Derby Public Library to host day for kids Saturday

Activities planned for ages 2-11

DERBY - In recognition of the 4th annual Take Your Child to the Library Day, Derby Public Library staff has planned a variety of activities for families from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 

This statewide initiative by children’s librarians was introduced in 2012 with the intention of encouraging families to visit their local library to become familiar with the resources available and join in an activity which is just a sample of the programs taking place throughout the year.

All programs offered at the Derby Public Library are free; non-residents are always invited to register.

The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

For information contact Sue Sherman, children's librarian, at 203-736-1482.

This information is taken from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.

Master's Table in Ansonia slates February dinner

Griffin Hospital in Derby to kick off 'Wellness for Life'

DERBY - Griffin Hospital announces a new program to help individuals increase their vitality.

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. 

According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

The program is set to start Feb. 10 and offers a comprehensive wellness evaluation with a Lifestyle Medicine physician, custom fitness training, individual nutrition guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health small seminars so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life.

“Lifestyle practices can exert an incredibly beneficial effect on health and vitality,” said Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and a nationally recognized health expert. 
“I think everyone has the will to be healthy, but few people have the skill set required. This program is a solution to that problem, providing people expert, step by step guidance along the road to better health.”

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring a Fitbit, a personal health coach, and weekly group sessions to establish healthy weight control, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, better sleep and energy, and increased personal strength and resilience.

A pilot of this program run at Griffin Hospital in 2014 succeeded in significant weight loss and reductions in blood pressure for participants, receiving a 96 percent rating in meeting expectations and an A grade for all of the presentations by the expert speakers.

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m., beginning Feb. 10 at the Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion (located in the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital) at 350 Seymour Ave.

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Managers Eunice Lisk or Ingrid Edshteyn,  203-732-7107.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Take a night hike, learn about groundhogs, birds, more at Ansonia Nature Center

FULL SNOW MOON HIKE – Feb. 3, 6 p.m.
Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Hunting becomes difficult, so for some Native American tribes this was the Hunger Moon. 
Join Rangers Jess and Mike for this cold winter night activity. If the snow is heavy, bring snowshoes—or borrow a pair from the Nature Center. Wear appropriate winter clothing and shoes. 
Fee: $1. Call to register.

NATURE’S CHILD: Groundhogs –  Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m.
Learn all about these super sleepers with Wendy. Take a short walk to look for their sleeping quarters, make a take-home craft, and hear a short story about these furry critters.
TUITION: $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). 
Please pre-register for this class for preschoolers and their adults. 

SNOWSHOE SATURDAY – Feb. 7, 10 a.m.
Need to get out? Enjoy the winter with this guided hike through our woodland and fields. Great exercise and fun for adults and older kids. We have a limited number of snowshoes, so please register in advance. Think snow! Free.

BACK TO BASICS: How to Make a Coldframe –  Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
Home gardeners browsing through the new seed catalogues in anticipation of this year’s growing season will want to attend this PowerPoint presentation on building a coldframe to get their plants started earlier. Free. Please pre-register.

BLUEBIRD HOUSE WORKSHOP – Feb. 14, 2 p.m.
The bluebird’s return is a remarkable conservation success story! Thousands of people across America who have seen the bluebird have fallen in love. Bluebirds are thriving, but still need our help. 
Come and learn about the Eastern Bluebird, bluebird nesting boxes, and how you can attract bluebirds to your yard and protect them from predators. Help these cheerful charmers by building nesting boxes. 
Please pre-register. Fee: $5 per box.

PRESIDENTS’ DAY OWLING – Feb. 16, 1 p.m.
Join us for a stealthy foray into the forested parklands to seek the haunts of our most silent nocturnal predators. This program is for all ages but keeping quiet is the key to our success. Upon our return we will warm up in the Nature Center to learn about owl adaptations and meet some of our animal ambassadors. Free. Please register.

“A PASSION FOR BIRDS” WITH HENRY LAPPEN –  Feb. 28, 1:30 p.m.
Henry Lappen uses beautiful masks and a comic portrayal of birds to inspire appreciation and understanding of the avian world. We’ll learn how birds adapt to their environment, and why they look and act the way they do. 
Henry dances to demonstrate the form and motion of the different species. 

Learning some mime skills, we’ll join him, taking on the character of each bird and finding out more about it. We’ll wear masks and soar as Eagles, stalk as Herons, and swim as Puffins. Additional topics include nest building, preening, and hiding from danger. Free. Please pre-register. 

Call for more information on any of the above programs, 203-736-1053.

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road. 

Moon rises over the Sterling Opera House in Derby

This scene caught my eye Friday afternoon as I was leaving the Derby Post Office. 

I thought I'd share the photo just for fun. 

Bradley School in Derby posts honor roll

(Photo from Derby schools' website)

DERBY - Bradley School Principal Mario Ciccarini has announced the honor roll for the second quarter.

Congratulations to the following students on their achievements:

High Honors – Grade 4

Bekim Balidemaj, Caden Drezek, Joseph Ferrigno, Zachary Fish, Brian Gregory, Nathan Kelly, Amani Marbou, Truman Martin, Alyssa Cayer-McCarthy, Cayla Cayer-McCarthy, Damien McGhee, Pirnaaz Mekael, Danthy Nguyen, Kush Patel, Ryan Slack, William Wolf

High Honors – Grade 5

Amelia Douglas, Nikita Khanna, Ava Kish, Kelsey Picheco 

Honors – Grade  4

Emma Bishop, Lordina Boakye, Jacob Boyko, Sophia Brunetti, Alexa Clark, David Collazo,  Michael Corso, Noah Doyens, Alex Enjem, David Kacpryzski, Ken Little, V, Amani Marbou, Breanna Maurati, Madison McCarthy, Antony Murphy, Cody Newberg, Arya Patel, Shiv Patel, Ava Pereiras, Brianna Rosiak, Imani Sowell, Jenna Strengowski, Alirio Zapata 

Honors – Grade 5

Osman Ahmetaj, Alyssa Caruso, Alexa Clark, Shane Dedura, Julia Dota, Nina Grim, Michael Hyder,  Alyssa Iorfino, Jason James, Tyler Kerr,  Shane Long,  Mary Montini, Cassidy Ngaopraseutsack, Rylee Netto, Gabriel Nolan, Kayla Strengowski, Lexi Strengowski, Laci Sullivan, Brooke Uleano, Kasia Wlazlo

Conroy plans office hours next week in Seymour, Beacon Falls

Kane, Crisco to join her at constituent sessions

Theresa Conroy

State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, will meet with constituents Monday in Seymour and Tuesday in Beacon Falls.

The sessions will provide residents with the opportunity to discuss any issues and concerns with Conroy. 

She will be joined by state Sen. Rob Kane, R-Watertown, in Seymour and state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, in Beacon Falls.
Conroy's district also includes parts of Beacon Falls and Derby.

“It is important to hear your priorities and concerns early in the legislative session,” Conroy said. “From the economy to public health issues – I want to hear your thoughts.”

Conroy’s Seymour office hours run from 7-8 p.m. Monday in Seymour Town Hall. Her Beacon Falls office hours run from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday in Beacon Falls Town Hall.

Conroy is House Chair of the Legislative Internship Committee. She serves on the Public Health, Veterans Affairs and Planning and Development committees.

This is a press release from Conroy's office.