Program to honor Vietnam veterans, annual ‘Back to School Pencil Hunt” set, family camp registration open

Posted By: Staff August 16, 2023

Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz to lead ceremonies for veterans

Two ceremonies on Wednesday, Aug. 23, one at 10 a.m. and another at 2 p.m., will honor Bristol Vietnam Veterans at the Rockwell Theater. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz will lead the ceremonies.

In 2009, Bysiewicz as Secretary of State presided over a similar ceremony for Bristol’s World War II veterans. That event covered two nights when over 250 World War II veterans received a certificate from the State of Connecticut as well as a newly issued medal in their honor.

Another fall program is in the planning stage to showcase ” Vietnam, The Wall That Heals,”at the Public Library on Oct. 28 at 2 pm. At the same time, the family of Art Ward will be sponsoring a plaque in his honor outside the Bristol History Room.

Annual ‘Back to School Pencil Hunt’ to be held Aug. 24

The Sixth Annual Mayor’s Back to School Pencil Hunt will be held Thursday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Muzzy Field. The event is sponsored by the Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS), in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office.

Registration is free and can be completed online at www.bristolct.myrec.com or by calling the BPRYCS Main Office at (860)584-6160. Participants should allow 15 minutes for check-in prior to the beginning of their designated start time.

Each participant will take home an age-appropriate goodie bag filled with school supplies. Children who pull specially-marked pencils will take home surprise Silver or Gold prizes, in addition to their school supply goodie bag.

For more information, visit www.bristolct.myrec.com.

Registration is now open for family camp over night at Muzzy Field

Registration for families to camp out overnight at Muzzy Field early in September is now open and will be until spaces are filled.

The Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, which sponsors the overnight campout, provides a host of activities including lawn games, family activities, and a PG rated movie when it’s dark. BPRYCS staff will assist with tent setup, provide snacks and breakfast treats, and lead a night-time program.

A limited number of tents are available for households who need one. Each household/ registrant will have an assigned space. In addition, guidelines for participation are posted on the BRPYCS website. Click here.

Affordable internet access through national connectivity program

Earlier this month, over 300 local and national organizations joined Civic Nation and the U.S. Department of Education to launch Online for All, a campaign that provides internet access, affordability, and equity for students, families, across the country.

To see requirements and apply, go to the Online for All site and follow the screen instructions. Click here. Or go directly to the FFC’S Affordable Connectivity Program website, to find out qualifications for reduced or free high-speed internet. Click here.

An estimated 28 million households in the U.S. do not have high-speed internet at home, and two-thirds of these households are offline because they need help affording an available internet connection, according to the release on the U.S. Dept. of Education website.

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