Swim classes slated at Seymour High School

Assisted living association recognizes resident of Crosby Commons in Shelton

Crosby Commons resident Jim Nies poses with staff and his daughter Cynthia Charles, second from left. Crosby staff: Executive Director Lori Pisani, far left; Activities Director Kelly Coppola, second from right; receptionist Bonnie Tormay, far right./ Submitted photo

SHELTON - Jim Nies, a resident of Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community, was recently recognized by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association with the Distinguished Resident Accomplishment Award.
The award honors the distinguished service and accomplishments of senior living residents. 

Nies, along with 20 residents from other senior living communities across the state, was nominated to receive this prestigious award because of his extraordinary example of aging and his exceptional contributions to the community.

“Jim is really an amazing individual,” said Lori Pisani, Executive Director of Crosby Commons. 
“At the age of 96, he still drives, travels, volunteers, and remains as active as ever.” Jim is not afraid to try new things and never lets technology intimidate him. He offers his experience as a mechanical engineer to implement new projects within the community and his genuine concern for his fellow residents is evident at all times. 
“Having Jim as a resident in our community is a pleasure. We are thrilled to be able to honor him in this way,” said Pisani.

The First Annual Resident Accomplishment Awards luncheon was held at Wesley Village April 27 for all honorees and their guests. 
Awards were presented by CALA Board Chair, Randy Phillips, with opening remarks made by CALA President, Christopher Carter, and a welcome address offered by Peter Belval, Vice President of Wesley Village Operations. Carlene Rhea, Director of Mission Development for Wesley Village/United Methodist Homes and First Vice President of CALA, extended her thanks to everyone who attended this very special event and best wishes to all the honorees. 

“CALA is honored and delighted to acknowledge and recognize the inspiring residents who live in our many communities. Each and every one of them is the reason we all come to work each day. They represent an outstanding group of people,” Rhea said.

The Connecticut Assisted Living Association is a trade association which represents the Assisted Living industry in Connecticut. 
CALA’s mission is to promote the growth of Assisted Living in the state including the development, marketing, and operation of communities. CALA provides education and training while fostering ethical standards and the best business practices. CALA also serves as a legislative advocate and information resource for its members. 

For more information about the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA), visit www.ctassistedliving.com.

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson, 203- 225-5024.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Paper shred event in Shelton to raise funds for Spooner House

*Info shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.

Beatlemania coming to Ansonia, folks in Seymour chow down on tacos for charity

Dear readers,

Please click on the link to read our latest Valley Voice newsletter to learn about some of the good things happening in our community:


http://goo.gl/rjGUuD

Summer reading club slated at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will once again run a Summer Reading Club for adults ages 18 and over. 

Participants will be invited to Exercise Your Mind – Read!  

The club will begin June 20 and run through Aug. 12.  

As participants read books of their choice, they will be asked to anonymously complete a very brief review form to share with fellow readers.

Readers will have the option of doing this either online by 

using LitKeeper, or the more traditional hand written way. 

These reviews will be posted and shared. Readers will receive a participation prize after they submit their first review.  

Weekly raffles will be held for all readers sharing for each particular week.  

All participants will be invited to a final summer celebration at 6:30 p.m. Aug.15.

Ongoing programs such as Tuesday Morning Movie Classics,

Color Club, Wednesday Movie Matinees, Tech Times, Local History Sessions, Resume “Right”-ing, and Sports Talks will

continue throughout the summer, along with many special programs. 

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

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library. 

Derby Neck Library to host talk on Ansonia's Charles Pine

Charles H. Pine 

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library will host a free talk, "Civil War Drummer Who Became a General," about Ansonia's Charles H. Pine, at 6:30 p.m. May 24.

Pine was a community leader and philanthropist as an adult. 

The talk will be presented by history researcher Jack Konicki.

For information call 203-734-1492. The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Bike Night planned at Valley Diner in Derby to benefit West Haven child

This biker event at the Valley Diner will help support Eva (the Diva) Grace Kelly, 5, of West Haven who lives with SMA, spinal muscular atrophy. 
It will also help raise awareness for the rare genetic disorder for which there is no treatment or cure.

I found this story (below) posted on a Facebook page for Eva. I wrote it several years ago.

Unfortunately I didn't get to meet Eva that day, she was asleep in her bedroom during the interview with her parents.