8th annual fundraiser slated for therapeutic riding center in Naugatuck

Recuperation journey: Tuesday visitor

Blue jay seen through the patio door Tuesday afternoon.

Griffin Hospital wound center in Derby screens 15 for diabetic foot issues

The Comprehensive Wound Care Center at Griffin Hospital recently gave free foot screenings to 15 individuals diagnosed with diabetes./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Comprehensive Wound Care Center at Griffin Hospital recently gave free diabetic foot screenings to 15 individuals.

Podiatrist Dr. Luke Jeffries, of Yale Podiatry Group volunteered to conduct the screenings along with members of the Comprehensive Wound Care Center. 

Three individuals were referred to podiatrists for follow-up tests.

Most of the participants were diagnosed with diabetes for more than five years. 

The clinicians conducting the screenings discovered that none of the participants had received education on proper foot care prior to the screening.

 “We were more than a little surprised that none of the participants had been educated on the importance of good foot care,” said Liza Mecca, BA, RRT, AE-C, Director of the Wound Care Center. “All of the people we screened were very happy to learn about foot hygiene, how to select proper-fitting shoes, and how to inspect their feet.”

Foot problems are common with diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause damage to blood vessels and peripheral nerves that can result in peripheral artery disease and peripheral neuropathy.

Due to the decreased sensation from nerve damage and the lack of oxygen being delivered to the feet, people with diabetes have an increased risk of ulcers as well as bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, fungal infections, dryness of the skin, and ingrown toenails. These problems are not specific to diabetes, but can occur more commonly due to the nerve and vascular damage. If these foot problems are not properly checked or treated, individuals may suffer from tissue death due to absence of blood circulation or a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Diabetic foot screening can help determine risk factors early, and reduce amputations and ulcerations. Studies have shown that early detection and intervention may prevent up to 85% of amputations in diabetic patients.

About the Comprehensive Wound Healing Center at Griffin Hospital

The Comprehensive Wound Healing Center helps patients with chronic, non-healing wounds by offering highly effective treatment for a variety of chronic wounds, including: Diabetic foot ulcers; Radiation injury to tissue and bone; Compromised skin grafts; and Pressure ulcers. The Center provides a comprehensive range of services that are specifically designed to help promote wound healing, including:

• Extensive wound assessment

• Pain management

• Debridement

• Compression therapy

• Patient education

• Infection management

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Forecast forces postponement of concert at Veterans Park in Ansonia

'Turnback Tuesday' features sign in Derby advertising silent movie

Turnback Tuesday introduces you to the "Movie of the Day." 

Well, the day of Tuesday, October 4, 1904 that is. 

This sign was displayed next to the Hoffman House in Derby advertising a silent crime drama, short film (also called “one reelers”), “A Lynching at Cripple Creek”. 

This movie was released in April of 1904 by the Kleine Optical Co. and directed by Harry Buckwalter. One-reelers typically lasted under 10 minutes. This short lasted over 4 minutes and consisted of 12 scenes. 

The film was set at a gold mining camp in Cripple Creek, Colo. It was played at a theater in New Haven.

Thanks as always go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Rochelle lauds passage of bills to support veterans

State Rep. Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle (D-Ansonia, Derby) co-sponsored two pieces of legislation passed this session aimed at assisting veterans’ re-entry into the workforce through access to workforce training and job placement programs. Additionally, Rochelle also co-sponsored a bill to help families of certain members of the Armed Forces obtain in-state student status for the purpose of tuition charges.

“Our veterans and their families deserve our utmost respect and support,” Rochelle said. “We owe them a debt of gratitude and more than just words, we owe them real, tangible support. These pieces of legislation do just that. It is a privilege to serve those who have served our country. I am proud to have co-sponsored all of these bills this session.”

A closer look at the bills:

· SB 968, An Act Establishing A Military To Machinists Program For Veterans - This bill provides a jobs pipeline for our veterans to re-enter the civilian workforce while strengthening Connecticut's manufacturing industry. Veterans have transferable skills that would be a fit in the field of manufacturing and this program bridges gaps in training and provides access to good paying jobs in manufacturing.


· SB 951, An Act Concerning Veteran Enrollment In Certain Alternative Route To Certification Programs - This bill reserves 15 percent of available seats for veterans in certain alternate route to certification programs to help veterans become certified teachers. Our veterans' leadership skills and core values would certainly be beneficial in the classroom.

· HB 7248, An Act Concerning In-State Student Status For Spouses And Children Of Certain Members of The Armed Forces - This bill allows spouses and children of certain members of the armed forces to be considered in-state students for the purpose of tuition charges.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Derby Public Library to host 4 poetry club meetings this fall

DERBY - Derby Public Library will host four free meetings this fall for anyone who has an interest in reading, writing, or exploring the world of poetry. The first will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16.

Resident Susan Lanzaro-Schroeder will lead this open discussion and devotion to positive feedback and appreciation of the creative endeavor. 

The poems can range from the inspirational to the deeply personal, sometimes painful, to the outrageously witty, from sonnets and rhyme, to open verse. 

Members share their authored poems, solicit input for their developing poems or to share a poem they find beautiful. 
Can’t make this night? Other Monday meetings are: Oct. 21, Nov.18, and Dec. 16. Ages 18 and older welcome! Drop in! 

For more information visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org or call 203-736-1482.

Lanzaro-Schroeder’s diverse writing experience includes:
Literary Editor of Sacred Heart Academy High School, Grant Writer with awards for Job Training via Bridgeport Regional Business Council, earning the Hewlett Packard channel partner status, company patents and licensing agreements and co-founding the Central Florida Poetry group. 

Her 35-year collection of poems celebrating nature and humor will be shortly published in “JUKED.”

*This is shared from the Derby Public Library website.