Torrington pianist to give concert Sunday

TORRINGTON — Pianist Joy Zublena will give a classical piano recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church at 21 Fern Drive, Torrington. The snow date is Feb. 2.

The program will feature music by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy. A free will offering will be received to benefit the Music Ministry of the First United Methodist Church.

Zublena has been playing the piano since the age of 3, and had her first piano recital at the age of 5. She first studied with Mary Balestro and later Hartford Conservatory and several other schools. She has been playing the organ since a teenager and is organist-choir director of the First United Methodist Church for the past 33 years.

Zublena is also a strong supporter of the Torrington Symphony Orchestra and has tirelessly promoted its annual season of concerts, which are held in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre at the Warner Theatre in Torrington.

For more information about Sunday’s concert, call the church at 860-489-8084 or visit https://www.torringtonfumc.org/.

Singers can register for Northwest Idol

TORRINGTON – The City of Torrington Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for this year’s Northwest Kids Rock Contest. This event is open to youth ages 8-14 from Torrington and other surrounding towns. Past Northwest Kids Rock winners are not eligible to participate.

All contestants will be required to fill out an application form prior to auditioning. Registration Forms will be available at the Torrington Parks and Recreation Department located at 153 South Main Street in Torrington or online at www.torringtonct.org – under Parks and Recreation. Registration forms are due by March 4.

Auditions will take place at Coe Memorial Park on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 12:00 PM. Auditions will consist of each contestant having a one-minute introduction, in addition to an acappella performance. Contestants can also showcase any other talents along with their singing; such as dancing and playing an instrument. Contestants will be notified the Monday following the auditions if they have been chosen to move on to the Finals.

The Finals will be held March 27, 7 p.m., at Coe Memorial Park. This event will be hosted by Casey McKenna, with music provided by Vin Avallone Productions. Prizes will be awarded to the top finalists.

For more information call 860-489-2274.

Veterans can receive coats

TORRINGTON — Through Operation: Warm Hearts Ocean State Job Lot has donated new winter coats to Connecticut’s veterans.

On Jan. 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the coats will be distributed from the Coe Memorial Park Civic Center, 101 Litchfield St., Torrington.

Through the offices of Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone, the Civic Center has been made available to distribute new coats to needy area veterans. Volunteers from American Legion District #6 and the Torrington Veterans Service Office will be distributing these coats to qualified veterans.

Veterans must provide one of the following: DD-214, Military Retired ID; VA ID Card; or CT Driver’s License with Flag; or American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, DAV, Marine Corps League, VVA, JWV, MOPH or Seabee Island X-1 Membership Card with a valid photo ID.

Hospital offers health care enrollment seminars

TORRINGTON, — Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is partnering with Hartford HealthCare Senior Services to sponsor free educational seminars to help members of local community understand the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Marissa Hiebel, a Medicare Educator for Hartford HealthCare, will cover topics such as things to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan and other times throughout the year when you may be able to make a Medicare plan change. Caregivers and family members are also encouraged to attend.

The same seminar will be held on two different dates and times: from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 6, and 2-3 p.m. March 5. Both sessions will be held in CHH’s Memorial Building Conference Hall, 540 Litchfield St. There is no charge to attend and refreshments will be served.

Spaces are limited and registration is required. To register, call 855-442-4373 or register online at HartfordHealthCare.org/ Events.

Grants will fund Pageant of Drums

Torrington Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded two grants for the 2020 Pageant of Drums event to take place at Fuessenich Park. The department received $2800.00 from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund and $1825.00 from The Cara and Carl Muller Fund for Community Support, which is also a fund of Northwest Community Foundation. These funds will be used to support this year’s event and pay for the performing units, lighting, sound, security, and refreshments for the groups involved.

The Pageant of Drums is scheduled for the evening of June 6th at Fuessenich Park and will feature performances by; Connecticut Hurricanes Drum Corps, Connecticut 7th Regiment Drum Corps, Connecticut Alumni Drum Corps, St. Peters Drum Corps, and Majestic Horn Ensemble.

The Pageant of Drums took place annually at Fuessenich Park starting in the late 1950s for a span of 30 years. The Vagabonds Drum Corps were a very popular and long standing participant in the Pageant of Drums.

The Parks and Recreation Department has organized a committee to work on preparing for this event and hope the resurrection of the Pageant of Drums will become a popular annual event in Torrington as it was for so many years from the late ’50s to ’80s.