Anne Hughes

I was so proud to celebrate Easton's own honoree, Nick D'Addario, with Scouting America CT Yankee Council today at Housatonic Community College.

The event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Wiley Mullins, Easton's leader in scouting and community service.

Congratulations to Nick and the other honorees, Art Landi and Fran Rabinowitz for investing in youth and opportunities throughout our wider community!

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan, a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees.

The first-in-the-nation program was established following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1.

CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs.

Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs.

All approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure.

Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%.

Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.

THREE TOWNS TOUR - MAY 30

Discover the rich shared history of Fairfield, Weston, and Easton on a special guided bus tour beginning at the Fairfield Museum. Once a sprawling town stretching from the Saugatuck River to present-day Bridgeport and north to Redding, Fairfield eventually gave rise to neighboring communities including Weston, Westport, Easton, and Redding.

Tour participants will explore the unique stories and historical connections among the three towns, followed by an opening reception for the exhibition Happy Anniversary! Centenary Celebrations & Beyond at the Congregational Church Hall in Easton. The Staples Academy will also feature a special exhibit of colonial and early national artifacts and documents, open to tour participants and visitors that day.

The event is co-presented by the Weston History & Culture Center and the Historical Society of Easton. Registration is required. The cost is $80 per person. For questions, call 347-678-7230.

THE REDDING CELEBRATES AMERICA 250 - MAY 30

A volunteer-led community initiative, Celebrating America 250, will culminate in a special concert featuring the full Greater Bridgeport Symphony on Saturday, May 30, at 7 p.m. in the theater at Joel Barlow High School.

Organized in partnership with the Historical Society of Easton, the event highlights strong collaboration between Easton and neighboring communities. About half of the fundraising support has come from Easton residents, and Easton students will also participate in the performance.

WESTON LIBRARY SCAVENGER HUNT

Weston is celebrating America 250 with a town-wide historical scavenger hunt throughout the summer. The hunt kicked off at the Weston Public Library on May 22 and runs through Aug. 14. Participants can explore and learn about historic local locations and landmarks.

For more information, scan the QR code in the flyer below.

I was out meeting constituents in hospitable Georgetown last weekend, which served as a reminder that Georgetown Day — a free community street fair along Main Street — is June 7, from noon to 5:30 p.m.

The event will feature food, crafts, pop-up shops, local businesses, family activities, and more.

I hope to see you there!