Crosby Commons in Shelton recognizes accomplishments of resident, 98

Pictured from left, Lori Pisani, Executive Director, Crosby Commons, CALA award winner Tim Donovan, Crosby resident John Balogh, and Crosby Commons Activity Director Kelly Coppola./ Submitted photo

SHELTON - Tim Donovan, an eight-year resident of Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community, was recently recognized by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association with the Distinguished Resident Accomplishment Award. 

This award honors the service and accomplishments of senior living residents. 

Donovan was nominated to receive this prestigious award because of his extraordinary example of aging and his exceptional contributions to the community. 

“Tim, at the tender young age of 98, is a true gentleman. A man of integrity, sincerity, honesty and humor,” said Lori Pisani, Executive Director of Crosby Commons. 

Many of Donovan’s award-winning watercolor paintings have been displayed throughout Crosby Commons and the Derby art gallery. 

He also effortlessly leads weekly art classes at the Shelton Senior Center and is a member of the Connecticut Classic Arts Association.

Donovan generously volunteers his time and organizes Crosby Common’s morning Flex and Stretch exercise class. Additionally, at least three days a week, he leads his fellow residents in a miniature bowling game. 

“The laughter, chatter, cheering, and encouragement fills the entire community during this fun game,” Pisani said. Even more impressively, Donovan has participated in many road races hosted by United Methodist Homes. His “Can Do” attitude successfully places him over the finish line. His friends and family could not agree more with Pisani when she says, “Tim Donovan is a special person and role model to us all.”

Donovan and 19 other selected recipients throughout the state were honored at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Congratulations go out to all CALA award winners! 

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village Campus and offers independent and assisted senior living. 

The campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. It is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local mission-based, not-for-profit organization. 

To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

20th annual walk in Derby Saturday to benefit Spooner House

Participants pose at last year's walk./ Submitted photo  

DERBY - Spooner House is accepting registrations for walkers, runners, and helping hands to be part of the 20th Annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless at the Derby Greenway Saturday,starting at 9 a.m. (rain or shine). 

Registration is at the fountain on Division Street beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. kick off. 
Participants can register online to form a team, join an existing team or register as an individual and are asked to make donations in any amount suitable, ask others to sponsor you for additional funds and seek matching donations from employers. 
However, a minimum donation of $20 will be required for each participant to receive the commemorative walk T-shirt*. All proceeds benefit the Spooner House. 

Joe Neumann & the Big Beat band will be performing at the Walk.

From 4 to 7 p.m. today (Friday), walkers will have the opportunity to pick up their walk T-shirt* and drop off their pledge form in advance during a special Community Open House at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton. Every participant will receive an entry into a drawing for an assortment of gift cards and there are prizes available for the team raising the most money, the individual raising the most money and the team with the most participants.

For walk registration and sponsorship forms or more information call 203-225-0453 ext.102 or

e-mail Kate Pipa at kpipa@actspooner.org. 
The website actspooner.org has a link to the walk registration page and all forms as well.

The entire walk route is 3.4 miles along the Naugatuck River, but participants may travel any distance they choose and water will be provided at the halfway point along the 1.7-mile Greenway. 

The Derby Greenway provides a safe, vehicle-free, boardwalk style route with great scenery along the Naugatuck River. Strollers are welcome and participants may begin the route whenever they arrive. Please use the Division Street entrance and meet at the Derby Greenway fountain. Parking is available at BJ's.

The annual EcoFest will be held the day of the walk, on the other end of the Greenway on Caroline Street.

This year, sponsors including the following companies, have stepped forward to support the annual Walk for the Hungry and Homeless. 
The Gold Sponsors are: Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte, and Sterczala, P.C.; Vibrant Health; Newtown Savings Bank; Valley Community Foundation and AD-MERICA. 
The Silver Sponsors are: Tuttle Insurance Group; Calvert Safe & Lock, Gary's East Coast Service, ElectriCable Associates and Pepe Reality.
This year’s Bronze Sponsors include: St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford; R.D. Scinto, Inc.; O.E.M. Controls, Inc.; Stelray Plastic Products, Inc.; New Haven Terminal; Venman + Co. LLC; DataTel, LLC; Aquarion Water Co.; Peralta Design, and SoVita Chiropractic.

Drawing prize sponsors are: Royal Bakery, Shelton Adams Hometown Market, Legend’s Pizzeria, Vazzy’s Italian Cucina, Giove’s, Young Nails, Sassafras Restaurant, Amici’s Restaurant, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Shelton Car Care.

Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged so participants won't have to get up as early on Saturday  and still be guaranteed a walk T-shirt.



This is a press release from Spooner House.

Logan, colleagues welcome Civil Air Patrol representatives to Capitol

Contributed photo

State Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, and state lawmakers recently welcomed Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol members to the state Capitol’s historic Senate Chamber.  

The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.  

In Connecticut, the CAP performs search and rescue as well as emergency and disaster relief services. 

Logan, who serves as Vice-Chair on the legislature’s Veterans Affairs Committee, represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge. 

He can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and 800-842-1421.  

On the web: www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com.  Attached photo, from left, state Sen. Len Suzio, Lt. Col. Darren Cioffi, state Sen. Heather Somers, Logan, and Col. Ken Chapman.

MDA fundraiser slated Sunday at Lakewood Lanes in Waterbury

Derby Public Library to offer Teen Summer Club

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12-17 to join the 2017 Teen Summer Club running from June 19 through Aug. 10. 

This year’s theme is “Build a Better World” encouraging members to engage in various creative outlets while making new friends and exploring resources. 

Club members will meet Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:30-3 p.m. Available resources will include 3D design tools leading to 3D printing, 3D doodle pens, Legos & more! 
Light snacks will be provided. 

Participants will earn credit for each event attended through the eight-week program and weekly winners will be drawn. 
A grand prize winner will be drawn at the club’s finale pizza party. Registration begins June 1. 

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

This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.

6th annual Pedal for PCRC planned at Quarry Walk in Oxford

Learn cartooning, take a hike, more at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has announced a variety of fun activities for June.

CONNECTICUT TRAILS DAY – June 3, 9 a.m.

Join Nature Center Director Alison Rubelmann and Ranger Dan Bosques for this morning walk.

Discover the beauty of the Nature Center’s typical New England woodland during the CT Forest and Park Association’s annual Trails Day weekend. We might get lucky and find a lady slipper or two.

This moderate hike will also visit the settlement of the Paugasucks. Bring water, a snack, and bug spray, and wear sturdy shoes. Suitable for older children and adults. FREE.

CARTOONING THE NATURAL WORLD – June 10 and 24, 10 a.m.
Ranger Amie Ziner, our artist in residence, will teach four classes in cartooning nature! We will use on site materials, stuffed specimens, and live animal observation to complete four cartoons with a plant and animal in each one.

Improve your drawing accuracy and realism for fun, for story illustration, and for expressing yourself using pictures—a picture is worth a thousand words! For ages 10 to adult. Limited space. FEE: $5 per class.
Please call to register 203 736-1053.

SUMMER SUN SPOTS – June 10, 1 p.m.
Join Bob Carruthers for a chance to view the sun safely. Serious eye damage or blindness can result from even a brief glimpse of our star. Never view it directly with the naked eye or with any unfiltered optical device, such as binoculars or a telescope. Bob will use a special instrument to observe the sun spots safely. He will project an image of the sun through a telescope onto a white screen. He will teach you what the sun is, what makes it shine, and what it’s made from. FREE.

“A PASSION FOR BIRDS” WITH HENRY LAPPEN – June 11, 2 p.m.
In this family program, participants learn how birds adapt to their environment, and why they look and act the way they do. Be captivated by Henry Lappen’s beautiful masks and by his dances among the crowd demonstrating the form and motion of the different species. The audience joins him while learning some mime skills and imaging. FEE: $5 per person.

EXPLORE REDWING POND – June 14, 1 p.m.
An introduction for our young naturalists and adults to learn about the inhabitants of Redwing Pond. We will scoop with ponding nets to capture and identify aquatic insects, fish, frogs, and turtles. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes—you will get muddy and wet. FREE.

FANCI ANNUAL MEETING AND POTLUCK SUPPER – June 14, 5:30 p.m. If you’re a member of FANCI and can’t make the regular meetings, now is the time to find out what we’ve been up to! Reports and the election of officers will take place. Bring your own table setting and a dish to share (12 servings), and your ideas and suggestions for next year’s activities. Please register by June 9.

FIELD TRIP: Meigs Point Nature Center, Three Shoreline Ecosystems – June 21, 10 a.m.–noon
Meet the Ansonia Nature Center staff at the Meigs Point Nature Center, Hammonasset Beach State Park.
We will explore three very distinct shoreline ecosystems with the Meigs Point staff – rocky shore, sandy beach, and salt marsh. We will learn what makes a species invasive and how animals adapt in order to survive in the intertidal zone at the rocky shore. Along the sandy beach we’ll identify shells and seaweed as well as drag a seine net to see what lives in Long Island Sound. In the salt marsh we’ll discover its age and why marshes are important to people and Long Island Sound. 

Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear shoes that can get wet and muddy.
FEE: $5 per person.

Please visit www.MeigsPointNatureCenter.org for directions. We will meet promptly at 9:45 am. Limited space.

NIGHT HIKE: Strawberry Moon – June 23, 7 p.m.
Native American tribes traditionally kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. The name of this moon, given because strawberries are harvested in June, was universal to all Algonquin tribes. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Wear appropriate footwear. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). FEE: $1.

And register now for SUMMER NATURE DAYS!
Open registration; choose one or more week-long sessions, each held Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dates: July 31–Aug. 4, Aug. 7–11, Aug. 14–18.

For children 5 to 11 years old who love the outdoors and wildlife, these popular classes will be not only educational but also a chance to explore the 156 acres the park offers. We will visit a variety of habitats in the park such as wetlands, fields, and woodlands. Hikes, games, crafts, and cooking will be incorporated into our lessons. A great choice for a fun late-summer experience!

TUITION PER WEEK: $150 for priority students (Ansonia residents and current family-level FANCI members), $175 all others.

***ONGOING PROGRAMS***

• Sundays: Guided Hikes, 1 p.m. • Thursdays: Yoga for Your Health, 6:30 p.m. — call Pam, 203-888-4124 • Saturdays: Creature Features, noon

***THINGS TO COME (Summer 2017)*** • Firefly Hike • Summer Nature Days • Astronomy • Insects • Chris Rowlands


This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.