Dear Neighbor,

 

I want to share some highlights including state and local updates.

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

On Legislative Business

• Legislative Business

On Community Resources

• CT Foodshare
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

June 1: Creating The Nation’s First Public Art Museum

On this day in 1842, Connecticut governor Chauncey Cleveland signed an act formally incorporating the Wadsworth Atheneum, creating what would become the first and oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States. Construction immediately began on the iconic, castle-like building that remains the centerpiece and most recognizable feature of the Atheneum campus, and the institution officially opened to the public two years later, in 1844.

The establishment of the Atheneum marked the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of Daniel Wadsworth, its benefactor and namesake. As the son of one of Hartford’s most successful 18th century merchants and Revolutionary War hero Jeremiah Wadsworth, Daniel sought to use his family’s wealth and influence to enhance the quality of life of his native Hartford, and spent years acquiring paintings by notable American artists like John Trumbull, Frederic Edwin Church, and Thomas Cole. Wadsworth’s legacy was destined to become more than a fine arts gallery, however: in a nod to the neo-classical trends of the early 19th century, Wadsworth referred to his project as an “atheneum,” a Greek word denoting an institution devoted to the study and appreciation of arts, literature, and natural science.

When the Atheneum first opened in 1844, the art galleries contained a total of seventy-nine paintings and three sculptures. The castle-like building was also served as the new home to the Connecticut Historical Society (established in 1825) and a literary institute which would later become the Hartford Public Library. The Atheneum’s collections grew substantially during the late 19th and early 20th century as it attracted donations and patronage from notable Hartford residents like Elizabeth Jarvis Colt (wife of Samuel Colt) and the financier J. P. Morgan. Today, the Wadsworth Atheneum remains the largest art museum in Connecticut and contains over 50,000 works of art from around the world.

Further Reading

“Our History,” Wadsworth Atheneum

Aileen D. Bastos, “The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art,” connecticuthistory.org

Elizabeth Mankin Kornhauser, “Daniel Wadsworth and the Hudson River School,” Connecticut Explored

ICYMI: We passed a number of great bills. Learn more about these bills below:



HB 5001: We are addressing and expanding vital services to our Intellectually, Developmentally Disabled (IDD) population with HB 5001 by connecting people with the programs they need and qualify for.



SB 922: Under this bill, Connecticut higher education institutions can no longer withhold transcripts as a means to collect debt.



SB 1117: Expands protections for victims of human trafficking by prohibiting hotels, motels, and similar operators from offering discounts on many hourly rates.



SB 1018: Expands your ability to collect the small remaining cash balance of a gift card and it eliminates the requirement to provide the proof of purchase or a gift receipt.



SB 1017: The task force goal of SB 1017 is to ensure that our local emergency services and firefighter departments have enough personnel to keep our communities safe and protected.



SB 1102: Exciting news for healthcare! S.B. 1102 expands pharmacists’ roles to include ordering and administering COVID-19, HIV, and influenza tests, prescribing HIV-related prophylaxis, and administering epinephrine cartridges. Plus, mobile pharmacies are now allowed with DCP’s approval.



SB 1165: High schoolers should be financially literate. Educating students about managing money and debt can help them with a much brighter financial future.



SB 953: Modernizes Connecticut's racial profiling law to reflect the reality that often race is not the only motivation for detention, but a major contributing factor.



SB 1103: Data privacy is a high priority - SB 1103, establishes regulations and procedures for how state departments will regulate and use artificial intelligence and creates a working group to look at certain issues concerning  AI.

 HB 6901: Connecticut is the fifth-highest student debt holder in the nation. HB 6901 establishes a program to reimburse some student loan payments for certain Connecticut residents and incentivizes them to stay in our state.



 HB 6599: Intimate partner violence is a leading contributor to death during pregnancy. To help identify and circumvent tragedies, HB 6599 requires the distribution of educational materials to pregnant and postpartum patients on intimate partner violence in birthing hospitals and healthcare providers.



 HB 6762: This bill includes provisions for early childhood education, special education, audits of state and local testing requirements, a Multilingual Learners Bill of Rights, and the establishment of task force to study and develop strategies to improve and promote civic engagement and instruction on civics, citizenship, media literacy and American government.



 SB 913: The reality is some people witness traumatic incidents on the job. SB 913 expands coverage to make all employees eligible for workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress injuries.



 SB 1108: Students should not have to choose between their education and their reproductive health. That’s why S.B. 1108 requires the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the UConn Board of Trustees to establish a plan for providing reproductive health care services to students living on residential campuses.



 SB 956: SB 956 Requires written hospital and nursing home discharge plans for patients, to include the date and location of each follow up medical appointment and a list of medications the patient is taking.



 HB 6796: Expands on legislation we passed last year to prevent the theft of catalytic converters by allowing the sharing of information among law enforcement units in other states, creating a uniform approach to the sales and penalty for the theft of a catalytic converter and establishing a task force to further study how to deter these thefts.

Manchester

Please arrive early to be in line for 9am as the truck leaves promptly at 9:30am. 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.

 

Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)



•    Tuesday, June 06, 2023 | 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM

•    Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM

•    Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM

 

East Hartford

The Connecticut Foodshare truck will be in the parking lot to distribute the food. Please bring your own bags and be prepared to possibly wait in line.

 

Mayberry Village –St. Isaac Jogues Church Parking Lot (41 Home Terrace East Hartford).

• Monday June 12^th   | 12:30 pm-1:15 pm
• Monday June 26^th   | 12:30 pm-1:15 pm

Take a Hike National Trails Day

Take a Hike National Trails Day

Take a Hike on any of Manchester's extensive trail networks.  

Date: 6/3/2023       

Time: sunrise to sunset

Location: Go to BetterManchester.com and search “Trail Guide”

Phone: (860) 647 - 3084

If you have papers to shred and you missed the May Shred Event, then you're in luck! The event has been rescheduled for June! And don't forget that it's FREE!!

Manchester Parks & Recreation

The Recreation Division is committed to increasing public awareness around swimming lessons and swim safety and ensuring access to programs and facilities for all Manchester residents. All lifeguards are American Red Cross Certified and have undergone extensive training to ensure the safety of all community members using our swimming facilities.

Play at Cheney Hall June 2-18

The Little Theatre of Manchester Presents: Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice

Experience Christopher Baker’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved masterpiece.

By Jane Austen

Adapted by Christopher Baker

Directed by Debi Freund

June 2 — 18 – Cheney Hall 177 Hartford Rd. Manchester, CT , 06040

For tickets visit www.cheneyhall.org or call 860-647-9824

·         Friday, June 02, 2023 | 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM

·         Saturday, June 03, 2023 | 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM

·         Sunday, June 04, 2023 | 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

·         Friday, June 09, 2023 | 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM

·         Saturday, June 10, 2023 | 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM

This event is the commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. Guest speakers, educational events, food, music, dancing along with other activities are all a part of this wonderful day!

To see the complete list of streets click here.

Milling and Resurfacing Route 5 in East Hartford

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Route 5 in East Hartford from Pitkin Street to Ranney Street.



The project DOT01710497CN “C” consists of milling and resurfacing a 2.32-mile segment of Route 5 in East Hartford from Pitkin Street to Ranney Street. This project is scheduled to begin milling by Rafferty Fine Grading, Inc. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, to Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The resurfacing segment of this project is anticipated to begin on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to Thursday, June 29, 2023, by Galasso Materials LLC. This project is included in the Department of Transportation’s 2023 Vendor Resurfacing Program.

Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 5 in East Hartford from Pitkin Street to Ranney Street. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The work schedule for this project is 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Sunday – Thursday).



Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.  Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

Summer is Near for East Hartford

Pools and Aquatics Programs

East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering swim lessons and other outdoor pool programming for the 2023 summer season and planning is now underway!

• East Hartford Outdoor Aquatic Facilities will open for the season in mid-June. Aquatics programming will be offered at the outdoor pools this year, including group, private and semi-private swim lessons, adult lap swim and senior swim. Our summer camp programs also utilize our pools during the mornings and afternoons.
  
   
• Semi-Private Swim Lessons will be held at Drennan Pool Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning Monday, June 19th. Semi-Private lessons are available as a two-week session (four lessons) for $59 for residents and $69 for non-residents. As Semi-Private lessons are limited, residents and non-residents are permitted to sign up for a maximum of two sessions. 
  
   
• Private Swim Lessons: Private lessons are available as a two-week session (four lessons) for $100 for residents and $110 for non-residents. Private lessons are limited, residents and non-residents are permitted to sign up for a maximum of two sessions.  Please check our website www.ehparks.org for the schedule of private lessons.
  
   
• Group Swim Lessons will be held in the mornings at Goldstar Pool, afternoons at Lord Pool and in the evenings at Drennan Pool and Goldstar Pool.  Group Swim Lessons will begin on Monday, June 26^th and are held Monday through Thursday evenings for two weeks, for a total of 8 classes.  If more than one class in the session is canceled due to inclement weather, a Friday make-up class may be scheduled.  Group swim lessons are $40 for the 8 class session for residents and $50 for non-residents.

Swim Lesson Registration for residents will begin on May 31^st at 9am and for non-residents June 6^th at 9am. Registration for swim lessons is accepted online at www.ehparks.org. 

Birthday Party Pool Rentals are available for residents at Goldstar and Lord pools on Saturdays and Sundays beginning June 24^th. The fee is $140 and includes exclusive use of the pool with 2 lifeguards for up to 15 children (ages 14 and under). We will begin accepting registration for birthday parties on Wednesday, May 31st at 9am. Registration for birthday party rentals is accepted online at www.ehparks.org. 

For more information on our pools, swim lessons, birthday party rentals or other aquatic programs, please call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160 or visit www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation.

 

East Hartford Parks and Recreation- Run The

Town Basketball Clinic Series

The East Hartford High School Lady Hornets are coming to a park near you for the 2023 “Run the Town” FREE Basketball Clinic Series!

During the month of June, the Lady Hornets will visit various outdoor parks in collaboration with the East Hartford Parks and Recreation to provide a series of free youth (Ages 5- 17) basketball clinics.

All East Hartford residents are welcome and encouraged to attend as many clinics as possible. We ask that you please bring your own basketball and water bottle if you are able to. Most importantly bring a positive attitude and be ready to RUN IT with the Lady Hornets!

If you have any questions about the program, contact Coach Myette 860-622-5323.

In the case of inclement weather there will be no program. Monitor the parks and recreation website:



www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation

Summer Reading is for Everyone!

Find Your Voice at East Hartford Public Library!

Summer reading is for everyone! The East Hartford Public Library has a summer reading incentive program with prizes for adults, teens, school-aged children and preschoolers. New this year, we'll have incentives and prizes for toddlers and babies, too! Registration begins on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 when participants can start logging their reading into our mobile-friendly online system. The library summer reading program also counts towards the Governor’s Summer Reading challenge, a project of the Connecticut State Library and the CT Department of Education. 

Preschoolers, school-aged children, and teens will earn a prize just for signing up! To earn points on ReadSquared, children and teens can set a reading goal and log book titles they've read.  Prizes aren’t just for the kids! Our adult summer reading has prizes, too. New this summer, we'll also be launching our "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. This is a year-round program to help promote early literacy skills in our youngest patrons. Register and receive prizes for hitting milestones along the way to reading 1,000 books together. 

To register for summer reading, visit the library’s website (www.easthartfordct.gov/library) and click on the “Summer Reading” menu item on the left side of our website. Click on the link for the relevant program: preschool, children’s, teen, or adult. We’re using ReadSquared software again this summer, which can also be downloaded as an app to easily log activity wherever you are this summer. The ReadSquared app is available in the iTunes and Google Play stores. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program also uses ReadSquared, just choose which program you'd like when you sign-up.

Children registered for Parks & Recreation camp will be registered at the camp. Parents/caregivers will receive a confirmation notice of registration at the e-mail they provided to Parks & Recreation including log-in information and instructions for how to participate.  

Celebrate the start of summer with us at our Summer Reading Kick-Off Party on Wednesday, June 7 from 5:30-7pm. Join us on the front lawn of the Raymond Library to register in-person for summer reading, meet community partners and enjoy a performance! In the event of rain or inclement weather, the event will be held indoors. Not sure what to read? The Children's Department will host a "Book Tasting" event from June 8^th - June 16th. School-aged children are invited to stop by and sample different books to find what you like best. We'll have mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, biography, and more!

Preschoolers, school-aged children, and teens can join us during our programs throughout the summer for opportunities to log more books towards your goal, such as Book Buddies, Summer Stories, Pajama Storytime, and more! For all of our upcoming summer events, visit our calendar online at https://easthartfordct.libcal.com. For detailed program information, visit our website and click on “events calendar.” This summer, we have programs for all ages. For our outdoor programs, register for a reminder, and to be notified in the event of weather-related cancelations.  

To register for summer reading and programs for all ages, visit our website: www.easthartfordct.gov/library or call us at 860.290.4330. Visit us at both our locations, Raymond Library and Wickham Library. Our newly remodeled Wickham Branch is located on 656 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, CT and is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10AM –5PM and Tuesdays, Thursdays from 1PM –8PM. The Raymond Library is located at 840 Main St., East Hartford, CT and is open Mondays and Fridays from 9 AM – 5 PM, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 AM – 8 PM, and Saturdays 10 AM – 2 PM. Happy reading!

East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh invites you to join East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department in celebrating the 30^th Anniversary of Connecticut Trails Day on Sunday, June 4^th at the East Hartford Nature Park.  We are excited to offer guided or self-guided hikes through the park from 10 am to 11:30 am. The “Nature Park” is located at 340 Long Hill Street in East Hartford adjacent to the East Hartford Golf Course. The 46-acre passive recreation wooded area contains a series for trails through the park.  The last two winters the East Hartford Parks Division have been improving the town trails.  We are excited to see the red and yellow blazed trails open for hiking.  This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the adventurous Trail.  We encourage local businesses, organizations, scout groups, sports teams and families to participate.

The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with East Hartford Public Library, East Hartford Parks and Recreation, the Committee on Culture and Fine Arts and the East Hartford Black Caucus invite you to attend the town’s second 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 17th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street. Admission is FREE.



The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans throughout the horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to where we are today. However, the stories of pain, pride, resilience, determination and hope that define our historical and spiritual blueprint are the catalyst for understanding that we can overcome negativity in spite of our differences to make our town a better place for all our children.



Everyone is welcome to attend this event as we pay tribute to our journey, remember our history and reflect on our independence. We pay homage to those who have paved the way for us today. We celebrate freedom.

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. 



If you are a vendor interested in participating in the event, please fill out the following forms or call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160 for assistance:

• FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION FORM
• CRAFT VENDOR APPLICATION FORM
• NONPROFIT VENDOR APPLICATION FORM

Vendors are asked to apply by May 26, 2023. 



In case of inclement weather, the event will be Sunday, June 18^th from 11:00 am -4:00 pm.

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

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