Weekly roundup features donation to new teacher and dedication ceremony for Vietnam veterans exhibit

Charlene Berube, president of the Bristol Area Retired Teachers, right, presents Megan Palnitkar, new teacher at Bristol Eastern High School, with a $116 check raised from BART's new teacher raffle. Donna Russo, vice president for Bristol Area Retired Teachers, and Mike Higgins, principal of Bristol Eastern High School, look on. | Photo provided by BART

Posted By: Staff October 11, 2023

Atty. Gen. Tong to discuss senior scams today at Bristol Senior Center

A discussion about scams, laws and the state’s elder justice hotline will be featured as part of a “Senior Scams Forum” with State Rep. Mary Fortier and Attorney Gen. William Tong today at 1:30 p.m. at the Bristol Senior Center.

Questions about the program may be directed to Grady.Brockway@cga.ct.gov.

Dedication ceremony for ‘Traveling Wall Memorial’ display Oct. 28

A new exhibit of memorial and votive items left at the Traveling Wall/Wall that Heals during the time it was installed along Memorial Boulevard will be dedicated on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Bristol Public Library.

The permanent display honors members of the Bristol community who served in the Vietnam War.

At the same time, there will be a presentation ceremony honoring Vietnam veteran and former Bristol Mayor Arthur “Art” Ward in recognition of his efforts to bring the Traveling Wall to Bristol

Quinoco sponsors ‘Ugliest Boiler’ contest

Quinoco Energy Services, a 145-year-old business in Bristol and one of the oldest family-owned and -operated energy companies in the state, today announced the launch of the company’s “Ugliest Boiler” Contest.

The fuel-neutral contest, which is open to home heating oil, natural gas and Propane consumers in Quinoco’s service area, runs through Oct. 31. First place finisher will receive a new high efficiency boiler or furnace. Secon place, $1,000 off the installation of a new boiler or furnace. Third place $750 off the installation of a new boiler or furnace.

To enter, homeowners, who need not be Quinoco Energy Services customers, must submit a photo of their existing boiler, along with a completed entry form. Entries may be submitted online at quinoco.com/uglyboiler.

Throughout the contest, select entries will be posted to Quinoco’s Facebook and Instagram account so that entrants can get a sneak peek at their competition. The winner will be announced the week of Nov, 6.

Wheeler grant addresses developmental outcomes in children

Bristol is one of the five Wheeler community health centers to benefit from a two-year, $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).

The grant will help Wheeler improve developmental outcomes for children ages birth through 5 years through increased screenings and follow-up care.

Details about the program are available through Wheeler’s Navigation Center at 860.793.3500 or toll-free at 888.793.3500.

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program accepting applications

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is now accepting applications through May 31, 2024. CEAP helps Connecticut residents afford to heat their homes. Applications for CEAP typically take 30-45 minutes. Basic benefits towards heating bills range between $180 and $530. Benefits are usually paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for additional free tank fills.

Residents may also qualify for heating shut-off protections, become eligible to sign up for a payment plan to reduce primary utility heating costs, and receive free heating equipment replacement and/or repairs.

The program is administered by Connecticut’s Department of Social Services in partnership with local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) throughout the state.

In Bristol, CEAP applications are available at HRA, 55 South St., (860) 356-2000. Email: energyapp@hranbct.org.

Connecticut residents that meet the following may be eligible: already receive food stamps (SNAP), SSI, TANF or other benefits from the Department of Social Services and have an annual household income falls at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income.

Fall leaf bag collection runs through Dec. 1

Fall Leaf Bag Collection will run through Friday, Dec. 1., Public Works announced earlier this week.

The release asks residents to bring leaf bags curbside as soon as they are filled and to leave them curbside until collected. Leaf bag collection is available to all city residences eligible for curbside rubbish and recycling services.

Leaves are only collected in brown, recyclable, paper leaf bags that are available at most home and garden stores. There is no maximum limit to leaf bag collection at a residence.

Leaf bags containing dirt, sand, rocks, sod, or materials other than leaves will not be collected.

Leaf bags must be placed curbside and not within the residence’s property for proper collection. Loose leaf piles will not be collected.

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The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.                

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