May 31st Update

May 31, 2024


I hope everyone had a safe and reflective Memorial Day. As Memorial Day marks the "unofficial start of summer," there are plenty of outdoor activities on the agenda in the coming weeks and months. This weekend alone, there's the Torrington Strawberry Festival and CT Trails Day. And the weather looks great to enjoy either one (or both). Plus, I'll share with you several more events taking place throughout June, including the Pride flag-raising ceremony on Monday, the opening of the 2024 Torrington Farmers Market on June 15, Juneteenth, the Torrington PAL car show, the citywide tag sale, and the TPS Summer Music Academy.   

Governor Lamont is continuing to sign bills into law, and one of note is the signing of the bill to establish tax exemptions for veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating. 

This newsletter includes:

  • Public Act 24-46 Signed by Governor Lamont
  • Photos: Memorial Day Parade in Torrington
  • Torrington Strawberry Festival on Saturday
  • John Brown Trail Loop on CT Trails Day Agenda
  • Pride Day Flag Raising on Monday
  • Torrington Farmers Market Opens June 15
  • Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
  • NWCT Chamber of Commerce Meet & Greet with AG Tong
  • Juneteenth Celebration in Torrington
  • And More!
Governor Signs Public Act 24-46
Photos: Memorial Day in Torrington
It was a soggy Memorial Day Parade, but I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who marched and spectators who came out to watch in the rain, and those who attended the memorial services.  It was a chance to honor the memories of those who fought for our freedom.
Torrington Strawberry Festival on Saturday
Main Street Torrington invites you to the Torrington Strawberry Festival this Saturday (rain date Sunday)

Come enjoy a day of fun, shopping, food, and of course, delicious fresh-made Strawberry Shortcake! 
 
Visit 65 arts and craft vendors from all around Connecticut and beyond, bringing all kinds of handmade and handcrafted products for purchase.

It wouldn’t be a Strawberry Festival without Connecticut’s BEST Strawberry Shortcake - fresh biscuits baked on the premises and homemade whipped cream! 
 
There will also be Connecticut's BEST strawberry shortcake, strawberry lemonade, strawberry-rhubarb, and peach pie, plus a delicious strawberry green-leaf salad, pulled pork (from Zach & Lou's BBQ) or a hot dog, both with a side of baked beans. Or visit the food truck area where you can expect a collection of mouthwatering cuisine.
 
Entertainment for the kids will be available as well, with the return of the “Strawberry Festival Express Train” taking people both young and old for rides around the park ($3/person).
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The official “Strawberry Shortcake” mascot will be back and walking around to meet and greet and take photos with.
 
Come spend the day in Coe Memorial Park in downtown Torrington, Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain date is June 2

CT Trails Day
Torrington is participating in CT Trails Day on Saturday! This event occurs the first weekend of June for trail lovers across Connecticut to head outside to hike, play, ride, explore, climb, run, and paddle.

Torrington's contribution is the John Brown trail loop on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is an easy 0.7-mile loop around John Brown’s family home at the time of his birth and maintained by the Torrington Historical Society.  A recently built 0.5-mile connector trail and boardwalk through a bog connects this loop to the Five Points Art Center and the former UConn – Torrington campus.

The hike will begin with a discussion of the importance of John Brown to the history of the United States by the Torrington Historical Society. The hike will start the loop and continue on the bog connector trail and boardwalk to the Five Points Art Center where they will be celebrating its Print Festival. This festival is free and hikers are encouraged to visit the exhibits, demonstrations, activities, and food trucks.  Hikers who wish to linger longer at the Print Festival may return to the John Brown home site on their own.

This hike is for all ability levels, although you can expect uneven ground and some muddy areas. Bring your hiking boots and drinking water. Pre-registration is NOT required, but parking is limited to the sides of John Brown Road.

For more information or to find additional events this weekend, click HERE

Pride Day Flag Raising
Please attend the Pride flag raising at Torrington City Hall on June 3 at 9 a.m. The event will include welcome remarks, a resolution by the mayor, and several speakers, including me.

Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

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.

Explore CT This Summer
110 state parks
32 state forests
100+ miles of shoreline
3,000+ lakes, ponds and reservoirs

Whether you're hiking scenic trails, lounging on beautiful beaches, or enjoying local festivals, there's no shortage of activities to make your summer unforgettable. Get out and explore all that our state has to offer!

Don’t forget - through the Passport to the Parks program, drivers that have a Connecticut-registered vehicle do not have to pay a fee to park at any state park and forest. Learn more at ctparks.com.

It Happened Again: Slow Down & Move Over 
On Thursday afternoon, TFC Aaron Pelletier with Troop H was conducting a routine traffic stop on I-84 in Southington. Tragically, he would lose his life in the line of duty, when he was hit by a pickup truck that fled the scene. 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. 

Locally, just days after coverage on the news, Torrington first responders faced another dangerous situation - the third in a month. 

Over Memorial Day weekend, Torringford Volunteer Fire Department dispatched to the area of 1858 East Main Street for reports of a multi-car collision.

Three vehicles were involved, and as firefighters were working to secure the scene and aid victims from the accident, a fourth vehicle drove between multiple firetrucks, through a set of cones, and into the scene of the accident where firefighters were working.

Torringford Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind everyone to slow down and move over whenever they see emergency vehicles parked with their emergency lights flashing.

This follows two additional incidents earlier this month. Local 1567 IAFF Torrington Fire Department posted the following information 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 on 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.

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. 

Updates from Friendly Hands Food Bank
Earlier this month, Connecticut Yankee Chorale President Ali Separy dropped off a trunk full of donations for Friendly Hands collected at their recent concert. Thank you to all who donated to support Friendly Hands!
On Wednesday, I stopped at Friendly Hands for a quick check-in. As you can see, there is a need for specific items, such as ramen, sides, veggies, coffee, cereal, pasta and pasta sauces, canned chicken, tuna, peanut butter, and jelly. If you can drop a donation off at the food bank, please feel free to do so. Click the graphic below to watch the Facebook Live video or click HERE. To learn more about the FHFB or to make a monetary donation, click HERE
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

Alzheimer's Walk in Torrington
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. 
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