<p>Every year, thousands of the world’s most prominent tech experts from all segments of the battery supply chain convene to discuss innovations in the lithium battery industry for consumers, as well as the automotive, military, grid, and industrial sectors at the International Battery Seminar &amp; Exhibit. This year, one Connecticut manufacturer is leading the charge by being tapped as a key speaker at the annual event to be held in Orlando, FL from March 17-20, 2025. Specifically, Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at <a href="http://www.pactww.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Packaging And Crating Technologies</a> (PACT®), will be delivering an educational seminar on how his company’s patented <a href="http://www.pactthermoshield.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PACT ThermoShield</a>TM product line has become a viable solution for the proliferation of lithium battery fires around the globe.&nbsp;</p><p>“We are honored to be invited to speak at this high-tech forum to showcase our critical, life-saving solutions for lithium battery fires – a problem that continues to increase exponentially every day as more electronic-powered equipment and handheld devices enter the marketplace,” said Rodger Mort. “We are uniquely positioned to discuss and demonstrate how our fire-suppressant paper wrap stops thermal runaway, a phenomenon when lithium batteries heat up and ignite during storage, transportation or recycling, which can lead to dangerous and oftentimes deadly explosions.”</p><p>Mort explains that PACT Thermo ShieldTM was invented as a thermal management system for shipping and storing items containing lithium batteries. It consists of three thin, lightweight, paper materials coated with proprietary ink. When a lithium battery goes into thermal runaway and burns, the special ink releases a moisture barrier that creates a vapor cloud to immediately cool the internal contents of the package to prevent a domino fireball effect, while limiting oxygen around the package to prevent the battery temperature from escalating to 1,500° Fahrenheit, at which point, lethal gases form.</p><p>“Simply stated, the hot electrolyte gases that can escape from a lithium battery condense against the PACT Thermo Shield paper, which prevents the hot gases from finding oxygen and exploding into a major inferno,” said Mort. “By controlling both the internal and external environments of the battery package, we prevent the explosion and spread to other batteries.” </p><p>From the same technology, PACT also developed a 100% paper-based solution for lithium-ion battery packs, called TR SleeveTM that shuts down thermal runaway on the cellular level. Here, a layer of PACT Thermo Shield TM is wrapped around <strong>each</strong> battery cell to mitigate thermal runaway between them, thus serving as a heat and flame barrier. A critical safety solution for E-mobility equipment, like EVs, E-buses, E-bikes, E-scooters, and other modern devices, TR </p><p>SleeveTM stands at the forefront of safety, sustainability, and efficiency in battery technology and produces a greener and more cost-effective future for the increasing use of lithium batteries.</p><p>Mort notes that TR EnvelopeTM, is the newest, customizable format of PACT ThermoShield TM, which safely transports and stores smaller devices such as cell phones, pagers, smartwatches and rechargeable A-D batteries, items becoming a hazard for commercial airlines during flight.</p><p>Lastly, Mort describes the company’s newest invention – the PACT Lion-X TM Fire Extinguisher, which is still undergoing testing requirements but is targeted to be available by end of the year. The pre-mixed, water-based solution quenches lithium battery fires upwards of 1,600 degrees within seconds, while eliminating the release of toxic gases into the environment and is the first of its kind on a global scale. “We’re so excited to introduce our latest inventions that reduce lithium battery fires on the international stage,” concludes Mort. “If we can save just one life, while preventing property damage and personal injury, we’ve done our job!” </p><p>As the longest-running annual battery industry event in the world, the International Battery Seminar &amp; Exhibit has always been the preferred venue to announce significant developments, new products, and showcase the most advanced battery technology. In fact, Sony chose the International Battery Seminar as the platform to first announce its lithium-ion technology in 1991, an accomplishment that has since gone on to change the world.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">For more information about PACT Thermo Shield</span> TM<span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">, visit: </span><a href="https://www.pactthermoshield.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pactthermoshield.com/</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);"> or stop by booth #1117 at The International Battery Seminar &amp; Exhibit.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><strong>Assisted Living Services Receives 2025 Best of Home Care® – Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and Employer of Choice Awards</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Services, Inc</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. today announced that it has received the distinguished 2025 Best of Home Care</span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">®</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> –Leader in Experience Award, Best of Home Care® - Provider of Choice and Best of Home Care® - Employer of Choice from Activated Insights, formerly Home Care Pulse, the leading firm in experience management for post-acute care. Specifically, the Leader in Experience Award is the highest recognition bestowed by Activated Insights and is given to select home care businesses </span>that consistently rank among the very highest in ten or more quality metrics. As a Leader in Experience, Assisted Living Services is <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">now recognized among the top 10% of home care providers in the nation.</span></p><p>This accomplishment demonstrates Assisted Living Services’ long-term dedication to excellent care and quality improvement. To qualify for this award, 10% of the company’s clients and caregivers were interviewed each month by Activated Insights. Over a 12-month period, Assisted Living Services received high client and caregiver satisfaction ratings in areas such as caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, client/caregiver compatibility, and more. Using feedback from clients and employees, as well as quality benchmarks from Activated Insights, the company’s management team set goals to reach the highest level of Experience possible.</p><p>“As a family-owned and operated business for nearly 30 years, we truly view all of our employees and elderly clients as an extended family, so earning these prestigious awards is very fulfilling to us,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer at Assisted Living Services, Inc. “As we continue to grow in both size and locations, our underlying commitment to providing excellent in-home care will always remain our primary purpose.”</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Best of Home Care</span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">®</strong> –<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Leader in Experience Award highlights the top-performing home care businesses in the nation. Activated Insights believes that by honoring these providers, families looking for in-home care for a loved one will be able to recognize and choose a trusted home care provider.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“At Activated Insights, our mission is to help post-acute care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations; ultimately improving outcomes for all stakeholders in the care continuum,” </span>says Bud Meadows, chief executive officer of Activated Insights. “When we see agencies like <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Assisted Living Services that have so effectively provided outstanding care and employment experiences, we know that we’re on the right track. The management team has worked extremely hard to prioritize high-quality care and employment, and their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This award allows them to show proof of quality to potential clients and caregivers.” </span></p><p>To find out more about Assisted Living Services’ commitment to experience, please visit <a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.assistedli</a><a href="vingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vingct.com</a> or call 203-634-8668.</p>

<p>&nbsp;It’s the sweetest time of the year as the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie season kicks off in Connecticut.&nbsp;The 100% girl-led entrepreneurship program that develops the next generation of female business leaders officially launches on January 24th. The public is now able to order the delicious desserts from individual Girl Scout members – both in-person and online.</p><p>“The five fundamentals of the cookie program are goal setting, decision making, business ethics, people skills and money management,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT).&nbsp;“Girls learn to work as a team to accomplish goals, while building confidence in their individual abilities and most importantly, they have fun while doing it!</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Spearman notes that Girl Scout members received an educational immersion to ensure a successful 2025 cookie season at the Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair earlier this month, which offered a variety of helpful workshops on leadership, entrepreneurship, customer care, cyber security, and presentation skills.</span>To sweeten the deal, GSOFCT offers a reward system in which Girl Scouts earn prizes for selling a certain level of cookie packages.&nbsp;Incentives include patches, charms, a Lenovo Laptop, tickets to AdventurePark in Storrs and a plush stuffed panda, the official mascot of the 2025 cookie season.</p><p>The roster of tasty treats being offered this year includes&nbsp;Adventurefuls™, Thin Mints®, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils®, Lemon-Ups®, gluten-free Toffee-tastic® and Girl Scout S’mores®, which are officially retiring this season.&nbsp;Each variety costs $6 per package.</p><p>There are several ways to pre-order and purchase Girl Scout Cookies including:</p><ul><li>Contacting a registered Girl Scout to find out how she’s selling cookies, either in-person or through her individual Digital Cookie<span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">&nbsp;®&nbsp;</span>online platform.</li><li>Visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdWk0D-2FZNWoRYVKhJpIohRAA-3DBxmu_Ij1XgsWtWeAdz0mTEGIcEh6byeAwrCr1n-2Fdtm09E61q1gufQgi3uo3sO5-2BIoQsNjgf4iqXmt9uazDd1G1KzkN40mGU08xegmnUeGbPY7bGBp1Ydh-2FRHiV88WH98wjE-2BT9cqaaXhBKL63RgPVFDdh3szbAdI2odiUdhPHYQ-2FxDA-2Bzl7bvPZDG4d-2BmSvxjb0sY3M-2FhyN8tVn-2FzzEmZncqE5TzGEymcFvmstvelUK5mwe85rQYHdLbJAC0jVvwFb7pnf7OjOzHix9S25xxlC0tHZnyLtQzmJEdz43evmJRcw9aHVp39d9PyVDdCWhaXj8mwsMh1G-2F7zlnbZpgU-2BamT5mA-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u>www.gsofct.org</u></a><u style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">&nbsp;to find out how to order online,&nbsp;</u>or</li><li>Contacting GSOFCT’s Customer Care team at (800) 922-2770</li><li>Girl Scout Cookies will be delivered to Connecticut on March 22, 2025, at which time, all pre-orders will be fulfilled to customers, and troops around the state will set up cookie booths in their local communities through the end of April.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>For more information on the Girl Scout Cookie season, including how to find cookies or support the organization in other ways, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdWk0D-2FZNWoRYVKhJpIohRAA-3De418_Ij1XgsWtWeAdz0mTEGIcEh6byeAwrCr1n-2Fdtm09E61q1gufQgi3uo3sO5-2BIoQsNjgf4iqXmt9uazDd1G1KzkN40mGU08xegmnUeGbPY7bGBp1Ydh-2FRHiV88WH98wjE-2BT9cqaaXhBKL63RgPVFDdh3szbAdI2odiUdhPHYQ-2FxDA-2Bzl7bvPZDG4d-2BmSvxjb0sYR811WZS7jUGxheBfFSa0FmJi3DHgbSaeMu2X35WswLJZj0Wj7xnKB39zukmrwR7ZdoRgDJx8g6H-2Fjww7KCPpKe6nDjDlneocXBo95YjT9P-2Benpo84ht5o5Cjw6A8Vil677mUOEOnEZMzTgZIey22EQ-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u>www.gsofct.org</u></a>.</p>

<p>On Saturday, January 11, 2025, downtown New Haven will come alive with the energy of Girl Scouts gathering for the “Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally &amp; Entrepreneur Fair.” Hosted by Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT) at the Omni New Haven Hotel, this annual event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves as the official kick-off to the highly anticipated Girl Scout Cookie season.</p><p>The event, now in its second year, is expected to welcome more than 300 attendees and offers workshops on money management, leadership, entrepreneurship, customer care, cybersecurity, and presentation skills.</p><p>“The Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair is one of our most popular events because it equips Girl Scouts with hands-on techniques to enhance their cookie businesses,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “Everyone leaves the event informed, excited, and empowered to make this Cookie Sales Season their most successful yet!”</p><p>Attendees can participate in six Badge Activity Stations to work on Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy badges, visit over 30 company vendors—including M&amp;T Bank, Junior Achievement, and the UConn Extension Financial Literacy Education Program—and explore the Girl Scout Activity Zone featuring indoor archery, hula hoop games, and SWAPS (small tokens of friendship exchanged among Girl Scouts).</p><p>“Beyond business skills, this event highlights life-balancing activities that reinforce the four primary pillars of Girl Scouts: STEAM, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and the Outdoors,” added Spearman. “Our goal is for attendees to leave with a deeper appreciation for the amazing year-round programs Girl Scouts offers.”</p><p>Other highlights include a Summer Fun Zone showcasing camp and travel opportunities, sing-a-longs, the Council Shop featuring the latest Girl Scout gear, and workshops on yoga, mindfulness, fire safety, and self-defense. A Volunteers Lounge provides a space for attendees to connect with GSOFCT management team members.The event is open to all girls in grades K-12 with an adult chaperone. Pre-registration is available until January 3, 2025, at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gsofct.org/en/sf-events-repository/2025/great-girl-scout-round-up-2025----dbjcsa---new-haven--ct.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Girl Scouts of Connecticut Events</a>. For more information, contact Customer Care at 800-922-2770 or <a href="mailto:CustomerCare@gsofct.org." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CustomerCare@gsofct.org.</a></p><p>Girl Scout Cookie season officially begins on January 24, 2025, with order-taking, followed by statewide booth sales starting March 22, 2025.</p><p><em>Photo: The 2nd Annual Girl Scout Round Up: Cookie Rally and Entrepreneur Fair will be held at the Omni New Haven Hotel at 155 Temple Street, offering workshops on leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to hundreds of attendees.</em></p><p><em>Credit: Girl Scouts of Connecticut</em></p>

<p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-CT Eldercare Experts Explain Subtle Symptoms that Signal the Need for Assistance-</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>(Cheshire, Conn)</strong><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</strong><em>– December 5, 2024</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span>–&nbsp;It’s the time of year for joyous <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">holiday visits with elderly parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. It’s also the time to be on alert for signs of decline in your elderly loved ones that may indicate a need for in-home assistance to keep them aging safely in place. </span><a href="http://www.assistedlivingct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assisted Living Services, Inc</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">., a non-medical senior homecare agency with offices in Cheshire, Westport and Putnam, Connecticut, offers tips on what families should look for this holiday season,</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">“</span>Every January we experience a spike in phone calls inquiring about in-home care<span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"> because most people have recently gathered with families and have noticed a physical or mental impairment impacting their elderly loved one’s daily life and safety both in and outside of the home,” said Mario D’Aquila,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(64, 63, 66);">chief operating officer</span><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">&nbsp;at Assisted Living Services. </span>“Age-related decline can happen quickly, so even if you see a loved one frequently, subtle changes are easy to overlook.”</p><p>He notes that the first step should be a visit to the senior’s primary care physician for a check-up to rule out any underlying causes, review all medications and help determine if professional home health care, such as nursing care, or physical therapy is necessary.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some</span> warning signs that may indicate an elderly person needs additional help around the house or increased personal care include:</p><p>Forgetfulness/confusion</p><p>Neglect of physical appearance or basic hygiene</p><p>Neglect of medical needs</p><p>Trouble performing routine tasks or chores</p><p>Personality changes</p><p>Inability to handle finances, pay bills</p><p>Unsteadiness, clumsiness or recent history of falling</p>

<p><strong><em>-PACT Presents $500 Check to AMERICAN LEGION in THOMASTON-</em></strong></p><p><strong>(Thomaston, CT)</strong> –<em> November 20, 2024</em>– Thanksgiving marks the start of holiday giving, and one Connecticut manufacturing company has been giving back to those who served our country all year long! Specifically, Watertown-based <a href="http://www.pactww.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT</a>), recently presented a $500 check to the American Legion organization in Thomaston based on a charitable campaign that it launched in November for National Military Appreciation Month. The local non-profit is the leading <span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 34);">advocate for healthcare and earned benefits for veterans, servicemembers and their families. </span></p><p><br></p><p>“Although we, as an American company, are always patriotically minded, we consider it a privilege to highlight key military holidays and commemorative milestones like Memorial Day, Veterans Day and most recently, Military Appreciation Month,” said Rodger Mort, COO of PACT. “In doing so, we are raising both awareness and financial donations for our heroes and their families.”</p><p><span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 34);">Mort notes that PACT has </span>strong ties to the military which uses its various shipping and packaging container line when individual soldiers are moved from station to station, including its </p><p>patented LiftVan, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">PleatWrap, J-Crate, Spiral Foot, MP40, Sofa Crate and Motorcycle Crate. Each item</span> is made from a durable and sustainable corrugated cardboard material and is capable of being reused for hundreds of moves. </p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Further, the company is a preferred vendor for the US Department of Defense and has been awarded a special permit from the US Department of Transportation for the shipping of lithium-ion batteries, as </span>well as passed the proposed SAE-G-27 test standard for shipping lithium-ion batteries.</p><p>“PACT benefits the military through both its innovative product line, as well as in its generous charitable programs,” said David Lauretano, commander of the Thomaston CT American Legion Post 22. “We are extremely grateful for the company’s ongoing efforts in helping to ensure that the sacrifice of our servicemen and women is never forgotten.”</p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">PHOTO</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">: (from left): David Laurentano, commander of the Thomaston CT American Legion Post 22 is presented with a $500 check from Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at </span><a href="http://www.pactww.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT)</a> in Watertown, Conn. for its fundraising campaign in honor of National Military Appreciation Month during November.</p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Photo Courtesy of: PACT, LLC</em></p>