Nominations for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame

November 10, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week. Please keep reading for information about events in the community, and more!

Milford Oyster Fest After Dark + Fair on the Half Shell

Last weekend, I spent time at the Milford Oyster Fest After Dark and Fair on the Half Shell! I had such a great time catching up with friends at the fair and loved seeing Almost Queen and Philadelphia Freedom, two incredible tribute bands!

SCROG Breakfast

Yesterday morning, I attended South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCROG) breakfast. We discussed housing and resiliency with colleagues from across the region. It's always great to come together and share our ideas!

Nominations for the Class of 2025 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame

The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2025. The Hall of Fame honors veterans from Connecticut who have made a positive impact in their community after the conclusion of their military service.

To be eligible, nominees must have been born in Connecticut or resided in the state for a minimum of five years. They must also meet the definition of a “veteran” under Connecticut General Statutes § 27-103 and have received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The submitted nomination package must contain the completed nomination form, the veteran’s discharge documents, and a detailed narrative of the veteran’s community and/or public service at the local, state, and/or nation level and the veteran’s contributions to the community at large. The focus of this honor is on the veteran’s service to their community after leaving the military.

To download the nomination package, visit portal.ct.gov/dva/pages/ct-veterans-hall-of-fame.

Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 15. They should be delivered either by email to lindsay.jesshop@ct.gov or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:

Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: CT Veterans Hall of Fame
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Detailed instructions and information on eligibility criteria can be found within the nomination package.

ICYMI - Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open and accepting applications!

This scholarship supports students who:

Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District
Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
Are in good academic standing
Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements

Up to $10,000 per year is available for eligible students, including:

High school seniors planning to begin a teacher prep program this fall
Undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled in an approved program

Don’t miss this opportunity to get financial support as you prepare to inspire the next generation of learners!

Apply now and take the next step toward becoming an educator. To learn more, click HERE.

ICYMI - WBDC Small Business Grants

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs through September 16. You can find additional information on Ignite here.  

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through August 31. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.