Ansonia 'celebrates' 60th anniversary of devastating floods

Heroism, cooperation, community spirit recalled

Ansonia lawyer Greg Stamos served as master of ceremonies for Wednesday's program at Vartelas Park in Ansonia commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Floods of 1955. The park on Maple Street alongside the Naugatuck River is the former site of the Vartelas block, which included houses, businesses, and the Vartelas family's food market. 
Stamos said the rebuilding after the event "would come to represent the resilience of Valley citizens."
The flood control walls that were built after the natural disaster can be seen in the background. Stamos is accompanied by his assistant.


Read the great coverage of the ceremony here in the Valley Independent Sentinel, and here in the New Haven Register. 

Ansonia Nature Center to host hikes, bird program, drumming circle, more

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has posted its September schedule of activities.

NATURE’S CHILD: Incredible Insects – 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4.
Join naturalist Wendy to discover the critters who live in our park’s beautiful yellow flowers. You’ll be amazed to find how many tiny creatures live on our goldenrod. TUITION: $6 per family ($4 for Ansonia residents or current FANCI members).  Please register in advance.

LOST AND FOUND AT THE ANSONIA NATURE CENTER - 1 p.m. Sept. 13.
Discover some of the Nature Center’s hidden secrets during our lost-and-found hike. Did you know our property has two natural springs? Join Rangers Martin and Daniel to learn how to use a compass and a map to find these hidden gems. Geared for adults and children who want an adventure? 
Bring your own compass or borrow one of ours! Free; starts at 1 p.m. sharp.

FALL TERM JUNIOR RANGERS –
Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17; class runs Thursdays through Nov. 5.
Calling all kids 11 to 14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center in our eight-week after-school program. Parental permission is required. 
Class size is limited; this class fills up fast!  Free.

ROWANWOOD FARM LLAMA HIKING ADVENTURE-  10:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
Experience a unique and unforgettable hike with Rowanwood Farms’ gentle mini llamas through the breathtaking trails at McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook. We’ll listen to the sounds of the river as we leisurely make our way through majestic pine forests on the trail winding through the Bald Eagle Sanctuary. 
After our hike, we can relax, visit the gift shop, and sample wines. Space is limited; call 203-736-1053 for reservations.  Fee: $20

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX DRUMMING CIRCLE –  7 p.m. Sept. 25.
Join our drumming circle with Ranger Dawn. For adults and children 12 years and older. Welcome and   celebrate our most colorful season!  Free, but bring a canned food item for our local homeless shelter. We’ll gather at Pavilion #2. Please register.

BIRDS ON THE MOVE –  2 p.m. Sept. 26.
Come for afternoon birding with Ranger Jessica for this fun, informative program. She 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! Free; call to register.

FULL HARVEST MOON HIKE –  7 p.m. Sept. 26.
The northeastern native people referred to the September full moon as the “corn is edible” moon.  
Join our rangers to hike the Nature Center trails as the big moon rises. Enjoy some marshmallows over the campfire to conclude our program. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.   
Number of participants is limited; pre-registration is required. Fee is $1 per person.


This is a press release from the nature center.

Donated supplies help Ansonia students prepare for back to school

John G. Prendergast Elementary School Assistant Principal Sherrod McNeill and Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti give out backpacks Tuesday at the school. Standing at rear from left are Ed DeMarseilles, Chief Operating Officer, Curtiss Ryan Honda in Shelton, and WEBE 108 on-air personality Danny Lyons. 

Ansonia students go back to class on Aug. 27.

Read all about the event in my story posted in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

And check out a previous photo from the event in a blog post linked here.

Get your tech questions answered at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library offers monthly Tech Time sessions.  

Every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and every 

third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. a staff member will be on hand to answer all your tech-related questions and concerns.  

Whether you are having trouble downloading e-books, searching databases, completing online job applications, 

scanning/sending documents and photos, etc., your problems will be addressed.

September sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16, and 10 a.m. Sept. 17.

No registration is needed.  

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.

Ice cream on the menu for teens at Shelton History Center

Press release follows:

SHELTON - Area teens will have a chance to make their own sundaes at Shelton History Center from 2-4 p.m. Saturday.

First, however, they will actually be making the ice cream to go into the sundaes!

Shelton Historical Society’s Teen Time Travelers will host the party for teens and their 

parents or guardians.  

The Teen Time Travelers is a group that was formed in 2014 for students ages 13-18

to provide learning, volunteer, and enjoyable activities based on historical themes. 

They have practiced their public speaking skills by giving information about the buildings 

to visitors during events, traveled to other museums for behind the scenes tours, learned 

research techniques, organized activities for children, and completed community service requirements for their respective schools.

The teens will provide activities for visitors during the ice cream party. 

While everyone is welcome, the party will introduce others to the group and invite those 

interested to join. There is no charge for the event.  

Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road, is owned and operated by Shelton Historical Society.

For more information, including directions, call 203-925-1803, visit 

www.sheltonhistoricalsociety.org or see Shelton History Center’s Facebook page.   

    

This is a press release from Tracey Tate, executive director, Shelton Historical Society.

Ansonia resident seeks return of chair stolen from porch

UPDATE: The chair was found Wednesday a few streets away.

A resident of Franklin Street, Ansonia, has taken to social media today to ask why anyone would steal a purple chair from her front porch. The theft occurred Monday night.

This is the photo she posted. She is hoping for a quick return of the chair, no questions asked.

8 to be honored at 15th annual luncheon in Seymour

Event recognizes Women Making a Difference in the Valley

The Valley Women's Health Initiative will honor women from Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford and Shelton at the 15th Annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley Tribute Luncheon and Breast Cancer Fundraiser at noon Oct. 1 at the Inn at Villa Bianca, 312 Roosevelt Drive, Seymour.

The tribute recognizes outstanding women who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer.

This year’s honorees are: Anne Miller-Lynch of Ansonia, Caroline O’Bar of Beacon Falls, Grace Torres and Ruth Tuccio, both of Derby, Elizabeth Pisano of Oxford, and Antonietta Hallet and Susan Petrizzo, both of Shelton. 

A Special Recognition Award will be presented to Martha Dulla-Andrade of Grassy Hill Lodge for her contributions to the Valley and long-standing support of this event. 

Liz Kennard of Comcast will host this year’s event.

Valley Breast Health Care Fund

Proceeds from the event benefit the Valley Breast Health Care Fund. Established in 2001, this fund is an effort to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

Make a Difference and Pink Ribbon sponsors are sought for the event booklet. 

Benefits include a table at the event and recognition during the event. Sponsorships start at $30 for a business card sized ad.

Tickets for the event are $40 per person. Reservations are due by Sept. 15.

The event is sponsored in conjunction with Griffin Hospital, The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and Bigelow Tea of Fairfield.

To purchase a ticket or make a donation, call 203-888-3290 or email: katecosgrove7@yahoo.com., or send a letter to the attention of C. Cooper at Radiology Dept., Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, 06418.

To become a sponsor or place a congratulatory ad, call 203-233-7639 or email dott.g@comcast.net.

The Women’s Health Initiative, co-chaired by Kate Cosgrove of Oxford and Dr. Stephanie Wain of Griffin Hospital, is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women’s health issues including breast cancer awareness. 

Committee members include Daun Barrett, Cary Carpino, Dolores Chew, Christine Cooper, Karen Cusick, Dorothy Gandy, Antonietta Hallet, Elizabeth Johnson, Lauren Kazzi, Peggy Marlowe, Frank Michaud, Mia Talamelli, Patricia Tarasovic, and Nancy Valentine. Committee membership is open to all interested persons.

About The Valley Women’s Health Initiative

The Valley Women's Health Initiative is a coalition of health agencies, community leaders, and volunteers from the Valley community working toward the common goal of addressing and improving women's health issues including breast cancer awareness and heart disease.

To join or for more information, visit griffinhealth.org/VWHI.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.