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:

• East Hartford Legislative Town Hall
• Manchester Legislative Town Hall
• Today In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Fireworks play a significant role in many 4th of July celebrations. However, they can also be incredibly dangerous when handled irresponsibly.

In order to help minimalize potential accidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has shared some guidelines: 

• Keep a safe distance
• Never relight duds
• Always have water nearby

Please celebrate responsibly - protect yourself and others in the community. 

Click here to learn more. 
 

While fireworks are enjoyable to so many, please let's not forget about our furry family members.
 
To ensure pet safety during fireworks, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping pets indoors, creating a safe and comfortable space, providing distractions and considering using calming aids.   

Always ensure pets have proper identification, like microchips, in case they get spooked and run away. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Create a Safe Space:

• Familiar Items:
  Include familiar toys, blankets, and bedding in the safe space to provide comfort and a sense of security.
• Indoor Confinement:
  Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays. Close windows and curtains to minimize noise and visual stimulation. 
   
• Safe Haven:
  Designate a quiet, comfortable area in your home where your pet can retreat. This could be a crate, a corner with their bed, or a room with minimal windows. 

Provide Distractions and Comfort:

• Calming Music/TV: Play calming music, white noise, or turn on the TV to help mask the loud sounds of fireworks.
• Treats and Toys: Offer puzzle toys or chew toys to keep your pet occupied and distracted.
• Physical Comfort: Cuddle, pet, and talk to your pet in a calm, soothing voice to reassure them. 

Safety Measures:

• Walks Earlier:
  Take dogs for walks earlier in the day before the fireworks start, as some pets may be too frightened to go out later.
• Secure Identification:
  Ensure pets have proper ID tags and are microchipped with up-to-date information. This is crucial if they happen to escape.
• Avoid Fireworks:
  Keep pets away from fireworks, sparklers, and any open flames. Pets may try to sniff or eat them, leading to injury or burns. 

Consider Calming Aids:

• Anxiety Wraps: consider using a compression shirt like a ThunderShirt or a swaddling blanket to help reduce anxiety.
• Pheromone Diffusers/Sprays: Feliway (for cats) or Adaptil (for dogs) can help reduce anxiety by mimicking calming pheromones. 

Today in 1778, the Battle of Wyoming – also known as the “Wyoming Massacre” – saw Connecticut troops, Pennsylvania loyalists, British soldiers and Iroquois warriors battle in a gruesome climax to years of land disputes.

Both Connecticut and Pennsylvania claimed the Wyoming Valley – the area around and including today’s Wilkes Barre and Scranton – as their own. Connecticut claimed the region under its 1662 royal charter, which had extended the colony’s territory westward to the Pacific. Pennsylvania also relied on royal warrant, but of a later date. To reinforce their claims, each colony had sent settlers to the region. They had fought bitterly for decades over control of the valley.

Once the Revolutionary War began, issues of power and leverage became even more important. Connecticut migrants to the Wyoming Valley avidly supported the patriot cause. Their Pennsylvania neighbors believed a victorious Britain would confirm their claim to the region. Native peoples from the Iroquois nations were divided: while the Oneida and Tuscarora sided with the Continental Army, the remaining four nations chose to fight with Britain. This was a recipe for deadly conflict, and it soon came.

On July 3, 1778, British troops led by Tory Major John Butler (ironically, a Connecticut native), joined with loyalist locals and Iroquois allies to march a thousand men against the Wyoming Valley’s Connectican settlers. The Connecticut migrants were defended by Colonels Zebulon Butler (no relation to the Tory commander) and Nathan Denison with a much smaller force. They were camped at a garrison called Forty Fort, near present-day Wilkes Barre.

To flush the Yankees out of their fortification, the British forces attempted a ruse. They set fires to nearby homes and garrison sites to make it appear they had moved on from the area after setting enemy structures ablaze.

The decoy worked. The outnumbered Connecticut militia advanced from the safety of their fort only to be surprised and then slaughtered, first by the British and Pennsylvania soldiers and then by a brutal secondary ambush by Seneca warriors.

 

A call for the Connecticans to retreat triggered confusion and panic. Witnesses claimed the Seneca pursued the retreaters, killing as many as possible and taking scalps to exchange for a promised British bounty. Casualty reports varied, but the massacre left as many as 300 of the Connecticans’ defenders dead.

In the wake of the slaughter, the articles of capitulation offered by the Tory commander, and signed by Denison, stipulated that in exchange for a pledge by the Connecticut troops to no longer fight in the Revolution, the local Pennsylvanians would do their utmost to respect private property. Notwithstanding that promise, the Pennsylvania loyalists and Seneca warriors ransacked the Connecticut migrants’ farms and homes, leading most of the Yankee survivors to either strike out for new territory or return to Connecticut.

Once the Revolution ended, however, the Yankee settlers came back, and despite a decision by the new United States that the Wyoming Valley belonged to Pennsylvania, the armed conflicts over land claims– which came to be called the Yankee-Pennamite Wars – continued until 1794.

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

The Town of Manchester is excited to officially unveil Manchester Now, the new program guide publication for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester Public Library, the Manchester Senior Center & Manchester Public Schools.

Downtown Manchester Special Services District

903 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040
Jul 12, 2025
10:00 AM EDT
 
Putt your way through Downtown as you eat, shop, and enjoy all that Downtown Manchester has to offer!
 

Terry Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) - Scheduled to open 6/21/25
Hockanum Park, 320 High St.  Located by Hockanum School.  Features a 50 meter pool with two diving boards, and a ramp for accessible entry.  Olympic Size!

Martin Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) - Scheduled to open 6/21/25
Martin Park, 307 Burnside Ave. Located in Martin Park. This is a historic pool dating back to 1938, rectangular with a separate wading pool.
Drennan Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) - Scheduled to open 6/21/25
McAuliffe Park, 30 Remington Rd. Located next to Anna Norris School.  Features a rectangular pool with a ramp for accessible entry.
Lord Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) - Scheduled to open 6/21/25
Gorman Park, 258 May Rd.  Located behind O’Connell School.  Features a ramp for accessible entry, water slide, and separate wading pool.
Goldstar Pool  (Outdoor/Seasonal Facility) - Scheduled to open 6/21/25
Goodwin Park, 1235 Forbes St.  Located behind Goodwin Elementary School. Features a family friendly pool with a mushroom water feature.
________________________________________
Admission to Town of East Hartford Aquatic Facilities is free for residents.
Proof of residency is required for all persons ages 7 and older. 
East Hartford Resident Adult (Ages 16+) - Acceptable forms of ID are Driver’s License/permit or State Issued ID Card.
East Hartford Resident Child (Ages 7-15) - Acceptable forms of ID are East Hartford Public School ID (current year) or Parks and Recreation Youth Photo ID.  Parks and Recreation Youth ID cards are available for residents ages 7-15 from East Hartford Parks and Recreation.  The cost is $6.00 and are valid for three years.  Children 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible swimmer age 16 or older.  The application for a Youth Photo ID is available here.
East Hartford Resident Child (Ages 6 and under) - Must be accompanied by a responsible swimmer age 16 or older and must remain within arms reach of that person at all times when in the water. .
All Non-Residents or Those Without Proof of Residency - The daily fee for non-residents and those without acceptable proof of East Hartford residency is $5.00.  This includes children. Non-Residents may purchase an annual pool pass for $120, which can be prorated on a monthly basis at the Parks and Recreation office.  Daily admission fees do not apply towards the purchase of a pool pass, and are non-refundable.
 

Additionally, there will be a series of aquatic recreation opportunities offered throughout the summer. They will include three splash parties on Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. at Goldstar Pool , Saturday July 19 at 1 p.m. at Lord Pool, and on Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. at Martin Park.
Finally, there are a number of group swim lessons offered Monday through Thursday. Swim sessions in sets of 8 classes are offered to residents for $50 and to non-residents for $80 per session.
For more information or to register please visit: Aquatics & Swim Lessons | easthartfordct or call the office for more information at 860-291-7160. 
 

The annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns for 2025! This free summer concert series will take place on Thursdays through July 31st, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Great River Park Amphitheater, located at 301 East River Drive. Join us for beautiful music in a scenic setting all summer long!
This year's lineup features a diverse range of musical genres to entertain all members of the community:

• July 3: Cover 2 Cover (High Energy Dance Music)
• July 10: Sound Pipers (Reggae)
• July 17: La Choco Band (Latin Music)
• July 24: Mass-Conn Fusion (Jazz, Motown, R&B)
• July 31: Soul Sound Revue (7-piece Modern Music)

In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the East Hartford Community Culture Center at 50 Chapman Place.
A special thank you is extended to the generous sponsors who make this series possible: Pratt & Whitney, The Metropolitan District, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, Restaurant Paradise, and Uncle Crumbles.
Located at 301 East River Drive, Great River Park is a beautiful and much loved stretch of the East Hartford’s riverside. Stretching along the bend of the Connecticut River adjacent to East River Drive, Great River Park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy picturesque vistas of the riverside and the city along nearly two miles of paved and lighted Riverwalk. Facilities include a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, a 350-seat amphitheater and a unique collection of sculpture art. Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth to Hartford via the Founders Bridge Promenade or the Charter Oak Bridge just steps from the park.

When school is out for summer, kids and teens can get nutritious meals at neighborhood locations in eligible communities with SUN Meals. Don’t miss out! Meals are available to kids ages 18 and under, free of charge, at sites across East Hartford. Find a site near you at www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder