Tuesday's newsletter features Black History Month program at Ansonia City Hall

 

Check it out here:

https://3d62a228-eb5f-443c-a1ec-b9ff5c58ad34.filesusr.com/ugd/329bf6_afffc91dc26b42eb9c9dd9517ff9809b.pdf

Ansonia to dedicate sculpture Sunday memorializing John W. Gatison, Jr.

Valley Independent Sentinel photo

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, left, and Deacon Dave Gatison photographed at City Hall with sculpture of John W. Gatison, Jr.

Sharing link below to a story published in the Valley Independent Sentinel about a bust sculpted by Ansonia resident Vasil Rakaj of the late John W. Gatison, Jr. The sculpture will be dedicated Sunday.

https://valley.newhavenindependent.org/archives/entry/Ansonia_To_Honor_The_Memory_Of_John_Gatison_Sr/?fbclid=IwAR29lqvr3okr_W8cyPqdIHsNAUuuKkATmAqErgw8-t7QUX6GmGvBBRQeehA

 

Harry Connick, Jr. records "Amazing Grace" at Sterling Opera House in Derby

DERBY - Harry Connick, Jr. recorded a beautiful version of Amazing Grace Feb. 1 at the Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street during a snowstorm, Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo announced today.

It has been released and can be viewed on the following link - https://www.harryconnickjr.com/

"Thank you Mr. Connick!  We hope you’re staying warm now!" Garofalo said in a release.

 

Derby Historical Society director encourages reflection on MLK holiday

By Daniel Bosques

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as an opportunity for all of us to stop and reflect on our own thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. 

In the spirit of Dr. King’s unwavering and messages of hope, perseverance, enacting peaceful change, and equality for all, we have a responsibility to our fellow Americans to take a personal inventory of ourselves. 

Are we individually doing our part to show love, compassion, fairness, and acceptance to our neighbors? 

Do we demonstrate strength of character, respectful responses to opposing viewpoints, intolerance of unfair policies? Do we show love to others through our words and our deeds? 

Taking a moment to stop and think about our individual answers to these questions just might lead to the self-awareness that may act as a catalyst for necessary change. 

There has never been a time in our collective American history that Dr. King’s messages of equality and hope have not been relevant. As a nation, we have come a long way from our tarnished history of slavery, oppression, Jim Crow segregation, and the overt mistreatment of large populations of Americans. 

However, we must acknowledge that we still have very far to go in reaching the type of country that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Recent events in our country have forced Americans to face a stark reality that they had long been oblivious of (or complacent to ignore) - that is, that people of color in this country continue to face racism in many facets of their lives; most disturbingly, systemically.

While the current state of our nation may be discouraging for some, we must embrace the fact that as Americans, each one of us is empowered to make the changes we wish to see in our society. We might start by taking today to revisit the eloquent, awe-inspiring, and world-changing words of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.

To hear five of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speeches, click here.

The lessons of the past can serve as the answers to creating a better future that includes all Americans. 

Ansonia mayor shares video to remember the greatness of Martin Luther King, Jr.

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti and his office released this video Sunday about the importance of remembering the teachings of slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

All city offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 to mark the MLK holiday.

Seymour Public Library posts MLK holiday closing

The Seymour Public Library will be closed Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Derby City Hall closing for MLK holiday, trash, recycling pickup on regular schedule

From Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

Derby City Hall will be closed on Monday. January 18, 2021

in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

No delay in trash and recycling and the Transfer Station is open for regular hours.

Valley NAACP, community leaders to celebrate MLK Monday via Zoom meeting

 

The community is invited to join us on Monday, January 18 as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

This year the Valley NAACP and community partners will celebrate online with spoken word, poems, videos, speeches, and a Call To Action for the work ahead.

Zoom Meeting ID: 838 82589584 at 12 PM January 18

This information is shared from TEAM, Inc.'s Facebook page.

Former police chief discusses novel at Derby Public Library

Andrew L. Cota Jr. speaks Monday at Derby Public Library.

DERBY - Laughter really can be the best medicine.

I haven't had a reason to laugh since losing my mother less than two weeks ago.

That all changed Monday night when I attended a presentation at Derby Public Library by former Derby Police Chief Andy Cota. He was there to discuss his new novel, Whitestone, and sign copies of it.

Cota has already spoken at Derby Neck Library and Ansonia Library, but I was unable to attend either of those presentations.
I'm glad my daughter, Allegra, and I were able to go to Monday's talk. It was an enjoyable program.

Cota said he "called upon vast life experiences" to write it, and to pen his first book, the non-fiction Through the Lens of an Old Man.
Both tomes focus on the interactions of the physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of the human condition. 
Whitestone delves into "the possible realms of reality that exist," as it says on the back cover.  

It was Cota's delivery of several truth is stranger than fiction stories from his 34-year police career in Derby that made me laugh, and forget my sadness for a while.

I wouldn't attempt to relate them here, you'd have to hear them from Cota himself! 

I'm looking forward to reading Whitestone. It's more than 200 pages but I'm told by "reliable sources" that it's a quick read.

Sad news shared from Derby

Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo e-mailed this information late Saturday:

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of former Derby Mayor Gino S. DiMauro, Jr.

Gino S. DiMauro, Jr.

Please join Mayor Anita Dugatto and the entire City of Derby in expressing our deepest sympathy to the entire DiMauro Family during this difficult time.  His son Gino S. DiMauro, III is a member of the Derby Police Department.

Mayor Anita Dugatto has asked at flags on all City of Derby buildings be lowered to half staff until 2:00 pm on Wednesday May 25, 2016 in memory of Mayor DiMauro's service to the City of Derby.

"The entire City of Derby is shocked and saddened by this news.  We express our deep sympathy to the DiMauro family and want them to know that we grieve with them during this sad time. May he rest in peace,"  said Mayor Dugatto.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. 

His funeral will leave the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30 am for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in St. Mary Church. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made the Dominic and Sontino DiMauro Educational Fund. Leave online condolences at www.adzimafh.com

Ansonia students to stage 'Guys and Dolls, Jr.' for 4 performances

ANSONIA - Ansonia High School and Ansonia Middle School students are bringing the classic musical Guys and Dolls, Jr. to the middle school stage.

The production is presented by Bright Light Musicals, LLC.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and June 11, and 12 in the Dr. Richard F. Nicolari Auditorium at the middle school, 115 Howard Ave.

Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door.

At the dress rehearsal Monday students were clearly enthusiastic about being in a performance, which was a first for many of them, drama and musical director William Izzo said.

I was surprised to learn rehearsals only started in late March. The students and their teachers deserve plaudits for accomplishing so much in a short period of time.

I urge everyone to go see the show. You won't be disappointed! 
It's a romantic comedy set in 1940 New York City with memorable music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. 
Some of the songs are: A Bushel and a Peck, Luck Be a Lady, and Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat. All wonderful! You'll leave the auditorium humming the tunes. 


Some dress rehearsal photos are below:

















For information, contact:

William Izzo, Drama and Musical Director - 203-736-5070 or email: wizzo@ansonia.org

Mary Lynn Mott, Musical and Choreography Director – 203-736-5095 or email: mmott@ansonia.org

Elise Nicolari, Stage Manager and Production Coordinator – 203-751-1966 or email: enicolari@ansonia.org.