Morris, CT

We have all heard of the cuts made to heating assistance programs by the Federal Government. After what we went through in New England last year it doesn't make sense to me, but then again, nothing does. I know many who make hard choices lately because the cost of heating their homes has risen while their incomes have fallen. According to the town of New Milford, last year, $850,000 in heating assistance was given out to residents that qualified, this year, due to the cuts, they anticipate only $510,000 to be available. More people have less money these days, the costs associated with heating homes has risen.... it is a terrible situation.

The Town of New Milford is committed to raising money for our own Fuel Bank program. This Sunday, January 8th, is the Walk for Heating Assistance Fund Raiser, a 5K walk to raise money. The walk begins at 1:00 pm at the Richmond Senior Center on Main Street. To join the walk you need to give at least $10, but get people to sponsor your walk in order to raise more money! Registration begins at 12:30 in the Richmond Center dining room.

There will be prizes to the highest adult and youth pledge collectors! They are hoping to raise $20,000 with the walk, which is a drop in the bucket, all things considered. They want to load the streets of New Milford with walkers for this event, so come on down! (It was noted that this is a walk, not a run.)

This event is organized by New Milford Social Services, New Milford Senior Center and New Milford Parks & Rec department. The major sponsors of the event are ABC Fuels, Norbert Mitchell & Company and Marandola Fuel Service. Leahy's Fuels and Superior Plus Energy Services are also sponsors of the event.

So come on down, have some fun, join in and fill the streets of New Milford with people walking for a very worthy cause!!!! It might be your neighbor, a friend, a family member who goes without heat this year because of these budget cuts. No one should go cold, no child, no senior, no person in our town should go without heat. Yet many will, I have no doubt of that. Do what you can, even if it is just the $10 donation!

For more information and for pledge envelopes you can contact the New Milford Social Services Department at 860.355.6079 or New Milford CT Senior Center at 860.355.6075.

(Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.)

Friday Fotos - Delightful Daylilies

The wind is howling outside my window right now--cold weather is moving in again after two days in the 50s that helped to melt off a bit of the snow and ice that has plagued Connecticut for the past six weeks. No more melting for a while now, I guess. Since everyone is tired of snow (and pictures of such), I thought I would share a few more photos from White Flower Farm in Morris, CT. My wife loves Daylilies, so whenever we go there, she takes lots of pictures of them. Keep in mind that White Flower Farm is a plant nursery, but it is also about 75% park where the public is welcome to wander. Spring will come . . .

Where did this guy come from? Did I mention that White Flower Farm also has an abundance of Butterflies (with good reason!).