Celebrate Shelton to hold holiday market Saturday

Kellogg Center in Derby to host Christmas Bird Count for Kids

DERBY - Make nature a part of your holiday tradition.  

All over the nation people are participating in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.  

You can take part in a Christmas Bird Count for Kids, ages 8-16 years old Dec. 29 from 9-11:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

  

Join us for the morning and become a citizen scientist. Identify birds at the feeders at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave. and receive instructions on how to use binoculars and spotting scopes.  

Following the bird identification program, expert birder Donna Rose Smith will lead a walk on the trails of Osbornedale State Park and help you use your new skills to count all the birds you see and hear.  

Afterwards you will return to the Environmental Center to record your bird counts on ebird while you enjoy some hot chocolate and a snack.

This great family program is free and open to the public.  For more information and to register, call the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov. 

The Kellogg Environmental Center is a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


This is a press release from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer therapeutic touch workshop

Holly Major, Therapeutic Touch coordinator for Griffin Hospital, will conduct a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop Jan. 22 and 23./Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.,  is offering a two-day Basic Level Therapeutic Touch workshop Jan. 22 from 4-8 p.m. and  Jan. 23 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for individuals interested in learning about this healing method.

Therapeutic Touch is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of healthcare professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The purpose of this Basic Level TT Workshop is to explain the concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. 

Participants must attend both workshop sessions to receive credit. The workshop is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to attend.

The instructor, Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, is an adult nurse practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. 

Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.

The fee for the workshop is $100, and includes all class materials. The deadline to enroll is Jan. 6.

For more information, or to enroll, contact Laura Murphy, 203-732-7466 or lkmurphy@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia High School plans winter concert Dec. 17

ANSONIA - You are cordially invited to attend the annual winter concert, "All On A Cold Winter's Night," performed by the AHS Music Department, at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Ansonia High School. 

Admission is $5 per person, or free with a donation of one new winter accessory item to the Warming Tree sponsored by the AHS Student Government.

Take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and treat yourself to an evening of music!

The school is at 20 Pulaski Highway.

Conroy: Dems restore state funding to Griffin Hospital in Derby

HARTFORD - State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby today announced Democrats in the General Assembly have restored significant funding to the state’s hospitals, including $3.5 million in funding for Griffin Hospital in Derby. 

Theresa Conroy

The legislature met in special session Tuesday night to approve a package of spending cuts and reforms to close a deficit in the current year’s state budget. 
Included in the package is the restoration of approximately $50 million in hospital funds.

“On September 23, I pledged to fight Governor Malloy’s cuts to Griffin Hospital; in October we secured funding for small hospitals; and now the legislature approved a budget reform package that restores $3.5 million of the Governor’s cuts to Griffin,” Conroy said.

In June of this year, Legislative Democrats approved a state budget that included $4.8 million for Griffin Hospital. In September, Gov. Dannel Malloy unveiled a package of budget rescissions that included up to $84 million in cuts to hospitals and reduced Griffin’s state funding to $1.2 million. 

Conroy worked to ease the impact to Griffin Hospital and by early October, Malloy agreed to restore $14.1 million to the state’s small hospitals. 

Last night, the Legislative Democrats approved a bill that restored funding for Griffin to $4.72 million.

“We appreciate Rep. Conroy’s continued advocacy on behalf of Griffin Hospital,” said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO. 

“The reduction in the Governor’s rescission cuts contained in the legislation passed today will help to preserve Griffin’s ability to fulfill its care giving mission.”

“This week in 1909, Griffin Hospital opened a 24-bed hospital on Seymour Avenue in Derby,” Conroy said. 
“The first patient was admitted on Dec. 9 where the price was 31 cents a day. The Connecticut General Assembly has always had a part in the history of Griffin, from granting the charter in June 1901 to today – ensuring that we maintain funding to keep this great institution in the Valley to serve our residents.”

This is a press release from the office of Connecticut Democrats.

Take a hike at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby

DERBY - The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection invites families, friends, Scouting groups, and other organizations to participate in a Fur, Feathers, and Ferns hike Dec. 30.

Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby
 Photo from website

The hike will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. at the Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave.

Please bring a beverage and an eco-friendly lunch which is one that uses recyclable or reusable items for containers. 

Participants will explore trails in nearby fields and woods to see how organisms are suited for survival and learn about ways plants and animals are adapting due to habitat or temperature variations.  

Participants will create a nature journal for use on the trails and will be able to borrow binoculars and magnifying glasses or bring your own to observe animals along the way. Participants are asked to be accompanied by an adult or to be part of an adult lead group such as Boy or Girl Scouts.   
Registration is required; the fee is $5 per child.

For more information, directions, or to register, call the Kellogg Environmental Center, 203-734-2513, or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.


This is a press release from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Community choir to perform concerts in Naugatuck, Waterbury

My husband, Ralph, and I enjoyed the choir's 'Sounds of Liberty' concert in May that featured patriotic music.

And we look forward to attending the program celebrating Christmas. 

According to the choir's website "Silent Night," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and my favorite carol, "O Come All Ye Faithful," are some of the songs to be performed.

Admission is free, with good will offerings accepted.