Tuesday, March 3, 2020

'Turnback Tuesday' features house in Derby with vertical gardening

Turnback Tuesday visits the home on the corner of Cottage Street and Caroline Street. 
Along the front of the home there are vines. This is called vertical gardening. 
You can also see the house to the right and behind having the same gardening. This practice of vertical gardens dates back to 3000 BCE in the Mediterranean area with grape vines. In the last few centuries, this type of gardening spread was a way to incorporate gardens when space was limited. It was a way to green many cities. Plants like Virginia Creeper, English Ivy, and Boston Ivy were popular because no trellis was needed. 
This type of gardening could be seen all over Derby. The house still stands there today.


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

City requests canned pasta for St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Derby


From Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

"Also, St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley is always in need of turkeys and hams for the 2020 Holidays. Please call them at 203.734.7577 to coordinate the details."

Recuperation journey: Cell phone sunset

Monday's sunset captured during a walk around the neighborhood. 

Wesley Heights resident in Shelton displays paintings at art show

Jim Horahan, center, welcomes Ben Schiano, and fellow residents Nancy Lenoce, Penny Alexander, and Willa Uzarski to his art show./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Jim Horahan, a resident of Wesley Heights, recently shared his paintings and artwork at an art show at Wesley Village.
Linda Fera, activity director at Wesley Heights, discovered Horahan had quite a collection of artwork in his apartment as well as in a storage unit.
“I was so surprised to find he had this hidden talent,” Fera said. “The artwork in his apartment was impressive on its own, but when I saw the photos of his other pieces, I just decided we needed to do this for him.”

Horahan, who is in his 70s, only started to paint about 20 years ago.  
He is completely self-taught and has created hundreds of pieces. Many of them are kept by family, while others hang in prestigious offices throughout Manhattan. 

“My dad had a gallery in Westport for some time," said Kathy McNeil, Horahan’s daughter who attended the show with her daughter Maggie. “He finds true joy in it,” she said.
Fera commented on how Horahan “was completely in his element,” while setting up for the show and staging his pieces.  

Karen Diez, Horahan’s other daughter, and Louis, his grandson, also attended the show.  According to Karen, Louis is the family member who inherited his grandfather’s artistic ability.
“He really is very talented,” she said. 

Horahan is just one of the many talented residents at Wesley Village.   
Throughout the year, each of the communities on campus host similar events to showcase residents’ artwork, collections, and memorabilia. 

Wesley Heights is part of the Wesley Village senior living campus, located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 
The Wesley Village campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Shelton Exchange Club to hold 8th annual mini-golf event in Ansonia


Lunchtime group to discuss 'Lost Roses' at Derby Public Library


DERBY - On March 25 at 12:30 p.m. please join us at the Derby Public Library for the monthly Lunchtime Book Discussion.  
In celebration of Women’s History Month March’s featured book will be “Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly.
Inspired by true events, just like its predecessor, “The Lilac Girls” and just as well-researched, “Lost Roses” is a remarkable story and another testament to female strength. 

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 circulation desk. 
Drop-ins are welcome - no registration is required. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.  
For further information contact the Reference
Desk, 203-736-1482.

This is a press release from Kathy Wilson, circulation manager, Derby Public Library.

Recuperation journey: Beautiful visitor


Look who was waiting for me when I opened the drapes at 6:52 a.m. 
I take it as a sign of a good day ahead!