Michelle L. Cook

On Wednesday, our nation remembered and honored those who lost their lives in the horrific attacks on America on September 11, 2001. It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by, but also stood still. Many people remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news 23 years ago. We promised we would never forget; we owe it to those who we lost that day - and the first responders we continue to lose to 9/11-related illnesses - to never forget. Below, you'll find photos from Torrington Fire Department's beautiful remembrance ceremony, held Wednesday morning. 

Earlier this month, I had the honor of attending the Hunt Institute Early Childhood Leadership Summit in Las Vegas. It was a great opportunity to meet with early childhood teams from around the country and learn and share best practices. 

Torrington High School's band had a fun opportunity last weekend - they headed to East Hartford's Rentschler Field, home of UConn Huskies Football, to take part in UConn Band Day. They joined 14 other bands from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts for the opportunity to rehearse with the UConn band, watch the game, and participate in the halftime show.

MPower delayed the start of the running program until September 16, so there is still time to sign your child up. There are tons of events coming up in and around Torrington, including TAB's car wash, a job fair through Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, and shows at the Warner Theatre (and sign up to give blood at the Warner on October 5, with a chance to win two tickets to the opening night performance of Dracula). 

I hope you have a good weekend!

• Attending the Hunt Institute Early Childhood Summit
• Remembering September 11th
• THS Band at "The Rent"
• MPower-Torrington Starts Monday!
• Car Seat Safety Checks
• Stand Down 2024
• Battle of the Badges to Benefit Tunnels to Towers
• Light Up the Dark at Coe Park
• Culture in the Courtyard
• Torrington's Oktoberfest
• Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
• And More

The summit is a bipartisan gathering of state teams comprised of senior elected officials, gubernatorial staff, mayors, local elected leaders, and key early childhood system leaders from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The three-day summit engaged us in critical dialogue focused on the importance of investing in early childhood systems that support children and families. 

Connecticut's own Beth Bye, former legislator and current Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood, was one of the resource experts at the summit. Our legislative team consisted of Senators Eric Berthel, James Maroney, and Ceci Maher, as well as Representatives Toni Walker, Tammy Exum, Corey Paris, Moira Rader, and Kate Farrar. 

Below you'll see some photos (courtesy of THS) and the lower graphic, if you click it, will take you to the Facebook Watch video of some of the day at The Rent. 

Register now before it's too late.

For more information, click HERE. 

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.

Tickets
$10 General Admission & 1 FREE Beer*, Door Prize Ticket
$20 VIP Admission & 1 FREE Beer* with Dinner, Door Prize Ticket
*Or non-alcoholic beverage
Proceeds benefit Main Street Torrington, Inc.
(a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization)

Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY
Capacity is LIMITED
Tickets WILL NOT BE SOLD at the door
21 & OLDER ONLY - IDs will be checked at the door
NO Children or Pets
Music & Activities
LIVE music from Dennis Polisky & Maestro's Men, an authentic German Oktoberfest Band
Beer Stein Holding Contest
Oktoberfest Beer
Assorted Local Craft Beer available

Dinner (VIP Tickets ONLY)
Choice of...
10" Bratwurst (1/2 lb., Student Prince Restaurant, Springfield, MA)
Jäger Schnitzel (pork) with mushroom gravy
Wiener Schnitzel (veal) with lemon (mushroom gravy optional)
Bun-Length Hot Dog (2)
All dinners include:
Sauerkraut
Red cabbage
Warm German Potato Salad
Stone Ground Mustard

Ala Carte Food (General Admission Tickets)
Choice of...
Bun-Length Hot Dogs
Authentic Bavarian Pretzels
Dessert
German Chocolate Cake
Black Forest Cake
Apple Strudel
Special Door Prize

All admissions include 1 free ticket for the "Taste of Torrington" gift basket - dozens of gift cards from local restaurants!
Drawing at 7:15 p.m. 

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.

Having a library card opens up a world of opportunity! Cardholders don't just have access to reading materials, but to online databases and resources that can help expand your knowledge and insights.

Sign up for a Torrington Library card on your next visit to the library or apply for a card online! Once you have a hometown library card you can use it at all the fantastic libraries in our state!

Apply for your card online HERE.

They'll be doing 2 sessions of the event on October 19: a not-so-scary and a super-scary!
We hope you'll come out for a haunting good time! 

Grab your tickets 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!

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.

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