The Valley Voice

Friday, November 2, 2018

'A Redbird Christmas' is topic of Derby Public Library book discussion

DERBY - The next Derby Public Library Lunchtime Book Discussion will feature A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

The November/December discussion will be held at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

From the beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe comes her latest New York Times bestseller - a Yuletide classic about small-town America and larger-than-life wonders.

With the same incomparable style and warm inviting voice that have made her beloved by millions of readers far and wide, author Fannie Flagg has written an enchanting Christmas story of faith and hope for all ages that is sure to become a classic.

Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp weather of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River.

There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works.

And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it.

Lunchtime Book Discussions are held the last Wednesday of the month and are free and open to the public.

Multiple copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk. Drop-ins are welcome; no registration required.

For further information call 203-736-1482. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is a press release from Kathy Wilson, circulation manager, Derby Public Library.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Seymour Senior Center to present Veterans Day program

Recuperation journey: Looking at the late afternoon sky

Steeple of Three Saints Church in Ansonia at 5 p.m. Thursday. (Cell image)

Seymour woman receives Planetree Scholar Award

Marge Deegan, center, Vice President, Ancillary Services at Griffin Hospital in Derby, receives the Planetree Scholar Award from Planetree President Susan Frampton and Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital Vice President of Ancillary Services Marge Deegan of Seymour was recently honored with the Planetree Scholar Award at the 2018 Planetree International Conference on Patient-Centered Care in Boston.

The Planetree Scholar Award honors individuals whose works and deeds inspire others to greater heights in person-centered health care.

Deegan has been with Griffin Hospital for more than 40 years and earned the award for exemplifying person-centered care on a daily basis through her commitments to Griffin’s patients, community, and staff.

“Person-centered care is instinctual for Marge and she makes sure it continues to be a top priority in her role as the head of Ambulatory Services,” coworkers said in her nomination form.

“Fellow caregivers frequently praise her for her willingness to roll up her sleeves and join forces with directors and front-line caregivers to identify opportunities to improve patient experiences and outcomes.”

About Planetree

Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care.

Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years. With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.