Derby Historical Society to hold Thanksgiving Reception, annual appeal

John Ireland Howe

DERBY - The Derby Historical Society will hold its 23rd Annual Appeal & Thanksgiving Reception from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane.

Local caterer and community leader David M. Grant Sr. will be honored with the John Ireland Howe Award.

Donors of $40 or more to the Annual Appeal will receive a complimentary ticket to attend this program.
For information contact 203-735-1908.

The Derby Historical Society is a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.

Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia.
For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org.

This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society. 

Seymour couple supports Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

Ann Marie and Joe Marsilio of Seymour support the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal every year, because they say it’s “always inspiring” to see how it helps people in need. / Contributed photo

HARTFORD -Archbishop Henry J. Mansell launched the 2013 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal at a Sunday luncheon attended by more than 270 donors. 

Joe and Ann Marie Marsilio of Seymour were among guests who said they support the Appeal every year, because it is “always inspiring” to see how the proceeds help people who are in dire circumstances.

The Archbishop thanked the audience for their overwhelming support of last year’s Appeal, which raised a record-breaking $10,055,967, surpassing the previous year’s record by over $260,000.

He talked about the many services the Appeal is able to provide such as the Malta House of Care mobile health clinics in Hartford and Waterbury that have treated more than 25,000 people who were uninsured. “People are helped and in some cases their lives are saved because of your generosity,” Mansell said.

 

The Emergency Assistance program is another vital program supported by the Appeal, which is available through parishes and administered by Catholic Charities. It helps people who have fallen behind on their rental payments, have trouble paying their utility or grocery bills, or need help with urgent bills like medical or car repairs.

Hundreds of vicariate outreach programs across the state such as food kitchens and homeless shelters as well as tuition assistance for Catholic students, faith formation, and seminarian programs also benefit from the Appeal.

“You make this explosion of care possible. It is you, the donors, who make this wide variety of services possible,” Mansell said. “The Catholic Church enjoys an extraordinary record in this regard.”

He also thanked the priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford for their generous donations to the Appeal. On average, they each donate $1,253 a year.

For a complete listing of programs supported by the Appeal, visit archdioceseofhartford.org and click on Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

This information was provided by the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Derby family to receive prestigious Howe Award

Historical Society to make presentation at reception Nov. 19

James E. Cohen

DERBY - The Cohen family has been selected to receive the 2012 Dr. John Ireland Howe Award at the Derby Historical Society’s Annual Appeal Reception Nov. 19 at Grassy Hill Lodge.

The Dr. John Ireland Howe Award is presented to an individual, group, firm, corporation, business or industry whose presence has consistently benefitted one or more communities in the Valley region in the spirit of its namesake. 

Dr. John I. Howe, who resided on Caroline Street, was a founding father of the Industrial Revolution, inventing the mass production machine to make pins “common.”

Previous recipients of the Howe Award include: William Coffey, Charles Seccombe, John Walsh, William C. Bassett, John A. Frey,  The Descendants of Adolph Rapp, Margaret Gibbs, and Roseland Apizza.

The Cohen family has always been active in the Valley community.

 

Jennie and Meyer Cohen

The story begins with Meyer Cohen (1886-1968), who was born in Yanasheck, in what is now Lithuania, and arrived in Derby and opened The Fair, a ladies’ dress store in 1905. 
It continues with his grandson, James E. Cohen, current Valley Community Foundation President. 

Meyer Cohen was a member and officer of the Derby-Shelton Board of Trade (later the Valley Chamber) and an organizer of Derby-Shelton’s own synagogue in 1919. 

His son, David B. Cohen (1913-1991), lawyer, Derby City Court Judge and Corporation Counsel, was President of the Griffin Hospital Board of Trustees, and  an organizer of the Valley’s Visiting Nurse Program, VARCA, and the predecessor of the Birmingham Group.

David and Jane Cohen

David’s wife, Jane Cotter Cohen, chaired Valley Red Cross blood drives, served 25 years as a Director of the Derby Public Library, and was President of the Griffin Hospital Auxiliary.

Their son James E. Cohen practiced law for 37 years in the firm his father established, before becoming the full-time President of the Valley Community Foundation. He also was Derby’s Corporation Counsel and a Director of the Derby Public Library. 

Wanting to express their appreciation and commitment to the Valley for future generations, the Cohen family has established four endowed Funds at Valley Community Foundation, including one which provides the Derby Public Library with annual funding to purchase books it could not otherwise afford.

Keynote speaker for the reception is Glenn Cantwell, a longtime Early American History collector who has been researching all things Isaac Hull for 20 years and will soon publish his first book, "America's Captain of 1812."

Tickets to the annual appeal reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres, are $40. They are available at the Derby Historical Society office, 37 Elm St., Ansonia between 1 and 4 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 203-735-1908.

Donors contributing $200 or more to the Derby Historical Society’s annual appeal will receive an authentic 1935 Commodore Isaac Hull medal. 

For information visit www.derbyhistorical.org.

This information was provided by Randy Ritter, chairman, Derby Historical Society Annual Appeal. 

Historical society holds annual appeal

ANSONIA - The Derby Historical Society is conducting its Annual Appeal. It is in great need of  financial help so members can continue to preserve and bring to life the rich and full history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

With help this year the Society will be able to:

• Continue its award-winning Day in 1762 education program
• Present enhanced exhibits and programs
• Ensure the care and growth of its historic collections
• Continue essential building maintenance and restoration projects

To kick off this year’s campaign, 100 percent of the Board of Directors have pledged nearly $5,000.

You can make a tax-deductible donation by sending a check to the Derby Historical Society, Attn: Annual Appeal, 37 Elm St., Ansonia, Ct. 06401.
 
200th anniversary of War of 1812




This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Society will be holding a program at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane, Derby to celebrate this historic anniversary.

Glenn Cantwell, author of the newest book on Commodore Isaac Hull, "America’s Captain of 1812," will be  featured speaker.
Jamie Cohen and the Cohen family will be receiving the Dr. John I. Howe Aaward that same evening.
Donors of $40 or more to the Annual Appeal will receive a complimentary ticket to the program.

For information or to purchase tickets to the program call 203-735-1908 or email info@derbyhistorical.org. 

The above information is taken from a release from the Derby Historical Society.