Chris Poulos

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

Congratulations to Kennedy Middle School’s Eagle Engineers Robotics Team for bringing it home last weekend at the “Southington Showdown” robotics competition. The inaugural FIRST LEGO League Qualification Event was hosted by the CyberKnights and featured students from 23 schools from across the state. The Eagle Engineers won two awards! The first was a Performance Award for the highest score of a match and the other was the coveted Champions Award, which was the most prestigious award given at the competition! The team will now advance to the state finals that take place on Saturday, December 9. Congratulations to the JFK Eagle Engineers!  

I was also excited this week to learn from Gary Brummett and Joanne Kelleher about Plate It Forward (PIF), a food sharing project based upon the pay it forward model of giving: When you buy a meal for yourself in a participating restaurant, you may also make a second purchase for someone else.

The project has support from The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Bread for Life, and the Southington Community Services, and I am proud to add my name to the list of PIF supporters. At our meeting we discussed ideas on how we can work together to best promote and spread the word on this important project. Special shout out and thanks to the participating Southington restaurants: Paul Gregory's Bistro Café, Fancy Bagels, Chick-fil-A, Fancy Bagel Xpress, Lion's Den, and Saint's Restaurant and Catering. 

Join me in cheering on our Southington High School Blue Knights at the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Southington (6-3) and Cheshire (7-2). The game will be held at Fontana Field Thursday at 10 a.m. The Blue Knights have won the last 10 Thanksgiving Day games. Let’s support our team and make it 11!

This weekend is Small Business Saturday. With the holiday season quickly approaching, you may want to consider buying gift cards and certificates from a local business. According to Boost Suite, there are 350,376 small businesses in our state, which make up 99% of all businesses in Connecticut. To find small businesses in Southington, please click here. 
 
Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses. I wish you and your family a happy holiday season. 

The Southington Recreation Department will hold its annual "Santa's Jolly Holiday" event on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at the Calendar House Senior Center. Admission and activities are FREE of charge.

On this Thanksgiving, I wish to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. In this season of reflection, I am especially thankful for friends like you, the joy of shared moments and the support that surrounds us.

Our community is strong thanks to our residents and everyone working together to make our state a great place to live.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with the love of family and the company of good friends as we all cherish these moments of togetherness and celebrate the blessings that make life special. Let's also extend our thoughts to those facing difficulties and think of the importance of compassion and generosity. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to work for you in Hartford. It is a true honor to represent you.