Windsor Library Hosts Virtual Events
WINDSOR — The Windsor Public Library presents the following virtual events. Call 860-285-1919 or visit https://www.windsorlibrary.com/ for more information.
LGBTQ Teen Film Fest: All LGBTQIA+ teens and allies are invited to celebrate Pride Month with a selection of films about the teenage LGBTQ community. Connect via Zoom and then login to your personal Netflix account every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. and enjoy a library-hosted watch party. Films will be rated PG-13. Call 860-285-1919 or email geary@townofwindsorct.com for the titles and the watch party code.
Children’s Programs: Check out Kidspace’s new virtual storytimes scheduled for June. Join Miss Dylan on Tuesdays and Miss Bonnie on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Drop in with Miss Shana on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. on Instagram live. Register for Tuesday and Thursday storytimes. Drop in to Wednesday storytimes on the library’s Instagram page.
Online Catalog: Even though the doors are closed, patrons still have access to the library online. Encore, the online catalog, is the best way to stay up to date on items checked out to you, items you have holds on, and to search for your next great read, watch or listen.
Curbside Pickup: If a hold becomes available, call for curbside pickup Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Both libraries will be offering this service. Call 860-285-1910 for the Main library and 860-247-8960 for the Wilson Branch.
NCCJ Releases Statement On George Floyd Killing
WINDSOR — “The National Conference for Community and Justice is devastated, heartbroken and incredibly angry about the multiple, horrific acts of racism that have taken place over the last few weeks. It’s not that these acts of hatred are new – they have always been an awful part of America’s history. What is new is that we now have phones that can capture photos and videos of racist events. Social media channels that can immediately publish these images for all the world to see. And technology that enables the news media to broadcast the apparent racist behavior of some in law enforcement in real-time. We now can see racism playing out before our eyes.
Despite these awful acts, local and national leaders ask for calm and patience, and urge protestors to do it peacefully. All while white protestors can storm a state capital armed with automatic weapons protesting their right to get a haircut without consequence. And government and law enforcement leaders have the temerity to tell a wounded community that they need more evidence to arrest the perpetrators of a murder. Captured in front of eye witnesses. Live on video.
And if this wasn’t appalling enough, these despicable, racist events are taking place during a global pandemic – a healthcare crisis that has been particularly shattering to the black community. According to the CDC, black Americans continue to make up a disproportionate share of COVID-19 fatalities, as the number of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic exceeds 100,000 in the U.S. What’s more, nearly 25-percent of reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are black Americans — even though black people make up only 13-percent of the U.S. population.
“But despite what we see with our own eyes and what the statistics prove without a doubt, the reality gets ignored: racism is a systemic problem in our country,” said Cynthia L. Martin, President & CEO of NCCJ. “White racism is playing out on our cell phones, TVs and Twitter channels. Though we are sickened by these vile events, we thank goodness for today’s technology and communication channels, which make it impossible to conceal the truth. That you can be reported to authorities for birdwatching while black. Arrested for reporting while black. And that you can even lose your life for jogging or sleeping while black. Every day, black Americans are reminded that they’re not seen, that they are not valued and that humanity is not something that applies to them. This has got to stop.”
So, while NCCJ remains devastated, heartbroken and incredibly angry about what we are seeing – we are now even more determined to continue to fight acts of bias and hatred. NCCJ will continue to champion social justice, and work toward building stronger and more inclusive communities – not just for some of us, but for all of us.”
Formed in 1927, NCCJ is a human relations organization that promotes inclusion and acceptance by providing education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all, celebrating the diversity of races, religions, cultures, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. Visit https://www.nccj.org for more information.
Mosquito Monitoring Program Begins Testing
STATEWIDE — The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program is monitoring mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people including West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus.
The mosquito trapping and testing program, coordinated by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, began on June 1. Statewide mosquito trapping will occur at 108 collection sites in 87 municipalities until the end of October. This includes 16 new trapping locations that were added this year to increase coverage in high risk areas for EEE in eastern Connecticut.
“Last year, we experienced a resurgence of EEE virus activity in eastern Connecticut that resulted in four human cases with three fatalities,” said Dr. Philip Armstrong, Medical Entomologist at CAES. “This was part of a region-wide increase that also affected Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. We fully expect the virus to return this year so we will be increasing our monitoring efforts in anticipation of this threat.”
“Our state-supported program which began in 1997 provides an effective early warning system for timely detection of mosquito-borne diseases and assessing human risk” said Dr. Jason White, Director, CAES. “Prevention of EEE and West Nile virus relies on robust surveillance and early detection of virus to inform the public and guide disease control measures as warranted.”
Last season, EEE was detected in 28 communities in Connecticut with a total of 122 positive mosquito samples. There were four confirmed human cases of EEE and three individuals died. There were also six horse cases reported, all fatal. The majority of EEE virus activity occurred in Middlesex, New London, and Windham counties, consistent with prior years. EEE is a rare but serious illness in humans with four to eight cases reported in a typical year in the U.S. During 2019, the number of confirmed human cases rose to 38 with 19 cases occurring in New England. EEE is the most severe mosquito-transmitted disease in the U.S. with approximately 33-percent mortality and significant brain damage in most survivors.
During 2019, WNV was identified in 82 mosquito pools from 24 towns in five counties in Connecticut. One human case and one horse case of WNV infection were reported in Fairfield County. WNV occurs every summer in the Northeast and has become the main cause of mosquito-borne illness in this region since it was first introduced into the NYC area in 1999.
The response to mosquito transmitted diseases in Connecticut is a collaborative inter-agency effort involving the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Connecticut. These agencies are responsible for monitoring mosquito populations and the potential public health threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
The CAES maintains a network of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 87 municipalities throughout the state. Mosquito traps are set Monday through Thursday nights at each site every 10 days on a rotating basis and then twice a week after detection of virus. Mosquitoes are grouped for testing according to species, collection site, and date. Positive findings are reported to local health departments and on the CAES website. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Mosquito-Testing/Introductory/State-of-Connecticut-Mosquito-Trapping-and-Arbovirus-Testing-Program and https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito for more information.
Food Bank Resumes Food Collection
WINDSOR –On Thursday, May 21, the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank resumed accepting donations of food from the public, but only during specific time periods and people must call in advance to schedule their drop-offs. The community food bank will receive donations of food upon appointment on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and on Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at its location at L.P. Wilson Community Center, 599 Matianuck Ave.
To schedule a time to bring nonperishable food to the food bank, as well as gift cards to local stores and gas stations, and toiletries, call 860-285-1839.
The Windsor Food & Fuel Bank’s most needed items include peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce and pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, crackers, cereal, baked beans, canned vegetables, canned fruit, fruit juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and condiments such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. The Food Bank also seeks personal care items such as paper towels, facial tissues, toilet paper, diapers and baby wipes, all in their original packaging.
Food Distribution with Limited Hours: Windsor Food Bank clients continue to receive pre-packed food distributions outside the building during limited food bank hours. If you are a Windsor resident and not a current client of the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank but find yourself in need of food assistance, call the Windsor Social Services office at 860-285-1839, Mondays through Fridays.
Weekend Wheels Backpack Program: During this closure of schools, the Weekend Wheels backpack program for Windsor students continues to make food distributions to participating families through doorstep home deliveries. Each week, 122 bags filled with non-perishable breakfast, lunch and dinner items, shelf milk, juice and fresh produce and bakery items are being delivered.
To support the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank with a cash donation to be applied to food, fuel, and basic needs programs, go to www.windsorfoodbank.org and use the Donate button on the home page. Checks can be mailed to: Windsor Food & Fuel Bank, P.O. Box 854, Windsor, CT 06095.
Volunteerism: The Windsor Food & Fuel Bank is not currently seeking additional volunteers but welcomes people who want to volunteer in the future to give their names by calling Windsor Social Services at 860-285-1839. In addition, Bloomfield-based Foodshare has a variety of volunteer needs. Visit www.foodshare.volunteerhub.com for more information.
If you are a Windsor resident and not a current client of the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank but find yourself in need of food assistance, call the Windsor Social Services office at 860-285-1839, Mondays through Fridays. Visit www.townofwindsorct.com/social-services and www.windsorfoodbank.org for more information.
Bloomfield Library Offering Virtual Events
BLOOMFIELD — The Bloomfield Public Library is offering virtual programming and events online. Visit https://bplct.org for log-in and registration information on the Calendar of Events page. For Zoom programs, if those interested do not have Internet access, they may call the library at 860-243-9721 for information on how to access via phone.
