Charity events all over the state

This weekend begins the season of Connecticut Special Olympics Penguin Plunges. The events are designed to raise money to assist with Connecticut’s Special Olympics. The Special Olympic Winter Games are scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 28 to March 1, so the timing of the plunges is appropriate.

I have participated in two of the three plunges since I came to Winsted. I plunged in 2012 and 2014, missing 2013 only because of a conflict that resulted when the plunge was rescheduled to a later weekend. I know of several other hearty souls that have plunged into the chilly Highland Lake waters much more than I, so my efforts have been minimal.

In an effort to “catch up” in the number of plunges (but more in an effort to raise even more money for the Special Olympics), Sharon Pelkey and I came up with a “chilling” idea: I will participate in all six Penguin Plunges throughout Connecticut this year. The hope is that a larger donation may be secured from a sponsor for this, let’s call it what it is, craziness. I already have a local sponsor, Brigitte and Scott Rouleau, the owners of Morsel Monk — hey, why not take the opportunity to promote their outdoor gear and fun, especially to other parts of the state!

The first plunge is this Sunday in Farmington — Winding Trails (registration 8 a.m., plunge 10 a.m.). One weekend, one plunge — piece of cake (early forecast looks like low 30s). The next weekend, though, becomes a challenge.

First, the weekend kicks off with a different fundraiser — the Friends of Main Street Bubbles and Truffles (Friday, Feb. 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m., 400 Main St. — the former Kathy’s Cupboard shop). The event includes fine wines, beers, and chocolate — enough to get you hungry to then visit a downtown restaurant for a late dinner. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Bubbles and Truffles has been a remarkable event in the past, and I expect that this year will continue that trend. Friends of Main Street is grateful to the Ledgebrook Spirit Shop and Goldin Management for their assistance for Bubbles and Truffles. 

I’ll need plenty of “liquid courage” for the rest of the weekend, though: two plunges are scheduled at the same time, Saturday, February 7, noon, in Winsted (Highland Lake) and Madison (Hammonasset State Park). From my growing knowledge of Connecticut geography, even for a small state, it will take some effort to get into one, get out, and get to the other. I may need to jump into the Winsted one a little early in order to get to Madison in time to plunge there.

We’ll then warm up somewhere in southern Connecticut because the weekend still includes Sunday and the third (!) plunge of the weekend. New London’s plunge is Sunday, Feb. 8, noon, Ocean Beach Park. Sunday night will need thawing, not warming.

The final two plunges are in Middletown (Feb. 21, noon, at Crystal Lake) and Westport (March 14, 1 p.m., at Compo Beach). Those should be simple after that first February weekend. It should be a crazy and cold 10 weeks!

The Special Olympians deal with more adversity than my 10 minutes of cold, though, and it is for them that I hope to raise money. As mentioned earlier, their Winter Olympics are Feb. 28 and March 1. The Alpine skiing events are at the neighboring Ski Sundown, beginning at 9 a.m. and going throughout the day, concluding in the early evening. The event (and other Winter Game events in Simsbury and East Hartford) is free to the public. Consider spending some time to cheer on the Special Olympians.

YMCA fundraisers

Since this column details various fundraising efforts, I also need to mention two events for the YMCA. The first is Pints for a Purpose. Held at Whiting Mills this weekend (Jan. 24; 6 to 9 p.m., $30 advance, $35 at door), this is a beer-tasting extravaganza, and includes the return of the Blues Patrol, a tribute band fashioned after The Blues Brothers.

 The second event will take a little more effort on my part. Along with Sandi Conforti (Northwest Community Bank), Mayor Elinor Carbone (Torrington), Cathy Coyle (Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial), and Brian Mattiello (Charlotte Hungerford Hospital), I will be “cutting the rug” in a northwest Connecticut version of “Dancing with the Stars.” While training hasn’t started, the event culminates in an evening of dinner and dancing on March 28, 5 to 10 p.m., at Crystal Peak. Tickets are $45 per person. For more information on either of the YMCA events, please contact the YMCA, 860-379-0708.

While the fundraising is fun, the purpose of the funds cannot be overlooked. We have many needs in our community: health, education and housing, to name a few. I am proud to be part of a community that is so willing to support those needs. I look forward to seeing you at these events.

Dale Martin is the town manager of Winsted.