Monkeys swing into Shelton for 11th annual Valentine's drive

From left: Ross James, Jennifer Sneider, and John Mudgett of J Cuts, Shelton; Amy LaChomia of TEAM, Inc., Derby and Ansonia; and Joy DeMarchis of BHcare in Ansonia show off some of the donated plush monkeys./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Stuffed monkeys swung in to Shelton for the 11th annual “Monkey Love Valentine Drive,” an annual effort to collect plush simians for children in need.

During the past 11 years, more than 10,477 stuffed monkeys have been collected and distributed to children in need of smiles and a new friend to warm their hearts for Valentine's Day.

Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts barber shop, 505 Howe Ave., organizes the drive every year. She is always amazed by the outpouring of kindness from the community.

“Every year more and more people join in,” Sneider said. “Now that this collection is well established, monkeys find their way to J-Cuts throughout the year. When people see stuffed monkeys for sale, they think of children in need.”

“This is my seventh year being involved,” Sneider said. “We have so much fun. My customers, co-workers and family all love to get involved! We decorate the barber shop in anticipation of a whole bunch of monkeys moving in for a little while.  It is an amazing feeling to know each and every one of these monkeys will find comfort in the arms of a child in need and children will find comfort in these monkeys.”

Barb’s Corner Consignment, 25 West Main St., Ansonia, also collected again this year. Minuteman Press in Shelton also donated posters.

For a fourth year in a row, the Milford Fire Department dropped off donations along with Bright Horizons child care center at 3 Corporate Drive.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted, and sick children, as well as children who may feel a little left out when a younger sibling is born and children treated for cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals.

Children benefited by the drive this year are serviced by the Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Club, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven, TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; and BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia.

For information on holding a collection of your own next year, beginning Jan. 1, 2018, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.

J-Cuts also holds an Annual Back-To-School Book Bag & School Supply Drive, which begins July 1.

This is a press release from the monkey drive organizer.

26th annual Corporate Cup to kick off in Valley

The Valley YMCA, Griffin Hospital, Valley United Way, and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce are collaborating for the 26^th Valley Community Corporate Cup, an event designed to improve fitness and quality of life while building company morale and showing community support.

The premier event is the ‘Healthy Team,’ where teams of two compete against others in areas such as Blood Pressure, cholesterol, Glucose, HDL, and a walking contest. 
Other events include bowling, a basketball shot contest, horse shoes, bocce, and corn hole. 

Healthy Team kicks off March 6, 2017. 

More information is available on the Valley United Way site, http://www.valleyunitedway.org/community-corp-cup.
 

Gentile comments on proposed state budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

104th District

On Wednesday, the governor delivered his annual budget address, proposing significant changes to balance the state’s bi-annual budget. 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

It is important to note that the governor’s budget proposal is only a starting point to the process of creating a responsible, balanced budget. 

This proposal has some good ideas, such as increased funding to education and special education, but I also fully acknowledge that there are some areas that need vast improvement and I will work diligently to make sure those areas are addressed. 

I want to emphasize that each proposed change will be carefully assessed for its potential impact on taxpayers and the delivery of services to residents. 

I will make sure that we keep all of the things that hard working families value in mind with this budget.  

Things like, making Connecticut more affordable for seniors, keeping our young people in the state after they graduate, aligning our education system with jobs and employer’s needs, and promoting job growth and encouraging economic development.

Since this is only the beginning, I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues across the aisle to craft a budget that protects and preserves all of the important programs, services and issues that we all value. 

I will continue working to ensure that Ansonia and Derby receive the necessary funding needed to properly function and educate and protect our children, schools, and families. As you already know, my priority has always been, and will always be, fighting for the needs of my constituents and protecting hard working families of Connecticut. 

Certainly, there are many hard choices and decisions we, as legislators, will need to make in the coming months to balance the state’s bi-annual budget. 

As we address our challenges, I will continue to work to make Ansonia and Derby a better place to live, work, and raise a family. It is extremely important to me that this budget does the right thing to strengthen our economy and reflect the priority of the people of Connecticut.

As always, I welcome any thoughts, questions, or suggestions concerning the State budget process.

This is an op-ed piece submitted by Gentile, a Democrat. She represents parts of Ansonia and Derby.

Sun sets in Ansonia before next snowstorm arrives

Another beautiful sunset seen from the Ansonia Hilltop. 

Learn to decorate a cake at Derby Public Library program

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled a Cake Decorating Demonstration for 6:30 p.m. March 13.

A representative from Julia’s Bakery in Orange will show participants how to make “bakery beautiful” cakes. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about both baking and the bakery itself.  
The session will end by sampling the evening’s decorated cakes!  
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.

Massaro Farm in Woodbridge to hold after-school program

Visit www.massarofarm.org for more information and to register. 


This is a release from Massaro Farm.

Newsletter features 'Start with Hello' initiative in Derby, Valley Arts Council grant

Dear readers,

The latest Valley Voice newsletter highlights the 'Start with Hello' Week in Derby schools and a $3,200 grant awarded to Valley Arts Council.

Please click here to read all about it.


~Patti and Ralph