Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Remembering the good times on a sad anniversary
Marking the first anniversary of a sad day
Ralph, center, served as chairman of the Ansonia Cultural Commission.
Here he's posing with the city's Event Coordinator and commission member Rich DiCarlo, at left, and Mayor David S. Cassetti at the city's Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2015.
Anniversaries usually are occasions to celebrate, but not always.
Today is Dec. 2, and it’s a bittersweet one for me. It’s the first anniversary of my husband Ralph’s passing.
It’s a sad time, of course, but I have 36 years of memories that are happy - and that makes me feel like I can describe it as bittersweet.
It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since that morning when a close friend and I found Ralph in bed, no longer breathing. She performed CPR on him to no avail as I frantically called 9-1-1. The memory of that morning is forever seared into my brain.
I wish to thank my family, friends, and members of the community who have given me support through this difficult year. I am truly appreciative of all the kindnesses I’ve received.
And I want to give a special mention to John Zaleski at Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home in Ansonia, who made the entire process as painless as it could be under the circumstances.
Ralph had quite the dry sense of humor. It was so dry that after all the years together he even fooled me at times.
An example is a quick blog post he penned in April, 2020 (see photo above).
He wrote: “Grabbing some sun in the COVID era. Was I supposed to wear a mask when on my driveway???”
I'm glad I have many family photos to remind me of the good times as I attempt to go through 'stuff' on his desk, his computer, in his closet, and more.
I've learned to never take life for granted. It all can change in the blink of an eye.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Make sugar scrub gifts at Plumb Memorial Library Saturday in Shelton
DIY Scrub Gifts
Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Ages: 8-12
Day/Date: 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6
Join Ms. Shannon and Ms. Amanda in making scent-sational sugar scrub gifts for your loved ones for the holidays from scratch!
Please keep in mind that coconut oil, sugar, and almond extract will be used in making these scrubs.
Registration required for each child attending.
Register by calling 203-924-1580 ext. 5108 or online:
https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2661&EventID=574485&PK=
From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Junction
This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of *Derby Junction,* the common name for the intersection of Main Street (foreground), New Haven Avenue (background right) and Derby Avenue (off to the left.)
In this photo, Derby Junction is located more north than it is now since an adjacent bridge was built over the Naugatuck River. You can tell this based on the relative offset of St. Michael's Church.
Today, the intersection is busier than ever with cars, trucks, buses, etc., but it was once a bustling site with horse drawn carriages and electric trolleys that made transfers to other locations at this spot.
This picture is likely from the early 1900s.
[First posted on this date in 2015.]
Thanks as always goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.
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