Volunteers needed to provide insight on maternal health in Valley

Griffin Health and the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center are looking for Naugatuck Valley residents who are pregnant or have given birth in the past two years to share their experiences with maternal care in the community.

Participants will be asked to talk about their medical care during and after pregnancy to help identify any gaps in the local health care system in order to make birthing experiences safer and more supportive.

"Every pregnancy and birth experience matters, and your voice can help shape better care for our community," said Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center Research Associate Summaya Multany.

These listening sessions will be held throughout June and will be virtual (by phone or computer). 

Applicants must be Naugatuck Valley residents who are currently pregnant or have given birth in the past two years.

Participants will receive a $50 gift card.

To sign up or for more information, contact Multany at 203-732-1325 or summaya.multany@yalegriffinprc.org.

About the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center 

The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (PRC) was established in 1998 through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

One of 26 Prevention Research Centers nationwide representing academic-community partnerships, the PRC is engaged in interdisciplinary applied prevention research designed to develop innovative approaches to health promotion and disease prevention that will directly benefit the public’s health. 

The Center has been researching the role of nutrition in chronic diseases for more than 20 years.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

  

TEAM announces appointment of new CEO effective today

Timothy Makris

 

Learn local haunted history at Derby Public Library program

 

Derby Historical Society to hold Valley history bus tour Sept.28

 

Cassetti, Vartelas family to commemorate 70th anniversary of 1955 Flood in Ansonia

 

Griffin Health program to help Valley seniors conserve physical energy

Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut are hosting a series of talks about physical energy conservation and free blood pressure screenings for seniors throughout the Valley in June.

Therapists from Griffin Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will present “Following the Four Ps of Energy Conservation,” which will explore tips and strategies for seniors and those with a wide variety of physical conditions that can help them safely complete tasks and activities of daily living. There will also be a discussion of dizziness and fall risks and free blood pressure screenings and consultations.

The events are scheduled for June 2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Seymour Senior Center; June 5 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ansonia Senior Center; June 25 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Shelton Senior Center; and June 26 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Derby Neck Library.

These offerings are part of the AgeWell program which is co-sponsored by Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut to increase access to care and prevent disease among the Valley senior community through a series of health screenings and healthy living education sessions each month. 

Periodically, this program provides nutritiously balanced and delicious foods for attendees.

Registration is required to attend the AgeWell events. To sign up, contact the location (Ansonia Senior Center: 203-736-5933; Seymour Senior Center: 203- 888-0406 ext. 1; Shelton Senior Center: 203-924-9324; and Derby Neck Library: 203-734-1492).

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Valley residents urged to take part in communal gardens; no experience needed

 

'Turnback Tuesday' remembers Harold B. Yudkin, '55 Flood in Valley

Harold B. Yudkin

Turnback Tuesday remembers a man who had a passion for history and Derby: Harold B. Yudkin.

With this passion, Mr. Yudkin photographed the Flood of August 19, 1955.

The flood had a devastating effect on families and businesses in the Valley towns along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers.

Derby Public Library received these photos through a donation from Harold’s son. For the month of August, these incredible images - of which we have over 90 along with some personal accounts of those who witnessed this disaster - will be on display at the Library for all to see.

In addition, there will be a small reception at the Library on August 19 at 2 p.m., the 70th anniversary of the Flood. The image of the Derby Railroad Station was taken at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, and The Housatonic Lumber image was taken at 5 p.m. on Aug 19.

We are looking for anyone who is willing to share their personal experience with the Library.

Please feel free to drop off your story, short or long, at the Library, attention Christine Boulay or email cboulay@biblio.org.

Thank you for your contributions.

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

Valley residents urged to take community health needs assessment survey

 

Griffin Health to present talks in February at senior centers, Derby Neck Library

Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut are hosting a series of heart health talks and free blood pressure screenings for seniors throughout the Valley in February.

Griffin Health Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Richard Le Pera, MPH, CCRP, will discuss heart disease, how it can be identified, and treatments. 

This presentation includes information on calcium scoring, stress testing, echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, cardiac interventions such as angiogram/angioplasty, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Valve Replacement/Repair, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. 

Griffin Health caregivers will also be offering free blood pressure screenings and consultations.

The events are scheduled for Feb. 3 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Seymour Senior Center; Feb. 6 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ansonia Senior Center; Feb. 26 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Shelton Senior Center; and Feb. 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Derby Neck Library.

These offerings are part of the AgeWell program which is co-sponsored by Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut to increase access to care and prevent disease among the Valley senior community through a series of health screenings and healthy living education sessions each month. 

Periodically, this program provides nutritiously balanced and delicious foods for attendees.

Registration is required to attend the AgeWell events. 

To sign up, contact the location (Ansonia Senior Center: 203-736-5933; Seymour Senior Center: 203- 888-0406 ext. 1; Shelton Senior Center: 203-924-9324; and Derby Neck Library: 203-734-1492).

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Retired Shelton educator pens novel 'Still Life,' a coming of age story

Gary Scarpa

Mia Scarpa 

 

Lifelong Shelton resident Gary Scarpa enjoyed a rewarding career as a teacher, guidance counselor, and theater director. In his retirement, he has pursued new artistic avenues as an author.

As it was in the world of theater, publishing is a family affair for Scarpa. With the professional support of his daughter Mia, Scarpa recently released a new novel, Still Life, a coming of age story set between 1969 and 1971.

“When I decided to venture into writing, I knew I needed someone to both edit my work and help me develop my characters and stories,” Scarpa said. “Mia was the perfect person for the job!”

The two have a long history of collaborating professionally, having co-directed a number of major musicals together.

“People often ask me what it’s like to work with a family member in this capacity, but we’re both so used to it that it feels very normal to us,” Mia explained. “After years of working together in the theater, we Scarpas continue to partner in other endeavors.” Mia also assists her sister, Gina, in the voiceover business.

As Gary creates new stories and characters, Mia both edits and formats the interior of his novels. “My dad is a very creative person, and I am more structured,” she explained. “This makes us a good match for the literary world.”

Scarpa added, “Her work on my books goes way beyond editing and formatting, though. Mia is truly a literary advisor and my partner in creating fiction.”

Scarpa decided to be an independent author, he said, because he began writing late in life. “I’m in my seventies,” he said, “and, realizing I had a number of books I wanted to publish, I decided to go the independent route, thereby giving us complete control over our timelines and our literary choices, from the cover to the last chapter.”

Mia said, “We even created our own little publishing company, Next Chapter Press, for the exclusive production of our own work.”

Scarpa’s newest release, Still Life, is a coming of age story about a young man who takes a road trip in the early 1970s. “The story has all of the elements of navigating late adolescence,” Scarpa explained, “and going on a road trip, which turns out to be a journey of self-discovery in the midst of a revolutionary historical period.”

Each of Scarpa’s novels takes place in Connecticut, in the Lower Naugatuck River Valley, where he himself grew up and where he chose to raise his family.

The father-daughter team works side by side throughout the entire process, from first ideas to final publishing. They both say they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Mia is very meticulous,” Scarpa said. “She doesn’t let anything get by, and as a creative person, I need that kind of help to ensure that the final product is ready for our readers.”

Scarpa's novels, Still Life and What Are the Chances?, are available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever e-books are sold.
Upcoming book events with the author will take place on Dec. 13 at the Shelton Senior Center, Dec. 14 at JC’s Sports Bar, and Jan. 4 at Derby Public Library. 

For more information about Gary’s novels and these events, visit www.garyscarpa.com

This is a press release from Gary Scarpa. 

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host history of railways presentation

Rails to Back Trails - a History of Railways in the Naugatuck Valley

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Date/Time: Nov. 7, 6 p.m.

Local historian Sue A. DelBianco will host a slide presentation showing captivating images of the then-and-now of railroad history from Bridgeport, Connecticut starting in 1836, when railroad was king, and all the events and industry that centered around the railroad.

Register here: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2…

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: '55 flood at drive-in theater in Derby

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This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the drive-in movie theater during the 1955 flood. It was located on 20 Division St. in Derby, where McDonald's and BJ's Wholesale Club now reside. The theater had opened in July of 1953 and thus was only open 2 years before the flood occurred. After the flood, the screen and concession stand were repaired and they remained in operation until the 1960s.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.
This post was first published on this date in 2017. 

Derby Historical Society to host Valley history bus tour Sept. 28

 

TEAM sets up special fund to help Valley residents affected by floods

From the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page:

"Thank you, Dave Morgan from TEAM, Inc., for setting this up. For those wishing to donate and help flood victims, TEAM, Inc. is the region's Community Action Agency, serving the Valley up through Oxford. They have set up a special fund for those affected by the flood across the region. Here [below] is the donation page, please choose "August 18th flood relief" from the drop-down menu."

https://teaminc.org/donate/...

First responders to collect toys for TEAM Saturday in 4 Valley towns

Valley first responders - Shelton’s Echo Hose Ambulance, Derby's Storm Ambulance, Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, Ansonia Police Department, and Seymour Police and Fire - are coming together Saturday to host toy collection events to benefit TEAM Toys 4 Kids.

TEAM is a nonprofit human services agency serving the Greater Valley and surrounding region. www.teaminc.org

Toy collection events will be hosted at locations around the Valley. First responders will encourage shoppers to purchase an extra toy in the store to donate to a family in need. 

TEAM Toys 4 Kids serves nearly 2,000 children annually by setting up a “toy store” where parents and guardians can shop for a few gifts for their little ones. The Valley first responder community is committed to ensuring the shelves are full for parents and every child has a magical holiday season.

Following the collection at each location, first responders will drive all vehicles loaded with toys in a parade through downtown Shelton, ultimately concluding at the TEAM Inc. Toy Store (430 Coram Ave., Shelton). 

The parade of vehicles and sirens is sure to draw attention to the cause and celebrate the immense generosity of the Valley community.

After completing our toy collection, TEAM will welcome parents into our Toy Store (Echo Hose Ambulance Training Center in Shelton) to shop for toys for their children. They will be able to choose the toys that best suit their child’s age and interests.

TEAM would also like to thank our major sponsors, M&T Bank, Haynes Group, Tuttle Insurance Group, and Gary’s East Coast Service, for their support in making our program possible this year.

Collections: Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Parade: 2 p.m.

Seymour First Responders – Stop & Shop, 15 Franklin St., Seymour
Derby First Responders – BJ’s, 20 Division St., Derby
Shelton First Responders – Walmart, 465 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton
Ansonia First Responders – Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, 22 W Main St., Ansonia

This is a press release from TEAM, Inc.

'Turnback Tuesday' asks help identifying Flood of '55 location

Turnback Tuesday is looking for some help. 

This is an image of the Flood of August, 1955. The devastating flood left the Valley towns and the people who lived and worked here without homes and businesses plus a huge mess to be cleaned up in the aftermath. 

Derby Public Library needs your help in identifying the *location* of this image. 

We believe it is Route 8 looking north towards Pershing Drive, but would appreciate confirmation on this. On the left would be the area where Home Depot is now. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas. 

This photo is a recent donation from the J. Vagnini family.

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

From the archives: Looking at the sky

View from the Ansonia Hilltop - this Facebook memory is from Dec. 4, 2018. 

Fill the Crosley with food for Spooner House at Heav'nly Donuts in Derby

Recuperation journey: From the October 2016 archives

I'm sure I'm not alone in anxiously awaiting autumn's vibrant colors to appear. 

This view of the Valley is from Oct.19, 2016 at Osbornedale State Park in Derby.