Hepburn: From Hartford To Hollywood
GLASTONBURY — Welles-Turner Library Memorial Library, 2407 Main St., will host ‘Katharine Hepburn: From Hartford To Hollywood’ on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Welles-Turner Memorial Library’s Friends Room.
With a stage and film career that spanned six decades, Hepburn is an American icon. Born and raised in Connecticut, Hepburn had a career in stage, film and television that reflected the changing role of women in American society. The story of her life-long ties to Connecticut offers a complete picture of how Hepburn became the woman and the star she was. This presentation will link her career and legacy to her roots in Connecticut to ask how she achieved her truly extraordinary legacy. Seating is limited, so registration is required online or at the Reference Desk at 860-652-7720.
Presenter Taylor McClure is a museum educator at the Connecticut Historical Society. She teaches educational programs for school and adult groups both at the museum and on location. Taylor is a former high school social studies teacher, with a B.A. in history and a master’s in teaching from the University of Washington.
The Biggest Little Farm Screening
GLASTONBURY — The Land Heritage Coalition of Glastonbury, Inc. will present a public screening of John Chester’s award-winning film “The Biggest Little Farm” at the Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles St., on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
This 90-minute film, the second in the LHC’s 2019-2020 film series, will begin at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. Glastonbury farmers Bethanne Couture and Chris Bassette will offer views about local farming as an introduction to the film. Event sponsors include 2 Hopewell, Wind Hill Community Farm and Cotton Hollow Kitchen.
“The Biggest Little Farm” chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they leave their city lives to realize their dream—to create a 200 acre farm from barren land in California. Through perseverance and acceptance of nature’s challenges, the Chesters uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and their wildest imagination.
Featuring breathtaking cinematography, captivating animals, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call, “The Biggest Little Farm” provides a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet. The filmmaker, John Chester, was inspired to make the film several years into the project, when he realized that weeds, insects, and wildlife that were considered pests were actually cycling nutrients back into the soil, improving the health of the crops. In a way, John and Molly Chester’s farm was building a complex immune system.
Since its release in 2018, “The Little Biggest Farm” has been featured at 27 film festivals and has 15 festival wins, including Best Documentary at the Denver International Film Festival (2018) and the Sarasota Film Festival (2019), Best Culinary Film at the Newport Beach Film Festival (2019), the Critics Choice Best Cinematography Award (2019), and a nomination for the Society of Composers and Lyricists Award for Outstanding Original Score (2020).
The Land Heritage Coalition of Glastonbury, Inc. focuses on local land use issues, seeking ways to foster support of farming, to preserve open space, and to protect wetlands, floodplains, surface and groundwater sources. Visit www.lhcglastonbury.org for more information.
Eversource Programs Help Manage Energy Bills
AREA — With the start of a new year, Eversource is reminding customers of the various options available to help them manage their energy use and bills. Recognizing it can be difficult for some customers to pay their energy bills, the company offers several assistance programs, such as Budget Billing, Winter Protection, Matching Payment or New Start – which helps reduce or eliminate past-due balances.
“We understand the effect high electricity prices can have on our customers, particularly those facing difficult financial circumstances, and we want to help if they’re struggling to pay their energy bill,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. “Like our customers, we have no control over fluctuating energy prices, but the variety of programs we offer can help people manage their energy bills and reduce energy consumption. We encourage all of our customers to see if one of our programs is right for them.”
Eversource offers several financial assistance programs and energy efficiency solutions to help customers: Billing and Payment Programs: For all customers. Budget Billing: Customers pay a predetermined monthly amount based on their average monthly bills to avoid drastic peaks during months of high energy use.
Payment Plans: Customers with a past-due balance or late with a payment can set up a payment arrangement and should contact Eversource to do so.
Hardship Programs: For income-eligible customers. Winter Protection: Customer’s account is protected from service disconnection Nov. 1 through May 1, regardless of bill payment status, with no late payment charges.
New Start: Customers can reduce or eliminate their outstanding balance in as little as 12 months when they make on-time monthly payments and Eversource will make up the difference.
Matching Payment: Customers apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), then determine the amount of money they can afford to pay each month and set up a payment arrangement with Eversource. For every dollar a customer pays toward their bill by the agreed-upon time each month, a dollar will be credited to their past-due amount.
Customers are encouraged to call the energy company at 800-286-2828 or visit “Help Pay My Bill” on Eversource.com to find out more about these programs.
Eversource also recommends customers take advantage of the company’s energy efficiency offerings which can help reduce energy usage and help keep energy bills down year-round. Customers are encouraged to do the following.
Sign up for Home Energy SolutionsSM: A certified technician checks a customer’s home to identify places it can be tightened up to save money and energy. The technician makes on-the-spot improvements such as sealing up drafty doors and windows, closing air gaps around pipes and upgrading to LED lighting. This service is available to income-eligible customers at no cost.
Create an online energy savings plan: Customers can better understand and manage their energy usage and costs. Customers should visit Eversource.com to create an energy savings plan.
Candlelight Writing Workshop
GLASTONBURY — The Candlelight Writing Workshops and the River Bend Bookshop are offering a writing workshop, “The Art of the Essay” for four Wednesdays in February. Workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the River Bend Bookshop, 2217 Main St.
New and experienced writers are welcome. Visit www.janegordonjulien.com and click on Candlelight Writing Workshops, or email janegordonjulien@gmail. com for more information. Space is limited.
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 & ?????:????. Discounts and promotions vary per restaurant. Each Asian Moments Card will be valid for six months. You may purchase additional cards when expired.
Bereavement Groups
AREA — Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice Care is offering monthly bereavement support groups. For more information, call 1-855-442-4373.
Glastonbury: First and third Wednesdays of the month, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles St., with facilitator Bill Pilkington, supervisor for pastoral and bereavement services.
Hartford: Second and fourth Mondays of the month, 1 to 2:15 p.m., Hartford Hospital, 85 Jefferson St., Room 116, with facilitator Andrea Burr, pastoral counselor.
Mansfield: First and third Thursdays of the month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Mansfield Center, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, with facilitator Ivan Bilyk, pastoral counselor supervisor.
Brisk Winter Walks
AREA — The Great Meadows Conservation Trust winter walks for 2020, co-sponsored with the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury, the Land Heritage Coalition of Glastonbury, the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center in Wethersfield, and Goodwin College, will take place on the following dates.
Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. in Glastonbury. About two hours. Meet Larry Lunden and Charley Smith at 57 Point Road, off of Naubuc Avenue, south of Route 3 overpass. A long hike to the Dickau, Beers, Baril and Bidwell parcels in Point Meadows. From I-91 take exit 25 N, route 3 north. Take the first exit to Main St Glastonbury. At the end of the ramp, turn right and follow to end. Turn left and then right onto Point Rd, a small and difficult to see road. From Route 2, take exit 5 D to route 3 south. Take the first exit to Main St., Glastonbury. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow to end. Turn left; go under the highway, and then right onto Point Road.
Sunday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in Wethersfield. As the midwinter twilight fades in the western sky, meet GMCT’s Mike Munroe and Bike Walk Wethersfield’s Kevin Sullivan, at the Keeney Center parking lot, 200 Main St., Old Wethersfield. Walkers will stroll down Main Street to Wethersfield Cove Park (about one mile), walk through the parking lot to the Cove channel, under the I91 overpass and out to the River’s edge.
Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m., East Hartford. Meet GMCT’s Penny Rusnak and Rick Doran, Goodwin College’s Bruce Morton and Charley Smith of Land Heritage Coalition at Hockanum Park, 324 High St. Explore the “Wethersfield Triangle” of land marooned on the east side by the meandering of the river. Explore the new trails that Goodwin College is constructing along the River from South Meadow Road along the River toward Putnam Bridge. From Route 2 west, take exit 5 A, Main St. At the second traffic light take a left, and then another left onto High St. to Hockanum Park on the left. From Route 2 east, take exit 5 A, High St. Once on High St., follow it south, past the elementary school, to the park on the left.
Dress for the weather and ground conditions. Many places will be muddy. Weather and water conditions may revise or cancel. This area is used for hunting, so wear an orange vest if you have one. Call Jim Woodworth for the latest information at 860-808-9968. The hikes are free.
Garden Club Scholarship
EAST HARTFORD — The East Hartford Garden Club is offering one $1,000 scholarship to any full or part time student who is a resident of Andover, Bolton, East Hartford, East Windsor, Glastonbury, Manchester, Vernon and Windsor Locks, who is majoring in horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, conservation, forestry, environmental sciences, botany and other allied subjects.
Applications with the submitter instructions are available at the Guidance Department of the student’s attending school. All completed applications must be received by April 1, to be considered.
Glastonbury Dad Needs Kidney Donor
GLASTONBURY — Since Nick Kalogeros was a boy, his family has known that he eventually would go into kidney failure and would need a kidney transplant. Kalogeros has Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic disease that causes damage to the kidneys and eventually kidney failure.
In April, Kalogeros went into kidney failure. He now must live on peritoneal dialysis until he gets a new kidney. But there is at least a five to 10-year waitlist to receive a kidney from a deceased donor.
Kalogeros, who is 33-years-old, lives in Glastonbury with his wife Kristen and their one-year-old son. Despite his illness, he manages to go to work every day, has a great sense of humor and never complains, explained his mom.
Kalogeros is hoping for a living donor, as the success rate is much better. But so far, despite extensive outreach, a donor match hasn’t been found. He is part of the Donor Exchange Program at Hartford Hospital.
Anyone who is healthy and interested in being a living donor, regardless of blood type, can get tested. For more information or to be tested, call his Living Donor Coordinator at 860-972-4632. All calls are strictly confidential.
