Free Health, Wellness and Benefits Expo Tuesday

Free massages will be part of the Health and Wellness Expo at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012.

Nearly 50 health agencies, vendors and benefits representatives will converge on the Eastern Connecticut State University campus on Tuesday, Oct. 16 to participate in Eastern’s 20th Annual Health, Wellness and Benefits Expo.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Betty R. Tipton room, and will include demonstrations, performances and free health screenings throughout the day.

The health expo will provide free HIV, STD and HEP C testing; body fat analysis; healthy-nutrition counseling; blood pressure and cholesterol screenings; foot measuring; massages; passport applications; and giveaways in the form of protein/fiber bars, grip strength, hand sanitizers, and health and wellness materials.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

• AETNA Student Health;

• Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield;

• CVS Caremark;

• Connecticut Department of Children and Families’ Foster Care Services;

• Hartford GYN Center;

• Juice Plus;

• Planned Parenthood;

• Eastern’s Health Services; and

• the Willimantic Food Coop

are just some of the participants in the health expo.

CVS Caremark will offer a free flu vaccination clinic for state employees, their dependents over age 18 and retirees in Room 219 of the Student Center.

A main attraction at the event will be a robotic surgical device called the “Da Vinci Surgical System,” which will be on display at the expo for the first time.

Questions? Contact LaShawn McBride, manager of human resource programs at (860) 465-5220 or email mcbridel@easternct.edu; and/or Jane Neu, nurse practitioner in Health Services at (860) 465-5263 or email neuj@easternct.edu

Eastern Connecticut State University is part of the Connecticut State University (CSU) system and is the state’s public liberal arts university. Eastern serves more than 5,400 students each year on its Willimantic campus. It is the policy of Eastern Connecticut State University to ensure equal access to its events. If you are an individual with a disability and will need accommodations for this event, please contact the Office of University Relations at (860) 465-5735.

Posted October 15, 2012

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Meet and greet – the new Director of the Willimantic Public Library

Come meet the new Director of the Willimantic Public Library, J. Drusilla Carter, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the library. Contributed photo.

Come meet the new Director of the Willimantic Public Library, J. Drusilla Carter, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the library.

Refreshments will be served.

Please reserve your spot at this community event by calling 860-423-3589 or send an email to jjakoboski@hotmail.com

Carter, who was hired in September, is a 1996 graduate of The Ethel Walker School for Girls in Simsbury, CT.

Previously, she was Director of the Blue Ridge Regional Library (October 2010 to July 2012) in Martinsville, Virginia.

Prior to that, she was Director of Operations for a seven-facility regional library system, The Chesterfield County Library system in South Carolina (July 2006-October 2010), and worked as an intern for the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia (January 2004-June 2006).

Posted October 11, 2012 as edited and added to by Brenda Sullivan, HTNP.com Editor

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Windham-Willimantic residents – read here for when to put the leaves by the curb

Autumn in Connecticut 2012. Photo © 2012 by Brenda Sullivan.

The Town of Windham has announced its 2012 leaf-collection schedule, and notes that changes in the weather (i.e. a downpour or snowstorm) can cause changes in this schedule.

Collection is divided into three “areas” (formerly “districts”).

• Area 1 (formerly called districts 1 and 2) includes all residents on the Main Street side of the Willimantic River.

• Area 2 (formerly called district 3) includes all residents of Willimantic on the Pleasant Street side of the Willimantic River, including residents on Pemberton Road and Antrim Road.

• And Area 3 (formerly districts 4 and 5) includes all residents living in South Windham, Windham Center and North Windham.

Collection will begin with Area 3 during the week beginning Nov. 5.

Next, collection for Area 2 begins the week of Nov. 12.

And collection for Area 1 will be conducted the week beginning Nov. 19.

Please note that trucks will pass each area only once.

Residents must rake their leaves to the gutters BEFORE the first day of leaf collection in their area.  Please do not mix in branches or rubbish – or the leaves will not be collected.

Please also make sure other objects are not mixed in with the leaves to prevent damage to collection equipment and/or personnel.

You may also collect your leaves in biodegradable bags and call the Windham Public Works office during office hours to schedule a pick-up (860-465-3090).

Depending on weather conditions, the town may schedule a second leaf collection cycle.

Questions?  Please call Public Works Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 860-465-3090 or send an email to publicworks@windhamct.com

Posted October 10, 2012 based on a press release as edited and added to by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

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Environmental group endorses Linda Orange for State Rep

The Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club has endorsed incumbent Democrat Linda Orange for State Representative in the 48th Assembly District, which will serve the town of Colchester, as well as parts of Lebanon, Mansfield and Windham under the newly redrawn district lines.

In accepting the endorsement, Orange said in a prepared statement that “sound environmental policies go hand in hand with protecting the rural character of the region.”

“Eastern Connecticut needs a strong environmental advocate to protect our farmland, open space and the character of our communities,” Orange said.

Orange cited the need to preserve a state fund that supports open space matching grants, farmland preservation and helps dairy farmers. Money for the fund is raised through real estate recording fees – not taxes, she noted.

Orange also cited her efforts earlier in her legislative career in Colchester to prevent the creation of both a garbage dump and an asphalt plant. The asphalt plant was planned to be within 500 feet of a school, a waterway and residential area.

Orange also said it is important to continue investing in energy-efficiency initiatives and promoting “green” jobs through the development and use of renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power.

Orange was elected to the Connecticut Legislature in November 1996 to represent the 48th Assembly District, which then served Colchester and East Haddam.

Born in Hartford, Orange grew up in Marlborough. She has lived in Colchester for 32 years.

For more about her campaign, visit http://orange4ct.com/about

Posted October 10, 2012 based on a press release as edited and added to by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

Barbara (James) McSweeney July 3 1919 – Sept 25 2012

Sunset over Willimantic, CT. Photo © 2012 by Brenda Sullivan

Barbara (James) McSweeney, of Willimantic, died Tuesday Sept. 25, 2012.  She was born July 3, 1919 in Willimantic (Windham, CT) the daughter of the late Robert F. and Grace (Paton) James.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Earl W. McSweeney and a daughter Kathleen Ann.

She is survived by daughter Mary E. Haddad and her husband Edward A. of Orlando, FL, son Robert E. McSweeney and his wife Nancy of Kansas City, MO, daughter Lauren R. Labreche and her husband Dustan of Shrewsbury, MA, five grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two sisters, Olive Lehmus of Coventry, CT, Mildred Larkins of Mansfield, CT and a sister-in-law Martha McSweeney of Willimantic, CT.

As a member of the large James family, she leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families from all over the United States.

Barbara was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield and previously had been a 75-year member of the First Baptist Church of Willimantic.

Barbara was employed for 57 years as a bookkeeper at the former Hurley’s Clothing Stores in Willimantic.

Over the years she was involved in many charitable and civic organizations.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, Oct. 15 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Route 195) Willimantic.

Her funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. with interment following in New Willimantic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06268 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Posted October 8, 2012

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You are invited to an evening of Mozart and improvisation

On Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 pm, St. Paul’s Willimantic will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Fisk Alleluia Organ with a recital featuring Dr. Jason Roberts. Composite by HTNP.com

On Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 pm, St. Paul’s Willimantic will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Fisk Alleluia Organ with a recital featuring Dr. Jason Roberts.

The free performance will be held at the church, at 220 Valley Street (corner of Valley and Walnut), in Willimantic – the church with the red door.

Dr. Roberts is the Organist and Choir Master of St. James Episcopal Church in West Hartford and is noted for his improvisational talents.

The program will feature the Mozart Fantasy in F minor and will close with an improvisation.

Dr. Roberts’ academic background ranges from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music to the Manhattan School of Music – where he earned his doctorate – and includes study at Rice University.

His performance experience includes winning the 2007 Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition and the 2008 AGO National Competition in Organ Improvisation.

In the summer of 2013, he will be the featured recitalist at the New England regional convention of the American Guild of Organists.

Refreshments will follow the recital.

The music and refreshments are open to all as part of St. Paul’s commitment to supporting the local community.

Donations toward the support of our music and arts programs will be gratefully accepted.

About the Fisk Alleluia Organ*

Named the “Alleluia Organ” at the request of Mrs. Alfred S. Hale, the principle donor, Opus 57 has a tonal design based on organs already old in the time of J. S. Bach.

The case is a single unit with a high, wide, shallow cabinet of catspaw-figured white oak with a mahogany keydesk built into the lower face and burnished tin pipes in the façade.

The naturals are made of grenadil, the sharps and flats of ivory-topped rosewood, and the faces of the stop knobs are hand-engraved ivory.

This case design and layout were subsequently used in modified form in two other organs, Opus 62 at Ascension Memorial Church in Ipswich, Mass. and Opus 65 at Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Mass.

These historic organs were conceived as instruments of two divisions only. The Pedal and the Great formed one division, and the Choir, or Positive, formed the other.

It was customary at that time to play the bass part on the manuals instead of on the pedals. Opus 57 allows for both through the use of mechanical transmissions from the Great to the Pedal, opening interesting possibilities for the performance of early music, especially the music of France before and during Bach’s time.

To aid in the performance of the French classic literature the Trumpet and Cremona are closely based on the work of François-Henri Cliquot, the last of the French classic builders.

The Swell division is located above the console in Brustwerk position. The Pedal 16′ reed is an independent stop.

This organ is the first in which C. B. Fisk made use of double-draw stops, which when pulled halfway enable one rank to play, and when drawn fully add a second rank. This system appears in many later organs.

*From the C.B. Fisk Inc. web site

Posted October 4, 2012 based on a press release as edited and added to by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

ECSU dedicates fuel cell that will reduce NO2 emissions equivalent to 136 cars

By generating power with a PureCell system, Eastern will reduce its “carbon footprint” by more than 1,356 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent of planting more than 313 acres of trees.

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) has partnered with UTC Power of South Windsor, CT and the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) on a project that is increasing energy efficiency at the university.

Under a 10-year Energy Services Agreement, UTC Power has furnished and installed a PureCell system (combined heat and power) fuel cell at Eastern’s Science Building.

This was made possible by a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant through the Clean Energy agency.

UTC Power, CEFIA and Eastern officials, along with other guests, will formally dedicate the fuel cell during a brief ceremony on the site from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 4.

By generating power with a PureCell system, Eastern will reduce its “carbon footprint” by more than 1,356 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent of planting more than 313 acres of trees.

The reduction in nitrogen oxide (NO²) emissions compared to a conventional power plant is equal to the environmental benefit of removing more than 136 cars from the road.

In addition to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the PureCell system saves nearly 3.8 million gallons of water a year.

Eastern will use 100 percent of the energy produced by the fuel cell system, which was installed earlier this year on the west side of Eastern’s Science Building, to provide a majority of the power required for the Science Building.

Also, supplemental heat generated by the operation of the fuel cell will be used by Eastern’s infrastructure.

According to UTC, “with effective use of the thermal output, overall system efficiencies of up to 90 percent are possible, more than double that of traditional power sources.”

Click here to learn more about how fuel cells work.

In April 2012, Eastern was named one of the nation’s Green Colleges by The Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the third consecutive year Eastern has received the designation.

The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority

CEFIA was established by Connecticut’s General Assembly on July 1, 2011 under Public Act 11-80. This new quasi-public agency supersedes the former Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CEFIA’s mission is to “help ensure Connecticut’s energy security and community prosperity by realizing its environmental and economic opportunities through clean energy finance and investments.

“As the nation’s first full-scale clean energy finance authority, CEFIA will leverage public and private funds to drive investment and scale-up clean energy deployment in Connecticut.”

For more information about CEFIA, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com

UTC Power

UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. company, “provides energy-efficient products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

“UTC Power is the world leader in developing and producing fuel cells that generate energy for buildings and for transportation, space and defense applications. UTC Power has designed, manufactured and installed more than 300 stationary fuel cells in 19 countries on six continents. For more information, please visit www.utcpower.com

Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern is the state’s public liberal arts university and serves approximately 5,400 students each year on its Willimantic campus and satellite locations.

It is the policy of Eastern Connecticut State University to ensure equal access to its events. If you are an individual with a disability and will need accommodations for this event, please call the Office of University Relations at 860-465-5735.

Posted October 4, 2012 based on a press release with additional information and links added by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

CT State Police looking for man who robbed Route 6 store

CT State Police are reporting that they are in search of a man who robbed the 7-11 convenience store at 380 Route 6 in Andover, CT this afternoon (Oct. 3). Photo source: CT State Police

CT State Police are reporting that they are in search of a man who robbed the 7-11 convenience store at 380 Route 6 in Andover, CT today (Oct. 3).

Police say what they are calling an armed robbery was reported at 2:27 p.m. They are considering it an armed robbery because the perpetrator implied he had a gun.

The suspect is described as having “light skin” – since only his hands are visible in the photo. He was wearing a black, long-sleeved hooded sweatshirt and covered his face with black material. He was also wearing black pants and black sneakers with two white stripes.

Police also described the suspect as between 5’6” and 5’8” and weighing about 145 lbs.

According to the report, the suspect “entered the 7-11 implying he had a handgun, demanded cash from the register, and cigarettes. The subject left the store on foot headed north on Route 6.” The report also states that it is unknown whether the robber had a vehicle nearby.

Anyone with information that might assist the police in their investigation is asked to call the State Police at 860-537-7500 and refer to case number CFS12-00563163.

Posted October 3, 2012

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Peace and Human Rights subject of panel Oct 4 at ECSU

Mahatma Gandhi. Image source: http://www.watch-documentaries-online.com/bbc-horizon/mahatma-gandhi

The Peace and Human Rights Committee at Eastern Connecticut State University will host a panel, “Ambassadors for Peace and Human Rights” at 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room in the J. Eugene Smith Library.

ECSU President Elsa Nuñez will welcome the audience and greet the presenters.

The featured speakers are:

• Eudora Pettigrew, a retired member of the International Association of University Presidents and former Chair of the IAUP United Nations Commission on Disarmament Education, Conflict Resolution and Peace, and

• Professor Emeritus Charles Prewitt, who taught Peace and Human Rights for several years at Eastern.

Pettigrew will discuss universal disarmament; Prewitt will speak on his involvement with the Manhattan Project.

Other speakers include:

• Political Science Professor Christopher Vasillopulos, whose topic will be “The Power State and Human Rights”;

• Associate Professor of Geography Mary Curran, speaking about “Human-Animal Relations: Situational Ethics Rather than Rights”;

• Professor and Chair of the Visual Arts Department Gail Gelburd, whose topic will be “The Art of Social Commentary”;

• Eastern English professor Raouf Mama, whose topic will be “From Dictatorship to Democracy: The Beninese Ex­perience”;

• Eastern Professor of Political Science Nicole Krassas, who will discuss “Women’s Rights as Human Rights”;

• Eastern Professor of History Stacy Close, who will share, “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Struggle for Human Rights in the United States”;

• Philosophy Professor Hope Fitz, on the topic of, “Spreading Gandhi’s Belief in and Practice of Ahimsa and his Satyagraha”; and

• David McLeod, a graduate student, will lecture on “Transphobia: Is it Fear or Hate?”

ECSU Executive Vice President Michael Pernal will moderate the panel.

Questions? Call ECSU’s office of University Relations during office hours Monday through Friday at (860) 465-5735.

Posted Oct. 3, 2012

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In Willimantic – Quiet Corner photo exhibit at ArtSpace Oct 6

Photo by David Westlake from previous Quiet Corner Photo Club annual exhibit at ArtSpace in Willimantic, CT.

The Quiet Corner Camera Club will host its eighth annual photo exhibit at ArtSpace, 480 Main St. on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The public is invited to a free reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

The public also may enjoy the show on weekends in October from 1 to 5 p.m.

Parking is available in the Windham Mills parking lot below ArtSpace.

Quiet Corner Camera Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Mansfield Library and  is open to anyone with an interest in photography.

You can find the club on Facebook at this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/149864087616/

Meetings cover a wide range of topics. There are speakers and other activities. The club welcomes new members and guest at any time.

For more information about the club or the show, contact Sue at (860) 456-4906.

Posted October 2, 2012 based on a press release – link added by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )