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On Stage
Elisabeth von Trapp brought her legendary voice, sensational joy, and heartfelt gratitude to the Westview family May 7. Courtesy photo.


DAYVILLE — May 7 Elisabeth von Trapp brought her legendary voice, sensational joy, and heartfelt gratitude to the Westview family. Her microphone and guitar were connected to a sound system in the Great Room at Country Living at Westview Commons, and on the closed-circuit Channel 2 at Westview Health Care Center.
Country Living at Westview Commons is the brand new, 110,000 square foot, state-of-the-art independent and assisted living facility across the street from Westview Health Care Center.
Originally, von Trapp’s concert was meant to coincide with the grand opening of the new location last summer. It was rescheduled and early in her set she said:  “How beautiful it is to be here!  What a beautiful place you live in.” Elisabeth is the granddaughter of Baron and Maria von Trapp and the daughter of Werner von Trapp (second oldest son of the Trapp Family Singers).  The story of her family’s desperate departure from war-torn Europe became the award-winning Broadway musical and Hollywood film “The Sound of Music.”
Everyone at the concert was vaccinated. They sustained social distance but emotional closeness.  This is surely something that Elisabeth von Trapp learned from her father Werner as well as her own career on stage.  Elisabeth’s family history and personal experiences showcased her as the perfect entertainer for this transitional time moving away from a historically difficult era.   Live musical performances used to be among the most frequent events in both locations, but out of medical necessity, such performances were discontinued over the past year.
Considering all of the anticipation, she delivered a huge moment for the enthusiastic crowd.  Resident comments included:  “(Elisabeth’s) voice was exquisite and the event played out beautifully.  As she sang, I thought about her grandparents and the von Trapp family legacy.  It was amazing to see her performing right in front of us,” said Nancy Cowley, a resident at the facility.  Resident Richard Morrison added:  “She has a wonderful voice, and an even brighter smile.  She warmed the entire room with her singing.”
Many of the residents took this opportunity to wear some of their finest fashions, further highlighting the event as a special occasion. “She is very talented, and the passion behind her effort made it clear that she loved where she was,” said resident Patricia Blain.  “It felt like we weren’t only her audience — we were her friends.”  Well before the concert’s conclusion it proved clear that  emotions stirred. As she sang, played, and entertained, von Trapp frequently addressed the crowd directly.  These moments not only provided context for the songs she performed, but also established a deeper link between her and the audience.
Westview Commons’ Executive Vice President David T. Panteleakos saw the performance and simultaneously saw the residents of the independent and assisted living facility enjoying the show to the fullest extent.  Westview feedback indicated that the impact was equally profound among staff members and residents of the skilled nursing facility.  “Elisabeth von Trapp’s performance was scheduled over a year ago and it proved to be even more powerful at this moment in our lives.  After what we have endured, we will always cherish this memory of Elisabeth as a beacon of light drawing us away from the darkness of the pandemic,” Panteleakos said. von Trapp looked forward to this show with shared anticipation considering she hadn’t performed a concert in the previous year.  Before she finished, she said to the audience: “When the singer is gone, let the song go on...I just love that line. You brought song back to me. It’s a beautiful gift—I shall always remember you. It’s been a full year of waiting and the gift is going to keep growing in me, because that’s the type of gift it is. I shall celebrate you and take you with me in my heart: that your life here flourishes and you blossom in your way, that your hopes and dreams continue to happen, and if you have hopes and dreams for others—you send those out. There’s such a need to have those prayers sent out.”  That extra special message was immediately followed by an a cappella version of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” which segued into a deeply poignant edition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” This grand experience concluded with a meet and greet between the artist and her patrons.  Many of the residents took the opportunity to purchase Elisabeth’s album “Something Good” which features Rodgers and Hammerstein classic tunes.  The CD contains her signature in sound and she embellished the copies sold to Westview Commons residents with her signature in ink.  Elisabeth von Trapp’s beautiful music provided an emotional earful, and throughout the concert many eyes remained cheerily tearful.  Undoubtedly uplifting, the hour long performance offered a timeless memory for all in her presence.


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Donation
Loos recently donated $500 to the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. From left: Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse President Fred Ruhlemann; Loos Director of Manufacturing Jason Kumnick; and Loos Director of Corporate Marketing Robert Davis. Courtesy photo.

Loos & Co. Donates $500 to Veterans
POMFRET --- Having spent years manufacturing products that support the military’s mission, Loos & Co. and its employees are taking on a new role to help veterans in their community.
Recently Loos & Company proudly presented a $500 check to the support the mission of the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse offers local veterans the opportunity to meet, socialize and receive support or information regarding veterans’ benefits and services.
“We help connect veterans with whatever services they might need,” said President Fred Ruhlemann. “It’s more than just offering coffee.” Ruhlemann said the operation is strictly volunteer-run. No one who “works” at the coffeehouse receives pay.
The donation was powered by Loos & Co. employees choosing to receive a coronavirus vaccination. Once an employee receives their vaccine, a $50 contribution is made to the general donation fund. Loos Director of Corporate Marketing Robert Davis said staff was encouraged to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Efforts were made easier by an on-site vaccination clinic in May.
Loos Director of Manufacturing Jason Kumnick said he is proud the company supports active and retired military. “I come from a military family,” Kumnick said. “You and your volunteers do good work and we’re happy to help,” he told Ruhlemann.

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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND
DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF
A READINESS CENTER IN PUTNAM, CT
Description. Interested parties are hereby notified that the Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the proposed action described below.
Statutory Authority. This notice is being issued to all interested parties in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1500-1508) and 32 CFR Part 651 Environmental Analysis of Army Actions.
Proposed Action. The CTARNG proposes the construction and operation of a readiness center on a 17.00-acre portion of a 19.67-acre State-owned property on Pomfret Street (Route 44) in Putnam, Connecticut (the “Proposed Action”). The property is currently occupied by several large, paved parking areas connected by driveways, two Connecticut Department of Developmental Services buildings, and wooded areas. Under existing conditions, approximately 6.2 acres of the Putnam Readiness Center (PRC) site have been disturbed, including 1.27 acres of existing 100-foot wetland buffer disturbance. The total area of permanent disturbance from the Proposed Action is approximately 6.56 acres.
Construction of the Proposed Action would result in no direct wetland impacts but would have 1.15 acres of permanent impacts within 100-foot wetland buffers. The Proposed Action would require clearing of approximately 0.81 acres of wooded areas.
Between 150 and 175 CTARNG soldiers would train at the PRC one weekend per month and two weeks per year of duty. Approximately five full-time staff would be on site for day-to-day PRC operations. Over drill weekends, approximately 30 to 40 military vehicles (e.g., wheeled vehicles such as Humvees, armored security vehicles, and supporting cargo trailers) would move to and from the PRC along local/regional roadways. Field-based training events and weapons qualifications for PRC members would occur at other existing CTARNG properties. Housing for soldiers would not be provided at the PRC. No vehicle maintenance facility or fuel trucks would be provided on the site.
Public Review. The EA and the draft FONSI will undergo a 30-day public comment period from July 1 to July 31, 2021, in accordance with §651.14 of 32 CFR Part 651 Environmental Analysis of Army Actions. During this period, the public may submit comments on the EA and the draft FONSI. The EA and the draft FONSI can be accessed on CTARNG website or at the following address:
Putnam Public Library
225 Kennedy Drive
Putnam, Connecticut 06260
Comments. Comments on the draft EA and the draft FONSI should be submitted during the 30-day comment period via postal mail, fax, or e-mail to: Robert Dollak, Environmental Program Manager, Connecticut Army National Guard, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (860) 524-4945.

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