Michelle L. Cook

I hope everyone has a safe weekend. Enjoy your time with friends and family, but also remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. 

This newsletter includes:

• Memorial Day Parade in Torrington
• Expanding Health Care & Forgiving Student Loans
• Slow Down, Move Over: A Safety Message from Torrington Fire Union
• Update: Municipal Parking Lot Construction
• Honoring the Life & Legacy of Torrington Native Carole Naeg
• Warner Theatre Moonlight Flight 2024 Gala
• Sharing Progress on Torrington School Construction Project
• Friendly Hands Food Bank Updates
• Community Conversation with T.A.F.A.
• Vendors Wanted for Torrington Parks & Recreation's Sunny Market Days
• Pride Flag Raising in Torrington on June 3
• Torrington PAL Car Show
• Torrington Citywide Tag Sale Coming in June
• TPS Music Department Hosts Summer Music Academy
• And More!

The Torrington Veterans Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 27 at 9:30 a.m. After the parade, a ceremony honoring the sacrifices of past and present veterans will be held in Coe Park beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m.

I want to thank our veterans for their devoted service to defending our great nation.

The Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program incentivizes eligible health care providers to practice full-time in underserved Connecticut communities for at least two years by offering up to $50,000 in student loan repayments. Part-time options are also available for $12,500 per year over two years, totaling $25,000.

The program offers a unique advantage in that it allows federal and private student loan debt to be repaid, expanding the eligible talent pool that can participate.

• MDs and DOs in Family Practice, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN
• APRNs, including Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychiatric Nurse Specialists
• Physician Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Dentists and Dental Hygienists
• Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Core Behavioral Health Providers, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Substance Use Disorder Counselors
• Pharmacists

This program will recruit and retain new health care workers, forgive the student loans of these heroes, and reduce health disparities across our state - a major win for all Connecticut residents.
 
The state started accepting applications this week. For more information, click HERE. 

The following message was posted by Local 1567 IAFF Torrington Fire Department on Facebook:

Local 1567's members have experienced numerous close calls with motorists this month.

On May 20, members assigned to Engine 4 responded to a service wire down in the roadway. While operating on scene a motorist drove over the wire, entangling a firefighter and injuring him.

On May 8, while operating on Route 8, Engine 4 was almost struck by a motorcycle as can be seen by the skid mark extremely close to the engine (photo below).

Local 1567 implores the public to drive with caution when they see an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road. It's the law! Our members want to return safely at the end of their shift as much as they want the public to return to their families as well. 

• One of the outdoor book returns has been moved to the Riverview parking lot about 10 feet away from the handicap ramp and near the back staff entrance to the building. Although the return says it's for DVDs and CDs only, you may drop ANY library item in the return! Staff will be checking this return frequently.
• The book drop on Daycoeton Place will remain open and available.
• Please use the ramp vs the Daycoeton Place stairs to enter the building. Daycoeton Place is currently CLOSED to all traffic. The sidewalk is OPEN, but it is not accessible from the parking lot. Only the ramp entrance is available via the parking lot.

Carole grew up in Torrington, graduating from Torrington High School in 1960 and the St. Francis School of Nursing in Hartford in 1963.  As a young nurse, Carole worked in maternity at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and later in her career as an occupational nurse for The Torrington Company.

Carole and Ray Neag were leading supporters for many worthy organizations including the University of Connecticut, The Caron Treatment Center in Pennsylvania, The Reading Museum and Planetarium, and The Performing Arts Center at the Warner Theatre in Torrington.

Thank you, Carole.

Thank you, Christina Piechowski, for all of your hard work and vision!

Torrington Parks and Recreation's marketplace will be a vibrant and fun event that attracts a diverse crowd of shoppers, foodies, and families. Sunny Market Days offer a unique opportunity for vendors to showcase and sell products to an enthusiastic audience.

By renting a vending spot, you'll have the chance to:

- Increase brand awareness and visibility
- Reach an engaged audience
- Sell your products and increase revenue
- Network with other vendors and build relationships

Vending spots are available for a variety of product categories, including:

- Food and beverages (licensed carts only)
- Handmade crafts and artisanal goods
- Local produce and flowers
- Specialty items and services

If you're interested in learning more or would like to secure a 10'x10' vending spot, please email Debbie_Cashman@torringtonct.org

Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Although the walk on June 15th is virtual, members of Kelly's Crusaders are meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Winsted DMV parking lot to walk on the Sue Grossman Greenway. The team was named for Kelly Considine, a Torrington woman who has been battling CRPS for nearly two decades. 

For more information, to sign up, donate, etc., click HERE. 

Passes MUST be picked up and paid for IN PERSON at the Recreation Office. You can fill out a pre-registration form online to save time before coming in to pay.

Please note: Concessions and day passes sold at the pool are CASH ONLY this year.

Please see the flyer for more information. Pricing can be found by scanning the QR code or clicking HERE.