Derby students run to raise funds, awareness

Efforts will help pancreatic cancer patients

Members of the Derby Middle School Running Club recently helped Project Purple Chairman Dino Verrelli present Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel with a $2,000 check to help pancreatic cancer patients at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

The Club raised the funds through a car wash, fundraiser event at The Original Antonio’s Restaurant in Ansonia, donations collected for running at the Irish Festival 5K and individual team member’s fundraisers.
Based in Beacon Falls, Project Purple is a non-profit organization with a mission of raising awareness and funds towards a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Team members include Lily Wald, Rachel Fleischer, Nicole Rizzo, Joey Ostuno, Dayna Kneissl, Tristan Pruzinsky, Nicolette Tasi, Kiley Rodriguez, Ejona Gjata, Akshar Patel, Steven Stanley, Joseph Mammano, Sara Gerckens and coaches Shelley Sheridan, Mike Gozzo, Jenny Ames and Rahul Samanta.

This information is from a release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia lists festival entertainment

       The eighth annual Ansonia Harvest Festival will be held 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 6 along Main Street, Ansonia. Here is the entertainment schedule as of today.

This information was provided by Judy Nicolari, Ansonia Cultural Commission chairwoman.

Credit is topic of Derby library program

    DERBY - The Derby Public Library in collaboration with TEAM, Inc. has scheduled a two-part series, Obtaining and Understanding Your Credit Report.
   The first session, "Taking the Mystery Out of Credit Reports," will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1.
   Sheryle McMillan, Regional Director of Education and Community Relations at Money Management International, will show participants how to obtain, read, understand, and dispute inaccurate information on their credit report.
   Discussion will also include how your credit score can affect more than your ability to establish or re-establish credit.  Workbooks will be distributed.
   At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15, McMillan returns for part two of the series, "Reading Your Credit Report."     Participants will review their own credit reports and learn what is listed and how to correct common errors.
   The do’s and don’ts about the best ways to raise your credit score will be given.
   Registration is requested.
 For information stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

The above is from a release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library. 

Derby school marks Grandparents Day

Twins Kaitelyn Re, center, and Kyle Re, far right, enjoy lunch Friday with their grandparents, Gerry and Robert Wrigley, at St. Mary-St. Michael School, Derby. The school was celebrating Grandparents Day. / Contributed photo

GOP fundraiser slated in Derby

DERBY -  Tony Szewczyk will host a cocktail party fundraiser from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 4 at La Sala at Sons of Italy, 73 High St.
Szewczyk, a Republican, is running in the 17th District against 10-term incumbent state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge.
Admission is $35.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.Tony4Senator17.com or by contacting Judy Szewczyk, 203-906-3602.

Oxford's Talking Finger does more than talk

The Talking Finger staff includes co-founder Erik Granato, social media strategist Dana Bereza, graphic designer Chris Durso, and co-founder William DeRosa. / Contributed photo

 
Congratulations go out today to local social media marketers, Talking Finger.

The Oxford-based business placed third in a recent Facebook fan page competition sponsored by Social Media Examiner, which calls itself “the world’s largest online social media magazine.”
The contest had more than 1,800 entries.
 

Bill DeRosa of Oxford, who founded the business with Valley native Erik Granato, said last week he was thrilled the business made the Top 10. And he expressed his gratitude to the 70 people who took the time to write about their experiences with Talking Finger.

DeRosa and Granato started Talking Finger in 2010. The men say it is vital for businesses today to have a strong social media presence, and they help them achieve that presence.

However they warn that companies cannot abandon traditional marketing strategies.

Talking Finger offers seminars through the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton. The business will be at Thursday's 2012 Business Showcase at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

DeRosa and Granato, as well as staffers Dana Bereza, and Chris Durso, are to be commended on their success in a less than welcoming economy.

I wish them the best as they continue to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.

FRIDAY FIVE: A recap of this week in the Valley

Here are some of the stories that made headlines in the Valley over the past week.

They are written by Register reporters Phyllis Swebilius and Patricia Villers, and Register Correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, and are listed in no particular order.

OSHA probing propane gas explosion in Shelton. 

Oxford driver charged in fatal accident.

Archbishop blesses addition to mausoleum at Mount St. Peter's Cemetery in Derby.

Valley nonprofit holding diaper drive in Seymour. 

Connecticut STEP UP program focus of event at Ansonia Armory.