Fundraiser for CT Hurricanes slated at Strand Theater in Seymour

Wesley Heights residents in Shelton learn about food, beverage pairing

From left: Toni Gaites, Chef Richard Scaife, and Rebecca Montreuil designed the event, made the food, and created the pairings./ Contributed photo

SHELTON- Chef Richard Scaife and the dining team at Wesley Heights created what they called a “decadent experience of food and beverage pairing” for residents of the community. 

Residents enjoyed wine and beer samplings coupled with suggested food pairings. 

The culinary team worked together with local liquor store owner Linda Borgia from Linda’s Wine & Liquors on Bridgeport Avenue, a friend and sommelier Christian Carrone, and researched recommended pairings, such as serving a German Pilsner with a cranberry, cinnamon, and goat cheese roll. 

“There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolate and wine,” Scaife said. “But in true Wesley Village style, we wanted to bring something extra special to our residents and share an experience to remember.”

Other combinations included a Dill Havarti cheese with a Beaujolais, Smoked Gouda with a Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay, and everyone’s favorite, Rose’ champagne with hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries.

Cook supervisor Rebecca Montreuil and Sous Chef Toni Gaites, worked alongside Chef Scaife to create the food and appropriate sampling displays.

The Thomas Hooker Chocolate Truffle Stout, which is brewed with locally made Munson’s Chocolate, was paired with chocolate covered bacon, a sweet madeira wine was served to complement the chocolate mousse cups, and a Bourbon Aged Cabernet was served with a sharp cheddar cheese.  
The residents were invited to enjoy a bubbling chocolate fountain with fruit, pretzels, and other dippables.

“It was wonderful,” said resident Pat Baker. “They had quite a selection, bacon with chocolate was different but good.”

It seems the chocolate-covered bacon garnered the most attention at the event.  

Fellow resident Nancy Lenoce was impressed by the overall elegance and delicious samplings, but definitely found the chocolate covered bacon “too good to be true!” 

The Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza was held in the dining room at Wesley Heights. 
Wesley Heights is part of the Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. It is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

'Science Snoopers' session slated at Seymour Public Library

SEYMOUR - Seymour Public Library, 46 Church St., will hold a Science Snoopers program from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 25.

Science Snoopers will present "Brilliant Beavers" - a natural science program with a craft! This is a perfect program for ages 2 and up. Child must be able to sit and listen.

Registration is requested. For more information, call the library, 203-888-3903.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Great Hill United Methodist Church in Seymour to host dinner

'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.