Recuperation journey: Kidney-themed gifting

Gimme a K! Gimme an I! Gimme a D! and so forth 
Daughter Allegra surprised me with this lovely purple kidney key fob for Christmas. 

Meanwhile I had sent my wonderful donor, West Hartford resident Robin Gilmartin, a kidney-shaped key fob Christmas gift, just for fun. 
She had given me a kidney key fob when we met in July at a press conference at Yale-New Haven Hospital. 
We were part of an 18-person kidney transplant chain and that was the first time we had met. 

She had ordered the kidney fob on a website where one can buy kidney-shaped jewelry and other items. 
Who knew there was kidney transplant jewelry? Not I. 
It's fun to look at what's available. 
Click here to check it out.

And to view the I Heart Guts site my daughter found, click here, if you have the guts. 

* Kidney transplants are also the theme of today's Valley Voice newsletter. Please check it out!

Teen employee of Wesley Village in Shelton receives prestigious award

Jake DeLucia with Lori Pisani, Executive Director, Crosby Commons, left, and Lisa Bisson, Director, Community Outreach./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living has announced that Jake DeLucia, Wesley Village community staff member, has been selected for the 2017 Young Leader of the Year Award by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association.

Jake was honored at the 22nd Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner and presented this prestigious award for his exemplary leadership skills, maturity, and vision that inspires residents and staff members.

"I was shocked when I found out that Jake was a high school senior. I have never met a teenager who was so caring, respectful, mature, and considerate as Jake is," Lori Pisani, Executive Director of Crosby Commons, said.

Jake started in dining, began filling in as a part-time receptionist to cover vacations, and now he is a regular part of the team. He is aware of the residents and sincerely cares about their well-being. If he sees something, he does something.

Jake has tenderly composed five hard-cover picture books featuring residents, family members, and employees of Crosby Commons. The residents love the books that have been placed throughout the community for all to enjoy, not just because they love seeing their pictures, but because their beloved Jake has made them.

Although Jake will be leaving in January to attend college and will be sincerely missed by residents, family, and staff, it is wonderful to know he is leaving with the honor, “Young Leader of the Year.” 

Congratulations, Jake!

For more information on Crosby Commons, call 203.225.5024 or  visit www.crosbycommons.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Take a hike, learn to make lip balm, more at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, offers a variety of educational and fun activities this winter.

NEW YEAR’S DAY HIKE – Jan. 1, 10 a.m.Bring a healthy start to your new year at the Nature Center. Our ranger will conduct this brisk walk and you'll learn a little natural history trivia along the way. FREE. For all ages. Call to register. Inclement weather cancels.

BACK TO BASICS: Natural Lip Balms – Jan. 6, 2 p.m.
Soothe your lips with your own homemade lip balm! Join Ranger Dawn and learn how to make lip balm with natural ingredients such as beeswax and essential oils in the easy and fun workshop for ages 5 and up. Take home a sample!
MATERIALS FEE: $10 per person. Please register in advance; space is limited.

NATURE AND PLAY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS – Sundays, Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 4, 2:30 p.m.
Do you have a child aged 8-12 with autism and other developmental delays? Would you like to join a new group playtime that meets once a month? Gently led by Ranger Amie, this group will explore ways to introduce your child to playing indoors and outdoors at the Nature Center.

Monthly activities include meeting animal friends, taking a walk or easy hike, and nature crafts. Playtime will begin at 2:30 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. (or however long your child would like to stay). Please arrive on time. We will meet inside at the small classroom and children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class. 

FREE. Pre-registration required; group limited to 10 children with adult.
Session 1 activity: Planting winter greens and sprouts.

22ND ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE – Jan. 14, noon–4 p.m.; Jan. 15, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Join the Nature Center at the Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven. The Peabody will once again offer world-class performances and educational activities for families and visitors of all ages, in honor of King and his efforts to ensure justice for all people.
Admission to the Peabody is FREE for the two days of this event.

BIRD FEATHERS – Jan. 27, 2 p.m.
Do you have a collection of bird feathers and always wondered which birds they came from? Nature Center naturalist Jessica can teach you to identify them. Enjoy viewing and touching our collection of over 100 different feathers. FREE; please call to register. For all ages.

FEBRUARY, 2018

BACK TO BASICS: Make an Herb Pillow – Feb. 4, 2 p.m.
Enjoy your winter afternoon creating an herb pillow. Herb pillows, or dream pillows, are small soft bags containing perfumed or sweet smelling items such as herbs. They have been around for hundreds of years and used for many different reasons. You will learn the cultural history and uses for these pillows. Create your own herb pillow for yourself or give as a gift for Valentine’s Day. MATERIALS FEE: $8. Please register; class size is limited. For ages 7 and up.

*** ONGOING WEEKLY PROGRAMS ***

Creature Features – Saturdays, noon
Come to meet our furry, scaly, and feathery animal ambassadors. You’ll have the chance to touch and hold them in this FREE family program for all ages.

Sunday Guided Hikes – 1 p.m.
Join a Nature Center guide on Sunday afternoons for fun, exercise, and learning about our trails! See the above listings for hikes with a specific theme.

Fiber Arts Group – Tuesdays, 6 p.m.
Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work -knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. FREE.

Call 203-736-1053 for information and registration.

This is a press release from Ansonia Nature Center.

'Turnback Tuesday' features 1901 Pork Hollow monument in Ansonia

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a postcard highlighting the Revolutionary War. Much tension and fear was affecting all the families in the colonies. 
Uncertainty was widespread wondering if homes would be burned, livestock taken, and stores of food stolen. 
Such is the case with the story of Pork Hollow. British soldiers were roaming around looking for food while Captain John Tomlinson of Derby happened to be in New Haven and heard of the plan to take the stores of pork located in Derby. Getting on his horse and riding as fast as he could, Tomlinson rode to Derby to warn the residents to save the pork! The residents quickly responded by removing the pork and hiding it in a hollow area. 
The British arrived to discover there was no pork to be found and left Derby empty handed. 

The location is in what we now call Ansonia on Wakelee Avenue. 
A monument was erected by the Elizabeth Clarke Hull Chapter D.A.R. in 1901. This postcard shows the monument.


Thanks go out to the Derby Public Library for sharing this interesting local history each week!

Recuperation journey: Photo fun

On Christmas morning I posted this photo of the tree lights reflected on the window with the winter wonderland scene outside.

At sunset this afternoon I tried a similar shot through the window, just for fun.

Klarides sisters collect items for veterans center in W. Haven

State Rep. Themis Klarides, second from right, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, right, with staff from the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven./ Contributed photo

WEST HAVEN - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, wrapped up their annual veterans drive Tuesday, dropping off boxes full of donated clothes, comfort items, and games to the Errera Community Care Center, 114-152 Boston Post Road. 

“We want to thank the Valley residents who helped us collect these much-needed items for veterans,” they said. “We must always remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and work to ensure that veterans never go without a roof over their head, food on their plate or access to high-quality health-care." 

The lawmakers continued, "Our doors are always open to veterans that need assistance navigating state government. 
"We also encourage veterans to visit the Errera Community Care Center whose dedicated staff provides excellent services and care." 

According to the Errera Community Care Center, the facility helps serve veterans struggling with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders, homelessness, and/or aging. 

For more information or to donate items or gift cards to the Errera Community Care Center, visit www.erreraccc.com. 

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office.

'Soft opening' of skating rink slated at Linett Park in Ansonia

Sharing Tuesday post on City's Facebook page:

"With temperatures at single digits the past several days, the ice skating rink at Linett Park will open this Friday with a “soft opening” and remain open. 

Come on down and test it out! 

Once the cold and snow synchronizes, an official Grand Opening of Winter Playground at Linett Park will be announced for sledding, ice skating, fire pit and more. We’re hoping Saturday January 6 will be the date.

Public Works indicated they may also test the fire pit this Saturday at noon.

More information on Winter Playground can be found at: www.cityofansonia.com."