Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center to hold annual meeting, picnic

 

Valley United Way to hold annual meeting, present Charles H. Flynn Award

Dear Friends, Valley United Way warmly invites you to join us for our Annual Meeting, an evening dedicated to celebrating the partners, donors, and volunteers who make our work possible. Each year, more than 200 business and community leaders come together for this special event—an opportunity to reflect on our collective impact and recognize those who help strengthen our Valley. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM Courtyard by Marriott, Shelton During the evening, we will proudly present the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award to Ramon Peralta, a visionary entrepreneur, community leader, and mentor. As Founder and Creative Director of Peralta Design, Ramon has built a mission-driven agency specializing in branding and digital strategy, while also dedicating his time to mentoring youth and supporting nonprofit initiatives across our region. His commitment to creativity, entrepreneurship, and community impact embodies the spirit of this award. We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring evening of connection, gratitude, and celebration. Purchase your tickets here!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Carlene at Carlene.Williams@valleyunitedway.org. We look forward to celebrating with you. Warm regards, Joy DeMarchis Board Chair Valley United Way

Shelton Historical Society annual meeting slated Jan. 25

SHELTON - Shelton Historical Society invites you to help us kick off America250 with our annual meeting and special presentation by Tom Denenberg!

Tom Denenberg is director at the Shelbourne Museum and a foremost scholar on Wallace Nutting - an American minister, photographer, artist, and antiquarian, who is most famous for his landscape photos of New England which helped spur the Colonial Revival style.

Shared from a Facebook event page.

Shelton Historical Society to hold annual meeting Sunday

UPDATED: Our event will now start an hour later at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 instead of the original 1 p.m. start time.

Refreshments will be provided after the brief business meeting and presentation conclude.

Our speaker Marie Hayes will discuss Victorian Gardening and will have a small display of gardening memorabilia. 

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Shelton Historical Society to hear presentation on Victorian gardens

SHELTON - Join us on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1-4 p.m. at Huntington Congregational Church for our Shelton Historical Society Annual Meeting with Presentation by Marie Hayes, which will kick off 2025!

After a brief business meeting, our guest speaker, Marie Hayes, will share the secrets of Victorian gardens (more details to come).

Refreshments will be provided after the business meeting and presentation conclude.

This is shared from the historical society's Facebook page.

Friends of the Shelton Libraries to meet at Plumb Memorial Library

 

Plumb Memorial Library is at 65 Wooster St., Shelton.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Local author to discuss book at Shelton Historical Society annual meeting

 

TEAM to host 58th annual meeting at Race Brook Country Club in Orange

 

Derby Historical Society to host luncheon, present awards at Payden Field House

The Dorothy Larson Award   JACK WALSH For his or her many contributions to the community which in the spirit of the award's namesake coincides with the mission of the Derby Historical Society, which is to preserve, protect, and honor our cultural and traditional values.   The David Humphreys Service Award ELAINE BRANDON Awarded to members in recognition of his or her many years of service in contributing time, talent, and resources in helping fulfill the mission of the Derby Historical Society. The Dr. John I. Howe Award   THE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Dr. John I. Howe Award is awarded to a businessman or woman, individual, group, firm, corporation, or industry whose presence has consistently benefited one or more communities in the Valley region in the spirit of its namesake. This benefit is either through activism, perseverance, and/or philanthropy to the extent that the Derby Historical Society recognizes that they will be remembered in an historical context by future generations.   $40.00 USD Pay with PayPal Enter your email address to get started. Email or mobile number Forgot email? or English Français Español 中文

Derby Historical Society newsletter features Rev. Mansfield, docent training, more

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society has just published its March/April newsletter featuring plans for its April 16 annual meeting and awards presentation, the Rev. Richard Mansfield, training for new docents, and more.

Read all about it here.

The non-profit Derby Historical Society is based at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

Shelton Historical Society slates annual meeting at Huntington Congregational Church

The annual meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at Huntington Congregational Church. 

It will begin with a brief business meeting before turning the podium over to guest speaker Jean Jones. 

Based on their book, "Jones Tree Farm Remembrances and Recipes," Jean and her grandson, Jackson, will discuss Christmas Tree Farm Stories from the past and present, and their family heritage, with inspiration from Charles Dickens.

A copy of the anniversary book will be available for sale after the presentation. (Cash or check only, please).

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Valley Council for Health and Human Services to honor 4 at annual meeting via Zoom

The Valley Council for Health and Human Services will hold its annual meeting via Zoom at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6.

Three individuals have been chosen to receive the Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, and one for the Richard O. Belden Award.

Here are descriptions of what the award is about.  Attached is why each was chosen.

 

The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award will be presented to an individual for extraordinary service as an employee in the non-profit community who has made a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. The award is named in honor of Lewis Savitsky a long-time employee of Valley United Way who was active not only with Valley United Way, but also with multiple groups in the community.

This award will go to Susan Agamy, Spooner House- Elizabeth Laden, Griffin Health- and Nancy Cahoon, BHcare.

*******************************************************

The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award is for an individual or organization outside the non-profit sector whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. It is being presented for the first time in 2008 in honor of the late State Representative Richard O. Belden and his high standards of ethics and community involvement throughout his long and storied life.

This award will go to Corey Shoop, Wines and More! in Milford.

 

Corey and his team continuously make efforts to support community organizations that serve the Valley and beyond. 

He has been integral to the Rape Crisis Center of Milford’s fundraising efforts throughout the pandemic and has continued the relationship beyond. 

Wines and More! is always looking for new ways to get involved in community organizations in its area, and its support has helped raise funds to increase services to victims of sexual assault and their families in the Valley towns of Ansonia, Seymour, Derby, and Shelton that RCC serves. 

We are very grateful for Corey and his team and they deserve the recognition!

This is a press release from Valley Council for Health and Human Services. 

 

Save the date: TEAM to hold annual meeting Oct. 13 at Racebrook Country Club

 

Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center to hold annual meeting, potluck dinner

 

Derby Historical Society to hold annual meeting via Zoom

 

Valley Council to hold annual awards meeting Dec. 7 via Zoom

 

Derby Historical Society meeting to feature 'Resurrecting Local History' presentation

The Naugatuck River at Seymour, once known as Humphreysville, Connecticut.

Dear Members & Friends,

The Board of Directors of the Derby Historical Society would like to invite you to our Annual Meeting online at 1 p.m. April 11.

The meeting will begin with a brief business portion to elect our Officers and Board of Directors followed by an update on our Restoration Project of the Gen. David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 

The  Humphreys House is our link to the American Revolution and serves as our home base for many public events and our award-winning “A Day in 1762”, a hands-on colonial history educational program for students in the Valley towns and beyond.

Our presenter this year is Derby native Dr. Joe DiRienzo, a retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in the history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Join us for a special presentation of “Resurrecting Local History” with DiRienzo.

Membership renewals will be accepted by mail or via PayPal by visiting derbyhistorical.org. 

Your financial support is greatly appreciated and is very much needed to ensure that we are able to continue in our mission of preserving the Valley’s history and culture.

We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Meeting. Please feel free to extend this invitation to anyone who might be interested in becoming a member of the Derby Historical Society. 

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us to “Preserve Our Place in History.”

Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resurrecting-local-history-annual-meeting-derby-historical-society-tickets-139697205101?keep_tld=1&fbclid=IwAR10ewI8yg0qMycTugTSER5VS5j5wfMlC0Zv5h_corTXiHvLKKJ2fm7XAY0

This is a press release from Daniel Bosques, executive director, Derby Historical Society.

Valley United Way elects board officers, thanks retiring directors

Michael Gnibus

SHELTON - Despite Valley United Way not being able to hold its planned public Annual Meeting April 30, its Board recently elected new officers to serve until its next Annual Meeting and thanked a number of long-time directors whose terms ended April 30. 

Members whose terms ended include Jimmy Tickey, who served as Board Vice Chair; Jennifer Bull, CPA, (PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP); Peter Dagostine (First Group America); Michael Duncan (Edgewell Personal Care); Fred Ortoli (Ortoli Photography); Ramon Peralta (Peralta Design); and Janice Sheehy (Webster Bank). 

Tickey said, “The Valley United Way has made a real difference for people in our community. It has been a pleasure to serve on the Board for 10 years and lead our community campaign for 3 of those years -working to raise substantial funds to support the programs and agencies that thousands of families rely on in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  
"I know the Valley United Way will continue to focus on preparing youth to succeed, strengthening families, and helping people in crisis."

David Kennedy, Interim President and COO, said, “Valley United Way has been gifted with decades of exceptional service from these Directors.  
"It was very hard to say 'thanks' to them in a non-public forum for their care for the Valley through United Way. However, we look forward to doing that at our rescheduled Annual Meeting, whenever that will be.” 

At their April 22 board meeting directors elected the following officers for terms ending at the next Annual Meeting:  
Chair, Michael Gnibus (Armstrong Teasdale); Vice Chair, Karen Stockla (Prudential Financial); Secretary, Dominick Thomas, Esq. (Cohen & Thomas); Treasurer, Gregory DeStefano, CPA (Cherubino & Company, PC). 

Gnibus is an intellectual property attorney and partner in the New York office of the St. Louis based law firm of Armstrong Teasdale. Before working there, he spent 10 years at the General Electric office in Shelton where he led the GE United Way campaign and multiple service projects that were run through VUW. 

He has served on the Valley United Way Board for 10 years and has provided leadership support to the United Way’s Youth Leadership program. 

“It is with mixed emotions that I acknowledge the United Way’s departing Board members,” Gnibus said.  
“On behalf of Valley United Way I want to thank the departing Board members for their many years of service. We are grateful for their collective, tireless commitment to ensuring that Valley United Way’s support aligned with and met the evolving needs of area residents. Although they will not be active on the Board going forward, I am pleased to let you know that many of the departing Board members have committed to remaining active by supporting our committees. I am looking forward to leading our dedicated Board, and continuing to evolve the organization to ensure that we maximize Valley United Way’s positive impact on the community.”

Board members continuing to give leadership to Valley United Way include Patrick Charmel (Griffin Hospital); Joy DeMarchis (DeMarchis Family Holdings); Brian Diehl (Pitney Bowes); Jill Johnson (Iroquois Pipeline); John McFarland (Hubbell Incorporated); Mary Ann Miskowicz (Better Packages); Bill Purcell (Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce); Jeffrey Tracey (Mutual Security Credit Union); and Michael Wilson (Seymour Public Schools).

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. 

For more information about the organization, visit its website at www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO at 203-538-6341. 

Valley United Way postpones Annual Meeting

"To do our part in keeping our community healthy, the Board of Directors and our Interim President/COO, have decided to postpone our April 30th Annual Meeting and close our office due to the COVID19 virus. We will announce a new date for the meeting once it has been determined.
"We will continue to share what is happening at the Valley United Way through social media and e-news. We welcome your subscription to any of these channels to receive ongoing information regarding our Strategic Planning Process. As in all things, we will work as a community to Live United and know that our community will emerge stronger from this challenge that we face together!"

Shared from the Valley United Way Facebook page.

Derby Historical Society postpones annual meeting

From Daniel Bosques, executive director, Derby Historical Society:

Amid the current COVID-19 situation, a later date will be announced for our Annual Meeting. 

Membership renewals will still be accepted via mail or via PayPal at http://derbyhistorical.org in the meantime.


New England Folklore and the 

Tales of the Land
*Postponed*

Dear Members & Friends,

The Board of Directors of the Derby Historical Society would like to invite you to our Annual Meeting. 

The meeting will begin with a brief business portion to elect our Officers and Board of Directors followed by an update on our Restoration Project of the General David Humphreys House & Museum. 

The General David Humphreys House is our link to the American Revolution. It serves as our home base for many public events and our award-winning A Day in 1762, a hands-on colonial history educational program for students in the Valley towns and beyond.

Our presenter this year is Dr. Stephen Gencarella, author of “Wicked Weird and Wily Yankees: A Celebration of New England's Eccentrics and Misfits”, as well as “Spooky Trails and Tall Tales Connecticut: Hiking the State's Legends, Hauntings, and History”. Dr. Gencarella is a professor at UMass Amherst and specializes in New England folklore. Come for a special presentation of New England Folklore and the Tales of the Land with Dr. Stephen Gencarella. 

A reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation.

Membership renewals will be accepted by mail, at the door, or via PayPal donation by visiting our website at derbyhistorical.org. An application is attached to this email for those who are unable to attend. We encourage you to renew your membership. Your financial support is greatly appreciated and is very much needed to ensure that we are able to continue in our mission of preserving the Valley’s history and culture.

We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Meeting. Please feel free to extend this invitation to anyone who might be interested in becoming a member of the Derby Historical Society. Thank you for your continued support of the Derby Historical Society.

Click here for the printable membership form: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/3a79ac2188170e3441f4525f1/files/9ecb28e7-1ec1-402b-ac12-2d7dbcb1e540/DHS_Member_App.pdf

Here's a link to Dr. Gencarella's site: https://thetalestheytell.com/