LIFE

"Wherever you live, local history gives you inspiration.” So said Mary Donohue, the town’s historian. A year into her appointment, she is deep into her role, publishing pamphlets for public use, giving talks, and finding treasures in town she aims to share. She is technically retired but calls this her third career and “the first unpaid one.”

Ready for one of the most anticipated events of the year? Celebrate! West Hartford (CWH), a mainstay in town since 1987, once again promises to offer a weekend of big fun.

Concert time! Free summer concerts abound in town. With summer in full swing, it means summer concerts are here. They’re free, family friendly and most importantly, they’re fun. Grab a blanket and some chairs, a picnic basket, and your sunscreen. Then sit back and enjoy yourself. After all, that’s what summers are for. Elizabeth Park at the John G. Martin Foundation stage Glenn Hansen Orchestra (Big band/Sinatra/Count Basie) Sat., July 4, 6:30-8pm Latanya Farrell (Soulful

Be careful before you bite into that freshly foraged mushroom. If you’re lucky, according to Dr. Dayne Laskey, you’ll wind up in the hospital during his shift. If not, it could be your last meal.

According to police Chief Marshall Porter the average person will experience two or three traumatic events over a lifetime. Police officers on average will experience three every six months on average. “And over a 30-year career, it's 180 traumatic events,” he said during the department’s annual awards ceremony May 14. “The job can go from routine to dangerous in a split second. They respond to traumatic scenes, violent deaths, mental health crises, serious crashes and every

For years, Superintendent Alan B. Bookman has spent part of a May board of education meeting lauding the careers of educators taking their final bows and heading off into retirement. This May was different. In addition to saying goodbye to a dozen teachers and administrators, Bookman himself will retire after 55 years in education.