VRAE slates bus trips to Boston, N.Y.

SHELTON - Valley Regional Adult Education will offer the following bus trips: 

The Boston Flower & Garden Show March 17 is the biggest horticultural happening in Boston. 
Enjoy time in Boston on St. Patrick's Day. 
Trip departs at 8 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Cost is $79 a person.

On May 4 tour the new Yankee Stadium, visit the New York Yankees Museum, Monument Park, Press Box and the Batter's Eye Café. Then on to Arthur Avenue, the real Little Italy of New York. Trip departs at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Cost is $72 a person.

Visit Mohonk Mountain House May 18. Located in New Paltz, NY, a trip to this Victorian castle includes a Mohonk Culinary Traditions talk led by their chef, nature trails, museum visit and a hot and cold buffet luncheon. 
Trip departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $104 a person.

Go on a Whale Watch in Gloucester, Mass. June 15. See nature's gentle giants, humpbacks and other whales, in their natural habitat. 
Time to explore Gloucester and its new Harbor Walk. Departs at 8 a.m. and returns at 8 pm. Cost is $115 a person.

All trips depart from the Adult Learning Center,  415 Howe Ave. 
To register, click Bus Trips at http://www.vrae.org or call 203-924-6651.

Valley Regional Adult Education provides educational services to the residents of Ansonia, Derby, Monroe, Seymour, and Shelton. Adults come to Valley Regional Adult Education to attend free academic programs or to take advantage of numerous enrichment courses offered in each Valley town.


This information is from a press release from Valley Regional Adult Education. 

Conroy joins manufacturer caucus

Lawmakers focus on job growth, training

State Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, has joined the General Assembly’s Manufacturers Caucus – a group of lawmakers committed to job growth and improved training in the field of manufacturing.

“Manufacturing is such a vital part of the state’s economy,” Conroy said. "That’s why I am thrilled to be a part of the legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. I am always on the lookout for ways to help the Valley’s manufacturers survive and thrive.”

  

Conroy noted the region is home to Naugatuck Valley Community College and Housatonic Community College, two of the state's three Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers.

She said, “There are a number of programs and tax credits on the books to help manufacturers and small business.”

Two of the more popular programs are:

§    Economic and Manufacturing Assistance Act - provides low-interest loans and incentive-driven direct loans for projects when there is a strong economic development potential. Funding may be used for purchase of equipment, furniture and fixtures, construction, leasehold improvements, training and other eligible project-related activities.

§   Small Business Express Program - provides loans and grants to Connecticut's small business to spur job creation and growth.

In addition to financial assistance there are more than half a dozen tax incentives such as the Urban and Industrial Site Reinvestment Tax Credit - a dollar-for-dollar corporate tax credit of up to 100 percent for an investment up to a maximum of $100 million in an urban area or an industrial project; minimum investment is $5 million in distressed communities and $50 million in all other communities.

Another highly sought after tax credit is focused on machinery and equipment. Businesses can get a 10 percent tax credit if they invest in machinery and equipment.  

This information is taken from a press release from Conroy's office.

Seymour students present winter concert

Bungay Elementary School chorus performs in a winter concert at Seymour Middle School. / Contributed photo

SEYMOUR - Bungay Elementary students in third, fourth, and fifth grade performed wonderfully in the winter concert Jan. 29 at Seymour Middle School. 
The beginning band and concert band played beautifully from Hot Cross Buns to Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture.
The third, fourth, and fifth-grade choruses delighted the audience with amazing melodies and stunning harmonies. 
The audience was delighted during the finale as all students sang "America." 
Music teacher Joanna Dunne and the students certainly impressed the families. A wonderful night was had by all.

This information is taken from a press release from Bungay Elementary School.

Griffin talk to focus on reducing chemo side effects

DERBY - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital will host a free workshop to help cancer patients lessen the side effects of chemotherapy.

Staff from Griffin Hospital’s Survivorship Training & Rehabilitation (STAR) certified Rehabilitation Department will offer advice and tips on increasing strength and energy while improving concentration, memory and focus from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 21 at 350 Seymour Ave.

The presentation is part of the Center for Cancer Care’s free Survivorship Program, which offers personalized guidance from experienced clinicians to help cancer patients transition from active treatment back to everyday life.
Topics of future presentations topics include exercise (March 21), nutrition (April 18) and intimacy and sexuality (May 17).

The Center’s entire survivorship care team is STAR certified. Through extensive evidence-based training, STAR certified clinicians have gained thorough knowledge and understanding of the unique rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors.

To reserve a spot for the workshop, call 203-732-1260 or email tpittman@griffinhealth.org.
To learn more about the Survivorship Program, contact the Center’s survivorship navigator Donna Hayes, 203-732-1408 or dhayes@griffinhealth.org to schedule a private consultation.

This information is from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Fire damages truck; cause under investigation

DERBY - A fire severely damaged a box truck parked on New Haven Avenue, or Route 34, Sunday evening.

Firefighters were summoned to the scene at 6:54 p.m.
The 15-foot box truck was parked near a building, but Fire Chief Thomas Lenart said the fire only caused slight damage to the nearby structure.
As of 9 p.m. Sunday, the cause of the fire remained undetermined, and investigators were still on the scene, in the vicinity of 154 New Haven Ave.
The State Fire Marshal’s office has been called to assist with the investigation and to use a canine to check for accelerants, according to Lenart, because the Route 34 corridor has had a rash of recent brush fires too.
One lane of Route 34 was shut down, causing some traffic delays.

Tradition continues at Wesley Village

'Blessing of the Hands' held Monday

Rev. Jim Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life, takes part in the 'Blessing of the Hands' with Barbara Quinn, Director of Volunteer Services at Wesley Village in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - The “Blessing of the Hands” at Wesley Village is a tradition that began 11 years ago and continues to this day.  

On Monday staff gathered to celebrate each other’s work and dedication with a “Blessing of the Hands”; as part of an ongoing effort to address the spiritual needs of the staff, all of whom are engaged in caring for people advancing in age, many of whom have a variety of physical and emotional needs. 

The “Blessing of the Hands” is a series of events, to accommodate everyone on staff.  In all of them the leader shares thoughts about the ‘work of our hands’ (housekeeping, maintenance, nursing, bookkeeping, administering, and the like). 

The reflections call attention to the reality that no one person or department is more or less needed.   Only a team effort allows Wesley Village to deliver quality care and service. The ‘hands’ of others on the staff enable everyone’s task. 

At the end of the reflections, the leader puts oil on the hands of the person next to her/him, sharing words of appreciation for the work that person performs. 

That person repeats the process with the next person, who continues to ‘pass the blessing’ until all have shared in the act of acknowledging another person’s work.

It has grown in popularity over the years, both in numbers attending, and in the people in those numbers. Responding to specific request, this staff renewal has grown to include residents, resident’s family members and friends.  

Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave., is a campus for living comprised of Bishop Wicke Health Center, Crosby Commons, and Wesley Heights assisted and independent living communities.  It is part of United Methodist Homes, a local, not-for-profit organization with a 125-year tradition of caring. 

Visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

This information is taken from a press release from Wesley Village.

Check out library fun this Saturday

    DERBY - A visit to the local library is about much more than checking out books, and librarians are working to promote that concept.
    Derby Public Library children’s librarian Sue Sherman said Tuesday the library will join a nationwide initiative Saturday: the second annual Take Your Child to the Library Day.
    She said family-oriented activities will be held in the children’s room Saturday. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Sherman credited a retired children’s librarian in Connecticut for coming up with the idea for the special day.
    Sherman said she was pleased the concept has quickly spread nationwide.

    The librarians selected the first Saturday in February to hold the annual event, she said.
    “It started as a statewide initiative that children’s librarians are promoting,” Sherman said, to urge people “to take a visit to their library and see what’s available.”
    Families need to become familiar with all of the resources the library offers them, Sherman said. An added bonus for parents is that “everything’s free,” she said.
    At Derby Public Library the day will begin at 10 a.m. with a “Read to Sandy” program.
    Sandy is a therapy dog who regularly visits the library and patiently listens to stories read aloud by young readers.
    A Tai Chi class for families with children ages 4-11 will be held at 11 a.m. Sherman said the session will run about 45 minutes.
    After the exercise Sherman has scheduled a special Lego Time from noon to 1:30 p.m., when families are encouraged to put their creativity to the test.
     Registration is requested. To register, call 203-736-1482, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St. or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

     Also in the Valley, Plumb Memorial Library at 65 Wooster St., Shelton will offer a variety of activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
     According to information on its website, there will be a scavenger hunt, a special sale of children’s books, a bookmark-design contest, and more.