Raiders Rally continues at THS

TORRINGTON >> It’s Rally Season – the posters are up, students are buzzing, and the donations are coming in. Torrington High School students have officially kicked off their third Raiders Rally for Torrington. The goal this year is to raise $16,000 for local nonprofits.

The Rally is a multi-event charity drive benefiting the local chapters of Susan B. Anthony, FISH, and Friendly Hands. This bi-annual fundraiser began in 2013 as a way for THS students to unite the entire school in an effort to give back to the Torrington community. Previous events have raised a combined total of over $25,000.

The theme this year is “Be the Change.” A student inspired video was shown throughout the school last week to increase awareness of community needs and to enourage students to “be the change” they wish to see in their community.

Student-created promotional flyers advocate activism in the fight against homelessness, hunger, and domestic violence.

Donations are being collections from now until the day of the rally, June 2. The public is encouraged to visit the event website at http://www. thsraidersrally.com/, where they can find out more information and donate directly to the charities.

All questions can be directed to Erin Sullivan at Torrington High School, by email at esullivan@torrington.org or by phone at 860-489-2294 ext. 2154.

Candidates sought to run for office

LITCHFIELD >> The Litchfield Republican Town Committee is seeking local Republicans to run in the 2017 town election.

All positions such as Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning are up for election this November.

If you or know of someone who may be interested, contact Hugh Schoelzel at 860567-8518 or Helen Bunnell at 860-567-9576.

All candidates who have an interest in making positive change in the community will be considered.

Colm Toibin to discuss new novel

SALISBURY >> White Hart Author Series: Bestselling, awardwinning author Colm Tóibín will discuss his spectacularly audacious, violent, vengeful, lustful, and instantly compelling new novel “House of Names” a retelling of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, June 27 at 6 p.m. at the White Hart.

The event is a collaboration with the White Hart, Oblong Books & Music and the Scoville Memorial Library.

Tóibín visits the recurrent subject of the mother in his novels in this reimagining of the Ancient Greek tragedy of the House of Atreus told in four parts. The mother here is the despised and cursed Clytemnestra, whose damning historical reputation he counters by making her more human and understandable. This is a story that dwells on the themes of betrayal, loss, grief, corruption, power, failure, loneliness and repression. It is told through the perspective of Clytemnestra, her son and daughter, Orestes and Electra, and the ghost of Clytemnestra.

Agamemnon betrays and sacrifices his daughter, Iphigenia, on her wedding day to win the Trojan war. Clytemnestra is grief stricken and seeks to assuage her desperate loss by dreaming of and planning the murder of Agamemnon.

Where Tobin excels is in his depiction of the character of Clytemnestra who comes alive effortlessly through his prose. The language he deploys is often sublime, expressive, and vivid. He creates a doom laden picture of palace intrigue and an unsettling atmosphere. It is a timeless tale whose echoes can be heard throughout our human history.

Colm Tóibín is the author of seven novels, including The Master, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Brooklyn, winner of the Costa Book Award; The Testament of Mary, and Nora Webster, as well as two story collections. Three times shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Tóibín lives in Dublin and New York.

To register go to http://www.oblongbooks.com/event/white-hart-speaker-seriescolm-t%F3ib%EDn.

‘Touch a Truck’ set for June 3

TORRINGTON >> Torrington’s annual “Touch a Truck” will offer participants an opportunity to connect with a variety of different modes of transportation. This annual event will be held Saturday, June 3, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outdoors in the parking lots surrounding the Lowe’s Home Improvement, 420 Winsted Rd. Torrington. This event will be held rain or shine.

“Touch a Truck” allows children and adults to experience what it’s like to climb into a variety of trucks and vehicles. Fire trucks, ambulances, loaders, garbage trucks, police cars and construction vehicles – are just some of the dozens of ve-

hicles that will be on display. This is a free event, open the public.

Sponsors of the event are Lowe’s Home Improvement, Torrington Parks and Recreation, and Torrington Lions Club.

Businesses or organizations that would like to register a transportation vehicle or equipment to participate in the event, contact Brett Simmons at Torrington Parks and Recreation at 860-4892274.