Maria Horn

Here’s a list of today’s topics: 

• Household Hazardous Waste Day Scheduled for Next Month. Click here.
• Grant Opportunity from WBDC. Click here. 
• Funding for CT Dairy Farms. Click here. 
• Northwest Corner Events. Click here. 

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have begun accepting applications for the OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants. 

OEC and WBDC are offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access. The Operations Grant provides short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots. 

Grants will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium-needs families, as defined by OEC. This funding is intended to support operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other business needs that ensure ongoing services to families and communities. 

This is a ONE-TIME funding opportunity. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Connecticut’s dairy farms are small, family-owned businesses that support local jobs and provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across our state. To help sustain these vital local operations, we are proud to announce that $22.5 million has been allocated from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund we created to provide immediate relief to the approximately 80 dairy farmers in the state.

Recent federal actions have placed many of these family-run farms under severe financial strain. Much of the pressure stems from federally set milk pricing structures that favor large corporate operations over smaller Connecticut dairies, along with tariff policies that have increased the cost of essential supplies such as fertilizer and farm equipment while triggering retaliatory trade measures from key export partners. In addition, the U.S. conflict with Iran has significantly driven up fuel and fertilizer costs, further burdening farmers already operating on narrow margins.

Crescendo will present a special two-day concert series featuring the complete motets of Johann Sebastian Bach on May 30 and 31 at 4:00 p.m.

Performed by the Crescendo Vocal Ensemble alongside guest soloists and instrumentalists, the program showcases some of the most celebrated works of Baroque choral music. Each concert will feature a different selection of motets, with organ accompaniment and brief commentary to enhance the experience.

Event Details:

• May 30: Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
• May 31: Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
• Time: 4:00 p.m. (both days)
• Tickets: $15–$80, with a discount for attending both performances

Tickets are available at crescendomusic.org or at the door.

Crescendo – Lakeville's Chorus and Music

Crescendo will conclude the second half of its 22nd season with a series of spring performances and community events across the region. Highlights include:

• “Baroque Brilliance: Bach’s Motets” concerts on May 30 & 31
• A solo harpsichord recital honoring Wanda Landowska on June 13

A limited number of free tickets are available for community members upon request. They can be requested by writing to crescendo@crescendomusic.org.