Derby Historical Society to host open house, cooking demo

Open hearth cooking at the David Humphreys House in Ansonia. / File photo

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society will hold an Open House and Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at its headquarters at the David Humphreys House.

The house at 37 Elm St. dates back to 1698.

Visitors will be able to observe docents cooking seasonal pies and puddings over the open hearth, and enjoy a small sample of these delicious items with a cup of cider. 

While visiting, stay for a tour of the historic house, birthplace of Revolutionary War hero David Humphreys, aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington.

The gift shop will also be open during this event. 

Suggested donation is $5 per adult/$3 per senior citizen and/or children under 12. 
Call 203-735-1908 for information or visit www.derbyhistorical.org.

The Derby Historical Society is a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
It welcomes all visitors and is available to support researchers, school or other program needs. 

Offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St. 


This is taken from a press release from the Derby Historical Society.

Seymour teen reported missing

Silver Alert issued 

Courtesy photo

According to a report this morning in the New Haven Register, police have issued a silver alert for Jailyn Brantly, 17, of Seymour.


Read the story here.

Celebrate Shelton to host events highlighting small businesses

Tree lighting planned Dec. 6
SHELTON - Michael Skrtic, owner of The Glass Source Studio, and Nicole Heriot-Mikula, owner of bringtheHoopla, have joined together to form Celebrate Shelton.

The collaboration will present three events to highlight small business and the community: Downtown Handmade Market, Community Tree Lighting, and the Small Business “Crawl” event guide.

Downtown Handmade Market, a five-date vendor festival, will be held at the Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave.

A Black Friday Kick-Off celebration is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 28. It will be
sponsored by Liquid Lunch, with wine from Linda’s Liquors in Shelton.

The celebration will include handmade artisan vendors, live music, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting.

All vendors will feature a special offer during this kick-off event. Tickets are $5 at the door. Kids 14 and under are admitted free.

The market continues from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 29, Small Business Saturday, and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13, and 20. Admission is free.

A Community Tree Lighting sponsored by Webster Bank, Valley Community Foundation, and Center Stage will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Veteran's Memorial Park, 83 Canal St. East. 

The event will include caroling with Center Stage, and hot cocoa and sweets provided by the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
Santa Claus will be there for everyone.

Celebrate Shelton organizers offer a huge, special thank you to Jones Family Farms and the City of Shelton. 

All children are encouraged to create their own handmade ornaments to hang on the tree with their families on the evening of the lighting.

The Small Business Crawl event guide is a 24-page glossy magazine that will include a special offer from participating small businesses throughout the month of December. 

The goal is to encourage residents to shop local. Keep an eye out in Shelton for your very own guide.

For questions, e-mail celebrateshelton@gmail.com or call 203-924-4368. Visit us on Facebook and at www.celebrateshelton.com.

This post is taken from a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby plans Christmas bazaar

Ho, ho, ho! Santa is on the way 

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School’s Festival of Trees Christmas Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 22 at the school, 14 Seymour Ave.

Join us for Breakfast with Santa!

Santa also will be available for photos. 

The Festival of Trees Christmas Bazaar includes a Cookie Walk, Christmas Tree and Wreath Raffles, and a Chinese Auction. 

Many unique craft vendors will be featured!

This school fundraiser is a great way to make memories and get in the holiday spirit.




This post is taken from a press release from the school.

Veterans Day vigil slated in Seymour

SEYMOUR - A Veterans Day candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Broad Street Park at the corner of Broad and River streets.

Featured speaker will be Col. Michael Casey of Seymour, who is retiring in 2015 after a 35-year career serving in the Massachusetts and Connecticut Army National Guard.

Area mayors and first selectmen, including Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti and Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bielik, are scheduled to attend.

Local attorney and Board of Education member Fred Stanek will emcee the program.

The public is invited to attend to honor all the men and women who served in the U.S. military.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12084 is hosting the event.

Studio E.Y.E. opens in Beacon Falls

Oxford artist to host workshops, classes
BEACON FALLS - Grinders, and hammers, and anvils, oh my.

On Friday my husband Ralph and I attended an opening reception of Studio E.Y.E., an art and craft studio located in a former industrial space. 
We even brought an artist friend with us, Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo.

Robert Dancik, who was an owner of the former Zoe and Floyd art gallery on Bank Street in Seymour, creates art in a variety of forms, from jewelry to sculpture. He has been teaching his craft for more than 30 years.
He said the word E.Y.E. in the studio's name stands for "Express Yourself Endlessly." 

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, left, congratulates Oxford artist Robert Dancik Friday on the opening of his studio at 141 S. Main St., Beacon Falls.

Dancik explains his craft. 

"What we're aiming at is to help you to tell your story, to help you get your narrative into your work," Dancik said. "When you leave here, you haven't finished something. You have started something." 

Work stations line the walls.

 Dancik said there is plenty of natural light coming into the work space.

Beacon Falls First Selectman Chris Bielik welcomes Dancik to town. 

Bielik called the art space "phenomenally different" and he said it offers great potential to Beacon Falls and the Valley.  

Dancik's friends and supporters enjoy the opening reception.

The aforementioned anvil, and a wide array of hammers available for every job.

Classes scheduled include paint and sip sessions led by Seymour fine artist and graphic designer Karen Ciocca.

Sounds like a lot of fun. I must try my hand at that someday!

You can check out Ciocca's portfolio here. 

Congrats to Derby-based TEAM on new site, logo

Nonprofit wins makeover contest

TEAM, Inc. is proud to announce that their new website is now live and online.

The new website,www.teaminc.org, was donated by Antelope Web (www.antelopeweb.com), a local web design company. 

TEAM, Inc. was picked for this generous donation of services due to its participation in the Extreme Charity Makeover Contest in which over 30 local charities competed for a complimentary marketing and website makeover.

In addition to a new website TEAM, Inc. will also receive marketing assistance and website hosting and maintenance services.

The new website will allow the TEAM, Inc. staff to communicate more effectively with its community, and will enable new and easier ways for people to support the TEAM, Inc. mission.

In addition to a much needed facelift, a Content Management System, Events Calendar, and Newsletter Engine were put in place that allows TEAM, Inc. to market more effectively and ultimately leads to more services provided to the community. 

TEAM, Inc. provides Home Heating Assistance, Preschool Services, Meals on Wheels, a Diaper Bank, and many other much needed services for communities in the surrounding areas.

Agency to mark half-century of service

The new website’s launch was announced recently at TEAM, Inc’s 49th annual meeting which was held at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. On hand for this annual meeting were the mayors from both Shelton and Derby, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

To find out how you can help TEAM, Inc. celebrate 50 years of service to the community or to find out how to take advantage of TEAM, Inc’s range of services contact Diane Stroman at 203-736-5420 or visit the new TEAM, Inc. website at www.teaminc.org.

This information is taken from a release from TEAM, Inc.