Mid-week roundup includes parade for UConn men’s basketball, Duck Race info and BPRYCS employment opportunities

Posted By: David Fortier April 10, 2024

Governor announces victory parade and rally honoring UConn men’s basketball this Saturday in Hartford

The City of Hartford, and the Hartford Business Improvement District will host a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday, April 13, to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team for winning the 2024 NCAA National Championship, Gov. Ned Lamont announced yesterday.

UConn won its sixth men’s basketball national title last night after a 75-60 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will step off at the State Capitol building at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street. From there, it will proceed north on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right (east) onto Jewell Street, turn left (north) onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.

The rally will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street, where the players, coaches, and other guests will be invited to give speeches.

“For the second year in a row, the UConn men’s basketball team wowed the nation by dominating the NCAA tournament, and now it’s time for Connecticut to give them the victory celebration they deserve,” Lamont said in the press release from his office.

Private donations and business sponsorships are being sought to finance the event. No state or city funding is used, the release said.

To sponsor the event, businesses may choose from several sponsorship levels ranging from $10,000 to $2,500 or less. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Chip McCabe at the Hartford Business Improvement District as soon as possible at 860-770-0788 or cmccabe@hartfordbid.com.

As in previous years, this 2024 event is produced by the Hartford Business Improvement District in collaboration with the State of Connecticut and City of Hartford, as well as a number of civic and business organizations.

Summer employment opportunities with Bristol Park, Recreation, Youth and Community Services announced

The following summer employment opportunities have been announced by Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services in its monthly newsletter.

The positions include the following. Seasonal Employment Applications are available online at BristolRec.com or at the Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) Main Office at 51 High St.

  • Summer Laborer: Multiple Positions Available | $16.09/hour ($16.84 Returning); Monday – Friday | 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. | 40 Hours per week
  • Lifeguard: Multiple Positions Available | $16.34/hour ($17.34 Returning) | Flexible Schedule | 3 – 40 Hours per week
  • Water Safety Instructor: Multiple Positions Available | $18.09/hour ($19.34 Returning) | Flexible Schedule | 3 – 40 Hours per week
  • Assistant Teen Camp Director: One Position Available | June – August| $19.34/hour; Monday – Thursday | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | 35 – 40 Hours per week
  • Recreation Intern: One Position Available | May – August | $16.09/hour; Monday – Friday | 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | 37.5 Hours per week
  • Sound Technician / Sound Board Operator: Multiple Positions Available | $23.59/hour | June – August | Tuesdays/ Wednesdays | 3 – 9 p.m.

Immediately, Ropes Course Facilitator(s) at Pine Lake Adventure Park are also being sought. Successful candidates will be responsible for leading diverse and dynamic groups of participants through team building and challenge course activities, under the supervision and guidance of the Lead Facilitator and Recreation Supervisor. Learn More/Apply here.

Bristol Parks and Rec opens registration online for summer programs mid-April, announces more programs

Summer program and event information is now available at BristolRec.com, Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services announced Tuesday. Registration opens Tuesday, April 16, to residents and Wednesday, April 17, to non-residents. This year registration begins at 12 noon.

in addition, the Bristol Parks announced these programs:

Spring Learn to Swim (LTS) will begin on April 13! Spring Saturdays | Spring Sundays To figure out the appropriate level for learning to swim, schedule a swim test at the Dennis Malone Aquatics Center by calling (860) 584-3837 Check out the Red Cross Course Fact Sheet Review the Swim Lesson Achievement Booklet.

Dinner on the Diamond Fundraiser Saturday, May 11, 5 – 8 p.m.| Muzzy Field Dinner on the Diamond kicks off the summer season with live music, dinner and celebration on the infield of Muzzy Field! Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, a plated dinner, entertainment, beer and wine, and more! Purchase Tickets or Learn More Be a Sponsor!

Tennis Lessons begin the week of April 15th Page Park – Tennis Courts Tennis lessons are offered for community members of all ages and skill levels. Beginners will be introduced to basic skills and learn to master fundamentals. More experienced participants may refine their skills with added games and challenges. Pee Wee Tennis (Ages 4 – 5) Little Tennis (Ages 4 – 5) Youth Beginner Tennis (Ages 8 – 14) Youth Intermediate Advanced Tennis (Ages 8 – 12) Teenage Tennis (Ages 13 – 17) Adult Tennis (Ages 18+)

Self Defense Ages 12+ Sundays, 1 – 2 p.m. May 5 – 26 Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School (BAIMS) Self Defense will teach protective tips to avoid confrontations, as well as self-defense techniques when conflict cannot be avoided. This class is instructed by Sensei Frank Shekosky, owner of Cromwell Martial Arts. No experience is necessary. Learn More  

Tickets for Forestville Village Association’s Pequabuck River Duck Race on sale

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Forestville Village Association Pequabuck River Duck Race at locations across the city.

Tickets at $5 a piece can be purchased at the following:

  • American Clock & Watch Museum
  • Bristol Historical Society
  • Carousel Museum
  • City True Value Hardware
  • Family Roots Produce
  • Greer’s Chicken
  • Marv’s Barbershop
  • Max IV Pizza & Restaurant, Middle Street
  • Max Pizza & Restaurant, Stafford Avenue
  • RX Crystal
  • SauKat
  • Simply Hair
  • South Side Meat Market
  • Tommy’s Place & Market

The race will be held Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Forestville Center. Aside from the duck race, the event features a Kids Zone, Auto Show, Food Trucks and Arts & Crafts Show.

Up to 45 Duck Races prizes will be awarded from first prize of $1,000, second prize of $500 and third prize of Four Lake Compounce Season Passes to $25 gift cards for 44th and 45th prizes. In between there is a Sponsor membership at Chippanee Golf Course among other memberships from organizations across the city.

For information or to volunteer, call John Gianoni at (860)7078-5143 or visit the Facebook page by clicking here.

Bristol Boys and Girls Club seeks sponsors for this year’s gala

The Bristol Boys and Girls Club is seeking sponsors for its Golden Ticket Galas to be held at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, on Saturday, April 20.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Keleigh Courtney at 860-540-3101 or KCourtney@bbgc.org. Click to download the Sponsorship Form here. Click to download the Advertisement Form here.

Proceeds from the event will support the transformational youth programs that the club provides to the thousands of children and families across their network of 13 sites in the club’s community.

American Legion Post 209 announces fishing derby and seeks parade participants

The Post 209 9th Annual Youth Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, April 28, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Rockwell Park. Registration is 6:30 to 8 a.m. Trophies and prizes will be awarded. Age limit is 16 and under, and two trout per participant. Worms and meal worms are provided by Tal’s Tackle, free of charge. Steve’s Top Dogs Food Truck is available for breakfast.

The Forestville Village Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by Post 209, will be held Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. with a rain date of Monday, May 27, at 2 p.m. Post 2 is reaching out to any groups interested in being part of the parade. Contact Brian Avery, parade chairperson and Commander of the American Legion Post 209, via email at americanlegionpost209ct@gmail.com.

Veterans Strong and Wernicki Family accepting nominations for annual Patriots’ Day awards

The Veterans Strong Community Center and the Wernicki Family are accepting nominations for the Annual Patriots’ Day awards for the 5th Annual Patriot’s Day ceremony to be held Monday, April 15, 6 p.m., at Luna’s Banquet Facility on King Street.

The awards honor local Veterans or Servicemembers, either living or deceased. Nominees do not need to reside in Bristol, as long as they contribute to the Bristol community. Those making nominations share with the committee how this person has been heroic in serving our country and city.

Nominations are reviewed by a committee and honorees are selected and notified by mail.

Please send all nomination letters by or before March 25, to the attention of Veterans Strong Community Center, 111 North Main St., Bristol, CT 06010.

Nominations may also be emailed to Maggie.wernicki@gmail.com or by completing an online form at www.vetstronginc.org/patriots-day.

Public Works spring leaf collection begins in April

Outside spring lead collection is held through the month of April, when the weather allows, according to an announcement from Public Works.

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

Public Works advises that 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.

Leaves, grass, and twigs may also be taken by residents to the City of Bristol Solid Waste Transfer Station. At the Transfer Station, leaves, grass, and twigs in bags (other than paper yard waste bags) must be emptied out. A Transfer Station Permit is required to access the Transfer Station.

In addition, to leaf collection, residents are encouraged to clear leaves and other debris from the tops of catch basins abutting their property to help prevent localized flooding conditions. 

Public library offers free seed packets and gardening programs

A gardening discussion group will address garden tasks, techniques and accomplishments on April 15 and May 13, at 6:30 p.m. A number of resources will be available for participants to take home.

There is no charge for these programs, but the library requests participants R.S.V.P at bristollib.com, in-person at the library, or by calling: (860)584-7787 ext. 3.

In addition, the Bristol Public Library is offering free seed packets. Bristol residents with a Bristol Public Library card are eligible for up to five see packages free of charge as part of the “Bristol Seed Library” program.

Bristol Veterans Council fundraising for POW/MIA monument

The Bristol Veterans Council continues to raise funds for a POW/MIA monument to be installed on Memorial Boulevard. The six-foot high, 10-inch thick and three-feet wide gray granite monument will honor each branch of the military. The goal for the installation is Memorial Day 2024.

Donations may be sent to Bristol Veterans Council, Inc., P.O.W./ M.I.A. Fundraiser, c/o Stanley J. Piotrowski–Treasurer, P.O. Box 2634, Bristol, CT 06011-2634.

Lamont announces new one-stop-shop portal for jobseekers

The launch of Connecticut’s new jobs portal, jobs.ct.gov was announced by Gov. Ned Lamont earlier in the month.

Jobs.ct.gov joins health.ct.gov and business.ct.gov as the next service category to be developed in the new digital, one-stop government ecosystem. Some of the resources available through the jobs portal include:

  • Powerful job search tools;
  • Job search tips and personal help;
  • Free and low-cost training, certificate, and classroom programs; and
  • Resources to help employers hire, train, and retain employees.

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program accepting applications

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is accepting applications through May 31. 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.

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