‘EVERYONE’S HAVING A GOOD TIME’

Prime Time House celebrates 30th anniversary

TORRINGTON — The rainy forecast didn’t dampen spirits Friday, when Prime Time House celebrated its 30th year in the city with a picnic at the Main Street clubhouse with plenty of food and live music.

When the sun came through the clouds, everyone cheered.

“We’re so glad it didn’t rain,” said Adam Lytton, as he flipped burgers and hot dogs on the grill and greeted guests as they arrived.

Davd Masotta agreed. “It turned into a nice day,” he said, as he delivered food to the buffet table, where friends and volunteers waited.

Kelly Russo, whose son, Zak Ritchie, is the clubhouse manager, sat with other guests and enjoyed a plate of potato salad, macaroni salad and a cheeseburger.

“Everyone’s having a good time,” she said.

Ritchie tried to relax and eat his lunch while chatting with the members of Prime Time House, which provides support and services to people in the community with mental disabilities.

According to Development Director Kathi Weinstein, Prime Time House began as Cooks Vocational Enterprises in 1988 with two grants from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services — one for providing vocational services and the other for psychosocial services to adults with mental illness in Litchfield County. Early on, it was established the clubhouse model was the best practice for delivering these services. Program participants decided having a clubhouse was their prime time to take advantage of offerings, and the name

has stayed with the organization since, Weinstein said.

In the early 1990s, the name of the organization changed to Prime Time House, Inc. Having occupied three locations since its inception, the Board of Directors purchased the property at 810 Main St. in Torrington in 1996, its home today and where the picnic was held.

“When you walk into Prime Time Clubhouse, you will immediately notice that we are different from other mental health programs,” Weinstein said. “We are a program where all members are needed, wanted and appreciated. Our goal is to help members establish a foundation of skills that can be utilized in the greater community. Members are involved in all aspects of the operation of the clubhouse program.”

On Friday, many Prime Time House clients helped prepare food and deliver it to the grill and picnic tables. During the picnic, clubhouse members including Marie Mackey, Elaine Elwood, Clara Halfpenny, Miguel Zayas, Lisa Thibodeau, Doug Oakley, Joey Raydenbown, Annie Bigelow, Sherrie Perugini, Tracey Vichiola, Linda Perry, Rena Fitzgerald, Corale Cyr and her dogs, Smudgy and Exie, Samantha Carroll, Moneshia Palmer, Angel Wortham, Arthur Orr, David Dodson, Sean Smith, Anthony Marino, Dawna Ross, Diana Marino, Mark Brazee and Tim King enjoyed their lunch as well as acoustic music provided by Joey Sexton.

According to Weinstein, Prime Time House aims to address clients’ needs with increased community services. The agency has grown from a single Clubhouse Model of psychiatric rehabilitation into to a leading community mental health provider.

On Friday, the celebration was about coming together for an afternoon of fun and companionship. To learm more about Prime Time House, visit www.primetimehouse.org or call 860-618-2479.

Emily M. Olson / Hearst Connecticut Media Above, Prime Time House in Torrington celebrated its 30th anniversary with a picnic on the Main Street grounds on Friday. From left are Miguel Zayas, Lisa Thibodeau, Barbara Gilman, Doug Oakley and Joey Raydenbow.

Far left, Joey Sexton provided acoustic music and song during the picnic.

At left, David Dodson, left, and Sean Smith relax after their lunch.

Emily M.Olson / Hearst Connecticut Media / Primetime House in Torrington held a picnic Friday to celebrate its 30th anniversary. From left, Prime Time clubhouse manager Zak Ritchie is joined by Rena Fitzgerald, center, and his mom, Kelly Russo.