Written Words Bookstore in Shelton to host author talk

SHELTON - Joe and Rose Kennedy’s strikingly beautiful daughter, Rosemary, attended exclusive schools, was presented as a debutante to the queen of England, and traveled the world with her high-spirited sisters. 

Yet Rosemary was intellectually disabled, a secret fiercely guarded by her powerful and glamorous family. 

In Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, author and historian Kate Clifford Larson uses newly uncovered sources to bring Rosemary Kennedy’s story to light. 

Young Rosemary comes alive as a sweet, lively girl adored by her siblings. But Larson also reveals the often desperate and duplicitous arrangements the Kennedys made to keep her away from home as she became increasingly difficult in her early twenties, culminating in Joe’s decision to have Rosemary lobotomized at age 23 and the family’s complicity in keeping the secret. Only years later did the Kennedy siblings begin to understand what had happened to Rosemary, which inspired them to direct government attention and resources to the plight of the developmentally and mentally disabled, transforming the lives of millions. 

Larson will be at Written Words Bookstore, 415 Howe Ave. at 2 p.m. April 23 for an appearance and signing of her book, Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter (Mariner Books • 2015).

The event is free and open to the public. Books presented for signing must be purchased at the event from Written Words Bookstore. 

For more information, contact 203-944-0400.

This is a press release from Dorothy Sim-Broder, owner, Written Words Bookstore.

Pardon my French, but ...

being sick sucks.

And being sick when you are a caregiver sucks more.

And what really takes the cake is when you end up giving your patient whatever you have. Husband Ralph is sick now, courtesy of me.

I've been composing this blog post in my head for several days as I have been spending most of my time lying in bed.

I realize it's just a dry cough, runny nose, lose your voice, body ache kind of situation. 
And there are much more serious things with which to deal ... and we do. 

Ironically it seems easier to deal with bigger issues; Ralph has a form of Muscular Dystrophy and it almost seems more manageable than the "common cold." After more than 20 years of him using a wheelchair, it's part of our daily routine.

We normally put together a newsletter on Mondays but today just was not the day. We had to call in sick - to each other.

Here's hoping we'll both feel better tomorrow so we can return to doing what we need to do.

Church in Seymour to hold dinner, raffle basket fundraiser

SEYMOUR - Seymour Congregational Church will sponsor a turkey dinner and raffle basket extravaganza from 5:30-7 p.m. April 29 at the church, 45 Broad St.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.; cost is $14 for adults.

Basket raffle is at 7 p.m.

For information call 203-888-6729.

Shelton veteran shares his experiences in Korean, Vietnam wars

Army Lt. Col. Guy Beardsley, Ret. speaks Saturday at Written Words Bookstore in Shelton. He offered an interesting presentation featuring photos from his time in South Korea in the 50s and South Vietnam in the 60s.


Stay tuned for more in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Happy Sun-day

I missed the sunrise but I did catch the early morning sun reflected on trees in the yard. The return of sunshine is a welcome sight after all that cold rain we had.

Derby Public Library accepting scholarship essays

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its Annual Scholarship Prize of $500.  

It is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who are 

planning to further their education, regardless of where they go to school.  

The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on an essay explaining the role of libraries in their life. The award will be presented at the Library Board of Directors 

meeting June 21.  
In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Young Adult Department.  
High school seniors may submit their entry directly to the Library Director now through June 2.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.


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

Students rehearse 'Fiddler on the Roof' at Ansonia Middle School

Contributed photo

ANSONIA - About 30 students from four area schools are rehearsing the classic musical, 'Fiddler on the Roof,' Ansonia Middle School teacher Lisa Nicolari said this week.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. April 20, 21, 26, and 27 at Ansonia Middle School, 115 Howard Ave. 

Tickets are $10 at the door.  
Snacks will be available for sale during intermission. 


The show is a production of Bright Light Musicals, LLC.







Contributed photos