Connecticut
Canton Thai restaurant offers space for community to celebrate Christmas
Providing space for people who may not have a place to celebrate this Christmas. That’s what a Thai restaurant in Canton offered to the community.
It feels a lot like Christmas inside Green Papaya restaurant in Canton.
“It’s a wonderful time. We like to trade gifts,” said Net Nunta, the cook at Green Papaya.
For her and her partner Dirk Peirsman, they were trading flavors and hospitality.
“We don’t celebrate at home so we open here so we can see people too,” Nunta said.
Their restaurant was packed for the holiday, not just because they were one of the few places open, but also to offer a sense of community.
“They’re just great. They’ve both been a big part of the community,” said Lynne Kay, of New Hartford
The restaurant put a post on social media offering their space to anyone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day who may not have a place to celebrate. It’s something they’ve been doing for the last five years.
“I don’t know why the social media blew up on this year. Our sign has been outside always, but the community’s happy,” Peirsman said.
People didn’t even need to eat Thai food as they could bring their own food, but many ate it or at least gave it a try.
“It’s healthy. It tastes good. It seems so clean. Yeah, we love it,” Tommy Skarupa said.
Nunta says this idea started after they came to Connecticut from Belgium to run the restaurant for Nunta’s mother about ten years ago. Both are very far from home and say they wanted to celebrate with the Canton community.
“It’s so lonely you know. Your whole family’s in Thailand and I don’t know anybody so that really hit me,” she said.
This meant welcoming anyone, even those who may be struggling with money around this time. Peirsman says he made sure to take care of at least one person.
“I cannot give you anything off the menu, but we have some catering here. Come in and sit down, eat something for free,” he said.
So far, it’s been a success with customers vowing to make a return trip.
“We love the food. We love the service and love just seeing Dirk and his whole family,” Skarupa said.
Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.
“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.
“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”
In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.
“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”
Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.
“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”
“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”
Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!
A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.
I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.
The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.
As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.
There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.
There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.
A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.
In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.
On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.
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