'Turnback Tuesday' features Hotchkiss Hose 100th anniversary ribbon

Turnback Tuesday is sharing one of the artifacts in Derby Public Library’s collection: A delegate pin/ribbon from the Firemen’s Convention held in Derby in August 1937, the year Hotchkiss Hose celebrated 100 years.

Hotchkiss Hose #1 was formed on June 7, 1837 by Edward N. Shelton, Julius Hotchkiss, Ephraim Curtiss and Edward Lewis.

The first headquarters was in a barn owned by L. Loomer on the corner of Third and Minerva Streets in Derby.

The current location is on David Humphreys Road. Hotchkiss Hose has been serving the citizens and businesses of Derby for 188 years. Thank you. 

Thanks as always to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Orange volunteer firemen to mark 100th anniversary at annual summer carnival

The fairgrounds are at 525 Orange Center Road.

Klarides-Ditria: Honoring heroes during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15

This is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week and the perfect time to update your personal home safety plan.  According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this year’s campaign is titled “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™”, and is designed to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. NFPA says today’s homes burn faster than ever and you may have only seconds to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. It’s important to have working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and an escape plan planned and practiced by the whole family. For more information and tips on how to create a safety plan, please go to the NFPA website.

I hope you’ll also join me in pausing to recognize the brave and selfless men and women of the fire services who put their lives on the line to protect our community. In recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an observance honoring the sacrifices of firefighters who have died in the line of duty, Gov. Lamont directed U.S. and state flags in Connecticut be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, Oct. 9. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time. Sincerely,

Beacon Falls Public Library to host presentation on suffragettes

BEACON FALLS - The Beacon Falls Public Library will host "Suffragettes in Corselettes," a talk about the suffrage movement and the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The 19th amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote will mark its 100th anniversary this year. It was ratified in August,1920.

The Library is at 1 Maple Ave.

"For centuries, women have allowed themselves to be squeezed, twisted, and squished to conform to desired shapes.

"The history of underwear reveals a lot about women’s changing roles in society – how we perceive ourselves, and how we’re viewed by others. The 1910s saw an end to the hourglass figure with a tiny waist. Women were finally able to breathe and move more freely. Did the demise of tight-lacing help women gain the right to vote in 1920? Underwear matters.

This presentation is hands-on and participatory. Tight corseting exerted 22 pounds of pressure on internal organs – find out what that actually feels like! 

Experience the difficulty of completing everyday tasks while wearing a corset. Have you ever relay raced in a hobble skirt?!
Herstory Unsanitized presentations explore the engrossing “taboo” subjects omitted from history.
When a zany teacher and grounded green witch join forces, they create Grounded Goodwife. Velya Jancz-Urban’s gregarious personality and Ehris Urban’s serene energy enable this mother/daughter duo to connect with audiences. Their delivery is funny and frank. Laugh, grimace, and honor our foremothers’ journeys."

This information is shared from a Facebook event page.

Seymour Public Library to host talk on suffragettes, 19th Amendment

American Legion Post in Derby to dedicate monument, celebrate centennial

John H. Collins Post in Derby to celebrate centennial of American Legion

Photo courtesy of Markanthony Izzo 

The Veterans' Memorial Center, pictured above, is located at the corner of Atwater and Seymour Avenues in Derby.

Registrar shares info on voter registration in Ansonia

Shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Ansonia City Hall, alongside the Registrar of Voters office, is excited to share that Women are the majority of voters in Ansonia. This information comes after the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution (June 4th, 1919), which granted Women the right to vote.

"We are proud of all of the women leaders that we have here in Ansonia and beyond. Continue to demonstrate passion and presence in shaping our society!"

Legion Post 24 in Derby to hold 100th anniversary membership drive

Reminder: Gazy Brothers Farm in Oxford to host Fall Festival Sunday

Gazy Brothers Farm in Oxford to host Fall Festival

Post installs monument at Veterans Memorial Building in Derby

Silent Installation …

DERBY - A monument recognizing the upcoming 100th anniversary of the American Legion National Organization and locally of John H. Collins Post #24 based at the Veterans Memorial Building was installed June 10. 

The building at the intersection of Atwater and Seymour Avenues is described when giving directions as “turn at the cannon.” 

The foundation was made by McManus Construction of Derby and the monument was installed by Seccombe Brothers Memorials of Ansonia. The stone was imported from India and formed in Vermont. 

Attending the installation were Post members Bernard Williamson with son Terry, and Post members Paul Lutson and Paul Varsanik. An historic dedication of the monument will be held at a later date. Check for an announcement in local media.  

Listed on the monument are the charter members. Please contact the Post if you know of any of their descendants.

This information was contributed by Post member Bill Bowers.

Julia Day Nursery in Ansonia to mark 100th anniversary Sunday

ANSONIA - Julia Day Nursery will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an open house from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the school, 76 Central St.

Students, families of students, directors, teachers, staff, members of the Board of Managers past and present, and the public are invited.

History of the school
In 1913, a group of women interested in the welfare of children and known as The Ansonia and Derby Nursery Association began to work for the establishment of a day nursery "for the benefit of mothers who were compelled to work and had no place to take their children while engaged in their daily vocation."
For three years, they raised money by sponsoring teas, dances, cake sales, and the like, until they raised $1,500.

Mrs. Charles (Julia) Brooker offered the use of a home on Factory Street. 
Mrs. Louise M. Clark was engaged as the "Matron" to head the nursery.

The program, which opened its doors in June of 1915, began with five children and by November, the enrollment increased to 27.
For two years, the nursery flourished and seemed to fulfill a long-felt need in the community.

After the death of Mrs. Brooker, the house was sold in the process of settling her estate and the Day Nursery was without a home. The Ansonia Board of Education offered the use of a few rooms in the old high school for the summer.

The Hon. Charles F. Brooker generously offered to give the property at 76 Central St., if $1,500 could be raised for repairs.
After a committee worked hard to raise this amount, Mr. Brooker paid for all the repairs and authorized the committee to use the $1,500 for operating expenses. (According to one source, the house was given as a grant by Mr. Brooker and Mr. Alton Farrel.)

The new building was opened on Nov. 6, 1917. Contrary to popular belief, "Julia Day" was not the founder of the school.

The Julia DAY Nursery is named in honor of Julia Clark Brooker whose generosity and interest made the Nursery possible.

After the Nursery became overcrowded in the small white house, Mr. Brooker offered to build a brick wing containing a playroom, bathroom and locker rooms.

The addition was completed in 1927. In May of 1929, with a bequest from Mr. Brooker's will, a main building was added to complement the brick wing. This is as it stands today.

On Nov. 7, 1917, the incorporators of the Nursery met to adopt its Constitution and By-Laws and to elect its original Board of Managers.

The school continues to serve as a non-profit, tax exempt corporation which, in addition to tuition, donations, and grants has some funding from Valley United Way.

It is NAEYC accredited- a prestigious recognition achieved by approximately 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide.
A volunteer Board of Managers operates Julia Day Nursery.

The program consists of Preschool, Prekindergarten and Before and After School Care. All children are provided with free breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Julia Day Nursery gets some school readiness funding and accepts subsidies such as Care 4 Kids Programs.


This information was provided by the board.