Michelle L. Cook

Early voting for the upcoming general election starts Monday and gives the state's voters more options. For 14 days, voters can pick the time and date that works best for them to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Voters can still vote on Election Day in person and through absentee ballot (meeting the absentee ballot criteria), but there's also a question on the ballot about amending the state constitution to allow voters to vote absentee with no excuse needed. Locally, there is a ballot question regarding spending already allocated funds on a turf field at the new THS/TMS instead of grass fields. 

The United Way notes that many Connecticut families are owned Earned Income or Child Tax Credits and they may not even know it. This e-newsletter will give you the information you need to check to see if you're owed these funds.   

Once again, Torrington has a TON of events coming up this weekend and next weekend. I hope you get a chance to visit some of the local events taking place, including Torrington Parks and Recreation's Nightmare on South Street, the Halloween decoration contest, Halloween Hoopla, Torrington Library's Haunted Night at Toy Works (presented by TAB), and so much more. 

I hope you have a good weekend!

• Early Voting Starts Monday
• Torrington Business Tour with Comptroller Scanlon
• Celebrating the Torrington's Honoree for "Italian Mayor of the Day"
• Are You Owed Unclaimed Covid Relief Funds or Child Tax Credits?
• CT Department of Labor Announces the Launch of DUA for Flood Victims
• Torrington PAL Basketball is BACK!
• Torrington Parks & Rec Updates
• Halloween Hoopla is October 25
• Torrington Library's Taste of Torrington is October 26
• 8th Annual Rock the Kitchen on November 9
• And More

Early voting dates: October 21-November 3 (14 days)
Location: Torrington City Hall Auditorium, 140 Main Street
Time: Most days, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. On October 29 and 31, voting hours from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

There are also options to vote in person on Election Day or if you meet the absentee ballot criteria. NOTE: A referendum question will be on the ballot asking voters if they would like to amend the state constitution and allow anyone to utilize absentee balloting - no excuse needed.

In-Person Voting on Election Day:

• Voters can cast their ballots at their designated polling places.
• Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Make sure to bring an acceptable form of ID if you’re registering to vote on Election Day.
• Find your voting location HERE (click the "voter registration and election voting place locator" link)

Absentee Voting (Vote by Mail):

• Voters can request an absentee ballot to vote by mail.
• You must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to your local election office.
• Make sure to return your completed ballot by mail or in person before the deadline.

Each option provides flexibility to ensure that everyone can participate in the election. Please be sure to MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN!

MyCTSavings helps employers offer a great new benefit and provides a seamless way for employees to save and plan for retirement. 

Tom has been a member of the Torrington Chapter of UNICO since 1975 and will celebrate 50 years as the Torrington Chapter of UNICO marks its 100 years of service in 2025. 

45,000 Connecticut families who haven't claimed federal COVID-era tax benefits they are owed. There was more than $120 million in tax credits unclaimed in tax year 2019 alone.

The United Way of Connecticut and its trusted partners will help you get the money you're owed. Whether it's COVID relief money or child credits, CLICK HERE for more information.

DUA is a federal program that supports workers whose employment was lost or interrupted by a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits. DUA covers workers, some residents who are self-employed, and the surviving spouses of heads of household who died due to the storm.

President Biden approved Connecticut’s major disaster declaration for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program for Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties, areas that experienced extreme rain and flooding. Governor Lamont announced business recovery centers to help employers apply for federal aid.

The August flooding caused more than 100 Connecticut businesses to shut down during the storm and recovery. CTDOL urges workers who were affected to carefully read the eligibility guidelines and file for unemployment benefits right away. Some residents may recall Disaster Unemployment Assistance from Hurricane Ida in 2021. This program requires that workers file for and be denied state unemployment benefits in order to be eligible for federal benefits. It’s one more step for approval, but disaster benefits cover a broader cohort of workers who aren’t ordinarily eligible for regular unemployment benefits. 

Eligibility for Disaster Unemployment Assistance includes:

• Residents who live, work, or travel to work through impacted areas - Fairfield County, Litchfield County, or New Haven County.
• Individuals who were to start work or self-employment but were prevented from doing so due to the flooding.
• Workers who experienced unemployment or reduced hours due to: flooding to their place of business; road or other closures; lack of work because the business depends on a non-operational entity within the affected area; or experienced injury caused directly by the storm.
• Workers who have proof of employment, documentation of wages, and earnings for the 2023 tax year
• Workers who have documentation of wages or lost earnings directly related to the flooding
• Individuals who became the major source of financial support for a household due to the death of the head of household.

Claimants must first file for regular state unemployment benefits at FileCTUI.com. Once a claimant is found ineligible for state benefits, they must then file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by calling the Consumer Contact Center.  

Under federal law, the filing deadline for Connecticut Disaster Unemployment Assistance is November 19.

I’m pleased to support State Treasurer Erick Russell’s office and its great annual initiative, the CHET Dream Big! competition. This is an amazing opportunity for students in grades K-12 to enter to win up to $20,000 toward their future education.

To enter, students answer a question in the form of artwork, an essay, or a video. Younger students focus on what they want to do when they grow up, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate. Please take a moment to visit the website to learn more, and then encourage your child to take part. More than 250 students will receive monetary prizes to be deposited into a CHET account!

Learn more and enter at chetdreambig.com. The competition is open through November 4. Good luck!

To take part, fill out this FORM. 

This is the cornerstone of the T.A.F.A. mission for inclusion and T.A.F.A. is thankful for on-going collaborations with KidsPlay to make events like this accessible. If you or your agency/ organization would like to be a part of this magical evening by participating as a candy/treat vendor table, T.A.F.A. would be incredibly grateful. The timing, details, and form to register can be accessed via this LINK.

The library will be transformed on October 19 for the event, with two different scare levels so all can enjoy (scary and not scary)! Be sure to come in your costumes and stop at the bake sale and beverage bar.

Grab your tickets HERE.

Bring your friends and enjoy a night on the town celebrating one of Torrington’s most iconic landmarks. All proceeds support the Torrington Library.

Advanced tickets are encouraged. Attendees must be 21 and older. IDs will be checked upon arrival.

Click HERE for tickets or click the graphic below. 

Over 80 vendors will be participating ranging from artisans and crafters to the general public peddling some great holiday bargains!

Enjoy all sorts of seasonal festivities like Resty Nombrado the infamous "Pumpkin Carver" carving pumpkins all day, and the “Main Street Express Train" will be giving rides to both children and adults up and down Main Street.

For food options, in addition to the great local restaurants on Main Street, we will have in the Arena (City Hall Parking Lot) the PolishPlate, the Great Cape Baking Co. and their hand-made apple cider donuts, along with a few other food trucks... all available with plenty of seating so you can relax from shopping, grab a bite to eat and people watch!

Saturday, November 9
3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
The Eagles Club, 222 Main St., Torrington

FOOD ~ GAMES ~ CASH BAR-RAFFLES
DONATION: $15

This Halloween season, the Warner Theatre invites audiences to experience a chilling adaptation of Bram Stoker's timeless vampire tale with a bold new twist. Dracula, presented by Stage @ the Warner, runs from October 25 through November 3 in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.

Tickets are on sale at warnertheatre.org or by calling the box office at 860-489-7180.

 
This concert features his instantly recognizable hits from the last seven decades including “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “Diana,” “My Way,” “Puppy Love” and “Lonely Boy,” among many others. Paul Anka is a force of nature and a consummate showman, commanding every audience and playing to standing ovations around the world backed by his all-star band!
 
Paul Anka: All the Hits – His Way is in Torrington for one night only at the Warner Theatre! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at warnertheatre.org or by phone at 860-489-7180 x 1. Don’t miss this chance to experience Paul Anka live at the Warner Theatre for an unforgettable night of music and memories!

After captivating audiences across New York, A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland has entertained thousands around the globe and now returns to the U.S. this holiday season. Experience the magic as world-class performers blend melodic folk mashups, acapella tap battles, and heartwarming storytelling in one truly unforgettable performance.

Get ready for that “Old Time Rock & Roll” as Classic Seger brings the ultimate salute to Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band to the Warner Theatre as part of the band's Hollywood Nights 2025 North American Tour.

Thrilling audiences across North America, Classic Seger brings the energy, excitement, and raw power of a vintage Bob Seger concert to the stage, leaving fans singing, dancing, and screaming for more! Classic Seger is a world-class tribute act, performing masterful renditions of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s greatest hits featuring songs like Night Moves, Turn the Page, Against the Wind, Old Time Rock & Roll, and many more all-time favorites.

Did you grow up watching Fraggle Rock? The Warner Theatre is bringing Fraggle Rock Life to Torrington on April 12. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit warnertheatre.org or call the Box Office at 860-489-7180 x1.