Valley Shakespeare Festival to perform comedy in Shelton

The French playwright Moliere (1622-73) wrote Tartuffe in 1664. 
The classic comedy has been adapted on stage, in films, and on television, and is considered among Moliere's greatest works.

Public invited to grand opening of ice rink in Ansonia

City of Derby collecting donations for SVDP food pantry

Sharing a message from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

"Dear City of Derby Colleagues and Friends,

"As you may be aware, the City Hall staff, in lieu of a Holiday Secret Santa Gift, donated food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry on Roosevelt Drive.

"After discussions with the operators of the Food Bank, I asked them for monthly suggestions for food collections to concentrate on what is in short supply.  

"We decided that we would start a monthly collection of one specific item to help them feed those in need in our City and the Valley.

"So we are starting off this month collecting jars of jelly.  While they have a lot of peanut butter, jelly is in short supply.

"If you are interested, please consider dropping off one jar of jelly at the Town/City Clerk’s Office before the end of the month and we will deliver the jars on February 1, 2016 and start a new collection for February.

"Please forward to friends, relatives, associates and colleagues. We appreciate your support.

"Thank you for your cooperation and possible participation."

Ansonia announces fire prevention poster contest winners

Artists win recognition

Mead School winners in the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest, sponsored by Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley, were announced Jan. 11. 
The students are, from left, Nicholas Fahy, Grade 5 first place; Kailey Cruz, Grade 4 first place and overall city winner for Grade 4; Angel Santana, Grade 5 third place; Fahmida Chowdhury, Grade 4 third prize; and Symone Finney, Grade 4 second prize. 
Standing with the winning artists are back row, from left, Alderman and Fire Commissioner Patrick Henri; Assistant Principal John Coppola; Principal Liz Nimons; Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone; Mayor David S. Cassetti; and Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley. 
Missing from the photo is Jahmir Tucker, Grade 5 second prize winner. 
All of the students received Target gift cards as prizes. 
Kailey’s poster has been sent to be displayed in the Capitol in Hartford and is in the running for the state’s Fire Prevention contest.

Prendergast School winners in the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest, sponsored by Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley, also were announced Jan. 11. 
The students are, from left, Samantha Rotteck, Grade 5 third prize; Maqila Mosley-Williams, Grade 4 third prize; Angela Garcia, Grade 4 second prize; Lucas McMahon, Grade 5 first prize; Cristina Sardo, Grade 5 second prize; and Aliah DePina, Grade 4 first prize. 
Standing with the winning artists are back row, from left, Alderman and Fire Commissioner Patrick Henri; Interim Assistant Principal Nancy Snopkowski; Principal Joe Apicella; Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone; Mayor David S.Cassetti; and Ansonia Fire Marshal Ralph Tingley. 
All of the students received Target gift cards as prizes.

This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.  

Congratulations go out to all the winning artists!

7th annual Soupstock slated in Shelton

A soup competition will be held on Saturday and a chili competition will be on Sunday.
There will be artisans, a Kids Zone, and roaming entertainment both days. 

Tickets will go on sale next week, according to the event Facebook page. 

Stay tuned for more information!

Valley United Way helps Griffin Hospital in Derby promote good health

The Valley United Way’s Special Needs Grants Program awarded Safe Kids and Griffin Hospital $4,000 to support monthly health education programs./ Contributed photo 

DERBY - The Valley United Way’s Special Needs Grants Program recently awarded Safe Kids and Griffin Hospital $4,000 to support monthly health education programs in area Head Start programs, preschools, public schools, and Boys & Girls Clubs.

The health presentations cover a range of topics including germs, seasonal safety and nutrition. 

The presentations include hands-on activities and every participant receives an activity book and an apple to take home. 
The program serves between 400 and 1,000 children each month.

“The lessons we learn at a young age tend to stick with us throughout life,” said Cathi Kellett, MA, Special Programs Coordinator for Griffin Hospital Community Outreach. 

“This grant will [allow] many children in the Valley [to] have a strong foundation to build a healthy lifestyle.”

The Valley United Way Special Needs Grant program is designed to provide funding for special needs or new programs. 

Funding for the program comes from donors who have expressed an interest in funding areas of importance to them, including health, education and graduation, income, elder care basic needs, youth and recreation, and housing and shelter.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Valley Community Foundation accepting grant applications from nonprofits

The Valley Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofits that serve its five-town region covering Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, and Oxford. 

Grant amounts, application deadlines and eligibility requirements vary by grant process; details and applications are available on the VCF website at www.valleyfoundation.org/grants.

Grant seekers are encouraged to attend an informational orientation session about the types of competitive grants available from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 3 at Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., Derby. 

Participants will learn the criteria required for applications and the timelines for submission for VCF’s Community Grants (application due 5 p.m. March 4), Sponsorships (open year-round), Responsive Grants (application due 5 p.m. March 31) and Needs & Opportunities Grants (open year-round) processes. 

A Nuts & Bolts Workshop for Needs & Opportunities and Revolving Response Grants is being scheduled for early February for those who want more, in-depth guidance on completing the application. 

Registration is required for all sessions; for more information and to register, contact Beth Colette at 203-751-9162 or bcolette@valleyfoundation.org.

Thanks to the generosity of Valley donors, hundreds of thousands of grant dollars each year are distributed from the Foundation. 

In addition to grant-making, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven toward building a stronger community by: working closely with donors to grow and deepen the impact of their philanthropy; identifying and supporting grassroots leadership; and strengthening nonprofits and promoting philanthropy through technical assistance programs.

To learn more about how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, contact Sharon Closius, President & CEO, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162 or visit VCF’s website at www.valleyfoundation.org or follow VCF on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vcf_ct.

This is a press release from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.