68th National Day of Prayer in Ansonia May 2

ANSONIA - The Ansonia community is invited to answer the call to prayer on Thursday, May 2^nd, in observance of the 68^th National Day of Prayer. 

The National Day of Prayer affords residents the opportunity to join together to pray for our country and its leaders, our town, our service men and women, and our people. It is one of our freedoms to gather and humbly ask for God’s healing and renewal for our Nation. 

Historically, this annual observance came about through a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress in 1952, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman; then the declaration was amended in 1988 by both Houses of Congress and signed by President Reagan, setting the permanent date for the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May each year. Prayer gatherings will be taking place all day throughout our Nation. 

We are representing the Judeo-Christian expression of the NDP. The prayers will be led by local Clergy and Laymen – young and old(er), as we all join in faith and unity.

Our local Ansonia prayer gathering will take place outside at the Veterans Memorial Park - adjacent to City Hall, 253 Main Street, Ansonia, from 6:00-7:30 pm. In case of rain, the meeting will be moved indoors – Aldermanic Chambers. 


The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “Love One Another”, taken from John 13:34 in which our Lord says “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” We will be praying for our country, including our government, military, media, business, education, church, and family. Each year our prayer gathering has been honored and blessed to have local clergy, town officials, first responders, and veterans participate.

Please join us in praying for our great Nation. God’s love NEVER fails. Prayer changes things!!

For further information on the National Day of Prayer and other event locations, please see the official website: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org. (The town events are listed according to the time they will take place.)

(This is a press release from Pat Boemmels, NDP New Haven County Coordinator)

National Day of Prayer in the Valley

Chocolate in spotlight Sunday in Shelton

3rd annual Valentine's weekend event

SHELTON - Spooner House will be one of the beneficiaries for the third annual In Love and Chocolate, a Valentine's Day holiday event Sunday.
The benefit will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott, 780 Bridgeport Ave.

The Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund is the other beneficiary and the event is being hosted by Liquid Lunch featuring a chocolate lover’s paradise. 
Sponsoring the event this year are DiMatteo Insurance, Marks of Design and Stone Garden Farms, all of Shelton.

Spooner House provides temporary housing and food to help the less fortunate to get back on their feet.
The Turtle Shell Fund is a charity that furthers music and arts education through scholarship and programming to children and young adults.

In Love and Chocolate will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott. Tickets are available at Liquid Lunch locations (6 Research Drive and 84 South Broad St., Milford) and at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road. 
Tickets may also be purchased using PayPal at www.turtleshellfund.com/events and those tickets will be held for pick up on the day of event at Will Call. Tickets may also be purchased at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road or Marks of Design, Howe Avenue in Shelton.  

For information e-mail Nicole Heriot of Liquid Lunch at nicole@soupstockfestival.org or contact Tony Vellucci of Spooner House, 203-225-0453 or avellucci@actspooner.org.

For $25 per person, patrons will be able to sample chocolate creations from the best of Connecticut’s confectioners, sip champagne (for those 21 or older), listen to live music, enter to win door prizes and much more. Exhibitors serving up sweet samples this year include restaurants in Shelton, Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Milford.  
Proceeds will be split between Spooner House and the Turtle Shell Fund .

“We were pleased with the outpouring of support and enthusiasm from Liquid Lunch despite the fire which interrupted their business in January,” commented Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House. “We are looking forward to a delightful In Love and Chocolate fund raiser with a chocolate coating which will again showcase the skills of chefs and restaurants who have donated their supplies and talents to create the delicious sweet treats for everyone in the area to enjoy.”

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network, and is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.


This post is taken from a press release from Spooner House.

Stuffed monkey drive needs your help

Sneider

Monkeys, monkeys, everywhere ~

The seventh annual Monkey Love drive is in full swing.

Help out this worthy cause and donate a huggable plush monkey to put a smile on a needy child's face this Valentine's Day.  


Pictured here is Jen Sneider, owner of J Cuts, a barber shop at 505 Howe Ave., Shelton.

For the third consecutive year she's coordinating the drive and collecting stuffed monkeys of all shapes and sizes.

Kudos go out to her and to all who help collect and distribute the stuffed simians.

Book about love, dysfunction is library discussion topic

    DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled its next Lunchtime Book Discussion for 12:30 p.m. July 25.
     The selected title is J. Courtney Smith’s second novel, Maine.
     It revolves around three generations of women who converge on the family beach house in Maine, one last time.  Over the course of the summer, long-held secrets are revealed, embarrassing crushes bloom, and chaos develops.
    The author uses humor to examine the truths of the heart in this emotional story of love and dysfunction.
   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 information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  


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

Thoughts on young love in Ansonia

Love was in the air at The Original Antonio’s Restaurant in downtown Ansonia on a recent Saturday night.
Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe revealed a bit about his personal life this week when he told me his son, Vince, had popped the question in front of dozens of family and friends gathered at the restaurant. Vince Della Volpe is a girls’ junior varsity basketball coach at Ansonia High School. He asked his longtime girlfriend, Amy Cosciello, for her hand in marriage at a surprise party for her 30th birthday.
 “She was surprised and she said yes,” the mayor recalled. “The room erupted in cheers and applause.”

Contacted this morning at John C. Mead Elementary School in Ansonia where she teaches first grade, Cosciello sounded like she was still on Cloud Nine, almost two weeks after the fact.
Cosciello is a big fan of Lionel Richie. “He (Vince) was playing a yes game with me,” she said, her voice bubbling over with joy.
He asked her if she liked Richie and his music. She said yes to each question. For a fleeting moment she thought Richie was going to walk into the restaurant to surprise her.
Instead, Vince Della Volpe surprised her by asking her if she would make him the happiest man in the world and marry him, Cosciello said. And the rest is history.
Cosciello said, “It was so much for me to handle. It was a surprise 30th birthday party and I was surprised by the marriage proposal. Lionel didn’t show up, but I got a beautiful ring.”

Ah, young love.

Lionel Richie’s music brings back many fond memories. My husband, Ralph, and I chose his 1984 hit, “Stuck on You,” for our first dance at our wedding in May, 1986.

Ah, young love.