LEGISLATIVE NIGHT - Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and the Home Builders Association of Northwest Connecticut held their annual Legislative Night on Monday, January 26, 2009.  Torrington Savings bank sponsored Hors d’oeuvres, wine and a WII Game System as a door prize to raise funds for our REALTORS Have a Heart for Kids program.

L to R: Sue Holway, Representative John Piscopo,
Senator Kevin Witkos

L to R: Tim Bobroske, Henry Rozewski,
Representative Michelle Cook, Greg Ugalde, Tom Carey

L to R: Representative Craig Miner, Greg Ugalde,
Larry Fiano, Babe Fiano, Steve Tempkin,
Senator Andrew Roraback

Jeff Geddes, Peter Herbst

Representative Michelle Cook

Selectman Andy Kasznay

Senator Kevin Witkos

Greg Ugalde
 

FEBRUARY 2009
 

RENT SECURITY PROGRAM - On February 18, 2009 the Affordable Housing Committee presented this year's Rent Security Program recipient, the Winchester Emergency Shelter, with a check for $2000.  The Affordable Housing Committee of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. developed the Rent Security Program  to assist local organizations by providing security deposits for low income recipients. 

L to R: Ray Blanchette, Affordable Housing Committee Member; Loriann Dingwell, Affordable Housing Committee Member; Kim Brown, Affordable Housing Committee Member; Maria Bonetti, Affordable Housing Committee Chair; Dan Tolman, Affordable Housing Committee Member; Bruce Mochan, Executive Director of Winchester Emergency Shelter; Sabrina Smeltz, Associate Director of Northwest YMCA
 

REALTORS® HAVE A HEART FOR KIDS PRESENTATION - Litchfield County Board of Realtors takes pride in announcing that in its most recent of ongoing efforts to provide awareness and assistance to charitable organizations within its own community, "REALTORS® Have A Heart For Kids” program sponsored by its’ Public Relations Committee presented, on March 11th, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Stop & Shop gift cards in the amount of $2,020.00 to representatives of the Torrington Department of Children and Families.

These gift cards will be used to support these children, by allowing their social worker to purchase clothes, health care products, formula, school supplies, toys, or perhaps a stuffed animal to keep the child company in their new surroundings. The items purchased are then used to create various age appropriate placement packs to have on hand for immediate use. Our objective is to ensure that despite finding themselves uprooted these children have, at the very least, some familiar possessions to take with them and to ensure their immediate needs are met. 

The suggestion to donate gift cards, not money, for the REALTORS® Have a Heart for Kids program was made by Sandy Ruscoe, DCF Social Work Case Aide, in the Torrington DCF office on Kennedy Drive.  She made this suggestion because of the strict procedures DCF workers must follow regarding the release of State funds.   Any gift cards donated to their office would be readily available for immediate use by DCF workers, enabling the creation of placement packs ahead of time for immediate use when an emergency situation develops, versus waiting for the release of funds from the State.

Ms. Ruscoe provided the following list of accomplishments DCF has made with the proceeds from the REALTORS® Have a Heart for Kids program

·   I have been able to put together clothes for both genders for winter and summer clothing.  One outfit in every size.

·   PJ’s, socks, underwear – Every size

·   We have purchased diaper bags, back packs for placements, children can reuse for school.  

·   We have a package of every size diaper on hand.

·   We have a variety of health care products on hand for all ages including African American/bi-racial children.

·   Comfort items examples; teethers, rattles, stuffed animals, journals, flash lights, blankets, etc…

·   We now have snacks such as Cheerios, pretzels, applesauce and fruit snacks.  We also have juice boxes, toddler graduates, Chef Boyardee for older children, and a few jars of Beech Nut baby food in a cabinet.  When removals happen and the children are brought in hungry we have something on hand to give them.

·    We have been able to help families with providing gift cards to Stop & Shop.   Sometimes parents just need a little help to get over the bump in their path.

·   We are able to replenish items as needed, due to the REALTORS® Have a Heart for Kids Program.

·   And as new needs arise, we are able to meet those needs.

Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and its Public Relations Committee would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone, including members of the public, who participated in this program; all should take great pride in knowing their contributions will support children during a very difficult time in their young lives! 

L to R: Kim D’Andrea, Public Relations Committee Member; Linda Hull, Public Relations Committee Chair; Sandra Ruscoe; DCF Social Work Case Aide; Kevin Knox, Investigative Program Supervisor; Colleen Platt, Public Relations Committee Member; Maria Bonetti, Public Relations Committee.

Certificate of Appreciation - "On behalf of the Northwest Region Department of Children and Families and the children we serve that come under our care in often abrupt and stressful circumstances, we sincerely thank you and express our deepest gratitude for your very generous contribution of $2,020.00 in gift cards. These gift card will be used to supply our children with the necessary items to make their new surroundings more comforting, as well as supply them with necessary items that are often needed and not provided due to certain circumstances at the time of their removal.  You inspire me with your commitment, enthusiasm and prompt responses to the diverse needs of your community."

"We thank you all and present you with this certificate of appreciation.  Thank you for all your generosity, dedication and energy in supporting DCF and the children we serve."

The above picture is of some of the items purchased by DCF with the gift cards donated from our 2008 REALTORS® Have a Heart for Kids Program.

The above picture is of some of the items purchased by DCF with the gift cards donated from our 2008 REALTORS® Have a Heart for Kids Program. 
 

LOCAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST -  This year's Local Leadership Breakfast was outstanding.  The Board and all its' members would like to thank Legislative Chair TJ Zappulla for hosting the program; Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 and Ulster Home Mortgage for generously sponsoring the program.   We would also like to thank the following guest speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in this program, Mayor Ryan Bingham, First Selectman Leo Paul Jr., First Selectman Earl MacInnes, First Selectman Donald Stein, First Selectman Patricia Mechare, Mayor Ken Fracasso, First Selectman Frank Chiaramonte, Bill Baxter from the Torrington Development Project, Vic Muschell from the Torrington Development Project and Mike Guarco from the CT Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility.  The success of our programs is dependent upon our committee members, sponsors, guest speakers and event attendees, we could not do it without their support......Thank You!

Mayor Ryan Bingham

Bill Baxter, Torrington Development Project

Brian Malarkey, HBA of NW CT

Rich Assenza, HBA of NW CT

Robert Kennedy, CAR Executive Vice President

Door Prize Sponsored by Ulster Home Mortgage
L to R: Kim Brown, Diane Carroll (Door Prize Winner)

First Selectman Frank Chiaramonte

First Selectman Earl MacInnes

First Selectman Patricia Mechare

Maria Bonetti, LCBR President-Elect

L to R: Robert Kennedy, CAR Executive Vice
President; Nadia Corvo

TJ Zappulla, LCBR Legislative Chair

L to R:   Tim Bobroske, President of HBA of NW CT

Steve Temkin, Executive Officer of HBA of NW CT

First Selectman Donald Stein

First Selectman Leo Paul Jr.

Vic Muschell, Torrington Development Project

Mike Guarco, CT Municipal Consortium  for Fiscal Responsibility
 

APRIL 2009
 

REBUILDING TOGETHER LITCHFIELD COUNTY - In an effort to help residents of Litchfield County in need of assistance with maintaining and making repairs to their homes Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. Public Relations Committee is worked with the  Rebuilding Together organization. 

Below are some photos of our members working on the project. 

Linda Hull

Marcus Santore

Ellen Waterhouse

Marcus Santore

Marcus Santore

Linda Hull
 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING PROGRAM - This year's Equal Opportunity in Housing Program, a free public service program designed to educate landlords and tenants regarding their rights and  hosted by the Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee, was a great success!  Those in attendance included REALTORS®, landlords and tenants; this was their perfect opportunity to ask questions regarding fair housing issues. The Board and all its members would like to thank the following sponsors Torrington Savings Bank, Prudential Premier Homes, Coldwell Banker Realty 2000, The Washington Agency, E.J. Murphy Realty - Goshen, E.J. Murphy - Litchfield and RE/MAX Property Shoppe, as well as, the following speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to assist with this program  Greg Kirschner, Esquire Connecticut Fair Housing Center; Joe Wincze, President/Chairperson, Fair Housing Association of Connecticut;  Natasha Saxton, FHEO Director,  US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity;  Claudia Sweeney, Executive Director, Torrington Housing Authority and  Bruce Mochan, Executive Director, Winchester Emergency Shelter.

L to R: Cathy Macias, Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee Chair; Greg Kirschner, Esquire, CFHC; Joe Wincze, President/Chairperson, FHAC

L t R: Natasha Saxton, Esquire, FHEO Director, HUD; Claudia Sweeney, Executive Director, Torrington Housing Authority; Bruce Mochan, Executive Director, Winchester Emergency Shelter

Program Attendees

Program Attendees

Dessert Buffet
 

AWARDS NIGHT - This year's Awards Night was outstanding!  The Board and all its members would like to express their sincere gratitude for the generosity of the following sponsors, Chris Gemelli and Joanne O'Mara of Webster Bank for sponsoring the wine and a door prize and Helen Ross and Martin Suizdak of Homes & Land Magazine for sponsoring hors d'oeuvres.  We would also like to thank the REALTOR® of the Year committee for all of their hard work coordinating this event.

During Awards Night new Affiliate and REALTOR® members were recognized, the 2009 LCBR Scholarship and 2009 REALTOR® of the Year Recipients were presented with their awards and 20 and 25 Year REALTOR® members were presented with their pins.  

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2009 REALTOR® of the Year Debra Stewart of Integrity Homes, LLC!!!!!!!

2009 LCBR Scholarship Grant -  This year's recipient Klye Capaldo is the son of Sharon Capaldo of Klemm Real Estate

20 Year REALTOR® Members - Chris Garrity of Bain Real Estate; Julie Fedorovich of Litchfield Real Estate; Ken Obst of Q Real Estate; Carol Pyrzenski of ERA Property Center; Richard Skilton of D L Paletsky & Associates

25 Year REALTOR® Members - Anthony Cannavo of A J Cannavo & Associates; Frank Carfiro of ERA Property Center; Michael Grella of Prudential Premier Homes; Sheree Rossi of ERA Property Center; Ernie Rossi of ERA Property Center; Karen Silk of Sotheby's International Realty; Sue Pollock of Sothebys International Realty

Affiliate Appreciation Award - Brian Cap of The Real Estate Book

2009 REALTOR® of the Year Nominees - Andrea Becker-Abbott of JD Realty; Maria Bonetti of Raynard & Peirce Real Estate; Alan DiStasio of Sotheby's International Realty; Linda Hull of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000; Priscilla Miller of Bain Real Estate; Debra Stewart of Integrity Homes, LLC; Dan Tolman of Yankee New England Real Estate

Debra Stewart, President

L to R: Joanne O'Mara, Chris Gemelli

L to R: Rita Alfano, David Hull, Linda Hull, Donna Molon

L to R: Asher Pavel, Priscilla Miller, Susan Lynn, Victoria Elliot

New Members
L to R: Joan DuQuette-Aresco, Joseph Juhas, Melisa Bird

20 & 25 YEAR REALTOR® Members
L to R: Sue Pollock, 25 Years; Ken Obst, 20 Years; Karen Silk, 25 Years

2009 LCBR Scholarship Recipient
L to R: Marty Capaldo; Kyle Capaldo, 2009 LCBR Scholarship Recipient;
Sharon Capaldo; Annesa Borla, Scholarship Committee Chair

Ileana Santore, REALTOR® of the Year Committee Member

L to R: Amity Wolfe, ROY Committee Member; Brian Cap (Received Affiliate Appreciation Award), Laurel Galloway, ROY Committee Chair; Ileana Santore, ROY Committee Member

Affiliate Appreciation Award
Brian Cap of The Real Estate Book

2009 REALTOR® of the Year Nominees
L to R: Dan Tolman, Debra Stewart, Alan DiStasio;
Maria Bonetti, Andrea Becker-Abbott, Linda Hull, Priscilla Miller

2009 REALTOR® of the Year
Debra Stewart of Integrity Homes, LLC

Marcus Santore, RPAC Committee Chair

Linda Hull, Public Relations Committee Chair

TJ Zappulla, Legislative Committee

Webster Bank Door Prize Drawing
L to R: Joanne O'Mara, Webster Bank; Chris Gemelli,
Webster Bank; Debra Stewart

Door Prize Winner
L to R: Debra Stewart; Tricia Sherwin
of Prudential Premiere Homes
 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - The following was written by President-Elect Maria Bonetti........On May 16th, Linda Hull, Maria Bonetti, and Nicki represented the Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®  and presented a $1,000 donation from our Board to help the Northwest CT Habitat Chapter with the construction of the latest and last home in the Falls Village project. Along with the check presentation, we all dug in to help... we prepped windows to be hung, applied exterior wrap, measured and cut plywood. Some of us even climbed a shaky ladder. A quick passing rain shower couldn't dampen the spirits of those that attended to help Jenny and John Klauser's   family build their new home. The couples children, Megan and Kaitlynn, will have lots of friends indeed as two other families in the Falls Village  Habitat cluster have families with children their age!

Rick Bette   and John Pogue not only had an eager work party from our Board but another surprise. Linda Hull and her husband David, who is the Deputy Commander for the Civil Air Patrol Cadets based out of the Torrington Armory, brought a van filled with Civil Air Patrol Cadets equally eager to help build a home. What a sight that was to arrive and see this group of young cadets helping to do whatever was asked of them. An interesting note... the Civil Air Patrol Program offers a work ethic that parallels our values. Members come from all walks of life, everyday hero's every day who strive to be "Citizens serving Communities". We as REALTORS®  are similar. We come from small offices.. maybe a large office. We are all different but we gather together like a family to give back to our communities. 

Jenny Shippa and John Klauser (the recipients of the house we were working on)

Front of House

Interior - Taken from the Living Room Looking
into the Master Bedroom 

Rear of House

Civil Air Patrol Cadets

Nicki Blass

Linda Hull

L to R: Northwest CT Habitat members Rick Bette and
John Pogue, Linda Hull, Maria Bonetti, Nicki Blass
 

JUNE 2009
 

LEGAL ROUND TABLE - JUNE 17, 2009 -  This year's Legal Round Table was very successful!  The Board and all of its members would like to express their gratitude to Board Counsel Stephanie Weaver for coordinating and hosting the event, Brian Cap of The Real Estate Book for sponsoring it and the following speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in this educational program: Attorney Eugene Marconi, Connecticut Association of REALTORS® Senator Andrew Roraback, Roraback & Roraback; Attorney Jerry Sanchy, Sullivan, Reis, Sanchy & Perlotto; Attorney Brian Yard, Law Offices of Brian M Yard; Attorney James P. Steck, Herbst & Herbst, LLC; Judge Michael Magistrali, Michael Magistrali & Associates; Art Oles, MAI, SRA, Oles & Jerram, Inc.; Attorney M. Katherine Webster-O'Keefe, Law Office of M. Katherine Webster-O'Keefe; Christopher Ashe, Instructor, Learning Limited.
 

Attorney Stephanie Weaver

Chris Ashe

Attorney Gene Marconi

Art Oles

Senator Andrew Roraback

Judge Michael Magistrali

Standing - Janet Alexander

Attorney James P. Steck

Attorney Jerry Sanchy

Attorney M. Katherine Webster-O'Keefe

Attorney Brian Yard
 

CONGRATULATIONS GATES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! Litchfield County Board of REALTORS, Inc. is very proud to announce that for the third year in a row three of the Ray Gates Scholarship Recipients are from our Board!  Congratulations and best wishes the following hard working students!  

KYLE CAPALDO
Son of Sharon Capaldo of Klemm Real Estate
 

STEPHANIE KEARNS
Stephanie is the Daughter of Heidi Kearns
of E.J. Murphy Realty

MEGAN WOODRUFF
Megan is the Daughter of Diane Woodruff
of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

L to R: Jeanne Garzi, Al Scafati, Gary Passineau (Scholarship Committee Members) Kyle Capaldo, Megan Woodruff and (Scholarship Committee members) Luis Sanchez and Wendy McDonald.
 

L to R: Linda Fercodini, Deborah Cronin,
Luis Sanchez, Ted Murphy, Maria Bonetti

L to R: Ted Murphy, Mark Troganowski, Paul Jensen, Gene Fercodini
 

Ted Murphy

SEPTEMBER 2009
 

CAR COUNSEL MEETING - Attorney Eugene Marconi, General Counsel for the Connecticut Association of REALTORS®, hosted our annual CAR Counsel Meeting on September 16, 2009.  Gene discussed important topics, such as, Connecticut advertising rules and regulations, enforceable commissions, etc.

LCBR members may view a short video clip of the CAR Counsel Meeting. Please note accessing the video will require the user to login twice with the User Name and Password for our website.  CAR Counsel Video

Attorney Gene Marconi

L To R: John Fahey, Arlene Janssen,
Ileana Santore, Peter Onderdonk

L to R: Marilyn Palmer; Marlene Parker; TJ Zappulla; Jack Capone

L to R: Nancy Lee, Barbara Guida, Theresa Fortier, Ron Rudek

L to R: Donna Molon, Johanna Stanko,
Nadia Corvo - Bob Riva - David Sartirana

Debra Stewart, President
 

MLXCHANGE PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR - CTMLS held a MLXchange Professional Seminar to educate CTMLS users regarding the free MLXchange Professional upgrade that will be available in late September. 

LCBR members may view a short video clip of the MLX Professional Seminar. Please note accessing the video will require the user to login twice with the User Name and Password for our website.  MLX Pro Seminar Video

L To R: Barbara Horvath, Ellen Waterhouse

L to R: Lauren Egan, Cheryl Congahan, Donna Molon

Dan Tolman - Winner of a CTMLS Vest
 

SALVATION ARMY -  Maria Bonnetti, Affordable Housing Committee Chair, met with the newest representatives of the Torrington Salvation Army Chapter, Lt. Alan and Mrs. Angie Galentine, to welcome them to Torrington.  Maria informed them that their organization will be one of the recipients of the proceeds from our 2009 Annual Fundraiser and asked them to consider participating in our Rent Security Program.

L to R: Maria Bonetti, Lt. Alan Galentine, Angie Galentine
 

OCTOBER 2009
 

2009 FUNDRAISER CHECK PRESENTATION -  The Public Relations Committee of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. dedicated its 2009 fundraising efforts to the support of The Salvation Army and F.I.S.H.Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. Public Relations Committee fundraising efforts are aimed at bringing together members of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc., its affiliates, the public and local businesses in a campaign to support the humanitarian interests of worthy organizations in our community.  On October 16, 2009 Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. Public Relations Committee Chair, Linda Hull presented Lt. Alan Galentine and Mrs. Angie Galentine of The Salvation Army and Executive Director A. Hamlet Montero of F.I.S.H.  each with a check for $2,025.00. This year’s fundraiser was extremely successful and we would like to thank everyone who contributed.  Both of the organizations are extremely pleased to have received such a generous donation.

L to R: Maria Bonetti, Public Relations Committee Member; Lt. Alan Galentine, Salvation Army; Mrs. Angie Galentine, Salvation Army; Linda Hull, Public Relations Committee Chair; A. Hamlet Montero, F.I.S.H.; Kim D’Andrea, Public Relations Committee Member; Colleen Platt, Public Relations Committee Member; Carey Budnick, Public Relations Committee Member 
 

ANNUAL MEETING/2010 ELECTIONS/75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - Don't forget to help a child in need this holiday season by picking up at least one "Angel" from our Public Relations Committee at the Annual Meeting.  Look at the picture below to see the Public Relations Committee hard at work on the "Angel" tags. 

Clockwise:
Linda Hull, Maria Bonetti, Kim D'Andrea,
Carey Budnick, Colleen Platt
 

INSTALLATION OF 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS - The installation of the 2010 Board of Directors was held on December 10, 2010.

Swearing In of 2010 Board of Directors