Thursday, May 30, 2013
Serene springtime scene in Seymour
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| Legion Pool ~ May 29, 2013 |
It's such a beautiful park, and it's just off busy Route 67 in Seymour.
posted by Patti at
10:20 AM
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Re-posting from my blog for the paper
It's such a beautiful park, and it's just off busy Route 67 in Seymour.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Civil War monument offers chance to reflect on nation's past
DERBY - Since it's Memorial Day weekend I thought I'd post a photo of a war memorial monument that has graced the Green facing Elizabeth Street for more than 125 years.
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| The monument is flanked by four 11-foot long cannons. |
You can read more here about the history of the monument. It features a bronze statue of a Civil War soldier atop a granite pedestal.
Full disclosure: I drove down Elizabeth Street Saturday after covering a ceremony at the Storm Engine Company firehouse to dedicate a park on O'Sullivan's Island in memory of the one and only Edward J. Cotter, Jr.
Since it was raining pretty steadily I rolled down the window and snapped photos from the driver's seat.
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| The front of the monument faces Elizabeth Street. |
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Shadow Shot Sunday ~ from my tourist days
I took it a short time after we had arrived in London from Paris.
Such good memories!
See lots more photos from around the world at Shadow Shot Sunday 2.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Shadow Shot Sunday
Good thing I took this photo when I did, on May 1. Since then the geranium blooms have disappeared; sadly the weather got cold again. I do hope they'll return.
I used this pic in a post yesterday, but I think I spy some shadows here.
Join in the fun and see shadowy pix from all over the world at Shadow Shot Sunday 2.
Friday, May 17, 2013
It's true there's gno place like gnome!
Our daughter knows me well.
These gnomes were my Mother's Day gift from her.
Who says I don't welcome visitors? ;-)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Shadow Shot Sunday ~ spring!
In honor of our wedding anniversary and Mother's Day this weekend, I'm posting two of my favorite folks today.
Shadowy figures, aren't they?
We were at Ralph's sister's house last Saturday to celebrate her granddaughter's First Holy Communion.
It was a nice day with family and the weather was perfect.
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| Lilacs bloomin' in our yard. |
The weather was perfect for most of yesterday as well.
I spy some shadows in this photo I took yesterday morning.
Today is dreary and rainy. Hoping for sunshine tomorrow. ;-)
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| Cheerful tulips in the sun. Happy May! |
And as I mentioned on Facebook yesterday, I don't even remember planting these Easter tulips last year. But I'm glad I did.
Ah, sunny mornings that create shadows in our yard.
I'm happy to be back posting shadow shots after two months.
Join in the fun and see more photos of shadows from across the globe at Shadow Shot Sunday 2.
* I wish all a Happy Shadow Shot Sunday and a Happy Mother's Day! *
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Sharing a story today about exercise and all things good
I've been neglecting my blog for way too long.
Instead I've been keeping up a blog - View from the Valley - for my job with the paper.
But I thought I'd share a story today ~ It was a fun class and I hope to go back.
By Patricia Villers
pvillers@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrvalley
DERBY— The only requirement to be part of a females-only exercise class at Griffin Hospital is a willingness to have fun.
At least that’s what it felt like Friday morning when I stepped into the conference room at the hospital’s Center for Cancer Care.
Instructor Maureen Helgren was busy blowing up beach balls and chatting as women walked in for the once a week Healthy Steps class.
I was one of 10 women who took part in the program that featured slow and almost meditative exercises. It was not what I had imagined.
We followed Helgren as she moved in a way that reminded me of my aerobics classes from decades past, only slower.
The atmosphere was relaxing and pressure free.
I was urged to go by two women in a strength-training class I attend Tuesday nights as part of a survivorship program launched late last year at Griffin Hospital.
The class is led by Dan Root, a personal trainer who specializes in working with cancer survivors. I daresay I enjoy going to it for exercise and a bit of socializing.
Helgren is an associate professor of physical therapy at Quinnipiac University and chairman of the physical therapy department. She said she has been leading the class for four years.
After she inflated the beach balls Helgren started by blowing bubbles, and having us do the same. The activity was not only fun but relaxing. In the background James Taylor was singing “Up on the Roof.”
That was one of several songs Helgren played for us as we went through a variety of slow stretches and routines.
“Grace is not needed in this class,” she said. “Everything we do is really slow on purpose.”
Helgren said the slowness is “because it’s morning and also because going slow is better for our muscles.”
Helgren follows the Lebed method of exercise, which is defined on Griffn Hospital’s website as “a movement and dance program that integrates physical therapy and psychosocial support.”
“Beneficial for women who have been diagnosed with cancer or a chronic illness. Particularly helpful for women during the post-op recovery phase after having breast cancer surgery,” the website states.
Surprisingly, some of the women I spoke with said they don’t have cancer but were there to enjoy the exercise with a friend who has had breast cancer.
Seymour resident Mary Jezierny, who has not had breast cancer, said, “When Mo (Helgren) was away we did it ourselves. We took turns being the leader.”
Now that’s dedication.
Shelton resident Terri Biasi called the class “our Friday let-it-all-out” time.
She added, “It’s a nice group. We share and support each other.”
Instead I've been keeping up a blog - View from the Valley - for my job with the paper.
But I thought I'd share a story today ~ It was a fun class and I hope to go back.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Derby hospital teaches fitness through fun
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| Instructor Maureen Helgren blows bubbles at the beginning of Friday’s Healthy Steps class at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby. Patricia Villers/Register |
By Patricia Villers
pvillers@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrvalley
DERBY— The only requirement to be part of a females-only exercise class at Griffin Hospital is a willingness to have fun.
At least that’s what it felt like Friday morning when I stepped into the conference room at the hospital’s Center for Cancer Care.
Instructor Maureen Helgren was busy blowing up beach balls and chatting as women walked in for the once a week Healthy Steps class.
I was one of 10 women who took part in the program that featured slow and almost meditative exercises. It was not what I had imagined.
We followed Helgren as she moved in a way that reminded me of my aerobics classes from decades past, only slower.
The atmosphere was relaxing and pressure free.
I was urged to go by two women in a strength-training class I attend Tuesday nights as part of a survivorship program launched late last year at Griffin Hospital.
The class is led by Dan Root, a personal trainer who specializes in working with cancer survivors. I daresay I enjoy going to it for exercise and a bit of socializing.
Helgren is an associate professor of physical therapy at Quinnipiac University and chairman of the physical therapy department. She said she has been leading the class for four years.
After she inflated the beach balls Helgren started by blowing bubbles, and having us do the same. The activity was not only fun but relaxing. In the background James Taylor was singing “Up on the Roof.”
That was one of several songs Helgren played for us as we went through a variety of slow stretches and routines.
“Grace is not needed in this class,” she said. “Everything we do is really slow on purpose.”
Helgren said the slowness is “because it’s morning and also because going slow is better for our muscles.”
Helgren follows the Lebed method of exercise, which is defined on Griffn Hospital’s website as “a movement and dance program that integrates physical therapy and psychosocial support.”
“Beneficial for women who have been diagnosed with cancer or a chronic illness. Particularly helpful for women during the post-op recovery phase after having breast cancer surgery,” the website states.
Surprisingly, some of the women I spoke with said they don’t have cancer but were there to enjoy the exercise with a friend who has had breast cancer.
Seymour resident Mary Jezierny, who has not had breast cancer, said, “When Mo (Helgren) was away we did it ourselves. We took turns being the leader.”
Now that’s dedication.
Shelton resident Terri Biasi called the class “our Friday let-it-all-out” time.
She added, “It’s a nice group. We share and support each other.”
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