Flu vaccination encouraged

Influenza (flu) activity has rapidly increased in the past two weeks and has contributed to the deaths of three individuals in Connecticut over the age of 65 so far this season, according to the CT Department of Public Health. While the increase in flu activity and deaths is not unusual for this time of year, residents are strongly urged to get a flu shot.

The winter months and holidays bring people together, typically indoors, and people need to protect themselves from bringing home a present that no one wants: the flu. It is not too late to get the flu vaccination, and people should not be deterred from getting the shot because of recent reports that the vaccine has not been as effective in other parts of the world. According to the CT Department of Public Health, we do not yet know how effective this year’s vaccine will be, but we do know that the flu shot will give people more protection against the flu, and at the very least will lessen the symptoms if flu is contracted.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is spread through the air and by direct contact with respiratory droplets. Typical symptoms of the flu include sudden fever, aching muscles, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, headache, and eye pain. While anyone, particularly individuals who are not vaccinated, can contract the flu, the illness is especially dangerous for certain groups, including: people aged 65 and older; children younger than 2 years old; people of any age with chronic medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, or lung disease; and pregnant women.

As of Dec. 16, 355 laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been reported in Connecticut. Overall, the most prevalent strain of influenza seen in Connecticut thus far this season is Influenza A (H3N2), which typically causes more severe illness than other flu strains.

Precautions to take include: Stay home if you are sick, wash your hands thoroughly and often especially when preparing and handling food, cover your coughs and sneezes, and let someone else do the cooking if you are not feeling well.

For more information, contact the Killingworth Health Department at 860-663-1765 x223, or your own town’s health department.

Clinton’s railroad history is subject of program

CLINTON — The Henry Carter Hull Library invites the public to “Whistles Along the Shoreline: the Railroad in Clinton” Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. The lecture will be presented by E.C. Schroeder, a longtime member of the Clinton Historical Society with a particular interest in the architecture of railroad stations and their impact on communities. He first gave a version of this talk more than 10 years ago. Since that time, he has continued to conduct research and gather images. In his “day job” E.C. is the director of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University and has ridden the trains stopping in Clinton for more than 20 years.

In 1852, the railroad opened for the first time in Clinton and the town was never the same. The railroad passes through the center of town and over the past 166 years has influenced development and growth of the town. This illustrated talk will explore the arrival and impact of railroads on the development of Clinton. The talk will also discuss the ways the railroad changed over its long history in town, including the history of its 3 railroad stations, 2 of which still exist. The talk will use early photographs, maps, postcards, documents and pamphlets to illustrate the history of the impact the railroad had on the town of Clinton.

This program is co-sponsored by the Clinton Historical Society and is part of the CHS Victor and Lynnabeth Mays Lecture Series. Additional details can be found on the Henry Carter Hull website at www.hchlibrary.org and on the Clinton Historical Society website at www.clintoncthistory.org This program is free; no registration required.

Literacy Volunteers seek tutors, offers training

WESTBROOK — Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT Inc. is a private nonprofit organization. Its mission is to train tutors to help residents of the Valley Shore area who wish to improve their reading, writing or speaking English to improve their life and work skills. This one-to-one instruction is held confidential and is completely without charge to the student.

Tutor training is a 14-hour program conducted over seven sessions held each spring and again in the fall of every year. The next training session begins March 22 and runs through May 15. Our Workshop Leaders have developed a comprehensive program that provides prospective tutors the skills and resources to help them succeed. A background in education is not necessary — just a desire to tutor and a commitment to helping a student improve their skill in basic literacy or English as a Second Language over the period of one year after the completion of training.

If you are interested in becoming a tutor, contact the Literacy Volunteers office in the lower level of the Westbrook Public Library by phone at 860-399-0280 or by email at jargersinger@lvvs.org . Registration has begun for the spring session now.

GMChorale to hold auditions

CROMWELL — GMChorale (Greater Middletown Chorale) invites experienced singers to audition with Artistic Director Joseph D’Eugenio for their next concert on April 29, 2018. The oratorio, “Jephte,” by Giacomo Carissimi, will be presented with other choral gems of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Those interested in auditioning are invited to attend the first two “Jepthe” rehearsals on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6,. Call or email Audition Coordinator Margie Livengood, to indicate an interest in scheduling an audition with Director D’Eugenio. This Open Rehearsal/Audition format will allow interested singers to have an opportunity to experience a typical rehearsal and to meet D’Eugenio prior to a formal audition. GMChorale rehearses each week on Tuesday at Cromwell’s Bethany Lutheran Church, 50 Court St., just off I-91 and Rt. 9.

To discuss an audition, call Margie Livengood at 860-633-6198 or email margie.livengood@gmchorale.org.