Winsted shines purple in honor of killed business owner for domestic violence awareness
The Winsted community is mourning the loss of Carrie Stetson, a well-known business owner who ran Railway Cafe.
“Carrie was all about community, and this community needs to be all about her now,” said Vicki Sobol MacDonald, the co-owner of Lil Sunflower Studio.
MacDonald and her sisters, fellow co-owners Kris Sobol Cosgrove and Laura Sobol Dregger, say Winsted is a little bit dimmer without their lifelong friend, Carrie Stetson.
After an unimaginably hard week without their friend, they are turning their pain into passion to honor Carrie.
“We’re doing the things that we know would make her smile,” said Sobol Cosgrove.
The sisters are hosting a make-and-take session Saturday at Lil Sunflower Studio, where community members are invited to create keychains in Carrie’s honor. On the chains include Carrie’s favorite things, like coffee, sweets, and even a train car, which is an ode to her popular business, Railway Café.
“I think people should remember Carrie with a smile because that’s how Carrie would want to be remembered,” said Sobol MacDonald.
“She’ll be remembered for her warmth, humanity, and not because of this tragedy,” said Stephen Plumbly, of the Winsted Economic Development Commission, another organization Carrie was involved in.
Winsted will be shining purple for Carrie. There’s a long list of customers purchasing purple lights at the Winsted Hardware store, which now proudly displays a purple heart in its front window, honoring Carrie and raising awareness of domestic violence.
“We hope that these lights will raise awareness and call attention about that problem [domestic violence] in the United States, and to honor all the victims. I know that Carrie would want it that way,” said Plumbly. “We don’t want Carrie to be remembered for a week. Carrie should be remembered forever.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone.
There are resources available both in-state and nationally to help.
CT Safe Connect provides resources in Connecticut for survivors of domestic violence seeking services. If you need help or just someone to talk to, visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text (888) 774-2900. Advocates are available 24/7.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.