Festival of Trees Nov. 23 & 24

SHELTON-  TEAM, Inc. www.teaminc.org will present its 16^th Annual Festival of Trees to benefit TEAM Elderly Services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at the Shelton Senior Center, 18 Wheeler St.

Festival of Trees is a magical weekend that includes more than 25 vendors, other activities for families and adults, and raffle tickets to lucky winners that includes more than 30 prizes: fully decorated Holiday Trees, Wreaths, Baskets, and a new TV. 

In addition, TEAM’s 16^th Annual Festival of Trees kicks off the magic of the holiday season including pictures with Santa as well as Minnie Mouse. 

Admission is free and the public is welcome. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets ($10/ book) and win your very own holiday tree, wreath, gift basket, and/or television. More than 25 vendors will be on hand to help with holiday shopping.

TEAM is committed to maximizing opportunities for the independence and wellbeing of our Valley seniors most in need – programs include Meals on Wheels & Elderly Nutrition, Medical Transportation, Volunteer Caregiving & Homemaking, and other basic needs supports and assistance for our region’s seniors. In addition to raising public awareness of TEAM’s services for seniors, this event raises funds in support of TEAM’s Elderly Services that made a meaningful impact for more than 700 seniors in the last year alone.

(This is a press release from TEAM)

Grant to help beautify Derby

Funds will be used to plant mature trees

DERBY - Mayor Anita Dugatto recently announced the city was awarded a $2,200 grant from the Connecticut Urban Forest Council.

Derby was one of  just a few communities to receive this grant, she said.

CUFC’s mission is to promote urban and community forestry programs in Connecticut. 
To honor this, the funds  will be used to plant up to  10 mature trees at several locations  throughout the city.

“Most of the new trees will replace ones that had to be cut down due to damage or disease,” said Anthony DeFala, public works director.

"Unfortunately, our budget doesn’t always allow us to replace them, so this grant is greatly appreciated.”

In keeping with CUFC’s mission, Derby will be planting native species including poplar, mulberry and maple trees.

Unlike many introduced species, once established, native plants do not require fertilizer, pesticides, or watering.

And the new trees won’t just look pretty.

Wherever possible, trees with phytoremediation qualities will be planted. Such trees have the ability to absorb pollutants.

This form of environmental remediation has become increasingly popular as an effective and low cost way to remove soil contaminants.

Dugatto said, “I am thankful to CUFC for giving Derby the opportunity to beautify our city. I also applaud our public works department for taking the initiative to use this green investment in a way that will leave our city a little better than we found it.”

This is a press release from the City of Derby. 

Science Snoopers to learn about trees at library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites children ages 3-7 to attend Trees in Winter at 10:30 a.m. March 6.

Children can explore the world of trees and learn how they change with each new season during this Science Snoopers program.

The Science Snoopers series is designed to introduce children to the natural world around them offering them an opportunity to explore the simplicity and complexity of science.
The class includes a short talk enhanced with hands-on material, props and an experiment, a short story related to the theme followed by an art project.

 Registration is requested. There is no fee to attend.
 For information or to register, call the Children’s Room, 203-736-1482, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or visit  www.derbypubliclibrary.org

Trees, full moon are in spotlight at nature center

ANSONIA - Two programs are on tap Jan. 26 at the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road.

At 2 p.m.  assistant director Alison Rubelmann will teach a crash course in winter botany. Learn how to identify trees by the appearance of their twigs and bark. The program promises to be both fun and educational.
The program is suitable for adults and schoolchildren as well as Scouts. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration is required; call 203-736-9360.

Full wolf moon hike

At 5:30 p.m. join Center staff for a full moon wolf hike (weather permitting).
If you have never hiked the nature center trails on a cold, crisp night with a full moon overhead, you're in for a memorable experience.

Hike by the light of the moon and if there is snow, look for animal tracks, and listen to the sounds of park wildlife.
Dress for cold weather and walking on uneven terrain. Children must be with an adult. Enrollment is limited.

Call 203-736-9360 to register for this free program.

Osborne Homestead always delights

Historic house in Derby decorated for holidays


DERBY - I visited the Osborne Homestead Museum yesterday on the first day of its holiday tour schedule. 
I was the first visitor, without even trying. I always enjoy visiting the house each November to marvel at the creativity of members of area garden clubs who decorate it.

This year's theme is "Holiday in Bloom."
  
Newly named curator Susan Robinson offered lots of information about legends connected to a variety of plants and herbs as she showed me around the house.

A tinsel tree! Remember those? 
 

These lit ceramic trees displayed on the grand piano in the living room caught my eye.
The sign says, "Have you ever made one of these?" 

Coincidentally a woman I met as I was leaving, Cindy Joy of Oxford, told me her husband makes and sells ceramic trees. She said he also sells kits to those who would rather create one themselves.

 

The fireplace and mantel in the living room create a feeling of warmth as well as elegance.   

 

 The Oxford Garden Club decorated the library. This is the fireplace in the library. 
  

 

Ivy was the theme the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club used to adorn the formal dining room. Robinson told me ivy is a tenacious plant, and it "symbolizes youth and exuberance."

 I didn't have my camera with me, but I was able to take a few snapshots off of a video, and I hope I've given you the idea of the classic beauty of this 19th-century home. 

 

Do opposites attract? Santa and the Grinch seem to get along together in a corner of the library.


   
Holiday tours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday though Sunday until Dec. 16. Holiday Twilight tours are from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday as well as Dec. 7 and 14.
Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
For information, call 203-734-2513.

Need a little Christmas?

This weekend's 9th annual 'Festival of Trees' sparkles in Shelton 

I covered the preview reception for TEAM Volunteer Caregivers' ninth annual "Festival of Trees" last night at Wesley Village in Shelton. 
My husband accompanied me and we marveled at the artistic decorations on the trees, as well as holiday wreaths and gift baskets. So much creativity!

By comparison our tree usually looks more like Charlie Brown's tree than what I viewed last night. 

 

One of the taller trees, "Roses and Ribbons."

This is "Angel Dreams," sponsored by the Shelton Butterfly Project, standing atop a grand piano in the front room at the adjacent Crosby Commons.

These are the first two we came upon when we arrived.  On the left is "Amethyst Advent," and on the right is "Christmas in the UConn." 

This elegant tree, "Victorian Secret," graces a corner of the library.

  
Here are "Holiday Fantasy," left, and a candy-covered "Sweet Holiday."

After all that decorating one might need a coffee break...this is "Dunkin' Donuts Delight."

This fun event includes a craft fair which benefits Wesley Village senior activity programs.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow. If you go, you'll surely get into the holiday spirit. 

Wesley Village to hold Festival of Trees, craft fair

SHELTON - The ninth annual Festival of Trees and Wesley Village Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.
The event benefits volunteer caregivers at TEAM and activity programs for seniors at Wesley Village.
The two days include activities and fun for the whole family, including the viewing of more than 30 beautifully decorated and themed trees and wreaths donated by area businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Participants may buy raffle tickets to get the chance to win any of the donated trees. All drawings will be at 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Winners do not need to be present.

The event also features a Craft Fair, with more than 50 craft vendors offering a variety of unique gifts and handmade crafts. A local photographer will be shooting photos with Santa from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. both days. Photos are two 5x7 for $16 or one 5x7 for $12.

Throughout the day, there will be a holiday bake sale as well as lunch and snacks available in the Crosby Commons Café.

Complimentary shuttle service will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to park at Long Hill School, 565 Long Hill Ave.

Sandy stuns Seymour

Residents deal with fallen trees, power outages

Pine tree crashed on top of two cars in driveway of home at Oakwood Drive in Seymour.

 A tree fell across South Main Street, downing power lines.
  

This tree fell across Wycliffe Terrace.

 And this is another view.

Large pine tree fell on a house on Rimmon Hill Road.


Photos by Register Correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.