Derby Fire Department to host Sept. 11 memorial service on Green

Sept. 11, 2001 memorial on the Green./ Derby Fire Department photo

DERBY - The Derby Fire Department will host a memorial service at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 on the Green (Elizabeth Street) to remember those lost during the terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001. 
All are welcome to attend.

*Shared from the Derby Fire Department's Facebook page.

American Heart Association recognizes Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The American Heart Association recently announced Griffin Hospital achieved Gold level recognition in its 2018 Workplace Health Achievement Index for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace.

The American Heart Association created the Index with its CEO Roundtable members, a leadership collaborative of more than 40 CEOs from some of America’s largest companies who are committed to applying evidence-based approaches to improve their employees’ overall health. 

The Index uses science-based best practices to evaluate the overall quality and comprehensiveness of their workplace health programs. 

A unique feature of the Index is that it calculates an average heart health score for employees of participating companies that securely submit aggregate health data.

More than 1,000 companies completed the Index assessment this year and, of those companies, 75 percent received either Gold, Silver, or Bronze recognition. 

Companies receive benchmarking reports, which allow them to identify potential areas of improvement so that they can advance their annual performance and recognition in the Index and help their workforce move toward ideal heart health.

“We are honored to have achieved this recognition from the American Heart Association,” said Griffin Hospital Director of Human Resources Stephen Mordecai. “A key strategy at Griffin Hospital is to build a supportive culture that engages employees in their health and well-being, and provides them with many choices for how they can help improve their health outcomes.”

The Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index allows companies to measure the effectiveness of their workplace health programs as well as the overall heart health of their employees. Unlike other existing organizational scorecards, the Index also scores companies on the heart health of their employees based on Life’s Simple 7® – the Association’s scientifically validated definition of ideal heart health. 

The American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index assessment is grounded in data-driven science and a quality improvement framework. According to the Nielsen 2016 Employee Health Survey, robust and comprehensive strategies for wellbeing are associated with positive impacts on employees’ health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia to dedicate practice field to the late Coach Hunt

The late Jack Hunt pictured at Nolan Field./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Legendary Ansonia High School football coach, the late Jack Hunt, will be recognized next week with the naming of an important slice of Nolan Field. 

The area is where he honed athletic talent en route to seven CIAC state titles and numerous other football accomplishments.

The signage dedication will take place behind the north end zone at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 prior to Ansonia’s football game versus NVL opponent Holy Cross.

Former players, coaches, and fans of Ansonia football are encouraged to attend the ceremony honoring and remembering Hunt.

As head coach of Ansonia, his Chargers compiled a record of 193-26, including five undefeated seasons and 13 Top Ten final state rankings.

*This is a press release from the City of Ansonia.

Enjoy breakfast Saturday at Assumption Church hall in Ansonia

Valley Women's Health Initiative to honor 5 at luncheon in Seymour

DERBY - The Valley Women's Health Initiative will recognize five outstanding women at the 18th Annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley Tribute Luncheon and Breast Cancer Fundraiser Oct. 4.

The event will be held from noon-2 p.m. at the Inn at Villa Bianca, 312 Roosevelt Drive, Seymour.

This year’s honorees are: Arlene Greco, of Naugatuck, formerly of BHCare and currently with United Methodist Homes in Shelton; Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Griffin Hospital Eunice Lisk of Stratford; Operations Manager for Access Information Management Business Jennifer Magri of Seymour; and TEAM, Inc. Administrative Assistant Silvia Paytas of Oxford.
Special recognition will be given to Longaberger Private Consultant Maria Ammar.

The Women Making a Difference in the Valley Tribute Award recognizes outstanding women who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer.

Tickets for the luncheon are $45 per person. Supporters are encouraged to become “Make a Difference” and “Pink Ribbon” sponsors through ad donations. 
Ad prices range from $30 for a business card sized ad to $1,000 or more as a “Make a Difference” sponsor, which entitles the purchaser to a reserved table for 10 at the event, a full page ad in the program booklet and recognition as event sponsor. 
A “friends” listing is only $5.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Valley Breast Health Care Fund. Established in 2001, the Fund works to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

To purchase a ticket or make a donation, call 203-734-6945, email nvbv1952@gmail.com, or send a letter to N. Valentine at 18 Farrell Drive, Ansonia, 06401. 
To become a sponsor or place a congratulatory ad, call 203-233-7639 or email dott.g@comcast.net. The deadline for ad placement is Sept. 14 and the deadline for ticket purchases is Sept. 28.

The Women’s Health Initiative, co-chaired by Kate Cosgrove of Oxford and Dr. Stephanie Wain of Griffin Hospital, is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women’s breast health issues. 
Committee members include Darlene Breving, Cary Carpino, Dolores Chew, Christine Cooper, Dorothy Gandy, Antonietta Hallet, Elizabeth Johnson, Peggy Marlowe, Francis Michaud, Shayne Seccombe, Patricia Tarasovic, and Nancy Valentine. Committee membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

St. Joseph Parish in Ansonia to host annual Polish festival

ANSONIA - St. Joseph Church Parishioners will continue a longtime tradition when they host their annual Polish festival Sept. 16. 

The event will be held at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulaski Highway.

To read all about it, check out this story in the New Haven Register by my friend Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Recuperation journey: Late morning visit

A quick capture taken through the sliding glass door.

Recuperation journey: Thunk!

I got my comeuppance Tuesday evening as I was coming back into the house after taking photos of the sunset.
I walked right into a sliding glass door. 
I didn't hit my head; my left knee took the brunt of it. And most importantly my camera was unscathed!

Family members heard the thunk! and didn't realize it was me. I slid open the door and couldn't stop laughing. 
My daughter said,"Was that you? We heard something!" 

It was a comeuppance because when birds occasionally fly into a window I've mocked them - as long as they fly away and don't get hurt. We've had two birds fatally knock themselves out in recent months, sad to say. 

I'll never laugh at a feathered friend flying into a window again.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton to host blood drive