Hotchkiss Hose in Derby to host Easter Egg Hunt

Hotchkiss Hose Company is located at 200 David Humphreys Road, Derby.

Wanted: Vendors for Rock the Valley Aug. 24 in Ansonia

Women's Health Initiative to host annual tea at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Calling all tea lovers! 

The Women’s Health Initiative invites the community to its Annual Tea Fundraiser from 2-4 p.m. April 28 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

The event is open to everyone and will feature a sophisticated assortment of teas and savory foods. 

Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite hat for a parade where the person with the best hat will be awarded a “best in show” prize. 

There will also be door prizes and raffles.

Lori Murphy, Director of The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, will be the featured speaker and will present “New Year, New Capabilities in Radiation Oncology.”

“Get a head start on Mother's Day by bringing your mother, daughter, granddaughter and even your spouse to a tea party,” said event chair Patricia Tarasovic “And be sure you all wear a favorite hat.”

The cost is $30 per person. 

Proceeds will benefit the Valley Breast Health Care Fund, which aims to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer, or financial assistance with diagnosed breast cancer-related services such as wigs, transportation, and groceries.

Reserve your seat by contacting Nancy at 203-734-6945 or nvbv@hotmail.com or Shayne at 203-732-7274. Donations are also welcome.

Co-chaired by Kate Cosgrove of Oxford, and Dr. Stephanie Wain of Derby, The Valley Women's Health Initiative is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women’s health issues. 

The Initiative sponsors two major fundraisers each year: the Annual “Women Making a Difference in the Valley” event, which is a tribute to the many women who volunteer their time to improve the quality of life in the Valley, and the Annual Tea party. 

Membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer CNA programs, more in spring

Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers is accepting applications for its spring Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant program./ Contributed photo 

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

The school will host two CNA programs, with one starting May 13 and another starting July 15. The PCT and Phlebotomy programs begin May 14.

The CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed six-week schedule with classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 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 7 a.m. to 3:30 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 16-week PCT program requires students to attend practical training on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with the option to take the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday phlebotomy classes either 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 costs.

The 13-week Phlebotomy program holds classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a daytime option of 9 a.m.-noon or an evening option of 6-9 p.m. The tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification costs, 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 and 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.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wanted: Volunteer gardeners to help Saturday at Ansonia Armory grounds

The Vision: Phase II Armory hill landscaping designed by horticulturalist Renee Marsh of Shelton. 

ANSONIA - Do you enjoy planting and being involved in a community beautification project? 
Mayor Cassetti’s City Beautification initiative kicks off this season at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Ansonia Armory grounds. 

Professional horticulturalists and landscapers will be on hand to plant more than 2,000 assorted perennial wildflowers, grasses and shrubs. 
It is part of the City’s Phase II beautification of the Armory grounds hillside paid in full with sponsor donations by Regional Water Authority, ION Bank, and Southern Conn Dental Group.

This extensive planting can use a few good gardener volunteers to help out. 
When it’s completed, volunteers will be treated to food and beverage at one of our fine downtown restaurants.

If interested, please bring some basic gardening planting tools. Proper gardening attire required. 
Forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-70s. 
For more information, call 203-736-5900 or email gmartin@ansonia.org. 

More than 2,000 perennial wildflowers and grasses to be planted including switchgrass, prairie dropseed, false indigo, butterfly weed, and purple coneflower.

Summerwine and Fragrant Sumac shrubs for Armory hill planting.

This is a press release from the mayor's office. Contributed photos.

St. Vincent De Paul in Derby seeks ham donations for Easter distribution

*Shared from the St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank Facebook page. The food bank is located at 237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby.

Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia to host Easter Egg Hunt

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Thursday) features Hull theater in Derby

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday shows the Commodore Hull Theater at 67 Elizabeth St. The theater, dedicated on May 4, 1927, was the premier theater in Derby and named in memory of Commodore Isaac Hull. Unfortunately it closed its doors on Nov. 23, 1959. The building is still there as a commercial building with indoor parking.

*I got distracted Tuesday and missed sharing this local history.

Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing this interesting photo and information.

Recuperation journey: Sunset reflection

I took this with my phone Wednesday in front of the stately Derby United Methodist Church on Fifth Street.
The Romanesque-style church was built in 1894 on the North side of the Derby Green.