Recuperation journey: Pig witches

Which witch is which? 

My daughter and I celebrated needle-felting Friday by making pig witches under the tutelage of needle-felter extraordinaire Kayleigh Mihalko. 
The workshop was held at Lizzie's Corner Consignment, 36 Bank St., Seymour. We are making a turkey at the next workshop. Come join us!

Valley Chamber to present annual awards at Center Stage in Shelton

SHELTON - The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will present one Platinum Award, three Gold Seal Awards, and one Silver Medal Award Oct. 24. 
The presentations will be held during a 5 p.m. reception at Center Stage Theatre, 54 Grove St.
Presented to the region’s business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of selflessness and volunteerism, these awards are among the most prestigious and time-honored community service awards in the Valley.

Congratulations to: Platinum Award, Ernestine T. Luise; Gold Seal Awards, Joseph LoPresti, Dr. Bruce Sofferman, and Tom Wilson; and Silver Medal Award, Valley United Way Community Gardens Program.

The Silver Medal Award was first awarded in 1986 only 28 awards have been presented. In recent years, the Chamber has awarded the Silver Medal to recognize volunteer groups or partnerships that have made extraordinary contributions to the community or to recognize an individual’s dedicated service or assistance to the community in a particular area.

The Gold Seal Award was first presented in 1971. Since then, only 155 individuals have received this honor, making it an award that is rare and cherished by all. 
This award is presented annually by the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce for outstanding community service through dedicated and effective leadership.
In 2001, in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Gold Seal Award, the Chamber introduced the Platinum Award. This award is presented annually to a past Gold Seal recipient of at least 10 years who is still dedicated to volunteering their time and resources on behalf of the Valley Community. To date only 16 people have received this prestigious award.

The combined efforts of all recipients, past and present, have resulted in lasting contributions to the Greater Valley communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.

Seymour Public Library slates story hours for preschoolers

SEYMOUR - Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St., will hold weekly story hours for ages 2 and up from Oct. 11-Nov. 15.
There will be stories, songs, and a craft! 
Registration is required. For more information, call the library, 203-888-3903. 

***Please note there will not be a story hour on Nov. 1.***

Information shared from the Seymour Public Library Facebook page.

Ansonia mayor to raise Italian flag at City Hall on Columbus Day holiday

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti will commemorate Columbus Day with an Italian flag-raising ceremony at City Hall at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8. 
The flag was donated to the city from Rita St. Jacques, an employee with the City of Ansonia. Thank you, Rita. 
The public is welcome to attend this ceremony. 
All non-essential city buildings will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day.


This info is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ziti dinner planned at La Sala in Derby to benefit local woman

TEAM, Inc. seeks volunteers for income tax assistance program

DERBY - TEAM, Inc., is seeking volunteers to assist low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes and claiming refunds owed to them, such as Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that can boost their yearly income by up to 35 percent.  

The TEAM VITA program is held at the VITA Clinics at TEAM, 30 Elizabeth St.; Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave.; and the Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, Milford and operates from January 27 to April 15, 2019. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to low-income individuals and families. 

No experience is necessary. All volunteers will receive training appropriate for their position.  Volunteers receive the materials for self-study on basic income tax law for federal and state returns.  
In addition, training sessions will take place in January 2019.  

To become a VITA Volunteer and to learn more about the program, a VITA Information Session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at TEAM, 30 Elizabeth St.  
Please call 203-736-5420 ext.1202 or email spaytas@teaminc.org to reserve a seat.

This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. 
TEAM programs impact the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, Waterbury, and Woodbridge.            

Griffin Center for Cancer Care 5K in Derby raises more than $46K

More than 400 runners and walkers took part in the 10th Annual 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. / Contributed photo

DERBY - More than 400 participants raised more than $46,000 Sept. 22 at the 10th Annual 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

“It’s amazing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this important community event, and on behalf of the entire Griffin Health family, I want to express my deepest appreciation to our community for being the driving force - or should I say walking force - behind this event and for the support it provides to our Center for Cancer Care and the patients it serves,” said Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel.

Proceeds are earmarked for special needs of cancer patients, such as support for transportation, groceries, wig and salon services, as well as patient support programs to provide exceptional cancer care for patients and caregivers.

The Walk/Run was supported by the Ansonia and Derby Police departments and the Storm Ambulance Corps. in Derby. 

The event was sponsored by Jefferson Radiology, All About You, the Ansonia Rod & Gun Club, Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale New Haven, Integrated Anesthesia Associates, LLC, The Edge Fitness Clubs, Teamsters Local No. 1150, Forrest Construction, TEAM, Dr. Mark Melendez, Ion Bank, Yale Therapeutic Radiology, VNS of Southern CT, Centrix, and Star 99.9 FM.

Donations are still being accepted at griffinhospital.org/5k. 

For more information, call 203-732-7466 or e-mail 5kwalkrun@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Post U. men's lacrosse team honors Waterbury boy with spot on roster

Congratulations to Waterbury resident Dakota Fortier, 13, who will join Post University men's lacrosse team's roster this afternoon through Team IMPACT at a draft day ceremony.

Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that has more than 1,000 teams to be matched with children ages 5-16 who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness and who could benefit from being a member of the team.

For information visit www.goteamimpact.org. 

Recuperation journey: Friday morning visitor

A lucky capture through the window.

Bras for the Valley in Shelton raises funds, awareness for Valley Goes Pink

Here's a glimpse of the fun Thursday night at the Bras for the Valley fundraiser for The Valley Goes Pink. 
The third annual fashion show and live auction featuring men wearing creatively designed ART BRAS was held at Il Palio Restaurant in Shelton.

Stay tuned for more photos in the next Valley Voice newsletter.

Derby Historical Society slates events at David Humphreys House

The David Humphreys House is located at 37 Elm St., Ansonia.