Learn to organize at Beacon Falls Public Library

BEACON FALLS - Join Jan Baltrush from Find Your Stuff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Beacon Falls Public Library and learn what to do to start the new year off right.


Having trouble clearing clutter? 
Learn helpful tips for taming those paper piles and organizing your life. 
Registration is requested. 
The Library is at 10 Maple Ave.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Ansonia police chief to retire in February

Chief Kevin Hale photographed in his office earlier this year.

ANSONIA - Police Chief Kevin Hale announced late Friday afternoon that he will retire Feb. 15 after serving 18 years as chief.

Read the New Haven Register story here by reporter Michael P. Mayko.

Knights of Columbus Council #28 donates children's coats to TEAM

Members of the Knights of Columbus – St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Council #28 recently presented Kellie German Santiago, Development and Communications Manager at TEAM, Inc., center, with 48 new children’s coats for those in need in the Lower Naugatuck Valley./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Knights of Columbus Council #28 at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church recently donated 48 brand new children’s coats to TEAM Inc.

The coats cost approximately $1,000, and the Knights sold “Keep Christ in Christmas” car magnets to raise fund for the purchase.

The donation is part of the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program, which allows councils across North America to purchase new winter coats for children at a discount and to distribute them to children in need in their local communities. 

Since the program’s launching in 2009, nearly 500,000 coats have been distributed in 49 states and all 10 Canadian provinces. In winter 2017 alone, the Knights of Columbus distributed 105,192 coats in 1,600 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada, including events at military bases, in Native American communities, at inner-city neighborhoods, and through partnerships with local police and fire departments.

Founded in 1965, TEAM (Training, Education, and Manpower) is a community action agency serving 10 communities in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
TEAM provides critical human and social services to over 5,000 families in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and also the neighboring towns of Bethany, Milford, Orange, and Woodbridge.

This is a press release from the Knights of Columbus Council #28.

Derby Neck Library to host movies, history lecture, more

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library begins its second year of watching streaming features at “Tuesday Afternoon Tea-V” at 1 p.m. Jan. 8. 

To start the year the fare is Mystery Matinee—featuring Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, portrayed by distinguished actor David Suchet.  

Following each film is a discussion session. Free tea and biscuits are served throughout the showing.  
This is a free event; no registration is required. 

Valley Labor History

At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 the Library presents a powerpoint program on “Valley Labor History.”  
Researched and narrated by Patricia Sweeney, Ph.D., this lecture focuses on the most intense, dramatic events circa 1915-1919, when the lower Naugatuck Valley had a high rate of labor disruption and attracted notice from prominent labor leaders. 

Manufacturing companies discussed include Farrel of Ansonia and Blumenthal of Shelton, among others.  

This is a free event; no registration is required.  

Teen Movie Choice

The Library hosts Teen Movie Choice at 2 p.m. Jan. 19.  

All teens and tweens are invited to a free film with movie refreshments provided, including pizza. 

Attendees get to vote on the feature to be screened from a select list of recent releases and proven classics. Registration is required, as seating is limited to 20 people.  

Women's Forum

On Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m., the Library hosts Women’s Forum, a literary discussion group.  This month’s focus is on two short stories involving strange events:“All But Empty” by Graham Greene and “How It Happened” by Arthur Conan Doyle.  
Copies of the stories are available free prior to the meeting. Feel free to bring a light lunch; we serve coffee and tea.  

VITA volunteers

On Jan. 27 from 1-4 p.m., the Library opens its Community Room for use by VITA volunteer tax preparers.  

Participants must call TEAM in Derby, 203-736-5420 for information and to schedule an appointment.  

Throughout tax season, the VITA group will be at the library on Sunday afternoons.

Evening Book Club

The Library hosts the Evening Book Club at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. 
This month’s selection is “The Inheritance,” a novella by Louisa May Alcott.  
Copies of the book are available at the library prior to the meeting.  
Join us for an informative and stimulating talk moderated by Patricia Sweeney, Ph.D.

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

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

Winter Reading Club slated at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library reminds adults it’s cool to read with the re-launch of its Winter Reading Club for Adults, Cabin Fever, beginning Jan. 2 and running through Feb. 28. 

Readers, ages 18 and over, are invited to play Cabin Fever BINGO this winter! 
To play, complete the categories listed on your BINGO card and cross off the appropriate square. 
Every BINGO you get earns you an entry in the prize drawing. A completely filled BINGO card equals 12 drawing entries! 
BINGO cards are available at the Circulation Desk, and can be downloaded from the library’s website starting Jan. 2, 2019. 
Completed cards may be turned in at the Circulation Desk. 
Cards must be received by Feb. 28, to be entered into the drawing. You may submit more than one finished BINGO card. 

The winning ticket will be drawn March 1. A ‘Spring’s a-Comin’ celebration for all club members, will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 4. All attendees will have a chance to win a grand prize.
The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

*This information is shared from the library's January/February newsletter.