Shelton Historical Society to host open house to meet cast

SHELTON - ‘Tis the season to celebrate with the Shelton Historical Society.

From 2-5 p.m Saturday the Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Road, will host an open

house to meet the Valley Shakespeare Festival cast after their performance of A Christmas Carol at Plumb Memorial Library, and to learn about Christmas celebrations of the past.

In addition to meeting the actors, the Brownson House at Shelton History Center, built circa 1822, will host 

Christmas Through the Ages, an exhibit that highlights the evolution of our modern holiday customs through five decades.  

Each tree will be trimmed using decorations typical of the period depicted. 

Visitors might find it surprising to learn when certain 

gifts became available to the public, or they may remember their own special Christmas surprises.

Seasonal refreshments will be served. 

Whether attending the performances or not, the public is invited to Shelton History 

Center. Admission is free, but donations to benefit Shelton Historical Society programs are welcome.

For more information about the Valley Shakespeare Festival and its performances of A 

Christmas Carol, visit www.vsfestival.org.

The Shelton Historical Society owns Shelton History Center, a museum complex of six 

historic buildings located just north of the Huntington Green, and provides programs of 

historical interest to the community.   

For more information or directions, call 203-925-1803 or visit www.sheltonhistoricalsociety.org.


This is a press release from the historical society.

Volunteers sought at Wesley Village in Shelton

Contributed photo

SHELTON - Volunteering at Wesley Village can be a highly rewarding experience. Owned 

and operated by United Methodist Homes, Wesley Village provides a wide range of opportunities for volunteers to serve seniors in a variety of housing and healthcare settings.

Volunteers are needed to help in the following areas: people who play the piano or guitar, transporting to and from the beauty salon via wheelchair, assistance with clerical work, friendly visitors, manicures, scrabble, flex and stretch, walking club, coffee hour, travel buff, history buff, book club leader, pinochle player, poker, word games, trivia, and bingo.  
We will match your talents and skills with our needs.  There are many opportunities for adults and students ages 14 and older.  If you have time to help others and are looking for a satisfying experience that can contribute to an overall feeling of well-being and health in your life - volunteer.  

Contact Barbara Quinn, Director of Volunteers at Wesley Village, 203-944-8292.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes. 

Make treats for wildlife, learn felting, take hike at Ansonia Nature Center

NATURE'S CHILD: Gifts for Wildlife

ANSONIA - Join an Ansonia Nature Center naturalist to go on a hike, hear a story, and make recipes for the park’s wild animals at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

We’ll let the animals know we love them by decorating the winter “giving tree” in the park; then we’ll make some treats to take home for your own backyard wildlife. 

Tuition is $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). Please register in advance for this nature's child class for preschool children accompanied by adults. 

BACK TO BASICS: Needle Felting

Bring a dose of your own unique creativity for this class at 1 p.m. Saturday based on an ancient craft.

Dawn Sotir, needlecraft wizard, will inspire you with her beautiful and practical items made from natural fibers. Create a 3D animal of your choice; it’s easier than you think! 

Advance registration required for this popular class. Fee is $8.

FULL COLD MOON HIKE

Also on Saturday: Plan to be with us at 6 p.m. as the full moon rises over field and forest. Learn to identify trees by their shapes in the moonlight.

Stop and listen for calling Great Horned Owls. Dress for the cold and wear sturdy footgear.

Limited to 30 people, including families. Dangerous walking conditions will cancel. Leaders will be Rangers Martin and Mike. Fee is $1 per person. Please register in advance.

For more information or to register call 203-736-1053.

The nature center is at 10 Deerfield Road.


This is a press release from the nature center.

Historical society hears talk about Derby's black governors

At annual Thanksgiving reception

Warren Perry, Director, Africana Studies Archaeology Lab at Central Connecticut State University, answers questions last week at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby about Derby's black governors. He was keynote speaker at the Derby Historical Society's 24th annual Thanksgiving reception.

Two of Connecticut's black governors in the 1800s were from Derby. 

William Miller, Jr. past president of the Derby Historical Society, left, presents the Dr. John I. Howe Award to Ned Miller at the Derby Historical Society's 24th Annual Appeal Thanksgiving Reception last week at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby.
The honor is given "to those whose presence has consistently benefited the Valley in the spirit of its namesake through activism, perseverance and/or philanthropy to the extend that they will be remembered in a historical context by future generations."
He was a physician who became a successful businessman. He lived in Derby in 1832 when he invented a machine that mass produced pins. 

Photo submitted by Randy Ritter

My daughter Allegra and I enjoyed Warren's presentation about the history of the Freeman family that produced two black governors here in Derby.


Please check out my story posted today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Seymour First Selectman shares winter policies

SEYMOUR - First Selectman Kurt Miller has posted the following on his Office of the First Selectman Facebook page:

"With winter upon us, we wanted to take an opportunity to remind Seymour's residents of the Town's ordinances and policies related to winter weather. There is a lot of information so we've put together this page to consolidate all the information in one place. 

"Please look at the documents below and if you have any questions, please call the First Selectman's Office at (203) 888-2511 or rburke@seymourct.org."

Links:

Winter Parking Ban Information

Snow Removal Ordinances FAQ

Public Works Plowing Policy

Derby Board of Education commended for teamwork

DERBY - The Board of Education recently was honored by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

Check out the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Students to learn computer coding at Bungay in Seymour

Before-school club planned      
SEYMOUR - In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, along with the “Hour of Code” initiative by code.org, all Bungay Elementary School students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 will be provided with multiple opportunities to learn basic computer coding during the week of Dec. 8-14.

All fifth grade students have been invited to participate in the school’s “Coding Kids” club, a before-school club that will begin Dec. 8, and will continue weekly through April. 

At the time of this release, 54 of the school’s 92 fifth grade students have provided parental consent to participate in this club. 

This club was created and is facilitated by Kristopher Boyle, Assistant Principal, and is co-facilitated by fifth grade teachers Nicole Francisco and Kelley Garofalo, as well as computer teacher Caitlin Iannucci. This is the second year of this club and has been very well received by the students and parents.

· All 502 students, grades Kindergarten through 5, will receive 40 minutes of instruction on computer coding through their weekly Computer class with teacher Caitlin Iannucci.

· All 502 students, grades Kindergarten through 5, will have opportunities to learn computer coding in their classrooms, utilizing the 390 Chromebooks in grades 2 through 5, and approximately 75iPads in Kindergarten and first grade.

We believe that enriching all 502 Bungay School students’ educational experience to include computer coding will improve their higher-order thinking skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

These opportunities will allow students to communicate and collaborate with one another, which would likely enrich their experiences within the classroom.

We also believe this exposure might serve to prepare students for more advanced courses and opportunities in the future.

Hopefully, some students may pursue employment in the future in this field, as this is currently a competitive global job market.

According to code.org, students need to have a raised awareness about learning computer coding. An estimated 1.4 million jobs in the computer field, including but not limited to coding, and engineering, will be available by the year 2020 in the United States.

At present, there is not projected to be enough computer science students in United States colleges and universities to meet these demands.


This is a press release from Bungay School.