The Valley Voice

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

'Turnback Tuesday' features Doughboys, Y girls in World War I

Turnback Tuesday shows a stereoscopic card picture of Y girls and Doughboys in WWI.
Y girls were women associated with the YMCA who went to war zones to help support the troops. They were there to distribute cigarettes, candy, comfort the injured, and write to their families.
Doughboys was a nickname for American troops deployed to Europe.
Pictured are Y girls making fresh and hot from the oven “Donuts for Doughboys.”

Thanks to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!

AARP Driver Safety Program slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital to host AARP Driver Safety Program Feb. 29./ Contributed photo

DERBY- Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Feb. 29 at the hospital.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes, and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members.

Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther at 203-732-1523. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby Public Library, Derby Historical Society to host Yesterday's Headlines

DERBY - Rob Novak returns to the Derby Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 to present Yesterday's Headlines.

Listen to the stories and see what was happening in the Valley 100, 75, and 50 years ago!
Novak is Municipal Historian for the City of Shelton, former Executive Director of the Derby Historical Society, and a contributor to local and regional publications on history.

*Spots for this FREE event are still available*

Registration is required here: https://bit.ly/2ySNNVF or 203-736-1482. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This event is co-sponsored by the Derby Public Library and the Derby Historical Society.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Griffin Hospital in Derby, Safe Kids to host 'Safe Sleep for Your Baby'

Griffin Health will host “Safe Sleep for Your Baby” Feb. 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Safe Kids Worldwide and Griffin Health are helping parents and caregivers of infants sleep a little easier by providing free education on ways to make sure their little ones are snoozing safely.

Griffin will host several free, interactive programs entitled 'Safe Sleep for Your Baby' to teach how to reduce the risk of sleep-related causes of infant death.

The programs will be Wednesdays Feb. 26, April 29, May 27, and June 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Parents and caregivers will learn about safe sleep practices, and the safe sleep myths and facts for infants under 1 year of age. Door prizes, raffles, and educational materials will be provided.

The sessions are open to anyone expecting a child and anyone caring for an infant under 1 year of age.

Registration is required; contact Cathi Kellett at Ckellett@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-1337.

“Seeing a baby sleeping is a precious sight, especially for parents and caregivers who can get very tired caring for an infant,” said Kellett, of Griffin’s Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department and Coordinator of the Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition. “This grant will allow us to provide simple and effective sleep safety tips, so that parents can create a safe place for babies to sleep and nap.”

Griffin Health partners with Safe Kids as part of its ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy.

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and well being by providing them with information, tools, and support to care for themselves and their loved ones.

According to Safe Kids, unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children under 1 year old. Also, nearly 3,500 infants die each year in the United States because of sleep-related reasons, including entrapment, strangulation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).