West Hartford CT Community Notes


Thursday, May 30, 2013

West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation Center teams up with Alzheimer's Association

West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation Center, a skilled nursing facility providing short-term health, rehabilitation and long-term care services, is pleased to announce their partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association will be providing our staff with exceptional educational services. All of our employees from CNAs to Nurses to Office Staff completed a 12-hour training course that culminated with a graduation ceremony on May 16.

posted by Kathleen at 8:46 AM 0 Comments

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day parade 2013 photos

All photos by Kathleen Schassler/West Hartford News


























posted by Kathleen at 1:15 PM 0 Comments

Monday, May 20, 2013

KO students win top prizes Constitution essay contest

West Hartford– Kingswood Oxford students won two top spots in a Constitution essay contest sponsored jointly by the Hartford law firm Murtha Cullina and the WALKS Foundation, an organization made up of five local independent schools.
West Hartford residents Alexandra Stanton, who took first prize, and Sophia Kruger, who won third, were joined by Victoria Smith, a Loomis Chaffee student who placed second. KO students have won three first place finishes in the last four competitions.
The 51-year-old contest is open to junior history students at the five WALKS schools – Westminster, Avon Old Farms, Loomis Chaffee, Kingswood Oxford, and Suffield Academy.
Two finalists were selected from each school to advance in the competition which features the topic "Executive War Powers and National Security." The winners were chosen by Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, who also offered remarks at the awards dinner. Finalists received certificates of merit plus a copy of "A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the U.S. Invasion of Mexico," by Amy S. Greenberg. Stanton also received a cash award of $200.
The WALKS Foundation was organized in 1956 to strengthen and broaden the scope of secondary education. The Constitution Essay Contest was established in 1962 to encourage study and understanding of the Constitution.

CAPTION: CT Attorney General George Jepsen congratulates the three winners in a Constitution essay contest (from left) Victoria Smith, of Loomis Chaffee, Allie Stanton, of KO, 1st place, and Sophie Kruger of KO, in 3rd place.

posted by Kathleen at 12:51 PM 0 Comments

Friday, May 17, 2013

West Hartford resident recognized for community service

Boston, MA– Brown Rudnick, an AmLaw 200 firm with offices in the US and Europe, today announced that Caroline Benoit received the sixth annual Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest M. Robert Dushman Community Service Award. This award honors a successful Brown Rudnick non-attorney whose professional or work life has demonstrated the qualities and commitment to the public interest that distinguished the Firm's late partner, M. Robert Dushman. 

Benoit has been a Research Information Specialist in the Hartford office since June 2010.  This award recognizes a non-attorney at Brown Rudnick who has demonstrated a long-standing, exceptional contribution to community service through his/her employment at the Firm, in recognition of the spirit and philosophy of respect and egalitarianism Dushman had for everyone in the Brown Rudnick workplace. 

Among her many philanthropic activities, Benoit serves on the board of directors for the Aurora Foundation for Girls, an organization which invests in and inspires women and girls in the Greater Hartford community and she was instrumental in organizing a very successful fundraiser for the Foundation this past spring.   Through Aurora, Benoit has become involved with Grace Academy, a middle school for girls in Hartford and Aurora grant recipient. She donated typing software to their library and works with the 8th grade girls who are applying to high schools by assisting them with the application process and financial aid forms as well as taking them on tours of the prospective high schools.  Benoit is also an advocate and volunteer for Hartford Boys and Girls Club for the annual SMART girls conference, which helps girls develop a healthy attitude and lifestyle, positive self-concepts, sound decision making skills, and mentor relationships.  

As a member of the Firm's Hartford office, Benoit  coordinates the office book drive to support Reach Out and Read.  She created a research project for the high school girls from Village of Family and Children (formerly Grey Lodge) for their day-long visit to Brown Rudnick and for those high school girls, created lists of websites that would be useful to such as research/homework/college planning sites. She interacts as an intermediary between Aurora Foundation and the Hartford office, and is supportive of Hartford office pro bono events.

 

posted by Kathleen at 8:44 AM 0 Comments

Monday, May 13, 2013

Teen Day of Service supports special needs community

Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect), hosted J-Serve: Community-wide Teen Day of Service recently bringint together 50 teens and 30 students from the University of Hartford (UHA) for an interactive day of learning and service.

As part of a nation-wide day of community service, Hartford area Jewish teens came together with UHA students to build and decorate musical instruments. The instruments, designed by University of Hartford instructor Ryan Wolfe and students from his design classes, will be donated to organizations in Israel that work with children and teens with special needs.

Shayna Gopin, director of our local Friendship Circle, worked with the teens on understanding what it might be like to have a physical or mental disability. Gopin shared the importance of creating an inclusive community and tied her presentation to the celebration of Lag B'Omer.

Teens and the UHA students worked alongside special needs teens to create instruments by painting, gluing, stringing, and filling drums, xylophones, shakers, and glockenspiels.

J-Serve: Community-wide Teen Day of Service is a collaborative effort, sponsored by Beth El Temple, B'nai Brith Youth Organization, B'nai Tikvoh Sholom, The Emanuel Synagogue, Friendship Circle, Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation, Hebrew High School of New England, Jewish Teen Learning Connection, The Mandell Jewish Community Center and United Synagogue Youth. The day was partially funded by a grant from J-Serve: Jewish Teens Serving the World.

          

posted by Kathleen at 9:59 AM 0 Comments

West Hartford student joins Law Day celebration at Appellate Court

NEW BRITAIN— Duffy Elementary School student, Katie Simpson participated in the Law Day celebration hosted by the Connecticut Bar Association and the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 2. This year's theme, declared by the American Bar Association, was "Realizing the Dream, Equality for All." The program featured a dramatic reading of important documents in United States history regarding the right of equal protection under the law by students from across the state. These documents included portions of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Fourteen and Nineteen Amendments of the United States Constitution.

The Honorable Alexandra DiPentima, Chief Appellate Court Judge, welcomed attendees to the 2013 Law Day Celebration and described the ceremony as "bringing the bench, bar, and public together to celebrate the rule of law." In reflection on the planning of this year's Law Day, DiPentima said that the words from our founding documents paired with the power from our next generation was the best way to celebrate.

Superior Court Judge Susan B. Handy then introduced the ceremony's moderator, Attorney Eric Parker, morning co-anchor for WFSB Channel 3 News.

Katie was among 20 students from across the state selected by the Connecticut Bar Association's Civics Education Committee to participate in this year's Law Day celebration. After the readings, Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill presented citations to each of the students. 

The Connecticut Bar Association is a membership organization serving Connecticut attorneys and the legal profession by working to advance the principles of justice, the practice of law, the image of the profession, and public understanding of the law.

 


 

Caption (L to R): Duffy Elementary School student Katie Simpson receiving her Law Day citation from Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill.

Photo by Dan Anderson, Connecticut Bar Association.

posted by Kathleen at 9:29 AM 0 Comments

Monday, May 6, 2013

New art gallery opens at Holy Family Center in West Hartford

The Golden Thread Gallery is a new nonprofit arts organization established in 2013 with the mission of connecting the human spirit through the arts at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, located at 303 Tunxis Road.

The gallery will host "Paint the Grounds," a wine tasting and art auction from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. The opening of its first exhibit "Stillness" is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Sat., Sept.14.

The Golden Thread Gallery has created a beautiful and professional gallery space and established new and exciting ways to support artists.

"Our goal is to inspire artists to create meaningful work that seeks to challenge, and educate the viewer," Kate Wilson, co- founder and curator.

 The Golden Thread is the invisible, underlying connector that weaves the spirit of humanity, revealing differences and illuminating what is common.  The golden quality of this project dictates the art should reflect our higher nature, art that can and will uplift, inspire, challenge and provoke as well as unite the artists with one another, and with the viewer.

The Golden Thread Gallery will regularly schedule inspirational exhibits, talks, lectures and workshops that will provide a wide and diverse perspective that will creatively enhance and impact our faith through artistic exploration.

"We are so pleased that the Golden Thread Gallery has chosen Holy Family for their home, now known for our professional and inspiring music ministry, this gallery will add a new visual dimension to further enhance the important we do here, as well as open up Holy Family to a whole new group of visitors," said Father David Cinquegrani, retreat director.

For more information please contact us at 860-760-9766 or info@goldenthreadgallery.org

 

posted by Kathleen at 1:15 PM 0 Comments

Mandell JCC Prepares to Modernize Community Playground

The Mandell JCC is preparing to modernize Jonathan's Dream Playground, announced David Jacobs, Executive Director of the Mandell JCC. Effective immediately, the playground on the Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Ave.
The park will be closed to the community while the space is deconstructed and refurbishment plans are developed. A free gathering entitled Imagine What Could Be, will take place at the Mandell JCC, and unveil potential play-area concepts, and will solicit community feedback from children and adults. Imagine What Could Be will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Jonathan's Dream was originally developed in 1996 by West Hartford residents, the Barzach family, to celebrate the life and memory of their son, Jonathan. The playground was the first of its kind, designed to welcome all children, regardless of their physical abilities. The decision to redesign the playground, which coincides with what would have been Jonathan's 19th birthday, is the result of an annual safety inspection earlier this year.
 "Playgrounds typically have a lifespan of 15- to 20-years," said Amy Jaffe Barzach, creator of Jonathan's Dream. "We were anticipating a modification to the playground at some point."
The Mandell JCC professional staff and lay leaders envision a new, all-abilities inclusive, active and engaging space to be built on the site of the current playscape. A plan of potential layouts will be unveiled to the community at the Imagine What Could Be gathering. An estimated timeline of the revamp process will also be available at the gathering. The gathering, which is open to both children and adults, will include a free pasta dinner and salad. Pre-registration for the dinner is required by Monday, May 20, 2013; contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571 for details and registration

posted by Kathleen at 1:08 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Watkinson students join in service with Hartford mayor

Watkinson School had their annual tradition of Service Day on Friday April 26.  Watkinson's Service Day is a school wide event where student advisory groups do community service projects throughout Hartford and the surrounding area as a part of the school's mission and educational philosophy.

One of the sites involved students who cleaned up, weeded, and mulched the Knox Garden which is a community garden where the people of Hartford can grow their own food and flowers.  Students used pitchforks, hoes, rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows to prepare the gardens. Mayor Segarra was on hand for Arbor Day to participate in a tree-planting ceremony and talked to the students about the importance of planting trees and his commitment to this effort in Hartford.  

Watkinson School is Hartford's oldest independent day school serving students in grades 6-12 and The Academy, a post graduate program.

(In photo from left to right):  Suleman Khalid '19 of Farmington,  David Cassenti of Moodus,  Caiden Neville-Smith '17 of Farmington, Chris Nixon '17 of Glastonbury, Michael Francalangia '19 of West Hartford, Hannah Pareles '18 of Farmington,  Jennifer Esposito of Windsor, Lillian Parrotta '18 of Hartford,  Nathan Bergin '17 of Farmington, Mateo Carrabba '19 of West Hartford,  Max Krikorian '17 of Simsbury,  and Mayor Segarra.

posted by Kathleen at 12:37 PM 0 Comments

SummerWood resident receives art award in West Hartford

Hoffman SummerWood Resident Receives Art Award

 

West Hartford - SummerWood resident Lucille Mandell was recently awarded with an honorable mention for her submission in the Assisted Living Federation of America's (ALFA) Senior Living Art Showcase.

ALFA received over 900 submissions from residents of senior living communities of which 47 received this recognition. A collage made of torn pieces of paper,  Mandell's beach scene titled "Great Grandmother and Great Grandson" will be featured along with other winners on a t-shirt and at the ALFA website at www.alfa.org.

When asked how she felt about the award, Mandell replied that she "made a hole in the ceiling, I jumped so high with excitement."

Hoffman SummerWood Community is a national award winning senior living community and is an affiliate of Hebrew Health Care. For more information on SummerWood call 860-523-3808 or visit their website at www.hoffmansummerwood.org.

posted by Kathleen at 12:32 PM 0 Comments

Solomon Schechter Day School 'Hero Show' a favorite tradition

First graders at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford today slipped into of one the biggest roles of their lives as they presented their heroes during the annual "Hero Show" produced by first grade teacher Joyce Ben-Kiki. 

The show was the culmination of several month of research and stage preparation during which they learned the importance of respecting differences and identifying the qualities that make a hero.  

This year, twelve students presented an exceptional line-up of heroes and demonstrated how these people have impacted our world and made it a better place to live. Among them were Thomas Edison, Carolyn Kuan, Ann Frank, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr.,  Daniel David Palmer, Sandy Koufax, Sally Ride, Neil Armstrong, Abraham Lincoln and Margot Fonteyn. 

"This is one of the school's favorite traditions for both young and old alike," said Joyce Ben Kiki. We have the opportunity to enjoy watching the first graders express their admiration for their personal heroes and role models. These heroic people can range from past presidents to sport heroes, from artists to musician, or their very own parents. 

"I've doing this show for more than 20 years now and every year is like the first time. I am amazed at how talented these kids are and how much they learn, grow and understand the values we are trying to communicate," added Ben-Kiki.

posted by Kathleen at 12:17 PM 0 Comments

'Job shadow' brings West Hartford 4th grader to state Senate

HARTFORD -- State Senator Beth Bye  welcomed Natalia Rolon of West Hartford to the state Senate Chamber as part of Natalia's 'job shadow' of Sen. Bye. 

Natalia was a member of a Girl Scout troop that Sen. Bye had recently met with; the senator encouraged the girls to get involved in the lawmaking process because there are not enough women in politics.  

Natalia, a 4th-grader at the Bugbee Elementary School, took Sen. Bye up on her offer and 'shadowed' the senator for several hours on a day the legislature was in session. She met Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, spoke with lobbyists and advocates, reviewed the Senate calendar and bill amendments, and watched Sen. Bye communicate with constituents and other legislators via e-mail.    

"I learned that things move very slowly. I learned that the schedule is completely full, and you can't squeeze anything in," said Natalia. "I think I could be good at being a senator if I worked hard at it and did my best."  

"Natalia is exactly the kind of young woman we want involved in government someday: she is bright, attentive, and very involved with her community," said Sen. Bye. "Those are the ingredients for an effective public advocate, whether it's on the town council or board of education or here in the General Assembly."

posted by Kathleen at 12:09 PM 0 Comments

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