Logan postpones Saturday Coffee Hour to July 6 in Hamden

Logan, R-Ansonia, represents the 17th District. 

Ansonia Public Schools, Library to co-sponsor Summer Reading Rocks

Save the date for Pounding the Pavement for Seymour Pink

The nonprofit Seymour Pink is a community's fight against breast cancer.

Derby names District Paraeducator of the Year

Alyssa Mandolfo

DERBY - Derby Public Schools selected Alyssa Mandolfo as the 2020 District Paraeducator of the Year.

The Connecticut State Department and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council established the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the Paraeducator in supporting student achievement. 
The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Paraeducator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting.

Alyssa joined Little Raiders University family in December of 2015. She is a 2011 graduate of Derby High School. 
Early Childhood Director Alison Conway said, “Alyssa is a tremendous asset to our school. She is dedicated, caring, and committed to working with our students. Her love of students and desire to see them succeed is evident in everything she does. Alyssa is very deserving of this outstanding recognition.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr. said, “Alyssa represents and defines what Paraeducators do for our children. She is relentless in her support of all children and goes above and beyond expectations to meet their needs.”

Jim Gildea, Chairman of the Board of Education said, “Early learning is such a critical factor in the success of all children and the students of Little Raider University are so very fortunate to have someone as talented and committed as Alyssa interacting with them daily. She is forging critical relationships and impacting children’s lives for years to come. We are all very fortunate to have someone with Alyssa’s dedication in the Derby school system. We congratulate her on being awarded Paraeducator of the Year.”

The district also recognizes Building Level Paraeducators of the Year: Danielle Martinez from Irving School; Mary Livoti from Bradley School; Alicia Proscino from Derby Middle School; and Renee Gooden from Derby High School. 

This is a press release from the Derby Superintendent of Schools' office.

Recuperation journey: Friday photos

Stepped outside for a few minutes with my camera this morning. Have a great weekend!

Art work sought for summer exhibit at Main Street Gallery in Ansonia

Project Purple hosting 'The Chamo' at Food Truck Friday in Seymour

"Food truck season is back and with the warmer weather, Project Purple is bringing some awesome food to downtown Seymour!

"To spread awareness of our mission to create a world without pancreatic cancer, we're bringing 6 different food trucks to 115 Main Street in the lot next to the train station.
"Trucks will be in the lot from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on a select Friday each month."
Dates & Trucks:
April 26 - Big Green Eggs and Hamburgers
May 31 - The Chamo
June 21 - Milkcraft
July 26 - Firehouse Grill & Food Trucks
Aug 30 - Mini Munch Food Truck
Sep. 20 - Fryborg

Project Purple's Vision is a world without pancreatic cancer.

*Info shared from a Facebook event page. 

Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia to host youth group launch

McLeod said RareBreed "is a group that focuses on lost people who have mistaken what they do to be who they are and do not understand that ultimately it's about who we are and who we are willing to become."

House passes Rochelle's bill on expansion of manufacturing programs

This is shared from state Rep. Kara Rochelle's Facebook page:

"Legislative Update: HB5833 (my bill to expand Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Programs into more high schools) has unanimously passed the House! We are one step closer to creating more opportunities for students and adults to access the training needed to compete for the 12,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs currently open in our state. 
"Thank you to all my colleagues who have shown support and collaborated on this bill. On to the Senate!"

Derby Historical Society's Silver Tea to highlight 'Patriots of Liberty'

Griffin Hospital in Derby offers 8-week Wellness for Life program

Griffin Hospital is offering Wellness for Life program starting June 25./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make this summer a sensational start to a healthier life with a special, condensed eight-week version of its popular Wellness for Life Program starting June 25.

Wellness for Life is an evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. 

Meeting on Tuesdays from 1-3:30 p.m. until Aug. 13 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health seminars so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. 

Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity, and emotional health.

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy - it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Program Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group support every step of the way to better health.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, health coaching, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, better sleep and energy, and increased personal strength and resilience.

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life participants have seen significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure, and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org/wellnessforlife or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, 203-732-7107.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Oxford Animal Control to hold rabies clinic

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on post-discharge health, safety

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk on what patients and caregivers need to know when they leave the hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation about what patients and caregivers need to know when they go home from the hospital at 6:30 p.m. June 15.

“Here to Home” is a comprehensive overview of information and the important safeguards patients and their loved ones need to consider when transitioning back home from a hospital stay. The presentation will help keep patients and caregivers safe and healthy as well as provide the confidence needed to navigate this relatively difficult time in the healing process.

The presentation will feature experts speaking about Case Management, Home Safety, Medical Alert Services, Medications, and Nutrition. 

The discussions will also highlight Griffin’s instructional videos about this transition, which can be found at griffinhealth.org/inpatient-care.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Celebrate Shelton to host Food Trucks on the River

Logan, Case co-chair bipartisan Health Center Caucus

State Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia, left, and state Rep. Jay Case, R-Winsted, Tuesday co-chaired a bipartisan Health Center Caucus at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford./ Contributed photo  

The caucus was formed to provide insight to legislators in regard to the overall benefits of community health centers and the issues that they currently face.

According to the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, community health centers provide primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care, to more than 392,000 people in Connecticut on an annual basis.

“It’s important that we develop a line of communication between the legislature and our community health centers to determine what we can do to support them. They are integral to every city and town throughout the state by providing better access to a higher quality of health care to Connecticut residents,” Case said. “I appreciate the advocacy efforts of the health centers to bring issues to our attention, such as the need to diversify funding sources.” 

Specifically, community health centers gather funding primarily through various federal and state grants. 
However, 14 percent of the claims are processed through private insurers, 8 percent are enrolled within Medicare, while the majority of patients served are enrolled within Husky or Medicaid. Unfortunately, about 17 percent are uninsured, creating funding gaps. Regardless of insurance status, patients seeking care at community health centers are served.

"Our community health centers are vital resources in all of our cities and towns, and I am honored to co-chair this bipartisan panel along with Rep. Case," Logan said. "We want to help our health centers thrive across our state. That success can take the form of good, quality jobs, it can mean improved access to care, and it can mean better access to crucial funding sources. It is my hope that this panel will act as a conduit to the full Connecticut General Assembly in order to increase opportunities for success."

According to both Case and Logan, community health centers are highly beneficial to every community in which they are located because of the emphasis placed on delivering quality care to the unique needs of each individual. Over 26.5 percent of patients were served in a language other than English, which helps circumvent language barriers and increases patient confidence in the care they are receiving. 

In addition to providing greater access to healthcare, community health centers are economic drivers providing opportunities for employees to develop career skills.

For additional information on community health centers visit chcact.org.


This is a press release from Connecticut House Republicans.

Ansonia Library to host training on use of Narcan

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host AARP driver-safety program

Griffin Hospital to host driver-safety program./ Contributed photo

DERBY -Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. June 8 at the hospital.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. 
As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.
The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. 
Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther at 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia rejuvenates Abe Stone Park, Colony Pond site

Workers Wednesday finish painting first-ever parking lot lines at one of two lots at Abe Stone Park./ City of Ansonia photo

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti’s promise to rejuvenate Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond continues with lining of two on-site parking lots, repairing and repainting of basketball court, and installation of a boat dock. 

Numerous other improvements have begun and will be completed in the coming weeks including adding volleyball, hiking trails, picnic tables and grills.

The improvements are being funded by the Mayor’s new City Beautification Fund with generous donations from Home Depot, Regional Water Authority, Frank Pepe Construction, ION Bank, Southern Connecticut Dental Group, United Illuminating, Eversource, Homa Pump Technology, and collectible Wakelee Avenue Trolley Track sales. 

Stay tuned for a grand ribbon-cutting event announcement in June.

*This information is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Derby Public Library slates Lunchtime Book Discussion in June

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will hold its monthly Lunchtime Book Discussion at 12:30 p.m. June 26.
The featured novel is “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
"The Language of Flowers" beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she
struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

Lunchtime Book Discussions are held the last Wednesday of the month and are free and
open to the public. 
Multiple copies of the book will be available at the circulations desk. 
Drop-ins are welcome, no registration is required.  The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.
For information call 203-736-1482.

This is a press release from Kathy Wilson, head of adult circulation, Derby Public Library.

BAD SONS Charity Tap Line to support Ansonia PD in June

BAD SONS Beer Co. is located at 251 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

Summerfest CT slated at Shelton Riverwalk

*Shared from www.SummerFestCT.com.

Driver loses control, hits ramp in front of YMCA in Ansonia

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Police Department received a complaint at about 4:17 p.m. Tuesday of a one-car accident with possible injuries at 12 State St., the YMCA. 

Police said a 71-year-old female driver, who was the sole occupant, lost control of her vehicle as it travelled from North Cliff Street onto State Street driving up onto the sidewalk and striking the concrete handicap ramp and metal railing. 

There were no pedestrians on the ramp or sidewalk at the time of the accident and the female, who did not report any injuries, was taken to a local hospital as a precaution, police said.

This is a release from the Ansonia Police Department.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby's first permanent settler

Turnback Tuesday goes back to where it all began.
Edward Wooster (Woster) was one of the first permanent settlers of Derby (Paugasset) moving from Milford in 1651. 
His property and home were located next to the Naugatuck River. Derby became a township in 1675. Edward Wooster is buried in the Uptown Burial Ground off Derby Avenue. 

Photo donated by Seymour resident Marian O’Keefe.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Surgeon to discuss treatments for joint pain at Griffin Hospital in Derby

    Gary R. Richo, M.D.

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a free presentation on joint replacement options at 5:45 p.m. June 11 at the hospital.

Orthopaedic surgeon Gary R. Richo, M.D., Ph.D., will present “Advances in Joint Replacement," an open discussion of the causes of joint pain, conservative treatment options, total joint replacement techniques, post-surgical recovery and the return to normal activities. 
Richo will be available at the end of the presentation to answer any questions from attendees.

Refreshments will be served. The hospital is at 130 Division St.
For more information or to reserve your spot, call Griffin Hospital Orthopaedic Care Specialist
Amy Gagne, 203-732-7524.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton Historical Society to host Open House Day, mark 50th anniversary

Recuperation journey: Church and State

This scene spoke to me Monday morning as I walked across the Derby Green to wait for the Shelton-Derby Memorial Day Parade. 

Local history: In 1985 Hurricane Gloria damaged the top of the steeple of the Second Congregational Church (pictured) and it has never been replaced.

Recuperation journey: Early evening light

We were blessed to have many azaleas in our yard when we bought the house almost three decades ago.
And I can attest that they are very hardy.

Scenes from the Shelton-Derby Parade

Folks gather Monday on the Derby Green near the reviewing stand on Elizabeth Street to wait for the parade. 
The two-city event started in downtown Shelton this year.

The weather was picture-perfect!

Please stay tuned for more photos in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter. 

Shelton High School students to host Diversity Day Tuesday

Scenes from Ansonia Memorial Day Parade

 Photos taken across from the reviewing stand in front of City Hall.

Please stay tuned for more photos in the next Valley Voice newsletter.

Recuperation journey: Sunny Sunday

Good morning! I thought I'd capture the azalea blooms in our yard before they disappear.

Seymour to open walking path at Community Center

Recuperation journey: Saturday afternoon

 Peaceful scene in Derby. 

Happy Memorial Day weekend

Shelton PD announces street closures for Memorial Day Parade Monday

2014 file photo

Mattatuck Drum Band makes its way up Elizabeth Street in Derby. 

SHELTON - The annual Shelton-Derby Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday. It steps off promptly at 9 a.m. at Howe and White Streets.

Starting at 7 a.m., Howe Avenue will be closed to traffic between Center and Wharf Streets including all side streets and parking lots in between.

The following streets will be closed to all traffic starting at 8:30 a.m.:

Howe Avenue, between White and Bridge Streets;
Kneen Street, between Howe and Coram Avenues;
Coram Avenue, between Kneen and White Streets;
White Street, between Coram and Howe Avenues;
Bridge Street into Derby.
The parade route ends at Cottage and Elizabeth Streets in Derby. 

The annual memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at a new location, Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Boulevard North.

*Information shared from the parade's website.

Annual Relay for Life slated June 1-2 at Shelton Riverwalk

SHELTON - The American Cancer Society is calling on all Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton residents to participate in the annual Relay For Life of the Naugatuck Valley June 1-2, from 2 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday at the Riverwalk, 118 Canal St. 

The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to save lives from cancer.
Uniting communities across the globe, the event celebrates people who have battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost, and takes action by raising funds for cancer research, as well as programs and services for cancer patients.

This event is open to all and is family-friendly. Teams and participants are invited to sign up any time leading up to the event. 

Relay For Life brings the community together, embracing their collective power to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. 

“Every passionate step taken demonstrates courage and strength,” says Grace Scinto, Senior Community Development Manager. “Together, we are bigger than cancer, and funds raised by local teams help the American Cancer Society bring cancer to its knees.”

Funds raised help the American Cancer Society provide free information and support for people facing the disease today, and fund cancer research that will help protect future generations. 

For more information, contact the Co-Event Chair Ashely Daston at ashleynvrfl@gmail.com, or our ACS Staff Partner Grace Scinto at grace.scinto@cancer.org or by calling 203-563-1520.  

To learn more or register visit www.RelayForLife.org/NaugatuckValleyCT. 

This is a press release from the American Cancer Society.

Griffin Hospital in Derby seeks volunteers for olive oil, diabetes study

DERBY - The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center at Griffin Hospital is seeking volunteers for a study on the effect of different types of olive oil on heart health and blood pressure in adults at risk for Type 2 Diabetes. 

Participants will eat food prepared with different types of olive oil and have testing done before and after each meal, and will come to the PRC for three tests between June and August. Participants will be paid $120. 

Volunteers must be non-smokers between the ages of 25-75 years. 

For more information, call Rocky, 203-732-1265 x300. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

About The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center
The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is committed to research pertaining to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of chronic disease that is responsive to the priorities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley residents, the residents of Connecticut’s major cities, and other communities throughout the state. 

The center is dedicated to participatory research methods, to a robust research agenda inclusive of developmental/determinant, intervention, and translational research; to community involvement in public health; to the eradication of disparities in health and health care in the communities served; and to the dissemination of effective interventions in support of the national objectives of Healthy People 2010.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia police post no parking rules for Sunday's Memorial Day Parade

From the Ansonia Police Department:

On Sunday the City of Ansonia will be having its annual Memorial Day Parade. 
The parade will start at 2 p.m. at the Nolan Field Sports Complex on Wakelee Avenue. 
The parade will travel south on Wakelee Avenue, east on Jackson Street, south on Maple Street, over the Maple Street Bridge and then south on Main Street ending at the Big Y supermarket at the corner of Main and West Main Streets. 

There will be no parking on the parade route from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. The parade route will be closed to all vehicular traffic from noon to 4 p.m.

This will affect the following streets:

Wakelee Avenue -- Franklin Street to Jackson Street

Jackson Street -- Wakelee Avenue to Franklin Street

Maple Street -- Franklin Street to Olson Drive

Main Street -- Maple Street to West Main Street.

Any cars parked along the parade route will be towed at the owner's expense.

Seymour to hold annual Memorial Day Parade Sunday

The annual Seymour Memorial Day Parade will be held Sunday. There will be a program beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the reviewing stand at Main and Bank Streets.

The parade will step off at 11 a.m. starting at French Memorial Park and will proceed onto New Haven Road (Rt. 67) and head west. 
The parade will proceed onto Main Street past the reviewing stand and through the downtown area and turn onto Broad Street crossing the bridge and disbanding at the Community Center. 
The local Sikh community will once again pass out ice cream bars to spectators along the parade route.

Anyone interested in being in the line of march should contact John Stelma, 203-888-3104 or Alex Danka, 203-464-4345 prior to Sunday.

*Shared from the Town of Seymour website.

33rd annual celebration at Griffin Hospital in Derby honors nurses

Carol Lauer of Naugatuck

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently held its 33rd Annual Nurse Day Celebration to honor its more than 350 staff nurses and present awards to those nurses who provided exceptional care during the year.

Carol Lauer, RN, BSN, of Naugatuck was named a winner of the 2019 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. 

Originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the Nightingale Award celebrates outstanding nurses and elevates the nursing profession. 
The goals of the Nightingale Award program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.

Dike Miller of Shelton

Marge Fischer, Clinical Director of the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, right, presented Kristen Richards of Prospect with the Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award.

Heather Kean of Seymour, and Susan Bouton, of Oxford, received Shirley Yale Nursing Scholarship Awards.

Julianna Butler of Derby

Also during the celebration, Dike Miller of Shelton received the Mary Schumacher Nursing Leadership Award, Kristen Richards of Prospect, received The Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award; Heather Kean of Seymour and Susan Bouton of Oxford received Shirley Yale Nursing Scholarship Awards.

Julianna Butler, MST, of Derby, won the Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.


Congratulations to all the awardees!