Seymour Recreation to host youth basketball program

Valley Shakespeare Festival to hold auditions

SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival will hold local CT AEA and Non AEA auditions from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 11 at the Community Center, 41 Church St., in Craft Room 5, for its productions of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, and William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night.

Candidates must prepare two contrasting Shakespeare monologues; if skilled on a musical instrument, please bring it and have a 16-bar selection ready to play.  
Candidates may be asked to read from the script and should bring a resume and photo, stapled together.  
Any questions, please visit www.vsfestival.org or call 203-513-9446.

All roles are open, paid positions available, Equity points offered for Twelfth Night.

Our Town is a “one-time performance” community event which will be performed on the evening of May 2 beginning at 7 p.m. in three historic Valley sites.  
Rehearsals will run April 24 through May 1, weekdays 7-10 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Shelton Community Center.

The Comedy of Errors is a non-Equity touring production which will run from April 24-May 12 with daytime performances.  
Rehearsals will be held at the Community Center, April 17-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Twelfth Night is a free outdoor production in Shelton’s Veterans Memorial-Riverwalk Park, open to the general public. Four performances run July 13–16.   
Rehearsals begin June 26 and continue through July 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Community Center; tech rehearsal at venue July 11-12.

AEA SPT Tier II contract for Equity members; Equity points offered for non-AEA performers.  

Valley Shakespeare Festival's 2017 season begins with the latest edition in its Shakespeare in the Bar series, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on Wednesday and Thursday, March 1 and 2 at Caloroso Bar and Eatery, 100 Center St.

Admission is $20 in advance for table seat, $15 for bar seats and $25 at the door.  
Tickets are on sale now at www.vsfestival.org, VSF’s Facebook page, and by calling 203-513-9446.


This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Social Security is topic of workshop at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host the workshop, Maximize Your Social Security Benefits, at 6:30 p.m. March 20.  
David Cowan, endorsed AAA retiree advisor, will discuss how to navigate retirement savings challenges, ways to safeguard retirement savings, and a simple way to increase your social security income by 32 percent.  

Learn when the right time is to start taking your Social Security, how the new claiming rules will affect you, hidden benefits you may have from a former or deceased spouse, and the benefits of “switches.”  
While the program is targeted for pre-retirees, ages 60-66, the general public is welcome to attend.  

Registration is requested.  
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.

Treasured Time to host painting parties at studio in Oxford

OXFORD - Treasured Time will host two painting parties in March – one for adults and another for kids at Rad Art Studio in the Tommy K’s Plaza, 144 Oxford Road.

A trendy and fun “Paint & Sip Party” will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. March 9.

Local artist Adriene Radcliffe will guide participants in painting their own masterpiece with easy, step-by-step instructions. 

Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite beverage and sip along with the strokes of the paint brush. By the end of the night, everyone has their own work of art to take home.

The cost is $40 per person and includes canvas, paint, and brushes. The event is B.Y.O.B. Stuffed breads will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring snacks to share.

Treasured Time’s first “Paint & Snack Party” for kids of all ages and the young at heart will be from 2-4 p.m. March 12. Radcliffe will guide participants in painting Poppy or Branch from the popular animated movie, “Trolls” to take home.

The cost is $25 per person and includes canvas, paint and brushes. Each participant will be provided with a bottle of water and a cupcake. If your child has any food allergies please bring an appropriate snack for them. 

Proceeds from both events will benefit Treasured Time and its efforts to grant the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.

To reserve your spot, visit treasuredtime.org to purchase your tickets. 

For more information on this event, or on volunteering, contact Jenn, 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

This is a press release from Treasured Time.

Coast Guard Auxiliary to hold boating safety class in Shelton

SHELTON - The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 24-3 is offering About Boating Safety course starting at 8 a.m. March 11 at Valley Regional Adult Education, 415 Howe Ave.

To register go to http://a0142403.uscgaux.info. Walk-ins welcome on the day of the class. 

Instruction will cover all the basic topics involved in the safe operation of recreational boating and seamanship. 

It will also cover safe personal watercraft operation.

Successful completion of this eight-hour ABS course satisfies the licensing requirements for both boats and personal watercraft. 

Family participation is encouraged. Cost is $60.

For more information about Coast Guard Auxiliary courses call 860-663-5505, email skperrone@hotmail.com or visit http://a0142403.uscgaux.info/

This is a release from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Valley mystery photo: Update

I posted this on Monday:

My daughter Allegra and I attended a program Sunday at the Seymour Historical Society about The Woodbury Path. 
Seymour resident Peter Rzasa presented an interesting series of old photos from the Valley during his talk.


Any guesses where this photo was taken many years ago? 


*Update: There were a few good guesses on Facebook, but nobody got it right. 
Believe it or not, it's Division Street in Ansonia/Derby.

Crosby Commons in Shelton recognizes resident with special day

Peggie DeNicola, 89, with family members and fellow residents celebrate at Crosby Commons./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - We all know that one person who selflessly spreads happiness and positivity to everyone they know. 

With this in mind, Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community decided to show one of their beloved residents just how special they really are. 

Through Crosby Common’s Journey of Dreams program, a program designed to make the various dreams of residents come true, “All about Peggie Day” was born.  

When deciding on a resident to honor in the Journey program, Activities Director, Kelly Coppola factored in Margaret (Peggie) DeNicola’s demeanor and the positive energy she has brought to the community for the past two years.  

“What better resident than one who spreads happiness and positivity to all in the community!” Peggie will also celebrate a milestone birthday this year by turning 90 years old.

Members of Peggie’s family visited the community to celebrate with Peggy on her special day. The morning started with Peggie, the queen of crafting herself, and family members painting sun catchers, followed by a luncheon with Peggie's family and resident neighbors. 

There were gifts, well wishes, a Crosby cheerleading stint by the Crosby Team, a presentation by Kelly Coppola and a DVD movie filled with messages from Peggie’s friends and family. The afternoon continued with musical entertainment by Peggie's favorite, a Frank Sinatra impersonator, and concluded with Irish Soda bread and Irish coffee. 

Judging by the smile on Peggie’s face and the overwhelming excitement from the staff as well as her fellow residents, “All about Peggy Day” was a huge success! 

For more information about the award-winning community of Crosby Commons, contact us at 203-225-5024 or visit www.crosbycommons.org. 

For information about UMH, visit www.umh.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.