Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

After Tuesday's storm. Have a great evening!

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 5 more COVID-19 associated deaths

'Turnback Tuesday' features USS Constitution model from Derby Public Library

Turnback Tuesday shows off a model of the USS Constitution from the [Derby Public] Library’s collection. The Constitution - more readily known as “Old Ironsides” - was instrumental in helping [Derby native] Commodore Isaac Hull win the War of 1812. The ship is still used today by the U.S. Navy and is docked in Boston Harbor.
Fun fact: 10 percent of the ship is still made of its original material. The model, meanwhile, was donated to the Library in 2009.


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

Seymour banners to support first responders, medical workers, COVID-19 fund

Are you looking for a way to show your support to our First Responders, Medical Personnel and all of the Essential Employees that are working hard for each and every one of us? 
Are you looking for a way to help the many charitable organizations in the Valley that need our support? If so, please consider purchasing a personalized banner to be hung from a telephone pole in town. 
Your donation of $132 includes the banner and a $25 donation to the Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. 
If you are interested, you can call Joe at Grand Concepts at 203-881-2332 to order yours today. 
Any questions, please let us know.  #seymourstrong

*Shared from the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour Facebook page.

Klarides not seeking re-election for a 12th term in state legislature

Shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel:

DERBY - The following press release was sent by Connecticut House Republicans:

State Rep. Themis Klarides

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, the first woman to lead the Republican caucus in Connecticut, and who has served for 22 years in the state legislature, today [Tuesday] announced that she will not seek re-election for a 12th term in the General Assembly this November.

Klarides, elected in 1998, (R-114, Derby, Woodbridge and Orange) said it was a combination of personal and professional considerations that led to her decision, one that she has agonized over for months.

“This is truly a citizen legislature and we are blessed to serve those that bestow their trust in us. I have tried to live up to those expectations every day for the last 22 years.

“Times change and we have to move on and make decisions about balancing life and how we can best serve those that rely on us,’’ Klarides said. “This is the end of an extremely fulfilling and challenging chapter in my life. But anyone who knows me understands that my commitment to public service is ongoing.

Klarides thanked all the current and former colleagues that she has served with, Republicans and Democrats. She is most proud on a statewide level of her support for taxpayer issues and opposition, most recently, to the implementation of tolls. Locally, her commitment to charities and non-profit organizations has been a priority.

Klarides said she will continue to work with her colleagues for the rest of the term in office to get the state back up and running.

“Government must respond to those who need it most in this time of crisis: the workers who find themselves unemployed, our seniors and first responders who sacrifice daily. We must help them so that they, in turn, can care for their loved ones. I commit to continuing to work to find solutions and common ground that make sense for the taxpayers who ultimately will have to foot the bill,’’ Klarides said.

She also cited some other accomplishments during her tenure in office:

• Passage in 2017 of the bipartisan budget after a 10-month impasse that did not raise taxes and put in place significant spending and borrowing caps that stabilized the state budget;

• Her longstanding commitment to women’s health issues and healthcare, including expanded insurance coverage of breast care treatment and awareness.

• Support for victims’ rights, including domestic violence, drunk driving and anti-voyeurism laws.
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Valley Community COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund assists nonprofits

DERBY - Representatives from Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Valley Council of Health & Human Services are pleased to announce 19 grants totaling $78,800 have been distributed to 18 organizations from the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

The grants that have been awarded, which include funding for personal protective equipment (PPEs), food, operational support, and technological assistance, are among the first in a series of distributions providing funding to organizations whose staff is working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants awarded are made possible thanks to those generously supporting this Fund.

The full list of grantees is available here.

David Kennedy, Valley United Way Interim President, noted, “Thanks to many very generous individuals, corporations, and foundations, we’ve been able to rapidly deploy their gifts to our community’s nonprofits to support their workers’ front line activities during this crisis. It is a humbling example of how our community Lives United. We look forward to additional gifts to continue what has begun as the needs in the community only increase.”

Within one month of inception, the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund has received nearly $175,000 thanks to the contributions of individuals, businesses, and VCF donor advised fund holders. Donations are still urgently needed as the Fund will be assisting a range of organizations serving the Valley throughout both the response and recovery phases of this pandemic.

Among the key funders to date is the Bassett Family Fund. William (Bill) C. Bassett, a founding member of the Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors and former Owner of The W. E. Bassett Co., said, “When we owned our company, the Valley and its people were our family. They helped us make a great product and we wanted to make sure they were taken care of. That is why we are very happy to be a part of something that will be used to provide support both now as the Valley responds to the virus, and during the recovery phase while people get back on their feet.”

A second round of grant funding is now open and will include eligibility for organizations that are implementing online programming and services that support the well-being of Valley residents. Applications for the second round of grants are due by Monday, April 27^th at noon. More information on eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply can be found here.

Sharon Closius, Valley Community Foundation President and CEO, said, “We are delighted to see such an immediate outpouring of support for this Fund. There is still however a long road ahead of us in terms of how the Valley is able to come through these challenging times in a way that is stronger and more unified than before. If you, your business, or the company for which you work is looking to make an impact, I invite you to visit our website www.valleyfoundation.org and support this collective effort.”

Bill Purcell, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President, said, “All of us at the Chamber are deeply moved by the extraordinary acts of compassionate service demonstrated by each of the award recipients during this public health crisis. We offer our special thanks to the donors whose generosity has made these grants possible, and urge our member businesses and the community at large to support this Fund at whatever level possible.”

To support the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, visit www.valleyfoundation.org. 

Gifts via credit card are strongly preferred over checks to reduce processing time. Checks can however be made out to Valley Community Response and Recovery Fund and mailed to 253-A Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418.

The Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund was created in response to COVID-19 by the Valley Community Foundation, Valley United Way, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Valley Council for Health & Human Services. The Fund will rapidly deploy resources to organizations who support those in the Valley Region who are most significantly affected by the pandemic.

About The Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

For more information, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Derby Public Library's April Lunchtime Book Discussion goes online

From Derby Public Library Facebook page:

DERBY - Please join us at 12:30 p.m. April 29 for our first Zoom Lunchtime Book Discussion of “Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly.
As we couldn’t discuss the book in March, we’re moving the discussion to April 29.
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. This sweeping epic will thrill and delight fans of "Lilac Girls" and readers of historical fiction alike.

Registration is required for this program here https://bit.ly/2RSezri and the discussion will be conducted through Zoom.

To download Zoom, visit your app store or download from Zoom.us to register for a free account.
Once you have registered for this program, a link and password will be emailed to you three (3) days prior to the event.

'Tuesday Tours at Ten' to feature Burning of Danbury, Pork Hollow in Ansonia

From Derby Historical Society Facebook page:

"We hope you could join us for today's 'Tuesday Tours at Ten.' Reflections of the past, the Burning of Danbury, and a linking artifact. Pork Hollow - hearsay, history, or both?"

Tune in on the Society's Facebook page at 10 a.m. today.