VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2014

Volume 47, Issue 11

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

Ho.Ho,Ho fellow club members. Im so looking forward to the Holiday
season. Everyone seems to have their decorations up already and presents
(except mine) are getting bought. Im still a little full from our thanksgiving
dinner. Wow there was so much food nobody could have gone home
hungry. Id like to thank all the staff who helped out. I know that its a huge
job that we all appreciate . I hope everyone has a great
holiday. We are having a Christmas brunch at the club and I
hope every comes down and joins us.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

The Christmas season is upon us now ! Heck, where has the year gone? Anyway, I turned fifty one and celebrated my birthday with family and friends.
I also attended lots of turkey dinners last month. Its surprising that I didnt turn into a turkey. But hey everyone likes it too much. This month will
bring of course holiday brunch xmas morning. I hope you all can attend. I
go every year and I enjoy it. Then I spend the rest of the day with family.
The very end of this month we will also our new Year's party at
noon. We will ring in the new year early with a toast. So I wish
you all very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in
2015.

FROM THE SECRETARY

Hello everyone, my name is Paula and Im your new Secretary for the
Valley Social club. Come in and have a coffee or play a game of scrabble or
monopoly. Lunch is on Monday Thursday. The food is very good. The
evening social is on Thursday nights from 5-7pm. Preparing dinner and
playing games is very enjoyable to me. My sewing class is on
Wednesdays from 11-12pm. Learning how to sew on a button
and making things is so much fun even the guys are doing it.
Getting together at the club is so much fun. Come join us~!

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Page 2

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
The following people celebrate birthdays in December.
Congratulations to all.

Charlie B.
Tom B.
Daniel T. Joann T.

Ross C.

Francis K.

And a happy belated birthday to Arthur R. for November

LAUNDRY GROUP FOR DECEMBER

The following are the dates and towns for laundry group.
December 16th Derby ,Seymour, Oxford .
December 17th Shelton, Ansonia.
Pick up time is aprox. 10am. Please call Mike at 203-732-7089
for reservations.

GROCERY GROUP FOR DECEMBER

The following are the dates and towns for grocery group.
December 9th and 23th Derby, Seymour, Oxford.
December 10th and 24th Shelton, Ansonia.
Pick up time is aprox. 10am. Please call Mike at 203-732-7089
for
Reservations.

ROBERTS ROUND TABLE

What do plan when we plant a tree ? A thousand things that we daily see.
We plant the spire that out towers the crag. We plant the staff
for our countrys flag. We plant the shade from the hot sun free.
We plant all these when we plant the tree.
By Henry Abby.
Submitted By Robert S.
___________________________________________________
CHANGES PLEASE NOTE!
JAQUES NEW PHONE NUMBER PLEASE NOTE IS 203-308-3844

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Page 3

ANNUAL MEETING STARTS THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

The agencys annual dinner is always the official start of
the holiday season here at BHcare. This year we came
together at the Race Brook Country Club. As always the
accommodations were beautiful and the food was to die
for. The evening was filled with laughter and socializing
with other members and staff. The high light of the evening was having
one of members speak to the guests. David J. spoke so well about the
difficult experiences in his life and his new found recovery. David said he
was very grateful to the agency and the club in particular for his success.
It was great to see one of our own shine.
Important: CLRP OR CONNECTICUT LEGAL RIGHTS is here at the club every third
Wednesday of the month. If you need Legal Assistance for housing, advanced directives,
and landlord issues, please sign up at the club and Helen Mehns hours start at 1:30pm.

WARMLINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

All of us get caught up in the holidays. Everyone's excited and talking
about family and friends, parties and gifts. But the holidays can also be
stressful and lonely. If you need someone to talk to, someone who
understands we encourage you to call Warm line. Warm line people will
listen and care. They are hear for YOU!

Warm line hours are:

Call 203-732-2004 .

Sunday-Thursday 6pm 10pm

Friday and Saturday 6pm-11pm.

OCTOBER WAS A GREAT MONTH

Wow was October a wild month for activities! I dont think we stopped moving
especially at the end of the month. We had fun with our friends at Fellowship Place
on October 27th. Then everyone dressed up so nice for the Annual Meeting of the
center on October 29th for a great meal. We would like to thank Arlene Greco and
Diane Wasilewski for helping us with our special assistance fund. We had 17
members attend. Our own David J. was one of the speakers that night and he did a
great job. The next day, October 30th, was all about the Keep the Promise Awards
Luncheon. It was in Bloomfield at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary. Just a beautiful
place to see and the food was great too! Julianne, M. Mike L. Sylvia H. Kathy P. Susan L. John L. Brenda T. Tanya N. Jacques M. and Phyllis K. all were given
certificates Congrats! The next day on October 31st Halloween was our Party and
man was it fun with Milford and New Haven there to celebrate also our 34 year in
existence! The week was busy and we all needed to catch up on our sleep!

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Page 4

WORKING WITH NEW PEOPLE BY TONY K.

Hi my name is Tony. I have had the pleasure to work with lots of
case managers and social club staff. In Oct. of this year I was
Stressed so I asked case management staff to help me out. Staff
assisted me by taking me on a walk., letting me vent and taught me
some deep breathing exercises which helped a lot. Staff also said I
should do something I liked so I went to talk to my friends at the
local music store. I want to thank my BHcare staff for Helping me
through a stressful day.
PEER RUN SUPPORT GROUPS (WINTER SCHEDULE)
MONDAY3-4PM- OVER EATERS ANONYMOUS - For those individuals in need of support for
all eating disorders-Meetings are held in the 1st floor BH care clinic meeting room.
WEDNESDAY2-3PM-NICOTINE ANONYMOUS-12- Step Group to assist with quitting or Support
of quitting your tobacco habit. Located in the Clinic Meeting Room of BHCARE.
THURSDAY2-3PM-AA MTG. held weekly in the Clinic Meeting Room of BHcare. Everyone is
welcome to attend that is in recovery. This is a 12-Step Support Group.
5-7 PM-EVENING SOCIAL- Come to this fun group held at the club for anyone
who would like to learn a new game, and learn how to socialize with others in a fun
and unique way! The group also shares a light dinner too! Rides provided only after
the conclusion of group if needed. Call 203-732-7089 for more information.
FRIDAY4-5PM- EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS this nationally advertised program assists
individuals in dealing with their day to day concerns and works on a 12-Step
Program.
For more information on all these groups please call 203-736-2601,
Ext.431 and ask for John Dykman.
(Revised November 2014)

VALLEY SOCIAL

Page 5

WHAT A YEAR ITS BEEN! 2014 IN REVIEW!

We really had a great year here at the VSC! We did so much together. We achieved
many goals such as increasing our membership. We did more trips this summer and
learned so much from what is around us. The membership did several community
projects including the Griffin Cancer Walk to support our members that are battling
or survived cancer! The Billiard League is going strong with the great competitions,
especially with Fellowship Place that always seems to come down to the last game!
Jacques took over the Drawing and Crafting Classes. We have the largest pastel
picture collection anywhere! Paula B. did two groups for her first full year and
became secretary! Julianne and Sylvia are going strong as President and VP too, a
well oiled machine they runs! Mike keeps us all together doing all the things behind
the scenes, thank goodness! We did lose some members over the year and we honor their memory. We turned 34 years old this year and had a great party with old
friends. So we look forward to new adventures and challenges as 2015 creeps towards us and what this year will bring! Thanks to a fantastic club and members that
make it the best around!
See you in 2015! Happy New Year from Phyllis, Mike, and Jacques!

THE SOCIAL CLUB TO ME BY DONNA A

My social worker Leighan picks me up every day. I enjoy meetings my
friends at the club I like to do the sewing and arts and crafts which are my
favorite Evening social is always fun and my friend Gayle gives me a ride
home. I always enjoy sitting in the park and getting some fresh air. My
friend Paula and I have tea together and then we do some word search
puzzles together.

CONGRATS TO OUR COSTUME CONTEST WINNERS

We had 5 winners of our costume contest. The categories were thought up
by our Executive Committee and judged by our guest staff Linda S. and Karen E. The winners received some really cool pumpkins that were
decorated by our Art Program led by Jacques M. The winners were Best
Costume: Lydia R. as a colorful clown, Most Original: Brenda T. Scariest:
Ronnie B. Funniest: Dalmatian (Marie/Milford), Weirdest: Shawn M. as a
Zombie. Many others dressed up and we would like to thank all who are so
creative with their costumes. We also had a raffle and Robert S. and a club
member from one of the other clubs won that one that Julianne did. Our
Executive Committee of Julianne, Sylvia, and Paula did a great job running
the activities and our staff of Mike and Jacque really hustled to make the
day complete. Thanks to Deb M. on a great buffet and special thanks to
Arthur R. and John L.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY BRUNCH

CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING
DECEMBER 25, 2014
9-11:30AM

FREE TO ALL BHcare Consumers!

Come enjoy a holiday brunch with staff
and special volunteers at the Valley
Social Club!
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a special
visit to see if you have been naughty
or nice too!
Sign up at the club please RSVP by
December 15th.
Sing a few Christmas Carols, eat some
great food and spend some quality
time with our family!
If you have any questions
please call Phyllis Kaplan at
203-305-7895.

VALLEY SOCIAL CLUB NEWSLETTER

FOR DECEMBER 2014
Sun

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1 Decorate the
2
club 10-12p
Breakfast
Lunch
8:30-10am
12-12:30pm
Bingo 2-3p
Lets Talk 1-2p
Drawing Class 2-3
Over Eaters A. 3-4

3
Breakfast
8:30-10am
Gardner Heights
Nursing Home
Visit 10am
Crafting 2-3

5 Member run
club from
12:00-4pm
No craft group
No Emotions A.
4-5pm

Lunch 12-12:30
Executive Mtg.
12:30-1pm
Social Hour 1-2
Drawing 2-3
Evening Social

8 Lunch 129
12:30pm
Breakfast
Lets Talk 1-2p
8:30-10am
No Drawing Class Bingo 2-3p
Over Eaters A.
3-4
(Clinic)

10
Breakfast
8:30-10am
Enlightened
Lunch 12-1p
Helene-Wellness
Talk

11
Lunch 12-12:30
Social Hour 1-2
Drawing 2-3
Evening Social
5-7

12 Stamford Mall
13
shopping 10-2pm Light House Point
$*
Festival of
Free Lunch
Lights 4:30p * $
12-12:30pm
Crafting Class
2-3p

14

15Lunch
16
12-12:30pm
Breakfast
Lets Talk 1-2p
8:30a-10am
NO Drawing Class Bingo 2-3p
Over Eaters A.
3-4
(Clinic)

17Breakfast
8:30-10
Birmingham
Nursing Hope
10-11:30
Branford X-Mas
party 1-4p

18
Lunch 12-12:30
Social Hour 1-2
Drawing 2-3
Evening Social
5-7
Happy Hanukah

19 Free Lunch
12-12:30pm
Danbury Mall
10-2pm$*
Emotions A. 4-5p

21

22 Lunch
23
12-12:30pm
Breakfast
Lets Talk 1-2p
8:30-10am
Drawing Class 2-3 Bingo 2-3p
Over Eaters A.
3-4
(Clinic)

24
Breakfast
8:30-10a
Bingo 2-3p

25
Christmas Brunch
9-11:30
Free to all BHcare
clients

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas

Sign up key
*Must sign up
$ Money Needed

club closed

club closed

club closed

28

club closed

Mon

Tue

29Lunch
30
12-12:30pm
Breakfast
Lets Talk 1-2p
8:30-10am
Drawing Class 2-3 Bingo 2-3p
Over Eaters A.
3-4
(Clinic)

31
Breakfast
8:30-10am
New Years Eve
Day Party 12-3*
Free!

5-7

Phone Numbers
(203)
Phyllis -305-7895
Jacques-New
#308-3844
Mike -732-7089
BHcare 736-2601

26

Center & club

closed
Happy
Holidays!
Happy Kwanza
Club Hours
Monday-Thurs.
8:30-5pm
Friday 8:30-4pm
Social Club
203-735-9106

club closed

20

club closed

27

club closed

Warm line hours

Sun.-Thurs.6pm
10pm
Fri-Sat. 6-11pm
203-732-2004