Weekly roundup features Thanksgiving poem benefiting rescue animals, Vietnam veterans honored at library dedication, trivia night and new Wheeler board member

Interfaith coalition readies for Thanksgiving with poem and annual service

The Bristol Interfaith Coalition has two events leading up to Thanksgiving, the first benefiting rescue animals and a second, this year’s Annual Bristol Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.

The first is the offering of a Thanksgiving poem, by local holy man, Nighthawk Flying, available with a donation from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Stafford Avenue. Copies of the poem, printed and formatted in Bristol, are placed in an acid-free cover with backing board.

Proceeds from the donations for the poem, offering thanks to the Creator for the blessings of creation, will benefit horses and rescue animals under the care of Nighthawk Flying.

The poems may be picked up before or after 10 a.m. services at Good Shepherd or by emailing linkhullar@gmail.com.

In addition, the annual Bristol Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held at St. Joseph Church, Queen Street, as well as livestreamed on the Bristol Interfaith Coalition Facebook page (click here), on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

A collection will be taken for Prudence Crandall Center, a leader in reducing the devastating impacts of domestic violence in the lives of survivors, their children, and our communities.

For more information, check the coalition’s Facebook page or email BristolInterfaith@gmail.com.

Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation to hold trivia night

Trivia buffs and newbies are welcome at the 2nd annual Trivia Night at the Elks Lodge presented by Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation. The event will be held at the Elks Lodge on Main Street in Southington on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m.

The night includes raffle prizes, light fare, cash bar and trivia questions. Teams up to four are encouraged to register in advance. A special prize has been donated by Bikers Edge! 

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Hosted by Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation and WhatTrivia.

Display case dedication draws crowd to Bristol Public Library Saturday

A display case with items gathered from The Traveling Wall/Healing Wall visit to Bristol was dedicated in honor of Bristol’s Vietnam veterans in a ceremony at the Bristol Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 28. At the same time, the former commander of the Bristol American Legion, Post 2, and former Bristol mayor Art Ward was honored for his service and efforts on behalf of veterans with a plaque installed alongside the display case. Photos, clockwise from upper left, the display case, Ward’s spouse Pat, receives a certificate in his honor, the members of the audience viewing items in display case and the plaque honoring Ward. | Photos provided by Neal Supranovich

Childs joins Wheeler’s board of trustees

Tucker Childs joined Wheeler’s board of trustees in September, A native of Georgia, Childs has lived in Connecticut since 2013.

Childs is the director of wealth planning as well as a portfolio manager at Hartford-based Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc. The announcement from Wheeler states that Childs sees a direct link between his personal values and Wheeler’s enduring service to the community, and he looks forward to board service and corresponding role on the Finance Committee, where he will leverage his professional background to assist Wheeler with strategic growth in finance and operations.

Aside from Wheeler, Childs is involved in several professional associations and in advancing financial literacy in the Hartford region. Through Leadership Greater Hartford, he is part of Quest, which unites high-performing, mid-career professionals from many different sectors—nonprofit, government, education, business—around the idea of growing stronger together through collaborative leadership and social responsibility.

In addition, he assists the Hartford CFA Society in Financial Literacy Days at schools in Hartford, helping students to be prepared for financial success, and serves on the program committee for the Estate and Business Planning Council of Hartford.

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.

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.

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

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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