Elks welcomes new members during annual drive

TORRINGTON » Torrington Elks Lodge, located at 70 Litchfield Street in Torrington, is conducting a membership drive. Torrington Lodge, which once had the largest membership of Elks lodges within state of CT and also New England, is trying hard to push its membership up and has initiated a 2,019 by 2,019 campaign. Current Elks membership is 1,499. Tours of the Torrington Elks Lodge are scheduled for Aug. 24, 6-8 p.m.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a nationwide organization whose lodges have, for more than 13 decades supported charitable and Community Programs. Elks support local youth activities; Youth Week, Soccer Shoot, Hoop Shoot, Drug Awareness Poster and Essay Contests, Antlers Clubs, Elks Scholarships, and most Valuable Student Awards are all examples of our work centered on youth activities.

For more information on Torrington Elks #372, attend an open house or call Secretary Owen Quinn 860-482-5562 or email us at bpoe372@sbcglobal.net. Learn more about the Elks and schedule a tour of the lodge at 70 Litchfield Street and its pond facility located on Guerdat Road.

Riverton Grange Fair celebrates 28th year

RIVERTON » The 28th Annual Riverton Grange Fair will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 2: p.m., at the grange hall on Route 20 in Riverton. There will be exhibits featuring vegetables, fruits, flowers, houseplants, baked goods, canned and farm goods, sewing, crafts and photography. Also included are state baking contests, Litchfield County contest and the state quilt contest. A bake sale will be held during the fair, as well as a light lunch beginning at 11:00. All are invited to exhibit; one does not have to be a grange member. Anyone (juniors or adults) interested in exhibiting, may call the fair secretary, Raine Pedersen at 860-309-3160 for details.

At the end of the fair, baked goods, fruits and vegetables will be sold for the benefit of grange community service projects. These projects include dictionaries for third-graders in the towns of Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Canaan and Winchester, as well as teaching girl scouts how to sew, making colorful and useful pillow cases for the Connecticut Children’s Hospital and making adult bibs for convalescent homes in the area.

Class explores use of commercial drones

TORRINGTON » The Warner Theatre and the Entrepreneurial Center of Northwest Connecticut Community College will present “Discover the Commercial Use of Drones” on Tuesday, October 3 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. The fee for this course is $25.

Come learn about the technology, business, applications and regulatory compliance of Unmanned Aerial Devices (UAVs) – Drones. Become an emerging business in the application of drone usage to propel your business to the next level. Businesses and entrepreneurs in the fields of construction, agriculture, real estate, life and safety, insurance, photography, media and more are welcome.

Corey Morin is a licensed FAA Drone pilot and will offer a live demonstration of drone flight in the Studio Theatre. He will discuss and answer questions about the applications of drone usage in this innovative field. Nina Anderson is a FAA Wings seminar leader with years of experience as a corporate pilot and she will discuss and answer aviation issues such as air space safety.

To register, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

VNA Hospice to hold fundraiser

NEW MILFORD » New Milford VNA & Hospice will hold Wings of Hope on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Harry brooke Park in New Milford. Wings of Hope is a very special fundraiser which will celebrate and remember the lives of deceased loved ones. The event will feature a live butterfly release. Participants are invited to purchase butterflies in memory of their loved ones. Events will also include inspirational readings and music. There will be face painting for children, a craft corner, Memory Quilt Display, and hand-crafted butterfly jewelry and refreshments will be available for purchase. The event continues the very special tradition of Tree of Life which for twenty-one years helped Hospice families and all members of the community remember their loved ones while raising funds for New Milford VNA & Hospice. Proceeds will support ongoing care for terminally ill individuals and their families in 18 western Connecticut communities. To participate in Wings of Hope, either on an individual basis or sponsorship level, contact New Milford VNA & Hospice at newmilfordvna.org or call 860 3542216. Individual butterflies are $25 each, and many levels of sponsorship are available.