TEAM to offer income tax assistance at 4 locations

 This is shared from TEAM's Facebook page.

Valley United Way names Pacowta President, Chief Professional Officer

Michael E. Pacowta

The Valley United Way board of directors today announced that Michael E. Pacowta has been named President and Chief Professional Officer. 

Pacowta brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for positive change within the organization’s five-town region of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

He succeeds Interim President and Chief Executive Officer David Kennedy, who retired on Jan. 9.
“The board of directors is thrilled that Mike will lead VUW. He will focus on building fundraising momentum to strengthen our partner agency’s impact within the community,” said board chair, Karen Stockla. “Mike first joined as Area Director in August 2022 and has consistently displayed the qualifications and expertise needed to drive the organization towards providing lasting change for the Valley.”
Stockla added, “While we are excited about this new chapter of growth for VUW, the Board is grateful for David Kennedy’s leadership and guidance during the past three years. This was especially true during the pandemic, where he was instrumental in raising funds as part of the Valley Community Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which supported community members who were severely impacted by Covid-19.”
Pacowta said, “I am excited to lead VUW by working with our generous donors, corporate and agency partners, volunteers, staff, board of directors, and community members to better understand and address the many challenges within the Valley. I believe strongly in the work that our organization carries out and am certain that through our collaboration, we will be successful in delivering greater investment to improve the lives of those most in need.”

Pacowta has a long-established presence in the Valley, serving as President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce from 1991-94, and as Mayor of Shelton from 1985-91.
He also served for several years as President of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and, immediately before joining VUW, held the position of Employment Specialist with TheWorkplace, Inc.

For more information about the Valley United Way, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact  Pacowta, President and Chief Professional Officer, at 203-538-6349.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton offers coding activity for children

Coding with Robotics

1-2 p.m. Jan. 28

Ages: 7 years old+

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton

Registration is required for children only.

Children 7 years old and older will be instructed by SCSU Makerspace Librarian, Kevin Redline how to use Dashes by Wonder Workshop to code their way through a maze!

Then children will be separated into teams and encouraged to make a their own maze from painter’s tape. Then each team will be “challenged” to code their way through another team’s maze! Caregivers must remain with their children for program duration.

This program is generously funded by Hilton C. Buley Library, Southern Connecticut State University.

Register online or by calling 203-924-1580 ext. 3. Registration required for children only.

Registration link: http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2661&BranchID=826&Branch=Plumb%20Memorial%20Library&EventID=482189&PK=

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Master's Table seeks donations for food program at Mead School in Ansonia

ANSONIA - Each week of the school year, Master's Table volunteers pack and deliver bags of food to local schoolchildren at Mead School.

Our Mission: To feed local schoolchildren who have little or no food resources during the weekend away from school.

You can help us by donating any of the food items listed below or making a monetary donation
in any amount (checks payable to Master’s Table Community Meals). Expiration dates must be at least three months from time of donation.

All items must be single-serving size unless otherwise specified.

Chef Boyardee (individual microwavable bowls)
Mac & Cheese (individual microwavable bowls – no boxes)
Cereal (individual-sized cups or boxes)
Oatmeal, Pop Tarts, Pudding Cups
Fruit Juice Boxes (no pouches)
Apple Sauce Individual Cups or Fruit Cups (no squeeze bottles)
Salty Snacks such as Cheese-its, Pretzels, Smart Food Popcorn, etc.
(All Individual sized)
Shelf stable milk such as Horizon (Individual sized)
Snacks labeled school safe – this is a nut free school district

Thank you for your donation to this nonprofit that serves Ansonia’s kids.
For more information: masterstablect@gmail.com.

Master’s Table Community Meals
Food 2 Kids Ansonia
PO Box 175
Ansonia, CT 06401

This is shared from Master's Table Community Meals' Facebook page.

Ansonia Library to host trash reduction pilot program kickoff fair

ANSONIA - Stop by the Ansonia Library this Saturday, Jan. 21 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for the Trash Reduction Pilot Program Kickoff Fair. 

The City is giving away free household compost bins (!!!), snacks, and tons of information about the program. All are welcome. Bring your questions and ideas.
You can also check out the library's new environmental book collection for kids and adults! 
https://reducethetrashct.com/ansonia

The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

This is shared from NVCOG Reduce the Trash Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features meat market, Blizzard of 1888 in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at another business located on Main Street, Derby, back in the late 1800’s.

Samuel Z. D. Durand started out as a clerk at Ruggles & Randall.

Then from 1879 to 1881, he was the proprietor of Globe Market & Grocer at 5 Minerva St.

In 1882, he moved his business to 193 Main St. and called it S. Z. D. Durand Meat Market. He was a dealer in beef, pork, lamb, mutton, veal, sausage, salt meats, poultry, etc. The business remained until 1900.

This photo was taken during the Blizzard of 1888. Durand’s business is highlighted by the red arrow. The image is looking east, down Main Street, at the corner of Minerva.

The round sign before the meat market is the sign of Hedges Express Office, the business that was highlighted last week in Turnback Tuesday.

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

My Sister's Place Thrift Store in Ansonia posts weekly sales

My Sister's Place Thrift Store is located at 380 Main St., Ansonia. 

All profits go to support BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Victims.

This is shared from the store's Facebook page.