Seymour Bakery to Celebrate 3rd Birthday

SEYMOUR- Wildflour Confections, a bakery located in downtown Seymour at 18 Bank St., is celebrating its 3rd birthday on Saturday, March 3.

 

The celebration will include discounted cupcake bundles along with a free sweet treat gift for the first 50 customers.
 

Owner Alysssa DeMatteo also welcomes customers to check out the renovations and updates made to the shop since opening day back in 2015. 

For more information, call 203-828-6576.

 

 

Get Help Kicking the Habit

DERBY -  Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, will host a free talk on methods for quitting smoking on Mon., March 12 at 6 p.m. at the hospital.

 

Richard Le Pera, Smoking Cessation Specialist and Exercise Physiologist, will host “That’s It – Learn to Quit,” an open discussion about the health risks of smoking and several methods that have helped individuals kick the habit.

 

The talk will include information about Griffin’s free smoking cessation program, which combines group discussion and interactive activities to teach participants how to develop a quit plan that addresses their personal behaviors and habits, including strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal, behaviors, triggers, and urges as well as weight control and stress management.

 

This talk 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)

Mayor to Guest Bartend for a Good Cause

Play Ball!

(Sharing Information from City of Ansonia's Facebook page)

ANSONIA – With MLB spring training camps now open, what better time to think spring and baseball!

Mayor Dave Cassetti, in conjunction with the Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics, announce that the City of Ansonia will host a regular season Division I college baseball game this spring at Nolan Field.

This is the first-ever event of its kind at Nolan Field.

The game will feature the Sacred Heart University Pioneers vs. University at Albany Great Danes and is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2018 with a May 16 rain date. Game time is yet to be determined but will likely be a late afternoon start with Nolan Field’s lights taking effect for the final innings.

“This is an original idea developed by my Constituent Services Director Greg Martin,” said Mayor Cassetti. “It certainly has the potential of becoming a signature event for Ansonia. We plan to offer up our finest hospitality to both teams.”

This inaugural game will be treated as a “pilot” and based on its success, SHU is considering making it an annual “home” game tradition here that could bring in other marquee opponents such as Yale or UCONN to the Copper City.

A nominal admission will be charged for the game.

“This is a great sporting event for families, kids and senior citizens from throughout the valley and beyond to attend and enjoy high caliber Division I college baseball talent,” said Cassetti.

Ansonia 6th Ward Alderman Joshua Shuart, a professor of sports management at Sacred Heart, assisted in bringing both sides together to facilitate the idea along.

SHU has had many players professionally drafted by Major League Baseball, with several continuing their MLB aspirations in the minor leagues. This past summer, Troy Scribner made his MLB debut with the LA Angels, becoming the first Pioneer to appear in “the show.” Scribner, a 2013 graduate of the University, went 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 23.2 innings of work in 10 outings with Los Angeles.

SHU is a member of the Northeast Conference and Albany is a member of the America East Conference. Both clubs have qualified for NCAA national tournaments over the past 10 years, with the Pioneers making four trips and the most recent in 2015.

“This is the next best thing to bringing a professional ball game to an intimate, hometown backyard setting,” said Martin. “It’s a unique sporting event opportunity that offers interesting growth potential.”

Nolan Field, considered one of the finest high school facilities in the state for both football and baseball, has previously hosted a Philadelphia Phillies tryout camp in 1948, and even a Major League exhibition game in 1922 featuring the National League St. Louis Cardinals against an Ansonia amateur team that attracted 4,000.

The second largest crowd to watch a baseball game here was in 1972 when Ansonia High School hosted Naugatuck near the end of the Grey Hounds vaunted 64-game winning streak. On a warm Saturday afternoon in May, a crowd estimated by The Evening Sentinel as over 3,000 watched a 15-inning thriller as Naugatuck prevailed 3-2 to keep their streak alive. AHS pitcher Dennis Lee hurled the entire 15 innings.

In 2014, as part of the Ansonia’s 125th anniversary celebration, Martin produced a vintage baseball game set in the 1880’s between the mythical Derby Osbornedales and Ansonia Coppermen played by era rules, uniforms and equipment. The game attracted 1,200 fans.

Nolan Field’s baseball capacity can accommodate up to 5,000 fans.

Martin is a former minor league general manager with the Pittsfield Colonials of the CanAm League and has also co-developed two nationally televised live vintage baseball games for ESPN.

 

Are You a Hot Shot?

Shelton School District/Police to Host Safety Forum

SHELTON -The school district will hold a Community Forum on School Safety at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St.

Leaders from the school district and police department will discuss current practices and hear concerns from families. 

Klarides-Ditria Fights for Animal Welfare

Dear Neighbors,   Today, I joined my colleagues on the Animal Welfare Caucus to announce major animal welfare initiatives for the 2018 legislative session.   Here are a few bills we will be fighting for this session:   ✅ Adequate shelter for dogs in extreme weather   ✅ Removing accelerated rehabilitation as an option for animal abusers   ✅ Implementing recommendations from the Human Animal Welfare Task Force   (Click on link below to WATCH)

https://www.facebook.com/REPNKD/videos/1613478805372762/ 

Train to Become a CNA

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Avenue, Suite 206, in Derby, is offering an evening session of its Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program starting March 12 to help individuals start a fulfilling career in healthcare.

 

The CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed 6-week schedule with classes Monday through Thursday from 5-9 p. m.

 

Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation.

 

The CNA clinical experience will be at Griffin Hospital and a long-term care facility from 5-10 p.m. for 40 hours. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the State exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut.

 

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

 

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its

kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers training, education, and certification for Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, and Patient Care Technician healthcare careers. Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, located at 300 Seymour Avenue in Derby.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Church to Host Awareness Event on Human Trafficking/Child Exploitation

DERBY – Walnut Hill Community Church, located at the corner of Smith and Ninth Streets in Derby is hosting a community awareness event at 7 p.m. March 1 in order to help raise awareness of the human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in the Valley, Connecticut and around the world.  

Pastor Walt Mayhew from Walnut Hill’s Valley Campus spoke of the reason the church decided to get involved.

“The sexual exploitation and human trafficking of our children is rising dramatically. Yet many in our community are unaware. Our hope is to raise awareness by having experts in the field of social services and criminal justice share what it taking place.” Mayhew said. 

According to statistical information provided by the church human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a world-wide 99-billion-dollar industry. In CT, just since 2016 referrals to DCF of suspected domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) has risen by 7,000%. The state is broken up into six regions for statistical reporting purposes.

The region in which the Valley is located is tied for the highest rate of referrals. Since 2008 (as of third quarter, HART Data 2017) more than 800 children have been referred to Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families as being suspected of being victims of human trafficking, the youngest just being 2 years old.

“The time is at hand to raise awareness and mobilize out communities so our children can be protected and we want to do our part.” Mayhew said.

The event will feature a panel discussion/presentation by experts in the field, including:

*Annmarie Boulay: Director of Women’s Ministry Wintonbury Church & Co-founder ofThe Underground

*Jillian Gilchrest: Director of Health Professional Outreach at CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence

*Tim Palmbach: Professor & Chair of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven

*Theresa Leonard: Co-founder of The Underground, Survivor of DMST

*Yvette Young: Project Director, Human Anti-trafficking Response Team for DCF, Village for Families and Children. 

Further information can be obtained from the church’s website:

www.walnuthillcc.org/valley-campus or by calling 203-732-5220.

(This is a press release from Pastor Walt Mayhew)

Learn How to Have Healthy, Happy Feet

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, will host a talk on foot health and the benefits of seeing a podiatrist on Thurs., March 1 at 6 p.m. at the hospital.

 

Podiatrist John D. Schwerdt, DPM, FACFAS, of Yale Podiatry Group in Shelton, will present “The Community Podiatrist: The Extraordinary Benefits of our Ordinary Services.” The talk will cover who podiatrist are and their training, routine foot care, diabetes and foot health, age-related foot problems, and other common foot issues such as plantar fasciitis, plantar warts, and neuromas.

 

This talk 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)

Klarides-Ditria Kicks off 2018 Legislative Session

Dear Neighbors,   We officially started the 2018 legislative session last week. Please WATCH my brief update from my office in Hartford.   As always, please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8700 or by email at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov.   Sincerely, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

School Superintendent Updates SHS Incident; Says No Threat to Safety

Sharing information Seymour Public Schools Facebook Page and Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson:

Good Afternoon Seymour Public Schools,

In a joint effort with Seymour’s administrative team, we would like to provide an update on the recent issue of which we notified you last evening:

Late Wednesday an incident occurred at the end of the school day in Seymour High School involving student discipline, resulting in a thorough investigation conducted by school administration and the school resource officer. During this investigation it was determined that a threat did not exist. That evening, after the investigation, social media exploded with allegations which were not uncovered during the original investigation.

Today, the investigation resumed to determine if the new information which was presented on social media was true. During today’s investigation, the allegations which were stated on social media last evening were determined to be false. The false allegations were tracked back to the source of misinformation, the social media allegations from last evening were unfounded. 

The students in Seymour High School were never at risk. This is an example of the negative impact the social media rumor mill can have on society. In this case, the communication and evolution of fake news negatively impacted the educational process in our school.

As we stated yesterday, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all Seymour Students.

Thank you,
Michael Wilson

Seymour High School Student Suspended

Information shared from Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller's Facebook page:


I was made aware of a situation that took place today at Seymour High School earlier tonight from a post on social media. Being a parent of a child in the Seymour school system, I, like many of you, was extremely concerned with what I was reading especially in light of what has taken place this week in Florida. I reached out to our Deputy Chief of Police, our School Resource Officer and our Superintendent to find out what exactly took place so I would have a better understanding of the situation and would be able to pass that information along to the community. Please understand that the student in question is a minor, so some things I am unable to say, but they do not affect the ability to answer the questions that people have. 
 

There was an issue with a student today at Seymour High School for a non-violent related offense. The student was brought to the office and received discipline for it. The student was upset and thought that he had been snitched on by people who also had been doing what he was. Upon returning to class, he was very vocal about getting back at those kids and getting them in trouble as well. He shared a list of students doing what he was in an attempt to get them in trouble as well. The student was issued a disciplinary consequence and will not be attending school during the ongoing police investigation. Any further decisions will be made after the investigation is completed. The student has been charged with a non-violent crime and has a court date pending. In speaking with our School Resource Officer, he is unaware of the student at any point making any threats about shooting up the school.
       
The heightened police presence at our schools will continue as planned, but this is unrelated to today’s events. After the incident in Florida, a decision was made to increase police presence at all of our schools. The school administration and the Seymour Police Department take the safety of our children very seriously and have several layers of security in place at each school to protect the kids. Had they felt that our students faced any type of immediate danger, I can assure you that would have been communicated to the parents right away.

I have a very strong relationship and level of communication with Superintendent Wilson and Deputy Police Chief Satkowski and have full confidence in their leadership and ability to keep our kids safe. I feel strongly that they have the situation under control and will provide information as needed to parents at appropriate times. I, as well as them, fully understand the gravity of the situation and the concerns that people have. Both the Seymour Police Department and the Seymour Public Schools will be putting out their own statements, but I wanted to provide everyone an update from my discussions. I will do my best to answer people’s questions but please understand, I might not be able to get to all of them tonight.

 Thanks……Kurt

....and sharing from Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson:

Good Evening Seymour Public Schools.
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know there maybe some rumors circulating in the community about an incident at Seymour High School. Considering current issues in Florida, we are keenly aware of the heightened concerns of the public. While we are not currently at liberty to discuss specifics of the matter, it is important for you to know that there were no injuries of any kind to Seymour students. Any information brought to t...he School Administration that suggests possible student safety concerns are taken very seriously.

Today, a student issue was brought to the Administration’s attention and, with the close cooperation of the Seymour Police Department,we are jointly investigating and containing the situation to insure the continued safe operation of the Seymour schools. There is nothing more specific to share with you now, other than our thanks that all students remain safe and there is no reason to believe there is any ongoing threat. Once again, we are doing everything that we can to insure all our students stay safe. We will continue to keep you updated should additional relevant information come available. Thank you for your support.

Thank you,
Michael Wilson

Hoops Contest Happening Soon

Ansonia Mayor Plays Cupid

Sharing from City of Ansonia's Facebook Page:

 

Mayor David Cassetti played Cupid and passed out red roses to members of

Ansonia's Senior Center on Valentine's Day.

Sponsorship & Vendor Opportunities Open for Valley Music Fest

ANSONIA – Aim D'Amaro, owner of Adventures in Music Productions, LLC is happy to announce that A.I.M Productions will be working with the newly formed non-profit organization Banko's Music Foundation, Inc and the City of Ansonia to bring Rock the Summer- A Concert for Music Education to Ansonia's Nolan Field in the summer of 2018.

A.I.M Productions, out of Shelton, CT specializes in producing music events, most notably their daylong Spring festival, Locapalooza which takes place in Bethany, CT every May.

The Banko's Music Foundation, is a non-profit organization formed by Joe Shapiro, the owner of Banko's Music with a mission of advocating for public school music education and awarding scholarships to students pursuing careers in music and music education.

In October of 2017, Banko's Music entered into an agreement with the City of Ansonia to co-present the formerly named Rock the Valley Concert. The Rock the Summer concert will take place on July 28, 2018 from 4pm - 10pm and will feature nationally touring bands providing the music. While this will be a free concert, there is a $5 suggested donation and all proceeds will go to Banko's Music Foundation so that they may continue their efforts. The music lineup is slated to be announced on April 9, 2018. 

In addition to live music on the stage, A.I.M Productions and Banko's are planning on having food trucks, a beer garden and a musical petting zoo, where adults and children will be able to play various instruments, at this event. 

Currently, both sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and applications for food trucks for this event are available.

For inquiries about sponsorship or food vending or more information about the event, please contact:

Aim D'Amaro

203-828-7706

aimproductions@outlook.com

 

To find out more about Banko’s Music Foundation, Inc, please visit their website:

https://bankosfoundation.org/

Sen. Logan to Host Coffee Hour

Bus Trip to see UCONN Huskies

Seymour First Selectman Receives Endorsement




In contributed photo left to right: Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan, Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller, Derby Republican Town Committee Chairman Sam Pollastro and Derby Aldermanic President Charlie Sampson
 

DERBY - Kurt Miller, the First Selectman of Seymour and small business owner, received his first Republican Town Committee endorsement for State Comptroller on Wednesday night from the Derby RTC. 

“I want to thank the Derby RTC, Chairman Sam Pollastro, and Mayor Richard Dziekan for their support,” said Miller. “As the First Selectman of Seymour, we have worked with our neighbors in the Valley to combine resources to keep our taxes stable and have created a place where businesses and residents want to call home. I look forward to meeting residents throughout the state and talking to them about what we have accomplished in the Valley and how we can take it to Hartford.” 

 

“We are very excited to have someone from our own backyard ready to join House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria and Senator George Logan in Hartford. Kurt's work in Seymour to keep taxes straight for three years is a testament to his fiscal responsibility, which is much-needed in Hartford," Chairman Pollastro stated.

Miller will be officially kicking off his campaign for State Comptroller at an event in Seymour tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tavern 1757.

 

Kurt Miller is currently serving his fourth term as the First Selectman of the Town of Seymour.  He was first elected in 2011 and has run unopposed in two of his last three elections. 

More information about Kurt and his campaign for State Comptroller can be found on his website, www.KurtforCT.com. 

(This is a press release from Derby RTC)

Volunteers Needed

DERBY - The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is looking for volunteers to provide additional support for elderly patients.

 

HELP is designed to offer special services to older adults while hospitalized at Griffin Hospital. Between 30 and 50 percent of seniors can experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities during a hospital stay.

 

HELP is a comprehensive, evidence based, patient-care program that provides various volunteer interventions such as meal time assistance, friendly visits, activities, walking and exercise to help patients maintain their optional level of functioning. HELP team members work in partnership with the doctors and nursing staff to highlight issues specific to geriatric care and to provide education to patients and their families.

 

Training and supervision will be provided. No previous medical experience is required. Volunteers have a choice of working various weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Scholarship incentives are also available for eligible college students.

 

The next HELP training is scheduled to begin in the spring. To learn more about this exciting program or to become a HELP volunteer, please call Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Pilates/Yoga Classes Starting in Seymour

Men to Cook for a Cause

Local Lawmakers to Host Town Hall Meeting

"Rock the Summer" Event Coming to Ansonia

Family-Style Dinner to Benefit School

 
DERBY- A Macaroni and Meatball Family Supper to Benefit St. Mary-St. Michael School will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at St. Michael Church Hall, 75 Derby Ave.

The public is welcome to join Marc Garofalo and St. Michael's Kitchen Krew for family style dinner featuring macaroni, meatballs, salad, soda, coffee  and dessert.

Tickets are $10 per person.

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.

Kindergarten & Pre-K Registration in Ansonia

Save the Date

Kindergarten & Pre-K Registration

and Family Fun Fair

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Ansonia Middle School

9 a.m. — 12 p.m.

·      Ansonia residents with children eligible for Kindergarten (5 years old by January 1^st) are invited to register your child in the Ansonia Public Schools

Pre-K office located in the portables behind the Ansonia Middle School on Day Street.

·      Ansonia families with children ages 2.9-5 years old can register early for Fall of 2018 for one of our pre-kindergarten program in our Ansonia School Readiness Office (also located in the portables on Day St.)

·      Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten families are welcome to visit our Family Fun Fair in the middle school gym to participate in engaging activities to reinforce learning at home. Lots of free items will be given to those who attend!

·      Further details will be provided soon.

·       For more information, please contact Krista Gambino

Ansonia School Readiness Coordinator 203-736-5052 or kgambino@ansonia.org

Ansonia Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

ANSONIA- A special day it was yesterday at the Ansonia Senior Center. 100 year old lifelong resident Marija Marciniak was joined by family and friends on this joyous occasion. A bouquet of flowers was presented by Mayor Cassetti on behalf of Ansonia residents, and Representative Linda Gentile read a citation from the State of Connecticut. Happy birthday Marija!

(Information shared from City of Ansonia's Facebook page)

Got Beer?

Having a super bowl party? Grab some fresh beer to go this weekend, we've got Growlers, Crowlers and 16oz 4 pack cans!

BadSons is located at 251 Roosevelt Dr. in Derby.

Support Group on Exercising with Diabetes

DERBY -The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about an exercise program for individuals diagnosed with diabetes on Tues., Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

Griffin Hospital Exercise Physiologist Trish Whitehouse, RN, and Lauren Ventrella, director of Health & Wellness for Fitscript, will discuss the new GlucoseZone program at Griffin Hospital. GlucoseZone is an exercise program specific for people with prediabetes and diabetes to help reduce, reverse, and control their diabetes. Participants in the GlucoseZone program meet one-on-one with a Certified GlucoseZone Trainer and have access to the GlucoseZone app.  GlucoseZone provides step-by-step guidance on how exercise can help increase insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight, and lower A1C.

 

The presentations will be in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A. There will be 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)