Therapeutic touch workshop offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Holly Major, Therapeutic Touch coordinator for Griffin Hospital, will conduct a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop Oct. 14 and 15./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is offering a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 14 and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 for individuals interested in learning about this healing method.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

Therapeutic Touch is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of healthcare professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The purpose of this Basic Level TT Workshop is to explain the concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. Participants must attend both workshop sessions to receive credit. 

The workshop is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to attend.

The workshop instructor, Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, is an adult nurse practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. 

Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.

Fee is $100, and includes all class materials. The deadline to enroll is Oct. 3.

For more information, or to enroll, contact Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466 or lkmurphy@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Flashback to perform Saturday at block dance in Seymour

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Culture and Arts Commission will end its summer concert series Saturday with a block dance.

The concert will feature the band Flashback playing music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. 

The concert will be held at the corners of First and Bank Streets in historic downtown Seymour from 6-8 p.m. in conjunction with First Saturday events. 

Please join us for a great night out! 

Parking is located on the streets and parking lots around the downtown area. 

Do not park in the First Street plaza lot – your car will be towed by the plaza owners! 

Bring your own chairs. There will be no rain date or location for this concert. 

For more information please contact Kim Osgood, 203-888-7880.

*Sharing this information from Facebook.

Treasured Time to host softball marathon to support Derby family

Treasured Time’s Third Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon Sept. 10-11 will support the wish of Nicole Mather of Derby, pictured from left with her son, Austin, and husband, Brian. / Contributed photo

STRATFORD - Extreme heat in mid-August has resulted in Treasured Time’s Third Annual Extra Innings Softball Marathon to be moved to Sept. 10-11 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Stadium.

This semi-competitive fundraiser aims to help make the wish of a terminally ill mother in Derby come true by encouraging the community to form softball teams and play one-hour games to win a night in the Treasured Time suite at a Bridgeport Bluefish game.

Proceeds support the Treasured Time’s mission to grant the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses. 
This year’s Extra Innings Marathon will directly benefit the newest Treasured Time “gift of moments” recipient, Nicole Mather of Derby.

The event starts at 7 a.m. Sept. 10 and runs until 9 p.m., including an exciting Home Run Derby competition for men and women at 7:30 p.m. that night and a Home Run Derby Jr. competition (13 and younger) at 8 p.m. 
The Home Run Derby winners will get a dinner for two at Vazzy’s Cucina in Shelton. 
The marathon resumes at 7 a.m. Sept. 11 and concludes with a championship game at 7:30 p.m. that day.

Registration is limited to the first 40 teams consisting of at least 10 players per team. The team that scores the most runs in a win on Saturday will play in the championship against the team that scored the most runs in a win on Sunday.

The entry fee to participate is $250 per team, and the deadline to register is Sept. 6. 
The fee for the Home Run Derby Jr. is $20, and $25 for the adult Home Run Derby. 

Tickets for spectators to attend the softball marathon are $5. 
There will be activities throughout the event including corn hole, DJs, and raffles.

For more information or to register a team or for the Homerun Derby, contact Jenn at 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

“The great part about this event is that you don’t have to be a softball player to join in on the fun,” said event organizer Jenn Moffat. “We have many companies and families, who have been affected by life-threatening illnesses, who come out to enjoy the day and support our mission. We match the teams up by skill level, so everyone is welcome to play. The weekend is really not about competition, it’s about the cause.”

In addition to supporting Treasured Time, the marathon is held in honor of former Bluefish General Manager and Treasured Time supporter Ken Shepard.

Derby woman hopes to renew vows in Vegas

Nicole Mather, 43, of Derby, became sick at age 15. After a few years of not knowing what was wrong and various tests, she was diagnosed with lupus at 17.

Since then, life has been very difficult. She has been in and out of the hospital throughout her life. Shortly after her diagnosis, Mather was in a major car accident in which she was put on life support and administered Last Rites by a priest.

Nicole defied the odds of the accident and her illness and found true love in her husband, Brian. The couple was told they would never have children, but Mather again proved the exception and was blessed with her “miracle baby,” Austin, who is now 17. 

Recently, Mather was diagnosed with diabetes and has suffered two severe strokes and three mini strokes. She has APS lupus which creates blood clots throughout her body, intensifying her susceptibility to strokes. 
Mather could have a stroke that changes her life forever at any time, but for right now, she does what she can to enjoy life despite her limitations.

Mather's wish is to go to Las Vegas and renew her vows with her true love and have her son walk her down the aisle. They will be married 20 years this September.

Treasured Time, Inc. is a CT based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  
With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments”.

For more information, visit treasuredtime.org.

This is a press release from Treasured Time.

Master's Table meal in Ansonia to feature Sister Funk performance

Dealership in Shelton to receive 22nd annual 'Good Scout' Award

SHELTON - The Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America, will present this year’s “Good Scout” Award to longtime community leader Curtiss*Ryan Honda.  

The award will be presented to Curtiss*Ryan Honda Oct. 20 at the Brownson Country Club, 15 Soundview Ave. The event will run 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Housatonic Council presents a Good Scout Award to an individual or organization that exemplifies the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America as expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  

The recipients are chosen for their outstanding community service as evidenced by the interest and leadership given to many worthwhile organizations as well as the respect and esteem in which they are held by their colleagues.

Good Scout Award honorees are selected by a committee that is chaired by Mayor Mark Lauretti and members of the Executive Board of the Housatonic Council.

“Curtiss*Ryan Honda has contributed to the betterment of life in our Valley towns in many ways,” Lauretti said.  “Curtiss*Ryan Honda has been an engaged partner with the Housatonic Council and through their support of many of the Valley’s community organizations and initiatives to improve the quality of life for area residents.”

Previous recipients of the Good Scout Award include Walter Archer, Jr., Jamie Cohen, Helen and Gerald Bogen, David Rifkin, Lauretti, James Ryan, John Anglace, state Rep. Richard Belden, Robert Scinto, Dean Borgman, Norman Santa, Patrick Charmel, Royal Wells, the Jones family, Fletcher Thompson, William Bassett, Monty Blakeman, David Grant, the law firm of Welch, Teodosio, Stanek & Blake, LLC (formerly known as Winnick, Vine, Welch & Teodosio, LLC), Ned Miller, and Jeff Bruner of the Iroquois Gas Co.

The Housatonic Council serves the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.   
Established in 1923, the Housatonic Council is one of the oldest councils in the Boy Scouts of America.  
In addition to delivering the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, and Learning for Life programs, the Housatonic Council owns and operates the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen.

If you would like to attend or support the Good Scout Award Ceremony, contact the Housatonic Council at (203) 734-3329.

This is a press release from the Housatonic Council.

Friends of Seymour Library to discuss 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'

SEYMOUR - "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith is the next Friends of the Library Book Club offering. 

The club will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the lower level of the Library to discuss this "oldie but a goodie." The novel was published in 1943.

Copies of the book are currently available to anyone interested in joining in the discussion. 

This is a great book that should bring much to the table!

The library is at 46 Church St.

*Information shared from Facebook.

Derby Public Library will hold herbal reed diffuser workshop

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled a Scents & Sensibility/Make & Take Herbal Reed Diffuser workshop at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

Presented by Velya Janncz-Urban and Ehris Urban, participants will first learn historical tidbits and medicinal benefits of various herbs and oils.  
They will then create their own eight-ounce herbal reed 

diffusers based on their own preferences and needs.  

Space is limited and registration is required.

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.