Thursday, February 21, 2019

Family of local boy with MD asks for votes to win adaptive bike


Waterbury resident Cheryle Elliott is asking the community to vote for her son, Dakota Fortier, 14, in a Great Bike Giveaway contest to win a modified bike. She is also asking for donations toward getting the bike.  
Below is information from Elliott about her son shared from the contest website:

"Dakota is a 14 year old boy with Congenital Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and Congenital DiGeorge Syndrome. 
He is fully wheelchair bound and needs full upper body support. He loves being outdoors no matter what weather it is ...
He only signs, uses facial expressions and uses a communication device. 
He loves seeing our family ride a bike and loves doing everything his father does. Most importantly he loves the outdoors! 
We choose the Van Raam OPair adaptive bike per weight requirements and the supportive back and legs.
Please help Dakota achieve his bike!" 

Voting ends Feb. 27; donating ends in March.

Click here for details about the adaptive bike.


Dakota Fortier

Fundraising for Dakota F's Van Raam OPair

Family game night slated at Ansonia Middle School

Shared from Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Brother of the Brush during Derby's 300th


Turnback Tuesday says hello to the “Brother of the Brush” for Derby’s 300th. 
The Committee for Derby’s 300th celebration [in 1975] felt it would be a great idea for the men in Derby to grow facial hair for the celebration. This could be either a beard or a “stache” along with sideburns. 
Apparently, many men grew “Mutton Chops” or thick sideburns. And if you did not comply, you were fined or thrown in the stocks.


Thanks to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history.