Sean Henri

Ghost Hunters at the Sterling Opera House

April 21, 2011 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

The SyFy channel featured Derby's Sterling Opera House on last night's episode of Ghost Hunters. The historic building is currently vacant and severely in need of restoration, so the city is attempting to bring it into the spotlight by billing it as haunted.  Mission accomplished considering last night's show brought in an estimated 2 million visitors. 

Posted in:  BlogSherpa, Connecticut, Derby, CT, USA | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (0)

Holy Snowy

April 11, 2011 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

Hard to believe my yard/street/Connecticut looked like this just a few months ago.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Connecticut, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (0)

This blog is not dead yet

January 18, 2011 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

This past year I nearly abandoned this blog, not because I didn't want to keep it up to date, but because I just never seemed to find the time.  Since early this summer I've become very busy working on projects and enjoying life in between, so there never seems to be time to sit down and recap. There's lots of stuff to cover though, so I plan on slowwwwly backdating posts. I'm also planning a re-design in the coming months along with an updated and expanded portfolio, with more focus on the design marketing work I do.

To get started again with the "life upates".. here's a few pics from two of the past three "Snowpocalypses" we've had.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Connecticut, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (0)

Cleanup of the Naugatuck River Scheduled in Derby

April 14, 2010 // 2 Comments  // Add yours »

The second annual volunteer effort to cleanup the banks of the Naugatuck River in Derby has been scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 8am to 4pm. There will be a one hour lunch between noon to one.  I participated last year and believe me, a ton of help is needed.  There is an enormous amount of junk remaining along the banks of that river.  More info is available on the Valley Indy and on Derby's website.

Posted in:  Connecticut, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (2)

Fourth of July Weekend in Connecticut

July 05, 2009 // 2 Comments  // Add yours »

Here's a few of my favorite photos from this year's 4th of July weekend:

We had cake for my brother Justin during one of this weekend's parties on the river for recently passing his insurance exam.

A local dog who was after my cheeseburger.  He did not succeed.

We soon found out that this mustard had expired in 2006.

Fireworks along the Milford coastline on July 4th.  All residential, but not bad.

My brother Kevin and I took a break from the parties for a hike at Southford Falls State Park.

A view of the falls.

Mickey - our boat driver for the weekend.

Sunday night fireworks on the Housatonic - the best this week.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Derby, CT, Photos | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (2)

The Valley Independent Sentinel launches

June 24, 2009 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

Posted in:  Ansonia, CT, Derby, CT, Oxford, CT, Seymour, CT, Shelton, CT, Web/Tech | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (1)

Cleaning up the banks of the Naugatuck

March 29, 2009 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

The cleanup effort along the Naugatuck River in Derby went fantastic.  Dozens of volunteers including every-day citizens, city officials, and UI workers came out to lend a hand.  The sad thing is that while we made a major dent in removing the piles of trash, it would probably take the same amount of volunteers another ten weekends to remove all the garbage that remains.

My friend Ricky and I were quoted in the New Haven Register:

"Derby resident Sean Henri not only walks the greenway but kayaks the Naugatuck and he has seen firsthand the debris that litters what could be a pretty hillside. What he saw from his kayak is what prompted Henri to volunteer Saturday.

“I am shocked. I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know it was this bad,” he said, looking around.

His friend, Ansonia resident Ricky Donnelly, said he hopes residents of houses above the river keep the woods clean from now on.

“I don’t know why people would want that in your backyard. It’s an eyesore,” he said."

Video can be found here.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (1)

Volunteers needed for river cleanup in Derby

March 18, 2009 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

The Housatonic Valley Association and city officials from Derby, Connecticut, have announced a "Cleanup of the Naugatuck River Day" on March 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The area being focused on is a stretch of land that runs along the banks of the Naugatuck River opposite of the Derby Greenway. 

Anyone who uses and enjoys the Greenway and the river is encouraged to come lend a helping hand.  Volunteers are asked to meet in the Tailgators parking lot at 8pm with rakes, boots, and other appropriate cleanup gear.  However, they are asked not to park in the restaurant's parking lot.

Bulldozer time has been donated by city resident Bill Korelyshum so that a trail could be forged to the site, and Annex Associates of New Haven has donated a dumpster.  United Illuminating owns some of the property along the river and will be sending employees to contribute to the cleanup.

If interested in volunteering, please RSVP to the event page on Facebook, or call the mayors office at (203) 736-1450

Posted in:  Derby, CT, Events | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (1)

The Tunnels of Derby

March 16, 2009 // 1 Comments  // Add yours »

I've long known about the series of tunnels lying underneath the downtown Derby area, but never had an opportunity to actually see it with my own eyes until now.

Unfortunately, when I went down to look, I wasn't able to get very close due to safety precautions.  I was however able to catch a glimpse of the opening, which was at least partially satisfying considering it will soon be completely filled in to make way for new construction.

The tunnels were built in the early 1800's as a part of a canal system that fed water from the Naugatuck river to power several downtown factories. This particular opening was in the foundation of the "The Big Copper Mill", one of the first factories built in Derby.  The building was recently condemned and demolished following a partial collapse of the roof, exposing the tunnel opening and turbines that once powered the factory.

To give a clear demonstration of where these tunnels are actually located, I took a map from 1848 and placed it over a current satellite view of the downtown area.  The map places the tunnels in the exact place where the opening was recently exposed.  The reservoir which fed the water through the tunnels was located in the area where Home Depot's parking lot is currently is.

The etching above, taken from "The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880", depicts the factory on the left-hand side shortly before it was put into operation.  The accompanying text reads:

"This village was commenced in 1834. There are at present (July 1 1836) about twenty dwelling houses and three mercantile stores; there is in and about to be put in operation one factory for making sheet copper and copper wire one for making augers one for making carriage springs and axles one for making nails or tacks one for flannels and satinets with some other minor manufacturing establishments. The water by which the mills and factories are put in operation is taken from the Naugatuck by a canal which extends upwards of a mile and a half northward of the village. A steam boat is about to commence running between this place and New York Part of the Leaven worth bridge over the Ousatonic is seen on the extreme left. The dwelling of Sheldon Smith Esq is seen a little eastward of this on the elevated ground above the copper factory. This edifice is elegantly situated and commands a most beautiful and interesting prospect to the southward particularly of the village at the Landing and the passage of the Ousatonic through what is called the Narrows."

Reposted on the Connecticut Weekender here.  Video of the tunnel can be seen here.  Additional photos can be seen here.

Posted in:  Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (1)

"Hell House" in Seymour

February 02, 2009 // 24 Comments  // Add yours »

(Note: Since posting this blog, local residents have informed me that the house is actually located in Seymour, so the title of this post has been adjusted accordingly.  Please refrain from posting directions or an address.)

I was a bit surprised to find out that the town I live in, Derby, CT, was once the setting for an episode of the Discovery Channel's A Haunting.  The episode, titled "Hell House", told the story of the Beckwith family who supposedly began seeing ghosts and other strange phenomena shortly after moving to a new home.  Local ghost hunters Ed & Lorraine Warren were called in to help along with other  "paranormal investigators", and an exorcism was performed.

I particularly enjoyed the line: "Today, in the historic towns of Seymour and Derby, the legions of dead beneath the land far outnumber the living."  Spooky...

PS: This is my 500th post since starting this blog!

Posted in:  Derby, CT, Stuff, Television | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (24)

The Commodore Hull Theatre

January 08, 2009 // 3 Comments  // Add yours »

Last night I checked out the former Commodore Hull Theatre on Elizabeth Street in Derby.  The theater shut its doors in 1958 and was converted into parking space for an adjacent TV showroom.  Today, the building remains, but only as a parking lot for nearby offices.

Much of the original interior has been stripped away, but the projection box and proscenium where the screen and stage once stood still remain.   Along the walls and ceiling you can see sections of the original medieval themed mural as well as remnants of the original hand painted symbols, patterns, and sculptures.

Above is an old view of the theater from Elizabeth Street.  If anyone has pictures of the interior from the days when the theater was still operational, please send me an email.  I'd be interested in seeing them.

I should point out that the theater is private property, and you may want to seek permission before checking it out on your own. 

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Connecticut, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (3)

Aleksander J. Tomczak Memorial Benefit Concert

August 01, 2008 // 0 Comments  // Add yours »

What:
Aleksander J. Tomczak Memorial Benefit Concert
When:
Sunday Aug 17, 2008
at 3:00 PM
Where:
Coon Hallow
Nutmeg Ave
Derby, CT 06418
United States
Tickets:
$20

Info:
From my friend Alexis:

We will be holding a Memorial Benefit Concert for Alex featuring One Jack Move, and opening acts Josh Dellinger, and David Roberts on Sunday August 17th at 3 PM at Coon Hallow in Derby! Ticket will go on sale on Monday August 4th, and they will also be for sale at the door. All tickets are 20 dollars. We will also be selling refreshments and T-shirts and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Make sure you bring your blankets! All proceeds will go toward Alex’s final expenses and the Aleksander J. Tomczak Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Please pass the word!

For tickets, please email Alexis.Tomczak (at) hotmail.com

Posted in:  Derby, CT, Events | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (0)

Starbucks opens in Derby

June 14, 2008 // 4 Comments  // Add yours »

I took some time this morning to stop in the new Starbucks on RT. 34 in Derby, CT, and I'm really impressed with how they've set it up.  It's spacious, comfortable, clean, and exactly what I needed to find in my hometown.  Being the kind of person that never really stops working or thinking, having a Starbucks nearby is a great thing.  It gives me a place to be productive without shutting myself out from the world.  I can sit here with my laptop and get a ton of work done, but still bump into a friend or start up a conversation with a stranger.  Having it along the way on my commute in and out of work is a nice thing as well.  Out of all the local Starbucks, including Shelton, Oxford, Milford, Orange, and Trumbull, this one is definitely my favorite.  Check it out if you're local.

Posted in:  A Day In The Life, Derby, CT | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (4)

So many ideas

March 25, 2008 // 2 Comments  // Add yours »

On top of the previously mentioned idea that I have about a Connecticut related blog, two other projects you may see coming shortly are a photo blog (something I've played around with in the past), and a blog focusing on music /The Beatles.  More details to come.

Speaking of photos.. I've been experimenting with some over-saturation on the colors in some shots.  I'm trying to give them somewhat of a vintage feel.  A friend recently commented that it makes the photo almost look like a painting.  Below are two that I took over the weekend.  Any thoughts? 

Posted in:  Blogging, Derby, CT, New Haven, Photos, Thoughts & Ideas | Permalink |  Digg This | Share on Facebook | Comments (2)