Sharing snowy scenery in Derby

I almost didn't bother to venture out today, but decided to give it a whirl. 

Nature is beautiful no matter what the temperature.

Brrrr...

Derby Library to mark therapy dog's birthday

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host a birthday celebration for Sandy, a therapy dog, at 11 a.m. Jan. 18.

For anyone not familiar with the reading program, therapy dogs are part of literacy programs at libraries across the country.  

This type of program enables children to read a book aloud one on one to a dog in a relaxed setting with no expectations or criticism.
It also instills a love of reading for reluctant or beginner readers, builds confidence and enhances reading skills. 

Read to Sandy
The Derby Public Library offers such a program Read to Sandy throughout the year for children ages 5-11.
Each month books are on display for children to select from to share with Sandy.
Sandy has volunteered at local hospitals and schools as well as convalescent homes. She has been involved with the Youth CONNection theater group in Shelton and is registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc. 

Stop by to introduce yourself to Sandy and Margie Miles her owner, find out more about the program and join the fun activities planned to celebrate Sandy’s special day.

Refreshments also will be served.

In lieu of birthday presents for Sandy, an item may be brought to the Library to be donated to Sandy’s friends at the local animal shelters this winter.
Sandy herself was adopted from a local shelter and wishes to remember her friends who currently make their home there.

For information or to register, visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-746-1482.


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

Derby Public Library slates Family Place workshops

        DERBY - The winter session of Family Place Parent/Child Workshops will begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 13 at Derby Public Library.
        This innovative program is a time for families to share together with their 1-3 year old children.  Siblings who are age 5 and under are also welcome to attend.

       The workshops feature puzzles, books, blocks, a craft, dramatic play and more.
       Parents/caregivers will also be introduced to some of the many resources available to them to assist in the raising of their toddlers and have an opportunity to meet new friends in an educational and creative environment.
        Each workshop will focus on a different topic and will feature a professional from the community who will be available to discuss parenting questions and concerns.
       Topics will include child development, nutrition, immunization and more. 
        Do not miss the opportunity to consult with experts on a no-fee basis while your child enjoys a wonderful play experience. 
        Space is limited; registration is requested.  amilies are encouraged to attend all the workshops to obtain the full benefits of this five-week session.
           For more information or to register, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

       The Family Place is a national initiative of Americans for Libraries Council and Middle Country Library. 
       The Family Place of Connecticut is made possible through the generous support of the Katharine Matthies Foundation.


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

Team Anthony gathers at bone marrow drive in Stratford

Members of Team Anthony pose at a bone marrow drive in December in Stratford. The group also worked at a bone marrow drive Saturday at Hilltop Hose Company 5 firehouse in Ansonia to benefit former Ansonia resident Anthony Mabery, 10. He has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia since he was 2. Anthony's aunt, Team Anthony organizer Shantana Hazel of Bridgeport, is pictured second from left. / Contributed photo

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host health insurance talk

Presentation rescheduled from December

DERBY– Looking for information about getting health insurance through the state health care exchange?

Griffin Hospital will host “Health Insurance – Get It and Get the Most Out of It” at 6 p.m Jan. 16 in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom, 130 Division St.

Hosted by Certified Health Insurance Assister Margaret Sessa, a registered nurse, and Dr. Shyla Muriel, of Griffin Hospital Faculty Physicians, this free talk will provide information on navigating Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange, and about the benefits of establishing a “medical home” with a primary care physician.

This talk was rescheduled from December due to a snowstorm.

When it comes to taking care of your health, having health insurance is just a start.

Creating a relationship with a primary care physician, also known as a primary care provider, can help you manage your health and save money.

Primary care physicians care for their patients as entire persons. They get to know their patients personally and understand their patients’ medical history so they can recognize changes in a patient’s health and provide one-on-one information about preventative care or how to manage chronic illness.

Primary care physicians can also act as an advocate for patients with the insurance company if special treatment is needed.

Muriel will also highlight the importance of regular physicals and what tests are recommended for individuals as they age.

In addition to the free talk, members of Griffin Hospital’s Valley Parish Nurse Program will provide free blood pressure screenings and consultation for attendees.  

Blood pressure is considered one of the most important health screenings a person can get because high blood pressure has no symptoms so can’t be detected without being measured. High blood pressure greatly increases risk of heart disease and stroke – two of the largest causes of natural death in the country.

This talk is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

All Tuesday Talks are held in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St. Light refreshments will be served.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org.
To find out about upcoming Tuesday Talks, visit griffinhealth.org/programsevents.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Red Cross urges caution in extreme cold

FARMINGTON >> The American Red Cross has issued safety tips to help the public cope with the extreme cold forecast in the next few days, according to spokesperson Paul Shipman.

If outdoors:

• Avoid unnecessary exposure to the cold. Be aware of both the temperature and the wind chill factor when planning outdoor activities.
• Most of your body heat is lost through your head, so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
• Dressing in layers helps retain heat. You can remove layers as needed if you become too warm.
• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
• Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you think you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
• Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia, which can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
• Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration; numbness; waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
If indoors:
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Use caution with portable space heaters. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Place space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don’t leave children or pets unattended near space heaters. Do not dry wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working properly and replace batteries as necessary.
• If you use a portable generator during a power outage, always operate the generator outdoors -- never inside, including the basement or garage. Do not connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring -- leave that work to a professional electrician and buy a generator designed for that purpose. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a point on the permanent wiring system and back-feeding power to your home is unsafe.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that create hazardous walkways.
• Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires. Burn only wood, never burn paper or pine boughs.
• Create a disaster supplies kit. Gather lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Visit www.redcross.org/prepare for more information on disaster preparedness.
• Protect your house pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage or in walls adjacent to the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• If the temperature is very low outside, let the cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes or pipes in exterior walls. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water is above freezing.
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature both day and night. You may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

• Visit www.redcross.org/prepare for more information on preparing for cold weather.

Griffin in Derby to offer workshops for diabetics

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free presentations about fall risk and prevention for diabetics Jan. 14 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

According to statistics, women 60 years and older with diabetes are 1½ times more likely to have fallen in the previous year and two times more likely to have falls with injuries than women without diabetes. 

Diane Betkoski will present “Helping Older People with Diabetes Reduce the Risk of Falling” to help diabetics and their caregivers learn why older adults with diabetes are at increased risk of falls and how to reduce this fall risk.

The presentations will be 2:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A and at 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Dining Room. 
Ask for directions to these rooms at the  front desk.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. 
 All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required. 
Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.
For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.