Michelle L. Cook

Next Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Nearly 3,000 people died that day in Manhattan, New York; Arlington, Virginia; or Shanksville, Pennsylvania, with 162 of the victims having lived in or having ties to Connecticut. We mourn them and honor their memories. Take a moment of reflection on Wednesday if you can. In addition, Torrington will host its own September 11 remembrance at the TFD North End Station at 8:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend; more details can be found in this e-newsletter. 

On a happier note, I was excited to attend an event at the KidsPlay Children's Museum, opening an exhibit honoring Little House on the Prairie and including many of the show's original cast and crew members. 

So many events are coming up, including the vocal showcase finals, car seat safety checks, Stand Down 2024, Battle of the Badges, law enforcement recruitment fair, and more.

I hope you have a good weekend!

• Brooker Memorial Unveils New OT/PT Space
• Little House on the Prairie at Kids Play Museum
• TFD Participates in MDA Fill-The-Boot
• Torrington Parks & Rec Vocal Showcase Finals Take Place Saturday
• Torrington Teen Center Open to Middle & High School Students
• Torrington Remembers September 11
• Statewide Law Enforcement Fair
• TFD & TPD Car Seat Safety Checks
• TFD vs. TPD in "Battle of the Badges"
• Free Job Fair Being Held at American Mural Project
• And More

KidsPlay unveiled a new exhibit featuring a replica of the "little house" from the series. Bringing cast and crew together to celebrate 50 years was organized Susan McCray, who is a close college friend of Cheryl Kloczko, who serves as KidsPlay's board vice president. 

Special thanks to Officer Hubbard and Torrington firefighter Newkirk for having a little fun to promote this important cause!

Tickets are available at the door. NOTE: The show is at Torrington Middle School.

Register now before it's too late.

For more information, click HERE. 

This session will provide an in-depth look into CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law coming into effect on January 1, 2025, and explore what employers can expect in the coming years. This law will significantly expand the state’s current paid sick leave, and it’s important that CT employers are aware of these changes.
 
CT Department of Labor’s Legal Director, Heidi Lane, will lead a discussion on CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law, as well as answer questions throughout the presentation. 
 
Topics include:

• Who is a covered employer on January 1, 2025, and who will be a covered employer in the coming years?
• Are any employers exempt?
• What employees are covered and are there any exempt employees?
• Which employees are considered “seasonal”?
• What are the reasons for which paid sick leave may be taken? 
• Who is a family member?
• How is sick leave accrued?
• How much paid sick leave may be accrued in a year?
• What are the notice requirements for both the employer and the employee?
• What documentation may the employer require?

To register, click HERE or click the graphic below. 

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is preparing for its annual STAND DOWN event which will be held at six regional locations.

SIX REGIONAL LOCATIONS

• Bridgeport - University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Ave.
• Bristol - St. Gregory CCD Center, 1043 Stafford Ave.
• Danbury - Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive
• Norwich - Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave.
• Rocky Hill - CT DVA main campus 287 West Street
• Stamford - UCONN, One University Plaza

The DVA continues our commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families by providing this “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the State.

A list of confirmed service providers and the transportation schedule can be found HERE.

For any additional information: Call: 860-616-3772 or Email: standdown@ct.gov

A little about the Tunnels to Towers Foundation - It's a charitable organization founded in tribute to FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed during the attack on the World Trade Center. Since September 11, 2001, the foundation has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. To learn more, click HERE. 

Ignite Grant applications will be accepted through September 24.

The application period for Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grants closes on September 9. Other Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

More information on Ignite, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Additional information on Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Ignite Grants are designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth & profitability.

WBDC Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants are designed to help licensed and aspiring childcare businesses. These grants of up to $25,000 are offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood & available to childcare programs at different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand.

Here are some of the requirements:

• 18 years of age or older by program start
• Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
• Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
• Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
• Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA

The deadline is November 1!

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is an initiative designed to help young people ages 14 to 24 explore careers by providing opportunities to work alongside professionals who assist them in building career networks and receive on-the-job training while also covering participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work.

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program runs year-round. Youths who want to enroll can contact their region's Workforce Development Board by clicking HERE. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program webpage HERE.

The library offers a safe place for teens to hang out, get their homework done, and play games after school! Snacks will be available for 50 cents each.

To take advantage of this program, parents will need to contact the TMS office for an alternative bus route form to be filled out with which days they'd like their child to visit the library. It's that easy.

Kids should be picked up at least 15 minutes before the library closes. Contact Teen Librarian Miss Jill, with any questions!

Due to recent events (AGAIN) where we have caught people attempting to sell donated items they received free from the food bank, we have decided on the following:

• FHFB will no longer offer any free public giveaways (including but not limited to) Pet Food, Food Items, Amazon, produce, etc. This decision does not come lightly or easily, but it's necessary.
• If you are not a current client (receiving food regularly) you will not be allowed to attend or participate in these extras we provide

HOWEVER...

• We will continue to seek out extras and in turn, provide them to clients regularly, without offering them to the general public.
• This new policy will increase the opportunity for all of our loyal clients offering more for them and their families.

If you would like to become a client - please contact the food bank directly. Thank you kindly for your understanding

RSVP HERE and scroll to the leadership events for September 11 and 12 to register.

Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased HERE. Ticket sales close on October 9 for the October 26 event. 

Calling all food vendors! 

The Warner Theatre is now accepting applications for the Annual Wine & Food Tasting event: Sips, Spirits & Snacks!

This is your opportunity to showcase your culinary creations to hundreds of eager potential customers. If you're interested in participating in this event or other special events at the Warner, click HERE for more details.

Fans of The Princess Bride are in for a treat as Cary Elwes, who famously portrayed Westley, brings his beloved event, "An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes," to the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium on September 21, at 7:30 pm.

Don’t miss out on a night filled with laughter, memories, and a chance to relive the magic of The Princess Bride. Limited tickets remain for An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes on September 21. Reserve your seats before they’re gone! Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased HERE or call 860-489-7180 x 1.

Registration is required. For more information and registration links, click HERE. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Buffett’s Margaritaville at the Warner Theatre on October 17 is moving to January 23 at 7 p.m.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new date.

For those unable to attend, refunds will be made available until September 26. Please contact the Box Office at 860-489-7180 x 1 or by email: boxoffice@warnertheatre.org if you would like a refund.