Resident marks 80th birthday with donation

Last week one of KML’s volunteer treasures, Allan Priaulx, celebrated a special birthday. He turned 80 and his daughters, Sharmon and Beth, along with his best friend, Peter, honored him by presenting a year’s worth of children’s programming for Kent Memorial Library, in his name.

Priaulx has spent many years giving his time and expertise to the Kent Memorial Library. Most recently, he has been known as one of the “car guys” who are in charge of choosing a car and running a successful annual raffle throughout the summer as a major fundraiser for the Library. He was the president of the Kent Library Association Board of Directors from 2001 – 2006. He has also been spotted power washing the Library’s exterior on a number of occasions, along with other thoughtful, caring chores for the Library.

“I am simply overwhelmed by gratitude and love by this wonderful gift. When Sharmon and Beth were very little girls and we were just weekenders, it was always an adventure for them to climb the very precarious flight of stairs to get to what was then the children's library. Such fun, and it is terrific that now their gift helps continue serving the kids of Kent. Peter is the Godfather of Sharmon and Beth and has been in their lives since their infancy. He is, indeed, a best friend forever,” Priaulx said in a statement.

To honor a family member or friend, for any reason, birthday, graduation, in memory, new arrival, or any reason at all, the library will put your gift to very good use. Go to kentmemoriallibrary.org and click on tribute gift.

Website has lots of information

A new website has been established to help the community find local business and services that are still open, and notify them of re opens and operating limits. Visit https://www.litchfieldcounty.org

Its founders are reaching out to businesses in Litchfield County to stay up to date with hours, operating limits, and will add re openings to our calendar and listing section.

Everything is completely free and businesses can add their pictures, menus, and updated information to keep the public informed.

School honors employees, helps students

WASHINGTON — The Glenholme School is honoring its essential employees through weekly “Thanks for Being Awesome” celebrations.

The celebrations are held on campus every Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to ensure front-line staff on all shifts are recognized.

During the inaugural celebration on May 1, team members, wearing face masks and practicing social distancing, served coffee and donuts to their colleagues in the morning, and held a food fest featuring a variety of tasty treats in the afternoon.

“We wanted to show our front-line staff - who are absolutely awesome how much we value and appreciate their hard work and dedication during this challenging time,” said Glenholme School People Operations Manager Jackie Ross. “Each week, we do something different to honor, and engage with, our team members. We’ve served meals and distributed homemade goodie bags filled with candy, pretzels and a T-shirt. Our employees love connecting with colleagues they haven’t seen in a while, and we plan to keep the celebrations going all year long.”

The Glenholme School also hosts “The Lunch Bunch,” a Zoom get-together, every day at lunch time for the students to socialize. Normally, the 80 students can socialize in their cottages, at school, during activities and at meals. The Glenholme School provides education, therapeutic supports and social experiences to help students interact with other students in a more comfortable, normalized way. The students may have learning challenges, high functioning autism, depression, anxiety and other social, emotional and academic differences. When the pandemic began, some students chose to return home and some stayed on campus. Classroom teaching is virtual and social interactions have changed. To compensate, students convene over Zoom with daily topics of interest, designed to spark thought and conversation. Dean of Students Michael Cipriani comes up with concepts and leads the lively discussions.

Dog license renewals due in June

BARKHAMSTED — Holly Krouse, Barkhamsted Town Clerk, reminds all dog owners that per CT State Statute 22338, all dogs aged 6 months and older must be licensed each year during the month of June. The spaying/neutering certificate and an updated rabies certificate may be necessary. Rabies dates must be valid through July of each year to be considered valid. The fees ae $8 for spayed/neutered dogs and $19 for intact dogs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, consider renewing by mail. Send a check made out to Barkhamsted Town Clerk along with any necessary paperwork to 67 Ripley Hill Road, Barkhamsted, CT 06063, and include a self-addressed, postage paid envelope for return of the license, tag, and paperwork. Renewal paperwork can also be left in the the locked black mailbox located outside the lower level side door of Town Hall; be sure it is in an envelope. Office hours are still Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Customers will be restricted to visit one at a time, along with other rules, so wait times may be longer.

For information on fees and what’s required, call 860-3798665 or email hkrouse@barkhamsted.us .