Help Shape Early Childhood System in CT, Scheduled Your Mammogram?

December 3, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

I hope you enjoyed our little taste of winter yesterday as much as I did. It felt like just enough to get us in the holiday season spirit.
 
Up top today, we are soliciting feedback to the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board with a public hearing next week. I highly encourage you to sign up to testify and share your challenges and ideas around early childhood education.

Today, I went for my annual mammogram, and I mention it every year because I want to jog your memory to make sure that you get one, too. As a reminder, you should be getting an annual mammogram between the ages of 40 and 74 and perhaps earlier if you have family history. It's not my favorite exam of the year (lol!) but it is very important and early detection saves lives.
 
Last Saturday was Small Business Saturday and I hope you had a chance to "shop small" in the Farmington Valley. We always say that these small businesses are the backbones of our community, and we should remember that throughout the year by supporting these businesses that support us.
 
And not to be missed on Friday, the annual Collinsville Champagne walk . . . details below!

Have a great week,

Eleni

Help Shape Early Childhood System in CT
 

National Older Driver Safety Awareness 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, 2025, 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, please click HERE.

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.
 

 Scheduled Your Mammogram?

Let’s be honest, ladies, we don’t always love getting “the girls” checked, but we know we have to do it because early detection saves lives.

In that spirit, I went for my annual mammogram today. I realized I had missed my yearly reminder, and as I was scheduling my physical, I thought, 'When was my last mammogram?' Luckily, I wasn’t too far behind, but as the mammographer said to me, “The important thing is that you came to get it done.”

Have you had your mammogram this year? If, like me, it felt like it was longer than it should have been, now is a good time to check your records and get in for one.

Wishing you healthy holidays!
 

Our District, A Hallmark Christmas Card?

When part of your district looks like it fell out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, it’s the best place to spend Small Business Saturday. Please click on the image below to watch a short video.
 

First stop was LaSalle Market & Deli to get a coffee and an apple fritter (btw they are now open on Mondays!).

Then we headed to the new-ish East-West Vintage.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s awesome. Of course, no visit to Collinsville is complete without a visit to The Findery. SNL may make fun of people gifting candles, but they clearly have never received one from this charming spot.

And, our last stop was Carol and Company because Carol is one of my longtime favorites. Adorable felted ornaments, the softest gloves, art pieces, and jewelry. If you can’t find a gift here, maybe that’s on you.
 

Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus Saturday!

Please click on the link below for more details about "A Children’s Festival with Santa & Mrs. Claus" taking place on Saturday at the Avon Congregational Church, 6 W. Main St. in Avon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 

Annual Collinsville Champagne Walk is Saturday

 

Northwest Community Bank is proud to sponsor the Collinsville Champagne Walk, an event that joins the joy of shopping with the pleasure of champagne tasting along the streets of Collinsville. This community event includes food trucks, live music, and provides a perfect start to the holiday season, enhancing local commerce and community ties.

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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