Housatonic River duck race to benefit Spooner House in Shelton

Rubber ducks that 'competed' in last year's race ready to be dumped into the Housatonic River./Submitted photo

SHELTON - Have a swimmingly good time watching your duck and help benefit Spooner House from now until June 24. 

The eighth annual Housy River Duck Race takes place at 2 p.m. June 25 starting at the Derby/Shelton Bridge on the Housatonic River. 

The enter-to-win tickets are $5 per duck, of which $2 will support Area Congregations Together Spooner House. You may purchase your duck tickets at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road any Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Any tickets you purchase will have a corresponding number for your duck during the race. 

Last year 55 ducks were sold, which resulted in a $110 donation to ACT.

Each duck ticket will give you an opportunity to win a prize for the first 65 ducks to cross the finish line. 

The grand prize is $1,000 cash; second place is four, one-day Park Hopper passes redeemable at Disney Theme Parks; third place is $500; fourth place is a 50" LED HDTV and the fifth place winner receives a new Apple watch. 

The prizes and contest are sponsored by the St. Mary-St. Michael Development Committee in Derby. 

The school group has other organizations participating in the ticket selling as well, which means there will be more ducks!

A list of all prizes and winners will be posted on the St. Mary-St. Michael School website at:

https://stmarystmichaelct.eduk12.net/  Search for upcoming events.

Watch and cheer for your winning number duck during the race down the Housatonic River.

This is a press release from non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. It was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. 

Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children each year.  

Renaissance Faire on tap at Warsaw Park in Ansonia

Sharing information taken from the official event page on Facebook:

The faire is presented by Patrick Colleton in association with GreenWolf Magic Entertainment.

Dates are:
June 18-19, June 25-26, July 2-3, July 4 - Extra day!

Hours are 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., with special Saturday events from 7-9 p.m.

All three weekends are open rain or shine.

The event is at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulaski Highway, Ansonia.

Explore the exciting, interactive fantasy world with a thrilling storyline running throughout the day.
Experience live shows running continuously throughout the day such as:

*The Magic, Comedy, and Possible Death of Daniel GreenWolf
*The Weird & Wild World of Sideshow Performer Wyck
*Three Pints Shy (first weekend)

See more here: http://mfrenfaire.com/mfrf-acts.html

Shop at our wonderful unique vendors and artisans from across the country:
http://mfrenfaire.com/mfrf-vendors.html

Add to that free games for kids, a full cast of interactive village characters, delicious food, Flippin' Bird Tavern (serving beer, hard cider, and mead), crafter demos, live steel combat, and more!

Purchase tickets in advance: http://mfrenfaire.com/mfrf-tickets.html

*Note: This text has been slightly edited; follow links for complete information.

Recycle craft class slated at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled another Recycle, Repurpose, and Reuse Craft class at 6:30 p.m. July 12.

Ansonia Animal Control OfficerJeanie Roslonowski 

returns to the Library to show participants how to make drink coasters and hot plate trivets from bottle caps. The class is for participants 18 and over.

The class also will include information on conservation and animal issues.

Registration is required.  

For more information, stop by 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.

Shelton to host Music Under the Stars concert series

SHELTON - Music Under the Stars, free evenings of great music, will be offered on the Huntington Green (unless otherwise noted) from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays this summer.

June 22 - The Bernadettes

*July 1 - CT Symphonic Orchestra *At the Riverwalk with fireworks 

July 6 - Fools on the Hill *At the Riverwalk

July 13 - Alpaca Gnomes

July 20 - Highland Rovers

July 27 - Kathy Thompson Band

Aug. 3 - Gunsmoke

Aug. 10 - Mia & the Riff

Aug. 17 - Midnight Rodeo

Aug. 24 - The Barons

 

**In case of inclement weather, call 203-331-4120**

Rain date is the following evening, and rain date for the July 1 fireworks is July 3.

 

Family fun planned at Boys & Girls Club in Seymour

*Sharing this information from the Facebook page of the Office of the First Selectman of Seymour.

Derby to hold vigil Friday for victims of Orlando massacre

DERBY - The Cultural Commission will host a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Friday on the Green to remember the 49 victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. 

Click here to read the story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Employees of Basement Systems to build playground at Ansonia Nature Center

Community service project scheduled in July

I took this photo April 19 when the playground was being demolished. The wooden playscape had been determined hazardous after a child was injured by a large splinter.

ANSONIA - Valley United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in fine tradition, by making the greatest positive impact in the Valley.  

When Alison Rubelmann, Executive Director of the Ansonia Nature Center, was guest speaker at a recent CVC monthly meeting, and explained the epic need for help in building their playground, the CVC knew it had to respond

At about the same time, Basement Systems of Seymour expressed interest in a major community service project for which its employees could contribute.

“When Basement Systems reached out to me to ask for ideas for a major project their company could tackle, I immediately thought of Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, because their playground had been unexpectedly taken down; there was a mammoth need for a new playground,” CVC Director Pat Tarasovic said.

So Larry Janesky’s going to lead the gigantic effort to build a new playground because, well, that’s how Larry models his everyday life. Larry is a leader. He lives his life fully, by welcoming opportunities to share his passion and vision. People truly value his inspiration, and it is in this spirit that his army of volunteers will march onto the ANRC site and build.

“Basement Systems is happy to support the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center’s effort to rebuild its playground,” said Larry, CEO and founder of the Seymour-based company. 

“We know this is going to help a lot of kids, so we can’t wait to get our employees out there and get to work.”

The playground is scheduled to be rebuilt over one weekend in July. 

Other CVC companies will join together and lend their support by doing some trail work and other volunteer projects on the Nature Center grounds while Larry’s team of talented volunteers provides the leadership, muscle and building expertise. 

At the end of the weekend, a new playground will be standing, one built to last the next 25 years.

As the sun sets, the volunteers will walk away with the greatest pride, knowing that they have strengthened their community and given the gift of caring. Then, there will be those priceless smiles on our children’s faces, and those will never fade.

Basement Systems is another in a long line of companies to contribute enhancements to the Valley community. Fellow CVC member companies such as GE, Unilever, Prudential, Pitney Bowes, Nielsen Company and Perkin Elmer have spent countless hours clearing trails, building fences, gardens, and swales, and spreading mulch to improve the appearance and quality of life in the Valley.

This is a press release from Basement Systems in Seymour.