Ansonia mayor's vision would erase 'stigma' of Olson Drive

As Ansonia residents my husband and I were pleased Thursday to hear from Mayor David S. Cassetti and city officials about the preliminary plans in the works to revitalize and de-stigmatize Olson Drive. 
 

This is the former site of the South Side of Riverside Apartments on Olson Drive in Ansonia.The North Side buildings seen in the background are slated to be demolished next year.

Veterans present American flag to Doyle Senior Center in Ansonia

 

 Photo submitted by Bernard Williamson

John H. Collins Post 24 American Legion in Derby Commander Erwin "Gus" Williams, center, Thursday presents the American flag to Mary Deptula, Director of the Doyle Senior Center in Ansonia. Looking on is Post 24 Chaplain James Hubbard. The presentation was made at a weekly luncheon. The flag at the senior center was no longer serviceable, veterans said. The new one will stand next to the front desk at the entrance, Deptula said.

Griffin Hospital to sponsor Relay for Life in Shelton

From right: American Cancer Society Partner Ahmed Elbordiny, Griffin Hospital Communications Specialist Christian Meagher, Relay For Life Survivorship Committee Member Shauna Blaze, and Relay For Life Chairs Jay Carlucci and Kristen Ostrowski are working together as part of the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital’s sponsorship of The Relay For Life of Shelton and Naugatuck Valley set for June 7-8 in Shelton.

DERBY - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital is proud to be a sponsor of the 2014 Relay For Life of Shelton and Naugatuck Valley set for June 7-8 at the Riverwalk in Shelton.

Relay For Life is an overnight walk-a-thon that raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s cancer education and research.

The Center for Cancer Care will sponsor the event’s survivor recognition activities, including its survivor reception and Hope Tent, by providing food, refreshments and free massages for cancer survivors.

To join or support the Relay For Life of Shelton and Naugatuck Valley visit relayforlife.org/sheltonct.


This a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin in Derby to offer men's health screenings

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host two men’s health talks and free health screenings this June to help men know and understand their health numbers.

Dr. Brian Sperling will present “How ya doin’, Man?” at 6 p.m. June 12 and June 24 at the hospital, 130 Division St. 

In recognition of Men’s Health Month, these talks will explain common health issues for men and when men should be screened to see if they are at risk.

The first talk on June 12 will focus on prostate and urinary health. Attendees over 50 years old can have a free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and consultation. Testings will be held at 5:30 p.m.

The June 24 presentation will focus on testosterone and sexual health. Attendees can receive a free blood pressure and A1C diabetes screening and consultation. Screenings will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Participants at both talks will receive a “Play for Free Card” for the Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton.

'Healthy U' series of talks 

The presentation is part of Griffin Hospital's “Healthy U” series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics. 

Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve your spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org/events.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Derby School District names 1st Paraeducator of the Year

Paraeducator of the Year Maria Bowers

DERBY - The Derby Public Schools has selected Maria Bowers as District Paraeducator of the Year.

The Connecticut State Department of Education and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council has established the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the Paraeducator in supporting student achievement. 

The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Paraeducator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. 

Bowers has been a Paraeducator at Irving School in Derby for more than six years.  She has been chosen to receive this award because she has demonstrated excellent skill and dedication to the students, teachers, administrators, co-workers and parents.   

Bowers will be recognized at a ceremony Nov. 6. 

Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway said, “This is the first time a Derby Paraeducator is being recognized for this award honoring her dedication to the district and community and serving the needs of our children and parents.”

The District also recognizes Building Level Paraeducators of the Year: Cindy Joel at Bradley School; Annette Ochoa at Derby Middle School; and Pam Queen at Derby High School.

This post is taken from a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Congratulations go out to Bowers and the building level paraeducators on being selected for this honor.

Seymour church to host 'Touch-A-Truck' event

SEYMOUR - The sixth annual “Touch-A-Truck” event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 21 at  Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road at the junction of Rts 334 and 188.

This year’s event will feature a series of kids summer festival activities including tractor rides, face painting, games and giveaways,an indoor book sale, and Great Hill’s famous Home Bake Sale. Snacks and beverages also will be for sale.

Trucks/vehicles will be on display to view and/or be climbed on by both children and the young-at-heart adults.  

One of the highlights will be the return of the “Bobcat and Hook” which will provide youngsters with an opportunity to watch it actually move some small logs.  

A variety of vehicles and trucks will be exhibited  and youngsters will have an opportunity to sit in, walk in, and converse with the vehicle operators including a fire truck, antique postal van, school bus, FedX delivery van, police vehicle, large tow truck, a military vehicle, and many more.
Returning this year is the Griffin Hospital van and “Smoke House” which will be used to demonstrate the importance of fire safety.

Admission to the Touch-A-Truck area was kept at $3 for children in an effort to attract as many youngsters as possible. Adults accompanying children are admitted free.

This event will provide a variety of activities for families and children of all ages.  

Proceeds from this event will help fund Great Hill’s Mission and Outreach activities.  

For information please call Joe Andreana, 203-888-0489.

This is a press release from the church.

Actress to portray female soldier at Derby Historical Society event

Annual Silver Tea slated July 14

ANSONIA - Join the Derby Historical Society for its 24th Annual Silver Tea from 2-4:30 p.m. July 14.

Judith Kalaora as Gannett

Guest speaker will be Judith Kalaora who will portray Deborah Sampson Gannett in A Revolution of Her Own.

Gannett was the first woman to enlist in, fight in and to be honorably discharged from the American military.

Kalaora brings her to life through interactive storytelling and authentic attire.  Let her passion take you back in time. 

Refreshments will be served. Raffle and door prizes are available.   

Cost is $25 per person. Call 203-735-1908 or 203-676-0324 for tickets or information.

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

For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org. 

School in Derby to hold duck race, decorating contest

8 AM - DERBY DASH 5K & FAMILY FUN RUN

ENTRY FEES: $17 Pre-Register by June 8, 2014 - $20 After & Race Day.  CHILDRENS RATE

(12 & UNDER) $10.  First 100 registered runners to arrive will receive a Derby Dash tee-shirt.  

---

10 AM to 5 PM – CHILDREN ACTIVITIES ON THE GREEN

There will be fun activities for the children on the Derby Green including bounce houses, face painting, toss games, and much more activities.

---

1 PM - HOUSY RIVER DUCK DECORATING CONTEST

Entry fee is $10 for children in PreK through Grade 8 and includes the 10” rubber ducks to be decorated.  Prizes will be given to the Top 3 Ducks:

                        1^st Place - $50

                        2^nd Place - $25

3^rd Place – Two movie tickets

---

3 PM – 6^th ANNUAL HOUSY RIVER DUCK RACE

The race will start at the Derby/Shelton Bridge.  Watch the ducks along the Derby Greenway as they race down the Housatonic River.  The first 65 rubber ducks to cross the finish line will win exciting prizes.  ur top prize this year is $1,000! 

Duck Raffle tickets are $5 and on sale at the following locations:

·         St. Mary-St. Michael School

·         St. Mary Church - Derby

·         St. Michael Church – Derby

·         City Stitchers

·         Sunflower Dental

·         Mattei’s Deli - Derby

·         Maria’s Hair Gallery - Derby

·         Styles / Nails by Cory - Derby

·         Derby Day

These events will be held on Derby Day, June 14. 

For registration and information, go to www.stmarystmichaelct.eduk.net or call the school, 203-735-6471. 

All proceeds will benefit St. Mary-St. Michael School.


This information was provided by the school.

Ansonia restaurant partners with TEAM to benefit agency

ANSONIA - The Original Antonio’s and TEAM, Inc. are partners for the second annual Meals on Wheels night June 19 at the popular restaurant.   

During the event, which runs from 4-10 p.m., The Original Antonio’s, 314 Main St., will donate 20 percent of dinner proceeds to TEAM’s Meals on Wheels programs.

Throughout the Valley, TEAM’s Meals on Wheels delivers a daily meal to homebound elderly residents. TEAM’s four drivers deliver to Valley based residents each day. 

Last year, TEAM Meals on Wheels program served 58,204 meals to homebound elderly residents in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

Through this program more than 367 elders were able to receive a well-balanced nutritious noontime meal Monday through Friday.

Let Antonio’s do the cooking while you dine in support of Meals on Wheels. Download a flyer about this event at www.teaminc.org.

This is a press release from TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community.  

   

Ansonia Library to open 'book store'

     ANSONIA -  The Friends of the Ansonia Library announces the opening of its book store, The BookWorm, from 4-6 p.m. Mondays.
    It will be operated on an honor system.   

    The BookWorm is located in the Library’s Community Room. The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

   For further information call Joyce Ceccarelli or Mary Ann Capone, 203-734-6728.


  This is a press release from Ansonia Library Director Joyce Ceccarelli.

Police: Derby man flees into river before surrendering

DERBY >> A local man was arrested Wednesday morning after he fled from police and went into the Housatonic River under Bridge Street, according to police and emergency radio transmissions.

Rescue crews were dispatched on a report of a person in the water early Wednesday morning, but they were recalled a few minutes later when the man was taken into custody on the Derby side of the river, according to emergency radio reports.

Police Lt. Sal Frosceno confirmed the officers were investigating a domestic incident in which 50-year-old Robert Thomas, of Elizabeth Street, allegedly fled on foot.
Frosceno said that Thomas attempted to elude police and was taken into custody along the riverbank. At one point, Thomas was standing in waist-high water, but he surrendered without further incident.

Thomas was charged with breach of peace, interfering with police, assault on a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

No further details were available Wednesday morning.

Derby High School Class of '69 plans reunion

DERBY - The Derby High School Class of 1969 is planning its 45th-year reunion from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Italian Pavilion, 78 Pershing Drive.

The cost is $40 per person for open bar and hors d’oeuvres.   

For more information contact Nick Serni, 203-735-2566 or Linda Coppola, 203-795-3538.


This post is taken from a press release.

Summer soccer league planned in Oxford

OXFORD - The Oxford Soccer League is offering, for the first time, an opportunity for high school age boys to participate in a summer soccer league, coordinated through CJSA South Central District.

The purpose of the league is to prepare players for the fall high school soccer season and any level player is welcome.

The league runs for four weeks, mid-July to mid-August,  with two games weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.
There will be one practice per week.
Deadline for registrationis  June 12.

For information contact Susan Schiavi, 203-232-0213.


This is a press release from the Oxford Soccer League.

Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti no longer faces federal probe

By Mary O'Leary and
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Register Staff
As Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti pursues the state lieutenant governor position, he does so without the shadow of a federal corruption probe looming over him.
Thomas Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, said Tuesday that the multi-year investigation into allegations of corruption in Shelton is closed.
Lauretti was never charged in the case, and always denied any wrongdoing.
Lauretti, when reached Tuesday evening, said he knew he would “stand the test of time,” and while he was “frustrated” by the whole experience, “I stopped paying attention.”
He said he never inquired about the status of the case and never heard from prosecutors personally that it had been closed. Carson told the Register when it requested an update on Tuesday.

Read more here. 

Derby library to host book talk

       DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled its next Lunchtime Book Discussion

for 12:30 p.m. June 25.

      The selected title is Palisades Park by Alan Brennert.    

      This bestselling novel is the story of a family of dreamers and their lives within the legendary Palisades Amusement Park.   

   

    Brennert grew up in the shadows of this New Jersey amusement park and wrote the book as a love letter to Palisades and a bygone age. 

     It opens in 1922 and closes in 1977, tracing the ups and downs of this classic park during its heyday, along with the Stopka family’s similarly variable fortunes. 

    Multiple copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.  Participants are asked to bring a

sandwich and a friend as they “chat and chew.” 
    Dessert and beverages will be provided. 

   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.