Wesley Village in Shelton seeks volunteers

SHELTON - Are you an active adult or student looking for a great way to stay busy while helping others? Join our Wesley Village volunteer team!

Wesley Village is currently looking for active adult and student volunteers to share their interests and experience with our residents. 

As a Wesley Village volunteer, you could: lead an arts and crafts class, play cards and games, call bingo, cook and bake, share your musical talent, lead a discussion group, share your hobbies and interests, help with clerical tasks, lead a walking group, interview residents for life stories articles, start a book club, visit with a resident one-on-one, lead a spiritual program (prayer group, bible study, hymn sing, etc.), assist with special events, or offer your time and talents in any number of ways. 

Interested adults and students who can commit to volunteer at least two hours per month are invited to apply. 

Volunteers with evening and/or weekend availability are always needed. We are currently looking for volunteers to fill several openings in a variety of areas. 

For a list of up-to-date opportunities, or for more information on becoming a Wesley Village volunteer, please visit our website and contact 

Vicky Dompierre at 203-944-8279 (vdompierre@umh.org) or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Volunteer Opportunities.

The Wesley Village Campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and includes: Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Community, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living/Memory Support Community, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Former police chief discusses novel at Derby Public Library

Andrew L. Cota Jr. speaks Monday at Derby Public Library.

DERBY - Laughter really can be the best medicine.

I haven't had a reason to laugh since losing my mother less than two weeks ago.

That all changed Monday night when I attended a presentation at Derby Public Library by former Derby Police Chief Andy Cota. He was there to discuss his new novel, Whitestone, and sign copies of it.

Cota has already spoken at Derby Neck Library and Ansonia Library, but I was unable to attend either of those presentations.
I'm glad my daughter, Allegra, and I were able to go to Monday's talk. It was an enjoyable program.

Cota said he "called upon vast life experiences" to write it, and to pen his first book, the non-fiction Through the Lens of an Old Man.
Both tomes focus on the interactions of the physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of the human condition. 
Whitestone delves into "the possible realms of reality that exist," as it says on the back cover.  

It was Cota's delivery of several truth is stranger than fiction stories from his 34-year police career in Derby that made me laugh, and forget my sadness for a while.

I wouldn't attempt to relate them here, you'd have to hear them from Cota himself! 

I'm looking forward to reading Whitestone. It's more than 200 pages but I'm told by "reliable sources" that it's a quick read.

Club recognizes Shelton native as part of anniversary celebration

SHELTON - As part of its year-long 60^th anniversary celebration, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley will be recognizing the life of someone who has been positively affected by the Club on a regular basis throughout the year. 

This month we recognize Robert ‘Bob’ Zuraw. Bob is a Shelton native who became a member of the Boys & Girls Club soon after the Club’s incorporation in 1956. Bob spent many afternoons participating in the various activities offered by the Club.

Bob graduated from Shelton High School in 1965 and went on to attend Ithaca College in New York. There he was an active member of the student body serving as the Senior Class President in 1969. After graduation Bob served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve and later went on to build a successful career in petroleum marketing, with companies such as Getty Oil and Standard Petroleum. 

Bob has been and remains an active member of the community, dedicating his time to working with the youth of Shelton and surrounding towns. His involvement in several local sports programs as well as the Connecticut Special Olympics has made him a model citizen. Bob is an active member on the Board of Directors for the Parent Child Resource Center as well as President of the Paul Pecylak Memorial Scholarship Committee, which provides scholarships to players of the Shelton High School men’s basketball team. 

In the past Bob has served on several different local committees and dedicated countless hours to supporting the youth of our community. 
He credits his Boys & Girls Club for having a positive impact on his life. Bob still resides in Shelton with his wife Sandra. He is the proud father of his two children Victoria and Lucas, and enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren, Samantha, Shawn, Ava. 

We are looking for stories about anyone whose life was positively affected by our Boys & Girls Club. Stories are welcome all year long, from Club members, past members, friends, and family. 
If you have an experience you’d like to share with us, please email Press@BGC-LNV.org, or call Ann Wheeler at 203-924-7462. 
All are invited to our 60^th Anniversary Gala Nov. 10 at The Waterview in Monroe. See our website for details at www.BGC-LNV.org.


This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.