Governor Talks Windham Funding Increases & Get Your Tickets To Shaboo Reunion Festival
August 18, 2026
Here are the sections in today's email:
Catching Up with Governor Lamont
Let's Talk About It: Shaboo Reunion Festival
Sales Tax Free Week
Poetry in the Park
Catching Up with Governor Lamont
I recently spoke with Governor Ned Lamont on my radio show about several issues that are making a meaningful difference in Windham, including a boost in education, municipal aid, and early childhood endowment funding. These investments are helping strengthen our schools, support our communities, and create greater opportunities for children and families.
Our community has also benefited from funding to repair and improve subsidized housing in our neighborhoods. These investments have already resulted in new roofs and other critical upgrades. The timing is especially important because the Foster Lofts apartments and 804 Main Street apartments will open new housing opportunities in downtown Willimantic.
We also discussed Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund, which is helping provide critical support to those who lost federal assistance, including access to health care.
Recent federal changes caused thousands in Connecticut to lose their SNAP benefits. In response, Governor Lamont announced a one-time $300 grocery benefit for eligible households. The benefit is accessible on a prepaid virtual grocery card – not an existing EBT card – and can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard or Visa at any food retailer.
Individuals qualify if they lost SNAP eligibility due to the federal changes that took effect on December 1, 2025, and are no longer receiving SNAP benefits.
Please click on the video below to listen to the entire conversation.
Highlighting funding increases in Windham with Gov. Ned Lamont
Let's Talk About It: Shaboo Reunion Festival
Local philanthropist David “Lefty” Foster is inviting the community to a big party, the 55th Shaboo Reunion Festival in Willimantic! All proceeds support the Covenant Soup Kitchen and Shawn's Cupboard at Eastern Connecticut State University, helping our neighbors in need.
The music festival features an impressive lineup including local blues favorite Patty Tuite and her Band, internationally acclaimed Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Band, the legendary Uptown Horns, James Montgomery, Christine Ohlman, Jeff Pitchell, and surprise special guests.
Remember to bring you own lawn chair and small umbrella, but no food or drinks can be brought to the show. Ticket holders can purchase drinks on site, and there will be food trucks at the park.
Previewing the Shaboo Reunion Festival with David Foster
Sales Tax Free Week
Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week continues through Saturday, August 22, giving families and shoppers a chance to save money on back-to-school supplies and other everyday essentials.
During Sales Tax Free Week, eligible clothing, footwear, and backpacks purchased from Connecticut retailers and participating online retailers are exempt from the state's 6.35% sales tax.
This year, my colleagues and I expanded the tax exemption to include clothing, shoes, and backpacks priced under $300, helping families stretch their budgets as students prepare to head back to the classroom.
We have also permanently removed the sales tax on non-electronic school supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper, folders, binders, lunch boxes, and more.
I hope you take advantage of these savings and keep a little more of your hard-earned money as you prepare for the new school year.
Wayne Karlin will be at Poetry in the Park next week and may read from one of his nine novels, a collection of his short stories, three non-fiction books, and a new chapbook of poems. His work analyzes the aftermath and trauma of war.
📅 Thursday, August 27 🕡 6:30 p.m. 📍 Poet's Corner, Julia De Burgos Park, Willimantic
