Two weeks since Firefly Brewing announces closing
Firefly Hollow head brewer and co-owner Dana Bourque announced on Facebook that the local brewery would be closing on March 1.
It’s a sad day for me to share this news,” Bourque writes. “The Firefly Hollow Brewery is now closed until further notice. We hope to be back at some point, but we’re closing as we formulate a plan forward.
“To those who have made this possible over the years, I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s been a pleasure serving the Bristol Community. We built more than just a brewery, and I’ve been honored to share in that.”
Firefly was established in 2013, according to its website, by people who care about great beer, using the right ingredients, according to its website. It distributed beer across the state.
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.
The Bristol Connecticut Lions Club is one of the oldest clubs in Connecticut, chartered in 1926, and is a member of Lions Clubs International, a global service organization of 1.35 million men and women dedicated to serving their communities.
The club’s motto is “We Serve,” which exemplifies its commitment to the betterment of its fellow citizens. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the New England Carousel Museum, Riverside Avenue.
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.
Bristol Historical Society March program features ‘Female Firsts in Bristol’
Former Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu will present “Bristol Femal Firsts,” in honor of Women’s History Month, at the Bristol Historical Society’s March Third Thursday program on Thursday, March 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m..
The talk will cover a wide range of women and their accomplishments, including the first woman who received a driver’s license in the state to the first female police officers and fightfighters.
This program, sponsored by a grant from the Women & Girls Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation, is offered free of charge. Light refreshments will be offered. For more information, or to register a Scout Troop, call (860) 583-6309.
Monthly fundraiser supports American Legion Boys State program
The monthly American Legion Breakfast will be held Saturday, March 18, 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.
Annual HIV/AIDS/HCV education forum offers training opportunity
The annual HIV Educational Forum sponsored by Bristol Mayor’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS/HCV will be held on April 26 at the Bristol Public Library at 5 High St.
This event has an overall theme of Hepatitis C infection and HIV/AIDS infection. Topics and speakers include the following:
- Dr. Daniel N. Smiley, Connecticut GI – History of Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment,
- Dr. Rebecca Eleck, Wheeler Health – Hepatitis C in the Primary Care Setting,
- Gina D’Angelo and Venesha Heron, Connecticut Department of Public Health – Connected ‘Til the End: Eliminating HCV and Ending the HIV Epidemic and
- Deanne Walsh, DNP, AAHIVS, Merck & Co., Inc. – Social Determinants of Health.
Attendance for the forum is free, having been supported by donations from Merck & Co, Inc. and a grant from the Clinton S. Roberts Foundation.
The workshop doors open for registration at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will end at 1 p.m. Breakfast and late morning refreshments will be offered. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/7WJZChRa7EvRxCUh6.
The Bristol Mayor’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS was created in 1991 and continues to have representative membership from consumers, medical, social service and treatment providers and Bristol residents. The group meets monthly and plans five educational events per year.
Continuing education credits are being applied for through the Connecticut Certification Board, the Connecticut Nurses Association and the National Association of Social Workers. For more information, contact David Ryan, Chairperson at DRyan@wheelerclinic.org or (860) 224-6315.
Wheeler offers COVID-19 boosters at five locations this month
COVID-19 booster shot clinics are being offered at Wheeler’s five Family Health & Wellness Centers on Wednesdays in March, as well as the Plainville Senior Center through Wheeler’s Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center, on March 20 and April 10. No appointment or referral is needed, and insurance cards and IDs are recommended.
The Wednesday clinics are offered on March 15, March 22 and March 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:
- · Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 10 North Main St., Bristol
- · Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 40 Hart St., New Britain
- · Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 43 Woodland St., Hartford
- · Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 91 Northwest Dr., Plainville
- · Wheeler Family Health & Wellness Center, 855 Lakewood Rd., Waterbury
Covid booster vaccine clinics also will be offered through Wheeler’s Mobile Family Health Wellness Center stationed at the Plainville Senior Center from 9:30 a.m. to noon on:
- · Monday, March 20, 2023, Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St., Plainville
- · Monday, April 10, 2023, Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St., Plainville
Boosters for children as well as adults will be provided.
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 Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services
seeks Youth and Prevention Leaders Award nominations
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.
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 of fsummer 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.
Bristol Hospital bed capacity
As of March 14, 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 2,5 percent down from 4.8 percent, with 8 positive cases down from 15 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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