Valley funeral director recognized for 30 years' service to local residents

Robert L. Muccino Jr., left, President, Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, presents 2017 award to Shelton resident Edward J. Sheehy Jr., CFSP, CPC, CCO, a funeral director with Riverview Funeral Home in Shelton and Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home in Derby. Sheehy's wife, Jodi, is at right./ Submitted photo

SHELTON - Resident Edward J. Sheehy Jr. was recently recognized by the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association for 30 years as a licensed funeral director and service to the communities he serves.

Sheehy, CFDA’s Vice President, is a funeral director with Riverview Funeral Home in Shelton, and Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home in Derby.

The presentation was made at CFDA’s 2017 Summer Meeting at the Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook. 

The Connecticut Funeral Directors Association is a 128-year-old professional organization that is committed to the promotion and advocacy of high ethical standards in funeral service.
The organization represents funeral directors at more than 220 funeral homes in Connecticut. This includes the development and presentation of ongoing professional training opportunities for practitioners and educational programs for association members and the public.

For more information about the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, call 860-721-0234 or 800-919-2332, or visit CTFDA.org.

Great Hill United Methodist Church in Seymour to hold barbecue dinner

Learn to make popcorn mixes at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host another Recycle, Repurpose, and Reuse Craft Class at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8.

Ansonia Animal Control Officer Jeanie Roslonowski returns to show participants ages 18 and over how to make delicious popcorn mixes using leftover spices and herbs.  

All materials will be provided.  

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

Registration is required. 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 Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Seymour Pink gets donation from Hair by Lynn salon

Lynn Giardini, owner, Hair by Lynn Salon, 139 Main St., Seymour, right, presents a $900 check Friday to Seymour Pink founder Mary Deming. The salon held a cut-a-thon to celebrate its grand opening July 1 and raised funds for Seymour Pink, a community's fight against breast cancer.


Stay tuned for more coverage in the next Valley Voice newsletter.

Griffin Hospital in Derby slates career training programs

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers is accepting applications for its fall Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant program starting Sept. 11 and its Patient Care Technician and Phlebotomy programs starting Sept. 12./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206, is offering classes for its fall Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Phlebotomy programs.

The evening session for the CNA program starts Sept. 11, and the day PCT program and the Phlebotomy program begin Sept 12.

The accelerated CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed six-week schedule with classes Monday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. 

Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. 

The program’s clinical experience is at a long term stay facility and Griffin Hospital from 5-10 p.m. for a total of 40 hours. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the certification exam for a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation.

The 16-week PCT program requires students to attend practical training on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and have the option to take the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Phlebotomy classes either during the day from 9 a.m.-noon or during the evening from 6-9 p.m. The PCT program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room and during the 160 hours of clinical experience. The course tuition includes textbook, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and national certification.

The 13-week Phlebotomy program holds classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with a daytime option of 9 a.m.-noon or an evening option of 6-9 p.m. The course tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification, lab coats, CPR certification, malpractice insurance and textbook.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited. For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

About the School of Allied Health Careers

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 

Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building at 300 Seymour Ave.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Children's entertainer to perform at Ansonia Nature Center

Children's entertainer Chris Rowlands./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA -Puppeteer and singer Chris Rowlands will perform at 7 p.m. July 28 at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road.

Rowlands is an award-winning singer and songwriter who offers an interactive kid-friendly presentation for those who love music and nature. 
He creatively blends music, comedy, and education in a fast paced show that teaches and inspires. 
Rowlands brings animals to life through song, dance, puppets, and colorful props, to teach children about animals and their habitats. 
The Environment Magazine has honored him with its first E Award for his environmental education programs. Don’t miss this free musical program!

Call the Nature Center to register, 203-736-1053.


This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature Center.

Recuperation journey: 'It's magical'

I got happy news at the transplant clinic Thursday. My test results looked good to the health-care professionals and two of them told me I'm doing great.

My nephrologist was happy to hear I'm feeling fine and told me, "Sometimes it can be magical."

That's so true! 

I also met a woman Thursday who had her kidney transplant in May a day after I had mine. 
She said she feels "100 percent" better than before. 
She also told me she wasn't nervous at all beforehand. Once I was committed to the idea I wasn't anxious either.
I was counting down the days, and really couldn't wait to have the transplant done.

But we agreed that our husbands were much more nervous before the surgery than we were.

The whole experience has been nothing short of a miracle. 
I've had zero pain, and only a few manageable side effects from all the medications. 

Magical indeed.