Vanilla Bean Hosts Benefit Show
POMFRET -- The Red Hot Banjo Wizard, Howie Bursen, will be joined by John Bailey, Martin Grosswendt and Bennett Hammond at the Vanilla Bean Café, 450 Deerfield Road, on Saturday, Jan. 25, for their 28th year performing to benefit Access’s Northeast Connecticut Food Pantries.
This local tradition is an evening of singing, laughter, hot licks on guitar, fiddle and banjo, desserts, and beverages ranging from cappuccinos to fine wines. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $20.
All proceeds from this concert will be used to buy food from the Connecticut Food Bank. Each $1 donated is used by the Access Community Action Agency to buy more than $10 worth of food from the CT Food Bank for distribution to those in need throughout northeast CT. Last year, the concert raised over $1,000.
The Access Community Action Agency is designated by the federal and state government as the anti-poverty agency in northeast Connecticut. Access provides food, affordable housing, job readiness services, and other pathways to economic self-reliance for vulnerable limited-income families and individuals throughout the region.
For more information about the services Access provides, visit www.accessagency.org; or call 860-450-7400 in the Willimantic area or 860-412-1600 In the Danielson area.
Nuclear Engineering Technology Scholarships
NORWICH -- Three Rivers Community College, the College Foundation and Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut/Millstone Power Station are again offering 16 full scholarships for the Three Rivers Community College Nuclear Engineering Technology Degree program. It is the only program of its kind in New England and is considered the best in the nation.
Through classroom, laboratory, and simulator instruction, this program educates students in the theories underlying the safe operation of nuclear power generating stations. For students interested in beginning the program in the fall of 2020, the application deadline for the scholarship is Feb. 15.
The scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, books, and fees for a two-year associate degree program, starting with the fall 2020 semester. Additionally, students receive a guaranteed $150 per month stipend during the nine-month academic year and have a 12-week paid internship experience at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station during the summer between their first and second academic year. This gives the students the opportunity to see nuclear utility operations first hand and develop significant practical work experience.
Those opting to enter the workplace as technicians have found their education and experience in strong demand by Connecticut business and industry. Other scholarship recipients, upon completion of the program, have successfully transferred to nuclear engineering and health physics baccalaureate degree programs in state and nationally.
To learn more about the scholarship and the Nuclear Engineering Technology program curriculum, call Professor James Sherrard, Nuclear Program Chairman, at 860-215-9472. Or, visit threerivers.edu/nuclear to read more and complete the online application.
Three Rivers Registration Open
NORWICH -- Registration is open for spring classes at Three Rivers Community College. Students should register now to ensure that they get the classes that they want and need before they fill up. Advising help is available, and registration runs now through Tuesday, Jan. 21. Classes begin on Jan. 22.
This spring, Three Rivers is offering over 560 classes including more than 75 that are fully online. With over 55 degree and credit programs available, there is something for everyone. The degree programs and classes cover a broad variety of subjects, ranging from Criminology to Technical Writing to Organic Chemistry and much more. Visit threerivers.edu/courseschedule for a complete list of offerings.
New to Three Rivers? Speak with the admissions office Monday through Friday in the A-Wing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Students can stop by or call 860-215-9016. Admissions staff can help with all questions regarding enrolling or registering. Visit threerivers.edu/enroll if you are a new student.
Current Three Rivers students can register now at my.commnet.edu or can also get assistance from Student Services and make an appointment with an advisor at 860-215-9016.
Fidelco Fundraiser
AREA -- Yun Li-Potter, member of the Glastonbury Centennial Lions Club, presents a fundraiser for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. For a donation of $10, participants will receive an Asian Moments discount card that provides up to 10-percent off per visit at the following businesses, valid for six months.
The participating businesses are: Bonchon Storrs, 1232 Storrs Road, Mansfield; Chosen 1 Cajun Seafood 2074 Park St., Hartford; Chuan Du Hot Pot, 27 Temple St., New Haven; Gourmet Wok 2856 Main St., Glastonbury; Ichiro Hibachi & Sushi, 962 Farmington Ave., West Hartford; Feng Chophouse, 93 Asylum St., Hartford; Royal Buffet & Grill, 410 Middle Turnpike W, Manchester; Sichuan Pepper 435 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon; Tang, 33 Wilbur Cross Way, Storrs; Taste of China, 954 Chapel St., New Haven; Thai Palace, 18 Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield; Nummy, 1160 New Britain Ave., West Hartford; Uncle Chow Asian Bistro, 179 Park Road, West Hartford; Wang Palace 1914 Silas Deane Hwy, Rocky Hill; and Natural Nails & Spa, 2047, 45 Welles St., Glastonbury.
Obtain the card at restaurants by cash donation or check, payable to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. Visit https://www.fidelco.org/donate to make an online donation.
The fundraiser is sponsored by the Glastonbury Centennial Lions Club & 微信公众号：康州大道. Discounts and promotions vary per restaurant. Each Asian Moments Card will be valid for six months. You may purchase additional cards when expired.
Coffee Hours
AREA -- State Rep. Pat Boyd invites residents of the 50th Assembly District to join him for pre-session coffee hours as he prepares for the 2020 legislative session. Coffee hours will be held throughout the month of January up until the 2020 legislative session, which begins Feb. 5.
The coffee hour dates and locations are as follows: Thursday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m., The Vanilla Bean Café, 450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret Center; Saturday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m., Coriander Café, 192 Eastford Road, Eastford; Sunday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m., Traveler’s Restaurant, 1257 Buckley Highway, Union; Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m., Hank’s Restaurant, the Killingly Room, 520 Providence Road, Brooklyn; and Sunday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m., Sweet Evalina’s Stand, 688 CT-169, Woodstock.
Residents who cannot attend the coffee hours may email Pat.Boyd@cga.ct.gov with questions or concerns.
Ireland Forever
DANIELSON -- The Killingly Library, 25 Westcott Road, is offering a friendly gathering to discuss Ireland literature, culture and all things Irish. The Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript and full color illustrations of the four Gospels, will be discussed from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.
The group meets at the Killingly Library once a month. You do not have to be Irish to attend. Call the Killingly Library at 860-779-5383 for further information.
Free Braille Calendars
STATEWIDE -- The Community Outreach Office of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut has 2020 Braille calendars, free of charge. For more information, email info@nfbct.org or 860-289-1971.
Warming Shelter Open, Seeking Volunteers
DANIELSON -- Communities of Putnam, Killingly, Brooklyn, Woodstock, Pomfret, Plainfield, Sterling, and Thompson are boosting their capacity to keep the area's homeless population safe this winter with the Northeast No Freeze Project. New winter shelter capacity next to the Access Emergency Shelter in Danielson is currently being renovated after an outpouring of support from the community.
St. Albans Church’s Rectory on 254 Broad St. will open as soon as renovations are done to accommodate up to 30 individual men and women per night as needed through March 31. Families with children will be sent to the Access Emergency Shelter on Reynolds Street.
Access operates one of only two year-round Family Emergency Shelters in northeast Connecticut, with 40 beds to shelter individuals and families. Over the past three years, the Access Shelter which is located in Danielson has also allowed as many as 15 additional people who are not residents of the Shelter to stay overnight in the first floor community room.
A group of local nonprofits in collaboration with local town government, faith communities and concerned residents came together and formed the Northeast No Freeze Project to create a space to shelter people experiencing homelessness during the winter in northeast Connecticut.
Ashley Vienneau is the new Volunteer Coordinator for the project and is taking applications for volunteers. The Northeast No Freeze Project will need as many as 30 individuals willing to volunteer for one night per month or 15 volunteers for two nights per month. Contact Ashley Vienneau at 860-207-4279 or ashley.vienneau@accessagency.org for more information or to get an application.
Guests are allowed to enter the shelter each night between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. if sufficient staff coverage is available. No guests will be admitted to the shelter after 10 p.m. Guests will be asked to present an ID but will not be denied shelter for lack of ID. Guests with felony convictions will be allowed in the shelter. The shelter closes each day at 8 am., at which time all guests must leave the property, unless they have an appointment scheduled with an Access staff member helping guests find housing. Each guest is allowed to bring into the shelter one bag or backpack of personal belongings. No food is allowed in the shelter. The Northeast No Freeze is simply a warm place for the night.
Fish Fry
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NORTH GROSVENORDALE -- The Knights of Columbus Club 2087 will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on the following Fridays: Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1017 Riverside Drive. The menu will consist of fish & chips ($11); baked haddock ($12); fried bay scallops or fried shrimp ($13); fried clams ($16); and a seafood platter ($18). Eat-in or take-out is available. Call 860-923-2967 or email council2087@gmail.com for more information.
Overeaters Anonymous
PUTNAM -- Overeaters Anonymous meets every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m at Day Kimball Hospital, conference room 1, 320 Pomfret St. Call Bruce at 508-864-0593 for more information.
Christian Healing Services
BROOKLYN -- Christian healing services, formerly held at St. Philip’s Church in Putnam, will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 7 Providence Road.
Prayer teams will be available to pray with individuals for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. The service will include praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. Healing services will be held every fourth Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.trinitychurchbrookly.org or call 860-774-9352.
Sprague Library Events
BALTIC -- Sprague Public Library, 76 Main St., is hosting the following events. Call 860-822-3012 for more information.
Weekly Drop-in Programs: No registration required. Children’s Story Times: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Age-appropriate stories, early literacy activities and social time. Prefer a mid-day program before nap time? Bring your lunch on Wednesday to enjoy with friends. The same program runs both days.
On Wednesdays at noon, the Crochet & Knitters’ Club meets. Want to learn or like to knit? Help is always available.