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Today in 1843, Mary Hall was born in Marlborough, Connecticut. Growing up on a farm in antebellum America, when high Victorian culture placed an increasingly stringent emphasis on female domesticity, made her perhaps one of the most unlikely candidates to defy gender norms and become the first woman in Connecticut to be admitted to the bar. However, Mary enjoyed support in pursuing her educational ambitions from an early age: Her father, Gustavus Hall, was a prosperous farmer who held strong convictions regarding women’s access to education and the ballot box, believing that women should have “equal chance to the employment of its blessings, as well as a share in the burden of our government.”
Mary Hall, circa 1880s.
With her father’s full support, Mary graduated from Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Massachusetts at the age of 23 and worked for years as a schoolteacher in the greater Boston area before a trip to Hartford in 1877 inspired her to pursue a more ambitious calling. There, while attending a convention on women’s suffrage, Hall heard attorney John Hooker — husband of prominent Hartford social reformer Isabella Beecher Hooker — give a speech about the limited property rights of married women. Hooker’s speech inspired Hall to study law for herself, which she immediately began under the tutelage of her brother Ezra, already a practicing lawyer.
When Ezra died suddenly in 1878, John Hooker himself decided to accept Mary as a student in his Hartford law office. Four years later, in May of 1882, Mary took the bold step of applying to be admitted to the Connecticut bar. Even though she passed her bar exam with flying colors, the Hartford County Bar Association deferred to the Connecticut Supreme Court on whether or not a female could be admitted as a practicing attorney. Hartford lawyer Thomas McManus represented Hall before the Court in the case In ReHall, arguing that admitting Hall to the bar was in perfect keeping with women’s social status and aptitude — noting that women already served as teachers, preachers, medical practitioners, and even as executors and trustees over legal matters. The state Supreme Court ruled in Hall’s favor in July 1882, making her the first female attorney in Connecticut history. Two years later, she also became Connecticut’s first female notary.
Throughout her legal career — which spanned four decades — Hall specialized in handling property-related matters for women, and was a founding member of the Hartford Woman Suffrage Club. In 1920, she achieved her other lifelong dream when the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution finally granted women the right to vote.
Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 18 and runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.
During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Attention Connecticut Residents!Governor Ned Lamonthas announced new measures to tackle the rise in credit, debit, and EBT card skimmers.
Here's what you need to know:
Spot the Skimmers: Check for unusual bulk, mismatched colors, or loose components on card readers.
Inspect & Wiggle: Before using your card, make sure the device looks secure and isn’t altered.
Stay Alert: If you see anything suspicious, switch to another machine and alert store staff or police.
Connecticut officials are ramping up education, investigations, and security to protect consumers. They’ve seen a 48% drop in stolen EBT benefits since early June!
Stay vigilant and protect your financial info. For more tips and to report suspicious activity, visitct.gov/DCP.
The Manchester Water Department is pleased to announce that financial assistance is available to qualified applicants through the Town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for water service line replacements. Single and multi-unit residential properties with water service line materials consisting of lead or galvanized materials may apply to have their water service lines replaced at no charge to the owner.
Assistance is available for a limited number of income-eligible residents on a first come first served basis who meet the grant criteria. Applications must be received no later than September 9, 2024, and construction must occur by October 1, 2024.
Residential buildings with seven or fewer dwelling units where at least 51% of the units are income-eligible (or 1 of 2 units in a 2-family) and for which rents cannot exceed the annually adjusted fair market levels established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The property owner must be current in mortgage payments (if applicable) and on all local taxes, fees and assessments including real estate, and water and sewer charges.
The Town reserves the right to deny assistance to any property whose owner has a record of tax or mortgage delinquency and cannot provide documentation of a loan modification agreement.
For more information or to complete the application packet, please visit our website at https://manct.us/leador contact the Water Department at 860-647-3115.
If you are not sure if you have a lead or galvanized service line, follow the instructions at https://manct.us/leadand email a picture of your service line, along with a description of your findings, towaterandsewer@manchesterct.gov.
2024 Manchester Peach Festival
This year the Manchester Peach Festival’s home will be MARC, INC. here in Manchester at 151 Sheldon Road. It will be on August 23rd, 2024 from 6-8 P.M. Tickets will be $6 per person. A few of the things included at our event will be our well-known Peach Shortcake, live music provided by Nightshift, a chance to talk to fellow community members and leaders, and so much more. The Manchester Peach Festival will be turning 73 years old this year. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Manchester Fire Support Group, for more exciting updates as we work with our community to make this the best Manchester Peach Festival yet!
Spruce Street Farmers Market 2024
Shop local and enjoy beautiful Market Field. All markets accept SNAP/EBT payments & will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $30.00.
In addition, all children in attendance will receive a $2.00 Power of Produce voucher each market for use on any fresh produce.
The Senior POP Program offers Manchester seniors the opportunity to register for a $5.00 voucher for use on any fresh fruits or vegetables at the Market!
Wednesdays through 08/28/24, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Market Field, 153 & 163 Spruce Street
No cost to attend & Free parking is available at 160 Spruce Street.
We’re happy to announce a new session of our Citizen Police Academy! This is your chance to learn about the inner workings of local law enforcement, understand the challenges officers face, and gain valuable insights into community safety. Attending the academy will enhance your knowledge of police procedures, foster stronger community-police relationships, and empower you with the ultimate knowledge and skills to contribute positively to public safety. Don’t miss out! Space is limited and seats fill up quickly. Join us and be part of the change! Click here toapply
East Hartford Farmers' Market
The Town of East Hartford Farmers’ Market is open Tuesdays through October 29 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Town Green / Alumni Park (1047 Main Street).
CALL FOR FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS:
Are you a farmer or market vendor who produces honey, milk, eggs, bread, other foods, or locally produced crafts who wishes to be part of the East Hartford Farmers’ Market? Are you a business or non-profit organization looking to promote your services? Please visit the East Hartford Farmers’ Market website for guidelines and to access thevendor application (both online and printable options are available). There is no cost to participate as a vendor and individuals are able to request space for specific dates or the full market season. Once your application is submitted, organizers will review and determine if your product or service is appropriate for the farmers’ market.
DONATE TO BECOME AN EH FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNER!
The Town of East Hartford is asking for donations from residents, community organizations, and businesses to support our market programs that fight food insecurity right here in our community. Your support will help residents buy fresh, healthy foods from farmers that support our market. Donations will help the Town provide additional support to SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP recipients through farmers’ market matching vouchers.
Donations can be made online by visiting the Social Services Donation Program websiteand choosing the “Farmers’ market partner program” option. Alternatively, cash or check donations can be dropped off to East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at the Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Place. Checks should be made payable to the Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division with “Farmers Market” noted in the bottom left. Any amount helps!
For more information regarding the various benefit programs and the Social Services donation program, please visitEast Hartford Farmers’ Market website.
8-week Spanish Language
Financial Literacy Workshop
Se ofrecerá un curso de educación financiera en español de 8 semanas en la Biblioteca Raymond en East Hartford a partir del 19 de Septiembre de 2024.
El objetivo de este programa de educación financiera es impulsar la movilidad económica ascendente para las familias latinas a través del empoderamiento de los adultos latinos para maximizar el uso de sus ingresos y activos para generar riqueza y trabajar para lograr sus aspiraciones financieras.
Cada clase tendrá una duración de 2 horas. Entre los temas que se tratarán están:
Presupuestos familiares, gestión del dinero Mantenimiento de registros financieros
Banca y endeudamiento
Gestión de la deuda; creación, mantenimiento y reparación de crédito; robo de identidad Creación de activos, incluida la propiedad de viviendas y automóviles
Programas e impuestos gubernamentales, incluidos EITC, VITA y Baby Bonds
Creación de empresas
Para complementar el plan de estudios con ejemplos de la vida real, habrá conferenciantes invitados profesionales: un contable, un agente inmobiliario, un abogado, un banquero, un agente de seguros y un asesor empresarial. El aprendizaje en el aula estará respaldado por asesoramiento 1:1, que permitirá a los alumnos abordar sus situaciones financieras personales con un profesional en detalle y con privacidad.
An 8-week Spanish language financial literacy course will be offered at Raymond Library in East Hartford beginning September 19th, 2024.
The objective of this financial literacy program is to propel upward economic mobility for Latino families through empowering Latino adults to maximize the use of their incomes and assets to build wealth and work to achieve their financial aspirations.
Each class will be 2 hours long. Among the topics that will be covered are:
Household budgeting, money management
Financial record-keeping
Banking and borrowing
Debt management; credit building, maintenance and repair; identity theft
Asset building, including home ownership and cars
Government programs and taxes, including EITC, VITA and Baby Bonds
Business start-ups
Supplementing the curriculum with real-life examples will be professional guest lecturers: an accountant, a realtor, a lawyer, a banker, an insurance agent, and a business counselor. Classroom learning will be supported by 1:1 counseling, which will allow learners to address their personal financial situations with a professional in detail and with privacy.
Join the Town of East Hartford Parks & Rec. department as they present Youth Activities Showcase and Movie Night for East Hartford residents!
This event is a collaborative effort between the Town’s Health Department, Parks & Recreation, Youth & Social Services Department, supported by Amplify, Inc.
The Youth Activities Showcase will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Pre-show and movie (Space Jam) will start at 7:45 PM. Residents are welcome to attend for the entire event or simply the portions they are interested in.
The Youth Activities Showcase will provide an opportunity for youth programs and teams across town to promote their services, activities, and sports teams. Children will have the opportunity to try out different sports and activities, and parents/guardians can ask questions of the leaders.
Sports and organizations represented will include baseball, football, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, plus scouting, library programs, and more. Children (and families) are encouraged to wear their East Hartford youth organization apparel to the event, to show team pride.
As part of our celebration of youth sports in East Hartford, Mayor Connor Martin will present special recognitions to the youth sports organizations and 2023 youth sports champions.
Following the Youth Activities Showcase, the 1996 live-action/animated sports comedy Space Jam will be screened out on the ball field. As pre-show programming, we will be premiering the final projects of youth participants in our Vaping Prevention PSA Workshop. Mayor Martin will present special recognitions to the youth participants involved in the Vaping Prevention PSA Workshop.
Pre-registration is not required for this free event. For questions, please contact Parks & Recreation at (860) 291-7160. Any changes or updates will be posted on the Town website (easthartfordct.gov) and we encourage interested individuals to follow East Hartford Health and Human Services and East Hartford Parks & Recreation on Facebook for updates and announcements.
East Hartford Public Library
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The East Hartford Farm to School is recruiting volunteers to get Hockanum, Goodwin, and Mayberry School gardens back in shape for the start of school!
Through the Farm to School and School Garden programs, students receive hands-on experience in growing food, understanding where food comes from, and appreciating the hard work that goes into farming. Growing and eating fresh, local produce is not just good for our bodies, but also for our community and the environment!
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
