Jason Rojas

The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:

• State Update
• This Week In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed into law a multi-pronged, bipartisan piece of legislation that will work to protect Connecticut children and adults from some of the harms associated with recent advancements in the digital age, like youth social media addiction and concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence. The bill also establishes workforce training initiatives to ensure the state’s workers are prepared with the advanced tools needed to compete for high-quality tech jobs in the modern world.

The legislation, Public Act 26-15, was written as a collaborative effort between Governor Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), co-chair of the legislature’s General Law committee. The officials said that codifying these protections in state statute is necessary due to Washington, D.C.’s inaction to address these issues on the federal level.

Today in 1935, a packed house of 1,500 enthusiastic music lovers in Norfolk heard the world premiere of internationally renowned conductor and composer Henry Hadley’s latest work, “The Connecticut Symphony,” a piece composed to celebrate that year’s 300th anniversary of the Constitution state’s founding. Hadley, one of his era’s most popular and widely played American composers, had a special talent for bridging highbrow and popular musical cultures. His compositions were widely used in the silent film industry, and he was one of the conductors selected to lead the New York Philharmonic orchestra in its first live radio broadcast. Hadley was also hired by Warner Brothers to help introduce synchronized musical soundtracks to film. In addition to composing music for a number of Warner Brothers’ transitional films which added only music and sound effects, in 1926 Hadley conducted the musical score for Don Juan, starring Lionel Barrymore — the first motion picture with a fully synchronized soundtrack.

Hadley’s  30-minute “Connecticut Symphony” was played by a 65-piece orchestra at the Norfolk Music Shed, a venue built in 1906 by the wealthy Stoeckel family to present choral concerts, and which later brought quality orchestral concerts to the communities of northwest Connecticut.

Formally known as Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 140, it was Hadley’s fifth and final symphony. The work had been commissioned by Ellen Stoeckel, co-founder of the Music Shed, specifically to commemorate Connecticut’s 300th anniversary at the Norfolk venue.

The work consisted of three movements that echoed the long arc of the state’s documented history. They were respectively titled “1635,” “1735,” and “1935.” The first movement incorporates Native American musical affectations juxtaposed against the centuries-old Doxology hymn; the second movement features slower and sweeping 18th-century tunes and hymns like Ein Feste Burg (“A mighty fortress is our God”), and the final movement is an energetic display of early 20th century contemporary American music.

In addition to serving as a guest conductor for some of the world’s most famous symphony orchestras, Hadley was the first American composer to conduct his own opera at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House, and was a founding member of what is now known as Tanglewood in western Massachusetts. A sweeping musical celebration of Connecticut heritage was first performed and conducted, with plenty of pride, pomp and circumstance — by a superstar of yesteryear — today in Connecticut history.

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents
 
Town Newsletters
Pulse of East Hartford     
East Hartford Public Schools
East Hartford Works

CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!

The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).

Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.

The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.

Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.

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We live in a time when it is easy to be impressed by the polished lives we see online—beautiful people, perfect posts, endless followers. But real confidence and joy don’t come from likes or views; they come from feeling strong, connected, and grounded. As we move into the winter months, I encourage you to focus on building a healthy mind and body. Take a look through the Manchester Now catalog to discover activities that fit your interests and inspire you to stay active and engaged. Whether it’s joining a fitness class, exploring a new hobby, or connecting with others through community programs, these small choices can make a bid difference. Stay the course this winter, and by spring, you’ll be ready to step into the new season feeling refreshed, energized, and ready for all that’s ahead.
 

Manchester Now Winter/Spring 2026 Publication

Celebrate Juneteenth across both sides of the river at Great River Park in East Hartford and Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford!

This free event is hosted in collaboration with the City of Hartford, Town of East Hartford, and Music Is Life curating the Hartford mainstage entertainment. This daylong event will include incredible live music, DJs, food trucks, a mental health wellness village, and tons family-friendly fun.

The event will kick off at 10:00AM with attendees and members from the City and the Town processing across the Founders Bridge pedestrian walkway to meet in the middle for a beautiful celebration and ceremony. Come join us!

 

Date Jun 20 2026

Time 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Location

Great River Park

Location 2

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:

• Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
•  Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
• The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
   

Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water.  So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices. 

The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town.  Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment.  You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.

Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.

HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET

The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.

2026 HazWaste Information Packet

HazWaste info packet for small businesses, non-profits and municipalities

Moving? Please click here for further information!

2026 HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE COMING SOON

2026 HazWaste Schedule PDF

All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted. 

Date         Town                   Location                                                                                    

June 6    Windsor    MDC Poquonock WPCF, 1222 Poquonock Avenue
June 27    Wethersfield    Webb Elementary School, 51 Willow Street
September 12    Bloomfield    Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive
September 19    Rocky Hill    Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street
September 26    West Hartford    Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street
October 17    Windsor Locks/East Granby    Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks
October 24    Hartford    MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road


(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility)
* One collection date is held on a Sunday

The East Hartford Commission on Aging invites all seniors (55+) for a series of seminars and conversations with Town departments. These seminars are part of a new initiative called “Senior Survey Seminars,” in response to results from town-wide senior survey conducted by the Commission on Aging in 2023.
The seminars are intended to educate local seniors on a variety of topics, such as public safety, programming, tax assistance, senior services and more.
The four-part series will run through July 29, as follows:

 “All about taxes”

•   Wednesday, June 24, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

“Public Programming with Libraries and Parks and Recreation”

•   Wednesday, July 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

“Health and Human Services”
All workshops will be held at the Senior Center, located at 15 Millbrook Drive. 
These seminars are open to all East Hartford seniors age 55+, senior center membership not required.
To register, call the East Hartford Senior Center at (860) 291-7460 ext. 0.
Light refreshments will be provided by the Commission on Aging.

East Hartford Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!

Summer is fast approaching and East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering summer camp programs for the 2026 summer season.

East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21. Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Social Services.  

▶ Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool*Goodwin School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.

▶ Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O’Connell School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.

▶ Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, * Norris School Gym during inclement weather days.

▶Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym during inclement weather days.

▶ Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School during inclement weather days.

Campers will participate in a variety of activities, arts & crafts, sports, special events and more. Campers will also visit the pools, where they will have free swim and receive swim instruction from our American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.

All campers will be registered for the East Hartford Public Library summer reading program through Readsquared and will receive prizes at camp to recognize and celebrate the time they spend reading! Campers will also participate in weekly enrichment activities sponsored by the Library, including STEM, Makerspace, puppetry, performing arts, drumming and more. For some enrichment activities campers will be bused to the Library.

Breakfast and lunch are provided for all campers through the Summer Meals Program! 

In partnership with Social Services camp will be supported by Social Workers.  

Registration for camps is now open. Register online at www.ehparks.org or at the parks and recreation office at the East Hartford Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place. 

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.

Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.

Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.

For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.

Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library.