Who Cares for the Caregiver?

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Community/Senior Center is launching a new program called “Time for Me”-a Caregivers' Support Group for Family Caregivers.  

The monthly program focuses on personal renewal of the caregivers to be able to socialize and enjoy the company of other caregivers.  Recreational and educational activities will be included at the monthly meetings.

Meetings will take place the first Monday of every month, starting Nov. 4, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St. 

The program is open to all Seymour residents and Seymour Senior Center members at no cost. Pre-registration is required. To register call 203-888-0406 or visit www.seymourcommunityservices.com.

Our theme is "Who Cares for the Caregiver."

(This is a press release from the Seymour Senior Center)

Baby Fair Onboard April 27

DERBY– Expectant parents, new parents and their families can get a good feel for the area’s maternity and child care resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., April 27 at Griffin Hospital’s Annual Baby Fair.

Held at The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby, this free event features more than 30 exhibitors, door prizes, tours of the Childbirth Center and information about the Center’s classes and support groups for before and after childbirth.

Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment designed to best meet individual and family needs. The Center features private, family-friendly rooms, expert staff for maternal and newborn care, and lactation consultants. The Childbirth Center received the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an international honor is given to hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and that help parents make informed choices about feeding and caring for their babies.

For more information about The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, call 203-732-7252 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbc.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Fun and Games in Ansonia

Ride/Walk for Children

Seymour Trunk or Treat Moved to Oct. 28

SEYMOUR - The annual Seymour Trunk or Treat event has been moved to Sunday Oct. 28 due to the rainy weather forecast.

 

Set-up times are between 5 and 6 pm (come earlier if you like)  The event is from 6 pm to 8 pm at Seymour Middle School. See flyer below for event details. 

 

We hope people can still join us for this great fun family event!

 

Please feel free to contact Rich Kearns at 203-888-2561 ext. 1003 if anyone needs additional information.

  

Fall Festival on the Farm

Griffin Hospital to Host Annual Baby Fair

 

DERBY - Expectant parents, new parents and their families can get a good feel for the area’s maternity and child care resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., April 28 at Griffin Hospital’s Annual Baby Fair.

 

Held at The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby, this free event features more than 30 exhibitors, door prizes, tours of the Childbirth Center and information about the Center’s classes and support groups for before and after childbirth.

 

Griffin Hospital offers family-centered maternity care in an environment designed to best meet individual and family needs. The Center features private, family-friendly rooms, expert staff for maternal and newborn care, and lactation consultants.

 

The Childbirth Center received the Baby-Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an international honor is given to hospitals that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and that help parents make informed choices about feeding and caring for their babies.

 

For more information about The Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, call 203-732-7252 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbc.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner in Derby

DERBY – A Corned Beef and Cabbage family supper to benefit St. Michael Parish Capital Projects will be held this month.

Please join Marc Garofalo and St. Michael's Kitchen Krew on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Michael Church Hall, 75 Derby Avenue, Derby

Tickets are $15 per person and include a menu of family style corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, soda, coffee & dessert.

 

For reservations or more information, call 203-734-.0005.

 

Seating is limited for the comfort of our supporters

Anyone interested in donating a prize for the raffle or baking for the dessert trays can either drop off at the rectory or bring it by 2 p.m. on the day of the dinner.

Ansonia Police Issue Warning about Phone Scam

PRESS RELEASE

 

Phone Scam Alert

 

On January 21, 2018, the Ansonia Police Department investigated a phone scam where a local resident received a phone call from an unknown person reporting that a family member had been kidnapped, that a ransom was being requested and the kidnapped family member would be harmed if the police were contacted.

 

The Ansonia Police Department is warning all residents not to give any personal information, bank information, wire money or purchase gift cards like iTunes, Amazon, Google and other easily negotiable monetary items to pay the person requesting the money.

 

If you receive a call like this, or that a relative has been arrested and needs bond money or has been injured and needs money for medical expenses, the first thing you should do is to try and contact the relative they are saying is in trouble. You should then contact the police department and report the incident. 

 

 (This is a press release from Lt. Patrick Lynch)

  

New England Style Family Breakfast on Tap

Golf Event to Help Local Family

Treasured Time, Inc. is hosting its inaugural “Driving for Memories” Golf Outing to help a Stratford family make lasting memories.

 

The Stanton Family will be the featured family and “Gift of Moments” recipients for the event. Tim Stanton, 46, was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in February 2017. At the time of his diagnosis, it had spread to his liver and lymph nodes. Stanton had a 10 cm mass from surgically removed his colon in March, along with 10 inches of his colon and 17 of 25 lymph nodes. At the time of his diagnosis in February, the tumor mass on his colon was measuring at 6 cm, indicating this is a fast growing cancer.

 

Stanton started chemo in April. He had the choice to start with a more basic chemo but opted to go for a more aggressive form of treatment. He had four rounds on this aggressive chemo and unfortunately his scans showed negative results. There were no improvements to his colon or his liver metastases. If the next set of scans do not show favorable results, he will begin exploring clinical trials that may help to slow down the progression of the cancer.

 

Stanton has three children Alanna, age 24, and twin boys Blake and Lucas, age 6. His eldest daughter Alanna is a huge support, taking him to doctor’s appointments and helping with her brothers and chores around the house. Stanton’s wife, Missy, can’t take much time off since she just started a new job.

 

Stanton and his family spend much of their time creating memories together. Stanton would love the opportunity to take his family to Disney World and explore the magic it has to offer before he is unable to.

 

Driving For Memories will be Wed., Sept. 13 at Whitney Farms Golf Course in Monroe. This is a rain or shine event with a shotgun start at noon. The cost is $125 per person and includes a dinner reception and auction after golf. Tickets for just the dinner reception and auction are $50 per person.

 

To register, visit treasuredtime.org. Registrations will be on a first-come, first serve basis.
 

Treasured Time, Inc. is a CT based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments.” To see how you can help us make a difference, visit treasuredtime.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Tomatoes take the cake at Ansonia event

ANSONIA - It doesn't matter if you say to-mayto or to-mahto, residents John and Ann Marie Checkley will invite you to their annual tomato sandwich open house.

On Saturday they welcomed family and friends to a 30th annual tradition: a party featuring their harvest of tomatoes, lots of them.

Derby resident Mary Ann Camilini helpsget the tomatoes ready for slicing.

The Checkleys were happy to show off this nifty gadget, which makes quick work of tomato slicing.

Ready to be placed between slices of toasted bread for sandwiches.

John Checkley, the Checkleys' older son, likes tomatoes and apparently also likes ketchup. His younger brother Joshua, however, said he doesn't care for tomatoes.

One of the centerpieces on the red-covered tables in the Checkleys' backyard.

The family invited Mayor David S. Cassetti, center, to enjoy the tomato tradition. Here he is with, from left, John Checkley, the elder John Checkley, Ann Marie Checkley, and Joshua Checkley.

The Checkleys asked people to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food bank. 


I had a great time at the party. I'm so glad an Ansonia friend called to tell me about it!


Please check out Register photojournalist Peter Hvizdak's photo slideshow of the event. 

Friends of Derby Neck to host free holiday performance

DERBY - Christmas comes to the Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 when talented and inspirational actors present Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.”

This is a free performance for adults and family members sponsored by the Friends of the Derby Neck Library.
This family-friendly classic focuses on Christmases of old, reminding us why we celebrate the holidays.

Traditional sweet and seasonal refreshments will be served following the performance.
For information call the library, 203-734-1492.

The above was provided by Derby Neck Library.

YMCA recognizes, supports military families

Military Family Month provides all Americans the opportunity to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and service of military personnel and their families.
The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA branches recognize military families this November and all year round by bringing families together to have fun, grow, strengthen their relationships and build connections with other families waiting at home.

“The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community, and this begins with ensuring all people are welcome and can find a place to connect – as in the case of families who are separated from loved ones who are serving our great nation,” said Christian Engle, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Senior Vice President & COO. 
“Having a loved one in harm’s way puts a lot of stress on family members at home and the Y offers a supportive environment to make the situation more manageable.”

First established by the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and recognized by First Lady Nancy Reagan in 1993, Military Family Month recognizes the dedication and service of military personnel and their families.
On Oct. 30, 2009, President Barack Obama continued this important initiative by proclaiming November as Military Family Month, calling on “all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in the support of our service members and our Nation.”

For information about the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA and its programming that supports family time, call 203-777-9622, or visit www.cccymca.org.

The Central Connecticut Coast Y is based in downtown New Haven with 11 Y branches in Greater New Haven and Greater Bridgeport. 
It also operates YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, a 1,000-acre residential and day camp in Mt. Washington, Mass.

 

The non-profit Armed Services YMCA is a proud partner organization of the YMCA. 
The top-rated Armed Services YMCA of the USA makes military life easier by providing social services for young enlisted military and their families, helping nearly 500,000 with the help of 18,000 volunteers nationwide each year.

This information is from a release from Donna Lisitano, Marketing and Communications Director, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA in New Haven.

 

Health fair, carnival slated Sunday in Shelton

SHELTON - A free family carnival will give parents some valuable information as they have fun with their children.

The event will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, 1 Positive Place.  It combines the Club's 'Day for Kids' and the 11th annual Children's Health & Safety Fair.

It is sponsored by Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurses, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Griffin Hospital Faculty Practice: Primary Care.

Activities will include carnival games, moon bounce, touring fire engines and rescue vehicles, a safe house demonstration and more.

Free bicycle helmets will be given to the first 300 children who attend.  

There will be health and wellness interactive displays including CHIP (child identification program), and a car-seat safety clinic.

YMCA: Father's Day highlights importance of family

More than a century ago, Sonora Louis Smart Dodd aspired to create a holiday to honor fathers.

The daughter of a single father and Civil War veteran was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon and wondered why there was no holiday for fathers. After securing support from ministers in Spokane, Wash., her idea came to fruition with the first Father's Day celebration at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. 
 

This Sunday, June 17, the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA joins the nation in celebrating Father’s Day and recognizing the impact fathers and adult male role models make in children’s lives.

Nationally, one out of three children lives in a home without their biological father, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And, societal factors such as unemployment, work-life balance or a lack of resources can affect fathers’ ability to seek support in strengthening their parenting skills and more fully engaging in the lives of their children. 
The Y remains dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for fathers to further involve themselves in the well-being and development of their children.   

“As a nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y believes that strong family bonds are a foundation of strong communities, and we work to help all families to learn, grow and thrive,” said Christian Engle, Sr. Vice President Operations/COO, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. 
“Today, Father’s Day reminds us why it’s important to recognize fathers and provide them with the support they need to be the best parents and caregivers they can be.” 

Studies show that children with close relationships with their fathers and other adult male role models have more self-confidence and exhibit less depression, perform better academically and engage in significantly less drug and alcohol use.  

There is a variety of programs at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA branches that foster understanding and companionship between children and their fathers – and moms – such as parent/child swim lessons, family swim, movie nights, family adventure courses and sports challenges. 

To learn more about programs and activities available at the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Branches, contact us at 203-777-9622, or visit www.cccymca.org. 


The above information was provided by Donna Gill Lisitano, Marketing and Communications Director, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.