Two Northwest Catholic students recognize

Two Northwest Catholic Students Recognized by National Achievement Scholarship Program
Two Northwest Catholic High School seniors have been recognized as Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, based on their exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQTs they took in October 2012, when they were juniors.
Anthony Laureno '14 of East Granby and Simone Smith '14 of West Hartford are among the top 3 percent of more than 160,000 Black Americans who requested consideration in the 2014 National Achievement Program when they took the PSAT/NMSQT last year.
Northwest Catholic previously announced that one student from the Class of 2014, Thienly Nguyen of Windsor, has been named a National Merit Semifinalist – among the top 1% highest scoring students of the more than 1.5 million students who took the exam. Another four students were named National Merit Commended Students – among the 5% highest-scoring students who took the exam.
"We are very proud of Anthony and Simone and wish them all the best in the college application process" said Principal Margaret Williamson.
Since 1961, Northwest Catholic's mission has been to educate the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and soul. Enrollment for the Class of '18 is now under way, and prospective students are invited to the Open House at Northwest Catholic on November 3, 2013. For more information, contact Andrew Selig (860-236-4221, x140 or aselig@nwcath.org).

Literacy volunteers have big impact locally

Connecticut has the widest education achievement gap in the nation. In 2013, according to the Connecticut State Department of Education, 48 percent of children in grades 3 and 4 in the Hartford area are reading below grade level.

Literacy volunteers are changing those numbers. This month, 100 returning volunteers and 30 newly trained reading mentors from the Hartford Jewish Coalition for Literacy (HJCL) will begin reading with students in six towns in the Hartford area. Studies continually show that one key predictor of reading success is how much time a child spends reading and repeated reading, in a focused setting. This skill-building is what reading mentors are training to do.

 

HJCL volunteers complete a half-day training to become mentors. HJCL then pairs these adults with at-risk children in preschool and elementary school, where they read together a half-hour a week for 10 weeks.  During the 2012-2013 school year, the Coalition served 295 children and conducted 4200 reading sessions at a total of 13 schools.

 

The Coalition boasted an incredibly high success rate for the 2012-2013 school year: 84 percent of children who worked with a reading mentor performed at average, above average or excellent levels based on teachers' year end evaluation of test scores and overall progress.

 

HJCL has three signature programs: Preschool Pals is designed to help children who enter Kindergarten without the background of conversation, life experiences and books vital to becoming a reader. Volunteers read with children in their classrooms and after school.

 

The Elementary Express program boosts literacy levels in children in Kindergarten through third grade.  Sessions are broken out into reading aloud, shared reading and independent reading.  

 

Reading Buddies gives Jewish Day school students from a chance to mentor Kindergarten students in Hartford and Bloomfield for about one month in the Spring.

 

While there is no one secret to successfully turning the numbers around, Marge Swaye, chair of the Hartford Jewish Coalition for Literacy (HJCL), says each year the Coalition performs a rigorous analysis of its work to assess their impact and strategize for the coming year. The Connecticut Council for Education Reform also notes in its executive summary that although progress has been slow, it is the continuous, measurable successes that are key.

 

 

The three volunteer opportunities are programs of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs voice of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. HJCL is an Affiliate of the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy. Major funding is provided by the Jewish Community Foundation, SBM Charitable Foundation, and the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation and the Samuel Roskin Trust at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

 

For more information, please call 860-236-READ (7323) or email hjcl@jewishhartford.org

 

Art League seeks help with 80th anniversary project

WEST HARTFORD>>The West Hartford Art League will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2014, and now request public support to help paint a picture of our history with your work.
Founded in 1934 by two artists, the West Hartford Art League has long been a fixture in West Hartford and in the region. Not only were our founders Rebecca Field Jones and Ruth Patterson highly regarded artists and teachers, our Schoolhouse Building on Mountain Road, built in the 1870's, was the towns original one room schoolhouse called the West School.  The Saltbox Gallery on Buena Vista Road dates from the 1750's and is on the National Historic Register. The Clubhouse Gallery where we now offer summer camp, monthly exhibits and teach classes used to be the Clubhouse for the Golf Course on Buena Vista Road.
Over the years, we've heard stories from people who took art classes at the West School when The Art League opened in the 1930's, or who went to school there before we opened. We're interested in your knowledge and photographs as a way to document our history as an organization over the last 80 years. If you have any photos, paintings, or newspaper clippings dating from the 1930's to present time that you think might interest us, we would love to hear from you. We are in the midst of planning a special 80th Anniversary celebration, and your help will be appreciated. Please contact Roxanne Stachelek, Executive Director at (860) 231-8019 or by e-mail at director@whal.org.

Photo: painting of the Schoolhouse building at 87 Mountain Road.

Watkinson sends envoy to help Dominican Republic

HARTFORD>>Watkinson School will send forty travelers to spend a week in La Romana, Dominican Republic from November 23-30, 2013. Watkinson's team will be hosted by the Good Samaritan Hospital, an organization linked to the Massachusetts-based Good Samaritan Mission Council. The travelers will spend their week running medical clinics, distributing food and building hurricane-proof homes for the displaced Haitians who live in sugar cane work camps, also known as bateys.
Watkinson's next open house is December 3rd at 6pm.
The group, led by Watkinson's Communication Director Jenni French (of Wallingford) and Dean of Faculty Sandy García (of Hartford), is comprised of 19 students age 13-18 and 21 alumni, faculty members and parents. This is the fourth annual service-learning trip Watkinson has sent to this region. This year, the trip has travelers from several other organizations joining the team, including Hartford's University High School of Science and Engineering (UHSSE), the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Miss Porter's School.

Co-leader Jenni French commented, "Watkinson is privileged to be forming partnerships with the University High School of Engineering and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. A Watkinson alum, Liz Benfield (of Wethersfield) went on this trip in 2012. Liz teaches Spanish at the UHSSE and as soon as we returned from La Romana last year Liz started planning with me how to get a group of her students to join our team. Similarly, an alumni parent, Kiki Nissen (of Farmington), is Associate Dean for graduate medical education at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and helped us enlist three residents to work with our team on the medical clinics we run. We are excited for these new partnerships to develop in the years to come."

The service trip to the Dominican Republic is part of Watkinson's popular Global Studies program that has curricular, co-curricular, travel, and service learning components. The mission of Watkinson's Global Studies Program is to develop in students the power to be knowledgeable and effective world citizens—acting locally and globally—and to foster respect for diverse people and cultures.

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Mandell JCC and free Chanukah fun for the family

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, is early this year and the Mandell JCC is ready to celebrate, with free fun for the family, including readings, candle lightings, tastings, and hands-on activities to celebrate Chanukah at various locations throughout Greater Hartford and at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue.
 Chanukah 2013 begins at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 with daily (with the exception of Thursday, November 28) candle lighting ceremonies through Wednesday, December 4. Stop by the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, for Simsbury Celebrates Chanukah, an evening of playing with dreidels, decorating cards for residents in local assisted living facilities, and candle lighting. Enjoy family time and hands-on fun at Chanukah at the Children's Museum on Sunday, December 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Children's Museum of Connecticut, 950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford. Donations of one unwrapped children's toy per child attending will be accepted in lieu of an entry fee and registration for this event is required by Tuesday, November 26.  A planetarium show, Chanukah crafts and snacks are all included and families will have full use of the museum and all exhibits.
 The fun continues on Monday, December 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Mandell JCC for the annual Latke Throwdown, where you can sample various traditional and new potato pancake recipes. On Tuesday, December 3, PJ Library Chanukah stories will be read at Barnes & Noble in Canton at 11:00 a.m. and then visit the Mandell JCC from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Edible Dreidels and Chanukah Crafts. Chanukah PJ Library Storytime continues at Barnes & Noble in Blue Back Square in West Hartford at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mandell JCC. On Thursday, December 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., get ready for family fun at Big Tent Chanukah in Blue Back Square at the Annual Holiday Stroll, including songs, Chanukah stories, and more. Wrap up the festivities by learning about holiday traditions from around the world at Second Saturdays for Families on Sunday, December 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main Street, Hartford.
 For more information on the Mandell JCC's free Chanukah events, contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571, or visit www.mandelljcc.org. For news and updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.
The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. All dates and programs subject to change.

Resident collects eyeglasses for needy

Paula Dunn, Hebrew Health Care's Resident Council President, has been on a mission for the past several months to collect as many used pairs of eyeglasses as she can for the Lion's Club; reaching out to family members, friends, staff, volunteers and board members of Hebrew Health Care to assist her. Driven to help those less fortunate by giving them the gift of sight, her hard work paid off when she was able to collect a box of glasses and present it to a member of the local Lion's Club, Christopher Wicke.

 

Hebrew Health Care is a non-profit, non-sectarian health care provider featuring a full spectrum of integrated and seamless in-patient; out-patient and community based geriatric services to meet the needs of older adults in the Greater Hartford community. Hebrew Health Care is committed to providing comprehensive care of the elderly. Not simply saying it, not simply building it, HHC does it – every day, every week, every year, for over 100 years. Hebrew Health Care's commitment to the elderly in the Greater Hartford area is unparalleled and is the foundation on which our reputation for excellence is based.

Mercy chief to vice chair LeadingAge Connecticut

WEST HARTFORD—The Mercy Community has announced that its President and CEO, William J. Fiocchetta of Granby, has been elected as an officer for LeadingAge Connecticut. Fiocchetta will serve a one-year term as vice chair for the statewide organization.
LeadingAge Connecticut is a membership organization representing more than 130 non-for-profit mission driven provider organizations serving elderly and disabled individuals across the continuum of care, including nursing homes, residential care homes, housing for the elderly, continuing care retirement communities, adult day centers, home care agencies and assisted living.
To find out more about The Mercy Community, its full range of services and senior living options for residents please visit, www.TheMercyCommunity.org.

Area churches to join in celebration of Thanksgiving

WEST HARTFORD>>St. John's Episcopal Church and the clergy, choirs and congregations of St. John's and Congregation Beth Israel (next door to St. John's) will combine in the season of Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24.
After the 1992 fire at St. John's which moved its worship temporarily to Beth Israel, an interfaith Thanksgiving service was a regular annual celebration for a decade; after a lapse, the service has been reorganized in celebration of strong common ties that continue. Next year it will be held at Congregation Beth Israel. Come and give thanks.
 "St. John's Church and Congregation Beth Israel have a relationship not because we are seeking to experience diversity of faith but because our connection to each other was forged in fire," said Rev. Hope Eakins, Interim Rector of St. John's.  "Beth Israel opened its doors to us when our church burned down in 1992.  Since then we are bound to each other in friendship and gratitude that forms a basis for giving thanks together."
This service is an opportunity for Jewish and Christian congregations to combine in worship, particularly the many volunteers from both faith traditions which serve the West Hartford community. Prayers and readings from sources as diverse as former Connecticut Governor Wilbur Cross, George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, and an adaptation of Woodrow Wilsons's "How the Nation can Best Show its Gratitude" are supplemented by Scripture, a Litany of Thanks and a Litany of Peace. Choral music includes compositions by Congregation Beth Israel's and St. John's own Directors of Music, J.S. Bach, Mary Plumstead, and Erik Contzius, some repeating joint repertoire sung in concert by the combined choirs in a Celebration of Psalms this past May. Hymns for all to sing round out the service.
A collection of non-perishable food items for the West Hartford Food Bank will be blessed during the service.
For further information, please contact St. John's Church at (860) 523-5201 or visit www.sjparish.net; or contact Congregation Beth Israel at (860) 233-8215 or visit www.cbict.org.

Sedgwick special needs students get interactive with veteran

WEST HARTFORD>>Each year,  Sedgwick students and teachers  strive to honor Veteran's Day in the classroom with interactive activities.
Students in Ms. Croce's special needs classroom got a real treat this November. when Staff Sargent  Christopher Shea, a visiting veteran, entertained students with details of his duties during both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  while giving them the opportunity to try on his  boots, backpack, vest and helmet as well as check out his  compass , night  vision light and safety glasses.  Shea, a member of the CT Army National Guard Army , enlisted in March of 2004.     Shea was a sophomore in high school during 9/11 and  both his parents were active duty Army members. Both of these helped to solidify his desire to serve his country.

Vets talk to St. Thomas students on Veteran's Day

WEST HARTFORD>>During the month of November, Kindergarten students at St. Thomas the Apostle School have been learning how members of the armed services help others in our country and around the globe.
Teachers, Danielle Riley and Laurel Schaffman read stories to the children about the different branches of the armed services and how each group serves our country and helps people in different ways.  Several students whose parents or other relatives currently serve, or have recently served in the armed services, brought in pictures and shared stories.  Two students brought in dolls that were made and given to them by a parent who was stationed overseas.
The teachers explained that being a member of the armed services is not just about going to war, that men and women who serve in the military can also be doctors, nurses, medics and other professionals who care for people in need.
The students learned that these adults are very brave, but they are still people, just like us.  While serving our country, and especially when they come home after their service, they need our extra care and support.
Teachers and students incorporated their study of the subject into multiple areas of the curriculum: religion, art and literacy:  In religion class, the students talked about the importance of showing our love and appreciation to others. They also learned even the bravest of people still need a word of encouragement now and then.  In art class, students created beautifully hand-painted flags, which were laminated and can be used as placemats.  In literacy centers, students practiced their best handwriting to write letters thanking the veterans for the many ways they help people across the world. 
The placemats and letters were delivered to the Newington VA Clinic by Schaffman and riley on Saturday, making plans for similar projects later in the school year, near Memorial Day. 

Military veterans share experiences with NWC students

 WEST HARTFORD>>Northwest Catholic welcomed two US veterans for a special Veterans Day assembly on November 11. Dan Crowley, an alumni parent, and Army Captain Joshua Sider '03 addressed the student body about their own experiences in the military and how that has influenced their lives.
Crowley, father of Janet Crowley Sackbauer '69, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in October of 1940. During World War II, he was stationed in the Pacific, most notably fighting in the Battle of Bataan in 1942. When 12,000 American soldiers and 60,000 Filipino soldiers surrendered on April 9, 1942 to the Imperial Japanese Army, Crowley and a group of his fellow soldiers refused to surrender, making their way to the island of Corregidor, where they continued to fight the Japanese. But after Corregidor fell to the Japanese on May 6, 1942, Crowley became a Japanese prisoner of war for 42 months, until Japan surrendered in September of 1945.
Crowley spoke to students about the brutal treatment he and the thousands of other prisoners of war endured on the Bataan Death March and in the years that followed, including the forced labor camp, the conditions they lived in and the constant threat of execution they faced on a daily basis. He described life as a prisoner of war as "wondering each day if it was going to be your last day."
Sider entered the US Military Academy at West Point following graduation from Northwest Catholic in June of 2003, graduating from the academy with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2007. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry and, following training at Fort Benning, Georgia, was deployed to eastern Afghanistan. He initially served as Platoon Leader in Afghanistan, later serving as Executive Officer and Assistant Operations Officer during his later deployments to the region. Sider's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He is now assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.
Sider spoke to students about how Northwest Catholic influenced his decision to join the military, saying the school encouraging him to think beyond himself and focus on serving others – something that he continues to focus on in his military service today.
During the course of the day, Northwest Catholic students also signed "thank you" cards to veterans. The cards were created by members of the Global Awareness Club and will be included in Christmas packages being sent to active duty soldiers overseas.
Since 1961, Northwest Catholic's mission has been to educate the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and soul. Enrollment for the Class of '18 is now under way, and prospective students are invited to the take the Entrance Exam at Northwest Catholic on November 16 or December 7, 2013. For more information, contact Andrew Selig (860-236-4221, x140 or aselig@nwcath.org).

Enrollment opens at the USJ for Young Children

WEST HARTFORD – The School for Young Children at the University of Saint Joseph will hold open enrollment for the 2014-2015 school year, starting November 18, 2013. Members of the general public are invited to submit applications, which can be downloaded from the School's website: www.usj.edu/syc.
 The School for Young Children is a nationally accredited preschool program that serves children age 3-5 through part- and full-day programs, including summer camp. Enrollment is open throughout the year, although spaces fill quickly. Interested families can also arrange to tour the facility and learn more about the School's child-responsive, play-based curriculum, as well as its focus on science and nature.
 Founded in 1936, the School was one of the first preschools in the state and one of the first student laboratory programs in the nation. Defining qualities include:
·      Highly trained and experienced teaching staff — all classroom teachers hold Education degrees
·      Child-responsive play-based curriculum — responds to the needs and interests of children
·      Located on an expansive 5-acre nature preserve with a nature trail
·      Half-day and full-day options
 For further information or to get started on an enrollment application, visit the website at www.usj.edu/syc or contact Diane Morton, director at dmorton@usj.edu or 860-231-5560.

St. Thomas students get lessons about armed forces

This November, Kindergarten students at St. Thomas the Apostle School have been learning how members of the armed services help others in our country and around the globe. Their teachers, Danielle Riley and Laurel Schaffman, read stories to the children about the different branches of the armed services and how each group serves our country and helps people in different ways.  Several students whose parents or other relatives currently serve, or have recently served in the armed services, brought in pictures and shared stories.  Two students brought in dolls that were made and given to them by a parent who was stationed overseas. 

The teachers explained that being a member of the armed services is not just about going to war.  "Men and women who serve in the military can also be doctors, nurses, medics and other professionals who care for people in need,"  Miss Schaffman told the students.  The students learned that these adults are very brave, but they are still people, just like us.  While serving our country, and especially when they come home after their service, they need our extra care and support.

Teachers and students incorporated their study of the subject into multiple areas of the curriculum: Religion, art and literacy:  In Religion class, the students talked about the importance of showing our love and appreciation to others. They also learned even the bravest of people still need a word of encouragement now and then.  In art class, students created beautifully hand-painted flags, which were laminated and can be used as placemats.  In literacy centers, students practiced their best handwriting to write letters thanking the veterans for the many ways they help people across the world.  The placemats and letters were delivered to the Newington VA Clinic by Miss Schaffman and Miss Riley on Saturday, November 9^th, with plans for similar projects later in the school year, particularly near Memorial Day.  Later this month, students will correspond via email with Miss Riley's cousin, Blake Savard, who is in the Air Force and currently stationed in California.  The students are looking forward to learning more about his job and how he came to join the military. 

 "This project provided a great opportunity for our students to learn how they can help others, even at their young age.  Our discussions also inspired some interesting conversations about what the children might like to be when they grow up," she added.   

 

Caption for photo:  St. Thomas the Apostle School Kindergarten students show some of the projects they made which were given to veterans at the Newington VA Clinic.  Standing is: Sydney Campbell, Dorothy Fox, Weston Samson and Chantelle Rodriguez.  Sittting (from l to r) is:  Donovan Dowd and Sophia Garza.  

 

 

Military veterans share with Northwest Catholic students

WEST HARTFORD>>Northwest Catholic welcomed two US veterans for a special Veterans Day assembly on November 11. Dan Crowley, an alumni parent, and Army Captain Joshua Sider '03 addressed the student body about their own experiences in the military and how that has influenced their lives.
Crowley, father of Janet Crowley Sackbauer '69, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in October of 1940. During World War II, he was stationed in the Pacific, most notably fighting in the Battle of Bataan in 1942. When 12,000 American soldiers and 60,000 Filipino soldiers surrendered on April 9, 1942 to the Imperial Japanese Army, Crowley and a group of his fellow soldiers refused to surrender, making their way to the island of Corregidor, where they continued to fight the Japanese. But after Corregidor fell to the Japanese on May 6, 1942, Crowley became a Japanese prisoner of war for 42 months, until Japan surrendered in September of 1945.
Crowley spoke to students about the brutal treatment he and the thousands of other prisoners of war endured on the Bataan Death March and in the years that followed, including the forced labor camp, the conditions they lived in and the constant threat of execution they faced on a daily basis. He described life as a prisoner of war as "wondering each day if it was going to be your last day."
Sider entered the US Military Academy at West Point following graduation from Northwest Catholic in June of 2003, graduating from the academy with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2007. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry and, following training at Fort Benning, Georgia, was deployed to eastern Afghanistan. He initially served as Platoon Leader in Afghanistan, later serving as Executive Officer and Assistant Operations Officer during his later deployments to the region. Sider's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He is now assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.
Sider spoke to students about how Northwest Catholic influenced his decision to join the military, saying the school encouraging him to think beyond himself and focus on serving others – something that he continues to focus on in his military service today.
During the course of the day, Northwest Catholic students also signed "thank you" cards to veterans. The cards were created by members of the Global Awareness Club and will be included in Christmas packages being sent to active duty soldiers overseas.
Since 1961, Northwest Catholic's mission has been to educate the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and soul. Enrollment for the Class of '18 is now under way, and prospective students are invited to the take the Entrance Exam at Northwest Catholic on November 16 or December 7, 2013. For more information, contact Andrew Selig (860-236-4221, x140 or aselig@nwcath.org).

Photo: Northwest Catholic principal Margaret Williamson, Social Studies Department Chair Paul Fitzpatrick, Captain Joshua Sider '03, Dan Crowley, Northwest Catholic President David Eustis, and Northwest Catholic Advancement Office Colby Thresher

Renbrook website wins web award for outstanding site

HARTFORD>> The Web Marketing Association announced the winners of its 17th annual WebAward Competition for website development, awarding Renbrook School their Outstanding Web Site WebAward.
More than 1,500 entries from 40 countries were adjudicated in 96 industry categories during this year's competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.
Renbrook partnered with East Hartford-based Finalsite to complete the redesign of the school's website.  The new responsive design website was launched in March 2013, and has experienced a forty seven percent increase in site traffic in the last six months. Responsive design allows the Renbrook website to automatically adjust its format and presentation to the device from which it is viewed. Reformatting all essential information to fit the viewing screen provides visitors with a seamless experience across devices. 
 Other 2013 Outstanding Web Site award recipients include Google Think Insights, The Mayo Clinic, Disney, Kaman Corporation, and Tesla Motors among others.
"It's incredible to have our website receive the same award as Google, Disney, United Technologies, and Toyota," says Mercedes Maskalik, Renbrook's Director of Marketing and Communications. "The team at Finalsite is knowledgeable, efficient, and creative, with meticulous attention to detail. This award is a true testament to their dedication to producing high quality websites."

Mercy Community energized by fuel savings program

WEST HARTFORD—The Mercy Community, a continuing care community in West Hartford, is participating in Energize CT, an energy efficiency program that installed new high efficiency, self condensing, gas fired boiler units and hot water tanks at its Frances Warde Towers Apartments.
 The project accounts for heat for 97 apartments and two commercial kitchens in the building. It is estimated to save about 60 percent of gas yearly.
 Based on the new boilers' 92 percent efficiency rating, a $30,000 rebate was given to Mercy through the state and utility funded program, Energize CT.
 "We are thrilled to participate in the Energize CT program, and to be upgrading our physical plant to help the environment and save energy. The program is a true win-win for everyone," said Mercy Community President & CEO, Bill Fiocchetta. "The Mercy Community and our residents have always been respectful of the world we live in, and in taking these small steps, we hope to continue to further our efforts to be energy efficient," added Fiocchetta. 
 To learn more about Energize CT visit, www.EnergizeCT.com, and to find out more about The Mercy Community and their full scope of services available, please call 860.570.8400 or visit www.TheMercyCommunity.org. 

PHOTO:Paul Strycharz of Eastford, CT, general manager for Facilities Engineering at Saint Mary Home in West Hartford (left,) presents Mercy President and CEO Bill Fiocchetta with a $30,000 rebate check from the "Energize CT" program. Paul coordinated the project to upgrade the boiler for The Frances Warde Towers Apartments at Saint Mary Home for better efficiency.