Wesley Village to host fundraiser Thursday in Shelton

SHELTON - Wesley Village will host a “Scoop Night” at Rita’s Ice from 5-8 p.m. Thursday. 

The event will be held at Rita’s of Shelton, 781 River Road. 

Photo from Facebook page

A portion of the proceeds from all sales during the event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Donations will also be accepted. All are welcome! 

Members of the community are also invited to join the Wesley Village team in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 4.  

For more information about the “Scoop Night” or Wesley Village, contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024.

Wesley Village is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers assisted and independent living, memory care, 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.

Derby music teacher congratulated

Jennifer Lucas

DERBY - Kudos to Irving School music teacher Jennifer Lucas, who recently received a grant from Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation for $15,400 worth of musical instruments for students.

This was great news for the school and its under-funded music program!


Please click here to read my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Learn to paint with water colors at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host another popular Water Color Painting Workshop at 6 p.m. Oct. 19.

Ages 18 and over are invited to enjoy this fun evening resulting in fabulous art!
Participants will go home with new friends, great memories, and a newly-created masterpiece that will show off 

your “inner-artist.” 

No experience?  No problem!  

Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo will guide you step-by-step on this creative journey as you learn the ins and outs of creating your own water color painting.

No previous artistic experience necessary. The class is great for beginners or seasoned professionals.

Snacks will be provided. It is promised to be a surprisingly easy and fun way to spend an evening!  

Registration is required.  

For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or 

visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.    


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

TEAM, Shelton open school readiness classroom

Shelton Board of Aldermen President John F. Anglace, left, and David Morgan, right, CEO of TEAM, Inc., cut a ribbon Tuesday at a school readiness classroom in Shelton. With them are Diane Stroman, TEAM vice president, left and Bill Purcell, President, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce./Contributed photo

I attended last week's official opening of a preschool classroom in the former Lafayette School building on Grove Street in Shelton.

Please click here to read the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel

10th annual Wheel-a-thon in West Haven deemed a success

My husband, Ralph, rolls along Sunday at the 10th annual Wheel-A-Thon along the shore in West Haven to benefit the Center for Disability Rights. 
The morning started out overcast but the clouds soon parted and the sun shone for most of the event.
CDR Executive Director Marc Anthony Gallucci said more than $10,000 had been raised. 
The proceeds fund scholarships and advocacy for disabled youths and youth transition services in the nonprofit's catchment area. 

The event also serves to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by those living with disabilities.

One of the teams that raised the most money poses in front of Savin Rock Conference Center. At right in pirate hat is Marc Anthony Gallucci, executive director, Center for Disability Rights.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled.

It's a beautiful area for a walk, especially when the weather cooperates!

Sharing from an Ansonia friend's Facebook post

I lit a blue candle this evening for Leah, Nyah, and Nicole. May they rest in peace.

Wheel-A-Thon Sunday in West Haven to benefit youth with disabilities

WEST HAVEN - The Center for Disability Rights' 10th annual Wheel-A-Thon to Benefit Young People with Disabilities will start at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St. 

The Center for Disability Rights' catchment area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

This fun event is a fundraising and community awareness campaign to benefit the youth programs and activities of the CDR and its partners.

Participants may register Sunday; entry fee is $25.

Money raised in 2014 funded the following:

* 3 college scholarships for students with disabilities;
* Advocacy with students to improve their education;
* Facilitation Services for youth groups; and
* CDR youth transition services.

Participants use wheelchairs at this event to help raise awareness of disability issues in the community.


Please come join me and my family to support a great cause!