Celebrate John Brown’s birthday in Torrington May 9

TORRINGTON — The Torrington Historical Society will host a John Brown Birthday Party on Wednesday, May 9, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Carriage House Gallery at the Torrington Historical Society. The public is invited free of charge.

This is the second annual birthday party to commemorate the birth of abolitionist John Brown, who was born in Torrington on May 9, 1800.

Torrington is known as the birthplace of John Brown, and an illustration of the house in which he was born figures prominently on the seal of the city of Torrington.

The evening will begin with introductions by Mark McEachern, executive director of the Torrington Historical Society, and Conrad Sienkiewicz, event co-director.

Torrington resident and history teacher Mark Linehan will give comments about John Brown and his efforts to end slavery in America. John Noelke, an artist and poet who maintains an art gallery on Water Street, will recite his poem “John Brown.” The birthday party will conclude with refreshments and birthday cake.

In 2000, the Torrington Historical Society merged with the John Brown Association of Torrington. At that time, the historical society assumed the mission of the John Brown Association, which is to preserve the history and memory of John Brown. In 2013 the Torrington Trails Network helped build a ¾-mile walking trail through the property once owned by John Brown’s father Owen Brown, where the family lived until 1805.

For more information, contact the Torrington Historical Society at 860-482-8260 or email torringtonhistorical@snet.net

Chamber seeks award nominations

TORRINGTON — Since 1991, northwest Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce has recognized outstanding business and community leaders. They continue to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner.

The chamber’s Celebration of Success will be held on June 14 at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility, 371 Pinewoods Road, Torrington.

The criteria for the recognition include contribution to the business environment; community involvement and commitment to the overall improvement in the quality of life in northwest Connecticut.

The selection committee is seeking nominations from the public in the following categories.

Business Leader Award (Based on contributions to the business environment); Community Leader Award (Based on community involvement); and Quality of Life Award (Based on a service or nonprofit organization’s commitment to the overall improvement in northwest Connecticut’s quality of life).

Last year’s recipients were Kenneth W. Merz, Community Leader Award; Timothy & Susan Cook, Cook Funeral Home, Business Leader Award; and McCall Center for Behavioral Health, Quality of Life Award.

Email nominations, including the category and reason for nomination, to JoAnn Ryan at JoAnn@nwctchamberofcommerce.org by Friday. If you have questions, call the chamber at 860-482-6586.

Warner to hold anniversary gala

TORRINGTON — The Warner Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Gala will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center. Torrington Savings Bank is this year’s Gold Sponsor.

The gala will benefit the nonprofit theater, with funds supporting the Warner Stage Company, one of the most active community theater companies in Connecticut; the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education, an on-site performing arts school where students are free to explore their individuality and creativity, and the preservation of the historic Warner Theatre.

The evening will begin with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception, where guests will have a chance to mingle and bid in the silent auction. The cocktail reception will be followed by an open bar, dinner, entertainment and a live auction conducted by Eric Hummel.

Tickets, at $150 per person, are available by calling 860-489-7180 or at warnertheatre.org. Tables of 6, 8 and 10 are available. For more information, call 860-4897180 x 189.

Painting club to meet in May

NEW HARTFORD — Shades of Northwest Hills will meet on Friday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the South End Firehouse on Antolini Road in New Hartford.

The program for the evening will be painting Freedom Cards, hand-painted wooden cards that contain a message of support to military personnel and their families. The cards provide a way to honor those who have sacrificed for the country’s freedom. Members will paint a card of encouragement, which will be presented to a veteran or current member of the military who needs a lift. They, in turn, can put their own name on the back and pass it on to to give someone else an emotional boost. The card is painted on a wooden surface so it is durable and can be passed on and on, making many lives brighter.

The club will provide the cards, patterns and paints.

Interested painters can contact Lisa at 860-413-9878 for more information. The project and additional information can be found at https://www.facebook. com/pages/Shades-of-NorthwestHills/328349210522724

Local Purple Heart recipents sought

TORRINGTON — The City of Torrington and the Military Order of the Purple Heart are seeking Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star Families and relatives of any Litchfield County resident who has received a Purple Heart from the U.S. Government, including current, past or posthumous recipients. Mayor Elinor Carbone and the City of Torrington wants to honor these recipients by designating Torrington as a “Purple Heart City.”

Call Maurette Wall at the Office of the Mayor at 860 4892228.