hidden treasure
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3/27/2010
Torrington is a bustling little town which has been designated by President Bush as the nation's first micropolis. That means that it is a town of less than 50,000 people but with the buying power of 250,000. It is a hub for shopping for all of northwestern ct. and the Berkshire foothills of Massachusetts.
It is an old mill town that is slowly undergoing a renaissance and resurgence. The Warner theater was rennovated through a major community-supported venture headed by local Sharon Dante. It now attracts major name talent from New York and is home to the Nutmeg Ballet providing world-class training to aspiring dancers from numerous areas. The downtown area was devastated in 1955 by two powerful hurricanes back-to-back and The Brass Mill never rebuilt causing a loss of many jobs. The population has remained relatively constant having gained only about 2,000 people over the last thirty years.
It is an ethnically tolerant town that encourages diversity. It is steeped in tradition amonst the ethnic groups with a Polish Catholic Church (St. Mary's) a Slovak Catholic Church (Sacred Heart) an Italian Catholic Church (St. Peter's) and an Irish/English Catholic Church (St. Francis). The churches also have added an Hispanic segment to the mix and they have masses at St. Peter's and St. Francis and priest share. Additionally, there is a Maronite Rite Catholic Church (St. Maron's) for the Syrian and Lebanese people. Torrington also has Baptist, Congregationalist, Jewish, Methodist, various other Protestant denominations, New Age, and a Buddhist temple and LDS meeting house in neighboring communities.
It is a very patriotic town celebrating our nation's holidays with a flair. Torrington has one of the largest Memorial Day Parades in the area with marching bands, fife and drum corps and regiments coming from many areas to attend. Coe Memorial Park is host to many patriotic celebrations including honoring and remembering those who have served our country.
The town has a large girl scout heritage and a girl scout camp which many local girls have attended. Boy scouts are active as well with their own camp and Camp Torymca has sponsored many programs for the handicapped children throughout the years.
It has many beautiful lakes nearby providing both swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and ice skating.
Cuisine is delectable. From ethnic dishes to Americana the food is excellent and the prices are reasonable. Scarp's, as the locals call it, has one of the most diverse menu's I have ever seen and was once the favorite haunt of the baby-boomers. Actually, it still is.
It is a quaint little town that squabbles and scraps with its neighbors via Soundoff in the local paper but has a fierce spirit of protectionism within its borders.
Crime is low and a great place to raise children.
All-in-all-a delightful place to live.
Bp | Lakewood, CO