John Brown: That’s a lot of candles

Pass the catch-up, please: A popular song tells us breaking up is hard to do, but catching up is a piece of cake and that is what this column is all about today. What follows are items collected from various recent emails and mailings and served without ketchup or any other condiment except maybe an occasional flick of salt, as in “take it with a grain of salt.”

The Torrington Historical Society, one of my favorite places, is always a fine launching (and sometimes lunching) place, whatever the event. Upcoming: A birthday party for — well, that is, in memory of – John Brown on May 9 at 7 p.m. The fiery abolitionist was born in Torrington in 1800, 217 years ago. I know the birthday cake will be tasty but I’m wondering, do we bring our own coffee? Not to worry. I’m sure executive

director Mark McEachern and curator Gail Krupa have all that figured out.

Also in May, on the 17th at 6:30 p.m. a film screening and discussion headed by Michael Shipman of the American Battle Monuments Commission is scheduled. The mailing explains that the evening will feature “a special screening of the 1919 Torrington Homecoming Parade, followed by the documentary film “Never Forgotten” about. Sgt. Paul Maynard, a Torrington doughboy who was killed on the last day of the war. A panel discussion will follow.

The WWI program looks particularly interesting. I have a book entitled “11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour,” by Joseph E. Persico, which describes the heavy combat that took place in the very last hours of that “war to end all wars.” It is the gripping story of fierce, unrelenting fighting that kept on right until the 11 o’clock hour when the war would be deemed concluded and the armistice in place.

The author suggests the bloody fighting continued right up until 11 o’clock on the dot, casualties notwithstanding, to inflict full punishment on the enemy and also so that various career officers could collect the last full measure of glory. It did not have to be that way.

And you wonder, was Sgt. Maynard one of those who paid the ultimate price because of this? Yes, this May 17 presentation should be interesting indeed.

Two more World War I programs are scheduled by the society on Sept. 13 and Oct. 11. Both will be presented by Todd Bryda, a professor of history at Northwestern Connecticut Community College. I’ve already promised myself I’ll attend both, cake or no cake.

********** Christina Tranquillo of the Northwest Connecticut Community Fund emailed that the fund is set to award a total of $92,450 to 27 non-profit organizations. The NWCCF does this three times per year. They spring in the spring, again in early summer, when June is bustin’ out all over and finally, they spring in the fall. (I can’t do anything about the last sentence except, well, apologize, I guess. Inexcusable? I suppose so.)

********** If you did not catch “The Sound of Music” at the Warner’s Nancy Marine Theatre Saturday, cheer up. It’s not too late. Two more performances are set for today (Sunday), at 2 and 6 p.m. The Rogers and Hammerstein musical, which is part of the “Getting to Know” series, is being performed by young actors of the Warner’s Center for Arts Education.

********** Brett Simmons, superintendent of Parks and Rec, emailed info about what is called the Summer Action and Adventure Program. It’s held at two sites. Tykes from 4 years old to those about to enter third grade will go to the Durand Street playground for their A & A. Youngsters who will be entering fourth grade up to those who will be entering eighth grade will have their summer fun at Major Besse Field in the West End.

That’s it. I’m caught up. Take me out.