Valley Social Club Newsletter for February 2025

Volume 71, Issue 1 203-735-9106

285 Main Street, Ansonia, CT. 06401

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT JULIANNE M.

Dear Members,
I hope every one had a great New Years. I did with my
daughter Nancy. We went to see fireworks in Shelton,
they were great! We then went home and she cooked a
nice dinner. I then fell asleep at 8:00 o’clock and missed
the ball dropping in Time Square.
It’s been really cold these past few months. I can’t wait for winter to be over
and spring to be here.
Tracy Cafasso came over and reviewed our club rules with the Executive
Committee. We will review them often to make sure they are current and fits
the club and how its members are. Elections are January 29, 2025 and results
will be announced on January 30, 2025 at noon right before lunch. Good luck
to all running, including myself again! I hope you will vote for who you feel
can do the job.
See you at the club and we have some great fun for February!
Happy New Year!
Gayle’s Corner By Gayle A.

Dear Friends,
Well January has come and gone bringing the cold air in.
It brought my mom’s birthday on the 8th it’s the same as
Elvis you know. So to honor her day I kissed her picture
and prayed. It’s been a quiet month but we had a visit
from the mayor. He filled us in on the town business.
I am looking forward to Valentines Day and hopefully a
winter thaw. Elections are coming on January 29, 2025 and I am running
for VP again. I hope you get out and vote. I am told that the results will be
announced at 12 noon on the 30th.
Happy Valentines Day to all!

Lena’s Thoughts for the month By Lena I.

I would like to tell you about our group therapist Emily.

She is back ! I am so happy she is I really missed her. I
try not to mis any groups at the clinic especially the one on
Monday because it really starts my day off right!
I spent Friday and Saturday with my mom. My friend Natalie gave me
praying hands etched in glass for my mother.
Meanwhile we had the mayor’s visit to tell us all about the goings on in
Ansonia. We enjoyed pizza after and since it was a cold day out everyone
seemed to be at the club these days. The mayor was not feeling well and we
sent him a card because we were worried about him. I know his is feeling
better now but cold air and breathing is hard when you have a lung issue.
I prayed for him.
I’ve been painting up a storm lately and I finished my cat women painting.
I think it came out good.
So Happy Valentines Day to all members. I am looking forward to a special
party with OPTIONS on the 13th and I hope we have a great time with our
friends!
Remember to vote for me I am again running for Recreation Assistant at the
club. Just come and vote on January 29th!
See you soon!
Memories and Thoughts from Secretary Mary B.
The New Year stands before us like a chapter in a book
waiting to be written.
Well I’m writing a chapter in my book. After 50 years
I ‘ve quit smoking. It is not easy but I have to. My COPD
was becoming unmanageable. I do not want to walk
around toting an oxygen tank and I want to be around
for my grandson.
I am truly thankful for my family at the VSC. They
always have my back through this journey.
Wish me luck because we have a new president of the USA. Hopefully the
transition of power will go smoothly.
So during this winter blast stay bundled up and keep warm. Spring is on its
way.
Oh one more thing! I am running for VP this time around and I hope you
come out to vote for whomever you want to be your VP. Good luck to all who
are running for a seat at the table.

WHAT A GREAT YEAR IT WAS BY JULIE D.

January brought a deep freeze with it and a

snow storm. We had a visit from Mayor Cassetti
with a pizza lunch. I printed a very interesting
painting using an hour glass that represents
positive and negative.
Visitors from Oak Street Health came to talk to
the group about Medicare. I liked what they said
so much that I signed up with them. It’s great to
know you can get help with all the complicated
stuff.
Hey I also wanted to let you know I made
another bold step by running for Secretary of
the club. Voting is on January 29, 2025 so
please come to the club and vote.
I hope to see you at the club!
CROCHET WITH NATALIE AND JULIANNE
On February 13, 2025, a group of ladies gathered together for our first union of
meditation, creativity, and peaceful mindful conversation as we crocheted.
Learning together the first steps of stitches in an attempts to eventually create big
blanket, with Julianne’s beside me, we did it. Our next group will be held on
February 27, for all to attend.
Thanks for all the positive interaction from all that
participated in our (first) launch class, welcome new
comers to our second group.
Thanks and blessings,
Natalie C.
_________________________________________________________________
Coming Home by Sylvia H.
This is a daily affirmation found in a book called “Forgiving and Moving On”
by Tian Daytons, PHD.
Today I know the truth of my recovery if I am to stand centered and strong within
my life and self, I will need to plant a garden in my sou. A garden for me to
nurture and to nurture me. A haven of beauty. I will find my own voice and sing
my song, it will not be sung. It is all I have and it is enough. I do not need to
prove anything to anyone anymore. I have come home to me. The truth is I was
here all along, only I forgot to look for myself. Instead I searched for me in other
people’s meaning and became lost in other people’s meaning and became lost in
their stories. I am not lost today. I know there is nowhere to look for me but
within myself and no one to lead me there but me. Thank you, life, for letting me
see this. I am home within me!
_______________________________________________________________

Food for Thought submitted by Sylvia H.

I’m teaching myself to not overplay my role once I learn my place in people’s
lives. No matter how much they mean to me. I ‘m learning that sometimes you
don’t mean to people what they mean to you and that’s ok. Not everyone has the
same heart as you!
From: The Mental Health Open Discussion found through a Facebook Scroll.
Hello and Greetings Everyone,
My name is Georgio F. I ‘m a new member here at the VSC. I really appreciate
the opportunity to be a part of such a blessed place. The club is full of love and
hospitality. So many great things to offer since I've been here I’ve experienced so
many awesome things, from the people and its community. I enjoy the respect
and love and appreciation that everyone has for one another.
I enjoy the groups, the arts and the games that we play. I can’t believe the
awesome breakfast and lunches that staff put out. It means so much!
I’m really looking forward to more of the support from this organization. I am
hoping to be working towards the goal of lifting one another up. Its really needed
today too! We all need to work on lifting and working together to lift one another
so we can stay strong. Bless the staff and volunteers for there awesome work!

CLUB ELECTIONS WERE ON JANUARY 29TH and RESULTS WERE ANNOUNCED

ON JANUARY 30TH AT NOON!
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2025-2027
PRESIDENT:
JULIANNE M.

VICE PRESIDENT:
GAYLE A. (Currant VP)
OR
MARY B. (Currant Secretary)

SECRETARY:
JULIE D.

RECREATION ASSISTANT:
LENA I.

MAKE YOUR VOTE OFFICIAL

Mayor’s visit at the Valley Social Club
VSC enjoyed a visit from
Ansonia Mayor David
Cassetti in early January.
Mayor Dave updated the
members on all the good
things happening and took
questions. Lunch followed his
talk with pizza from Santini’s!
Thanks Mayor Dave!
 PROBLEM GAMBLING TALK AT THE VSC WITH DEBRA DEASE CANNON

8
SOME OF THE
LATEST WORKS
FROM OUR
MEMBERS &
CREATIVE ART
BEING DONE AT
THE CLUB

9
 New Crochet Group at the Valley Social Club

10
Birthday Fun This Month!
February is Valentine’s Day Month

Steven F. & Rayna B.-2/10

Daniele G.– 2/11
Barbara D.& Marie R-2/12
Jessica V.-2/13
Margaret S.-2/16
Michael L.-2/22
Anthony C.-2/25
Deb G.-2/28

Your Executive Committee for 2025-2027

Julianne M. is your VSC President

Mary B. is your VSC Vice President
Julie D. is your VSC Secretary
Lena I. is your VSC Recreation Assistant
Gayle A. is an Alternate to the Executive Committee
Thirty Members participated in this years election! This is Spectacular!

11
 VSC Calendar forFebruary 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Phyllis- Key: Club Hours Warm Line Please Sign Remember to sign
736-2601,
sign M-Th 203-732-2004 Up for up for activities *
1
Ext. 1453 Activities Remember to call
up-** 9:00-4:30p Sun-Thursday
if you can not CLOSED
6-10p & marked with
203-305-7895 © money- $$ attend the activity
Friday an **
Jacques- needed Friday/Sat-
9-12:30p Remember to be
6-11p kind to others!
736-2601, Ext.

2 3 Art 9-11a 4Breakfast 5 Let’s Talk

6 7 8
No Day Social
9-10:30a 1-2p
CLOSED Crochet GRP –Out to eat @ Art 9-12P CLOSED
11-12p Ladies Tea 2-3
Art 9-11a Wendys $$**
VSC CLUB
Let’s Talk w/
Tracy C.-RCLC Bingo 1-2* Orientation 11:30—1p* CLOSED AT
referrals only 2p
1-2p First 13 can go 1-4:30P

9 CLOSED 10 Visit to 11 Breakfast 12 Let’s Talk 13 No Day 14 15

Masters Table VSC by DHMAS 9-10:30a 1-2p Social Today Art 9-12P
CLOSED
Dinner Crochet Group Art 9-11a VSC Valentines
CLUB
11 to 12p** Bingo 1-2* Orientation Party w/
2-3pm /Free referrals only OPTIONS CLOSED AT
Assumption Let’s Talk Mobil Food Bank 1-4:30P
2-3p
Church ,Ansonia 1-2pm 2:15-3:15p* 11-2P**

16 17 Jacques 18 Jacques 19 Let’s

20 Owen’s
21 22
Music Group
off off Talk 1-2p Art 9-12P
CLOSED Breakfast 11-11:30a CLOSED
Crochet Group VSC Art 9-11a
9-10:30a CLUB
11 to 12p** Orientation
Day Social CLOSED AT
Lou BHH 11-12 referrals only
Let’s Talk 1-4:30P
2-3p 11:30-2p*
1-2pm Bingo 1-2*

23 Closed 24 Art 9-11a 25 Breakfast 26 Let’s 27 28

Masters Table
Crochet Group
9-10:30a Talk 1-2p Art 9-11a Art 9-12P
Dinner
11 to 12p** Art 9-11a VSC
Day Social CLUB
2-3pm/Free Bingo 1-2* Orientation
Let’s Talk CLOSED AT
1-2pm referrals only 11-2p*
Assumption Mobil Food Bank 1-4:30P
Church, Ansonia 2:15-3:15p* 2-3p