Shelton High grad among 3 students honored by Center For Disability Rights

The Center for Disability Rights in West Haven presented scholarships to three recent high school graduates at the nonprofit's 27th annual meeting Monday at Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven.
Pictured from left are Marc Anthony Gallucci, executive director, CDR, Westbrook High School graduate Eddie Harlow III, West Haven High School graduate Carmelo Hernandez, Shelton High School graduate Lubna Khan, Irene Puccino, President, CDR Board of Directors, Sandra Roberts, senior advocate at CDR. 



Congratulations to the students on their achievements!

Health initiative seeks nominations of outstanding women in Valley

15th annual awards luncheon planned in October
DERBY - The Valley Women's Health Initiative is seeking nominations of “outstanding women” from Lower Naugatuck Valley who have made positive contributions to the community.

Award winners will be recognized Oct. 1 at the 15th Annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley luncheon and fundraiser.

Nominees should exemplify the multi-dimensional role women play in today's society as demonstrated by the contributions they have made to positively affect their community. 
Nominees must live or work in one of the following towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

Individuals, business leaders, and organizations alike are invited to submit nominations.

A nomination can be submitted online at griffinhealth.org/WMADIV or a nomination form may be requested by calling 203-732-7266 or 203-732-7584.

Nominations should be submitted by July 17. 

Selected honorees will attend the Women Making a Difference in the Valley Luncheon as guests of the Valley Women's Health Initiative. Tickets for the luncheon will go on sale in August.

Proceeds from the luncheon will be earmarked for the Valley Breast Care Fund, established in 2001 to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

About The Valley Women’s Health Initiative

The Valley Women's Health Initiative is a coalition of health agencies, community leaders, and volunteers from the Valley community working toward the common goal of addressing and improving women's health issues including breast cancer awareness and heart disease.

To join or for more information, visit griffinhealth.org/VWHI.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital to host talk about hypnosis

Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation July 21 on how hypnosis can help individuals handle stress. / Contributed photo
DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free educational presentation on hypnosis at 6:30 p.m. July 21.

Ryan Mazurkivich, of Empowering the Mind Hypnosis, will present “Hypnosis for Stress Relief,” a free discussion of how hypnosis works and how it can help decrease stress.

Relieving stress has many health benefits, including keeping individuals from turning to harmful habits to deal with their stress, including smoking, drinking, and overeating.

“Hypnosis is a healthy and effective way to dramatically reduce daily stress,” Mazurkivich said. 

“The process of being hypnotized helps to reduce a person’s stress because it teaches them how to relax and let go of built-up tension.”

In addition, hypnosis can help individuals develop new, healthy responses to stressors, he said.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials.

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Staff member at Crosby Commons in Shelton honored

Crosby Commons’ staff members, Dianne Terrace, left, and Executive Director Lori Pisani, right, are pictured with Kelly Coppola, winner of the CALA Outstanding Resident Service Award./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community at Wesley Village is the proud recipient of another Connecticut Assisted Living Association Award (CALA) for outstanding resident service. 

Crosby Receptionist Kelly Coppola was honored June 19 at CALA’s Annual Resident Service Awards held at The Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook. 

Coppola, although only a member of the Crosby team for the past six months, was nominated for the patience, organization, and compassion she displayed from her very first day of work at the front desk. 

She meets every challenge with these qualities and since joining the team in December of 2014, has helped make daily routines and services more streamlined and efficient for residents and staff. 

She truly reflects the mission and values of our organization and we are delighted to have her as a member of our team. Congratulations, Kelly!

Crosby Commons is located on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. and offers independent and assisted living, with a long tradition of award-winning care and service. 

For more information about the community or to schedule a tour, contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024 or visit www.crosbycommons.org. 

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Vendors sought for Rock the Valley in Ansonia

Ansonia, Pine High Schools to hold 55th class reunion

MILFORD - Members of the Class of 1960 at Ansonia and Pine High Schools will celebrate their 55th Class Reunion Sept. 18, at Costa-Azzurra Restaurant, 72 Broadway.

The event will start with hors d’oeuvres being served from 6-7 p.m., followed by a buffet at 7 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. a group class picture will be taken. There will be raffle and door prizes. Door prize donations are welcomed.

Advance reservations are $55 with a cash bar. Checks or money orders to be mailed and payable to Joan Homko Pizzi, 3 Golden Rod Drive, Ansonia, CT 06401.

For more information contact Joan Homko Pizzi at 203-735-2998, or Elaine Matricaria Brandon at 203-888-3496.

This is a press release from Elaine Brandon.

J Cuts in Shelton launches 9th annual book bag drive

Pictured from left Tylice MacDonald, LNV Parent Child Resource Center; Jennifer Sneider, owner, J Cuts; and Karen Martinez, Child FIRST Care Coordinator, LNV Parent Child Resource Center. 

Back row: Jen DeLeon, Boys & Girls Club of the LNV; Jane Bailey, Shelton School Readiness Council; and Suzanne Reilly, Director of Family Support Services, TEAM Inc. / Contributed photo from 2014 drive

SHELTON - J Cuts launches 9th Annual Book Bag & School Supply drive in the Valley.

Between now and Aug. 21, book bags and school supplies are being collected around the Valley.

Last year, more than 100 book bags and an abundance of back to school supplies were collected.

This drive, originally started by the owners of Luther’s Garage, which is now closed, continues on an annual basis through Jennifer Sneider, owner of J Cuts, located at 505 Howe Ave.

J Cuts is the main collection location. Supplies may include book bags, book covers, rulers, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, binders, glue, crayons, calculators, pencil sharpeners, paper and folders. 
Supplies are collected for all school-aged children from pre-school to high school. All book bags and supplies must be brand new.

“The outpouring of kindness within the community always warms my heart,” said Sneider. “So many people stop by to drop off donations. Many of my customers do not hesitate to hand me five or 10 dollars so I can pick up what we are falling short on. It is amazing how 

it all balances out for children in need!”

Supplies are also being collected at Barb's Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Saturdays.

Minuteman Press, 427B Howe Ave., donated collection posters once again.

Last year, for the third year in a row, the Shelton Lions Club collected book bags and supplies during free summer concerts held Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on the Huntington Green.

In addition, Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. at 1931 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, and the First United Methodist Church in Shelton held their own collections last year to help make the drive a success.

As an added bonus last year, coordinators of the drive were contacted by Jackie Romaniuk, Dental Health Care Specialist with the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, the dental plan for HUSKY Health. They provided oral kits each containing a tooth brush, toothpaste, floss and oral health education.

Other local businesses and organizations are invited and encouraged to join in by holding collections of their own to add to the donations.

Children receiving donations from the community drive last year are serviced by TEAM Inc.in Derby, along with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Shelton School Readiness Program and the Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Resource Center, all in Shelton, and BHcare in Ansonia.

J Cuts is also the main collection location for the Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive. The 10th Annual Drive will begin Jan 1, 2016 but donations are accepted at any time. For safety and allergy reasons, donations must be new, stuffed monkeys with tags.

The monkey drive benefits the same groups of children in need as the Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive.

For more information on either community drive, call Jennifer Sneider at J Cuts, 203-924-4107.

This is a press release from J Cuts.