Recuperation journey: Christmas coincidence?

Last night as I was driving home from a meeting two deer ran in front of the car ahead of me on Prindle Avenue in Ansonia, near the intersection with Pulaski Highway. 
Of course we both stopped and waited until they crossed the road.

At the meeting a friend had given me a Christmas gift. 
When I got home and opened the bag, this is what I found:

A beautiful glass ornament with two deer. Coincidence? I think not!

Merry Christmas to my readers near and far

'Twelfth Night' celebrated at David Humphreys House in Ansonia

The Derby Historical Society held its annual Twelfth Night celebration for the public Sunday afternoon at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. The event featured a buffet with ham, roasted vegetables, soups, cake, cookies, hot cider, and more. For the first time a reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol was presented by docents and members. As you can see by the scaffolding in the photo the house is undergoing a major renovation project. 


Stay tuned for photos in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Christmas lights, Christmas lights, there are Christmas lights in the Valley

 Seymour.

Derby.

Ansonia.

An interesting display on a street in Ansonia.

A well-lit house in Derby.

And our friend's house in Derby.


Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season

And I thank you for reading my blog!

Dear readers: May your holidays be merry and bright

Sharing a favorite photo from several years ago.

Winners of house-decorating contest in Ansonia applauded

The home of John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave., took top honors in the annual contest.

  
ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission today announced winners of its House and Yard decorating contest.

Full disclosure: I was one of the judges as a member of the Valley Arts Council, along with arts council president Rich DiCarlo.
Several members of the city's Cultural Commission also took part in the judging of the 21 entries.

Congratulations go out to the following residents who won in their respective wards.

Overall Winner: John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave.

Ward 1: David Harvey & Edward Miklos, 16-18 Sixth St.
Ward 2: Janet and Christopher Waugh, 87 Prospect St.
Ward 3: Don Anderson, 96 Myrtle Ave.
Ward 4: Charters Hose firehouse, 4 Murray St.
Ward 5: Eric & Veronica Feliciano, 195 Howard Ave.
Ward 6: Kamil Steczkowski, 28 Mountain View Road
Ward 7: Robert Myernick and Kathleen Dorsey, 7 Birchwood Drive.

The winners will be recognized at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting at City Hall. 

Looking forward to even more participants next year!

Ansonia residents show spirit of season

Decorating contest draws 21 participants

ANSONIA - Congratulations go out to John and Ann Marie Checkley of 209 Wakelee Ave. for capturing the overall winner spot in the Cultural Commission's annual House and Yard Decorating Contest. 

Beautifully decked out properties in all seven Wards - including 20 homeowners and Charters Hose Company 4 firehouse - were entered into the annual competition judged by members of the Cultural Commission and the Valley Arts Council.

A view of the decorations at 209 Wakelee Ave.

All eight winners will be honored at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting in City Hall. 
They will receive a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate from local merchants, Cultural Commission chairman Judy Nicolari said.

Many thanks to Cultural Commission member Melissa Torres for submitting the great photos! 

Overall winning entry is this home at 209 Wakelee Ave.

A message from Ansonia mayor

Happy Holidays to all! 

I would like to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. 

As we celebrate this holiday season, focus on all the accomplishments achieved in 2014 and strive harder for a prosperous new year. Enjoy the time you spend with family and friends, but let us not forget our neighbors these holidays. A holiday season greeting may go a long way for those alone. I believe the holiday season is about giving and sharing PEACE and HAPPINESS.

My family and all of the dedicated City Hall staff wish you joy and happiness throughout the holiday season and New Year.

2014 was a great year for Ansonia and I am predicting an even brighter future in 2015. We witnessed a milestone last week when a portion of the buildings were demolished at the former Ansonia Copper and Brass site. 

We said good bye to a part of our history, but we are also welcoming a bright new future with economic growth into Ansonia. 

Join with me to help make Ansonia a better place to work and live.


- Mayor David S. Cassetti

Students, staff share holiday spirit at O'Brien Tech in Ansonia

ANSONIA - A spirit of giving and Yuletide fun was evident Thursday to all who entered the cafeteria at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School.

The school welcomed more than 40 members of the community to an annual dinner prepared and served by culinary students. 

Junior Jenna Randall of Ansonia said she enjoyed the festivities. "It's fun to volunteer here," she said. "It puts a smile on your face at the end of the day."

Classmate Nicole Parker of Shelton agreed. "It's nice to make other people happy," she said.

Pedro Hernandez, also a junior from Shelton, added, "It's a good experience. The seniors are nice. They're really kind."

Junior Makayla Eaton of Ansonia offers cookies to guests.

Junior Pedro Hernandez of Shelton serves cake.

Ho, ho, ho! Santa (a.k.a. culinary arts instructor Louis Fusco) strikes a pose with students who helped serve dinner to guests. Pictured from left are senior Anthony Melchiore, sophomore Matthew Goncalves, sophomore Victoria Hubbell, sophomore Brianna Gessner, sophomore Annie Froschl.

Each guest was invited to select an ornament created by students. 

Derby resident Janis Yakimovich attended the dinner for the first time this year. She said, "The food was very good, and the students were all very courteous and attentive."