Reception today to honor Ansonia's K-9

Thor, Ansonia Police K-9, is retiring.  / Photo courtesy Ansonia Police Department

ANSONIA - The public is invited to a ceremony and reception at 2 p.m. today in aldermanic chambers at City Hall to honor Thor.
He is retiring after nine years on the force.

Ansonia police to honor K-9 Thor, retiring after 9 years

ANSONIA >> The Police Department will be honoring K-9 Thor, who is retiring after more than nine years on the force because of a recent illness.

A brief ceremony and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in aldermanic chambers on the second floor of City Hall.
Thor has been patrolling city streets with his partner, Officer Steve Martins, since they graduated from the Police Academy in 2005, spokesman Lt. Andrew Cota said in a release.

Thor has been on more than 10,000 calls for service and has assisted in 442 motor vehicle stops since 2010, Cota said.
Together, Thor and Martins have assisted federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on 240 occasions and have completed more than 30 school security walk-throughs, Cota said.

CEO of TEAM to retire after 34 years

DERBY - The Board of Directors of TEAM, Inc. announced that Richard Knoll, Chief Executive Officer and President, will retire from the agency effective Dec. 31, after 34 years of service.
Knoll was hired in 1980 in accounting and human resources for an agency that struggled to improve community relations and program quality.

Prior to TEAM, his accomplishments included municipal administration, grants management, and vocational and educational counseling.
Since becoming CEO in 1991, Knoll championed the work of TEAM throughout the community and surrounding 10-town area.

Under his guidance and leadership, TEAM’s services multiplied; the agency is financially stable, and employs more than 80 professional staff.
TEAM operates from seven locations, serving thousands of individuals and families each year with a wide array of services from infant care and early education to senior independence programs.

Longest-serving president
Knoll said, “Managing TEAM has been a pleasure and a privilege. It has permitted me to meet and know a wide range of talented and dedicated people. I retire knowing that the agency is in excellent condition and professional hands.”

Knoll is the longest-serving president in the agency’s 49-year history.

In addition to his commitment at TEAM, Inc, he is active with Rotary International, and has annually brought over $8,000,000 in federal and state funding to Valley agencies and towns to help those in need. 
Active in the nonprofit sector at both the local and state levels, Knoll also serves on other nonprofit boards dedicated to human services.

Stephane Skibo, Board Chair, commented, “The Board of Directors and I make this announcement with gratitude for all Richard Knoll accomplished at TEAM.  He developed TEAM from an agency with serious deficiencies to one that is a model state-wide and a key partner to all other Valley non-profits.
"We applaud his legacy and know that finding a worthy successor will be our way to honor him and TEAM.”
The Board of Directors established an internal search committee to identify the next leader. 
Knoll will continue to serve as President and CEO to the end of 2014.
He will also assist with the search to ensure a successful transition to new leadership.


This is a press release from TEAM Inc., 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.  TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.       

Ansonia nature center director feted on retirement

Family, friends surprise Lindgren  

Donna Lindgren listens to friends wish her well during Saturday's surprise party for her.

Donna Lindgren, right foreground, gets ready to cut into a cake in her honor.

ANSONIA - My daughter Allegra and I attended a surprise open house Saturday for Donna Lindgren, Ansonia Nature Center director, who is retiring after 34 years.

She is the first and only director the center has had since it opened in 1979.

Ranger Martin Wigglesworth and Alison Rubelmann, assistant director, show off photographer Ron Smith's pictures of the nature center in each season. The collage was a gift to Lindgren from the staff.

The acorns were a perfect decoration for Lindgren's cake.

Guitarists David Cherniske, left, of Milford and Ellis Pelaccia of Orange, Lindgren's nephew, entertained throughout the event.

Here's Lindgren laughing as she listens to tributes to her.

I apologize for the blurriness of the above photo. I was on the other side of the room when the honoree arrived.

I also offer my congratulations to Lindgren on her 34-year career as director and I wish her well in her retirement.

Cormack to step down as President of BHcare in Ansonia

Marilyn Cormack

After 30 years with BHcare (formerly Birmingham Group Health Services), President Marilyn Cormack, will retire on June 28.

A reception in her honor will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 27 at Racebrook Country Club in Orange.

Cormack began her career with BHcare (Birmingham) in 1983 as the Director of Rehabilitation Services. 

She worked her way up the ladder becoming the Associate Director for Services in 1986, Vice President of Services in 1988 and President in 1989.

Cormack was an integral part of the committee that started the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council and very instrumental in keeping domestic violence services in the Valley. She also helped to develop CommuniCare. 

CommuniCare is a unique and dynamic behavioral healthcare partnership that was formed in 1996 by Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc., Bridges…A Community Support System, Inc., and Harbor Health Services, Inc. (Birmingham and Harbor merged in 2011 to form BHcare).

Cormack served on many boards including the Beth-El Center (current board president), Connecticut Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Connecticut Community Providers Association, Valley Substance Abuse Council, Valley Needs and Opportunities, Valley Council of Health and Human Services Organization (first chair) and ACT Homeless Shelter. 

She was also a surveyor for Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), a member of the Department of Mental Health Statewide Program Standards Committee and a part of various other community service organizations.

Cormack received many honors and awards including Stratford Jaycees’ “Woman of the Year” in 1976, CT Post “Woman of Substance” award in 1993 and the Valley Chamber of Commerce “Gold Seals Award” in 1993.

To attend the reception, send checks payable to BHcare and mail to BHcare, Attn: Liz, 435 E. Main Street, Ansonia, Ct. 06401. Tickets are $35.

This information is taken from a press release.

Roast planned for retiring Ribas

Ribas

A roast will be held for Jack Ribas to celebrate his retirement after 34 years of service to the Boys & Girls Club.

Ribas is the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, which includes two units—the Raymond P. Lavietes Clubhouse in Shelton and the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse in Ansonia.

The event will be held from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 9 at The Waterview in Monroe.
Ticket price is $65 per person. It includes open bar, cocktail hour, full dinner, and a gift.

If you are interested in attending,stop by the Boys & Girls Club at One Positive Place in Shelton or contact Ann Wheeler at 203-924-7462, AnnWheeler@BGC-LNV.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door. 

Ribas has been a youth service professional since 1971 when he started his career at the Community Center Boys Club. 
In 1975 he was hired as the Unit Director of the North End Boys Club in Bridgeport and in 1977 was promoted to Director of Operations for the four-unit Bridgeport organization.

In February of 1978 Jack was hired as Executive Director of the Community Center Boys Club and immediately began changing the organizational structure into its present form. Within the first three years, the Boys Club merged with the Community Center, becoming the Community Center Boys Club. 

In 1980 girls were added as full-time members, and the name was changed to the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. The Club grew from 420 members in 1978 to more than 2,300 in 2011, and the budget also grew from $72,000 to $1,720,000 in that same time period.

The above information is from a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Seymour to host party for retiring Town Clerk

SEYMOUR - Town Clerk Esther Rozum is retiring Aug. 30 after 47 years of service to the Town of Seymour. 
A celebration will be held at 4:30 p.m. that day in the Norma Drummer Room in Town Hall.
There will be formal citations from the state legislators, Connecticut Clerk’s Association, the Union, and the Town presented to her at that time.  

 

 

The above release is from First Selectman Kurt Miller's office. 

Ribas to retire as club's executive director

SHELTON -  Jack Ribas, the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club for the past 34 years, has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 12.
He has been a youth service professional since September of 1971, when he started his career as the Program Director of the then Community Center Boys Club.
In 1975 he was hired as the Unit Director of the North End Boys Club in Bridgeport and in 1977 was promoted to Director of Operations for the four-unit Bridgeport organization.

In February of 1978 Jack was hired as the Executive Director of the Community Center Boys Club and immediately began changing the organizational structure into its present form. Within the first three years, the Boys Club merged with the Community Center, becoming the Community Center Boys Club.

In 1980 girls were added as full-time members, and the name was changed to the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. The Club grew from 420 members in 1978 to more than 2,300 in 2011, and the budget also grew from $72,000 to $1,720,000 (corrected amount; typo in previous release) in that same time period.

Ribas said, “It’s been a great ride. I never thought I would be doing this my whole life. I have had the opportunity to work with the best Board of Directors ever, hard-working community people giving of their time, talent, and treasure to make our community a better place for our children.
"We have built two new state-of-the-art Clubhouses for our kids at a cost of over $10 million, all raised by our volunteer Board from people and businesses in the Valley. I have been blessed to have a great staff of hard working, dedicated people, with a genuine concern for all our kids. Thousands of children have passed through our doors and have become better citizens, better students, and better people for having been here. I can’t tell you how many Alumni have stopped back here 20 years later and have told me how the Club saved their life. It’s a tremendous feeling to know you have truly helped someone, especially those children going through difficult times.”

Board president, Susan DeLeon said, “Jack will truly be missed, he has been the heart and soul of this organization. Jack has done such a great job for so many years, and we all know how difficult it will be to replace him, but the Club and all its award-winning programs will go on.

"The Board is in the middle of its succession planning, and the position and information have been posted on our website at www.BGC-LNV.org/employment-opportunities.aspx. Anyone interested in applying for the position should check out our web page. Candidate review will begin the first week of September.”

For information about the job listing, Club programs, or summer camp, visit web site or call 203-924-7462.

3 Ansonia school officials retiring at end of June

Pictured from left are Robert Lisi, Lynn Bennett-Wallick, and Lawrence DiPalma. The three retiring administrators have a combined 105 years in the field of education. Photo by Eileen Ehman



By Eileen Ehman
Grants Manager/Community Liaison
Ansonia Public Schools

ANSONIA – When the final day of the 2011-12 school year ended June 7, three of Ansonia’s administrators said goodbye to their last classes of students.
    All three are retiring at the end of June. They are: Robert Lisi, interim principal of Ansonia High School; Lynn Bennett-Wallick, principal of Ansonia Middle School; and Lawrence DiPalma, principal of John G. Prendergast School.
  Each administrator was honored by their peers, family, and members of the community at dinners or picnics held this spring.
    Together, the three administrators have 105 years in the field.
    Lisi is a 37-year educator, starting and finishing his career in Ansonia Public Schools. He has spent the last 16 years of his career at Ansonia High School, serving as assistant principal until February, when he assumed the role of interim principal.
Lisi obtained three education degrees from Southern Connecticut State University: a B.S. degree in Health Education in 1974, a M.S. degree in Special Education in 1980, and a Sixth-year degree in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1982.
    He started his career as a special education teacher at AHS in 1975, spent one year as a high school science teacher, then seven years as director and teacher of the Alternative High School for the school district.
In 1986, he was appointed as Supervisor of Special Education, a position he held until returning to AHS as assistant principal in 1996. Among his community activities, Lisi has been a long-time member of the Board of Directors for the Parent Child Resource Center, serving as president from 1991-1994.
    Bennett-Wallick spent nearly all of her education career in Ansonia. A biology teacher for many years at Ansonia High School, she was selected as Ansonia’s Teacher of the Year in 1998. She began her teaching career at St. Joseph and Assumption Schools in Ansonia and joined the Ansonia Public Schools in 1984. Bennett-Wallick joined the administrative ranks in 2003 as assistant principal of AMS, then became principal in 2004.
    Bennett-Wallick received her B.S. degree in Biology/Chemistry secondary education from Cardinal Cushing College; her M.S. degree in Health Education from SCSU; a 30 credit program in Educational Leadership from St. Joseph College; and a sixth-year degree in Foundations in Education from SCSU. She has also served as business agent for the Connecticut State Federation of Teachers.
    DiPalma is retiring after 40 years in the education field. Principal of Prendergast School for the past two years, he joined the Ansonia school district in 2008 as an Assistant Principal of Prendergast. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, said she recruited DiPalma for what he will be remembered: “I brought Larry to Ansonia to revamp the way we teach math in the elementary grades. We call it ‘DiPalma Math’ for a reason. It changed our teaching, and our students’ mastery of math increased dramatically,” she said.
    DiPalma has worked in a variety of private and public schools throughout his career, which began in West Haven in 1972. He has been principal of two parochial elementary schools in Connecticut, principal of the Highville Charter School in Hamden, and a math teacher and department chair for nine years for a public middle school in Norwalk.
He received a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts from the College of the Holy Cross in 1972; his master’s degree in Education from Bridgeport University in 1986; and a sixth year degree in Administration from Sacred Heart University in 1990.
    In addition to DiPalma Math, he will be remembered as the Connecticut winner of the National Distinguished Principal Award in 2011. 
    “We are grateful to these three veteran educators who helped move our district forward, especially over these last several years,” Merlone said. “They provided strong leadership when it was needed the most. I wish them the best in this next phase of their lives.”

Wishing Seymour 'icon' all the best

After working for the Town of Seymour for nearly half a century, Town Clerk Esther Rozum has announced she will retire Sept. 4.
In a story published Sunday about Rozum's retirement, Register Correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich writes that those who know Rozum well describe her as an 'icon' in Seymour.

Working at the same place for 47 years in today's world is no small feat.
Rozum, who says she has enjoyed working with the public over the years, is to be commended for her dedication to the town. 

Here's wishing Rozum a happy and healthy retirement.

Retirement party planned for AHS interim principal

ANSONIA - Robert Lisi, Interim Principal of Ansonia High School, will be retiring at the end of this school year, the school has announced.
Lisi has been with the Ansonia School District for 37 years. 
A retirement party will be held in his honor at 6 p.m. June 8 at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane, Derby. Price is $40 a person, with a cash bar. Gift is included in the price. 
Reservation deadline is June 1. To RSVP or for information,  call Ansonia High School, 203-736-5060, or e-mail Lida Princevalli, lprincevalli@ansonia.org; Gerri Southard, gsouthard@ansonia.org; or Lori Fletcher, lfletcher@ansonia.org.

This information was provided by Gerri Southard.