Strand Ole Opry in Seymour to host holiday celebration

This festive event will feature live music and promises to be filled with family-oriented fun.

According to information on The All-American Valley General Store website tickets are $20 and are on sale now.

Save the date! 

Hike, paper making slated next month at Ansonia Nature Center

Full Beaver Moon Hike
ANSONIA - As the full “Beaver Moon” rises over the hilltop, Ansonia Nature Center Rangers Martin and Mike will lead this unique hike designed for families starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 7.

Cost is $1 per person. Advance registration requested.
Bad weather cancels the hike.

For more information, call 203-736-1053.

BACK TO BASICS: Art of Paper Making
Join Ranger Dawn at 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the nature center to learn the natural history of paper making.

Observe some of nature’s creations and hear interesting facts on how our ancestors learned to make paper. Participants will make paper out of recycled paper pulp and pressed flowers.
Create a beautiful gift for a friend or handmade gift cards.

This is an easy and fun activity for ages 8 and up.

Cost is $15 per person and includes paper-making screen and supplies. Please register in advance.

Call to register or for more information, 203-736-1053.

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road.

This is a press release from the nature center.

Forum on aging slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host Healthy Aging 2014, a free educational forum for the community, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Sponsored by Griffin Hospital, New England Young at Heart, AARP, and Phillips Lifeline, this free forum will provide seniors and caregivers with important information on managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, advanced care planning, nutrition throughout life, and health and caregiver resources. 

There will also be two caregiver listening sessions facilitated by AARP representatives to discuss concerns and issues surrounding care giving from those directly involved with caring for others.

A healthy lunch will be provided.

Interested individuals are asked to RSVP at 203-732-1511.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wine tasting event to benefit school in Derby

DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School's Wine Tasting Fundraiser will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at 500 Degrees on Main Street, 181 Main St.

Tickets are $25 per person and include wine and hors d'oeuvres. 

Contributed photo

There also will be a wine basket raffle and door prizes. To purchase tickets contact the school, 203-735-6471. 

All proceeds benefit St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby. 


This is a press release from the school. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby offers breast cancer facts

Crisco recognized at Waterbury event for support of YMCA

Pictured from left, Ailyn Dilone, youth governor, YMCA Youth and Government, Susan Talbot, executive director, Naugatuck YMCA, state Sen. J. Joseph Crisco, Sean Doherty, executive director, Wallingford Family YMCA, John Cattelan, executive director, CT Alliance of YMCAs. / Contributed photo


WATERBURY - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco Jr., D-Woodbridge, has received a 2014 Legislative Champion Award from the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs in recognition of his strong advocacy for the Y.

The award was bestowed at the YMCA’s Leaders’ Dinner Tuesday night at the Courtyard by Marriott on Grand Street.
“Senator Crisco and long been active in community service, and he has a rich history of support for not only Naugatuck YMCA -- having helped us secure more than $800,000 in funding over the years -- but the community at large,” said John L. Cattelan, executive director of the Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs.

“Joe is well-known for his advocacy on the part of senior citizens, quality health care, economic development and youth-supporting agencies, and he has received numerous awards for his work in these areas as well as many others.”

“The Y has a saying: they’re for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” Crisco said. 
“You put those three things together and you’ve got the foundation for a great society and great personal success. That’s why I go out of my way to help great organizations like the YMCA help young kids achieve those goals.”


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

Seymour nonprofit to collect food, winter clothing for needy

2013 Thanksgiving food drive / Photo by Karen Fisher, board secretary, CT Partnership for Children

Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc. is a Seymour nonprofit that serves children in need throughout the entire state by meeting basic needs. 

The organization is hosting the fifth annual Thanksgiving Food Program and the sixth Annual "Helping Hands, Warming Hearts" winter sponsorship program. 

These programs are sponsored by Stop & Shop, Derby Wal-mart, Great Expectations Day Care and Learning Center in Southbury, St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford, Walnut Hill Community Church, Seymour Campus, and many individuals and businesses throughout the state. 

In 2013, the Thanksgiving Food Program served 101 families, an increase of 63 families from the previous year. 

Connecticut Partnership's goal is to serve 150 families this year. 
The agency provides a turkey, and asks for the non-perishable fixings from individual and business sponsors and donors. 

Donors have two options, to either sponsor a family or run a food drive. Meal distribution will be held Nov. 22; the deadline for items to be delivered to the agency is Nov. 17.

The "Helping Hands, Warming Hearts" winter sponsorship program provides brand new jackets, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and books to children in need. Each year, this program has served approximately 200 children. 

The agency's goal for this year is to increase the number served to 250 children. Donors have two options: sponsor a child or provide an item in bulk. 

The agency provides size information, etc. to sponsors. These items will be delivered to the children on Dec. 22 and 23, and must be delivered to Connecticut Partnership no later than Dec. 15. 

For more information or to commit to sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving or a child for the winter program, call (203) 881-1804 or e-mail meghan@ctpfc.org.

This is a press release from Meghan Tarby, MSW, founder and executive director, Connecticut Partnership for Children, Inc.