Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer bereavement support

DERBY - Griffin Hospital offers support groups and a new series of bereavement sessions this winter for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one.

The meetings provide grief education and support to ease the pain of loss as well as encourage healing and growth. 

The groups meet in eight-week cycles at the hospital, 130 Division St., and require pre-registration due to limited capacity.

Starting Sunday Griffin Hospital will offer a series of bereavement sessions that focus on specific topics in living with loss. 

The eight sessions will be from 2-3:30 p.m. at the hospital and topics include Emotions; Speaking It; Rituals; ”Unusual” Feelings or Experiences; Changing Lives; Caring for Yourself; Where to Put the Love; and Moving On.

The following groups will begin on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 and meet weekly.

The afternoon General Bereavement Group meets every Tuesday from 2:30- 4 p.m. Attendees should ask the Information Desk for the location of each meeting. This group is for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

The evening General Bereavement Group meets Wednesdays from 6:30–8 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Attendees should ask the Information Desk for the location of each meeting. This group is for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

To learn more or to register, call Janice Lautier, 203-732-1132 or Cormac Levenson, 203-732-1100 or email jlautier@griffinhealth.org. 

Online registration is also available through the calendar on griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby Historical Society to mark end of Yuletide season

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to all of my readers far and near.

It's Monday morning and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to the weekend.

Wondering if there's a fun, family-oriented, local activity planned next weekend? Look no further than the Derby Historical Society's annual "Twelfth Night" celebration on Sunday.

Today is Jan. 5, and depending on which calendar one follows, it is either the 11th or 12th Day of Christmas. I've read that some say the First Day of Christmas is Dec. 25, while others say the 12 Days of Christmas start on Dec. 26.

In the Christian calendar Jan. 6 is Epiphany, or Three Kings Day.

Whatever you believe, the festivity-filled season is drawing to a close. I for one never want it to end. And who likes taking down decorations? Not I. 

But just think - in 11 short months we'll be doing it all over again!

I'm re-posting information about the historical society's celebration here:

Junior docents photographed in The Keeping Room at the Gen. David Humphreys House in Ansonia. / Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Join the Derby Historical Society as it marks the end of the Christmas season with its annual Twelfth Night celebration from 1-4 p.m.  Jan. 11 at the Gen. David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.

This event features tours led by costumed docents of the 1698 house, birthplace of Humphreys in 1752.

Spark up a conversation with a historical actor and take yourself back to an earlier time in American history.

Try some mulled cider and punch alongside some samplings of Colonial cookery and modern day baked goods.   

There will be demonstrations of Colonial skills such as spinning, weaving, and open hearth cooking.

Be sure to visit the gift shop to find that unique item. Toys of yesteryear, local history books, and watercolor prints of Derby from long ago are available for purchase.

For information call 203-735-1908.  
Limited parking is available in back of the house.  Additional on-street parking is available on nearby Thomas Street. 

This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society, a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.  Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St.  

For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org  

Children's room at Derby Library to offer crafts, yoga

     DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 10, and at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 22.
    All levels of building skills are welcome to attend this drop-in program, which will be held twice a month.  
    There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided. 
    The masterpieces will remain on display in the Children’s Room for everyone to admire!

   

Crafty Kids

          The Library invites children in kindergarten through Grade 4 to stop by the library at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 13 for a winter-themed Crafty Kids program. 
          All materials will be provided and there is no fee to attend.

        Registration is requested.  

Yoga class

      The Library will host a yoga program for kids ages 8-11 at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. 
      Kathy Trusdell will present this fun, innovative yoga class which incorporates basic yoga and movement into a themed program. 
      Participants are urged to wear comfortable clothes and bring along a towel or yoga mat.  
    The program is free; registration is requested.

     For further information or to register, visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.

This is a press release from Sue Sherman, Children's Librarian, Derby Public Library.

Nonprofit schedules dinner at church in Ansonia

Note: Master's Table founder James Fedak, Jr. said in an e-mail that Stockbridge's Gourmet Cheesecakes & Delectables of Shelton also was a sponsor of December's dinner.

Valley Arts Council exhibit to feature snippets of daily life

Sharing a note from Derby resident Rich DiCarlo, President, Valley Arts Council.

ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS - GET READY FOR OUR NEXT ART EXHIBITION:

"SLICE OF LIFE" 
Depict an average or above average, everyday experience, from work to play, sports to leisure. 
Capture a snippet of life that can range from the most intimate to the most public moments. 

Stay tuned for more information about the first art show of 2015.

The arts council will hold its next membership meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Valley Center for the Arts, 119 Caroline St., Derby. All welcome.

Griffin Hospital supports Spooner House in Shelton

Wonderland of Trees raises $6,240

Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House, left, joined Kim Hall, Senior Applications Coordinator at Griffin Hospital, and hospital staff in drawing tickets for the Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser Dec. 18./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s annual Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser collected more than $6,240 for Spooner House in Shelton to help feed area families in need this winter.

Organized by Griffin Hospital’s Arts and Entertainment Planetree Steering Committee, The Holiday Wonderland of Trees calls on hospital departments to decorate three-foot Christmas trees that are raffled off.

This year’s most popular trees included an upside-down tree by the Engineering Department, a penguin tree by Information Services and a Whoville tree by Communications and Public Affairs.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wishing all a Happy and Healthy 2015

* This is from a letter written in 1863 by Mark Twain on New Year's resolutions.

It still holds true more than 150 years later.



Source: Letters of Note Facebook page