It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Underground Railroad Monument in New Milford, CT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Milford, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lynn Deming Park in New Milford, CT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lucia Ristorante or visit New Milford Historical Society & Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Milford, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Milford, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Milford, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
NEW MILFORD – A couple that believes the downtown’s charm can draw New Yorkers and Boston weekenders looking for a “boutique lodging experience” has proposed converting a historic Bank Street building into a modern 6-room hostel that would also attract locals.“The focus is on that communal experience for guests," says Christienne Gerlinger, who plans along with her husband Manfred to remodel the top two floors of a historic brick building at Bank and Railroad streets. “It will have coworking sp...
NEW MILFORD – A couple that believes the downtown’s charm can draw New Yorkers and Boston weekenders looking for a “boutique lodging experience” has proposed converting a historic Bank Street building into a modern 6-room hostel that would also attract locals.
“The focus is on that communal experience for guests," says Christienne Gerlinger, who plans along with her husband Manfred to remodel the top two floors of a historic brick building at Bank and Railroad streets. “It will have coworking space in the lounge available for membership – something the locals could use. We want to make it a really nice communal space.”
The idea is to a convert the second and third floor office space at 62 Bank St. into “a beautiful space that reflects the soul of New Milford and the surrounding Litchfield Hills,” and to "support and strengthen the local economy and [the] tourism ecosystem,” according to the Gerlingers' application.
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Plans call for three themed guest rooms on each floor and communal bathrooms designed with “modern finishes, spa-inspired touches and thoughtful privacy,” along with shared spaces including a library, a co-working lounge and a living room-style lobby that would act as a community hub.
"We both have been really excited about doing something like this," Gerlinger told Hearst Connecticut Media Group on Friday, referring to her partnership with her husband. “We’re both in the entertainment industry and have experience running operations and budgeting … and we both have similar tastes and style.”
The couple’s hope is to tap into “the growing demand for more affordable, community-rich travel experiences” by targeting “budget-conscious weekenders from New York City and Boston, digital nomads, creative professionals, and fans of nostalgic small-town charm drawn to New Milford’s connection to the “Stars Hollow” spirit of Gilmore Girls.”
“Stars Hollow” is the fictional setting for the television series “Gilmore Girls” which drew its inspiration from Litchfield County towns.
The first step is for the couple to get permission to change the use of the distinctive red brick corner building from office to hotel. A public hearing is planned for Nov. 18.
Renovation plans to not include the street-level storefront in the same building at 64 Bank St., which was newsstand and more recently a café, and is now vacant.
The couple would be interested in renting the space someday should it become available, Gerlinger said.
“It’s not on the table,” Gerlinger said about the vacant street level storefront. “There are repairs that have to be done.”
The 1902 building is among the notable structures in the eight block New Milford Center Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The couple’s plan, tentatively called the Bank Street Inn, would modernize the interior floors to “reimagine traditional hospitality through a co-living lens – offering guests a sense of home, community, and character within a small-town setting.”
New Milford RiverFest returns next month to Young's Field Park with music, food trucks, races, kids' activities and more.NEW MILFORD, CT — The annual New Milford RiverFest will return Oct. 4 and 5 with live entertainment, food trucks, races and community activities along the Housatonic Riverfront.The festival, launched in 2018, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Young’s Field Park on Young’s Field Road. Organizers say this year’s lineup features a 5K River Run, a Kids Super Hero Sprint, bingo, fam...
NEW MILFORD, CT — The annual New Milford RiverFest will return Oct. 4 and 5 with live entertainment, food trucks, races and community activities along the Housatonic Riverfront.
The festival, launched in 2018, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Young’s Field Park on Young’s Field Road. Organizers say this year’s lineup features a 5K River Run, a Kids Super Hero Sprint, bingo, family entertainment and the New Milford Safe Walk, which raises funds for services supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Riverfront Revitalization Chairman Liba Furhman said the 2025 event “promises to be better than ever,” crediting support from local businesses and community groups.
Cramer & Anderson, LLP is this year’s Gold Sponsor. Attorney Dan Casagrande said the firm is proud to support RiverFest, calling New Milford “a great place to live” with efforts underway to connect the historic town center to the riverfront.
Other sponsors include Bank Street Theater, Ives Bank, the New Milford Commission on the Arts, Litchfield Crossing, Union Savings Bank, All American Waste and the Setaro Law Firm.
Mayor Pete Bass will welcome participants of the Safe Walk on Saturday morning. Funds raised will go to The Center for Empowerment and Education, which provides no-cost, confidential services for victims of violence.
Festival attractions include a beer and wine garden, children’s games, arts and crafts vendors, and “Spirits of New Milford 250,” a Revolutionary-era reenactment with ghostly tales and interactive activities.
Organizers encourage donations of $5 per person to help fund the all-volunteer event. Full schedules and registration details are available online here.
NEW MILFORD — Though fire companies are struggling statewide to retain new members, Ryan Delaney knows “volunteerism isn’t dead” in New Milford as the Water Witch Hose Company No. 2 continues to grow its membership.“We’re bucking up the system where we have people that still want to volunteer,” said Delaney, the second lieutenant of the Water Witch Hose Company No, 2. “People want to be involved, they want to give back to their community… If you don’t have an influx of new p...
NEW MILFORD — Though fire companies are struggling statewide to retain new members, Ryan Delaney knows “volunteerism isn’t dead” in New Milford as the Water Witch Hose Company No. 2 continues to grow its membership.
“We’re bucking up the system where we have people that still want to volunteer,” said Delaney, the second lieutenant of the Water Witch Hose Company No, 2. “People want to be involved, they want to give back to their community… If you don’t have an influx of new people and (a) constant rotation of people coming in, you’re going to die out like we’ve seen departments around us.”
Several departments have closed this year, including in North Haven, Meriden and the Torringford Volunteer Fire Department in Torrington.
The Water Witch Hose Company #2 has an active roster of 50 members as well as several veteran and retired members. The company has about 10 new recruits, including six probationary members, Delaney said.
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New Milford fire officials credit their "recruitment rush" to people wanting to get involved in their community.
"The presence of other candidates and probationary members immediately gives new candidates a welcoming team experience," Fire Chief Sean Delaney said. "Our officers have certainly rose to the occasion as well. By tailoring a portion of our trainings to very entry level skills, these candidates have a chance to go hands-on immediately. The impact that we have now with them will reverberate into active years of service."
Between the increase in emergency calls and the lack of available volunteers to cover the call volume, Ryan Delaney has observed the “volunteer crisis" happening regionally and statewide in the past few years.
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, the grandson of a decorated firefighter, shared a study this year of the state's volunteer departments and where they might be headed.
Scanlon’s report warns the number of fire departments is “expected to decrease as the state continues to struggle with volunteer recruitment and retention.” It highlights the profession's long-term health risks and fewer health and pension benefits as possible deterrents for those looking to pursue a career in firefighting.
Delaney said it is a commitment and they understand “how much we’re asking of our members.”
“It’s a very daunting thing to do – wake in the middle of the night, go to an emergency and return home – so we really try to make it a fun environment, a good environment, for all of our people to keep them engaged, keep them coming back,” he said, “Because if we were to just constantly push, push, push and work, work, work, you are going to burn people that way.”
Fire Chief Sean Delaney said walking through the front doors is “the biggest step anybody takes" to become a member.
“And now they see the door's always open,” he said. “Anyone who wants to be a volunteer has a place here.”
While the fire company has some members who came from other departments, Ryan Delaney said volunteers can join with no experience.
“We’ll take anyone off the street, and we’ll train them in-house,” he said.
Ryan Delaney said the company focuses on building skills to be as "proficient as we can.” The state requires new recruits to complete the firefighter 1 class.
They also get hands-on experience early.
About 25% of the company’s call volume is answered by new recruits, Ryan Delaney said. Out of the 763 calls the company responded to last year, he said about 220 calls were answered by new members.
Ryan Delaney estimated it takes about two years for a volunteer to become a fully certified interior firefighter. That includes six months for volunteers to move through the candidacy and application processes; six months to vote them into the department; and their probationary year as members.
He recognizes this process doesn’t always align with members’ lives and schedules. In fact, he said only about 10% of Water Witch's new recruits become long-term firefighters.
“It’s a big commitment to prove you’re actually willing to do the jobs,” Ryan Delaney said. “We want to have the right people before we get into making investments in gear or training, so that’s why we have such a rigorous application process and then a probationary period.”
Once they are voted into the company, volunteers get to sign "the Book," which contains the signature of every Water Witch member since the company's founding in 1863. Volunteers also receive their badge and start their probationary year.
“We’re looking for people that want to give back to the community in the same way as we do,” he said. “We’re not getting paid to do it – we’re here because we love to do it. I think our biggest goal is that we don’t want to see New Milford go to a paid department, so the more people we can bring in, the longer we can stay volunteer.”
Though the new probationary members come from different backgrounds, they shared a desire to join to give back to New Milford, where they live.
“I’ve always been interested in it,” said Hunter Goddard, an engineer for an Orange-based natural gas company. “I’ve always wanted to give back to the community and I love that they love their community… There’s no harm in coming around and seeing if this is something that you could see yourself doing.”
Pat Maguire admitted he had “no initial reach” for becoming a firefighter, though his father Patrick Maguire previously served as a chief for the Water Witch Company and his sister Ashley Maguire is a member.
“I was curious about it,” he said.
Then one day he saw Sean Delaney who told him they're always looking for new members. Maguire said he took that as his opportunity to drop by.
Mark Hanrahan said he was thinking about his next step after retiring from his engineering career with Honeywell, while Chris Freeman said the opportunity to join the fire company “just aligned perfectly.”
On top of serving their community, several members said they were drawn in by the camaraderie shared between firefighters, and the fire department at 8 Prospect Hill Road has become a second home.
“This place is my family,” Freeman said. “It’s open doors, open arms.”
Brooks Baldwin, a New Milford and federal firefighter who became a lieutenant for Water Witch in July, said it’s a “huge honor” to help members in the same way he was helped and teach them “to become the best firefighter and the best member of the community that they can be.”
“That’s one of the most unique things about the fire service,” Baldwin said. “You can have a member that’s been involved for 25 years and you have the opportunity to teach them something new because this field is ever-evolving.”
NEW MILFORD – Behind his careful notetaking and his years of crafting and refining screenplays, E. Brad Yancy said that, at heart, he’s “just a giant kid who’s enamored with great movies.”“I just love fantastic storytelling, and I’m very excited to be able to be a part of it in any facet,” the Bristol screenwriter said of his passion.A native of Woodbury, Yancy said he always had a passion for creative writing. He knew he wanted to be involved with the film industry and took scree...
NEW MILFORD – Behind his careful notetaking and his years of crafting and refining screenplays, E. Brad Yancy said that, at heart, he’s “just a giant kid who’s enamored with great movies.”
“I just love fantastic storytelling, and I’m very excited to be able to be a part of it in any facet,” the Bristol screenwriter said of his passion.
A native of Woodbury, Yancy said he always had a passion for creative writing. He knew he wanted to be involved with the film industry and took screenwriting classes at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga.
He spent some time on the Atlanta film scene before dedicating more than a year to studying the screenwriting craft, which he said “really is the blueprint to everything” in terms of making movies.
Yancy will be making his directorial debut this fall as he shoots scenes for his mystery-thriller “Intention” at the Lovers Leap Bridge in New Milford, among other locations in Connecticut.
Taking place across two overlapping timelines, “Intention” tells the story of “a man’s immense political reflection on finding peace and restraint” as it collides “with the grim reality of his actions,” Yancy said.
Yancy said he wrote “Intention” specifically as “something we could shoot without too many special effects or a big production budget.” He said he wanted to make his first time directing “as easy as possible” and is “very excited” to start his directorial debut in Connecticut.
When it came to scouting filming locations in Connecticut, Yancy said he found some spots in New Milford he thought could be perfect. He also said he hopes to shoot scenes for “Intention” on a private property just beyond the New Milford town line, as well as at a friend’s house in West Haven.
With the film in the pre-production process, he said he’s looking to film in New Milford on the last weekend of September and the first few weekends in October.
He plans to release in November or December online at IntentionTheMovie.com, where he will also post updates.
“I spoke with (New Milford Film Commission Chair) Valerie Lorimer and she’s been absolutely amazing, and the New Milford Film Commission has been absolutely phenomenal, so it’s looking like it might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” Yancy said.
With his eyes trained on the screen and a notebook in hand, Yancy has built his career in studying the “science” of screenwriting and understanding that “it all starts with something to say.”
“If I don’t have anything to say, the pen doesn’t hit the project,” he said.
Yancy's previous credits include a 20-minute short comedy, "Woof," a 17-minute short drama "Pushing Back" and a feature-length movie, "Innocent Criminals." He's also collaborated with other people on screenplays for TV shows.
When it comes to crafting screenplays, he likes creating unique characters and stories that “draw the audience in and then challenge their own thoughts… and push them into a place of discomfort.”
For his upcoming project, Yancy envisions creating a film that starts with a “more settled feeling” and becomes “increasingly more chaotic.” He also plans to shoot with different types of lenses and cameras to create an unsettling effect for the audience, and use sunlight to contrast the dark atmosphere.
“I like to lull my audience into a vulnerable state, into letting their guard down, and then I want to slowly go into raising the stakes, and hopefully I’ve stuck the landing, and they enjoy it,” Yancy said. “I think that’s what we go to the movies for, whether or not we’re aware of it. It’s almost like a game where we’re daring the filmmakers to draw us in and get us wrapped in something in a way that we didn’t expect.”
Kaitlin Keane is thrilled to nurture her journalism career as a weeklies reporter with Hearst and looks forward to becoming better acquainted with the communities in her coverage area. While she enjoys the opportunity to cover breaking news, her beat is generally focused on local profiles and school-centered stories. Outside of her reporting work, she is an avid reader, baker and cyclist.
New Milford has transformed into Stars Hollow yet again this weekend for the second edition of "Gilmore Girls" fan festival "A Weekend in the Life."The Connecticut town served as one of the main inspirations for the setting of the 25-year-old "Gilmore Girls," which takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Organization Decade Days held its first "Gilmore Girls" festival in New Milford in April and announced shortly after the spring event that it would host a "A Weekend...
New Milford has transformed into Stars Hollow yet again this weekend for the second edition of "Gilmore Girls" fan festival "A Weekend in the Life."
The Connecticut town served as one of the main inspirations for the setting of the 25-year-old "Gilmore Girls," which takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Organization Decade Days held its first "Gilmore Girls" festival in New Milford in April and announced shortly after the spring event that it would host a "A Weekend in the Life: Fall Edition" festival that was "smoother and more magical than before" in September.
Fans from across the nation traveled to the April event to meet stars from the show like Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson, better known as Luke Danes. Murray canceled his appearance at the fall edition of the event earlier this month due to "filming commitments," but Patterson returned for the three-day fall festival.
In addition to Patterson, Matt Czuchry, who played Logan Huntzberger on the show, also returned to the festival on Saturday. Czuchry said in a video posted to Decade Days' Instagram that he had the "best time" meeting fans at April's convention event and wanted "to do it all over again."
Lines of "Gilmore Girls" fans decked out in outfits reminiscent of different eras of Rory Gilmore, plaid shirts akin to Luke Danes' and shirts with quotes from the show piled into New Milford's Connecticut Sports Arena on Saturday, letting out loud cheers and chants when Patterson and Czuchry entered the room.
Fans from states like Ohio, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania traveled to New Milford to take selfies and get autographs from not only Patterson and Czuchry, but other "Gilmore Girls" actors like Scott Cohen (Max Medina), Yanic Truesdale (Michael Gerard) and Sherilyn Fenn (Anna Nardini).
Alejandra Vicioso, a fan originally from Mexico, said she found out about the festival on TikTok and brought her husband, Jake, for "support."
"I watched it in high school and haven't stopped watching it since," Vicioso, now 24, said. "I don't think 'Gilmore Girls' is that big in Mexico, so I'm really excited about (the festival)."
Jake Vicioso — who is not a "Gilmore Girls" fan, but is a Connecticut native — said that the event is "interesting" as a non-fan.
"This is a big event, it looks like it's going to be packed," he said, fully dressed in a backwards cap and plaid shirt similar to Luke Danes. "I'm the husband, I'm brought here."
"Everything he knows is against his will," Alejandra Vicioso, dressed in a Rory Gilmore-inspired Chilton uniform, added.
In addition to the celebrity panels, photo-op and autograph sessions held at the Connecticut Sports Arena and 19Main, shops around New Milford's town green turned into "Gilmore Girls" pop-ups for fans, selling merchandise inspired by the show or putting up "Stars Hollow" signs. Small businesses like Robertson Jewelers turned into "Stars Hollow Jewelers," and Nordica Toys became "Stars Hollow Toy Shoppe" for the weekend.
Several businesses also sold their goods at Connecticut Sports Arena, including Long Island-based business Dee Charmed, which is owned by "Gilmore Girls" fan Danielle Restivo. She and her best friend Angelique Holm, who has also been a fan of the show since it began, came to the festival to sell "Gilmore Girls"-themed blankets, shirts and even slippers.
"(Restivo) is into the whole community. I feel like she's just got so many 'Gilmore Girls' friends," Holm said.
Restivo sells apparel for a variety of different fandoms and has brought Dee Charmed pop-ups to several conventions, including Epic Con. Holm said Restivo also brought her brand to the first "A Weekend in the Life" event in April.
"I just like meeting everyone and everyone's excitement," Restivo said. "Seeing everyone's reaction to the merch, especially the blankets, everyone's eyes just light up."
Attendees exploring downtown New Milford took photos in front of its gazebo on the town green, greeted other fans, shopped for merchandise inspired by the show and even played songs from a "Gilmore Girls" playlist out loud as they walked.
Throughout the weekend, Decade Days also provided fall-themed activities for fans, such as horse carriage rides with Candlelight Farms Equestrian throughout Pettibone Park and "fall ducking," in which festival attendees could find mini autumnal rubber ducks hidden around New Milford to keep. Attendees were also able to swap books with other fans, compete in a knit-a-thon, watch a movie on New Milford's town green and attend celebrity panels.
Another "Gilmore Girls" fan festival will be held in Connecticut later this fall. "The Firelight Event," a three-day "Gilmore Girls" festival that's been held annually on the East Coast since 2016, will return to Guilford Oct. 17-19.
This year's "The Firelight Event" will feature actors from the show like Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore), Emily Kuroda (Mrs. Kim), Aris Alvarado (Caesar), Kathleen Wilhoite (Liz Danes) and more.
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