Michelle L. Cook

With 110 state parks and 32 state forests, the summer recreation and tourism season offers state residents and visitors numerous outdoor options to enjoy.

Honoring Flag Day, congratulations to the Oliver Wolcott Tech grads, ICSP Legislative Summit in Washington, Torrington/WBDC Small Business Grant, TPD warns of a cryptocurrency scam, Torrington Farmers Market is officially OPEN, Lumaria at the Warner Theatre, & so much more to share with you this week!

Governor Lamont has activated the Extreme Hot Weather Protocol. It will remain in effect through Sunday at noon.

Celebrating dads & grads, celebrating "Ms. Bette" as she retires, honoring Torrington's Teacher of the Year & Paraeducator of the Year, & tons of upcoming events (including a former CHIPs star coming to town), there's plenty to share with you in this week.

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).

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. 

This weekend is a time of reflection and gratitude. Growing up in a military family, I appreciate the awesome responsibility and understanding the brave men and women of our military take on when they take their oath. Saying "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough. My deepest appreciation to those who gave their lives for the United States and to their families who love and miss them. 

We're a little over a week removed from the end of the 2024 legislative session. While the session itself is over, the work of a legislator never is.