Debate, candidates’ forums scheduled

Winsted Democrats plan Tuesday event

WINSTED — Residents are invited to meet the Row A Democratic candidates in Winsted on Tuesday at 7 p.m at Noujaim”s Bistro, 436 Main St. Winsted.

Candidates for selectman include Melissa Bird, Jack Bourque, Candy Perez, Steve Sedlack and Linda Groppo; Town Clerk, Sheila Sedlack; Board of Education, Michelle Hintz, Cheryl Heffernan, Chris Royer and Alex Propfe; and Constables Aubrey English and James Barber.

Gilbert School to host debate

WINSTED — The Gilbert School history and social studies department is once again hosting a Board of Selectmen debate for the town of Winsted. Students in the civics and AP government classes are learning about town government and exploring issues that face the town. The students will be formulating questions and moderating the debate.

The debate is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Gilbert School auditorium. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

CAFTA to host Board of Education candidates forum

TORRINGTON — Connecticut Academy For the Arts, 100 Prospect St., Torrington, will hold a forum for candidates running for the Board of Education on Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be moderated by United Way of Northwest Connecticut executive director and former mayor Owen Quinn. Each candidate will have the opportunity to share their views and goals with the public, followed by a question-and-answer period and a reception. The public is encouraged to attend.

Explore the Phelps Research Area

COLEBROOK — Residents are invited on a free guided nature/ history walk in the Colebrook Land Conservancy’s 394-acre Phelps Research Area on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. The event was rescheduled from Oct. 8.

The preserve’s large size and diverse habit of rocky slopes, woodlands, post-agricultural fields, and wetlands provide habitat for birds that prefer undisturbed forest for breeding. Past uses include a forge along Brummagem Brook and lumbering of what was considered the last extensive old-growth forest in Connecticut, in 1911. You’ll stop at an old sugar house dating from 1865 that was said at the time to have the sweetest sugar because the nearby maple orchard faced north. You’ll also see a historic dwelling foundation and learn about the forge located on the Colebrook-Norfolk town line that operated from 1788 to 1807 and made iron from local ore.

The Phelps Research Area in North Colebrook was preserved by John and Nancy Blum (whose ancestor was an original proprietor of Colebrook) and their neighbor and noted ecologist, Dr. Frank Egler. The walk is expected to take about two hours; participants should bring water and wear shoes for walking. No dogs are allowed, and the walk is not suitable for small children.

Directions: Follow Route 183 north through the center of Colebrook. Park along Phelps Flat Road, a right turn about 1.8 miles from the center. Walk across Route 183 to the white gate opposite Phelps Flat Road.

The leader is Joyce Hemingson, botanist and Conservancy member. For more information, email info@colebrooklandconservancy.org.

Torrington Ford fundraiser benefits music department

TORRINGTON —Residents are invited to participate in an upcoming fundraiser for the Torrington High School music department at Torrington Ford, 1355 East Main St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 21.

For every person who takes a test-drive in a Ford vehicle, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the Torrington High School Music Department. In total, as much as $6,000 could be raised.

Lebanon memorial service set in Bantam

BANTAM — David Seelye, chairman of the Connecticut Beirut Memorial Committee and Post 44 of the American Legion of Bantam, announced that its members will celebrate the lives of troops who were killed while in Beirut on a peace-keeping mission during the Lebanese Civil War on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The 220 Marines, 18 sailors and 3 soldiers who lost their lives on Oct. 23, 1983 in the Beirut barracks bombing will be honored at the All Wars Memorial in front of the Bantam Cemetery on Route 202 in Bantam.

This will be the 20th annual service conducted by Seelye and his group. Connecticut State Representative Jay Case of the 63rd district and Sean Connolly of the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs will be guest speakers. The public is invited to attend and give thanks for the sacrifices made by these heroes. For information, email post44.bantam@gmail.com.