Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Derby High School PTO to host fundraiser Monday


Recuperation journey: Sun comes out to set

I had a feeling the sun would make a brief appearance this afternoon when it was time for it to set.  
And I can report it did appear on this otherwise gray and gloomy day.


Derby Public Library hosts teen activities on Wednesdays


DERBY - The Derby Public Library hosts YA Wednesdays every month from 6-7:30 p.m. 

All young adults ages 12 to 17 are invited to join the fun each Wednesday in February as Nintendo Wii, board games, and Legos will be available. 

Light refreshments 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 Tony DeLos, young adult librarian,Derby Public Library. 

Seymour VFW Post to host Irish Dinner at Colonial Tavern

SEYMOUR - VFW Post 12084 will host its sixth annual Irish Dinner at 3 p.m. March 11 at Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Road, Oxford.
 
The all-you-can-eat dinner includes corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, pasta with broccoli, dessert, and beverages. 
Tickets are $20 per person and they must be reserved by Feb. 27.
 
The event will feature dancing and entertainment provided by Tony Castle, along with door prizes.
The public is invited and all proceeds will benefit VFW programs.
 
For tickets and reservations call Post Commander Al Yagovane, 203-736-7981.

Narcan training for community slated at Seymour Middle School

Sharing from Seymour Police Department Facebook page:

Kids learn about MLK Monday at Boys & Girls Club in Shelton

Sharing from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Facebook page: 

SHELTON - Members at the Lavietes Clubhouse learned all about Martin Luther King Jr. today [Monday] while watching an educational video, having a meaningful discussion and then completing a craft that encouraged them to think about their own dreams and what they wish to see for the world!

'The Greatest Showman' is focus of talk at Barnum Museum in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT - Kathleen Maher, executive director, The Barnum Museum, will present "The Real Story about the Reel Story," at 2 p.m. Jan. 28.
P.T. Barnum
The recent release of The Greatest Showman by 20th Century Fox has prompted some concerns and requires some clarification because elements of the motion picture are not actually based on the historic facts of P.T. Barnum's life.

If you haven’t seen The Greatest Showman movie yet, go and enjoy!  
If you have already seen it, we are sure you have a lot of questions about the accuracy of P.T. Barnum’s life and times.  
Maher has the answers and will share numerous bits and pieces of history that will set the record straight.
All in the spirit of fun, Maher's talk will illuminate guests with an engaging journey through many key elements of the movie.  
From the depiction of Barnum’s childhood to his final bow with The Greatest Show On Earth, the talk will expand the screenplay and reveal even more fantastic stories of struggles and triumphs.

Consider this a Spoiler Alert. As portrayed in the movie, Barnum had a hard childhood.  Maher is happy to say he (Barnum) “actually had a very pleasant childhood growing up in Bethel and recounts many happy moments of his youth in his autobiography. And as many folks in Connecticut know, there is no ‘beach’ in Bethel. So there are all kinds of liberties taken with the screenplay.  
Many, many plots are an entanglement of truths and moments throughout his life.  
The hour and 45-minute movie is really about 50 years of his long and busy life … and his daughters don’t age.”
Come see Tom Thumb’s actual Napoleon costume, Jenny Lind’s piano and a gold medal presented to P.T. Barnum for his dedication to the Temperance movement …that’s right, Barnum was one of the leading champions of liquor reform and legislation.
If you are curious about P.T. Barnum, excited about the movie, or just want to learn more about how the Museum was involved, come and enjoy a fun afternoon that will surely have you leaving with a new and refreshed perspective.  You’ll never look at Hollywood the same way.  

Bring your own questions. It will be fun to have your thoughts be a part of the conversation.
There is no registration required but there is a suggested donation of $5 per person.  
The event is free to all Museum Vision Members and children under 12.

For information visit barnum-museum.org  or call 203-331-1104 x100.  


About the Barnum Museum:
Bridgeport’s Barnum Museum is one of P.T. Barnum’s many philanthropic gifts. 
Completed in 1893, the architecturally significant building boasts a unique combination of styles and terra cotta ornamentation, and is listed on the National Register.  
Today the museum proudly shares the history and legacy of the world-famous entrepreneur, showman, and museum proprietor, who was also a state legislator, mayor, real estate developer, and philanthropist. The museum is home to thousands of artifacts, many pertaining to Bridgeport native Tom Thumb and his wife, as well as the P. T. Barnum Family, and Nathaniel Wheeler Family.   
Their furniture, carriages, artwork, and other items are currently displayed, along with a centaur and mermaid.  
Since 2010, the historic building has been undergoing repair and restoration due to a series of weather events that compromised the structure.  
The museum at 820 Main St. is open for winter visitors in the People’s United Bank Gallery located behind the historic building, open for viewing and tours from 11 a.m-3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. 
No weekend hours except for days when events are held.

The original Barnum Institute building is owned by the City of Bridgeport and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Recuperation journey: Gnomes make a house a home

... and they need to be kept out of the snow.

An artist friend surprised me in May and refurbished all of my gnomes when I was in the hospital for my kidney transplant.

I want to keep them looking good for as long as possible so I brought them in last night.
I wish I had done it earlier, but they seem to have survived the previous storms pretty well.

St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Shop and Food Bank in Derby seeks donations

Sharing from a Facebook page:

"Come on in and enjoy this sale to kick off the new year! 
"While you're at it, let us help you clean out your closets by accepting any donations of gently used clothing and household items - almost anything! 
 "Often folks ask us what we need in our food   bank. We are happy to accept food donations!   Right now we are extremely low in pancake   mix, syrup, Chef Boyardee, jars of pasta sauce, canned chicken, mayo, rice, tissues, and paper towels. Thanks!"

St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley is located at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

Employee of Irving School in Derby in running for favorite crossing guard

Irving School Crossing Guard Maria Bowers./ Contributed photo

DERBY- Irving School Crossing Guard Maria Bowers is in the running for Safe Kids’ America’s Favorite Crossing Guard contest.

Bowers runs a “walking school bus” for the Derby elementary school, walking through Irving’s neighborhood and escorting students to school. She makes sure they stay on the sidewalk and follow the safety rules, so the children make it to school safely.

In addition to providing student safety, school administrators say Bowers has helped improve attendance at the school.
“She works in many roles as our school crossing guard, attendance coordinator, and an all-around friend to the children who need an extra boost to have a good day,” the nomination for Bowers states. 
“She is an asset to our school and an amazing part of our community.”
Bowers is competing against more than 50 other crossing guards from across the country. The winner will be selected based on the number of votes cast at safekids.org/crossing-guard. Voting is open until Jan. 31.

A panel of judges will review the top five crossing guards and pick an overall winner. Safe Kids will come to the winning school to celebrate with a pep rally and celebration. The winner’s school will receive a $500 grant, and the crossing guard will also win prizes.

Safe Kids and FedEx launched the America's Favorite Crossing Guard campaign to raise awareness about the tremendous contribution that crossing guards make to protect kids in school zones.
“With teen pedestrian deaths on the rise and kids and drivers more distracted than ever, crossing guards are our unsung champions,” said Kristin Rosenthal, Program Manager for U.S. Pedestrian and Bike Safety at Safe Kids Worldwide.
“They are out there rain or shine, even in the coldest of winter mornings, to ensure a safe journey for our kids around schools.”
“At FedEx, we are committed to protecting kids on the road," said Rose Flenorl, manager, FedEx Global Citizenship. "America's Favorite Crossing Guard is a unique opportunity for Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx to join together to raise awareness about the important work crossing guards do every day across the United States and to encourage students, parents and communities to show appreciation to these unsung civic heroes.”
Safety in school zones is more important than ever. A research report released in October by Safe Kids Worldwide, made possible with support from FedEx, revealed that school zones can be unsafe places for students. The research, "Alarming Dangers in School Zones," is an observational study that included 39,000 walkers and 56,000 drivers in school zones and recorded risky behaviors, including distracted walking by students, distracted driving by those dropping off, unsafe speed limits, unmarked crosswalks and limited crossing guards.
The research revealed that about 80 percent of students were observed crossing the street in an unsafe manner. And nearly one in three drivers displayed unsafe behaviors that endangered student pedestrians, like texting, double parking or blocking a crosswalk.

About Safe Kids
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to prevent childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 60 percent. Working together, we can do much more for kids everywhere. Join our effort at safekids.org.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $58 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. 
Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. 
To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, visit about.fedex.com.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.