Ansonia Parks & Rec to offer free ice fishing class Feb. 4

Kellogg Estate in Derby to host free Pop of Color quilt show

DERBY - The Kellogg Estate will host a free outdoor show this weekend displaying quilts from Southern Modern Quilt Guild members and other quilters from across Connecticut. The show is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily July 24-27.

A variety of colors and sizes will be on display around the grounds and gardens.  

Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum at 500 Hawthorne Ave. to see a collection of vintage quilts throughout the rooms of the house. A special showing of the Farmington River Quilt Project in its entirety will also be displayed in the education center totaling 90 feet in length.  

Quilts displayed outdoors only if the weather allows. Call 203-734-2513 to verify outdoor display if weather is threatening rain. 

Learn about fireflies Friday at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

DERBY - Kellogg Environmental Center will present a  family-friendly program at 8 p.m. Friday to learn the life cycle and challenges of fireflies. 

Dress for the weather and come to share some time outside to find the insects and understand their lives. Call to register, 203-734-2513. 

Rain date is July 12. The Center is at 500 Hawthorne Ave.

Shared from a Facebook event page.

Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to hold program on bumblebees

 

Visit Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby on CT Open House Day Saturday

Osborne Homestead Museum 

DERBY - Adjacent to the rolling hills and open meadows of Osbornedale State Park, Osborne Homestead Museum at 500 Hawthorne Ave. encompasses the house and grounds of the former Frances Osborne Kellogg Estate. 

Originally constructed in the mid-1800s, the house was enlarged and completely remodeled in the Colonial Revival style during the 1920s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its restored interior now displays the original contents of the estate, which constitutes a significant collection of antiques and fine arts. 

The Museum’s grounds are landscaped with formal flower gardens, ornamental shrubs, and flowering trees, providing visitors with an endless pageant of color from spring through autumn. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum is a member of the esteemed Connecticut Historic Gardens, a group of 15 distinctive historic houses dedicated to bringing awareness to the state's unique history and garden designs.  

The museum is also one of the 14 sites along the prestigious Connecticut Women's Heritage Trail, a collection of museums and institutions that highlight the role of women in the state's history. 

The 21st annual Connecticut Open House Day - a statewide celebration of art, history, and tourism - will run from 10 a.m .-4 p.m. Saturday.

While visiting, go on an architecture quest at the Osborne Homestead Museum! Get the quest booklet from the museum or download the digital quest app and start the journey.

The quest will test your knowledge of architectural features of the museum. After passing each level, winners will get a prize at the end.
This is a free event. Registration is not required. 

For more information, call (203)734-2513, email DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov, or visit the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Calendar of Events at https://www.ct.gov/deep/calend.... 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the DEEP’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is open for free docent-led and self-guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. 

For information or directions email DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov or call 203-734-2513.


This is shared from CT DEEP.

DEEP to sponsor nature walk at Osbornedale State Park in Derby

 

*Note: The walk is from 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at Pickett's Pond.

Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby slates mystery game fun

DERBY - Join the fun at the Osborne Homestead Museum and solve the mystery to find Osbornedale Ivanhoe! 

“Where is Ivanhoe?” mystery game will be held indoors at the Osborne Homestead Museum on Dec. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

This will be a free, family-friendly event, and participants can play the game at their own pace. Participants will go to the Osborne Homestead Museum to get a map and directions. 

For more information and to register, call 203-734-2513 or email DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov.

Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to host artist reception today

 

Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby to host fall bird walk Saturday

 

Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby to hold exhibit on fashion history

 

Register to learn about fishing in free 2-day program in Ansonia

 

Naturalist to lead night hike Wednesday at Osbonedale State Park in Derby

DERBY - Venture into a winter wonderland Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Osbornedale State Park as the moon lights your path. 

Join expert master naturalist  Vince Lasorsa as he guides you through the winter season’s trails, sharing insights into how the park's wildlife adapts to the changes. 

Embrace the serenity of the winter night, experience the crisp air, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance created by the moonlight.

Event information from CT DEEP calendar:

Date:	1/17/2024
Time:	6:30 p.m.
Location:	Kellogg Environmental Center
	500 Hawthorne Avenue
	Derby, CT 06418
Accessibility:	Yes
Directions:	https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Education/Kellogg/Kellogg-Environmental-Center-Directions-and-Contact-Information
Fee:	Free
Registration:	Register in advance by calling (203)734-2513 or e-mail susan.quincy@ct.gov
Contact:	Susan Quincy, (203)734-2513
Contact Email:	Susan.Quincy@ct.gov
Details:	Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby to present 'Holiday in the City' decorations

DERBY - Get ready for a ​“Holiday in the City” at the Osborne Homestead Museum and travel to different cities across the nation and Europe. 

The holiday tours will run from Nov. 24 through Dec. 16 at the museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

Admission is free and donations are accepted.Tours will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

On Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15, the museum will present ​“Twilight Tours” to display the amber glow of the decorations from 4-7 p.m.

For more than 30 years, volunteers have created the beautiful holiday decorations at the museum. These talented and committed volunteers are from Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Garden Club of Woodbridge, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Women Redefining Retirement Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. 

This year’s holiday theme will pay homage to the cities that Eva Little and the Osborne family traveled to and made their mark. Enjoy holiday fun in Paris, London, New York City, New Haven and more all at the Osborne Homestead Museum. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is open for free docent-led and self-guided tours Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m-4 p.m. 

This is shared from a DEEP press release.

Griffin Hospital in Derby participating in Energize Connecticut initiative

Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is participating in an energy efficiency initiative that will enhance its care for the community it serves and the environment.

As part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, Griffin is installing energy-saving equipment and upgrading lighting fixtures and HVAC systems that will increase energy efficiency and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this initiative. The infrastructure improvements it has made possible allow us to fulfill our commitment to maintaining an exceptional healing environment,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“As a Planetree patient-centered health care provider, we understand the benefits that incorporating natural elements and views of nature can have on the mind, body, and spirit of an individual which is why our award winning hospital architecture incorporates natural light and elements of the natural environment as much as possible. Improving the health and well-being of our patients and our community is our priority, and these energy efficiency upgrades ensure we will continue to keep our promise as a trusted and responsible caregiver and neighbor.”

The renovations began in July and are expected to take up to nine months to complete. They include upgrades to the hospital’s air handling system, hospital-wide light fixtures, HVAC, chilled water pumps, fans, motors, and dampers. The upgrades will reduce the hospital’s annual electricity usage by an estimated 17 percent which is equivalent to the energy used by 147 homes in one year. This reduction in electricity usage will also decrease more than 1,200 metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“In bringing this project to fruition, our team met with Griffin Health to understand their energy reduction goals, reviewed energy efficiency proposals from contractors, and qualified the installation incentive offer in the Energy Opportunities program in coordination with Eversource,” said Jim Beatrice, Lead Engineer at Avangrid (UI), who led UI’s energy efficiency team working with Griffin Health on the project. “In addition to significant reductions in electricity and gas usage, Griffin Health will also see side benefits, including reduced maintenance costs.”

Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut to make smart energy choices, by providing consumers, businesses, and communities with the resources and information needed to save on energy costs and build a clean energy future for the state. 

The initiative is supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, United Illuminating and Eversource.

Funding for Energize Connecticut comes from a charge on UI and Eversource customer energy bills. Through the initiative, UI will be providing Griffin an estimated $1 million in incentives with additional support from Eversource Energy for gas savings to make the energy-efficient upgrades.

“I am proud to see our team at United Illuminating work closely with Griffin Hospital on these important energy efficiency initiatives,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of United Illuminating. “Installing energy-saving equipment and upgrades will provide both financial and sustainability benefits to this important community health institution, and the scale of the work reflects a continued partnership between UI and Griffin Health that serves the entire region.”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia Nature Center to sponsor DEEP family fishing class

ANSONIA - Learn to fish for free! 

The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center is sponsoring the Department of Environmental Protection C.A.R.E. (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) family fishing class. 

This opportunity is for interested people of all ages to learn about fish identification, fishing tackle, and techniques, how to cast, where to catch fish, and much more. 

The two-hour classroom instruction will be held at the nature center June 22 from 6-8 p.m. and will be followed by fishing with the instructors and CARE interns at Colony Pond from 8:30-11:30 a.m. June 24.

All equipment and bait will be provided. Adults over the age of 16 are required to have a fishing license to participate in the event. 

Both adults and youth should acquire proper licensing online at the CT DEEP licensing system. 

For more information call chief instructor Dave Connelly, 203-231-0946.

Click here to register.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Rochelle to co-host Energy 101 event on Zoom

State Rep. Kara Rochelle to co-host an “Energy 101: Learn & Save Event” to break down how to save on your energy bill, to help customers understand charges, and learn how to switch to a lower cost energy supplier. 

The event will be held this Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

In addition, those who attend the event will receive a coupon for a free home energy audit, which includes weather-stripping, duct sealing, installation of water saving low-flow devices, efficiency tests for appliances, and more. Rochelle said she has partnered with F.F. Hitchcock to provide this service. 

The average home will receive about $1,000 in services and realize up to $200 in savings annually from this home energy audit. The first 25 to redeem the coupon will receive priority scheduling, with the audit being performed before July 1 to ensure the most savings during the hottest months of the year. 

Appointments can be scheduled by calling the number on the coupon provided to attendees of the energy event.

This is from a press release from Rochelle's office. 

Derby Neck Library program offers pictorial views of Valley in 1902

1902 photo courtesy of Connecticut DEEP

Derby Neck Library reference librarian Pat Sweeney offered an interesting presentation last week featuring candid photos of the area taken in 1902.

A friend and I both were captivated by the photos, which had been part of a Derby Neck Library project spearheaded by businesswoman, conservationist, and philanthropist Frances Osborne Kellogg (1876-1956) to record scenes of everyday life.

The photos are owned by the Osborne Homestead Museum at 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby, Kellogg's lifelong home. The museum is operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the photos belong to the state of Connecticut.

Many of the places and buildings depicted are easily recognizable, but not all. Sweeney said the photos are not labeled.

The program also served as a remembrance of the official public opening of Derby Neck Library in January, 1908. Kellogg's father, Major Wilbur Fisk Osborne, was a founder of the library.

Next up: Sweeney will give a PowerPoint presentation at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 describing what was happening in the Valley during World War II.
Attendees will learn how local towns worked diligently in the war effort. 

Sweeney will discuss fashions of the era, favorite films, rationing measures, war bond drives, and much more.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.

Historic Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby offers tours of holiday decorations

Photo from November 2018 of 'Storybook Holiday' decorations 

Museum Holiday Hours 2022

"Holiday Feast"

Nov. 25-Dec. 17 
Thursdays thru Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holiday Twilight Tours 
Fridays - Dec. 2, 9, and 16 ~ 4-7 p.m.

Guided Tours

The Museum will be offering self-guided tours and docent-led guided tours.  

Self-guided tours will allow guests to experience the museum on their own. Docents will be present to answer questions and direct traffic flow.  Registration is required to maintain safe capacity limits. 

Register for a self-guided tour by calling 203-734-2513 or emailing DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov. Walk-in registrations are accepted. The museum is at 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.

Docent-led guided tours will allow guests to experience the museum with a trained tour guide or docent. Docent-led guided tours will be offered on a limited basis to ensure guests’ safety and to maintain safe capacity limits. 

Docent-led tours require advanced registration. To register for a docent-led tour and check availability, call 203-734-2513 or email DEEP.Kellogg@ct.gov. 

Twilight Tours are self-guided tours during the twilight and evening times on Fridays from 4-7 p.m. No registration is required for Twilight Tours. 

Many wonderful clubs and decorators contributed to this year's holiday festivities. 

They include:  Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Garden Club of Woodbridge, Valley Arts Council, Women Redefining Retirement from Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club.   

This is shared from the CT DEEP website.

Ansonia Nature Center to host family fishing class

 

Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby to display rare book collection

DERBY - Osborne Homestead Museum is hosting a display and presentation of its rare and unique books by museum docent Patricia Sweeney, at 1 p.m. July 23. 

Registration is required.

This is a “rare” treat indeed for all book lovers, librarians, browsers, or anyone interested in such special antiques.  

Guests will view beautifully illustrated volumes of Japanese art prints that Frances Osborne Kellogg collected, as well as unusual books of note, such as one on Jacobean embroidery.  

Mrs. Osborne Kellogg met many famous and influential people in her lifetime of 80 years, including celebrities appearing before the Woman’s Club of Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton.  Several noted authors personally inscribed books for her and these will be shown. 

Among the volumes on display will be several volumes by her uncle, Henry E. Krehbiel of New York City, a celebrated music critic and author.  

This rare book collection has never been shared with the public before, so this is a special opportunity not to be missed.

This is a free event. To register please call 203-734-2513. The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave.

This is a press release from the Osborne Homestead Museum.