Officials welcome Polish Pantry to Ansonia

From left, Bill Purcell, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President, owner Krystyna Skakas, Board of Aldermen President Lorie Vaccaro, Mayor David S. Cassetti, owner Agata Piastowska, and City Clerk Janet Vitarius Waugh./ City of Ansonia photo 

ANSONIA - Another new business has arrived on the Ansonia landscape with the opening of Polish Pantry at 213 Pershing Drive. 

The mother/daughter-owned business offers an extensive product line including a fresh deli, breads, pastries, cheeses, and assorted imports within their quaint new buildout.

Mayor David S. Cassetti and other dignitaries from Ansonia made it an official city greeting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.

Food drive for Spooner House slated at Shelton Intermediate School

Shelton salon collecting food Saturday for St. Vincent De Paul in Derby

Griffin Hospital in Derby offering winter classes for CNA program, more

Griffin Hospital School of Health Careers is accepting applications for winter classes./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206 is offering winter classes for its Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy programs.

Classes for the CNA program will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. starting Jan. 14. The day PCT program and the Phlebotomy program begin Jan 15.

The CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule. 
Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. 
The program’s clinical experience is at a long term stay facility and Griffin Hospital from 5-10 p.m. for a total of 40 hours. 
After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the certification exam for a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation.

The 17-week PCT program requires students to attend practical training on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and have the option to take the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Phlebotomy classes offered during the day from 9 a.m.-noon or during the evening from 6-9 p.m. 
The PCT program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room and during the 160 hours of clinical experience. The course tuition includes textbook, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and national certification.

Classes for the 14-week Phlebotomy program will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a daytime option of 9 a.m.-noon or an evening option of 6-9 p.m. The course tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification, lab coats, CPR certification, malpractice insurance and textbook.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited.

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

About the School of Allied Health Careers

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. 
It offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 
Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, 300 Seymour Ave., Derby.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Save the Date: Church in Ansonia to host Journey to Bethlehem

ANSONIA - Each December Reclaim Christian Church hosts a live, interactive, outdoor drama called Journey to Bethlehem. 
The church is at 11 High Acres Road.
Guests will walk a wooded trail to experience authentic, time-period appropriate scenes, starting in Nazareth and culminating at the Nativity. 
The 30-minute outdoor journeys depart continually from 6 until 9 p.m. Dec. 7-9.
This rain or shine event is free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. 

Dziekan asks contributions for Derby service members to brighten holidays

DERBY - Mayor Richard Dziekan is calling upon the greater Derby community to make the holiday season a little brighter for local military families.

In keeping with Derby tradition, Dziekan is asking for monetary contributions for local men and women serving at home or abroad in the military.  

These contributions will be equally distributed among Derby service members as a gift of appreciation from the community.

Derby’s Servicemen and Women’s Fund, also supported by the Catholic War Veterans St. Michael’s Post 1562, was created as a way to express appreciation for the sacrifices our brave men and women make to protect our freedoms.

Please send contributions for the Servicemen and Women’s Fund to Mayor Richard Dziekan, Servicemen and Women’s Fund, Derby City Hall, 1 Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418.  

Checks should be made payable to Derby Servicemen and Women’s Fund.

In addition to monetary donations we are also looking for the names of current members in the armed services who are from Derby.  

If you are aware of a Derby serviceman or woman serving at home or abroad who can benefit from this opportunity, contact  Dziekan’s office, 203-736-1450, or pgagliardi@derbyct.gov.

This is a press release from Dziekan's office.