Society - $2,500 to support transportation assistance for Valley schools to visit the General David Humphreys House.

Shelton Farmers Market - $2,500 to support the Valley Sprouts Club, provide more local music at the market, reach out to Valley schools, and provide health related services for visitors.

Southford Falls Quilt Guild - $2,500 to support “Quilting Outside the Box” programs which focus on new quilting trends, tools, and techniques.

St. Joseph Parish Nurse Program - $600 to support education and wellness programs on CPR and AED use, heart disease and stroke prevention, and the importance of advanced care planning.

Town of Seymour - $1,590 to support the Senior Fit & Strong exercise program.

Youth 2 Youth - $2,500 to support the cost of sending students to the national conference in Rhode Island.

About The Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. 

In addition to grant-making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF. 

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Congratulations wished to Derby's 2019 Teacher of the Year

 Teacher of the Year Maureen Zahara

DERBY - Bradley School is proud to announce  Maureen Zahara is the 2019 Derby Public School District Teacher of the Year. 

Zahara teaches all the general music classes, leads the grades 3-4-5 Bradley School Chorus, the grades 4-5 Beginner and Advanced Bands, and runs individual and small group instrumental lessons for students. 

Zahara wants the music program to be the best in the state and is very involved with her colleagues to organize and run the All-City performances in the spring. 
She has been a member of the Bradley School Leadership Team and is musical director and emcee for its monthly pep rallies.

Each year Zahara nominates a fifth grade student to receive the Connecticut Association of Schools Celebration of the Arts in Music and attends the event with the student and his or her family. 
Zahara and her Unified Arts colleagues helped paint and plant the community garden beds in anticipation of the students participating in the Farmer’s Market in the fall. 
Zahara applies for various grants each and every year to be able to get free musical instruments for students to use. 
Many of the instruments, including all the classroom guitars and ukuleles, are grant-funded through her efforts.
Bradley School Principal Mario Ciccarini said, “Maureen Zahara epitomizes everything you would want in a Teacher of the Year. She has a passion for what she does, instills this in her students through meaningful and engaging lesson planning and activities, and is an advocate for the arts throughout the entire school district, not just Bradley School.”

Board of Education Chairman Jim Gildea said, “Mrs. Zahara is an amazing teacher who is full of energy and enthusiasm. She has played a pivotal role in the development of our music program and really helped take it to new heights. 
"As a parent, I have seen up close the impact she has on the children she interacts with each and every day. She is loved and respected.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Conway said,“This recognition is a small testimony to the incredible experience Mrs. Zahara provides for her students every day and to all others fortunate enough to have attended a performance by her students.”

The District also announces building-level Teachers of the Year: Ivory Urban at Irving School; James Rosa at Derby Middle School; and Ryan Adams at Derby High School. 
All of these deserving staff members will be celebrated at the Derby Schools' 2018 Convocation Aug. 23.

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools. 

Kids invited to Jenga Challenge at Huntington Branch Library in Shelton

Shared from Shelton Library System Facebook page:

Apple Jenga Challenge
Huntington Branch Library, 41 Church St., Shelton
2-2:30 p.m. Aug. 7

Future engineers entering kindergarten - fourth grade can build towers out of Jenga blocks. 
The challenge: balance an apple on the tower while moving around blocks without causing a crash! 


Registration required by calling 203-926-0111 or registering at: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm…

Save the date: St. Michael Church in Beacon Falls to hold Fall Festival

Save the date: Seymour Pumpkin Festival is Sept. 23

Photo from Facebook page

SEYMOUR - The 53rd annual Seymour Pumpkin Festival will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23 at French Memorial Park, 73 Spruce St.

Check out the festival association's website here.

Ansonia to present 2 concerts this coming week

Recuperation journey: Naugatuck River in Ansonia

View from Fountain Lake Industrial Park.

School supply collection slated Aug. 16 at The Hops Company in Derby

Recuperation journey: Summer memories from long ago

 Me and my cousins with my father in the background. I think the sun was in our eyes.

Citizens Engine Co. #2 in Seymour to host annual dinner

Performer to highlight library summer reading party at Shelton Riverwalk

Shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page:

Reading Rocks! with Pete the Cat! at The Riverwalk.
Party sponsored by Plumb Memorial and Huntington Branch Libraries
10:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 4. 

SHELTON - The summer reading program is almost over, but not without ending it with the BEST Party in Shelton! 
Join entertainer Al deCant for a spirited hour of stories, songs, and meet our Pete the Cat mascot! 
If it rains, the party will be held in the Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St. 
Please register by clicking here.

Community breakfast slated at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

Poker Run through Seymour, Oxford Sunday to benefit Seymour Pink

1st Annual Poker Run A Poker Run will be held THIS Sunday July 29th to benefit Seymour Pink.  The run will start at Heavenly Donuts on Derby Ave in Seymour and end at Rose's Italian Restaurant in Oxford. Registration is from 9-11am on Sunday and is $25 per rider ~ $10 per passenger.  There will be dinner at the end donated by Rose's Italian Restaurant and free chair massage donated by Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab. Please join us Sunday for this fun event.

About Seymour Pink Our mission is to unite a community in the fight against breast cancer. Through fundraising efforts, our goal is to fund breast cancer research, provide education and to empower and assist breast cancer victims and their families.

Ansonia fire company joins resident to offer sprinkler fun at Nolan Field

Recuperation journey: Bath time

A follow-up to earlier post about blue jays. 
Here they are at about noon cleaning up in the gutter - as seen through the window.

Concert in Bridgeport to benefit United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls

State Sen. George S. Logan, R-17, of Ansonia, is lead singer of Electric Lady, a Jimi Hendrix Tribute Band. 

Recuperation journey: Seen through window

I know I've said it before but I think throwing eggshells in the yard for the blue jays has trained them to come around and wait for me to do just that. 
Here they are waiting this morning. 

Seymour Recreation schedules soccer camp

Griffin Hospital in Derby, Valley United Way to host cooking demo

Cooking demonstration slated at Griffin Hospital Community Garden./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and the Valley United Way will host a free cooking demonstration  from 4-5 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Griffin Community Garden in front of the hospital, 130 Division St.

Chef Remo Santilli, Director of Food Services at Griffin Hospital, will demonstrate how to make a quick, easy, and delicious summer dish which highlights some of the fresh vegetables in the Griffin Community Garden.

The event is free and open to everyone. For more information, call the Valley United Way at 203-926-9478.

Grow Your Own initiative

The Griffin Community Garden is part of the Valley United Way’s Grow Your Own initiative, which helps bring fresh produce to residents who need assistance getting healthy food. With gardens in Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Oxford, Grow Your Own is designed to engage Valley neighborhood residents to actively participate in selecting, planting, maintaining, harvesting, and preserving fresh, nutritious produce. 

The ultimate goal is to help “food insecure” residents obtain healthy fruits and vegetables to supplement what they are currently getting from local food pantries – as well as to encourage neighborhood residents to start their own gardens and improve their eating habits, helping alleviate one of the biggest social obstacles to good health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

102nd Army Band concert in Ansonia is cancelled

ANSONIA - The 102nd Army Band Concert at 7 p.m. today is cancelled due to the expected rain / thunderstorms. 
The city is talking to the band about a possible reschedule and will advise.


*Shared from Cultural Commission Chairman Ralph Villers.

Recuperation journey: Photographed again

How many times have I taken a photo of the gazebo at Savin Rock? Innumerable!

I chose a close-up Tuesday when we were participating in the Center for Disability Rights' annual Wheel-a-Thon. 

Benefit Saturday in Orange to support child, 7, with neuromuscular disease

Derby Public Library to hold talk on Housatonic Community College

DERBY - Seats are available for "Stay Close, Go Far," a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St. 
Have you been thinking about attending or returning to college? 

Joe Marrone explains how Housatonic Community College makes it easy for adults to enroll in one of their many degree or certificate programs. 
Registration is required here https://bit.ly/2tTUnJJ or by calling 203-736-1482.


*Information shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Recuperation journey: Walking along West Haven beach

 Bradley Point Park in West Haven.  

 Scenes from Savin Rock in West Haven seen Tuesday along the Center for Disability  Rights' Wheel-A-Thon route. 

Friends of Derby Neck Library trip in October to tour covered bridges

Shred event in Seymour to benefit Project Purple

SEYMOUR - Project Purple is bringing Shred-it, a shredder truck, to downtown Saturday  to provide local residents and businesses an opportunity to dispose of unwanted personal papers to benefit pancreatic cancer research and patient financial aid. 

Project Purple asks those interested bring boxes of paper they would like to shred to 115 Main St. between 8 and 11 a.m. for a recommended $10 donation per box. 
2 Bills Grill, a food truck from Fairfield, will be selling sandwiches at the event.

More details can be found on Project Purple’s Facebook page. 

The nonprofit has a Facebook event page called “Shred for a Cause.”
Check out Projectpurple.org or Project Purple’s Facebook or Instagram pages to learn how you can join the fight against pancreatic cancer.

CWV Post 1562 in Derby to hold fundraiser for House of Heroes

*Shared from the Post's Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Mansfield House in Ansonia

Turnback Tuesday visits the home of the Rev. Richard Mansfield. 
The house, built in 1700 in Derby, is a Colonial Saltbox at 35 Jewett St. in Ansonia. 
This home has four rooms located on the first floor: two rooms on the right as you walk in, one on the left and the kitchen (keeping room) in the back. 
The top floor boasts two bedrooms (sleeping chambers) in the front with two small half rooms in the back. 
There are two staircases: one in the front entry and one in the back off the sleeping chambers. 
The home was originally located where St. Joseph’s Church is now. It was moved in 1926 and restored.


Thanks go out to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week!

Recuperation journey: Morning visitor

"Did you get my good side?"


[Lucky capture through the window.]

Have fun creating art with a grandchild at Seymour Community Center class

Logan, Klarides to host coffee hour at JCC in Woodbridge

State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, represents the 17th District and House  Republican Leader Themis Klarides of Derby represents the 114th District.

Magician to perform at Huntington Branch Library in Shelton

Christina’s Mystical Magic

SHELTON - Christina the Magician will amaze kids ages 5-95 with amazing sleight of hand miracles combined with a touch of comedy at 6:30 p.m. July 31 at Huntington Branch Library, 41 Church St.

Register by calling 203-926-0111 or online: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm…


*Information shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Vendors sought for Ansonia Harvest Festival