Litchfield Women’s Forum to meet

LITCHFIELD – The Women’s Forum of Litchfield welcomes all to “The Ghosts in our Oceans: Preserving Marine Wildlife” presented by Elizabeth Hogan, Jan. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road.

Hogan is the Program Manager for Oceans and Wildlife with World Animal Protection, where she specializes in marine wildlife entanglement in addition to work on marine debris, illegal wildlife trade, whaling policy, and wildlife in captivity. For the last five years she has researched the impact of derelict fishing gear on marine mammals and worked on establishing rescue networks and protocols for entangled marine life. She previously worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on protective policies and fishing gear modification for the conservation of North Atlantic Right Whales. Prior to working in the animal welfare sector, she developed 15 years of experience with government, corporate, and non-profit organizations, including four years as a consultant on climate change, deforestation policy, and sea level rise. She has also worked in ecotourism development in Ecuador and with the Camara de Industrias of Costa Rica to assist Central American businesses in adopting environmentally sustainable business practices.

Hogan is a contributing author to two books on corporate social responsibility. She has a degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a dual Master of Science in Marine & Coastal Natural Resources and a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from the University for Peace in Costa Rica and American University in Washington, DC.

The event will be open to nonForum members with a $10 fee at the door, which includes a High Tea reception. The contacts for more information are 860-5673966 and womensforumoflitchfield.org.

Book donation continues at CFLC library

TORRINGTON — Community Family Learning Center (CFLC) Resource Library is open during Christmas Vacation Week. The CFLC is located at KidsPlay Children's Museum, up the back steps. The library is open Thursday, Dec. 28 from 12:30-3 p.m.

The Wrap a Book Program is still offered during Christmas week. Bring gently used children's books to donate to the community and choose a free new book to wrap and give to someone as a gift. To reach the center, call 860-800-CFLC or visit www.torringtoncflc.org or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ Torrington-CFLC

CHH Auxiliary offers health care scholarships

TORRINGTON — The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Auxiliary is offering ten $1,000 scholarships to local students pursuing an education in the health care field. Two additional scholarships, the Doctor Alfred Fabro Award and the Doctor Joseph Curi award will also be presented in the amount of $1,000 each.

Applicants must be planning to matriculate at a college or institution of higher education for a healthcare degree prior to applying and accepted before the scholarship is awarded; or be currently working toward a degree or certificate in healthcare and planning a healthcare career. Applications and instructions for completing the application may be obtained by e-mailing CHHscholarship@gmail.com. Area colleges and high schools also have applications available on line through their Guidance Departments.

All completed applications must be printed out and sent by mail, postmarked no later than March 14. Send finalized applications to the attention of Judith Hogan, 15 Minerva Lane, Litchfield, CT, 06759.

A letter will be sent to all applicants the first week of May notifying them of their status. Recipients of the scholarships are expected to be present at the award ceremony scheduled for May 8 at 7 p.m. For more information call 860-567-4381.

Church holding services at community center

BARKHAMSTED — While area churches are preparing for Advent and the coming Christmas season, the First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted will hold its Sunday services at 10 a.m. at the Barkhamsted Community Center located next to the Town Garage at Barkhamsted, 33 New Hartford Road, Pleasant Valley. There is ample parking off Rte. 44. A traditional coffee hour follows the church service. For information, visit www.barkhamstedfirstchurch.org.

Following the late August inspection of the roof and framing damage to our historic meeting house, the engineers did not think the building was safe for assemblies or any gatherings until the final repairs are complete. Members have been holding services at the Barkhamsted Senior Center, and for a variety of reasons they recently voted to relocate. All are welcome. For more information call Rev. Susan Wyman at 860-379-7300. Messages to the church phone are no longer answered promptly, only once a week so it is best to call the pastor.

Parenting class begins Jan. 5

TORRINGTON — The Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau, in conjunction with New Opportunities, Inc. will be offering a free, 10-week parenting course, “The Parent Project”. This is a nationally recognized curriculum designed to give parents of older children tools to deal with difficult behaviors including skipping school, substance abuse and defiance. This course will take place on Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at New Opportunities, Inc. (Field St. location) beginning Jan. 5.

Dinner, childcare and Spanish language manual/translation will be provided, thanks to the generosity of the Torrington Club Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation and the City of Torrington. Other funding for this program is provided through the Torrington LIST (Local Interagency Service Team).

Anyone interested in finding out more or to register can contact Jaimee Eldred at 860-4960356 ext.4, or e-mail jaimeetaysb@snet.net, or Maria Gonzalez at New Opportunities, Inc. at 860-482-9749.