Wheeler photo contest deadline is approaching, tax bills due July 1, summer concert series at Lake Compounce, Bristol on Connecticut Magazine’s ‘Best of’ list

Wheeler photo contest celebrating Bristol deadline is July 26

Images of Bristol by residents and visitors from a “Celebrate Bristol” photo contest sponsored by Wheeler Health will be featured in a 2025 Bristol-focused calendar produced by Wheeler.

Contestants have until July 26 to submit up to three photos each, no larger than 4 MB each, via Wheeler’s website. Twelve images will be chosen by a panel of community leaders for the calendar, which will be free as long as supplies last.

The contest coincides with Wheeler’s move to its new facility at One Hope Street later this summer.

“What better way to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and richness of this city than to engage the community in capturing and sharing photos for this project,” said Sabrina Trocchi, president and chief executive officer, in the release announcing the contest.

Images will be accepted from digital, cell phone or film cameras. To submit photos, visit: WheelerHealth.org/PhotoContest.

For questions, please contact Joanne Janes, associate director, marketing communications, at 860.793.4403 or jjanes@wheelerclinic.org.

Bristol establishments, and one individual, make ‘Best of’ in July issue of Connecticut Magazine

Several Bristol establishments and one individual are among Connecticut’s best in the July of Connecticut Magazine.

The Bristol Bazaar was listed as a finalist for the Best Gift or Specialty Shop and Donovan Clingan runner-up for Best Connecticut Athlete.

Receiving recognition were Lake Compounce, winner of Best Amusement or Adventure Park; Greers Cluck Truck and Smetana Food Truck, finalists, for Best Food Truck; Rich Farm Ice Cream, runner-up, for Best Ice Cream; and The Pet Spa, runner-up for Best Pet Salon or Boutique.

Besting the Bristol Bazaar was The Grey Goat Farmtique in Branford (best) and Sparrow Soaps in Putname (runner-up).

Clingan was runner-up to Paige Beuckers, both of UConn basketball notoriety.

Greers and Smetana were topped by 30 for 30 Food Truck (best) and Mac’s Wood Fired BBQ (runner-up).

Rich Farm was runner-up to Arethusa Farm Dairy, and The Pet Spa was runner-up to Wagging Tails Pet Shop of Colchester.

Lake Compounce sets summer concert series dates and fireworks every Saturday in July

This year’s Lake Compounce summer concert series will include nationally touring acts on the following dates:

  • Good Vibrations – July 4, 5, 6
  • Bruno & the Hooligans – July 13
  • Larger Than Life – July 20
  • Adventures in Parrotdise – July 27

In addition, the lake will have fireworks this coming July 4, 5 and 6, plus every Saturday in July.

For more information, check the website by clicking here.

Tax bills are due July 1

Tax bills will be mailed on June 28, City Tax Collector, Ann Bednaz, announced recently.

All properties included on the Grand List from Oct. 1, 2023 will included.

The current mill rate is 31.85 per $1,000 of assessment on Real Estate and Personal Property and the Motor Vehicle mill rate is 32.46.

Real Estate and Personal Property bills over $100.00 are payable in two installments. The first payment is due July 1, and is payable on or before Aug. 1, without interest.

The second payment will be due Jan. 1, 2025, and is payable on or before Feb. 3, 2025, without interest.

All Motor Vehicle bills are due July 1, in one installment payable on or before Aug 1, without interest.

All payments must be received, or USPS postmarked by Aug 1, or they will be considered delinquent. Delinquent payments are subject to an interest charge of 1.5 percent per month starting with the July 1 due date. The minimum calculated interest charge is $2 per Conn. State Statute Sec. 12-146.

The Tax Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday. The Tax Office will be closed for the July Fourth holiday. Only payments by check or cash in person are accepted at the counter  

Payments may also be made by mail to Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 1040, Bristol, CT 06011-1040. The entire three-part bill and a self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany the payment if a receipt is desired through the U.S. Postal Service

In addition, online payments may be made at www.bristolct.gov through the Invoice Cloud online portal.

Bristol Historical Society upcoming events set

The Photo Angel, Kate (Norton) Kelley, who reunites long-lost photos with their relatives, will be featured speaker at the “Fourth” Thursday Program, June 27, at the historical society, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Kelley has been featured on the Today Show, Family Tree Magazine, The Boston Glove and other media outlets.

The program is free to members, with a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers.

The Bristol Historical Society Gaming Club will holds its monthly meetings, Saturday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The meeting is free and open to all ages. Participation is optional. For more information or to register, email president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org.

Dog license renewals underway at city hall

To renew dog licenses mail include the follow information and mail to Bristol Town Clerk, 111 North Main St., Bristol, CT 06010:

  • A note with your name, address, telephone number, and your dog’s name or download the application available on the Bristol Town Clerk’s webpage: DOG_License_Application (civicplus.com)
  • A copy of your updated rabies or spayed/neutered certificate, if necessary.
  • The fee of $8 for a spayed or neutered dog. 
  • The fee of $19 if the dog is not a spayed female or a neutered male. 

Beginning July 1, any license renewals will carry a $1 per month penalty with the state.

Questions may be addressed to the City and Town Clerk’s office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by (860) 584-6200 ext. 0 or via e-mail at townclerk@bristolct.gov

Bristol Public Library announces date of ‘2024 Author Reveal’

The 2024 Author Reveal for this year’s Friends Author Luncheon will be July 15 at 2 p.m. at the Bristol Public Library.

The event will feature a short video, information about the author, highlights from the author’s works, refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Bristol Public Library and a raffle for tickets to the luncheon.

There is no charge for the event, but the library asks that interested parties RSVP at www.bristollib.com or by calling (860)584-7787.

Wheeler sets date for 39th Annual Golf Classic

Wheeler’s 39th Annual Golf Classic will take place at The Country Club of Farmington on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Registration is open, and sponsors, players and prize donors are invited to join those who have already signed up. 

Proceeds will benefit Wheeler’s Basic Needs fund, which his 100 percent donor supported and has served more than 8,500 patients, according to the release.

For more information about participating or sponsorships, visit WheelerHealth.org/Golf or contact Sarah Williams at 860.793.4214, or scwilliams@wheelerclinic.org.

Wheeler schedules Wednesdays for Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center visits in Bristol

The new Wheeler Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center, equipped with a private exam room, reception area and lift system, will be available at two locations in Bristol on Wednesdays this spring.

Agape House, on 43 School St., from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. will be the location for the mobile center Wednesday mornings.

Brian’s Angels, 99 Summer St., from 12:45 to 3 p.m. will be the location for the center Wednesday afternoons.

The Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center is licensed for care through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and in scope of Wheeler’s federally qualified health centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury. It has been in use for community education events since June 2022.

Bristol Veterans Council continues to raise funds for POW/MIA monument

The Bristol Veterans Council continues to raise funds for a POW/MIA monument as part of contingency in the event that monument needs to be repaired or maintained beyond its agreement with Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services.

The six-foot high, 10-inch thick and three-feet wide gray granite monument honors each branch of the military. It was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 27, this year in ceremonies on Memorial Boulevard.

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.

Editor’s note: The deadline for the Wheeler photo contest was corrected in the headline as well as the article to July 26, from June 26. We regret the error.


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