Monday, September 14, 2026
StoryCraft at Derby Neck Library to feature UFOs
Join us for Storycraft: UFOs edition!
We will read a UFO tale, then make a fun UFO craft.
All ages welcomed and registration is not required.
Car wash to benefit Ansonia High School Global Scholars rescheduled to Sept. 27
The Ansonia High School Global Scholars have a new date for their fundraiser to help them get to Portugal: Sept. 27 from 9 am to 2 pm at Hilltop Hose Company # 5. Dirty car, no problem!
Griffin Hospital in Derby honors mental health worker with BEE Award
DERBY - Griffin Health recently honored Mental Health Worker Miguel “Mike” Ortiz, of New Haven, with the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award for nursing support caregivers.
The BEE Award at Griffin Health honors nursing support caregivers who are committed to providing an exceptional care experience for patients and their loved ones, and fellow caregivers. Just as the bee helps strengthen flowers, nurses provide high-quality, person-centered patient care with the outstanding assistance of a support team.
A caregiver at Griffin for five years, Ortiz was nominated by a fellow caregiver in Griffin’s Inpatient Psychiatry Unit his incredible compassion for patients and team members.
“Mike’s impact extends far beyond a single act or moment,” the nomination for Ortiz stated.
“Each day, he arrives with a positive attitude, unwavering dedication, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of his patients and colleagues. Patients naturally gravitate toward Mike during their most difficult moments because of his calm presence, empathy, and ability to create a sense of safety and comfort. His exceptional communication and de-escalation skills help foster a therapeutic environment where patients feel heard, respected, and supported.
“Mike's compassion reaches beyond patient care and into every interaction with his team. He is often the first to step forward during times of crisis, ensuring both patients and coworkers are cared for. Whether volunteering for additional shifts, mentoring new staff, sharing his knowledge, preparing meals for colleagues, or simply bringing smiles and encouragement during challenging days, Mike exemplifies what it means to serve others selflessly.”
Griffin Health caregivers eligible for the BEE award are all non-nursing team members from the Griffin Health Patient Care Division, including Unit Clerks, Telemetry Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Obstetrics Technicians, Certified Surgical Technicians, Gastrointestinal Technicians, Central Processing Department Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants, Mental Health Workers, Patient Safety Monitors, Continuous Video Monitoring Technicians, Environmental/Housekeeping Team Members, Patient Transporters, Dining Services Representatives, Valet Attendants and Shuttle Drivers.
Patients, visitors, and Griffin Health caregivers can nominate deserving members of the nursing support team by filling out a nomination form available at Griffin Hospital.
Concert Wednesday at Veterans Park in Ansonia cancelled
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Seymour Pink, Seymour Congregational Church to hold candlelight vigil Oct. 1
Join us for a community candlelight vigil as we gather in support of those affected by breast cancer.
Together, we will honor loved ones, celebrate survivors, and remember those we have lost.
Proud Academy to host art program for Grades 4-6 at Ansonia Armory
The City of Ansonia is partnering with PROUD Academy CT and The Valley Arts Council to offer a free, five-week Community Art Program! Students will explore different art mediums and collaborate on community art projects, including a mural in Ansonia!
Space is limited. Register here: https://forms.gle/6JkAJJ4SvSsbkTz79
Saturday, September 12, 2026
St. Vincent de Paul in Derby features 'mumtastic' sales this week
Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Oxford to present fermenting foods demo
Fermenting Foods will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 2nd floor, 300 Oxford Road.
Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. Visit www.griffinhealth.org/teaching-kitchen or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.
This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.
Griffin Hospital honors certified surgical technician with BEE Award
DERBY - Griffin Health recently honored Certified Surgical Technician Lauren Atkinson of Branford with the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award for nursing support caregivers.
The BEE Award at Griffin Health honors nursing support caregivers who are committed to providing an exceptional care experience for patients and their loved ones, and fellow caregivers.
Just as the bee helps strengthen flowers, nurses provide high-quality, person-centered patient care with the outstanding assistance of a support team.
A caregiver at Griffin for three years, Atkinson was nominated by several fellow caregivers in Griffin’s Surgical Services department for her knowledge, skill and responsiveness in providing assistance wherever needed.
“Lauren is the definition of a team player,” the nomination for Atkinson stated. “She can scrub any case with ease and is always in demand by every surgeon who has had the privilege to work with her. Her calm demeanor and outstanding attitude makes our job so much easier.”
Griffin Health caregivers eligible for the BEE award are all non-nursing team members from the Griffin Health Patient Care Division, including Unit Clerks, Telemetry Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Obstetrics Technicians, Certified Surgical Technicians, Gastrointestinal Technicians, Central Processing Department Technicians, Certified Nursing Assistants, Mental Health Workers, Patient Safety Monitors, Continuous Video Monitoring Technicians, Environmental/Housekeeping Team Members, Patient Transporters, Dining Services Representatives, Valet Attendants and Shuttle Drivers.
Patients, visitors, and Griffin Health caregivers can nominate deserving members of the nursing support team by filling out a nomination form available at Griffin Hospital.
This is a press release from Griffin Health.
Friday, September 11, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Griffin offers healthcare training scholarships for Valley residents
ANSONIA - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 219 Division St. is offering full-tuition scholarships for Lower Naugatuck Valley residents.
Funded by the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club and local families, the scholarships will pay the full tuition for the school’s Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs.
Applicants for the PCT scholarship must demonstrate financial need, be a single mother, and a resident of Ansonia or Seymour. Applicants for the CNA scholarship funded through the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club must demonstrate financial need, be a resident of Derby or Shelton and show a history of community involvement.
The school’s 15-week PCT program requires students to attend classes Monday through Thursday. The program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room and during the 80 hours of clinical experience. The course tuition includes textbook, liability insurance, CPR certification, clinical rotations and national certification exams. Upcoming scholarship application deadline is Jan. 4, 2027 for the Jan. 18, 2027 class start date.
The six-week CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule with classes Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5 p.m.-9 p.m. CNA program 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 will be at Griffin Hospital and a long-term stay facility, totaling 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 and workbook CPR training, clinical rotation and liability insurance. Upcoming scholarship application deadlines include Oct. 26 for the Nov. 9 class start date, and Dec. 21 for the Jan. 4, 2027 class start date.
Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission to the school.
For more information about the scholarships, other financial assistance opportunities or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/school.
About the School of Allied Health Careers
Approved by the Connecticut Office of Higher of Education and the State of Connecticut Department of Health, the Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers offers advanced hands-on training and personalized teaching in its Practical Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, and Phlebotomy programs.
The school has helped graduates achieve a high rate of success on national certification exams and has a strong job placement rate with most graduates quickly finding positions at area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and medical practices.
This is a press release from Griffin Health.
UPDATE: Rivera was located and is safe. / Ansonia Police Department asks public's help in locating teen
ANSONIA - The Ansonia Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing person who left her home on Sept. 9, 2026 around 11 p.m.
Mirian Rivera is a 17-year old female, approximately 5’1” tall, weighing 106 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair with pink/purple extensions. Unknown to what she was wearing last.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Tip411 using the link below:
https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=21553
Learn about insect fossils at Derby Neck Library Saturday
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Healthy U at Griffin Hospital in Derby to discuss Hispanic health
DERBY -The Healthy U Lecture Series at the Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will provide an in-depth discussion about healthy living for individuals with Hispanic heritage on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
Led by Griffin Health’s Spanish-speaking primary care physicians, this free program features trusted medical insight into the health concerns and risk factors for Hispanic individuals, and how to improve their overall well-being. There will be ample time for participants to ask the medical experts questions.
The Healthy U Lecture Series offers physician-led presentations and discussions to help individuals better understand how the human body functions and be empowered to manage their health and well-being.
Griffin Health medical experts will provide in-depth information about the body’s systems to best explain health topics including diabetes prevention, cancer awareness, mental wellness, heart health, nutrition, and exercise for individuals who want to learn more about wellness and disease prevention.
Healthy U is held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Community Health Resource Center.
The topics for each month are: October - Cancer Prevention and Genetic Testing; November – Diabetes Management and Prediabetes Prevention; and December - Healthy Aging.
To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-7399 or register at www.griffinhealth.org/Healthy-U.
This is a press release from Griffin Health.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
'Turnback Tuesday' features old Derby Junction
Turnback Tuesday looks at the old Derby Junction (Transfer Point) located on the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street.
This electric road was the first built in New England with construction starting in 1887. Mr. Thomas Wallace of Ansonia persuaded Mr. James Kennedy to build in Derby. Mr. Kennedy built the first electric railroad in America.
This Derby junction has access to New Haven, Bridgeport (by way of Shelton) and Waterbury (by way of Ansonia).
Thanks goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.
Monday, September 7, 2026
CT Foodshare to visit St. Mary's Church in Derby Tuesday
DERBY - CT Foodshare will return to St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 2:15-3 p.m. All are welcome to receive food, no questions asked.  tickets will be distributed at 2 p.m. to anyone who is physically in line.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop in Derby posts this week's sales
We're serving up great sales starting Tuesday and beyond! Fall fashions and decor are out for your shopping pleasure!
Kitchen and household items, collectibles, toys, books, jewelry, domestics, and more!
Feel good knowing you're supporting our busy Valley food pantry!
(Closed Monday for Labor Day) Open Tues- Fri 9:30-2:30, Sat 9:30-4:00
Griffin Center for Healthy Living in Oxford to host cooking demos in September
OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road is hosting free cooking demonstrations to help individuals nourish the body through cancer oncology treatment and recovery.
These cooking classes will explore how food can support healing during cancer treatments, manage treatment side effects, and rebuild strength whether individuals are cooking for themselves or a loved one navigating cancer care.
Foods for Repair & Recovery, which discusses how lean proteins support tissue repair during and after treatment and the anti-inflammatory benefits of Omega-3s and olive oil, and features a demonstration Grilled Tuna Mediterranean Salad with Roasted Garlic Eggplant Dressing, will be Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Good for Your Appetite & Gut, which discusses how plant-based protein is easy to digest and gentle on the appetite during treatment, and features a demonstration of Roasted Tofu, Root Vegetables and Chickpeas with a Creamy Greek Yogurt Sauce, will be Sept. 29 from 5-6:30 p.m.
These events are free, but seating is limited and reservations are required.
Visit www.griffinhealth.org/teaching-kitchen or contact the Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.
Opened in 2020, the Griffin Center for Healthy Living is a unique facility in which Griffin Health partners with the community in wellness – offering education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease, and promoting overall well-being.
The Center is part of Griffin’s mission to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and embodies Griffin’s goal to not only care for individuals when they are not well, but to build a meaningful relationship, guide, and coach them to maximize their quality of life.
Visit griffinhealthyliving.org for more information about the Center's features and upcoming community events.
This is a press release from Griffin Health.


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