Griffin Hospital Scrubs Going to the Dogs

DERBY- Griffin Hospital and Griffin Bariatrics staff have sent their lightly-used scrubs to help care for abandoned and injured galgos, also known as Spanish hunting greyhounds, across the globe.

Ruth Tuccio, a unit clerk at Griffin and coordinator of the hospital’s therapy dog program People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), organized the collection of scrubs for Galgos del Sol, a large rescue organization based in Murcia, Spain.

The scrubs will be used by volunteers when cleaning the dogs and their kennels, so that they don’t ruin their clothes.

In Spain, thousands of galgos are abandoned or killed annually at the end of each short hunting season. As they are not always viewed as potential pets in the country, galgos usually end up in pounds, where their lives are often ended in inhumane ways. Galgos del Sol rescues and rehabilitates them and finds them forever homes in the UK, US and Belgium.

For more information about Galgos del Sol, visit galgosdelsol.org.

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Derby Library to host Lego Time, music, crafts, therapy dogs

  DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 4-11 to use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

  All levels of building skills are welcome to come by for this drop-in program which will be held twice a month. There is no fee to attend and all building materials will be provided.

Library Card Sign-Up Month

    Join the fun Sept. 20 at the Library with several activities planned in celebration of September as Library Card Sign-up Month.
   This open house will offer an opportunity for children to apply for their own library card. 
    Families are invited to attend Story and Craft Time at 10:30 a.m. featuring apple-themed stories and arts and crafts projects. 
    Children ages 4-11 can use their creative talents and stir their imaginations during Lego Time scheduled for 12:30 p.m. All levels of building skills are welcome to participate.  

    Registration is requested. There is no fee to attend.  

Crafty kids

    The Derby Public Library welcomes children in kindergarten through Grade 3 to attend Crafty Kids at 3:45 p.m. Sept. 16 for the first after-school program of the new school year.  Get creative during this back to school-themed arts and crafts program.

    Registration is requested.  There is no fee to attend and materials will be supplied.  

Tween Tuesdays

     The Derby Public Library will offer Tween Tuesdays as part of the fall lineup of events.  This program is geared for 10-12 year olds with an opportunity to make a new friend while tapping in to their creative talents through activities such as arts and crafts projects and cooking demos.  All materials are provided and there is no fee to attend.

    Registration is requested. There is no fee to attend and materials will be supplied.  

Turn It Up!

      Children ages 3-8 are invited to the Derby Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 for Turn It Up!  
      For this interactive music program, Sandi Schuchman will feature songs and movement with a night-time theme. Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring along a fuzzy bedtime friend to share this evening event.

     There is no fee to attend, but registration is requested. 

Therapy dogs to visit

    Read to Payson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 when the popular children’s reading to a therapy dog program continues for the fall.  
   Children ages 5-11 are invited to share a book with Payson during this interactive reading program.

    Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Payson, an Australian Shepherd rescue dog who was found roaming the streets of Kentucky.  
    She and her owner, Janet Sabovik, are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer throughout the community.

    This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills achieved during the school year and encourage a love of reading.  
     Participants are encouraged to stop by the Children’s Room to select a book with Payson’s “paw of approval” to share with her for the program.

     Registration is requested..  

      For further information or to register for any of the above programs,  call the Children’s Room at 203-736-1482, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St. or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


   This is a press release from Sue Sherman, children's librarian, Derby Public Library.

Derby Neck launches game club, slates October programs

DERBY - Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave, will begin a new club for teens and adults - GO! from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 1
Come learn the ancient Chinese board game GO!, which predates chess and checkers.
Game pieces and boards will be available at the library, as well as free instruction on rules and strategies.
This club will meet once a month on the first Tuesday.

Health care presentation
At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 the Library will present a free program, “Medicare Meets Obamacare.” 
An expert from Bankers Life and Casualty & Colonial Penn will give the latest information on this health care program for the elderly-providing details and answering questions about what happens on Jan. 1.
Be prepared for any changes that may affect you.

Movie night

At 6 p.m. Oct. 8 the Library hosts Teen Movie Night.
The feature is “After Earth” starring Jaden Smith and Will Smith, run on Blu-Ray in high definition.  All teens and 'tweens are invited. Free snacks and a pizza supper will be provided.

Music and Movement
At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 join Miss Kathi for Bedtime Music and Movement.
Children can wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal. The program is filled with singing and dancing and having fun. 

Tech Talks

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 16 the Library offers Tech Talks, a series of presentations featuring the latest trends and developments in technology.
This month’s topic is maintaining the hardware and software that make up your personal computer.    This series meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Various topics are discussed.

Read to canines

From 6-7 p.m. Oct. 16 the Library will host two therapy dogs, St. Bernards Thor and Cosmo, for B.A.R.K.—Be a Reading Kid.
Register your child for a 15-minute session of reading to these adorable dogs.

Writers' Round

From 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Writers’ Round, a writing workshop for authors of prose, poetry, fiction, scripts, etc., will meet. Come bring your original works to share with other writers.

Women's Forum

From 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Women’s Forum, a discussion group focusing on issues, literature, history, and news relevant to women, will meet.
This month two short stories, "Mixed Doubles” by Irwin Shaw, and “The Biggest Words” by Torgny Lindgren, will be featured.
Copies are available at the front desk. Bring a light lunch; free coffee and tea served.

Registration is required for all of the above. For details and to register call 203-734-1492.


This post is taken from a press release from Pat Sweeney, reference and cataloging librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Derby Neck slates September sessions

Music and movement
DERBY - Young children and their parents are invited to the Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 for Bedtime Music and Movement.

Join Miss Kathi in singing and dancing to fun tunes. Bring a favorite stuffed animal and wear your pajamas if you wish. 

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. Sept. 16 the Library presents Women’s Forum - a discussion group focusing on literary, historical, social, and cultural topics of interest to women.
For September the group will discuss school memories and  old-fashioned poetry recitations.
Bring your ideas and recall your own memories of school days. An old primer or two will be available to explore.
Bring a light lunch if you wish; free tea and coffee served.

Read to therapy dogs

At 6 p.m. Sept. 18 children are invited to the Library for BARK (Be a Reading Kid) to read to therapy dogs Thor and Cosmo, two St. Bernards.
Register ahead to insure your child has a 15-minute session of reading.

Writers' Round
At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 the Library will host Writers’ Round, a monthly creative writing workshop.  Bring your original works to share including poetry, prose, fiction, nonfiction, scripts, and more.
For details on any of the above and to register for BARK call the library, 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Derby Neck Library.

Program in Derby seeks to help children with dog bites

DERBY - The Planetree People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.) Program is sponsoring a free dog bite prevention program for schoolchildren at 10 a.m. June 22 in the Meditation/Learning Center at Griffin Hospital.

Sheri Polzella, of For The Love of Dogs, LLC, will present the “Be a Tree” dog bite prevention program for schoolchildren.

The 45-minute program is offered across the country by veterinary technicians, dog trainers, dog behaviorists, public health nurses, emergency medical services personnel, animal control officers, police officers, teachers and humane educators.

Presenters use a teacher kit which contains large format photographs showing dog body language signs, games and activities.
Over 700,000 children worldwide have experienced the Be a Tree presentation since 2004.
To register, visit griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511.
For information, contact Ruth Tuccio at 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

About P.A.W.S
Griffin Hospital currently has 16 dogs in its P.A.W.S. program, ranging from a Toy Poodle to a Great Dane.
All the dogs are registered and insured through a Therapy Dog group. Each dog must pass a rigorous behavior and medical screening prior to entry to our program.  We welcome all breeds of dogs who qualify for testing for therapy dog work.
Griffin Hospital is currently seeking eligible dogs to visit weekdays. Dogs must be tested and registered as therapy dogs if not already certified. Dogs and handlers are tested together as a team.  Dogs must be able to walk beside handler on a loose leash, no pulling straining or jumping, MUST get along well with others dogs and must be able to take direction from their owner/handler. Dogs must be at least one year of age.

For information about the P.A.W.S. program, contact Ruth Tuccio at 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This post is taken from a press release. 

Origami lesson, Tech Talks on tap at Derby Neck

Library lists April activities

Music and Movement
DERBY - Bring your little ones to Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. for Bedtime Music and Movement with Miss Kathi at 6:30 p.m. April 10.
Wear pajamas if you wish and bring along a favorite stuffed animal to sing and dance with.  No registration is required.

Chiropractic care

Learn of the benefits of Chiropractic Care at 6:30 p.m. April 11.
A licensed doctor will present all the aspects of good health resulting from regular chiropractic sessions.  Bring questions for the doctor. 

Video game tournament

Teens and tweens are invited to a video game tournament featuring Mario Kart on Wii at 2 p.m. April 16. Bring your skills and bring your friends for a fun afternoon. Prizes will be awarded to winners,  and there are free refreshments. No registration is required.

Read to therapy dogs

Youngsters are invited to read to therapy dog Jake from 3-4 p.m. April 14. Call ahead to register your child for a 15-minute session of reading.
From 6-7 p.m. April 17 Thor and Cosmo will be the featured dogs, and from 3-4 p.m. April 28 Grant will be the dog visiting the library.

Women's Forum

Women’s Forum, a monthly discussion group that focuses on women in the arts, politics, literature, history, and the like will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. April 15.

This session will focus on two women writers of short stories set in Maine, Ruth Moore and Virginia Chase.
Free copies of their two stories are available at the library.  Bring a light lunch; coffee and tea are provided for free.

Learn the art of origami

Children are invited for a free origami craft at 11 a.m. April 16.  Learn the Oriental art of paper folding. All  the skills taught in this program are suitable for children’s abilities.  Call ahead to register.

Tech Talks

Tech Talks, a monthly program explaining technology issues and uses for beginners will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 17.
This month we focus on the important issue of Internet Security, so bring your questions please.  Registration is required.

Writer's Round

Writer’s Round meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 18.
This group works on its writing skills and evaluates each others’ pieces. All types of writing are welcomed: essays, fiction, on-line, poetry, and the like.

Current Events Club

Join us at 6:30 p.m. April 23 for a Current Events Club and discuss the news including the arts, politics, medicine, finance, and the like.
All are welcome to bring their ideas and opinions.


For information or to register for any of the above programs call the library, 203-734-1492.

Kids + dogs = reading fun at Derby library

      DERBY - Margie Miles and Sandy her therapy dog will visit the Derby Public Library for the popular Read to Sandy program at 6 p.m. March 19 and April 23.
      Children ages 5-11 are invited to share a book with Sandy during this interactive reading program.

      Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Sandy. Sandy and Margie are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer at local schools, hospitals and nursing homes.
      This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills and encourage a love of reading. Come select a book from “Sandy’s Favorites” on display each month in the Children’s Room.
     The library also welcomes Janet Sabovik and her therapy dog Payson at 6:30 p.m. March 26 as the popular children’s reading to a therapy dog program continues this spring.  Children ages 5- 11 are invited to share a book with Payson during this interactive reading program.

      Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Payson. Payson, an Australian Shepherd, is a rescue dog who was found roaming the streets of Kentucky. She and Sabovik are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer throughout the community.

      This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills achieved during the school year and encourage a love of reading.
     Participants are encouraged to stop by the Children’s Room to select a book with Payson’s “paw of approval” to share with her for the program.

       Registration is requested for both of the above programs. For information or to register, call the Children’s Room at 203-736-1482, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org

      

Kids to get chance to read to therapy dogs at Derby Neck

DERBY - Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., continues its children’s program, “Be a Reading Kid (B.A.R.K.)” in February.

Each child signing up for the event gets to read to a therapy dog and receives a personalized bookmark picturing them during their reading session.

Register your child to read to Grant for a 15-minute session from 3-4 p.m. Feb. 10.
Grant is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Register for a session planned 3-4 p.m. Feb. 17 to have your child read to Jake, an Australian Shepherd.

Thor and Cosmo, two St. Bernards, will appear from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 20 for their 15-minute sessions.

To register for one or more of these reading events, call the library, 203-734-1492.

Derby library offers 'Read to Sandy' program

 Therapy dog is all ears
     DERBY - The Derby Public Library welcomes back Margie Miles and Sandy her therapy dog as they begin another year of the popular "Read to Sandy" program. 
      On Dec. 18 from 6-7 p.m., children ages 5-11 are invited to share a book with Sandy.

      Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to the dog.

      Sandy and Margie are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer at local schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. 
      This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, and enhance their reading skills. The program encourages a love of reading.
     Come select a book from “Sandy’s Favorites” on display each month in the Children’s Room. 

     Registration is requested. For information or to register, call the Children’s Room at 203-736-1482, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org

Derby library invites kids to read to therapy dog

DERBY - The Derby Public Library welcomes Margie Miles and Sandy her therapy dog from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 27.
Children ages 5-11 are invited to share a book with Sandy during this reading enrichment program.

Each child will be given a 10-15 minute time slot to read to Sandy. 

Sandy and Margie are registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and volunteer at local schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. 
This is a great opportunity for beginner or reluctant readers, as well as experienced readers, to build confidence, enhance their reading skills and encourage a love of reading.
Come select a book from “Sandy’s Favorites” on display each month in the Children’s Room. 

Registration is requested. For information or to register, call the Children’s Room, 203-736-1482, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth S., or visit the Library website at www.derbypubliclibrary.org

Library Friends to host Teddy Bear Tea

DERBY - The Friends of the Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. will hold a Teddy Bear Tea from 2-3 p.m. Sunday.
Bring your favorite bear (or other stuffed toy) and enjoy some singing from children's librarian Miss Kathi.  Snacks will be provided.
All ages are encouraged to attend, including parents and grandparents. For information and to register call the library, 203-734-1492.

Read to therapy dogs

Reading to therapy dogs continues at Derby Neck Library.  From 6-7 p.m. Oct. 17 children will have a chance to read to Thor and Cosmo.
Each child is given a 15-minute session; register by calling 203-734-1492.

On Oct. 28 children will have an opportunity to read to Jake at the library from 3-4 p.m.  Call to register.