Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns.

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

• State Update
• This Week In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins Sunday, August 17, through Saturday, August 23. Whether you're taking the kids back to school shopping or making a purchase for yourself, Sales Tax-Free Week saves you money while doing so. 

• Sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax.
• Sales Tax-Free Week applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
• This special exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers.

Theodore Roosevelt was no stranger to Connecticut; his mother and second wife were Connecticans and his sister lived in Farmington for most of her adult life. While Roosevelt’s several visits to Connecticut to visit his family and friends often attracted plenty of press, his visit of August 22, 1902 was memorable not for why he visited the state — but how.

In 1902, during the second year of his Presidency, Roosevelt traveled through Connecticut as part of a multi-state trip through New England. Arriving in Hartford by train, he made history by climbing into a Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton automobile and then driving through the streets of Hartford, waving to thousands of onlookers who lined the streets to see the first-ever presidential motorcade.

Roosevelt’s trip marked the first time a sitting U.S. President rode in an automobile as part of his official duties; President William McKinley, Roosevelt’s predecessor, was technically the first president to ride in a car, albeit privately. Even though the Columbia Phaeton (manufactured with pride in Hartford) boasted a top speed of 13 miles per hour, Roosevelt’s leisurely car ride through the city took nearly three hours.

The image of Roosevelt riding through Hartford, is remarkable. It captures three distinct stages of the land transportation revolution in one photo. Ahead of Roosevelt, a union army veteran rides horseback, clearing the President’s path. Escorting him on three sides are uniformed police riding the then-most-advanced form of personal transportation — the bicycle. Roosevelt is riding in the vehicle of the elite – the automobile — designed to look like the horse-drawn carriages then in use by wealthy families, complete with nattily attired coachmen, riding high in the back. The famous Rough Rider enjoyed a smooth Presidential ride, today in Connecticut history.

Further Reading

“Roosevelt Rides in an Electric Car,” connecticuthistory.org

“Theodore Roosevelt Becomes First President to Ride in an Automobile,” The Learning Network (New York Times)

“New England Welcomes President Roosevelt,” New York Times web archive

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

Silk City Fest

Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 1pm-9:30pm at Purnell Place in downtown Manchester

#silkcityfest

www.artfud.org

www.facebook.com/SilkCityFest

FREE ADMISSION! Organized by the non-profit Art Füd, this family friendly, community event – now in its seventh year – offers live music, a creative collection of artists and makers, local craft beer and cider, food vendors, interactive art opportunities, activities and games! There will be plenty of parking in the nearby lots, as well as on Main Street and various side streets. This fest goes on rain or shine. Event’s approximate address for GPS directions: 12 Purnell Place, Manchester, CT 06040

Live Music All Day: Performers this year include Pocket Vinyl, MARMO, Garrett Moore, Ali Kat & The Revelators, Manchester Pipe Band, FriendZWorldMusic, Bap Pack, Sgt. Scag, Thankful Soul Revival, The Eldest Spawn and Addy Fiereck.

Local Craft Beer & More: Enjoy libations from 2nd Bridge Brewing, Center Street Brewing, Labyrinth Brewing, Off the Rails Brewing, Stafford Cidery, Urban Lodge Brewing, Dead Language Beer Project, and Quiver Spirits. Cocktails & Mocktails by Birch Hill Tavern start in the evening hours.

The SCF Brew Experience: Enjoy a commemorative SCF 2025 drinking vessel and sample pours of your choice. Limited tickets available at www.artfud.org via eventbrite.

Vendor Village: Explore our village of local artists and makers offering a great variety of creative goods including mixed media, illustrations, woodcraft, graphic design, printmaking, jewelry, fiber work, apparel, papercraft, soaps, home decor, and more.

Interactive Art: Join in with local artists and let your inner creative shine! Try your hand at origami, printmaking, paint pouring, meditative drawing and more!

Big Fun: Jenga, Connect Four, Cornhole await those up for some fun and games.

Foodie Fare: This year’s onsite nourishment is being provided by Hungry Lion, Jayy’s, Keifer’s Kettle Korn & Italian Ice, Pop’s Hot Diggity Dogs, Soulvaki City, Spadazzels Coffee, and Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop. Still hungry? Additional fine fare can be found just a few steps away within the popular Main Street area restaurants.

Come out and enjoy all of this, and more, on August 23rd! Bring the family, bring your friends, bring a chair…stay for a little, stay the whole day into evening.

Silk City Fest is made possible in part by a grant from the Town of Manchester’s Downtown Arts and Culture Grant Program and is also generously supported by Imagine Manchester and Manchester’s Cultural District.

Celebrate recovery and remember lives lost to overdose.

Join us for Manchester’s annual International Overdose Awareness Day Wellness Event and Vigil on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Center Memorial Park in Manchester. Hosted by the Opioid Settlement Fund Committee of Manchester, this year’s event embraces both remembrance and recovery. It offers space not only to honor those we've lost to overdose, but also individuals in recovery, families affected by substance use, and anyone impacted by the overdose crisis. This family-friendly gathering offers space to share your story, learn about local resources, and come together as a community in moments of both joy and grief. Everyone is welcome, because connection is the opposite of addiction.

This year’s event is coordinated by the Opioid Settlement Fund Committee of Manchester, with support from the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester H.O.P.E. Initiative, the Change Collaborative of Manchester, and the Pathfinders Club. These partners are working together to create a more compassionate community by reducing stigma and supporting people who use drugs. Their efforts focus on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery, with a commitment to meeting individuals.

Luminary Walk:
A primary component of the International Overdose Awareness Day event is the Luminary Walk, a vigil pathway designed to honor those who have passed away from or have survived an overdose & found recovery. Folks will have the opportunity before or during the event to dedicate luminaria to a loved one impacted by opioid use.

Submit a Luminary

Sidewalk tabling:
Local organizations will offer information and swag to spread the word about services relating to opioids/addiction/grief/healing in town. Tables will embody, “connection is the opposite of addiction” and fall somewhere in the categories of; Prevention, Intervention, Harm Reduction, Recovery, and Treatment.

Wellness Activities:
Folks can explore alternative forms of healing and recovery through holistic wellness activities like somatic yoga, breathwork, and sound healing. Wellness sessions will take place throughout the night in the Mary Cheney Library.

Activities include:

·         FREE food

·         FREE T-shirt to 1st 100 guests

·         Music

·         Guest speakers

·         Information tables by local businesses and organizations

·         Wellness activities for adults (Yoga, Sound Healing, & More)

·         Children’s activities

As the Manchester community bands together in commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Week, we hope you will join in remembrance of those we’ve lost to drug overdose, uplift those in recovery, and celebrate those individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to create a more vibrant, safer community for all.

The Town of Manchester is now accepting applications for Government Academy Fall 2025 session. The program provides the public with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the inner workings of local government. 

The program will consist of a series of interactive sessions, and participants will get an inside look at the municipal operations covering everything from public safety to the public library.
Participants will experience a lively blend of demonstrations, presentations, and tours, all conducted in a casual format at numerous sites throughout the Town and can expect to come away with a heightened awareness and knowledge of local government operations as well as a greater understanding of how to get involved in local affairs.

The nine-week program will begin on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and will conclude on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The sessions are free and held mostly on Thursday evenings with one exception; anyone living or working in Manchester are welcome to apply.
While seating is limited, applications received first will be given preference. 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Academy Coordinator, Lisa Fusco at (860) 647-3092. 

The Town of Manchester's Manchester Now is a program guide publication for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester Public Library, the Manchester Senior Center & Manchester Public Schools.

Why Attend?

•   Learn about police operations, from investigations to community outreach
•  Experience hands-on activities like crime scene processing and K-9 demonstrations
•  Build trust and strengthen relationships with your local police
•  Gain insight into the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement
•  Meet like-minded community members passionate about public safety

When: Every Thursday, September 18 - November 20, 2025
Where: East Hartford Police Department
How to Register: Scan the QR code on the flyer below or visit https://www.easthartfordct.gov/citizen-police-academy

Don’t miss this chance to see behind the scenes of your police department! Space is limited, so register today. We can’t wait to meet you!