June 7th Update

June 7, 2024
What a great and busy week it's been. On Tuesday, Governor Lamont signed several bills on seniors and aging in Bloomfield. I was honored to be in attendance. The same day, the governor signed HB 5002, the caucus's priority child care bill. We also raised the Pride flag at Torrington City Hall this week. Over the weekend, my husband and I attended the Torrington Strawberry Festival, the Lion's Club Car Show, and the Five Points Arts Center grand opening of the interior courtyard. Plenty of events are coming up, now that summer is here (almost officially).

This newsletter includes:

  • Governor signs Public Acts 24-39 & 24-141
  • Governor Signs Childcare Bill
  • Remembering TFC Aaron Pelletier
  • Scenes from Torrington's Strawberry Festival 
  • Lion's Club Car Show
  • Five Points Arts Center Grand Opening Event
  • Pride Day Flag Raising in Torrington 
  • Torrington Farmers Market Opens June 15
  • Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
  • Goshen Stampede this Weekend
  • Summer Reading Starts Monday at Torrington Library 
  • NWCT Chamber of Commerce Meet & Greet with AG Tong
  • Juneteenth Celebration in Torrington
  • And More!
Governor Signs HB 5001
Tuesday, I was honored to join fellow legislators Governor Lamont at Seabury in Bloomfield for the bill signing of two pieces of important legislation that impact nursing home residents’ quality of life.

The bills also expand options and consumer protections for home and community-based care. The legislation includes:

  • Public Act 24-39, An Act Supporting Connecticut Seniors and the Improvement of Nursing and Home-Based Care.
  • Public Act 24-141, An Act Promoting Nursing Home Resident Quality of Life.

Truly a great team effort. Thank you to everyone - especially Rep. Jane Garibay - who helped make this legislation possible.
 
Governor Signs Child Care Bill
Remembering Trooper Aaron Pelletier 
This week, Connecticut said goodbye to Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier, who died tragically on May 30 during a routine traffic stop on I-84 in Southington, when he was hit by a pickup truck that fled the scene. 

In 2012, the Connecticut Legislature passed the "Move Over" law. The law requires a motorist approaching one or more stationary emergency vehicles located on the travel lane, breakdown lane, or shoulder of a highway to immediately slow to a reasonable speed below the posted speed limit and move over one lane if traveling in the lane adjacent to the location of the emergency vehicle unless this would be unreasonable or unsafe.

Please pay attention, slow down, and move over for emergency vehicles. TFC Pelletier's tragic passing is a reminder of the danger first responders face regularly. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow troopers as they grieve their unimaginable loss. 
Scenes from Torrington's Strawberry Festival 
What a fun day! My husband and I enjoyed attending the Torrington Strawberry Festival last Saturday at Coe Memorial Park!

We ate all the delicious food and shopped at the arts and crafts vendors.
Lion's Club Car Show
Beautiful cars and great fun in Torrington!
Five Points Arts Center Opens Interior Courtyard
I was happy to attend the Five Points Arts Center grand opening of the interior courtyard on May 31. There was great music, great food, and a great overall atmosphere. The event also included a printmaking juried exhibition, tours of the building, and more.  
Pride Day Flag Raising
I was happy to attend the Pride flag-raising at Torrington City Hall on June 3. Click the graphic below to watch the event. 
Torrington Farmers Market Opens June 15
The Torrington Farmers Market will be OPEN for the season beginning Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. It will be open every Saturday rain or shine through October.

There is also a Tuesday market starting July 9 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Both markets are located in the same location: St. Paul’s Church parking lot: 837 Charles St, Torrington.
Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
Vendors Wanted for Torrington Parks & Recreation's Sunny Market Days
CALLING ALL VENDORS!

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
Goshen Stampede
 
Alzheimer's Walk in Torrington
Summer Reading Starts June 10
at Torrington Library
From Torrington Library - Save the date! Summer Reading registration opens June 10!

Kids 3-11 can register here: https://www.torringtonlibrary.org/summer-reading.html

Teens 12 & up use this link: https://www.torringtonlibrary.org/teen-summer-reading.html
Litchfield County Fire Chiefs 2024 Expo
Meet & Greet with Attorney General Tong
Join the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce for a meet and greet with Attorney General Wiliam Tong on June 11, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce's Office. Click HERE to RSVP or click the graphic below. 
Leadership Northwest Graduation 
I'm honored to be serving as the keynote speaker at the Leadership Northwest Class of 2024 Graduation! Click the graphic below to register for the event or click HERE. 
CRPS Virtual Walk
The fifth annual virtual CRPS Awareness Walk is being held on June 15. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, burning pain condition that can affect one or multiple limbs, usually after an injury. It is believed to be caused by damage/malfunction of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the nerves that run from the spinal cord to the rest of the body). With CRPS, the brain doesn’t know that the initial injury has healed because it is still receiving pain signals. It is “stuck” in a never-ending pain cycle. 

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. 
Juneteenth Celebration in Torrington 
Torrington PAL Car Show
Torrington Citywide Tag Sale
Sign up for the 9th Annual Tag Sale Extravaganza. Click HERE for more information. 
TPS Music Department Hosts
Summer Music Academy