St. Mary's Church in Derby to hold annual food festival

 

Derby Elks Lodge #571 to sell food Thursday at fireworks show

 

Shared from the Derby Elks' Facebook page.

Have breakfast, support Derby Elks Lodge Monday at Memorial Day Parade

 

Derby 350 Plaque of the Week features historic downtown hotel

Our Derby 350 History Plaque of the Week brings us back to a time when Derby still had hotels - it has none today.

However, Elizabeth Street next to the Sterling Opera House was the site of the Hotel Clark and its predecessor Bassett House, which was originally the residence of Sheldon Bassett.

Both hotels were the centers of community and social life in town, and the Hotel Clark was also the place where the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club was started.

We want to thank the Rotary Club and Tom D'Addario and Capwood Associates, current owners of the office building on the Elizabeth Street site for purchasing the plaque.

We also want to thank Derby DPW for installing it.

Citywide Reunion Block Party starts at 6 p.m. today on Elizabeth Street

 

Derby to celebrate citywide reunion with block party on Elizabeth Street

 

Derby to host Citywide Reunion Block Party Saturday

 

CT Foodshare truck to visit St. Mary's Church parking lot today

DERBY - The CT Foodshare truck will return to St. Mary’s Church parking lot today, July 29 from 2:15-3 p.m. 

Tickets will be distributed to everyone PHYSICALLY IN LINE at 2 p.m. No placeholding with bags and carts. No income limits, no questions asked...just bring a bag to receive some food. Next visit is Aug. 12.

The church is at 212 Elizabeth St.

Flag Day ceremony slated Saturday on Derby Green

 

Derby 350 to present movie of 300th anniversary at Second Congregational Church

DERBY - A viewing of the 1975 movie made of Derby's 300th anniversary week-long celebration will be held at 6 p.m. May 6 at Second Congregational Church.  

Also included will be a presentation of selected historic images from the Derby Historical Society's Sen. Henry Bradley glass slide collection.

The church is at 136 Elizabeth St. 

Shared from a Facebook event page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dr. Frank P. McEnerney of Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo shows local dentist Dr. Frank P. McEnerney in his office that was located on Elizabeth Street across from the Commodore Hull Theater.

Dr. McEnerney was born in Derby and graduated Derby High School, Holy Cross College, and the University of Pennsylvania College of Dentistry. His framed credentials hang on the wall behind him in the photo's background.

Dr. McEnerney was also an active member of the Elks Lodge in Derby plus many other civic-minded groups in the Valley.

Note: this photo was donated by Dr. McEnerney's granddaughter, Geraldine Fallon, who currently serves on the Derby Public Library Board of Directors. Geraldine's mother, Frances Fallon, previously served on the Library Board for 50 years.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Elizabeth Street house

"Turnback Tuesday"
This week's photo depicts the house of Mrs. Sarah Hull DeForest.

It was located on Elizabeth Street in Derby where the former J.C. Penney Co. store (now Archie Moore's) stood.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Bassett House, Derby YMCA

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features the Derby YMCA once located on Elizabeth Street.

The green building on the left with the green shutters is the Derby YMCA.

It was located next to the Bassett House Hotel, which burned down in 1911, so that means the YMCA was also in Derby around that time. Interestingly, it was in this building - previously home to Dr. Ambrose Beardsley - that Beardsley suggested naming "Ansonia" after Anson Phelps.

[First published on this date in 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Commodore Hull Theater in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a postcard, circa 1907-1915, that highlights the Commodore Hull Theater on Elizabeth Street.

It advertises Vaudeville plus 85 acts featuring silent movie star and Brooklyn-born Connie Talmadge. It appears the theater approaches the Elks Club with cars of the era parked in the foreground.

[This was first published on this date in 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Lodge of Elks

April 17, 1900 marked the day the Derby Lodge of Elks, No. 517, officially came into being. Discussions had begun in early February of that year when several prominent Derby men proposed the idea of forming a social club in Derby.

On Feb. 20, 1900, it was agreed that a lodge of Elks - a subordinate of the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - should be formed. The original Derby chapter consisted of 61 members and the original location of the club was on lower Main Street.

The club eventually moved to its current location at 73 Elizabeth St. in 1915.

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

Derby Senior Center closing Monday for Elizabeth Street construction

ATTENTION: The Derby Senior Center will be closed on Monday, Aug. 5 due to the construction in front of our Elizabeth Street entrance.

We are sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.

Shared from the Center's Facebook page.

CT Foodshare to visit St. Mary's Church parking lot in Derby Tuesday

The Connecticut Foodshare truck will return to St. Mary’s Church parking lot Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 2:15-3 p.m.

No income limits, no questions asked - just bring a bag to receive some food. Next visit after that is Nov 7.

The church is at 212 Elizabeth St., Derby.

'Turnback Tuesday' memory: Commodore Hull Theater in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a postcard, circa 1907-1915, that highlights the Commodore Hull Theater on Elizabeth Street.It advertises Vaudeville plus 85 acts featuring silent movie star and Brooklyn-born Connie Talmadge. It appears the theater is near the Elks Club with cars of the era parked in the foreground.
(First posted on this date in 2015)
Thanks as always goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing local history.

CT Foodshare truck to visit St. Mary's Church in Derby Tuesday

DERBY - The Connecticut Foodshare truck will return to St. Mary’s Church parking lot from 2:15-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.The Church is at 212 Elizabeth St.
No income limits, no questions asked....just bring a bag to receive some food. Next visit after that is Sept 26.
This is shared from the Church Facebook page.

Derby-Shelton fireworks, food, live music, kick off summer fun this evening