Publication: In Your Northwest Corner
Originally Published July 25, 2019
Jazz After Work Enlightens and Entertains
Litchfield Performing Arts welcomes thousands of local residents and visitors to Washington, Conn. for Litchfield Jazz Camp, held June 30th-July 6th, Litchfield Jazz Festival, held July 26th- 28th, and Jazz After Work, 15 nightly concerts held from July 1st -July 25th at The Gunnery Emerson Performing Arts Center.
Jazz After Work concerts feature Litchfield Jazz Camp instructors and students performing well-known as well as original music.
“For new comers to jazz and for the initiated, the Jazz After Work series offers top-flight entertainment and serves across generations, with older attendees and many young students and young families from the community," said Tegan Ryan of Litchfield Performing Arts.
In 2019, Jazz After Work concerts were free to attendees through a grant from the Robert V. Carr Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation.
Keeping Pets Safe and Comfortable
The Little Guild of St. Francis for the Welfare of Animals works to save unwanted, abused and neglected cats and dogs and provides medical care and enrichment to make them more adoptable. The Little Guild holds no-cost vaccine clinics and maintains a pet-food emergency pantry to support those who cannot afford to feed their pets.
In June, The Little Guild held a Pittie Party at Coe Park in Torrington, providing veterinarian exams and vaccines for local pets, as well as vouchers for spay and neuter procedures.
“Vaccines protect animals from, and help prevent the spread of, contagious and potentially fatal viruses," said Laurie Werner of the Little Guild of St. Francis for the Welfare of Animals.
"The vaccine clinic and the vouchers are a public service for individuals who cannot afford essential medical care for their pets."
In 2019, the spay and neuter vouchers were made possible by a grant from the Edwin M. Stone and Edith H. Stone Fund and the Lucia Tuttle Fritz Fund, funds of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation.
Protecting Local Woods and Wildlife
The Cornwall Conservation Trust (CCT) has been preserving natural spaces for the protection of flora and fauna, the preservation of farm land and the enjoyment of local residents and visitors since 1987.
A recent grant from the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation helped make possible the preservation of Matland Tarradiddle, 72 acres overlooking the Housatonic River.
Located just up the road from Cornwall's covered bridge, Matland Tarradiddle will offer locals and visitors an opportunity to climb Tarradiddle Mountain and enjoy views of the Housatonic River. Preservation of the property also protects the Housatonic River by ensuring that the stream and steep slope that drain into the River are preserved.
"West Cornwall is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts," said Shelley Harms of the Cornwall Conservation Trust.
"The new trail will be another attraction that will bring people to West Cornwall and serve visitors and residents."
