MLK's legacy celebrated at church in Ansonia

Community honors slain civil rights leader

Sanctuary of Macedonia Baptist Church in Ansonia.

ANSONIA - Clergy, elected officials, educators, and residents gathered on Martin Luther King Day Monday at Macedonia Baptist Church to honor the civil rights leader's legacy.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tenn. at the age of 39.

Ansonia NAACP President Greg Johnson 

The annual celebration in the Valley was sponsored by NAACP Ansonia Branch #2000 and Macedonia Baptist Church.
President Greg Johnson said he was gratified to see the diversity of those in attendance. 
"That's what it's about, being able to live among our neighbors in unity," he said.

Mayor David S. Cassetti asked, "Are you doing what is right? Are you teaching your children right from wrong?"

Felicia McPhail introduced students who won an essay contest about MLK. 
All four city schools were contacted, but only John C. Mead elementary school participated. 

Eighth grader Maliqa Mosley-Williams

The school entered 40 essays in the contest. Winners received
certificates and cash awards.
Sixth grader Brandon Richards came up with an idea the audience applauded. He said in his winning essay he would like to see a statue of Martin Luther King erected at the site of the former Riverside Apartments on Olson Drive.
Brandon said a portion of King's "I Have a Dream" speech should be inscribed on a plaque near the statue.

Mead School sixth grader Louis Gripper 
reads his winning essay.

The Rev. Alfred L. Smith, Jr., pastor, suggested a committee be formed to pursue that idea, and recommended that the statue be installed in Gatison Park.

Ansonia Middle School co-principal Terri Goldson spoke about the importance of always "doing the right thing," one of King's teachings.

Mistress of ceremonies Wilhelmenia Christon said it's time to move the Valley, the community, and the nation "toward a better tomorrow."

News alert: Christmas cactus finally blooms in Ansonia

Happy Monday! 
Just having a little fun and showing off our Linus, who appears to be deep in thought. 
He has been enjoying the morning sun and sitting next to the Christmas cactus, which finally bloomed last week. Better late than never, I say.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host program on spirituality

Griffin Hospital will host an interactive program on spirituality and meditation Jan. 27 at the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center./Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center will host a free program on meditation and spirituality from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at the hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Janice Lautier, director of Spiritual Care and Education at Griffin, will host “Awakening the Sense of Spirituality,” an interactive program that demonstrates how spirituality and meditation can help bring feelings of inner peace and purpose.

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.

Re-posting: Macedonia Baptist Church in Ansonia to celebrate King today

Martin Luther King Day

Monday, January 18, 2016  12 P.M.

"We Stand United"

A Celebration of the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sponsored by NAACP Ansonia Branch #2000

will be held at

Macedonia Baptist Church

243 Pershing Drive

Ansonia, CT 06401

Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Alfred L. Smith, Jr.

Light refreshments will be served

 ~

This is a release from the Ansonia Branch of the NAACP.

Resume writing workshops offered at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library offers Resume Workshops

on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

During these sessions, participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, 

cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.

The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3.  

Registration is not required.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth

St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

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

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.