Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor, 

 

In this email, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.



A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer, or scroll through this email to the relevant section. 



The topics covered are as follows:

• Today in CT History
• Community Resources
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

One of the most enduring and beloved examples of New England regionalism is the annual Eastern States Exposition fair, colloquially known as “The Big E.” Whereas most other states in the U.S. feature their own state fairs in the summer or fall seasons, the Big E represents all six New England states in one giant, multi-week event that ranks among America’s largest annual fairs, both in size and attendance. First held in 1916, the Eastern States Exposition began as a showcase of agricultural innovation with the hopes of encouraging young people to work in farm-related careers. Today, over 100 years later, the 17-day extravaganza, located on expansive fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, still features agricultural shows and contests alongside tourism booths, a recreated 19th century New England village, a midway, and hundreds of food and souvenir vendors.

One of the biggest attractions of the Big E is the Avenue of States, which features six replicas of historic state houses — one from each New England state. On September 20, 1938, Connecticut became the fifth New England state to join the Avenue of States when Governor Wilbur Cross laid the cornerstone for the Connecticut Building, which would be modeled after the Old State House in Hartford. The Connecticut General Assembly had approved the construction of the Connecticut building the year before, with the stipulation that 2/3 of the building costs must be privately funded — a challenge handily met by groups including the Connecticut State Grange, the Farm Bureau, and other community organizations.

 

A postcard from the mid-1930s featuring four of the six buildings along the Big E’s Avenue of States.

The Connecticut Building opened to the public in 1939, only to be closed two years later when it — and much of the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds — was commandeered by the U.S. military and used as training grounds during World War II until 1946. Each New England state owns both its respective state house building and the land it sits on along the Avenue of States, and Connecticut is no exception — during the 17 days of the Big E fair every year, the grounds of the Connecticut Building is staffed by Connecticut state troopers. Today, the Connecticut Building serves as a state embassy of sorts, proudly showcasing Connecticut-made products and food vendors and serving as a home away from home for Connecticans who visit the Big E.

Further Reading

“The Avenue of States and ESE Museum,” thebige.com

“History of the Eastern States Exposition,” easternstatesexposition.com

Domestic violence CAN be prevented, but we need your help! Register now to join for Domestic Violence Awareness Month events. Give your time, raise your voice, and help us fund our services for victims today. Click link below for upcoming events.

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is preparing for our annual STAND DOWN event which will be held at six regional locations:

 

Bridgeport

University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Ave.

Bristol

ST. Gregory CCD Center, 1043 Stafford Ave.

Danbury

Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive

Norwich

Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave.

Rocky Hill

CTDVA main campus 287 West Street

Stamford

UCONN, 1 University Plaza



The DVA continues our commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families by providing this “one stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the State.



To view the list of confirmed service providers by location please select link: Provider Location Listing (PDF)



To view the transportation schedule please select link: Transportation Schedule (PDF)



For any additional information please contact: 860-616-3772 or Email: standdown@ct.gov

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

Join us for Manchester's Hispanic Heritage Day Celebration on Saturday, September 21st, 11am - 3pm at 153 & 163 Spruce Street, Manchester, CT.



Enjoy live musical & cultural performances, shop from local food & vendor markets, play with Rec on the Run free activities & more!



To learn more about the Hispanic Heritage Day Celebration, please call the Manchester Neighborhoods and Families Division at 860.647.3089.

Applications are now open for entry level and lateral Firefighter Paramedics. Reach out with any questions or to connect with a department recruiter today. For more information click here.

Online Appointments are now mandatory!

The next collection date is Sept. 21, 2024 from 8am-1pm at the Manchester regional center for household hazardous waste collection.

For the full 2024 schedule and complete details, and to schedule your appointment click the link below:

The world-famous race, one of America’s largest and most popular turkey trots, will be held on Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024) at 10 a.m. It is run on a 4.737-mile loop course through Manchester’s central streets that starts and finishes on Main Street, in front of St. James Church.



The Committee has also announced that the non-profit Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester will be the beneficiary this November of the road race’s annual “Honors Club” Program. For more information click here.

The East Hartford Public Library is excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a lineup of programs celebrating the rich histories, art, stories and contributions of those whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. All programs will be held at the Raymond Library located at 840 Main Street, East Hartford.



"Capture the Flag" Scavenger Hunt

Find flags (along with some fun facts!) representing all 21 nations celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month with this scavenger hunt throughout the Raymond Library. Pick up the scavenger hunt form at the Circulation Desk to begin. Available during library open hours.



Alebrijes & Paper Flowers

Tuesday, September 17, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Raymond Makerspace

We will be making giant celebration flowers and alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk-art sculptures of fantasy creatures or animals) out of paper. This program is open to everyone of all ages. Register for a reminder.

 

Miguel Jose Matos: Meet the Artist

Thursday, September 19, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Raymond atrium

Meet the artist Miguel Jose Matos and view his exhibition in our Atrium. With no formal art training or education Miguel began painting around 2017.  He “lets his hand follow the brush” and never goes into a piece knowing what the end result will be, since sketching does not replace improvisation. It now has become a routine adventure, sometimes painting 3-5 canvas pieces weekly. Drawing inspiration from artists like Jean Michel Basquiat, who remains one of Matos’ biggest artistic influences, has led this talented prolific Puerto Rican creator to master his own style and produce a growing body of work consisting of at least 250 canvas paintings and numerous wooden sculptures. For adults and teens. Register for a reminder.

The Town of East Hartford Farmers’ Market is open Tuesdays through October 29 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Town Green / Alumni Park (1047 Main Street).

CALL FOR FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS:

Are you a farmer or market vendor who produces honey, milk, eggs, bread, other foods, or locally produced crafts who wishes to be part of the East Hartford Farmers’ Market? Are you a business or non-profit organization looking to promote your services? Please visit the East Hartford Farmers’ Market website for guidelines and to access the vendor application (both online and printable options are available). There is no cost to participate as a vendor and individuals are able to request space for specific dates or the full market season. Once your application is submitted, organizers will review and determine if your product or service is appropriate for the farmers’ market.

DONATE TO BECOME AN EH FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNER!

The Town of East Hartford is asking for donations from residents, community organizations, and businesses to support our market programs that fight food insecurity right here in our community. Your support will help residents buy fresh, healthy foods from farmers that support our market. Donations will help the Town provide additional support to SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP recipients through farmers’ market matching vouchers.

Donations can be made online by visiting the Social Services Donation Program website and choosing the “Farmers’ market partner program” option. Alternatively, cash or check donations can be dropped off to East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at the Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Place. Checks should be made payable to the Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division with “Farmers Market” noted in the bottom left. Any amount helps!

For more information regarding the various benefit programs and the Social Services donation program, please visit East Hartford Farmers’ Market website.

The culture of Japan will be center stage for a week-long series of programs from October 5 – 11 at the East Hartford Public Library. Japan Week is organized by East Hartford resident Toshiko Uchino along with members of the US and Japan Society of Connecticut. Funding support for Japan Week is provided by the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts.

 

Saturday, October 5

Kick off Japan Week at 1 PM with a calligraphy class! Create an ema with calligraphy artist Michiko Imai in the Raymond Library Makerspace. For adults and teens. Registration required.

 

An exhibition by Michiko Imai will be on display at Raymond Library during Japan Week. Meet the artist and view her show at an after-hours reception from 5 – 7 PM. Enjoy light refreshments and take a moment to check out the Kokeshi wooden doll exhibit being shown concurrently. Register for a reminder.

 

Sunday, October 6

At 2 PM, children and families are invited to learn origami together! Join us at Raymond Library for an afternoon of paper-folding and an elementary-level Japanese language lesson presented by Riho Hirohashi and friends from Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Best suited for ages 8 and up. Please register.

 

Michiko Imai will return on Sunday for a brush-stroke calligraphy floor demonstration at 3 PM. This dramatic and exciting program is best suited for all ages. No registration required.

 

Monday, October 7 @ the Senior Center

Japan Week moves to the Senior Center for a showing of “Perfect Days” at 1 PM. Hirayama feels content with his life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Outside of his structured routine, he cherishes music on cassette tapes, reads books, and takes photos. Through unexpected encounters, he reflects on finding beauty in the world. Directed by Wim Wenders. Rated PG. Run time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. To attend a program at the Senior Center, you must be 55 or older and a resident of East Hartford. Register by calling the Senior Center: 860-291-7460

 

Let’s Wrap and Roll Rice!

Instructor Yutaka Iwabushi from Maruichi Food & Deli in West Hartford will present two cooking programs on the theme of “Let’s Wrap and Roll Rice!” On Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30 PM at Raymond Library, she will teach the class how to make onigiri, Japanese rice balls. Register here for the Wednesday program. On Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 PM at Raymond Library, she will teach the class how to make futomaki, thick Japanese sushi rolls. Both programs are best suited to adults and teens. Register here for the Thursday program.

 

Friday, October 11 @ Wickham Library

Enjoy a movie afternoon at the Wickham Library! Japan Week will conclude with a 2 PM showing of “Ikiru,” directed by Akira Kurosawa. Mr. Watanabe suddenly finds that he has terminal cancer. He vows to make his final days meaningful. His attempts to communicate his anguish to his son and daughter-in-law lead only to heartbreak. Finally, inspired by an unselfish co-worker, he turns his efforts to bringing happiness to others by building a playground in a dreary slum neighborhood. When the park is finally completed, he is able to face death with peaceful acceptance. Not rated. Run time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. Register for a reminder.

 

Stop by anytime during library open hours to view the exhibitions, and browse our book displays on the main level for more information on Japanese culture.  

 

For more information on Japan Week, and to register for programs, visit our website: www.easthartfordct.gov/library or call the Raymond Library at 860-290-4330. Raymond Library is located at 840 Main St., East Hartford.

Don't miss the first ever East Hartford Walk for Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Event on Saturday, October 5th at 9 am at the Community Cultural Center! Join us as we walk a mile to honor the survivors and those we've lost. Community health organizations and speakers, such as Mayor Connor Martin, Council Member and survivor, Sebrina Wilson, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will be there to raise awareness and speak on preventative and protective measures!



Register for free here: https://ehparks.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.



Sincerely,



Jason Rojas