Volunteers recognized for cleaning up Ansonia on Earth Day

Photo from Facebook 

Earth Day cleanup volunteers gather at the Ansonia Armory Saturday prior to their sendoff.

ANSONIA - The city’s 2nd Annual Earth Day Cleanup proved even more successful than last year as more than 40 volunteers participated in cleaning 20 miles of city streets of paper, bottles, cans and more. 

When the final numbers were tallied, (40) 50-gallon bags of debris totaling almost 1,000 pounds were picked up and carted off to Public Works. The totals represent about double the amount cleaned last year.

Mayor Dave Cassetti brought back Earth Day Cleanup last April after a several year lapse. “Litter is a top ten quality of life issue for residents,” Cassetti said. 

“I just wish those who habitually litter had the same social concern as these volunteers.”
Nine groups of five volunteers each were outfitted with donated reflective vests, trash grabbers, and garbage bags, and assigned specific problem litter streets to cover.

Groups participating included Venture Crew 77 of Holy Rosary Church, Ansonia Boys/Girls Club, Ansonia High School, Reclaim Church, Macedonia Church, and several city residents.

After the cleanup, volunteers were treated to a cookout at the Nature Center pavilion and were joined by another 20 volunteers who were busy planting flowers and cleaning the center grounds of winter’s branches and leaves.

*Shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia Animal Shelter to hold tag sale, rabies clinic

Learn about child safety at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley invite the community to come to the hospital April 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for National Safe Kids Day.

“Safe Kids Day is a day to celebrate kids and take action to keep kids safe,” said Cathi Kellett, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition Coordinator. 

“Many people are surprised to learn that injuries from car crashes, fires, drownings, poisonings, and falls are the top health threats to children in the United States. Throughout the world, an estimated one million children die of injuries each year, and nearly all of these tragedies are preventable.”

Visitors to the Safe Kids Day table will learn about the many free Safe Kids programs offered in their community to help keep children safe.

For information, contact Kellett, 203-732-1337 or ckellett@griffinhealth.org.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Community breakfast slated May 12 at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

Recuperation journey: Attend to me

Linus: I'm hungry! I need lunch!

Me: Eat your dry food. It's only 11:40 a.m. 

And so it goes. At about the same time every day. He hops up on my desk and stares.

Caregivers to learn about Alzheimer's at Crosby Commons in Shelton

Contributed photo

SHELTON - The Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter will host a three-part caregiver series at Wesley Village Senior Living Campus in May. 

The program, “Living with Dementia: Middle Stage Caregiver,” will focus on managing the care of a loved one with middle stage dementia. 

The series will cover topics including, but not limited to, symptoms of the disease, communication tips, wandering tendencies, senior living options, and addressing caregiver needs. 

This free program will be held Wednesdays from 5:45-7:30 p.m. on May 2, 9, and 16  at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave. 

To learn more or to RSVP, call 203-225-5024 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

St. Michael's Men's Club to hold fishing rodeo in Beacon Falls

Shelton High School Robotics team to host tech fair

Kentucky Derby party to benefit Derby-Shelton Rotary scholarship fund

Derby Neck Library to host dinner and movie, talks on Barnum, Lincoln

DERBY - Derby Neck Library will host Dinner and a Movie for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. May 3.  
This month’s feature film is “The Greatest Showman” based on the life of P.T. Barnum.  Free movie refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission. 

Historian to speak

At 6:30 p.m. May 8 the Library presents Marian O’Keefe, docent at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, with a powerpoint on “The True Life of P.T. Barnum.”  
Learn the fascinating details of his origins in Connecticut, his discovery of Tom Thumb, his world travels with the circus, and his time as the Mayor of Bridgeport. 
This is a free event featuring a well-researched and humorously narrated lecture. 

Lincoln's presidency

The Library presents Prof. Hamish Lutris with a fascinating and informative powerpoint on “The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln” at 6:30 p.m. May 10.  
Learn how the Illinois lawyer found a way to govern during the greatest crisis our nation ever faced.  
The professor, with a noted career in the Connecticut state community colleges, is an expert on Lincoln’s life and an energetic, highly engaging speaker. This is free event.

Documentary screening 

The Library will screen a short documentary movie, “Nappy,” at 6:30 p.m. May 16.

Written and filmed by Lydia Douglas, this piece records the early years of the natural hair movement among black women in the 1970s.  

Douglas will be available to describe her experiences in making this noted film. 

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. May 21 the Library hosts Women’s Forum, a daytime literary discussion group.  
This month we focus on two short stories -“The Waltz” by Dorothy Parker and “Anyuta” by Anton Chekhov. Copies are available at the library.  
Feel free to bring a light lunch; we serve coffee and tea at each meeting.  

Evening Book Club

The Library hosts the Evening Book Club, a literary discussion group that focuses on novellas and memoirs at 6:30 p.m. May 21.  

This month’s selection is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Copies of the book are available at the library.  

For information on any program call 203-734-1492. The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

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

Derby-Ansonia game to benefit Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin

Event has raised more than $21K in past 7 years

Photo from Facebook

Sharing from a Facebook event page:

"Join us [May 19 at Ansonia High School, 20 Pulaski Highway], for our 8th Annual Softball Breast Cancer Awareness Game Fundraiser to Benefit The Hewitt Center For Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital [in Derby] via the Griffin Hospital Development Fund. 

Music, Food, Snacks, Raffles, 50/50 Raffle and much more. 
Thank you to our sponsors Boar's Head, The Dew Drop Inn, Shop Rite of Derby, Dunkin' Donuts of Derby, Petal Pushers Florist, Hot Tamale of Seymour, Big Y, and Adzima/Riverview Funeral Homes.

We have been able to raise just over $21,000 over the past seven years of holding this event. 

We were honored in the spring of 2015 by having an exam room at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital dedicated in our name for our efforts. Please continue to share the event so that we can continue our to raise funds and awareness!

Varsity softball game between DHS and AHS starts at 11 a.m.
3rd ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME: Join us at 1 p.m. for our Derby and Ansonia alumni game. This was a big hit the last two years. Will you be the next alum to take the field again?"