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

• East Hartford Public Schools has been awarded $50,000 for the East Hartford Farm to School Project. They are ready to expand their programming and increase sustainability. The grant will support their program by bringing on a part-time farm-to-school coordinator, updating their existing gardens, and providing professional development, kitchen equipment, and farm field trips for students.
• Town of Manchester/Manchester Early Childhood Collaborative (MECC) Farm-to-School Program will receive $23,285.00. MECC will create a Farm to School curriculum for preschool students with taste testing and will engage families through a farmers market voucher and accompanying home activities.

To learn more about the CTG4CTK Grant, including success stories from previous recipients, please visit: portal.ct.gov/DOAG/ADaRC/ADaRC/Grants/CT-Grown-for-CT-Kids-Grant/Success-Stories.

Though Roger Sherman was a reluctant public speaker, his even temper, level-headed pragmatism and moderate disposition made him one of the most influential of all the Founding Fathers.  His guiding hand was felt both before, during and after the chaotic and turbulent era of the American Revolution, not just here in the Land of Steady Habits but throughout the newly (but not as yet clearly) United States. Today in 1784, Sherman added a new line to his truly singular list of accomplishments by becoming the founding mayor of the newly incorporated city of New Haven.

Roger Sherman was born in Massachusetts in 1721 and moved to western Connecticut as a young adult looking for work following the death of his father. Sherman worked as a cordwainer and land surveyor before taking up the study of law and entering politics. He was first elected to the Connecticut General Assembly shortly after he and his family moved to New Haven in 1760. A man whose good judgement was recognized right away, Sherman became a justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court six years later, and served in that post for over 20 years.

In 1774, after patriots throughout the 13 American colonies called for the creation of a new Congress where colonial leaders could meet and discuss coordinated responses to oppressive British policies, Roger Sherman was one of three men chosen to represent Connecticut in Philadelphia. There, he signed the Continental Association, a document which endorsed a trade boycott with Great Britain. During the Second Continental Congress, Sherman served on the committee of five men responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence, likely at the recommendation of fellow committee member John Adams, who praised Sherman as “one of the most sensible men in the world.” After the colonies declared independence in 1776, Sherman also served on the committee that produced the Articles of Confederation, which outlined the new United States’ first national government.

After the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, Sherman returned to his home in New Haven. The following year, on February 16, 1784, he was elected the first mayor of New Haven, which had just voted to incorporate itself as a city. Only a few years into his executive post, however, Sherman was once again called back into national service as one of Connecticut’s representatives to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, originally convened to amend the deeply flawed Articles of Confederation. There, despite his status as the Convention’s second-oldest member, Sherman played a fundamental role in shaping what would become the United States Constitution, co-authoring the “Connecticut Compromise,” that called for the creation of a bicameral legislature and broke a deadlock that threatened to upend the entire convention.

In spite of declining health in the early 1790s, Roger Sherman remained active politically, continuing to serve as mayor of the city of New Haven until his death from typhoid fever in 1793. One of Connecticut’s greatest statesmen, he accomplished an incredible amount both in his home state and on the national stage in spite of his taciturn demeanor and an often stilted and awkward style of public speaking. Roger Sherman is most famous for being the only man to have signed the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, four of the most significant political documents in American history. He also had a far-reaching impact closer to home: In addition to reforming many of Connecticut’s ancient laws and handing down countless erudite judgements from the bench, he also helmed the city of New Haven during one of its most prosperous and expansive eras, beginning today in Connecticut history.

Further Reading

Gregg Mangan, “Roger Sherman, Revolutionary and Dedicated Public Servant,” connecticuthistory.org

Richard J. Werther, “Roger Sherman: The Only Man Who Signed All Four Founding Documents,” Journal of the American Revolution

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

• February 27^th 9am-9:30am

 Faith Tabernacle – Manchester 110 Utopia Rd, Manchester, CT 06042

• February 29^th, 1:00pm – 1:30pm 

New River Community Church -314 Woodbridge St, Manchester, CT 06042

• February 21^st, 12pm-12:30pm  

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

• February 19^th, 9:00am – 9:30am (Cancelled)  

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

• February 19^th - 12: 30pm – 1:15 pm

Summerfield Townhouse (66 Plain Drive East Hartford, CT)

• February 28^th, 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Veterans Terrace -102 Columbus St, East Hartford, CT 06108

• February 26^th, 1:30pm – 2:00pm

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

Veterans Coffee House

Veterans and spouses/significant others are invited to the Veterans Coffee House on the third Thursday each month from 10am – 12:30pm at the Army & Navy Club, 1090 Main St., Manchester, CT.

Serving: Camaraderie, Networking, Coffee, and Refreshments; All Veterans Welcome! For more info: contact Paul Scappaticci, pscappaticci7750@att.net, cell 860-490-8193

Downtown Streetscape Details

FY25 Budget Workshops & Meetings

When

• Tuesday, March 05, 2024 | 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
• Wednesday, March 06, 2024 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
• Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
• Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 05:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 6:30PM
• Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 5:30PM - 6:30PM

The Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide is here!

East Hartford FY2024-25 Budget Workshop Schedule

The East Hartford Parks and Recreation is now accepting applications for Summer 2024 employment opportunities.  Available positions include seasonal lifeguards and camp counselors.  The Parks and Recreation Department estimates a need to hire 20-30 new employees this year to work at various camp sites, pools, parks and facilities throughout town. 

Lifeguards must be at least 15 years old and have current certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding OR be able to successfully complete a course prior to the start of the summer season.  Lifeguards are assigned to one of the town’s outdoor or indoor pools, and typically work a varied schedule including nights and weekends.  The Parks and Recreation Department will be offering American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification courses this spring, and course dates will be announced when they are finalized. 

Camp Counselors must be at least 16 years old and are responsible for planning and leading activities and experiences for children in a group setting, as well as overseeing the general safety and development of the children under their supervision.  Camp counselors should have leadership skills and be available to work the entire summer season, Monday through Friday, from mid-June to mid-August.  Prior experience working with children is highly preferred, and CPR and/or First Aid certification is recommended, but not required.

Working for East Hartford Parks and Recreation is a fun, rewarding experience!  Those interested in applying for seasonal positions are encouraged to do so as early as possible and employment applications are available on our website at:

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/human-resources/pages/job-openings. 

For more information on our employment opportunities, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 860-291-7160. 

Join the Local Prevention Council- Youth Advisory Board

East Hartford Public Library

East Hartford Parks and Recreation is offering two fun programs: Open Gym for East Hartford residents in Grades 7 through 12 and Adult Drop-In Basketball.

FREE-PLAY BASKETBALL

For Middle and High School students in grades 7 – 12

East Hartford residents or students attending East Hartford Middle or High School can participate in Basketball Open Gym on Mondays and Fridays. The program runs through Friday, March 8^th from 6:30 – 8:45pm at East Hartford Middle School.  Grade 7 and 8 will be in the Lower Gym and Grades 9 – 12 will be in the Upper Gym.  The program is FREE, but all participants must be registered at www.ehparks.org and have a Town ID or EHHS/EHMS ID at the program. There will be no program if there is no school or school is let out early due to inclement weather.

ADULT OPEN BASKETBALL

For adults ages 18 & up

East Hartford Parks and Recreation is offering Adult Open Basketball at Goodwin Elementary School. All participants must complete a registration form the first evening they attend or register at www.ehparks.org for a season membership. The program is Monday and Thursday nights and will run through Thursday, March 7^th. Residents can purchase a season pass for $20 or $2 an evening.  Non-residents can purchase a Season Pass for $40 or $4 an evening.  The program time is 6:30 to 9:30pm.  Basketball sneakers are mandatory.  There will be no program if there is no school or school is let out early due to inclement weather.

For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-291-7160.