'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Christmas tree tradition

Turnback Tuesday is highlighting the Christmas tree tradition that is celebrated in many countries.

In Greenland, trees are decorated with candles and bright ornaments.

In Ireland, people favor a star or angel on top.

In Norway, many decorate their trees on “Little Christmas Eve-Dec. 23”.

For the Philippines, fresh trees are too expensive, so handmade trees in an array of colors are often used. We have Germany to thank for this tradition of bringing trees into our homes at the holiday.

Some interesting facts about Christmas trees:

The Rockefeller Center tree in New York City started in 1931 by construction workers.

Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states with most of them grown on farms.

Our 14th President Franklin Pierce brought the Christmas tree tradition to the White House in the early 1850s.

Approximately 25-30 million real

Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year.

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

Jingle All The Day event slated Dec. 9 at Derby Public Library

 The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St., Derby.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.    

Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby to present 'Holiday in the City' decorations

DERBY - Get ready for a ​“Holiday in the City” at the Osborne Homestead Museum and travel to different cities across the nation and Europe. 

The holiday tours will run from Nov. 24 through Dec. 16 at the museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

Admission is free and donations are accepted.Tours will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

On Fridays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15, the museum will present ​“Twilight Tours” to display the amber glow of the decorations from 4-7 p.m.

For more than 30 years, volunteers have created the beautiful holiday decorations at the museum. These talented and committed volunteers are from Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Garden Club of Woodbridge, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Women Redefining Retirement Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. 

This year’s holiday theme will pay homage to the cities that Eva Little and the Osborne family traveled to and made their mark. Enjoy holiday fun in Paris, London, New York City, New Haven and more all at the Osborne Homestead Museum. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is open for free docent-led and self-guided tours Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m-4 p.m. 

This is shared from a DEEP press release.

My Sister's Place Thrift Store in Ansonia posts weekly sales

My Sister's Place Thrift Store and Donation Center is located at 380 Main St., Ansonia. 

All purchases support BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

This is shared from the store's Facebook page.

Ansonia Nature Center to host autumn craft activity Sunday

ANSONIA - Get creative with this fun craft activity for the family at 2 p.m. this Sunday at the Ansonia Nature Center! 

Use real autumn leaves to make beautiful hanging window decorations. 

Material fee: $6 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult for this all-ages program. Please register in advance at ansnaturectr@ansoniact.org

The Nature Center is at 10 Deerfield Lane.

This is shared from a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Oxford High School Booster Club readies Festival of Trees

 

Holiday decor at Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby celebrates 19th Amendment

Frances Osborne Kellogg

DERBY - Commemorate the 101st Anniversary of the 19th Amendment of the United States Constitution this holiday season!  

Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and learn about the courageous women and men of the women’s suffrage movement. 

The holiday tours will run from Friday, Nov. 26 through Dec.18.  

Both self-guided tours and a limited number of docent-led tours will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

On Fridays, Dec. 3, 10, and 17, the museum will present “Twilight Tours” to display the amber glow of the decorations from 4-7 p.m.   

 

For more than 30 years, volunteers have created the gorgeous holiday decorations at the museum.  Garden clubs and local organizations have decorated 12 rooms honoring the women and men of Connecticut, the United States, and abroad who fought for women’s suffrage.  

These talented and committed volunteers are Derby Garden Society, Friends of Derby Neck Library, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Garden Club of Orange, Valley Arts Council, Women Redefining Retirement Milford, Garden Club of Woodbridge, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club.  

 

This year’s theme, “Holiday Tribute to the Suffragists,” is a belated celebration of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.  

Frances Osborne Kellogg was a suffragist and auditor of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association.  She is among many of the activists who will be recognized in the women’s suffrage movement.  

Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and learn how women won the right to vote.

Because your health and safety are our priority, the museum will offer limited docent-led tours at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m and self-guided tours from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. during the Twilight Tours.  

Pre-registration is required for all tours.  

Register in advance by calling 203-734-2513, emailing donna.kingston@ct.gov, or visiting the online registration page at https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/OsborneHomesteadMuseum@ct.gov/bookings/. 

Admission is FREE; donations are gratefully accepted. 

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division, is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave.

 

The New Normal Health & Safety Guidelines for CT State Parks provides important guidance for participants and visitors (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/COVID-19/Health_Safety_Flyer_NN_Final.pdf). For further information or directions, please email donna.kingston@ct.gov or phone the Kellogg Environmental Center at (203)734-2513.

This is a release from the Osborne Homestead Museum.

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange to host Holiday Fantasy of Trees

 

Huntington Congregational Church readies Pumpkin & Holly Fair 2021

 

Ansonia lawn care business adopts spot at corner of Ford, Finney Streets

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti welcomes the City’s newest Adopt A Spot volunteer with Lawlor’s Lawn Care of Ansonia.

Lawlor’s will oversee the rotary at the corner of Ford and Finney Streets on the Hilltop, adjacent to Prendergast School. Yesterday, they added assorted perennials, fresh mulch and decorative hay and pumpkins.

Owner Marty Lawlor has promised the tilting street signs will be straightened too!

Since launching the Adoption program three years ago, the Mayor now has 20 highly visible locations throughout the City maintained by either residents or businesses.

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Seymour Christmas Parade Committee hosts holiday light contest in lieu of parade

SEYMOUR - The town's annual Christmas parade has been canceled this year due to COVID-19. 

Instead, the Seymour Parade Committee has put together a Christmas light contest to spread holiday cheer. 

An application must be completed and residents have until 12/15 to decorate. 

Prizes include gift cards for the top winners and the first 20 applicants will have a donation made in their name to the Seymour-Oxford Food Bank. 

Full rules and an application are available here: https://conta.cc/39elynP

This is shared from the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour Facebook page. 

Ansonia resident brings out Christmas lights to lift spirits

Jen Shuart sent me a photo tonight that depicts how she has decorated her front yard on Prindle Avenue following an idea she found here on nerdbot.com.
What a fun way to cheer ourselves up during this new social distancing lifestyle! 
Maybe she'll start a trend in the Valley. Stay tuned!

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Saturday) highlights history of Christmas tree

Turnback Tuesday looks at the history of the Christmas tree. 
For thousands of years, homes were decorated with evergreens for the Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year.) 
Other early trees across northern Europe were cherry or hawthorn plants put into pots and brought inside to hopefully flower at Christmas time. 
In Germany, the first Christmas trees were decorated with edible things such as sweets and fruit. Trees were topped with angels/fairies that told the shepherds about Jesus. 
In Victorian times, the trees were decorated with candles to represent stars. 
And in case you missed it, the beautifully decorated Derby Green, replete with the city's tree and festive lighting, can be enjoyed in all its glory.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!

First Congregational Church in Derby decorated for Christmas season

First Congregational Church in Derby

My husband Ralph and I love the simple beauty of our historic church, especially when the sanctuary is decorated for the Christmas season.

'A Storybook Holiday' awaits at Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby

DERBY - Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum this holiday season and enjoy “A Storybook Holiday.” 
From Aesop’s Fables to The Snow Queen, each room represents the most popular children’s tales in Western literature. 

Tours will run from Nov. 23-Dec. 16 and will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
From 4-7 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and 14, the museum will present “Twilight Tours” to display the shimmering glow of the decorations.

For more than 30 years, volunteers have created gorgeous holiday decorations at the museum. 
The volunteers are members of the Derby Garden Society, Derby Neck Library and Hubbell Farm, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Jen Plasky of AIFD, Women Redefining Retirement Milford, Woodbridge Garden Club, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. 

This year’s holiday theme will pay tribute to the Osborne family and children’s literature. The family promoted literacy in various ways. Major Wilbur Osborne along with local teachers and neighbors founded Derby Neck Library at 307 Hawthorne Ave.
Later on Wilbur's daughter Frances Osborne Kellogg became president of the board of directors and donated gifts to the library. 
Frances’ aunt Helen Krehbiel wrote stories and poems with moral lessons. 

Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and open a page into the wonderful world of “Storybook Holiday”! 
Admission is free; donations are accepted. 
The Osborne Homestead Museum is operated by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. It is located at 500 Hawthorne Ave. 

To register for group tours and for more information, call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

Recuperation journey: Yuletide memories ...

I'm glad I have a photo from last Christmas season because we didn't decorate outside this year. 
We'll try again in 2018! 

Wonderland of Trees at Griffin Hospital in Derby to benefit Spooner House

Holiday Wonderland of Trees adorns corridor at Griffin Hospital in Derby./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is holding its Annual Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser for Spooner House until Dec. 21.

Located in the hospital’s main corridor, the fundraiser features three-foot trees decorated by hospital staff with themed ornaments and prizes to be raffled off.

Raffle tickets are $1 each, 15 for $10 or 40 for $20. The tickets are available at the hospital’s front desk. 

The winning tickets will be drawn at 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Winners do not need to be present at the drawing.

Proceeds will benefit Spooner House in Shelton, which provides food, shelter, and support services to people in need.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Home & Yard decorating contest continues in Ansonia