Regner Benefit This Saturday

WINSTED — Anyone who buys or sells newspapers on Main Street is probably familiar with Eric Regner, the newspaper courier who delivers stacks of several papers, including The Winsted Journal, to stores in the area. What some may not know is that Regner had to take a few days off last month when it was determined he had suffered a stroke on Feb. 13.

The diagnosis was made after trips to Charlotte Hungerford and Hartford hospitals. Regner is back on his feet now, and on blood-thinning medication — but he has found himself faced with an added headache. As a self-employed courier, Regner had no insurance. He was left with hospital bills totaling more than $14,000.

But there’s a bright side to the story.

Regner’s friends and family have joined together to host a benefit pasta dinner and party in his honor this Saturday, March 31, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Cornucopia Banqueting Hall on Pinewoods Road in Torrington.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children under 12, and are available at the door. Regner’s wife, Ann, works at the Cornucopia, and her friends there have donated the hall and their services for the event.

The Regners’ eight children, Pam, Beth, Jon, Jackie, Tracy, Heidi, Prudence and Eric Jr., are helping organize the event, which is expected to draw an enthusiastic crowd.

"It’s really amazing how nice people have been," Ann Regner said Wednesday. "A lot of people who don’t even know us are helping out."

For more information about Saturday’s benefit, call Tracy LeSure at 860-294-1228.