Brenda Pantano

Reporter finds every piece of clothing has a warming tale

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — Over the last 11 weeks, I have written a weekly story tracking the progress of the Warm the Children campaign. Last week, I had the pleasure of participating as a volunteer shopper. Ana Torres and I met at the Target on Hartford Road in New Britain to goContinue reading “Reporter finds every piece of clothing has a warming tale”

Literacy bags help moms, children interact and learn

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — The children were all smiles in the Cloud Room at the YWCA one day last week as they sat on their mothers’ laps playing with new toys and looking over books. The toys and books were part of the 15 literacy bags that the Junior League of GreaterContinue reading “Literacy bags help moms, children interact and learn”

New Britain’s HALS Academy a ‘success story school’

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — A middle school in the city, HALS Academy, is one of 24 public schools being honored by a state education advocacy group. HALS Academy, or House of Arts, Letters and Science Academy, on Pendleton Road in New Britain was named one of this year’s “success story schools.” “ToContinue reading “New Britain’s HALS Academy a ‘success story school’”

Volunteer shoppers happy to be part of Warm the Children

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN— A few years ago Evelyn Lopez found herself shopping in Walmart with seven children for their winter clothing. She went through the clothing racks finding the perfect winter clothing for each child. “They were so happy,” she recalled. That was just one of many memories Lopez has from herContinue reading “Volunteer shoppers happy to be part of Warm the Children”

Amato’s seeks to brighten holidays for needy kids

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — This holiday season Amato’s Toy & Hobby isn’t just concerned with selling trains and model planes, but also to donate toys to low-income children with help from customers. “I figure you can’t blame a child. No matter where they are in their lives, it’s not their fault,” saidContinue reading “Amato’s seeks to brighten holidays for needy kids”

Malloy visits CCSU seeking ways to improve education

By Brenda Maguire Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — The state Department of Education is in a phase of “exploration” and “investigation” to determine how to improve education in public schools, faculty members and others were told Monday at Central Connecticut State University. Gov. Dannel Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor met with a group of aboutContinue reading “Malloy visits CCSU seeking ways to improve education”

Fruitful shopping can be found at Wojtusik’s Nursery and Garden

NOTE: Printed in special “Gift Guide” section. By Brenda Maguire Correspondent Looking for shopping deals that will also prove fruitful when decorating for the holiday season? Then look no further than your local greenhouse or gardening shop. For instance, Wojtusik’s Nursery and Garden, at 750 Terryville Ave. in Bristol, has all of the fixings forContinue reading “Fruitful shopping can be found at Wojtusik’s Nursery and Garden”

Tops are tops at Fashion Bug

NOTE: Printed in special “Gift Guide” section. By Brenda Maguire Correspondent If women’s clothing is on the shopping list, then the Fashion Bug in Bristol Commons on Farmington Avenue in Bristol is an ideal stop. This Black Friday, Fashion Bug, which is opening earlier than usual at 8 a.m., will have 40 percent off theContinue reading “Tops are tops at Fashion Bug”

Jewelry always atop holiday gift lists

NOTE: Printed in special “Gift Guide” section. By Brenda Maguire Correspondent With the holiday season upon us, there are deals to be found for the discerning shopper, even when it comes to such disparate gifts as diamonds versus toy train sets. If jewelry is on the gift list, head over to Polumbo’s Jewelers at 438Continue reading “Jewelry always atop holiday gift lists”