Halloween decorating contests planned Elderly nutrition program fundraiser under way Little Guild welcomes new executive director

TORRINGTON — The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Decorate a pumpkin or member of the pumpkin family, then take a picture. Judging is for two age groups: 12 and under and families, in scariest and most original categories.

First place prize is a $15 gift card, per category; second place prize is a $10 gift card, per category.

The main part of each entry must be a pumpkin or a member of the pumpkin family. Pumpkins may not be larger than two feet high by two feet wide.

Objects, paper and materials of any kind may be pinned or glued to pumpkins; or, paint or draw on the entire pumpkin to dress it up. Each entry must have a title. No parental help for the 12 and under category. One entry per category per participant is allowed. Each person must submit completed entry form with your entry picture by Oct. 25; include your full name, age group and category with the picture.

Halloween Decorating Contest: The department is also sponsoring a Halloween Decorating Contest on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Displays should be lit from 6-9 p.m., and will include: Commercial: Halloween Display and Residential: Decorated Doorway and Halloween Display.

In order to participate, an entry form must be filled out and submitted to the Torrington Parks and Recreation Department. The deadline is Oct. 26. Trophies are awarded to the top three in each category.

TORRINGTON — The Litchfield Hills Northwest Elderly Nutrition Program’s 11th annual Thanksgiving x365 Fundraising campaign has begun.

The program oversees congregate sites in Falls Village, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeville, Morris, Torrington and Winsted providing nutritious meals, socialization, volunteer opportunities and camaraderie! In addition, the program runs Meals on Wheels which delivers meals to more than 400 homebound seniors living in an 18 town region throughout Litchfield County allowing seniors to age in place in the comfort of their own homes, according to a statement.

Klebe Fuel and their commitment to giving back to the community has been an important partner in this campaign, members said. As part of their yearlong “Klebe Cares” program, the company has pledged to match donations received through their office. Customers of Klebe Fuel, which has been in business for nearly 30 years, can pledge donations through their regular oil payments. The Klebe Community has raised over $23,000 to date.

A donation of any size is appreciated; to make a donation, call the Elderly Nutrition Program at 860-482-4151 or Klebe Fuel at 860-738-1114.

Quilts that Care holding annual appeal

WATERBURY — Quilts that

Care, Inc., based in Waterbury, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that makes and donates quilts to cancer patients at 12 Connecticut facilities, including Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, Yale/ New Haven Hospital/Smilow and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

Due to COVID-19, Quilts that Care, Inc., has canceled its inperson fundraisers for 2020. Instead, an appeal will run until the pandemic passes.

Since 2012, QTC has donated more than 3,500 quilts, wrapping cancer patients and their families in comfort and hope, one quilt at a time. QTC also made and donated more than 1,000 masks to the facilities during the Coronavirus outbreak. QTC will acknowledge sponsorships at the $250 level and above on its website and on its 2021 banner that will be displayed at events through 2021.

Donations may be made at quiltsthatcare.org through PayPal or at P.O. Box 166, Watertown, CT 06795-3002. For information, call 860-782-1043.

CORNWALL — The Little Guild of St. Francis, Northwest Connecticut’s oldest and largest full-service animal shelter, recently appointed Jenny Langendoerfer as its new executive director.

Most recently vice president of MI Integrated Media, she has an extensive background in communications, marketing, and business development. A lifelong resident of Norfolk, she has been actively involved in a broad range of local educational, recreational, and educational organizations as well as serving as a volunteer for a number of nonprofit causes, according to a statement.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jenny to the Little Guild family,” said guild president John Guenther, in a statement. “At a time when Covid-19 is presenting serious financial and functional challenges for nonprofit organizations everywhere, Jenny’s strong base of successful sales and business experience will help strengthen our work and allow us to take a fresh look at all aspects of our operation to ensure we are doing everything we can to save, care for and place homeless cats and dogs. Her energy and enthusiasm are exactly what the Little Guild needs at this critical time.”

“I was drawn to the Little Guild because of my passion for animals and by the important role the Little Guild plays, not only in animal rescue but in serving both our neighborhood and the larger community through its varied programs, including reduced-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, a free pet food pantry, pet-related education events, and partnerships with human services organizations throughout the area,” Langendoerfer said in a statement.

In addition to her husband Mike and their two sons, her own family includes a cat from the Little Guild and two fun-loving rescue dogs. Anyone interested in knowing more about the Little Guild can call her at 860-672-6346 and by email at director@littleguild.org.