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 the historic Noden-Reed Museum 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 Windsor Locks, 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 Spring Park 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 Izumi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar or visit Windsor Locks Historical Society, 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 Windsor Locks, 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 Windsor Locks, 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 Windsor Locks, 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.
Known for their sandwiches, soups, salads and smoothies, the business owners wrote a heartfelt thank-you note to customers on social media.WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A small family-run eatery on Route 75 will soon be shutting its doors after six years in business.Since its establishment in 2019, The Deli has provided sandwiches, soups, salads and smoothies to hungry patrons in the Bradley International Airport area. It is in a small commercial building at 329 Ella Grasso Turnpike, adjacent to Bert's Spirit Shoppe, which recent...
WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A small family-run eatery on Route 75 will soon be shutting its doors after six years in business.
Since its establishment in 2019, The Deli has provided sandwiches, soups, salads and smoothies to hungry patrons in the Bradley International Airport area. It is in a small commercial building at 329 Ella Grasso Turnpike, adjacent to Bert's Spirit Shoppe, which recently came under new ownership following the 2024 passing of second generation owner/operator Jim Nussbaum.
Featuring Boar's Head premium meats and cheeses, The Deli became known for its daily specials, posted regularly on the eatery's Facebook page. Many had clever names, such as "The Meredith" (black forest ham, spinach, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, red onions and banana peppers), "The Norman" (hot roast beef, roasted red peppers, melted blue cheese crumbles, crispy onions and bacon) and "The Sweat Heat Crunch" (Sweet B's chicken, pepperjack cheese, pickles, spicy honey mustard, lettuce and crispy onions).
A sign posted on the doorway reads, "We will be open from 10-3 everyday this week. We apologize for the inconvenience." However, a Facebook post Tuesday by owners Adam and Sarah Brick stated, "Our last day open will most likely be Wednesday."
In a heartfelt thank-you note to the community, the Bricks wrote, "To our wonderful customers, you’ve been the reason we’ve shown up every day with a smile. Your support, loyalty, and kindness over the years mean more to us than words can express. We’ve loved being part of your lives, and we’re truly grateful for every visit, every kind word, and every memory made here. Though this chapter is closing, we’ll carry the relationships and community we’ve built with us forever. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey."
A small new shop in Pasco Commons on Route 5 in East Windsor has opened to help fill a void in the party balloon market.EAST WINDSOR, CT — The recent departure of Party City stores left a void in the area for people seeking high-level party balloons for their special events, but a small new shop in Pasco Commons on Route 5 in East Windsor has opened to help fill in those gaps.Balloon Town is owned and operated by Nicole Roy, an Ellington resident who for 16 years has run a successful cleaning business, Deeply Devoted Cl...
EAST WINDSOR, CT — The recent departure of Party City stores left a void in the area for people seeking high-level party balloons for their special events, but a small new shop in Pasco Commons on Route 5 in East Windsor has opened to help fill in those gaps.
Balloon Town is owned and operated by Nicole Roy, an Ellington resident who for 16 years has run a successful cleaning business, Deeply Devoted Cleaning Service, which employs multiple teams for residential and office cleaning. Her new venture was directly influenced by the shuttering of the Party City outlets.
"Party City closed, and everybody is looking for balloons," she told Patch. "And I figured I would open up a local store here, where you can have walk-in hours to shop for what you're looking for, as well as chat about your party planning."
In addition to the pressing need for a shop like hers, there was another factor that made Roy open the business.
"It's a fun business to run," she said. "Balloons make everybody happy. It's been very enjoyable when you're smiling and working at the same time."
Roy takes pride in the fact her store only offers top-quality products.
"It's important to know that we only provide high-quality, durable balloons, so we don't provide cheap balloons, like you're going to find at a few other local places," she said. "Our balloons will last. We use HiFloat in our balloons, which makes the helium last 25 times longer, and it makes them flip."
Helium balloons, balloon garlands and foil balloons are all available, with each being suitable for outdoor use. Balloon arches, which have become very popular wedding attractions, are available for rent.
The storefront is open Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, she said, "We are always available for pickup and deliveries, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., so if you place an order ahead of time, we can deliver or be here for an Insta pickup appointment."
Roy said the majority of her business currently comes from online sales. Orders may be placed on the website at www.balloontownct.com, or by calling 860-221-4980.
Wednesday night, Phil Devlin was watching Fairfield National play a team from Texas in the first game of the Little League World Series on TV.Fairfield defeated Richmond, Texas 1-0 and a graphic flashed up on the screen: “Connecticut Second 1-0 Win in State LLWS History. Last: 1965 vs. Texas.”“I saw that and said, ‘Whoa, that was us,’” Devlin said.Devlin, 72, a retired teacher and coach from Higganum, was an outfielder on the 1965 Windsor Locks team that defeated Waco, Texas 1-0, in Ga...
Wednesday night, Phil Devlin was watching Fairfield National play a team from Texas in the first game of the Little League World Series on TV.
Fairfield defeated Richmond, Texas 1-0 and a graphic flashed up on the screen: “Connecticut Second 1-0 Win in State LLWS History. Last: 1965 vs. Texas.”
“I saw that and said, ‘Whoa, that was us,’” Devlin said.
Devlin, 72, a retired teacher and coach from Higganum, was an outfielder on the 1965 Windsor Locks team that defeated Waco, Texas 1-0, in Game 2 of the Little League World Series en route to winning the world championship, only one of four Connecticut teams to do so.
“I haven’t watched a lot of Little League in the last several years, but I wanted to make sure I saw this last night and I was pretty impressed,” said Mike Roche, who was a catcher and a pitcher for the Windsor Locks team. “They’re a good team and looked really solid. Their pitcher was very poised and under control and had some really good stuff.”
Indeed, Fairfield pitcher Luca Pellegrini, who struck out 11 and allowed one hit, reminded Devlin of Roche, who pitched in several close games 60 years ago.
“We beat Stamford 1-0 to win the state title and Mike pitched in that game (in 1965),” Devlin said. “He pitched out of a couple of tight situations like that kid did last night. After that (Richmond, Texas) kid got a hit, the next three guys, (Pellegrini) struck them all out (in the fourth inning).
“It was so impressive, and what poise for that kid to have – that’s the way Mike Roche was. In that Stamford game, not only did he pitch an outstanding game, he hit a home run to left center field and that was the only run of the game.”
Roche, who was the catcher against Waco, doubled and scored the only run in that game, the second game Windsor Locks played. He doesn’t remember much, except that Waco was favored to win the World Series.
“Phil reminds me of a lot of things,” Roche said. “Apparently I hit a ground rule double and scored our only run. I was catching that game, Billy Boardman was pitching.”
Back then, everything was different. The tournament was single-elimination, not double-elimination like it is now. There were only eight teams – four from the U.S. (North, South, East and West) and four international teams (there are 20 now). Only the final game was televised, on ABC’s Wide World of Sports – unlike today, where ESPN provides coverage of 85 games starting at the regional level.
The day before the 1965 championship game, Devlin remembered Windsor Locks manager Bob O’Connor, a no-nonsense World War II veteran, telling his players to line up and take off their caps.
Eight of the 14 boys, he decided, needed haircuts and off they went to the barber shop in downtown Williamsport.
“I was one of them,” Devlin said. “My hair was like an inch and a half long; it was too long.
“We go in – the haircut was 75 cents – and who’s sitting in the chair getting a haircut – Lefty Gomez. The Hall of Fame pitcher for the Yankees, getting a haircut.”
Gomez was in town as a Rawlings representative. The boys got to talk to him, then before the final, they met Jackie Robinson, who was a color commentator for ABC. After they won, they were honored guests at a Mets-Giants game, where they met Willie Mays and they were also invited to Mickey Mantle Day at Yankee Stadium and got to meet Mantle, too.
“When we were kids, the parents used to say to us, ‘You guys really won’t appreciate what you did until you get older and you have a perspective on it,’” Devlin said. “And that turned out to be correct.”
The Windsor Locks team got together for a 50th reunion in 2015. Some of the team members have passed away but many of them are still in touch. Roche and Devlin talk a lot; Roche, an accountant who still lives in Windsor Locks, does Devlin’s taxes.
“It’s an experience you never forget, even if it’s not vivid in your mind,” Roche said. “The experience of it all is just great.”
WINDSOR LOCKS — A local store had its lottery sales license suspended on Friday after the state Department of Consumer Protection said investigators found illegal slot machines on the premises.Investigators with the DCP’s Gaming Division found the slot machines at JJ’s News and Variety on Main Street after receiving a complaint on Monday. Inside the store, investigators questioned the owner, identified as Rais Bhura, who showed investigators the five operational video slot machines. The machines, turned off but plugg...
WINDSOR LOCKS — A local store had its lottery sales license suspended on Friday after the state Department of Consumer Protection said investigators found illegal slot machines on the premises.
Investigators with the DCP’s Gaming Division found the slot machines at JJ’s News and Variety on Main Street after receiving a complaint on Monday. Inside the store, investigators questioned the owner, identified as Rais Bhura, who showed investigators the five operational video slot machines. The machines, turned off but plugged in at the time, were able to issue a paper ticket for a winner to redeem at another location, the DCP said.
The owner had keys to three of the five machines and, when DCP officials transported the machines, they found the machines did not contain money, according to DCP. DCP officials noted in the suspension order that the owner of the machines is unknown to them.
The DCP suspended the business' lottery sales agent license on Friday, meaning no lottery sales may be conducted there until further notice. Additionally, Bhura was charged with engaging in professional gambling and five counts of possession of a gambling device, DCP officials said.
Electronic gaming machines, or slot machines, are only allowed in Connecticut at Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, the DCP noted. All other machines found outside those facilities are illegal.
DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said it is critical that consumers don’t use these illegal slot machines if they encounter them in the community.
“Illegal slot machines put your money and information at risk, have no age-based restrictions, and offer significantly worse odds than regulated physical slot machines and legal iGaming platforms,” Cafferelli said. “Thank you to our Gaming Division, who acted quickly upon receiving a consumer complaint, and to the members of the public who assist us in protecting public safety by reporting illegal activity.”
Anyone looking for resources and support for problems related to gambling can call the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling’s confidential, 24/7 Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-789-7777 or can visit www.ccpg.org. Resources are also available at portal.ct.gov/problemgaming.
To learn how to exclude yourself from legalized gaming activities in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/selfexclusion.
Refurbishing the old train station will create opportunities for better accessibility, new amenities such as a café and a bus route to Bradley International Airport.WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — People traveling to and from Windsor Locks by train will soon experience a major upgrade.The town's old train station complex will be revamped and replace the current outdoor park-and-ride stop on South Main Street at Stanton Road that some travelers say is long overdue for an upgrade.Benjamin Fay, who takes the train occas...
Refurbishing the old train station will create opportunities for better accessibility, new amenities such as a café and a bus route to Bradley International Airport.
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — People traveling to and from Windsor Locks by train will soon experience a major upgrade.
The town's old train station complex will be revamped and replace the current outdoor park-and-ride stop on South Main Street at Stanton Road that some travelers say is long overdue for an upgrade.
Benjamin Fay, who takes the train occasionally, said he’s glad to see the change.
“We end up coming here to what we call our bus stop train station,” Fay said.
He calls it that because, he explained, that’s what the station looks like.
“It’s really nasty in the winter time, it’s hot in the summer time, it’d be great to have a place where you could wait for the train, be comfortable, have parking, have amenities potentially,” he said.
Josh Morgan, a spokesperson with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said the new station will feature a 500-foot-long platform, most of which will be covered. The design also includes built-in snow melting technology and improved accessibility for people with mobility challenges—features lacking in the current station.
“We’re also really excited about making sure we have those connections to [Bradley International Airport] with the Bradley Flyer bus route,” Morgan said. “It could be a real game changer for people who maybe don’t want to drive to the airport. They can get on the train from Windsor Locks or they can drive to Windsor Locks, a lot of connection points to help make travel easier for the public.”
As part of the project, the historic Windsor Locks train station building will be renovated and turned into a welcome center.
It will offer amenities including a café and restrooms, a significant improvement over the current setup.
Morgan said the project reflects a larger movement in the area toward transit-oriented development.
“What’s called TOD, transit-oriented development, so mixed use retail, apartments, housing, right next to a train station, because that’s what we’re seeing a lot of the public wants to see—density around these transit hubs so people can ditch their cars and ride public transportation to get to where they need to go,” Morgan said.
In addition to reconfiguring roadways and upgrading tracks, the project includes connections to the nearby Canal Trail Park in Windsor Locks.
“It’s more than just a train station project, it’s a safety and a connectivity project, so we’re really excited. We’re getting close to the finish line, this will be open and in service by the end of 2025,” Morgan said.
The Department of Transportation hopes the revitalization will attract more people to the area, offering opportunities to eat, shop and live within close proximity to the new station.
Joe Monte is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at .
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