History of freshets is icy reminder of damage caused along rivers in Valley

Derby Public Library local history coordinator Mary Bisaccia photographed Wednesday.

DERBY - Freshets, the sudden overflowing of a river caused by heavy rain or melting snow, devastated parts of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in years gone by. 

On Wednesday I learned about the havoc they caused thanks to Derby Public Library Local History Coordinator Mary Bisaccia. 
Her topic in January is Freshets and Their Impact on Derby History. Each month Bisaccia is available to talk about her research from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

Bisaccia said freshets were commonplace before the construction of dams. In addition to heavy rains causing the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers to overflow, Bisaccia said the rivers were affected by coastal tides.

Bisaccia shared information she found researching several Valley history books as well as a series of articles published in April of 1936 in the former Evening Sentinel newspaper.
The articles were written by C.Z. Morse and titled "Freshets of Earlier Days." They described the freshets that occurred in the late 19th century.

One of the photos on display at the library showing the aftermath of a freshet that occurred in the late 1800s. 

I had never heard of the freshets that played a major role in the history of this area, and I found the topic fascinating. 

In February Bisaccia will talk about the life and times of Derby native Ebenezer Bassett, who became the first African-American diplomat. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Bassett to be ambassador to Haiti in 1869. 

Applications available for Seymour park use

SEYMOUR - Applications are available for any groups wishing to use park facilities in Seymour in 2016. 

Applications may be picked up at the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall or via the Town of Seymour website: www.seymourct.org.
Completed applications should be returned to:
First Selectman’s Office
Town Hall
1 First St.
Seymour, CT 06483

or sent to Parks Commission secretary Robert Lang, 27 Wood St., Seymour.

Deadline for returns is Feb. 22.

Salvation Army in Ansonia seeks volunteers for food pantry

ANSONIA - The Salvation Army Greater Valley Ansonia Corps is seeking volunteers for its food pantry at 26 Lester St.

Office manager/case manager Janetta Dobler said Thursday, "We are looking for reliable, able-bodied volunteers to work in our Emergency Food Pantry. 

"Delivery receiver/stocker would work Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Pantry monitors would work Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. 
"Interested candidates need to come in and fill out an application as well as interview with Major Wilder Garcia."


For information call 203-736-0707.

Note: As a member of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board, I'm posting this to support the great work the organization continues to perform as it helps the less fortunate in our community.  

Shelton fire prevention poster, essay contest winners applauded

First place poster in fifth grade drawn by Selin Ho.

SHELTON – The two first place Fire Prevention Poster Contest winners, a fourth-grade and a fifth-grade winner, were announced Tuesday during the annual Shelton Fire Prevention Contest Awards Ceremony at Shelton Intermediate School. 

Overall City of Shelton winners are:

4th Grade - Griffin Marcinczyk, Elizabeth Shelton School

5th Grade - Selin Ho, Perry Hill School

Each of their posters have advanced to a state level contest. 

First place poster in fourth grade created by Griffin Marcinczyk.

Assistant Chief Ted Pisciotta congratulated students and thanked parents, teachers, principals, school staff, and firefighters for their efforts.
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti spoke about the benefit of this annual contest and his gratitude for all the many individuals that support this fire safety program. He commented that fire safety education is important to save lives, prevent harm, protect property, and keep everyone safe. 
Fire Marshal James Tortora and Chief Fran Jones also congratulated all the winners for a job well done. 
All first and second place winners from the fourth and fifth grade representing each of Shelton’s public and parochial schools, received a cash award of $100 and $75, respectively, from Lauretti. The two, Overall City of Shelton winners, were each presented a cash award of $125, a certificate, and a medal.

Contest launched in 1984 

The annual poster contest, launched in 1984, is designed to develop fire safety awareness in youngsters and to encourage them to take the message home to their families. 
It is jointly sponsored by Connecticut FAIR Plan, representing the insurance industry in the state; the Connecticut Fire marshals Association; Connecticut Board of Education and the Office of State Fire Marshal. 
The local contest is administered by the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau. 

Approximately 900 posters were submitted this year from Booth Hill, Elizabeth Shelton, Long Hill, Mohegan, Perry Hill, St. Joseph, St. Lawrence, and Sunnyside schools. 
Each student who submitted a poster will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a pen from the Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Committee. 
Judging was held on Dec. 16, with representatives from the Board of Aldermen as judges. All first place posters will be displayed over the next year at schools, public buildings, and events. 

Lauretti also presented cash awards and certificates to winners of the Sixth Grade Essay/Public Service Announcement Contest. 
Classrooms, and each student author, received a cash award of $100, $75, and $50 for first, second, and third place, respectively. 

The Bureau is thankful for the volunteer essay/PSA judges: reporter Ethan Fry from the Valley Independent Sentinel, and Patricia Villers (that's me) from The Valley Voice blog and website. I must say I always enjoy reading the creative essays written by the sixth graders. 

Since the contest began in 1996, its purpose has been to promote fire safety by having students research the topic while writing their PSA. 
The fire department/fire prevention bureau would like to use the essay to help remind adults and children how important fire prevention is to Everyone/Everyday. This year’s winners are:

1st Place

Ms. Ibsen’s class, Perry Hill School

Author:  Joe Schiappa

2nd Place

Mr. Federowicz’s class, Perry Hill School

Author:  Ella Dzujna

3rd Place

Mrs. Coffin’s Class, Perry Hill School

Authors:  Nicole and Natalie Plavec

Participants in both the poster and essay contests depicted many of the essential elements of preventing fire from ever occurring and of preparation and planning required to be ready for fire. 
Pisciotta is hopeful that the messages of posters and essays will be shared with everyone in the community to help further reduce needless damage to property, injury to persons and loss of life that can result from fire. 
In addition to spreading information about fire safety, Pisciotta finds the contest helpful to measure the effectiveness of educational programs of the fire prevention bureau.  
From reviewing the nearly 900 posters and 20 essays it becomes apparent where the bureau has made a great impact and has identified areas where special focus may be needed to improve educational efforts.

For more information about fire safety, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 203-924-1555 or on the web at www.cityofshelton.org, where all winning posters and essays may be viewed by finding the Fire Prevention Bureau under “Public Safety.”  
For direct access go to: www.sheltonfireprevention.org.

This is a press release from the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau. 

Dinner in Derby to benefit Ansonia Animal Shelter

Griffin Hospital in Derby schedules driver safety class

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 5 in the hospital’s dining room meeting rooms.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. 
While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. 

As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther, 203-732-1523.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.  

Crisco to honor Ansonia football legend Friday

Joseph J. Crisco

HAMDEN – State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, will present a state citation to famed Connecticut running back and World War II Army veteran Roger Goodson on the occasion of his 91st birthday at noon Friday. 

The ceremony will be held at the Hamden Rehabilitation & Health Care Center,1270 Sherman Ave.

Goodson is an Ansonia native and is considered to be an Ansonia legend. 

He is known in the community for his contribution to Ansonia youth, encouraging their education and involvement in sports. 

In 1942 Goodson was the first African American ever voted All State by the New Haven Register.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.