Ansonia Rotary Club supports food bank at Christ Episcopal Church

Ansonia Rotary Club President Richard Knoll presents a $100 check to Mimi Yocher, director, Kathleen Samela Food Bank at Christ Episcopal Church, Ansonia. /Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Members of the Ansonia Rotary Club joined in Liberty Bank's recent Thanksgiving Holiday Challenge and collected $100 for the Kathleen Samela Food Bank at Christ Episcopal Church.  

The check was presented to Food Bank Director Meme Yocher at the Club's weekly luncheon.  

The Ansonia Rotary Club meets at 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Crave Restaurant on Main Street. Guests and new members are welcome to attend.

This is a press release from Ansonia Rotary Club.

Seymour Police to collect toys Saturday for local families

Ansonia Rotary Club recognizes first responders

Pictured from left, Ansonia Police Sgt. Alex Barreira, Second Lt. Matthew Casini of the Ansonia Fire Department, EMT Kate Topazio of Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Rotary Club recently presented three of Ansonia’s first responders with Outstanding Service Awards. 

The annual dinner ceremony was held at Ansonia High School.  

Mayor David S. Cassetti was on hand to congratulate the awardees, and he joined family, friends, and Rotarians in expressing thanks to the men and women of Ansonia’s emergency services.

EMT Kate Topazio was chosen by colleagues at Ansonia Rescue Medical Services to receive the 2016 Rotary Civic Service Recognition Award. 

She joined ARMS in 2010 after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Fairfield University.  A Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Topazio was awarded the Mary Schumacher Leadership Award and the Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2014. 

She averages 80-plus hours a week occasionally in her dual capacities, and her medical training has been a significant asset at ARMS. 

In one case she recognized a patient going into cardiac arrest and intervened. She is a Field Training Officer and often goes beyond the call of duty, recently joining the EMS Bike Team.

Sgt. Alex Barreira of the Ansonia Police Department was selected as the outstanding police officer for 2016. He joined APD in 2004 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2014. Barreira has served with distinction during his 10 years. In charge of the K-9 and FTEP programs, he was assigned to a local DEA task force for two years. 

His other awards include the 2016 U.S. Attorney Award in recognition of his efforts in Operation Fast Lane II, and the departmental Lifesaving Award for resuscitating an unresponsive victim. He is considered a role model and leader by his peers and supervisors.

Second Lt. Matthew Casini of Webster Hose Company received the Ansonia Fire Department Outstanding Service Award.  

Casini joined AFD in 2002 and was promoted to his current rank this year. He currently holds five certifications in fire and medical roles, and acts as the company’s training officer. A graduate of Emmett O’Brien Technical High School, Casini is employed by Sikorsky Aircraft. 

This is a press release from the Ansonia Rotary Club. 

Seymour Recreation to offer aquatic exercise

Seymour Public Library to host talk about black bears

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library will host Felicia Ortner, Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to talk about the modern reality of encounters with black bears.

Photo from CT DEEP website

Ortner will talk about bear awareness, safety, and conservation along with bear folklore, myths, and truths. 
This is a free program.

For information call 203-888-3903.

The Library is at 46 Church St.

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

Santa, elf greet folks at Seymour Pink gift shop's holiday open house

Santa and his assistant, Scrappy, both big supporters of Seymour Pink, strike a pose Sunday outside the Seymour Pink Gift Shop, 3 Franklin St., Seymour, during the holiday open house. 

The friendly Seymour Pink volunteers always greet me and my daughter, Allegra, with warm hugs and smiles. We enjoyed holiday cookies and had fun shopping (for ourselves - not for Christmas gifts). 
I recommend you stop by and check out all the merchandise! You won't be disappointed.

Regular hours are Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ansonia welcomes the Christmas season

The Christmas tree lighting Friday night drew a large crowd of kids of all ages to Veterans Park in downtown Ansonia. 
I waited until after the event to get a good shot of this beautiful tree. 
Kudos to Ansonia Public Works employees on their decorating skill.

* Please stay tuned for more photos in our Valley Voice newsletter next week.