Klarides-Ditria: Access improvements scheduled to begin on Derby-Shelton Bridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced that work intended to improve access for both cyclists and pedestrians on the the Derby-Shelton Bridge over the Housatonic River will begin April 1. The proposed work includes the coordination and movement of several utilities and an overall realignment of traffic resulting in a final configuration of three 11-foot travel lanes, two sidewalks (5-foot and roughly 8-foot) and a 10-foot bike lane.  The parapets will be reconstructed to meet new safety standards with the current historic shape and finish.  The existing lighting will also be upgraded and include decorative light standards. Additional details: SR 712 (Bridge Street) Between Howe Avenue and Route 34 (Main Street), the contractor will maintain a minimum of one 11-foot travel lane in each direction. Work will begin on the northern side of the structure and progress to the center of the bridge and finish with the reconstruction of the southern parapet. Access to and from the Derby Greenway will be maintained except during the actual construction of an upgraded access point. Additional informational press releases will be issued prior to stage changes alerting motorists to the new alignment.

Sincerely,

Ride/Walk for Children at Quarry Walk in Oxford to benefit PCRC

OXFORD - Do you love cycling events? Do you like to walk? 
Do you want to support children and families in your community? 

If you said yes, you should join the Ride/Walk for Children at Quarry Walk! 

Sponsorships and exhibitor spaces are also available for this fun community event that benefits BHcare’s Parent Child Resource Center. Endless opportunities to participate!

PCRC provides innovative mental health services, prevention and early intervention programs for more than 900 children and families in the Valley and beyond. 

The Ride/Walk for Children at Quarry Walk will take place June 9 at 300 Oxford Road. 

The event features 15, 36 or 50 mile bike routes plus a new MEGA 35 mile bike challenge and a 2k walk. 

This year’s walk is in honor of Wade Michael Prajer. A loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, and friend, Wade’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 22. 

While nothing will ever replace the light Wade brought to his community, PCRC will honor his life while raising awareness and resources to provide help and restore hope to others in crisis.

This year’s event also features a FREE Family Fun Fest that includes a bounce house, Touch-a-Truck, live music, food, beverages, yard games and a special performance by 12-time National Champion Stunt Bike Rider Mike Steidley. 

Participants are encouraged to form teams and collect donations online. 

Registration fee is $50 per cyclist, $20 for walkers, and children 10 and under are $10. Register today at http://bit.ly/RW4Kids.

The Ride/Walk for Children at Quarry Walk is sponsored by Haynes Development, Quarry Walk, USI Insurance Services, Haynes Construction, Thule, Union Savings Bank and Griffin Health. 

Division of BHcare

PCRC, a division of BHcare, provides hope and help for children, adolescents, teens, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. 

Visit www.bhcare.org for more information.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Ride for Children slated Sunday in Oxford

6th annual Pedal for PCRC

Cyclists participate in last year's event./ Contributed photo

Do you love cycling events? Do you want to support children and families in your community? 
If you said yes, you should join the Ride for Children at Quarry Walk! 

The Ride for Children at Quarry Walk, sixth annual Pedal for PCRC, will be held Sunday. It leaves from Quarry Walk in Oxford. 

Riders can choose from three routes, 15, 32, or 50 miles. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m.  

The ride benefits the Parent Child Resource Center, which provides innovative mental health services, prevention, and early intervention programs for more than 1,000 children and families in the Valley and beyond. 

The Ride for Children hopes to raise $60,000 this year! Cyclists are encouraged to form teams and collect donations online. 

Registration fee is $50 per cyclist and includes T-shirt, food, and beverage. 

Register today at www.bhcare.org or call Joy DeMarchis, 203-736-2601 x1856.

The Ride for Children at Quarry Walk is sponsored by Haynes Development and Quarry Walk.

PCRC, a division of BHcare, provides hope and help for children, adolescents, teens, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. 

Visit www.bhcare.org for more information.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Cyclists associated with Derby's sister city in Italy to visit City Hall today

Sharing a message from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc J. Garofalo:

"The City of Derby just received notice today that two Italian residents, in association with the Town of Puglianello (BN), sister city of Derby, CT, will be visiting Derby City Hall today at 5 p.m. before they depart on a 78-day bicycle journey along the famous Route 66 enroute to Los Angeles, CA.

Giuseppe Campchiaro and Giovanna Napolitano are finalizing their preparations to depart the East Coast to California on their bicycles.  
They started their journey in their Town of Amorosi (BN), next town neighbor to Puglianello and about 30 miles northeast of Naples. They pedaled through North through Italy through France, Spain, and Portugal.  They recently arrived in Connecticut and are staying with relatives in Southington.  They will depart for the West coast in the next few days.

Their project “Love Wheels – 2 hearts, 2 bikes, 6 years, 6 continents” can be view at their website http://www.lovewheels.it/web/ .  They also have a Facebook page Love Wheels 646.  Giuseppe and Giovanna said, “We designed a new journey, cycling, starting April 17, 2016.

Our route will see all the Via Francigena in Italy, go to Lourdes and retrace the Way of Santiago De Compostela reaching Fatima and finally Lisbon .

From there they fly to New York to take the Route 66 . The main cities that cross are New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Chicago, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles. 
The project will focus on meeting the Italian community who are in America and create a sort of documentary collecting their testimonies: the reasons for the transfer, the difficulties encountered, their history and bring them back to our reality.”

The happy couple will be greeted by city officials led by Mayor Anita Dugatto where they will be presented with proclamations from the City of Derby with good wishes for a safe and exciting trip.

The entire City of Derby is invited to bring greetings to Giuseppe and Giovanna at 5 p.m. today, June 16, 2016 in the Aldermanic Chambers at Derby City Hall.

Please spread the word."

BMX riders' skills thrill students in Seymour

Members of Dialed Action Sports Team from Lincoln Park, N.J. wowed students Friday at Chatfield-LoPresti School in Seymour with their breath-taking stunts.


Stay tuned for more photos and a story in an upcoming issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.