Little Free Pantry to help feed families this Thanksgiving

The Little Free Pantry at Good Shepherd, a non-denominational food pantry housed at the Church of the Shepherd in Shelton, is bringing some Thanksgiving joy to about 15 Shelton families in need this holiday.

Deliveries will be made to families from a list provided to the pantry food crew by TEAM, Inc., a private non-profit organization in Derby that offers services to families and individuals from early childhood to the elderly in the Naugatuck Valley, including Shelton.

Meals will consist of a frozen turkey and side dishes ranging from green beans, cranberry sauce, mash potatoes/yams, stuffing, rolls and gravy. The food crew will be collecting frozen turkeys and packages/boxes of side dishes on Nov. 19 from 10-3 at the Church of the Good Shepherd's Cookie Express Christmas Fair, 182 Coram Ave., Shelton. Monetary donations will also be accepted to buy food. Boxing of the meals will be done by the food crew and church parishioners on Nov. 20 and delivery will be later that afternoon.

The Little Free Pantry is located in the parking lot of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The pantry opened this past April, and is open to everyone. Items donated include canned vegetables, fruits, boxed and packaged cereal, pasta and sauce, dog/cat food and more. Donations can be made at anytime as long as there is room. Please see guidelines on the pantry before donating. Anyone can grab food from the pantry anytime as well.

For more information, contact Linda Goodman, pantry Facebook administrator and a member of the food crew, at 203-231-2987 or lfpgoodshepherd

[email protected]. Find us on Facebook at Little Free Pantry at Good Shepherd, Shelton, CT. Those donating frozen turkeys are asked to call Goodman to alert her of the delivery.

Rotary Club offers free salt, sand for seniors, disabled

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club will deliver five-gallon buckets of sand and salt mixture to seniors ages 67 and older and disabled individuals residing in Shelton and Derby to spread on walkways and driveways during the winter.

Those interested in receiving a bucket, to be delivered from Dec. 8 to 11, can sign up at the Shelton or Derby senior center or contact Kim Ryan at 203-394-1831 (call or text) or [email protected]. Add sand/salt to the subject line.

Those who have buckets from previous years are asked to inform Ryan. Buckets are scarce this year.

Deadline for registering is Nov. 22. Individuals residing in housing developments that already provide sand are not eligible.

The Rotary Club is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club was founded in 1927; learn more at www.derby-sheltonrotary.org.

Shelton Art League meeting set

Lorraine Skelskey Chapin will paint a still life in oil at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21 during the Shelton Art League meeting at the Shelton Community Center, 41 Church St., in the lower level multi-purpose room.

The league's general meeting starts at 11:45 p.m. Chapin, a Southbury resident, has a BS in graphic design and an associate degree in fine art. She is a member of local and state art societies and exhibits at many area galleries. Using oils and acrylics she paints primarily impressionistic landscapes, gardens, animals and still life.

For more information, visit www.sheltonartleague.org. Guests are always welcome.

Griffin Hospital to Host AARP Driver Safety Program

Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Make checks payable to AARP. To register, call Tammy at 203-732-1523.

Church choir seeking singers for cantata

The Huntington United Methodist Church choir is inviting the public to join in singing its Christmas cantata, JOY! composed by Joel Raney. Rehearsals are every other Thursday at the church, 338 Walnut Tree Hill Road. The cantata will be Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. at the church. For more information, call 203 929-5545.

Griffin Health gala to feature mind-reader, comedian

The 2022 Griffin Health Gala aims to amaze and entertain with a performance by a finalist on the popular TV show "America's Got Talent" on Nov. 12 from 6-11 p.m. at The Waterview, 215 Roosevelt Dr., Monroe.

Eric Dittelman will be the Gala's featured entertainment, bringing his form of mind reading and improvisational comedy to the event. Dittelman gained national fame on "America's Got Talent" and recently made his Broadway debut in "The Illusionists."

The evening closes out with dancing to the invigorating sounds of Sound Society Band. There will also be a silent auction for guests to bid on exciting items, fabulous experiences, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

Tickets start at $200 per person. Black tie is suggested.

Proceeds from the Gala will help develop and sustain essential programs and services that address the wide-ranging health care needs of the communities Griffin serves.

Tickets can be purchased at griffinhealth.org/gala. For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 203-732-7355 or [email protected].

American Legion welcomes home soldiers

Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion Post 16 of Shelton will be lining streets and driveways with American flags as part of a program to welcome home military personnel.

Mike Kellett, American Legion 3rd District executive committeeman, said the local Post created this program to help families of military personnel in welcoming home their loved ones from deployment, discharge or retiring from the military.

"As veterans still serving America, the Legion recognizes and appreciates the sacrifice of all who serve as well as the sacrifice of their families," Kellett said.

Kellett said Legionaries will work with family members to find just the right location for the flags, and they will be placed the afternoon or evening before a service member comes home and removed the day after.

"Welcome home," Kellett said. "Two simple words that far too many veterans did not get to hear upon their return home. The American Legion is committed to making sure that on our watch, returning soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines get the message loud and clear with the Operation Welcome Home Program."

Families living in Shelton who would like flags placed to welcome home their loved ones should contact American

[email protected]