Derby Library to host book talk, author visit

DERBY - The Derby Public Library scheduled its next Lunchtime Book Discussion for
12:30 p.m. Oct. 29.

The selected title is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. 

This novel by the author of The Secret Life of Bees is set in pre-Civil War South Carolina.
It follows Sarah, the daughter of the wealthy Grimke family and slave Hetty "Handful" Grimke, her handmaid.

The story, which follows 35 years of their lives, was inspired by real-life historical figure Sarah Grimke – feminist, suffragist,and abolitionist. 
It goes beyond the recorded history and explores the inner lives of all the characters, both real and imagined.

Multiple copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.

Participants are asked to bring a sandwich and a friend as they “chat and chew."
Dessert and beverages will be provided. 

Registration is requested. 

Author to discuss sweet treats

The Library has scheduled a visit from author and bakery owner, Maria Bruscino Sanchez, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. 

She will discuss her newest cookbook, Small, Sweet and Italian: Tiny Tasty Treats from Maria’s Bakery and share her journey from baking as a young girl with her family, to opening her own bakery in Waterbury, to writing several cookbooks.

Books will be available to purchase.
Registration is requested.

For more information about either program 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.

Food bank in Derby needs donations

Cupboard is bare at St. Vincent De Paul

Contributed photo

DERBY - Cindy Barbian, manager, St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley Thrift Shoppe and Food Pantry, said today in a release the organization desperately needs food donations.

"Our shelves are empty, Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up and we are servicing
six-plus families a day," she said.


"We don't have the food to pack," Barbian said. "We are in desperate need of soup, stew, canned ravioli/spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, boxed potatoes, canned corn, canned carrots, you name it, we need it."


The store and food bank are located at 237 Roosevelt Drive. For information call 203-734-7577.

The nonprofit's hours are 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.



*If you're looking for a place to donate food or supermarket gift cards, consider donating to St. Vincent De Paul Helping Hands of the Valley.
The nonprofit provides support for local needy families throughout the year, not just at holiday time!

Barbian and director Sandi Bailie deserve to be commended for their continuing efforts to help the less fortunate.

Art for every taste on exhibit at Derby restaurant

Ansonia resident Ralph Villers (my spouse) checks out Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo's entry, 'Bigger, Better,' during Thursday's opening reception of the council's 'Delicious II' show at Marco Pizzeria and Restaurant in Derby.

Please check out my previous blog post and story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

5K to benefit Derby schools wins support

Derby resident Kiley Drezek, 10, nears the finish line Saturday at Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K Run/Walk.

DERBY - The city's four public schools received a lot of enthusiastic support Saturday.

Runners from the Valley, Bridgeport, Bethany, Cheshire, Hamden, Middletown, Milford, Naugatuck, Newtown, Prospect, Suffield, Waterbury, West Haven, and Diamond Point, N.Y. took part in Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K Walk/Run.

The runners were joined by walkers of all ages. Derby teachers and administrators took part in the fun. 

It almost made me want to take up running. Almost.

5K to benefit Derby schools attracts young and old

Rock Nichols, 4, of Derby, participated in the Fun Run for kids held prior to the Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K on Saturday. He said, "I ran all the way to the finish line."

Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, right, chats with runners before the 5K.

Healthy snacks await Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K participants. 

The event benefitted Derby public schools. 

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Concert to benefit Seymour family

SEYMOUR - A Concert for a Cause will be held starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Community Center, 20 Pine St. 

In addition to several local bands, the event will feature food trucks and craft vendors.

It precedes the annual Smoke in the Valley Craft Beer & Chili Festival that will run from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at the same location.

The concert will benefit the family of Mark Condo, a board member of Smoke in the Valley and of Seymour Tradition.
Condo died in June at age 45. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Smoke in the Valley follows Seymour Pink's 3rd annual Pounding the Pavement for Pink 5K, which starts and ends at the community center. 
The walk/run to benefit the nonprofit Seymour Pink will start at 9 a.m. Oct. 4.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I'll be walking and "pounding the pavement" with other members of Griffin Hospital's  'Circle of Friends,' a breast cancer support group. 
Several of us walked last year - after being treated to breakfast and given goody bags full of fun stuff - and had a great time and a lot of laughs.
We may have brought up the rear, but we finished the walk and that's what matters!

Runners, walkers turn out to support Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K event

Derby Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway and his wife, Ali Conway, head to the finish line Saturday morning at Derby's B.E.S.T. 5K Run/Walk to benefit Derby public schools.  

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.