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| Dear Neighbor,
Hi 57th District! I hope everyone who celebrated had a nice Thanksgiving that was filled with gratitude and good food. Sending love from my family to you and yours.
With Thanksgiving behind us and the December holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa ahead of us, I hope everyone is practicing self-care, enjoying a work-life balance, spending time with family and friends, and making memories.
I have a lot to share with you, including:
- Moving Beyond Conference
- A Big Honor for a Local Superintendent
- Small Business Saturday - Out & About in the District
- Rockville Rams Advance to Class M State Football Semifinals
- Rockville Library Cookie Sale
- Winterfests in Vernon and Ellington
- Christmas Lights Production at EHS
- Wreaths Across America in the 57th District
- Tolland County Robotics Foundation Seeking Mentors
- Holiday Events Galore!
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve the 57th House District.
I'll be in touch again soon,
Jaime |
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| I'm excited to partner with Connecticut Scholars Strategy Network (CT-SNN) and UConn’s Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) to host the inaugural “Moving Beyond Implications: Research into Policy” (Moving Beyond) conference. The conference will bring together academics, legislators, and other policymakers in advance of the 2024 legislative session.
Moving Beyond will create an opportunity for researchers to present their policy-relevant scholarship to policymakers, provide an opportunity for policymakers to respond to their research needs and questions, and generate connections to inform evidence-based policymaking in Connecticut.
The conference will be held on Tuesday, January 9, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
All members of the Connecticut General Assembly are invited to attend. However, the focus of the research presentations is on the following committees:
- Children’s
- Education
- Energy and Technology
- Environment
- Human Services
- Judiciary
- Public Health
- Public Safety
For more information or to RSVP for the event, click HERE or click the graphic below. |
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| It's so great to see that such a small change had such a big impact.
SNAP enrollees are also automatically eligible for other federally funded services including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, Head Start, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program!
I encourage you to take a second look at whether you can benefit from SNAP under these new revisions. Learn more at www.ct.gov/snap. |
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| More than 12,000 Connecticut residents have signed up for the state’s prescription drug discount program called ArrayRx. Registration started about two months ago after my colleagues and I voted this program into law.
Those who sign up, including those on Medicare, will receive a free Rx card with savings of up to 80% on generics. All FDA-approved prescriptions are included. This program is a tool to deal with the dramatic rise in the cost of prescription drugs.
The Office of the State Comptroller released its full ArrayRx enrollment list by town. Click HERE to see how many people in East Windsor, Ellington, and Vernon have signed up. |
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| How did you spend your Small Business Saturday? Did you visit local shops and eateries around the 57th District or beyond?
We went to The Scandinavian Gift Shop, Blommig of Vernon, Ellington Agway, Luann's Bakery and Cafe, and as tradition, ended our day Stuffing a Cruiser with the East Windsor Police Department. |
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| If you visited the Farmer's Hay Ride this past weekend, you may have witnessed quite a treat! The birth of not one, but TWO calves!
Santa and his elf worked carefully assisting the mama cow with delivery! Thanks to the magic of Christmas both arrivals were successful. Please join Farmer's Hay Ride in welcoming two happy, healthy, newborn calves, named Thankful and Merry, and thank you to everyone who was so patient during the deliveries.
If you'd like to experience Farmer's Hay Ride, rides take place every Friday and Saturday evening (4 p.m.-8 p.m.) until Christmas. Capture moments with Santa and his barnyard companions, enjoy hayrides, stroll through dazzling Christmas lights, and feed the cows.
Admission is $12 per person (cash or Venmo). Farmer's Hay Ride is located at 13 Niederwerfer Rd, Broad Brook.
Photo courtesy: Mystica Lee Flint |
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| Congratulations to Vernon Superintendent Dr. Joseph Macary, recently recognized as the 2024 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS).
In choosing Dr. Macary for the recognition, CAPSS cited his "remarkable achievements, dedication, and exemplary service to the field of education."
Dr. Macary has focused on working closely with parents, teachers, staff, the Vernon Board of Education, and town leaders to improve Vernon Public Schools and steadily increase student performance in a measurable way.
Dr. Macary has dedicated over 15 years to serving as a superintendent in Connecticut, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to educational excellence. He began his journey in education as a Social Studies Teacher in the Waterbury Public Schools, where he made a significant impact at Wilby High School and Crosby High School. During his tenure at Crosby High School, Dr. Macary served as the Social Studies Department Chair and Athletic Director, leaving a lasting legacy in the school community.
After embarking on his administrative career, Dr. Macary held pivotal roles in the Wolcott Public Schools, including Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Student Services and Alternate Programs. In July 2009, he assumed the role of Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Wolcott, and later, in October 2015, he took on his current position as the Vernon Superintendent. The Vernon Public Schools, an Alliance District, serves 3,500 students across seven schools, including a regional adult education program. |
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| From left to right: Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro, CABE President Liz Brown, Vernon Superintendent Dr. Joseph Macary, Former Vernon BOE Chairperson Anne Fischer, and CABE First Vice President Leonard Lockhart. Photo courtesy: Town of Vernon. |
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| Rockville High School's Agricultural Science and Technology Education/FFA is busily preparing for its Holiday Sale on November 30! You can pre-order wreaths, porch pots, centerpieces, and poinsettias HERE or scan the QR code on the flyer. Pre-orders for trees are not taken, due to size and shape. |
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| The Ellington Human Services Department is conducting a Community Food Assessment Survey as a part of the Sustainable CT certification program.
They would greatly appreciate if you would complete this anonymous 6-question survey.
Follow the link, click the graphic below, or find paper copies available at the Human Services office, Ellington Senior Center, Hall Memorial Library, or the Town Hall.
The deadline to complete this assessment is November 30. |
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| From the Ellington Department of Public Works: DPW will be closing the Snipsic Lake Road dirt portion (around the reservoir) on December 1, by 12 p.m., for the season. |
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| Visit the Ellington Farmers Market at Ellington High School this Saturday ahead of Ellington's Winterfest! |
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| Dive into the chill for a cause at the Vernon Parks and Recreation's Annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser, the Arctic Splash!
Event Highlights:
Date/Time: December 2, 1 p.m.
Location: Valley Falls Park, 300 Valley Falls Road, Vernon
Event Proceeds:
All proceeds go to benefit Cornerstone Homeless Shelters and Food Cupboard |
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| The Rockville Rams are advancing to the Class M semifinals in football, after defeating Berlin by one point (14-13) on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals! The next game (semis) will be Sunday against Holy Cross, 12:30 p.m., at Rockville High School. Congratulations, Rams!
You can read more about the RHS win in the Courant. |
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| Windermere Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held December 5, starting at 10 a.m. with refreshments and the ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. |
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| The Friends of Rockville Public Library Cookie Sale will be held on December 16, 10 a.m.to 1 p.m., with 2 lbs. for $16. The sale will take place downstairs in the library's Peck Room. Orders with a MAXIMUM of 2 trays can be ordered by calling the library at 860-875-5892. |
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| Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor, and Teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad. Locally, Wreaths Across America is coming to the 57th District on December 16.
East Windsor: Windsorville Cemetary, Broad Brook, 12 p.m. Click HERE for more information.
Ellington: Ellington Center Cemetary, 12 p.m. Click HERE for more information.
Vernon: Grove Hill Cemetary, 12 p.m. Click HERE for more information.
To learn the story and full mission of Wreaths Across America, click HERE. |
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| The Town of Vernon Fire Department is looking to recruit current and retired school educators to join the team!
TVFD has developed a Fire Prevention Education Division to help deliver the important message of fire safety to the school-age youth of the community. If you'd like to learn more, please fill out this form and you'll be contacted by a member of the team! |
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| Interested in STEM and working with kids? Check out this information on becoming a mentor with the Tolland County Robotics Foundation! You do not need a background in STEM to join.
Fill out this FORM if you're interested in mentoring, and someone will be in touch! |
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| It's Toys for Tikes time!! Sponsored by the Vernon Fire Department, any new/unwrapped toys can be brought to the donation box located in the adult circulation section of Rockville Public Library. Collections will take place until December 15. |
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| When you are doing your holiday shopping, don't forget to pick up an extra toy or two for the Warehouse Point Library Toy Drive. All items will be given to East Windsor Social Services for distribution in the community. |
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| Thursday night is the last Local Artisan Sip & Shop at Luann's Bakery for the season. Head over to grab a coffee or a cup of soup and support some super-talented local artisans! Sip & Shop takes place 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the bakery. |
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| Rockville Public Library's 7th Annual Community Tree Festival runs from December 1 to December 15, with an Opening Reception on December 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
RPL will feature trees and wreaths decorated by local organizations, businesses, school groups, and town departments that will be part of a silent auction. The funds earned from this festival are used to enhance the library's programming provided to the community.
In addition to the silent auction, this year visitors will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to vote for their favorite tree/wreath! We will announce the winners of 1st and 2nd place on December 18. There will also be a Christmas Shop on December 1 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and December 2 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), where you will be able to purchase gently used decorations, lights, and ornaments. |
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| Ellington's Winterfest starts Friday night and runs through to the culminating event - the torchlight parade on Saturday night! The annual event also includes shopping, singing, lighting the town's tree, food, a bonfire, crafts, a live nativity, and a gingerbread house contest.
A full schedule of events can be found HERE. Click HERE or the graphic below to read the Patch article. |
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| Ellington High School's Opening Knight Players (OKP) presents "Christmas Lights," an original play written by EHS theater director, Bill Prenetta. This family-friendly production will run December 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and December 10 at 2 p.m., at Ellington High School. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door. |
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| Police departments across Connecticut are warning people about a new feature called NameDrop on the latest Apple update. NameDrop allows users, including your children, to share contacts between Apple devices by bringing them close to each other.
Both the devices involved must have the BlueTooth and NameDrop features turned on. After that, the NameDrop technology will allow you to share the contact by tapping the two phones. |
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| Even though NameDrop is auto-enabled when you update to iOS 17, it’s crucial to note that consent is required throughout the process. A stranger can’t bump into you for a few seconds, and then walk away with your phone number.
Learn more from Forbes: Is Apple’s New ‘NameDrop’ Contact Sharing Feature Safe? Experts Say Yes—Despite Warnings From Police |
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Two important messages from Ellington Animal Control:
- (Above) Important any time of year, but the holiday season seems to be a good time for a reminder of what our furry friends can and can't eat or what houseplants are safe around them. Let's keep our animals safe!
- (Below) If you're caring for an outdoor cat during the cold months, the best bedding is straw. Why? Because items like towels, blankets, or beds can absorb moisture from the air and freeze. Cats can fall asleep on the materials, and they can freeze to death.
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Sincerely,
Jaime Foster
State Representative |
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