LITCHFIELD COUNTY NEWS
Bell to ring in New Milford for missing soldiers
Bell ringing to honor peaceThere will be a bell ringing Jan. 24 at noon to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement (Jan. 27 is the real anniversary) outside St. Francis Xavier Parish Center on the green. The agreement ended America's active involvement in the Vietnam War.
New Milford's Relay for Life kickoff is Jan. 23
Relay for Lifeready for kickoffThe American Cancer Society will hold its New Milford Relay for Life kickoff Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bank Street Theater, 48 Bank St. The kickoff will include a luminaria ceremony, games, a video presentation, and speeches.
Dinner to benefit Rakowski family
A dinner to benefit the Rakowski family of New Milford will be held Jan. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Danbury.The dinner, organized by the New Milford Recreation Association and hosted by Anthony's Lake Club, will take place at the lake club at 10 Christopher Columbus Ave.
Youth offerings on tap at The Maxx
The Maxx on Railroad Street in New Milford will offer several events in the coming days.They will include music by Those Mockingbirds, Euphoria and others Jan. 15 with doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and the show to start at 7:30 p.m. for $8; and a sixth-grade winter dance Jan.
IAIS announces winter programs
The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington will offer a variety of programs in the coming weeks.They will include a winter film festival Jan. 16-17 at 2 p.m. each day, a winter survival walk Jan. 23 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., winter games Feb.
Public invited to Kent library events
Kent Memorial Library will offer a variety of programs in the coming days.They will include a program with Mark Robinson, author of "Smoke, Fire and Angels," Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.; a screening of "Garbage Warrior" Jan. 21, "Who Killed the Electric Car" Jan.
Naturalist to visit Roxbury this month
World-famous naturalist and author George Schaller of Roxbury will present "A Naturalist in the World's Wilderness" at the Roxbury town hall Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.Sponsored jointly by Minor Memorial Library and the Roxbury Land Trust, the program at the 29 North St.
NMHS Boosters to host benefit gala
The New Milford High School Booster Club will hold a Green Wave Gala dinner-dance and silent auction March 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight.Festivities will be at The Fox Hill Inn in Brookfield.Tickets are $85 per person and will include a cocktail hour, dinner, dessert, dancing, an open bar, a silent auction and a raffle.
Get a 'grasp' on carpal tunnel syndrome
Band to play Jan. 22 concert at the MaxxThe Maxx on Railroad Street in New Milford will feature a concert by Those Mockingbirds, Euphoria and other bands Friday, with doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and the show to start at 7:30. Cost is $8.A sixth-grade winter dance is planned for Jan.
Roses & thorns
ROSES to those postal delivery workers and employees of FedEx, UPS and other delivery services for their efforts, especially during the holiday season and the cold, snowy winter months, to be sure each and every package arrives in one piece, safely and as close to on time as possible.
Questions legal costs for the police contract
To the Editor:Concerning the New Milford police contract dispute, according to the article by Nanci Hutson in the Jan. 9 News-Times, starting officers earn $42,000 per year and, after five years, earn $53,000.That is an average of $47,500 per year.
Lauds generosity of New Milford area residents
To the Editor:With the holiday season now behind us, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Greater New Milford community on behalf of the New Milford Social Services Department.Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to help an unprecedented number of families and individuals.
My town has much beauty to offer
Sometimes it feels like it was 100 years ago that I used to house-sit for my sister and her husband while they went on vacation with their kids.They've been living in New Milford for 25 years now, and I swore back then that I would never live here.At that time I was working at The News-Times in Danbury and the commute alone was enough to make me feel that way.
Are laws pressing our Constitution to change?
To the Editor:Before 1776 American Nationals had only one problem which was the King of England.The Declaration of Independence by Jefferson, Adams and Franklin, items were listed that called people to resist:Among them were, "imposing tax on us; erected a multitude of new offices and sent officers to harass our people and eat out their substance; combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution.
Appreciates efforts of staff at Huntington...
To the Editor:To all the staff at the Huntington Learning Center, Cristina Matta, director, Jeff Perrillion, coordinator, and all the teachers, we would like to thank all of you for helping our children with their educational needs. Their confidence has increased and they are more comfortable in their classrooms.

Bridgewater approves dropping the mil rate
The town of Bridgewater will use $225,000 of the General Fund, Fund Balance in the 2010 budget to reduce its mil rate from 15.5 to 15.2.A town's mil rate designates the amount of residents' property tax.The decision was reached to unanimous agreement at Tuesday's specially called town meeting.
Bridgewater lodges complaint against Garlasco
The beat goes on with attorney Paul Garlasco's ongoing battle with the town of Bridgewater.A complaint was filed recently with the Statewide Bar Grievance Counsel's office against the New Milford lawyer by Bridgewater's Board of Selectmen.The five-page complaint, dated Dec.
Bridgewater claims Democracy Cup
The town of Bridgewater was one of four winners of the state's 2009 Democracy Cup, the award given annually to municipalities with the highest voter turnout on Election Day.With a 79 percent voter turnout, Bridgewater bested the turnout of the other three honored municipalities: Orange with 59 percent; East Haven with 56 percent and Stamford with 42 percent.
Quilt exhibit on view in Bridgewater
The Burnham Library on Main Street is presenting an exhibit of quilts by Vivan Wojciechowski and her daughter, Corinne Thompson, through the rest of the month.The women are residents of Bridgewater.The library is open Tuesdays from 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.
Bridgewater first selectman feels a sense of...
First Selectman Bill Stuart feels vindication this week.That feeling stems from a Freedom of Information Commission's "proposed final decision" that resulted from an FOI complaint made by New Milford attorney Paul Garlasco against the town of Bridgewater.
Open house set at Arabian horse farm
Trowbridge Ltd, an Arabian horse farm in Bridgewater, will host its 16th annual open house Dec. 19 at noon.The open house will feature an open barn and horse presentation.A presentation of the horses performing both at liberty and under saddle, culminating with the annual grand finale, will be held at 2 p.
Open house Saturday at Arabian horse farm
BRIDGEWATER -- The public is invited to an open house and presentation Saturday at noon at Trowbridge's Ltd., an Arabian horse farm at 236 Henry Sanford Road.Arabian horses are renowned for their beauty, intelligence and ability to bond and interact with people.
Holiday breakfast planned in Bridgewater
The Women's Auxiliary of the Bridgewater Fire Department will hold its annual holiday breakfast Dec. 5 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the firehouse on Route 133.In addition to the breakfast, a variety of homemade cookies will be available to purchase by the pound and an assortment of holiday plants will be sold.
Festival of Trees on tap in Washington
The eighth annual Festival of Trees cocktail party to benefit the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum in Washington will be held Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.Decorated trees will be sold and local pianists will provide entertainment at the library on Wykeham Road.
'Singing for Joy' concert set in Bridgewater
Nine students of the Christina Rovics Vocal Studio in Bethel will present a benefit concert, "Singing for Joy," Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Bridgewater Congregational Church.The concert will feature Broadway hits of recent decades.A reception will follow at the Clapboard Road.
O' Silent Night set at Burnham Library
The Friends of Burnham Library will host its annual O' Silent Night fundraiser Nov. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library on Main Street in Bridgewater.Festivities will include chamber music, hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne, and a silent auction of themed holiday trees, wreaths, stockings and other holiday items.
Calls ex-Shepaug principal a 'great leader'
To the Editor:I attended the retirement dinner held in September in honor of Gene Horrigan, the widely respected [former] principal of Shepaug Valley High School.I've known Gene Horrigan for around 20 years. I've seen him in action from at least four different vantage points -- first was when I was on the Board of Education, then as a parent with children in his school, next as a fellow parent when Gene and I had children at the same college and, over the last several years, as a member of
Deer hunt at Sunny Valley Preserve goes into third...
BRIDGEWATER -- Inside the Sunny Valley Preserve, there are some places where white-tailed deer can browse the undergrowth unhindered.The preserve's owner, The Nature Conservancy, wants that ruminating reduced.For the third year, the conservancy will hold a controlled hunt on three parcels of land on weekdays for the next four weeks.
Bridgewater goes to Stuart
The next four years will be the Stuart-Read-Bennett mini-era in Bridgewater.After that term, at that point after 30 years, longtime First Selectman Bill Stuart says he will step down.A large voter turnout Tuesday ended the Stuart-Cable era in Bridgewater.
Veterans Day ceremony set in Bridgewater
The Bridgewater Senior Center will play host to a Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m.The ceremony will be led by Joe Buchheit at the flag pole outside the senior center, located at 132 Hut Hill Road.The program will include an opening prayer with the Rev.
Stuart defeats Cable in Bridgewater
BRIDGEWATER -- A huge voter turnout Tuesday ended the Stuart-Cable era in Bridgewater. The next four years will be the Stuart-Read-Bennett mini-era and then, Stuart says, he will be gone.Nine-hundred, ninety-eight people turned out to cast ballots in the race, which drew many newly registered voters.
Concert on tap at Bridgewater church
The Bridgewater Congregational Church will serve as host to a concert featuring area residents Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.The show at the Clapboard Road church will trace the lineage of rock and roll by way of a sampling of early rock and roll songs and some more recent rock derivatives.
Townwide tag sale slated in Bridgewater
The first annual town-wide tag sale will be held Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bridgewater.The rain or shine event is sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary of the Bridgewater Fire Department.Maps showing the location of each tag sale will be available for free at the Route 133 firehouse, where tables of tag sale items will also be available.
Cable proven capable of being first selectman
I am writing this letter to support Neil Cable for the office of first selectman to the Town of Bridgewater. I have known Neil since he was one of my Cub Scouts. From that time he has grown to be a fine man and a loyal friend. Neil has served the town and the citizens of Bridgewater as fire chief, ambulance crew and certified EMT, fire department president and president of the Bridgewater Country Fair.
Voter registration's set for Tuesday in...
The registrar of voters will hold registration session Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the second floor of town hall for the Nov. 3 Bridgewater municipal election.Registration will also be available Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon for new residents, new U.
Harvest social, meet candidates set in Bridgewater
Bridgewater residents are invited to attend a harvest social Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.Festivities will be held at the FCH Hunt Room on Botsford Hill Road near the Roxbury/Bridgewater town line.Residents will have the opportunity to meet the candidates, view on display "Bridgewater at its Finest" and sample hors d'oeuvres and beverages.
Voter registration's on tap in Bridgewater
The registrar of voters will hold registration session Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the second floor of town hall for the Nov. 3 Bridgewater municipal election.Registration will also be available Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon for new residents, new U.
Credit's Stuart's Bridgewater tenure with 'plenty...
To the Editor:The upcoming election in Bridgewater has set the stage for all sides to state their case.While the opposition to the perennial incumbent, Bill Stuart, certainly has a right to address the issues, it seems to me they are determined to do so in a most disparaging way.
Voter registration on tap in Bridgewater
The registrar of voters will hold a registration session for the upcoming Bridgewater municipal election Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the town hall.
Fellow Democrat Cable to challenge Stuart in...
Longtime selectman Neil Cable has officially thrown his hat into the ring as an independent petitioning candidate for Bridgewater first selectman for the Nov. 3 election.He will take on Democratic incumbent Bill Stuart, who has held the position for 26 years.

  State attorney general is reviewing Bridgewater's...
Welcome to YOLONE,
your local news source!
Follow the latest
Bridgewater, CT news on