Updates from State Rep. Anne Hughes for Dec. 3, 2025

December 3, 2025



 

 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A reminder that Access Health CT open enrollment is open for health and dental coverage. The deadline to enroll in plans starting at the beginning of 2026 is Dec. 15.

For plans starting February 2026, residents can continue to enroll through Jan. 15. 

Throughout the remaining enrollment period, Access Health will host enrollment fairs across the state. 

Access Health also has numerous locations across the state where residents can schedule appointments to meet one-on-one with trained professionals for free guidance and assistance with the enrollment process. Click here to find a location and schedule an appointment.
 

Easton: The Christmas Tree Capital of CT

Please join our local Easton farmers and elected officials on Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. for a community event to recognize Easton’s farms and celebrate Easton: The Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut at Town Hall. Refreshments will be provided by Grieser's and Shaggy Coos Farm. (Also see my video on promoting the town's holiday status.)
 
Easton’s Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut program is run by the Easton Agricultural Commission to highlight the importance of supporting local farms and to help holiday shoppers find farms and restaurants open for the busy holiday season.

The downloadable 2025 Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map, a conservation project of the Easton Garden Club, lists local farms and eateries that cater to holiday shoppers. 
 
For many shoppers from around Connecticut as well as New York and New Jersey, visiting Easton to buy a Christmas tree has become an annual family tradition. The Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map lists farms that sell both pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas trees, as well as farms that offer other products and holiday events, and local restaurants that serve holiday shoppers including Grieser's Coffee and Market, The Bluebird Inn Restaurant, and Gourmet United. 
 
Easton was officially designated the Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut in 2021with a citation presented by Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt.
 

Walk and Talk at WCSU

I took part in a winter-wonderland-like Walk and Talk tour of Western Connecticut State University with colleagues on Tuesday to see how we in Hartford can assist in ensuring the school continues to possess the tools and positive spaces to provide a superior university education.
 

Older Driver Safety Week

Getting older does not automatically mean it is time to stop driving, but it does require regular evaluation of driving abilities.

During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 1–5, Connecticut is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to encourage families and caregivers to begin open, proactive conversations about safe driving as loved ones age.

Nationally, the population of residents 65 and older has risen significantly, and in 2023 drivers in this age group were involved in nearly one-fifth of all fatal crashes. In Connecticut, 51 older adults were involved in fatal crashes that same year, representing 17% of statewide roadway fatalities.

State law allows drivers 60 and older to take an approved crash-prevention course and receive an insurance discount, providing an important opportunity to refresh skills and stay safe on the road. For more information and a list of providers, visit portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/insurance-discounts.

Families are encouraged to work with older adults to develop a transportation plan, which may include the following:

  • keeping up with vision and hearing checkups,
  • reviewing medications for side effects that may affect driving,
  • choosing daytime or less complex routes, considering adaptive vehicle equipment,
  • and identifying alternative transportation options if driving becomes difficult.

Free resources are available through NHTSA to help older adults stay safe and to assist families and caregivers in supporting safe mobility for everyone.
 

Weston Music Fest/Tree Lighting

Weston's annual Holiday Music Festival and Tree Lighting is Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., on the Weston Town Green.
 

Easton Holiday Boutique

All items at the Holiday Boutique at the Easton Senior Center are half-off starting today, Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Dec. 22. The boutique is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The boutique will also be open this Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

There will be a large assortment of assortment of new items for holiday gift giving, including Christmas items, housewares and jewelry. All proceeds will go to benefit the town's seniors.
 

Redding Tree Lighting

The Redding Park and Recreation Department is again partnering with Boy Scout Troop 306 and the Redding Lions Club for a tree lighting on the Redding Town Green on Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 3:30 p.m. Hot Chocolate will be served courtesy of the Lions Club.

Rudolph and Frosty will be there too!
 

Easton Holiday Pride

Join me and Easton Pride fans on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sport Hill Farm for the annual Holiday Pride Event!
 

Tree Lighting in Easton

The annual tree Lighting at Christ Church Easton is on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m.

Come early at 4 p.m. for "Cookies with Santa" hosted by CCNS (Christ Church Nursery School). 

Hot cocoa and baked goods will be available by donation, benefiting the Lakota children of the Cheyenne River Reservation. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.
 

Stuff a Cruiser in Easton

The Easton Police Department is having a Stuff a Cruiser Toy Drive on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help donate new toys to give children in need a better holiday season. 
 

Easton Holiday Market and Tree Lighting

The Easton Library’s Friends organization is hosting its Annual Holiday Market and Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3 to 6 p.m.

There will be craft projects for the kids; vendors in the Community Room for holiday shopping, including Crystal Teal Co, Daybreak Farms, Grateful Pawz, Holm-Hansen Woodturning, Jason Curtis Glass, Jen Rubin Designs, Megan Newhouse Books, Old Redding Farm, Pink Daffodil Jewelry, The Illustrangest, The Rescued Earth, and Wabi Sabi; hot chocolate and coffee, and treat yourself to delicious cookies.

There will also be a holiday photo booth and a Penguin Popper Whack-a-Mole game/ Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 3:30 p.m. and the Joel Barlow Chamber Singers will sing carols at 4:30 p.m.

The Easton Tree Lighting will take place at 5:15 pm. For more information, visit https://eastonlibraryfriends.org/.  
 

Blood Drive in Redding

There will be a blood drive at Joel Barlow High School, 100 Black Rock Turnpike in Redding, on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details below.
 

Notre Dame of Easton Christmas Pageant

Notre Dame of Easton Church's tree lighting and Christmas pageant will take place at 655 Morehouse Road on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m.
 

Weston Menorah Lighting

The Weston Menorah Lighting Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Weston Shopping Center at 6 p.m.   
 

As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates. 

Peace,

Anne Hughes
State Representative

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