Ansonia to mark Pearl Harbor Day in ceremony Friday at Veterans Park

 

Celebrations honor veterans at Wesley Village senior living campus in Shelton

Crosby Commons resident and veteran Ed Nobile admires the World War II display at the Stratford Veterans Museum.

SHELTON - Members of the Wesley Village senior living campus recently recognized veterans with  events at Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The Shelton communities organized celebratory luncheons, patriotic entertainment, and heartfelt tributes to show appreciation for veterans’ sacrifice and service.

Gathering spaces across the campus were decorated in red, white, and blue. Community chefs took great care in preparing special menus and dessert offerings for the day. 

Residents and team members dressed in patriotic attire, and flags were flown with pride. 

Wesley Heights resident Beverly McNichol, left, shares a smile with Lead Resident Services Coordinator Donna Brice. 

Bev is a “Cadet Nurse” who attended nursing school during World War II when there was an incentive for women to assist in the national nursing shortage during wartime. 

At Crosby Commons, residents were honored at a special pinning ceremony, during which veterans were presented with a certificate of thanks and a military pin. 

Christine Thibault and Coast Guard veteran Denise Giattina of Compassus led the ceremony with Crosby resident and Navy veteran Father Steve Krugel, who offered an opening prayer.

Crosby residents also received a personal tour of the Stratford Veterans Museum with volunteer Bill O’Brien. They enjoyed the history, stories, and dedication to preserving the memories of Stratford veterans. Along for the tour was Crosby Commons' own Stratford veteran Dick Millward. The group admired the museum’s display of ceramic red poppies, inspired by a 2014 art installation of over 800,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. Several symbolic poppies were purchased and gifted to Crosby Commons' veteran residents during the community’s Veterans Day luncheon. 

“Our veterans continue to mention how special it was to be recognized for their service during the various Veterans Day events,” said Crosby Commons Activities Director Lauren Donovan. “It is truly a privilege to honor them and an amazing display of community when we all come together for this important occasion.”

Wesley Heights residents and team members gathered for a ceremonial luncheon with a patriotic-themed menu and piano performance by resident Carol Osgood. 

Veterans were honored with a military hat noting their branch of service and along the community’s Veterans Wall of Honor, an inspiring display of photos and details recognizing each veteran. 

Residents and team members led the ceremony with words of gratitude, support, and patriotism.

Bishop Wicke Health & Rehabilitation Center hosted a Veterans Day ceremony with a presentation by centenarian John Kopchik, who shared poignant memories of serving in the U.S. Navy. 

Bishop Wicke Administrator Debra Samorajczyk led the ceremony, which brought together residents and patients, team members, and families for words of appreciation, patriotic songs, and a celebratory cake. Veterans received military hats that noted their branch of service before retiring the colors.

About Wesley Village: The Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. offers a continuum of care: independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support/memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

The campus is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization with a 150-year legacy of caring. 

To learn more about the Wesley Village campus communities of Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact Megan Guastaferri at 

203-447-5454 or mguastaferri@umh.org. To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

'Turnback Tuesday' memorializes Derby native Edward J. Cotter, Jr.

Turnback Tuesday remembers Edward J. Cotter Jr. of Derby.

Ed was a WWII veteran in the US Navy as a firefighter.

This Navy training and experience benefitted the City of Derby for years to come. He modernized the fire department with new equipment as well as trained the new firefighters. And because of all of his years of service to the community, he received many awards and praise from his fellow firefighters.

Ed’s day job was working for the Evening Sentinel in Ansonia as a photographer and journalist, starting his career in 1939 as a sports reporter at age 18.

This monument - located on O’Sullivan’s Island by the Greenway under the Commodore Hull Bridge - was placed there in Ed’s memory. He was one of the founders of the former Valley Fire Chief’s Training School that was once located on this site.

Thank you to the Derby Hall of Fame for their helpful information about Ed.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby's celebration for soldiers

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Welcome Home Celebration on Aug. 17, 1946 for our men and women who served in WW II.

An entire day of activities was planned including a parade, baseball, food and dancing.

Veterans were asked to leave their wallets at home and were treated to food and beer for their parched throats. The city and its residents acted as hosts.

All businesses and households were asked to fly an American Flag. Army beat Navy in a baseball game.

It was estimated that at least 1,000 veterans took part in the event.

There were literally thousands dancing in the streets for the Block Dance between Fourth and Fifth Streets in Derby.

The library is looking for a copy of this program to add to our Reference History Room.

Please contact us if you have one that you can donate. Thank you.

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

Ansonia ceremony to remember 82nd anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor

 

Learn about Valley during WWII at Derby Neck Library presentation

Derby Neck Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.

Remembering 2,403 Americans killed 81 years ago in attack on Pearl Harbor

Today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Klarides-Ditria: Final military honors planned for 8 veterans' unclaimed remains

The Connecticut State Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, Inc. have announced they will hold a military funeral ceremony for eight U.S. veterans’ unclaimed cremated remains. 

The remains are those of veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony on Oct. 1 (rain or shine) at 10:30 a.m. at the State Veterans Cemetery 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. DVA Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi will lead the ceremony which will be supported by the directors of various funeral homes from across the state. In attendance will be local, state and federal Officials and members of Veterans Organizations. Commissioner Saadi, CFDA President David W. MacDonald, and other dignitaries will deliver remarks during the ceremony that will include the posthumous presentation of Connecticut Wartime Service Medals. Masks are strongly encouraged even though the event is outdoors.

At 9:40 a.m., the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders will escort four CFDA hearses containing the cremains of the eight Veterans from the DVA Rocky Hill Campus to the Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.

This is the seventh such ceremony hosted by the DVA in coordination with the CFDA since 2009 when Connecticut established new protocols to identify unclaimed cremated remains of honorably discharged U.S. veterans in Connecticut funeral homes with the goal of providing them a dignified burial with full military honors.

Sincerely,

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to close Monday for holiday

SHELTON - Plumb Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, May 31 in honor of Memorial Day.

We hope you enjoy the holiday, but also take a moment to pause and reflect on our freedom and fallen heroes.

In front of the Library stands a memorial to fallen Shelton residents of World War II. (Pictured above)

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Frank P. Witek, Medal of Honor recipient from Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Medal of Honor series during WWII which are true tales of the Nation’s Highest Honor by Arthur S. Curtis. 

The strips ran from 1945 to 1949. 

The artist was Michael Arens. This strip is about Marine P.F.C. Frank P. Witek of Derby, a selfless young man who sacrificed his life to protect others. Frank was awarded the Medal of Honor for knocking out several enemy positions and killing 16 enemy soldiers before he himself was killed on Aug. 3, 1944. 

Witek Memorial Park in Derby was dedicated and named in his honor on May 29,1999. 

Thank you to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Waterbury-Oxford Airport to host WWII planes next weekend

Beacon Falls Library talk to focus on Allied invasion of Normandy

BEACON FALLS - Beacon Falls Public Library will host "Operation Overlord: The Allied Invasion of Normandy" at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5.

In the spring of 1944, Nazi Germany was being hammered relentlessly by Soviet Armies on the Eastern Front and subjected to around-the-clock bombing by U.S. Army Air Forces by day, and the British Royal Air Force by night.

Allied armies in Great Britain were poised to launch an invasion across the English Channel to France which, if successful, would be the beginning of the end of The Third Reich.

In this 75th anniversary year, local historian Chris Bielik will discuss the more than two years of preparation, dissent among the British and American leaders, deception and intelligence operations that went into planning and executing what is now known as: D-Day.

The Library is at 10 Maple Ave.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) features war bond selling contest

Turnback Tuesday goes back to WWII. During the war Libraries participated in a Fifth War Loan, War Bond Campaign which was opened on June 12, 1944 all over Connecticut. Libraries joined the march to send equipment to the fighting front. The Fifth War Loan was a campaign to raise money which was needed to win that final victory! 

Derby Public Library proudly joined in the effort.

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

Shelton church, Seymour Legion Post to host 'Four Chaplains' program

SHELTON - The First Baptist Church of Shelton, 178 Leavenworth Road, will hold a service at 2 p.m. Sunday to learn about and honor the memory and contributions of four World War II chaplains.
On Feb. 3, 1943 these four men of God -Methodist, Jewish, Catholic, and Dutch-Reformed - worked selflessly together to share the love of God, sacrificing their own lives to help troops and civilians aboard the sinking ship S.S. Dorchester.

The annual event is sponsored by American Legion Post 10 of Seymour. It will be followed by a free reception. 
Parking is available. There is an elevator for visitors using wheelchairs.

*This is a press release from First Baptist Church of Shelton. 

Beacon Falls Public Library to host talk on Treaty of Versailles

"On November 11, 1918, after over 4 years of unprecedented conflict, an armistice was signed ending the carnage of The Great War.
Still to be done was negotiating the final peace terms between the victorious Allied Nations and the defeated Central Powers, led by the former German Empire.

"Local historian Chris Bielik will discuss the many political, national, and ideological differences of the principal allies - the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, which led to the creation of the treaty which ultimately paved the way for the start of the Second World War a mere 20 years later."

*This is shared from Beacon Falls Public Library Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Another vintage photo

The strangest feeling came over me when I uncovered this photo at the same time I found my mother's First Holy Communion photo from 1932, which I posted Monday.

It was strange because I didn't recognize my beloved maternal grandparents. 
At least I think it's them, since the photo was among my mother's things. I don't recognize them in their 20s. 
Naturally I knew them when they were in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Time does its thing. 

I imagine what was in store for them, the stock market crash in 1929, the Great Depression, unemployment, the landlady knocking on the door looking for rent money (I heard stories about that) and World War II. My mother always said they were happy, and didn't think about being poor.

I have so little information about my grandparents in their early days. 
How did they meet? Was it before or after he served in The Great War in France?
Everyone's family history needs to be preserved for future generations. It's interesting and it's important.

Historian to discuss Battle of the Bulge at Beacon Falls Public Library

BEACON FALLS - Caught in a vice between Allied and Soviet forces in December 1944 at the end of World II in Europe, Hitler decided to roll the dice and put every remaining resource into an attack designed to split the British and American forces with the hope of negotiating a separate peace so that Germany could concentrate on beating back the 'Soviet Steamroller.'

Local historian Chris Bielik will discuss the rationale behind this decision at 6:30 p.m. June 5 at Beacon Falls Public Library, Town Hall Assembly Room, 10 Maple Ave.

He will discuss the political and tactical considerations in the Allied reaction to this unexpected attack, and the results of what became the largest land battle ever fought by the American Army.

*Shared from a Facebook event page.

Derby Public Library slates discussion of novel set during WWII

DERBY - Derby Public Library has scheduled its monthly Lunchtime Book Discussion for 2:30 p.m. May 30. 
May’s featured book will be “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. 

The #1 New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and soon to be a major motion picture, this unforgettable novel of love and strength in the face of war has enthralled a generation.

“The Nightingale” tells the story of two sisters, separated by years and experience by ideals, passion, and circumstance.  

Each embarks on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France.  
This is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women.

Lunchtime Book Discussions are held on the last Wednesday of the month and are free and open to the public. 

Multiple copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk. 

Drop-ins are welcome; no registration is required. For more information contact the Reference Desk, 203-736-1482.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is a press release from Derby Public Library.

Historian to focus on start of WWI in talk at Seymour Public Library

Assassination of Franz-Fedinand and Sophie on June 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the attack. 
As Russia supported Serbia, Austro-Hungarian declaration of was was delayed until assurances from German leader Kaiser Wilhelm that Germany would ally with them in the event of Russian intervention.


*Info shared from Seymour Public Library Facebook page.

Local history, Tech Talks, book club on tap at Derby Neck Library

Women's Forum
DERBY - The Derby Neck Library hosts Women’s Forum, a monthly gathering that discusses short stories and views presentations on Valley history, at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 15.

Frances Osborne Kellogg

This month’s topic is “The Valley in World War 2” which focuses on the life of Frances Osborne Kellogg, local industry, food rationing, fashions, entertainment, and more.  

Attendees may wish to bring a light lunch; free coffee and tea served.  

Tech Talks

The Library presents Tech Talks, a monthly program that highlights what is new in technology and how to best use it in your daily life at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17.
Topics change each session; for this month’s topic please call the library.

The Valley in WWII

At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 the Library offers “The Valley in World War 2” a powerpoint presentation by reference librarian Patricia Sweeney.  
This event features the life of Frances Osborne Kellogg, local industry, entertainment, food rationing, war bond drives, fashions, and more.  

Evening Book Club

The Library will hold the Evening Book Club at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29. 
This month’s selection is “Shopgirl” by Steve Martin (the comedian). Copies of the book are available at the library.  
Join us for an informative and entertaining discussion.  

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave. For information on any program call 203-734-1492.

This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.