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:

• Legislative Updates
• Today in CT History
• Community Resources
• CT Foodshare
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

Today in 2008, hundreds gathered at Patriots Park in Coventry, Connecticut to attend the unveiling of the first monument to honor all 612 Connecticans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

The movement to establish the handsome, black granite monument began as part of a classroom project by students at Coventry’s Captain Nathan Hale Middle School in 2001. Inspired by their teacher Thomas Dzicek, who was an active service member during the war but was never deployed to Vietnam, the students immersed themselves in primary-source research to create a comprehensive list and short biographies of all the Connecticut men and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam conflict. After a year and half, the biographies were printed as a limited-run book, simply titled “612.”

Coventry resident Jean Risley, whose brother died while serving in Vietnam, was so moved by the students’ project that she established the Connecticut Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee in 2006 to raise funds for a permanent monument. The $40,000 required to build Connecticut’s first comprehensive Vietnam Memorial was raised in short order, and the town of Coventry donated a plot for the monument in the town’s popular Patriots Park. Groundbreaking for the Memorial took place in 2007, and on May 17, 2008, it was formally dedicated amid a crowd of nearly 500 people.







The Connecticut Vietnam Memorial in Patriots Park, Coventry, CT (via ctmonuments.net)

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

Manchester

 

Below is the list of locations in Manchester that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.

 

Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511. 

 

 Link to the statewide map



 https://ctfoodshare.org/get-help/connecticut-food-banks-mobile-pantry-schedule/

 

• Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
• Faith Tabernacle – Manchester 110 Utopia Rd, Manchester, CT 06042
• New River Community Church -314 Woodbridge St, Manchester, CT 06042

 

East Hartford



Below is the list of locations in East Hartford that are open to the public; Bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call (860) 291-7295 or (860) 291-7248

 

• Hockanum Park- 75 Hamilton Park
• Mayberry Village –St. Isaac Jogues Church Parking Lot (41 Home Terrace East Hartford)
• Summerfield Townhouse (66 Plain Drive East Hartford, CT)
• Veterans Terrace -102 Columbus St, East Hartford, CT 06108

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/youth-and-social-services/youth-and-social-services/pages/food-assistance

 

Get mobile pantry updates in your area by texting the word Foodshare to 85511.

The Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Summer Program and Event Guide is here! 

Resident registration begins May 8th, at 9 am. Non-resident registration begins on May 10th. 

Read Full Guide Here.

CERT Basic Training Class

Region 3, CRCOG will be hosting a CERT basic training class for anyone interested in becoming a trained CERT member.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live. CERT trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, such as: Fire safety. Light search and rescue. Team organization.

This is a great opportunity to aid your community in a way that you may not have thought about.

Please contact your local team leader or Emergency Management Director for signup or email Koplowitz.s@gmail.com (put CERT class in the memo line); Be sure to include your email and contact phone number. Classes start April 27th.

Giant Fundraising Tag Sale 

A giant fundraising tag sale will take place Friday, May 17 through Saturday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, at the Land Trust’s cider barn, 330 Bush Hill Rd., Manchester. Mountains of gardening and sports items, books, DVDs, vinyl records, glassware, household goods, toys, jigsaw puzzles, linens, small furniture, etc. Donations may be placed in the small shed to the right of the barn. No encyclopedias, computers, clothing, please.

·         Friday, May 17, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

·         Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

·         Sunday, May 19, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

·         Monday, May 20, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

·         Tuesday, May 21, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Concert at SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. Auditorium

The Elderly Brothers

Long-time popular solo artists, T-Bone Stankus (guitar) and Brian Gillie (keyboards), have teamed up as The Elderly Brothers, serving up mint-condition “oldies” rock ‘n’ roll, pushing the envelope of sweet surprise with pitch-perfect harmonies and soulful improvisations as fresh as the originals. No sleepwalk down memory lane with these guys! Their radiant renditions and audience interaction are unsurpassed. Enjoy the solid groove and upbeat ‘50s and ‘60s repertoire that have created their reputation as innovative and celebrated performers.

Friday, May 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium

CT State Community College Manchester (formerly MCC)

The program is free and open to the public.

Free parking, including handicap, in West Lot

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Collections are held from 8 am-1 pm at the Manchester regional center for household hazardous waste collection. Online Appointments are mandatory! Schedule your appointment today.

Please note the following:

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 - special hours of 3 pm to 7 pm (evening event)

 Saturday, October 5th, 2024 is a Fall Outreach Collection at Stafford Highway Garage, 210 East St. (Rt.19), Stafford CT from 8 am-1 pm.

 

• Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
• Saturday, June 15, 2024 | 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
• Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
• Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Mayor Connor Martin Invites

All for Community Cleanup Day

The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission are excited to announce that the third annual East Hartford’s Memorial Day parade and series of events will take place Monday, May 27, 2024 at 10 AM.



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



“It was the Town's priority to bring back the Memorial Day parade 3 years ago and it has now become a tradition that the community looks forward to every year," said Mayor Connor Martin. "I have a lot of respect for our Veterans and the Memorial Day Parade is a small gesture in which we honor their service and sacrifice." 



PARTICIPANTS:

• Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
•  *2024 East Hartford Memorial Day Parade Participant Registration*

VOLUNTEERS:

• If you are interested in volunteering at the 2023 Memorial Day Parade, please register by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
• *2024 East Hartford Memorial Day Parade 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 Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
• *2024 East Hartford Memorial Day Sponsorship Registration*

VENDORS:

• East Hartford is also accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Memorial Day event. Vendors will have to set up and disassemble their own tables, tents and chairs. Vendors who wish to participate are asked to register Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
• *2024 East Hartford Memorial Day Vendor Registration*

The parade will be followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford with food trucks, music and activities.



To receive the latest updates on the Town’s news and events, visit www.easthartfordct.gov and subscribe at www.easthartfordct.gov/subscribe.

The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with East Hartford Parks and Recreation, the East Hartford Black Caucus, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, and the East Hartford Public Library, invites you to attend the town’s third annual Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 15th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, at Alumni Park. Admission is FREE.

A family-friendly stage lineup will honor Juneteenth through a diverse array of performances. Enjoy music, dance, spoken word, and historical interpretation! Bring a chair or a picnic blanket and stay all afternoon.

The Juneteenth Fest is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Among many activities, there will be a variety of vendors, food, entertainment, bounce house, face painting, powerful storytelling and so much more. 

In case of inclement weather, this event will be held inside at Community Cultural Center (50 Chapman Place).

VENDORS AND PARTICIPANTS: 

East Hartford is accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Juneteenth celebration. Vendors who wish to participate must submit the applicable form to East Hartford Parks and Recreation.

*2024 East Hartford Juneteenth Food Vendor Application*

*2024 East Hartford Juneteenth Non-Profit Application*

*2024 East Hartford Juneteenth Vendor and Crafter Application*

Vendors are asked to apply by May 31, 2024. 

For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160 or visit www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation.

Join East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department in celebrating the 31^st Anniversary of Connecticut Trails Day with two great events! The first event “Unplug and Bike” will take place on Saturday, June 1st at Great River Park (301 East River Drive, East Hartford). And the second event “Unplug and Hike” will take place on Sunday, June 2nd at Nature Park (340 Long Hill Street, East Hartford).



Saturday, June 1st 

East Hartford Great River Park (Unplug and Bike) 

Come on out for a self-guided bike ride along the Connecticut River – Join us at the start for brief bike safety education between 1:00 and 2:00 pm and then ride until 3:00 pm. The “Great River Park” is located at 301 East River Drive in East Hartford. Parking will be available at Goodwin University at 9 Riverside Drive. The 4-mile paved path goes north from Goodwin University through Great River Park and Riverfront Recapture to I-84 and back. The ride will start at Goodwin University with optional safety education and bike check. The ride will showcase the East Hartford Great River Park, CT River, Hartford skyline, and Riverfront Recapture amenities. This ride is sponsored by the Town of East Harford, and East Hartford Parks & Recreation and Health and Human Services Departments. Helmets are required for all participants. if you don’t have a helmet but would like to participate, please contact East Hartford Parks and Recreation at (860) 291-7160



Sunday, June 2^nd 

East Hartford Nature & MJ Williams Parks (Unplug and Hike) 

Get outdoors with a guided hike through East Hartford Nature & MJ Williams Parks beginning at 10 am. Parking is available at the “Nature Park” located at 340 Long Hill Street in East Hartford, adjacent to the East Hartford Golf Course. The 80 plus-acre passive recreation wooded area contains a series of trails through the parks. This year we have partnered with the Manchester Land Trust for a 2 to 2.5 mile hike. 

Pre-registration is preferred but not required.

 Register here: Home - Connecticut Trails Day 2024

For more information, please contact East Hartford Parks and Recreation at (860) 291-7160. In case of inclement weather, cancelations will be posted on our website: easthartfordct.gov and on our Facebook page: facebook.com/townofeasthartford

 

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