Rock the Valley 2022 in Ansonia was bittersweet for this writer

Singer/songwriter Riley Johnson entertains  at the start of the festival Saturday afternoon.

ANSONIA - Rock the Valley 2022 returned to Nolan Field Saturday after a two-year absence.

Ansonia Events Coordinator and Cultural Commission member Rich DiCarlo spoke this week about the festival. He said about 2,500 people strolled the venue featuring craft and food vendors and a kids' zone.

"This year we decided to return to the roots of Rock 'n Roll with a musical lineup to match," DiCarlo said. "We premiered our new larger stage which we named the Road Ready stage, after the event's sponsor.

"I'd like to thank Irene Krom-Kirby for taking the reins from our beloved Ralph Villers.

"They were really big shoes to fill but she persevered. I'd also like to extend my thanks to George and Pat and the rest of the Ansonia Cultural Commission and Mayor Dave Cassetti for making Rock the Valley happen.

DiCarlo and Krom-Kirby visit vendors

"We already started negotiating with next year's headliner and promise to have the best show set for next year. Details to be announced soon."

Rich is a good friend and he and my late husband Ralph were the main organizers of Rock the Valley in the past - with much help from city officials, Cultural Commission members and other volunteers.

As someone who observed first-hand the months of planning involved I can attest to how well Rich and Ralph complemented each other in working to make Rock the Valley a success!

Some sights from the day:

Kids enjoying the petting zoo.

Vendors galore.

Friends Laura Willoughby, creator of Gabriella Candles, LLC and her husband Alonza pose  with samples of their products.

Jen Durkin's Steal Your Funk band rocks the crowd Saturday night.

Congratulations to my friends in the Ansonia Cultural Commission for putting on another great Rock the Valley!

Derby Fire Department to hold Sept. 11 remembrance on the Green

Photo from Facebook event page

DERBY - The Derby Fire Department will hold its annual service in remembrance of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 on the Green.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Griffin, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley to hold child passenger safety clinic

A child passenger safety clinic will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Griffin Hospital Community Outreach by appointment only./ Contributed photo

DERBY - As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Griffin Health and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley will offer a free child passenger safety clinic Sept. 19 from 1-4 p.m. by appointment only.

The clinic will help parents, caregivers and children learn the importance of child car seats, how to properly install them and the appropriate positioning of a child in car seats or booster seats. Families in need may qualify for a free seat.

Child Passenger Safety Week raises awareness about the risks of improperly installed car seats and what seat a child should have according to their age, height and weight. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, every 32 seconds, a child under the age of 13 in a passenger vehicle is involved in a crash. Many times, injuries and deaths can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. 

For more information, visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

To make an appointment for the clinic or for more information, contact Cathi Kellett at ckellett@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

Nothing exciting, I just liked how the clouds looked this evening. 

Ansonia Library to hold Halloween-themed craft night for adults

 

'Turnback Tuesday' features The Salt Box House in Shelton

Turnback Tuesday visits the Salt Box House.

The house was made known in the pages of a book written by Jane de Forest Shelton called the “Salt Box House” published in 1900. (The library has a copy to borrow.)

The Salt Box House was located in the Ripton/Huntington section of Shelton.

Jane and her sister, Louisa, lived in Derby on Seymour Avenue. The image was sketched by William M. Davis of Cottage Street, Derby. The frame was made of the pickets surrounding the Salt Box House.

The image and frame was donated to the Library by William M. Davis.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

My Sister's Place thrift store in Ansonia posts weekly sales

My Sister's Place thrift store is located at 380 Main St., Ansonia.

All proceeds benefit BHcare's The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

This is shared from the store's Facebook page.