Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce announces successor to Bombard
The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce announced in a press release on Monday that Katie D’Agostino, the organization’s current vice president, will become its next president and chief executive officer effective July 1, 2023.
“Having Katie in this critical role will provide continuity for the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce and will keep us moving forward towards our vision of being the premier business organization in the Central Connecticut region,” said Paul S. Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer and the board chair of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce in the press release.
D’Agostino will succeed current chamber president and CEO, Cindy Bombard.
Prior to joining the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce in 2017, D’Agostino spent 18 years as a project and marketing leader executing marketing programs aligned with strategic objectives.
For the past six years, she has been with the chamber.
In addition to her work the the chamber, D’Agostino serves on the board of directors for American Clock & Watch Museum, BristolWORKS!, and Capital Workforce Partners. She is also the incoming campaign chair for the United Way of West Central Connecticut.
Current Chamber President & CEO, Cindy Bombard, added that Katie is the right person to take the reins.
The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce is recognized as one of the largest chambers in the state of Connecticut and has become a proponent for economic and community development across the region.
Two manufacturing associations are also managed under the Chamber umbrella, New England Spring and Metalstamping Association (NESMA), and the Connecticut Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA).
Wheeler offers COVID-19 boosters
COVID-19 booster shot clinics are being offered at Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Centers, 10 North Main St., on Wednesday, March 31, from 1 to 3 p.m., as well as the Plainville Senior Center through Wheeler’s Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center, 200 East St., Plainville, on April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. No appointment or referral is needed, and insurance cards and IDs are recommended.
Boosters for children as well as adults will be provided.
Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Youth and Prevention Leaders Award nominations due by March 31
Nominations are being sought for the City of Bristol Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services’s 31st Annual Youth and Prevention Leaders Awards.
Nomination forms for both individual and youth groups are available online at www.bristolrec.com.
Submit completed applications via e-mail to Jazzya Coakley, assistant to the BPRYCS superintendent, at JazzyaCoakley@bristolct.gov by Friday, March 31 at 4:30 p.m. Award recipients will be honored at an annual ceremony held on May 10.
Direct questions to 860-314-4690. For more information, please visit www.BristolRec.com.
Lions Club annual breakfast fundraiser to be held April 2
The Lion Club will hold its 50th annual Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny fundraiser on Palm Sunday, April 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bristol Elks Club, 126 South St.
The breakfast, featuring pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee and tea, is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children ages 3-12 with children under 3-years-old free. All proceeds benefit the Lions Club mission.
RTC Lincoln Dinner set April 14
The Bristol Republican Town Committee will hold its 2023 Lincoln Day Dinner on April 14, at the Double Tree By Hilton Banquet Facility.
With the theme, “Building A Better Future,” the evening features Mayor Erin Stewart of New Britain and State Senator Ryan Fazio of the 36th District. Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano is master of ceremonies.
Tickets are $65 a person and are available on the RTC Facebook page. Click here.
Monthly fundraiser supports American Legion Boys State program
The monthly American Legion Breakfast will be held Saturday, April 15, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Hall, 355 Camp St. Donation $8, all proceeds go to The American Legion Boys State Program.
Breakfast includes two eggs, bacon or sausage with melted American cheese on a hard roll or pancakes plain or chocolate chips, including coffee and a variety of juices.
Boys & Girls sets date for annual gala
The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol is hosting its second annual gala on Saturday, April 22, at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville from 5 to 10 p.m. Entitled the “Future Stars” Gala this event will highlight accomplishments BB&GC youth and future goals.
Tickets are available at www.bbgc.org/gala. Questions about sponsorships or advertising opportunities may be directed to Rayshe Ramirez, Associate Director of Resource Development, at 860-540-3150.
2023 Dinner on the Diamond’ tickets on sale
Tickets for the “Second Annual Dinner on the Diamond,” benefiting the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund, are now on sale.
The date for the fundraiser is Saturday, May 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event includes dinner and entertainment directly on the infield at historic Muzzy Field. The celebration not only kicks off summer in style but celebrates Bristol’s local parks and recognizes community partners.
The Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund is administered through the Main Street Community Foundation. For information and to purchase tickets, click here.
American Legion program Vietnam Day program moved from March 29 to a date to be determined
The Vietnam Lapel Pin presentation along with a program honoring of the late former Mayor Art Ward has been delayed from March 29 until the display case where the items will be stored arrives, according to an email from the local American Legion Post 2.
March 29 is when the state celebrates Vietnam Recognition Day.
Ward was the driving force behind finding a home for the items left at the Wall That Heals when it came to Bristol in 2016, according to Neal Supranovich. When the Wall left it did not have room to take the items with it, and American Legion Post 2 collected the items. A search for a place to call home. After a number of years and a few setbacks, one was found.
In addition to the items collected at the Wall in 2016 as well as in a previous visit, the display case will hold items honoring the 17 Bristolites who lost their life in the Vietnam War.
Before he passed, Ward began the fundraiser for the Vietnam program, intending to be the first to donate. The fundraiser continued with the first $100 donation in Ward’s name, with the instructions that the donation would be in Ward’s name. The donation was anonymous.
After that all other donations given were in Memory of Art Ward. The Korean Veterans Association covered the balance.
Exchange Club to hold ‘Honoring Heroes’ program in June
The Greater Bristol Exchange Club will be honoring the late police officers Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy, along with Officer Alec Iurato as this year’s “Police Officers of the Year” at its “Honoring Heroes” program at the Aqua Turf Grand Ball Room on June 29.
DeMonte and Hamzy were struck down in the line of duty in an Oct. 12 shooting. Iurato, who was injured in the same incident, is credited for stopping the shooter.
Proceeds from the event will go to the “Fund the First,” a fund which was set up in honor of our deceased officers, and to assist their families.
Tickets are available online at Honoring Heroes Tickets. For sponsorships, go to Sponsorships.
For information, contact Exchange Club program director, Jack Ferraro at TheBristolExchangeClub@gmail.com.
Bristol Hospital bed capacity
As of March 28, 61.3 percent or on average 82.1 of 134 adult staffed hospital beds, the same as the previous week, were occupied at Bristol Hospital, according to the State of Connecticut’s Data and Analytics division.
During the same week, the number of occupied staffed ICU beds remained at 64 percent or 9 of 14 from the previous reporting period.
Latest COVID-19 stats
Bristol’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.9 down from 3.4 percent the previous week, with 8 positive cases down from 11 positive cases the previous week, leaving Bristol in the medium category with fewer than 15 cases per 100,000 people. Hartford County is in the low category again this week.
The CDC recommends that people at high risk for severe illness, talk to their healthcare provider about whether to need to wear a mask and take other precautions. In addition, the CDC reminds people to take the following measures:
- Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested if you have symptoms.
- If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.
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