Local groups receive preservation grants

The state Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), an office within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), recently awarded $228,775 in grants to assist six organizations in their historic preservation efforts.

“State support is critical to helping communities invest in their cultural and historic resources,” said Kristina Newman-Scott, the State Historic Preservation Officer. “These funds, recommended by the state’s Historic Preservation Council, are key to preserving these cherished sites all across Connecticut for public enjoyment.”

The Historic Preservation Council is composed of 12 citizen-volunteer members and advises SHPO on critical historic preservation issues.

DECD’s historic preservation office awarded five of the grants through the Historic Restoration Fund Grant program. The program is funded by the state’s Community Investment Act and provides a matching bricks and mortar grant to eligible nonprofits and municipalities. Local recipients included:

Essex: The Connecticut River Museum will receive $50,000 to replace the underwater bulkhead that serves to protect the historic 1878 steamboat dock and warehouse that houses the museum. The museum has also received federal funding from the National Maritime Heritage grant program of the National Park Service for this project.

Old Lyme: The town will receive a $30,000 Supplemental Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to prepare a Historic Resources Inventory in a portion of the town.

The CLG program is a partnership between SHPO, the National Park Service and a municipality and assists cities and towns with preservation activities. The Supplemental CLG grant program is also funded by the Community Investment Act. There are currently 50 CLGs in Connecticut and more than 2,000 nationwide.

H/K Recreation to hold programs

HADDAM/KILLINGWORTH » The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering a number of new programs in February, with sessions continuing into the spring. To register or for more information, call 860-345-8334 or visit www.hkrec.com.

Play-Well Intro to Stem with LEGO: For students in grades K – 4. The class will be offered on Mondays, Feb. 27 – April 3 at Burr Elementary School Library from 3:30-5 p.m. The fee is $120; non-residents add $10. Children’s imaginations will run wild with over 100,000 pieces of LEGOtm. Build engineer-designed projects such as boats bridges, mazes and motorized cars as well as use special pieces to create their own uique designs. Explore endless creative possibilities of the LEGO building system with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instuctor. New challenges will be available for repeat LEGO engineers.

Acting classes: The Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department is offering Acting Classes for children grades K-4. This program will be held on Tuesdays, Feb. 28-April 18 at Killingworth Elementary School in the music room and on Thursdays, Feb. 23- April 20, from 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. at Haddam Elementary School gym. The fee is $118; non-residents add $10. This multi-faceted program includes theatre games, concentration exercises, creative movement, imagination play, sense work, and basic stage skills. This workshop will focus on developing each child’s creativity and self-confidence.

Scholarship opportunities available

NEW BRITAIN » The Robert T. Kenney Scholarship Program at the American Savings Foundation is currently accepting applications from current high school seniors, current college students, and nontraditional adult students who will be enrolled in college for the 20172018 academic year.

Applications are due by March 31.

In 2017, the foundation expects to award more than $750,000 to 400 new and renewing scholars who will be studying at a wide range 4-year colleges and universities, 2-year colleges, and at accredited technical/vocational programs.

Applications can be submitted online at www.asfdn.org. The website also has links to other area scholarship programs as well as resources for learning about financial aid.

For more information and to apply, students and parents can visit www.asfdn.org or call the foundation at 860827-2556.

“This scholarship is renewable, so we get to know many of our Robert T. Kenney Scholars over the course of their undergraduate academic careers.” said Maria Falvo, President and CEO of the American Savings Foundation. “Our goal is to help remove some of the financial worries that can keep hard-working students from achieving their dream of a college education.”