Art show slated Thursday in Derby

Wheel-A-Thon makes waves in West Haven

WEST HAVEN - It was a beautiful morning Saturday for the Center for Disability Rights' 9th annual Wheel-A-Thon to benefit youth with disabilities. 

CDR's catchment area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Wheelchairs were available for able-bodied participants to use to better understand what it's like to be in a wheelchair.

Don't let this lonely-looking yet scenic photo fool you. About 150 enthusiastic supporters walked and rolled a one-mile course along the shoreline. 

Sandy's Steamrollers, led by CDR staffer Sandy Roberts (in wheelchair), show their enthusiasm at the end of the walk. They tied for most spirit with a team of employees from N&D Sports of Hamden, pictured below at the awards ceremony.

N&D sports donated the white CDR T-shirts for the event.

These walkers are nearing the end of the route. Savin Rock is at left. 

Bird migration is focus of program at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The early bird gets the worm.

And the early birder gets to learn about migration in a free program at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.

Called Birds on the Move, the program features Ranger Jessica who will concentrate on the end-of-summer journeys taken by our "flying friends" to faraway places each year.

Find out who's going and who's staying put!

Registration is requested; call 203-736-1053.

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road.

This information is taken from the center's calendar.

Singer to present tribute to Irving Berlin at Derby Library

Performance to celebrate songwriter
DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled A Tribute to Irving Berlin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20. 

Patty Carver

Singer/songwriter and actress Patty Carver will share stories and songs in celebration  of one of the greatest American songwriters of all time.

From Alexander's Ragtime Band to Always, from This is the Army to There’s No Business Like Show Business, Berlin’s music with its memorable melodies, unbridled emotion and timeless lyrics is uniquely American and will continue to be 

sung by many generations to come.

Carver has performed in New York, Los Angeles, and London.

She has written more than 30 original musicals for audiences that have been produced for national tours and New York productions.

Registration is requested. 

For information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 ,or visit 

www.derbypubliclibrary.org.    


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

I put this event on my calendar and hope I can attend. It sounds like a wonderful show.

Wheel-A-Thon is today on West Haven shoreline

Better late than never.

I meant to post this sooner, but if you're reading this now and want to help a great cause you can register as an individual participant in this morning's 9th annual Wheel-A-Thon.
Registration fee is $25.

The event raises awareness and funds, and proceeds benefit:

•  CDR's Youth Transition Project that assists high school students with disabilities with their transitions into adulthood;
• Ongoing training and technical assistance for teachers, special education professionals, and counselors;
• CDR's Scholarship Program that in 2013 awarded five $1,000 scholarships;
• The expansion of CDR's programs into the Shoreline/Estuary area.

In the past there has been a breakfast available (coffee, pastries, cereal, fruit, and yogurt) starting at 9 a.m. in the Savin Rock Conference Center, 5 Rock St., West Haven.
And I hope that will be the case again this morning!

If 9 a.m. is too early, the event gets rollin' at about 10 a.m.

Join us!

Food truck fest in Shelton benefits Parent Child Resource Center

My husband, daughter, and I enjoyed our food truck dinner experience Thursday at the Shelton Riverwalk. 
And judging by the crowd and long lines of people waiting to place their orders, we weren't alone. 

I'd venture to say the first-ever Food Trucks in the Valley event was a success! 

And 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center in Derby.

Shelton residents Lindzee Teixeira, left, and Tatiana Rivera demonstrate their skill at using hula hoops.

The band Monster Eats Pilot was one of four bands to rock the crowd.

Beef, cheese, and sauteed peppers being prepped for cheesesteak sandwiches.

This boy seemed more interested in playing with light toys than trying out some of the delicious food truck offerings.


Kudos to the Parent Child Resource Center staff and in particular Veronica Parsloe, director of development and marketing, for putting on a wonderful event.

We're looking forward to returning next year!

Bookstore in Shelton to hold Family Day Sunday

SHELTON - Family Day will be held Sunday at Written Words Bookstore, 482 River Road.

The event is co-hosted by The Giggling Pig, an art studio located next door.

There will be an impromptu story time and other hands-on activities for children.

My friend Evie North of Derby, creator of those wonderful Shapels, will be one of eight authors there signing books.