Bank, dance school mark milestones

TORRINGTON — When the first dance students were putting on ballet slippers in a new dance school called Nutmeg Ballet in 1969, Torrington Savings Bank was looking ahead to its second century.

Now the Nutmeg is approaching its 50th anniversary, and Torrington Savings Bank, a longtime supporter of Nutmeg for five decades, turns 150 this year.

“We both have a long history in the city of Torrington, which is the main reason that Torrington Savings Bank likes to support the Nutmeg,” said Kathleen Katrenya, senior vice president of retail banking and marketing at TSB. “Part of our mission statement is to demonstrate commitment to the communities we serve and participate both financially and through donating our time to deserving organizations, and the Nutmeg is definitely one of those,” she said.

Since 2013, TSB has donated over $20,000 to the Nutmeg to aid in Nutmeg’s facade and flooring replacement projects as well as The Conservatory’s scholarship program.

Katrenya is excited about TSB’s plans to celebrate their 150th, including:

* an “Out for Business” event on May 30 at their Torringford branch, sponsored by the Northwest Chamber;

* celebrations in all branches during the week of June 17, when the actual anniversary occurs, featuring refreshments, raffles for gift cards, fun trivia and more;

* increased advertising during June;

* developing a brochure highlighting important milestones in the bank’s history.

Torrington Savings Bank is a mutual bank, not owned by outside shareholders. “Maintaining our mutuality allows us to serve our customers. We don’t have to worry about shareholders,” Katrenya said. “We’re here to support our customers. We’re here to support our communities and our customers.”

In addition to supporting the Nutmeg, TSB was a major donor to the Torrington Library, contributing $150,000 in March 2018 for the Torrington Savings Bank Community Room at the newly renovated library.

“As Torrington Savings Bank celebrates our 150th year, we are very proud to offer our continued support to The Nutmeg Conservatory,” Katrenya said. “The Nutmeg has an outstanding reputation and near 50year history in Torrington. As one of the leading professional ballet training programs in the country, Nutmeg has much to be proud of.”

Sharon E. Dante, founding director of Nutmeg Ballet, said, “Torrington Savings Bank has proven to be a community-minded institution and a great friend to the Nutmeg Ballet over the years. Thanks to them and other generous donors, our young students now enjoy dancing on newly installed, safe flooring in our Nutmeg Ballet Studios and the entire community enjoys our continuously changing outside lighting on the outside of The Nutmeg Tower in downtown Torrington.”

For more information about Torrington Savings Bank’s services and community involvement, go to https://www.torringtonsavings.com/.

Torrington Savings Bank Nutmeg Ballet students display a check for $10,000 from Torrington Savings Bank in 2017 to help pay for new flooring for the dance studios at Nutmeg Conservatory. Standing at center are John E. Janco, president & CEO of Torrington Savings Bank;...