Seatbelt safety reminders offered

TORRINGTON—Make sure your child is safe in your car by following the new car seat standards that went into effect last October. The new state law increased the age and weight thresholds for car seats and requires that most car seats be equipped with five-point harnesses. Here are some key points, courtesy of KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington and GoodWorks Insurance in Glastonbury and New Milford.

Children under the age of two or under 30 pounds must be in a rear-facing seat. Research shows that rear-facing car seats are safer for small children.

There are four categories based on a child’s age and weight, and each category provides one or more car seat options.

“It’s important for all caregivers to follow the law and keep children as safe as possible in all vehicles,” said Eileen Marriott, KidsPlay Children’s Museum director.

Your child must meet both the age and weight requirement for each category of car seat. If your child meets only the age or only the weight requirement, the more restrictive car seat category applies, according to Ed Ryan, senior vice president at GoodWorks Insurance, a KidsPlay Community Partner that promotes public safety.

For example, a child who is over 30 pounds but under two years of age must still use a rear-facing seat.

KidsPlay Children’s Museum is a nonprofit institution with over 11,000 square feet of interactive hands-on exhibits and a variety of educational programs. At KidsPlay, children and their families engage their curiosity, explore and learn through purposeful play.

The recently expanded museum in Torrington welcomes a larger, more geographically diverse visitor base. Find out more at www.kidsplaymuseum.org.

One of the region’s top independent insurance agencies, GoodWorks Insurance is part of GoodWorks Financial Group. The insurance agency has offices in Glastonbury, New Milford, Columbia and Avon. More information is online at www.goodworksinsurance.com and Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodWorksInsurance.

Hospice bereavement program

WINSTED — The Hospice Program of Foothills Visiting Nurse & Home Care, Inc., will offer a sixweek bereavement support group, “Surviving the Holidays”, on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 23-Dec. 4 and will be held at the agency office, 32 Union St., Winsted.

The sessions, which are open to any adult who has experienced the loss of a loved one, are designed to help survivors recognize, accept and express their feelings; to be reassured that grief is normal; to help them recognize their strengths and to help in the development of a support system both within and outside of the group.

The bereavement group provides an opportunity to share experiences and ways of dealing with grief and to receive support from others who understand what it is like to lose a loved one.

The sessions are facilitated by Martha Babbitt, Foothills’ Bereavement Manager. There is no charge to attend; pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register, call 860-379-8561.

Columbus Day at Flanders

WOODBURY — Children in grades K-5 who are off from school for the Columbus Day holiday Oct. 8 are invited to Flanders Nature Center for a “Columbus Day Animal Adventure.”

The day will include a visit to the North Barn to learn about the sheep, goats, horses, cows, pig, and chickens that make their home there. Then it will be on to explore the meadow for insects, and a hike to the pond to discover amphibians. Kids will have the chance to get some outdoor exercise, to learn more about the animals that make up their world all while bringing their science books to life. Age appropriate stories, games and art projects are also included in this fun filled day.

Choose the morning session, 9 a.m.-12 p.m,. the afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or a full day session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parents are asked to have their children dress for the weather and to bring a bag lunch or snack. Pre-registration is required. The cost per child for either the morning or afternoon session is $30 members and $40 for nonmembers. Full day cost is $60 for members and $80 for nonmembers. Early care from 7 a.m. on is also available at $8 per hour.

To register, call Flanders at 203263-3711, extension 10. For a full listing of all the programs for kids and adults coming up at Flanders visit www.flandersnaturecenter.org or on their Facebook page.

Drop in volleyball starts today

LITCHFIELD — Litchfield Parks and Recreation Department is again hosting “Drop-in” Volleyball on Tuesday nights at the Litchfield Intermediate School Gym from 7:30 p.m to 9 p.m. Opening night for the season is Oct. 2.

All interested players should just show up ready to play. Teams are selected on a weekly basis and will rotate around the courts to play all other teams in the gym that night. The program is free and the public is welcome.

Men and women of all ages and abilities are welcome; all participants must sign a waiver to play. Go to www.townoflitchfield.org and click on Departments, then click on Recreation Department and then click on registration forms, then click “Volleyball Form” and print. Then fill out the form and sign it and send it into Litchfield Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 12, Bantam, CT 06750.

For more information, contact Litchfield Parks and Recreation at 860-567-7569.

Free documentary screening at Warner

TORRINGTON — The public is invited to a special screening of the documentary “Building a Great Life” on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Warner Theater. The one-hour documentary explores how the notion of closing state institutions in favor of community living for persons with intellectual disabilities is both a moral and fiscal debate.

The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities in partnership with Disabilities Rights Connecticut, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UConn UCEDD), The Arc Connecticut and LARC.

A facilitated discussion will follow the screening. The theater opens at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free but registration is required. To register go to https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/buildinga-great-life-tickets-49748715748 or visit LARC’s website www.litchfieldarc.org.