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

• Capitol Update
• Legislative Business
• Community Resources
• This Week In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Remember, there are resources available to follow along and make your voice heard. Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:

• Read summaries of bills from nonpartisan and unbiased researchers from the Office of Legislative Research
• View the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events on its schedule
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of House floor debates and more
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey in the legislative process
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill a public hearing

These resources ensure you are an active participant in our democracy. Take a look at the graphic below and learn how you can track bills!

You can purchase tickets here

Today in 1919, the medical paper “Complications of Influenza” was read to a desperately worried Hartford County Medical Society, which feared a renewed outbreak of a devastating global flu pandemic that had first reared its ugly head in Connecticut nearly 12 months before. This strain of flu – commonly called “Spanish influenza” though it had originated at a military base in Kansas – was unlike any ever seen before. More virulent, it  ultimately killed over 600,000 people in the United States  and up to 100 million  across the globe.

As Connecticut was home to a number of busy port cities and also had many densely populated urban industrial centers, it was particularly susceptible to the deadly disease. The 1918  flu entered the state through the port of New London, which served as a collection point and embarkation center for troops going overseas in World War I.  From there, it spread in a horseshoe pattern, moving up through New London  into Tolland County, and then west and south to Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield and Litchfield.

Though its initial outbreak in the spring of 1918 was deceptively, and relatively, mild,  its second wave  the following  fall was devastating. In October 1918,  flu was so widespread several Connecticut cities closed schools and other public gathering places in an effort to prevent the disease from spreading farther.  Factories throughout the state shuttered their doors for days at a time  to prevent their entire workforces from becoming sick. Waterbury experienced a coffin shortage, and the Hartford Board of Aldermen voted to convert the Hartford Golf Club’s clubhouse into a temporary hospital to quarantine  flu-infected patients.

Atypical of most strains of influenza, the virus behind the global 1918 pandemic targeted healthy adults, not just children and the elderly and infirm, and it affected men disproportionately (56.8% of fatalities in Connecticut) more than women. Its impact on the state’s population was worse than any war.   With no cure or vaccine available, the virus claimed more than 8,500 Connecticans. The death rate across the state was 6.8 per 1000 people afflicted, though in the smaller, crowded factory towns of Windham, Derby and Seymour, the death rate was much higher – 11.7 per thousand. All Connecticans’ lives were disrupted, if not by the disease itself, by the fear of being one of its victims. In addition to closed factories and shuttered businesses, thousands of people voluntarily isolated themselves in their homes for long periods from fear of catching the deadly disease.

Thankfully — although the Hartford County Medical Society didn’t know it when they gathered today in 1919 to discuss the “Complications of Influenza” — the global pandemic had already peaked and was winding down. The deadliest epidemic the state of Connecticut had ever experienced was finally coming to a close.

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

The Budget Adoption is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 7pm in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room.

📣 Manchester residents - if you would like to learn more about your town's budget, consider attending a budget workshop to see how your tax dollars are spent. Join us and be part of the conversation.

You can view the Full Schedule of FY27 Budget Workshops & Meetings by clicking here.(, 0B)

Please note that workshops will be held in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting is a public meeting and as such members of the public can also attend the meeting in-person or remotely by means of video conferencing.

Meetings will be conducted in person with remote access optional via Zoom.

Contact the Board of Directors

directors@manchesterct.gov

860-647-3130

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

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.

Read More

* We hold multiple classes on the same day utilizing different classrooms.

The date for the last class is April 25th 

1.) Pediatric First Aid & CPR this class is hybrid with the first half being taught live through Zoom starting at 8:30am. Followed by a 45 min break to give students enough time to drive to the Fire Station for the in-person porting of the class. Class will end around 2:30/3:00pm 

This class is geared toward Childcare Providers, Parents & Foster Parents approved by the Office of Early Childhood. This class is also perfect for school staff, couches and babysitters. This class also includes choking relief for all ages. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/ChildCareCPRFirstAid

2.) AHA Heartsaver Pediatric CPR AED only noon to 3:00pm.  This class also includes choking relief for all ages. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/PediCPR

3.) AHA Heartsaver CPR 8:30 to 11:00am  This class also includes choking relief. 

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultCPRonly

4.) AHA BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers , First Responders, their Support Staff & College students going into the health field. 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Our classes are approved by all CT Colleges and complies with all health & health allied major's clinical requirements.

Class includes Adult and Infant CPR AED with the use of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) device for respirations and emphasis on team dynamics, adult and infant choking relief for all ages. 

click on this link below to sign up for a class

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/HealthCareProviderBLS

5.) AHA Heartsaver Adult First Aid CPR 9am to 2pm with a 45 min break. This class includes adult & child choking relief.

https://ManchesterCPRprogramsDirectLinktoClassesOffered.as.me/AdultFirstAidCPRAED

Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our First Aid Pediatric classes are 

• Recognition & management of both physical & medical emergencies pertaining to but not limited to children, staff, environment & fire

•  Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure. 

• Accident prevention & safety for both indoor & outdoor play area, toy safety, car safety including child restraint systems
• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning
• Child Abuse including types, signs & regulations pertaining to mandated reporters 

• Communicable disease prevention, recognition, management & ways of transmission, Signs & symptoms of common illnesses
• Infection control including hand washing, diapering & vaccinations

• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections 

• Choking relief for all ages

• First Aid Kits

• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries

• Bleeding control 

• Burns

• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting 

Subjects usually covered but not limited to in our Adult First Aid classes are 

• Recognition & Management of both physical & medical Emergencies, 

• Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Attack, Fainting & Seizure. 

• Poisoning including lead, plants & chemical poisoning

• Respiratory distress including Asthma & upper respiratory infections 

• Choking relief for all ages
• First Aid Kits

• Heat and cold temperature related illness & injuries

• Bleeding control 

• Burns

• Muscle & Bone injuries including splinting  

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 begin on April 29 and run through July 29, as follows:

•  Wednesday, April 29, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

“Public Safety Conversation with Police, Fire and Public Works”

•  Thursday, May 28, 6:00 -7:30 pm.

“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.

The East Hartford Veteran Banner Program honors the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country through a touching banner display in the heart of East Hartford. 
 
The banners are entirely funded by a $200 donation by sponsors from the community- family, friends, local businesses, and civic organizations. We will showcase the banners along East Hartford's Main Street, along with who sponsored the Veteran. The brackets and installation are generously being provided by the Town of East Hartford.

The $200 donation will cover the printing, shipping, and an additional framed photograph of the banner for the sponsor to display or gift to the Veteran or their family. 
 
Each banner will display the name, photograph, branch, major wars or conflicts and one or two major awards of the veteran. You will need a color or black and white photo in a jpg format at maximum quality settings. 
 
Each year the banners will be displayed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, and then given to the sponsor, the honored Veteran or their family.
 
We look forward to your participation in this program! 
 
CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR 

If you would like make a donation towards the program, please make checks payable to:

EAST HARTFORD VETERAN BANNER PROGRAM
Attn: Ekaterine Tchelidze, Senior Secretary to the Mayor 
East Hartford Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108

These donations will go towards sponsoring Veterans who do not have a sponsor that we are made aware of.

If you have a Veteran that you would like us to add to “needs a sponsor” list, please send an email to Ekaterine Tchelidze at etchelidze@easthartfordct.gov.
  
The initiative is put together by East Hartford residents and Veterans who came together to honor those who served from our commu

The Town of East Hartford, in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission, are excited to announce that East Hartford’s Memorial Day Parade and series of events will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026. The events will begin with the parade stepping off at 10:00 a.m.

The day will consist of three parts: a parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial, and a celebration of East Hartford.The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.

Immediately following the parade, a commemorative program will be held at the Fallen Star Memorial. The events will conclude with a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford featuring food trucks, music, activities, vendors, and more.

PARTICIPANTS:

• Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, April 1, 2026, by visiting: Participant Registration

VOLUNTEERS:

• If you are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Memorial Day Parade, please register by Monday, May 15, 2026 by visiting: Volunteer Registration

SPONSORS:

• To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations. Those who wish to sponsor the event or offer in-kind services, please fill out the electronic form below by Monday, April 27, 2026, which can be found at: Sponsorship Information

VENDORS:

• If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2026 Memorial Day Parade, please contact Jenilee Tedesco via email at jtedesco@easthartfordct.gov. Registration must be completed by Monday, May 4, 2026. For additional information, please visit Vendor Information

If you have questions, please email our Event Coordinator, Jenilee Tedesco, at jtedesco@easthartfordct.gov.
To receive the latest updates on the Town’s news and events, visit www.easthartfordct.gov and subscribe at www.easthartfordct.gov/subscribe.

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.