Murphy highlights Chester manufacturer

CHESTER — U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., chose Whelen Engineering Co. in Chester as “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.”

Founded in 1952 by George W. Whelen III in his garage in Deep River, Whelen Engineering Co. specializes in the manufacturing of warning lights, white illumination lighting, vehicle control systems, sirens and programming software for first responders.

Whelen does work for a variety of companies in the emergency warning industry, including law enforcement, fire and EMS departments, Department of Transportation agencies, tow companies and government agencies around the world.

As Connecticut began to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Whelen felt the need to step up and protect frontline workers. The company temporarily reorganized some of their resources to manufacture face masks and full-face shields in their Connecticut and New Hampshire facilities. Their engineers used open-source designs for both pieces of personal protective equipment, which included building a 500pound injection mold in one of their facilities. The company says it can produce approximately 2,000 shields and masks per day.

“When it became clear that so many of our frontline workers didn’t have the PPE they needed to do their jobs safely, Whelen Engineering Company stepped up and got to work. Like so many Connecticut companies, they’ve transformed their manufacturing centers and started producing critical medical supplies. And now, they can churn out over 2,000 face shields and masks a day. I’m proud to highlight the team at Whelen for their work,” Murphy said in a statement.

Whelen President and CEO George W. Whelen V added: “Whelen has been innovating and manufacturing in Connecticut for over 65 years. Our community means everything to us, and when we learned about possible PPE shortages due to COVID-19, we immediately wanted to figure out how we could use our resources to help. Whelen is proud to support the dedicated health care providers and first responders who are working hard each day to take care of our community.”

Whelen is also active in the community, supporting organizations such as Middlesex Health, the Connecticut Special Olympics, Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE). The company also supports Chapel Haven, Vista and Brian House, and partners with Valley Regional High School’s manufacturing class. The company’s 1,500 employees work out of two state-of-the-art facilities in Chester and Charlestown, N.H.

Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the BuyAmerican.gov Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival goes virtual

The Madison and Clinton Land Trusts will host a virtual Wild & Scenic Film Festival from 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday. After last year’s sold-out, in-person event, the second annual film festival will moved to a live-streaming format for public safety. The online platform is accessible from a computer, tablet, smartphone or Smart TV.

Wild & Scenic is a film festival with a purpose, bringing together storytellers and stories that reflect a love and appreciation of the natural world. The evening will feature a series of 12 short award-winning environmental and adventure films from around the world. These films illustrate the Earth’s beauty yet show the challenges facing our planet and the communities working to protect it.

One of the films being screened this year is “Blind Sushi,” featuring chef Bun Lai from Miya’s Sushi in New Haven. The film tells the story of a blind travel writer who goes foraging and diving with the world’s first sustainable sushi chef in search of enlightenment and a new way to see the world.

The evening’s emcee is David Skelly, director of the Yale Peabody Museum. A live chat will be available throughout the evening for participants to talk with fellow audience members and representatives of both land trusts.

“Doors” will open for the live chat at 6:30 p.m., with the films beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a break for door prizes during the show. Ticket holders will be able to view the entire recorded event for an additional five days afterward. Visit https://filmfestival.madisonland trust.org/ to purchase tickets ($30) and see the film festival trailer.

The Madison and Clinton Land Trusts are nonprofit volunteer organizations dedicated to conserving our local natural resources. The festival is a joint fundraising effort to preserve open space and natural resources in both communities.

Madison Lyric Stage cancels season

Madison Lyric Stage is postponing its 2020 season to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In deference to state and local guidelines, it simply doesn’t seem feasible that we will be able to present these productions in the manner we intended,” according to a statement.

“The Boys in the Band” and “Sweeney Todd,” which were on this year’s calendar, will join the company’s previously postponed Suor Angelica/Erwartung for a ninth season in 2021. Subscription holders will be able to transfer their tickets to the 2021 season and will be notified individually about the process.

“This decision is truly heartbreaking for all of us on the MLS team. However, your health and safety must be our top priority. We now all look forward to bringing you this season in a year. We are investigating the opportunity to perhaps perform outdoor concerts later this year when it becomes viable, and will keep you posted.”

For more information, email mlsreservations@gmail.com.