Free Throw Contest Jan. 14

 

ANSONIA - The Knights of Columbus of Holy Rosary Church will host a Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9-14 on Jan. 14.

 

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Assumption Church Gym, third floor, 61 North Cliff St. There is no charge to participate in this event, which is being sponsored by Holy Rosary Church and Assumption Church.

 

For entry and registration information contact Bill Bowers at (203)734-7206. 

 

 

New Year, New You

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a series of free talks to help people achieve better health in 2017.

 

Entitled “New Year, New You,” the talks will offer information on stress management, meditation, positive thinking, healthy eating, smoking cessation, chronic disease self-management, weight-loss and fitness. All of the talks will be held at the hospital, 130 Division Street, Derby.

 

The series starts on Mon., Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. with “Positive Thinking and Finding Your Passion.” This presentation will feature information and demonstrations on meditation and practicing gratitude and discovering your passion by Griffin’s Spiritual Care and Psychiatry departments to help individuals lessen stress and foster a more positive mindset.

 

On Mon., Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., “Healthy Steps” will feature information on Griffin’s free smoking cessation program and its free self-management program for individuals with chronic diseases, including pain, stress, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

 

The series will finish on Thurs., Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. with “Healthy Eating, Exercise and Weight-Loss,” featuring expert advice on nutrition, fitness and weight-loss procedures from Griffin’s dieticians, exercise psychologists and bariatric surgeons.

 

This series is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U program, a 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 the calendar at griffinhealth.org.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Griffin’s Wonderland of Trees Raises $8,000 for Spooner House

 

 

 Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House, left, joined Kim Hall, Sr. Applications Coordinator at Griffin Hospital, and hospital staff in drawing tickets for the Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser on Dec. 21

 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s annual Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser collected more than $8,000 for Spooner House in Shelton to help feed and shelter area families in need this winter.

 

As part of Griffin’s Planetree Patient-Centered Care Philosophy, the Holiday Wonderland of Trees calls on hospital departments to decorate three-foot artificial evergreen trees that are raffled off. The fundraiser aims to help improve health the community by supporting the Spooner House’s free shelter and food.

 

This is the 6th year of the fundraiser, which has raised more than $37,900 in total.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

Resolve to Live Healthier in 2017

DERBY - Resolve to start a healthier lifestyle in the New Year with Griffin Hospital’s Wellness for Life Program.

 

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. It’s designed for individuals ready to make changes in their nutrition, physical activity and stress management. With the support of a multi-disciplinary staff, Wellness for Life members take ownership of making long-term lifestyle changes in their lives.

 

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

 

Wellness for Life will hold two sessions starting in late January 2017. There will be an evening session on Tuesdays from 6-8:30 p.m., starting Jan. 31, and an afternoon session on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., starting Feb.21.

 

The program encourages participants to make a commitment for a healthier life through custom fitness evaluation and planning, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, and small, interactive health seminars. Each participant also receives an activity tracker, which helps monitor his or her activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

 

Wellness for Life meets at the Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion (located in the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital) at 350 Seymour Ave., in Derby.

 

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Co-Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

Griffin Hospital Staff Spread Holiday Cheer

 

Michael J. Wynne, VP Children’s Services at PCRC, far left, and Sarah Beard, Director of Clinical Services at PCRC, second from left, receive a donation from Griffin Hospital staff, from right, Chris Thornley, Katie Grant, and Robin Quickel.

 

DERBY - Staff from Griffin Hospital’s Operating Room and Anesthesia departments got into the spirit of giving by supporting a family in need this holiday season.

 

For the third straight year, the staff worked with the Parent Child Resource Center (PCRC) to fill the wish list of a local family whose children are receiving services at the Center. This year, they provided clothes for two children along with a grocery store gift card and cash.

 

“We started doing this because we are blessed to have jobs and our health when those around us in the community have much less than we do, and we love paying it forward,” said Robin Quickel, Griffin Hospital Operating Room Materials coordinator.

 

PCRC, a division of BHcare, is a state licensed, non-profit behavioral healthcare provider serving children and families throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley and beyond. For more than 40 years, PCRC has been providing hope and help to children, adolescents and families struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Klarides Sisters Ring the Bell for Charity

SEYMOUR - State Rep. Themis Klarides, Republican House Leader (pictured left), and her sister, Deputy First Selectman and state Rep.-Elect Nicole Klarides-Ditria rang the bell for the Salvation Army Wednesday, Dec. 21 outside the Stop & Shop on Franklin Street.

All donations left in the famous red kettle will directly benefit those in need this holiday season.

Valley Girl Scouts Spread Holiday Cheer to Nursing Home

 

 

SHELTON - The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all the residents to hear! Shelton’s Brownie Girl Scout Troop #60465 helped spread the holiday spirit this season by visiting residents at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center for a fun-filled day of caroling and gift giving. The Girl Scouts handed out handmade Christmas cards and jingle bell wands to the residents of Bishop Wicke to use during their caroling.

 

Debra Samorajczyk, Administrator at Bishop Wicke, says, “To see the smiles on the residents’ faces is such a wonderful sight. This fun event brings both the younger and older generations together which is something we really love to see here at Bishop Wicke.”

 

Residents and staff invited their families to come to the event and Santa even made an appearance at the five-star nursing home! This is the second year in a row these Girl Scouts have visited Bishop Wicke and when asked if they would like to come back next year, they all cheered, proclaiming they wanted to make their caroling an annual tradition. The staff and residents at Bishop Wicke look forward to carrying on this joyous holiday tradition!

 

Bishop Wicke offers short-term rehab and skilled nursing care, including specialized programs for surgical recovery, orthopedics, cardiac and respiratory rehab, heart failure and more. The facility is located on the Wesley Village Campus at 584 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes (UMH), a local, not-for-profit organization.

 

For more information about relationship-centered care at Bishop Wicke, please visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or call 203.929.5321.

 

(This is a press release from Bishop Wicke)

 

Derby to Swear-In New Fire Officials

Ansonia Extends Deadline for Holiday Lights Contest

Local Credit Union Raises $1,000 for Breast Cancer

DERBY - Mutual Security Credit Union recently donated $1,000 to Griffin Hospital’s Valley Goes Pink campaign to help improve breast cancer services in the Lower Naugatuck Valley area.

 

The donation was collected through the sale of pink bracelets at Mutual Security’s branches.

 

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community wide effort to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and to celebrate the charitable spirit of the region’s businesses and organizations.

 

Mutual Security Credit Union is open to everyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven County. Originally founded in 1954, Mutual Security is now one of the largest state-charted, community-based credit unions in Connecticut. Visit mscu.net, or call (800) 761-2400 for more information.

 

In photo left to right: Griffin Hospital Events Coordinator Lisa Nista recently received a $1,000 check from, left to right, Mutual Security Credit Union’s President & CEO Larry Holderman, Executive VP Hank Baum and Bill Purcell, Valley Chamber of Commerce President for the Valley Goes Pink campaign.
 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

 

Valley Businesswomen Win Grants

 

    

On Tuesday, December 13th, the Greater Valley Chamber Women In Networking Group distibuted $3000 from their Annual WIN Entrepreneurial Grant program to ConnectiKidz Pediatric Dentistry located in Derby, Law Office of Karen A. Fisher located in Seymour and One Smart Dog located in Shelton.

Pictured (L-R) Dr. Julia Bonks, ConnectiKidz; Sharon Massafra, Home Instead Senior Care (WIN Co-Chair and Grant Selection Committee); Mary Jo Romano, Financial Planner (WIN Co-Chair and Grant Selection Committee); Dawn Lowery, One Smart Dog ; Karen Fisher, Law Office of Karen A. Fisher; Katie Keeney, Comcast (WIN Grant Selection Committee); and Tracy Tenpenny, Tea with Tracy (WIN Grant Selection Committee).

Help Ansonia Police "Stuff-A-Jeep" Dec. 16

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police would like to announce that we will be holding our Annual Stuff-A-Jeep food drive at Stop and Shop on Division Street.

The food drive will be in front of the store on Friday December 16, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Any food or donations we collect will be given to our local food bank. Last year's event was extremely successful so please stop by if you have a chance and make a small donation. Every donation counts. 

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

(Information shared from Ansonia Police Department's Facebook page)

Mortgage-Free Home Availalbe for Veterans

Ansonia to Host "Parade of Champions" Dec. 17

Griffin Hospital Hosts Wonderland of Trees Fundraiser

 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is holding its Annual Holiday Wonderland of Trees fundraiser to support Spooner House until Dec. 21.

 

Located in the hospital’s main corridor, the fundraiser consists of more than 20 three-foot trees

decorated by hospital staff with themed ornaments and prizes such as gift cards and toys to be

raffled off.

 

Raffle tickets are $1 each, 15 for $10 or 40 for $20. The tickets are available at the hospital’s

front desk. The tickets will be drawn at 2 p.m. on Dec. 21. Winners do not need to be present at

the drawing.

 

Proceeds will benefit Spooner House in Shelton, which provides food, shelter and support

services to people in need.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Visit with Santa in Derby

An Evening of Holiday Music in Seymour

Ansonia First Responders Honored

Pictured left to right: Alex Barreira, Matthew Casini, Kate Topazio and Mayor David Cassetti

  

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Rotary Club recently presented three of Ansonia’s first responders with Outstanding Service Awards. The annual dinner ceremony took place at Ansonia High School.  Mayor David Casetti was on hand to congratulate the awardees, and he joined family, friends and Rotarians in expressing thanks to the men and women of Ansonia’s emergency services.

EMT Kate Topazio was chosen by her colleagues at ARMS, Ansonia Rescue Medical Services, to receive the 2016 Rotary Civic Service Recognition Award. She joined ARMS in 2010 after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Fairfield University.  A Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department of Griffin Hospital, Kate was awarded the Mary Schumacher Leadership Award and the Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2014.  She averages 80 plus hours a week occasionally in her dual capacities, and her medical training has been a significant asset at ARMS. In one case she recognized a patient going into cardiac arrest and intervened. She is a Field Training Officer and often goes beyond the call of duty, recently joining the EMS Bike Team.

Sergeant Alex Barreira of the Ansonia Police Department was selected as the outstanding police officer for 2016. Alex joined APD in 2004 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2014. He has served with distinction during his ten years. In charge of the K-9 and FTEP programs, he was assigned to a local DEA task force for two years. His other awards include the 2016 US Attorney Award in recognition of his efforts in Operation Fast Lane II, and the departmental Lifesaving Award for resuscitating an unresponsive victim. He is considered a role model and leader by his peers and supervisors.

2^nd Lieutenant Matthew Casini of Webster Hose Co. received the Ansonia Fire Department Outstanding Service Award.  Matthew joined AFD in 2002 and was promoted to his current rank this year. He currently holds five certifications in fire and medical roles, and acts as the company’s training officer. A graduate of Emmett O’Brien High, Matt is employed by Sikorsky Aircraft.

(This is a press release from the Ansonia Rotary Club)

Diabetes and Excercise Program at Griffin Hospital

 

 

DERBY -The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations on exercise and its benefits on Tues., Dec.13 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

Certified Diabetes Educator Mary Swansiger, BSN, MPH, will present “Exercise and Diabetes: Special Considerations,” a discussion of the benefits of exercise, different types of exercise, precautions to consider for neuropathy and retinopathy, hypoglycemia symptoms and management, carbohydrate replacement during exercise, and foot care. There will also be information on discuss community resources for physical activity and exercise.

 

Both talks will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom B. There is free valet parking for the 2:30 p.m. session.

 

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges, and day-to-day dietary concerns. Individuals with diabetes and their caregivers are welcome to attend.

 

No registration is required. For more information, call Mary Swansiger at 203-732-1137.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Help Send Ansonia Cheerleaders to National Competition