F.N. Manross Library features French culture, Wheeler photo contest deadline nears, fireworks at Lake Compounce

Manross program on French culture this Thursday

Professional singer and storyteller Mary Jo Maichack will headline a program on French culture at F.N. Manross Library on Thursday, July 18, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Participants will sample French culture and enjoy French music. Refreshments are being provided by the Friends of the Bristol Library.

Participants are asked to register in advance by visiting the library, calling (860) 584-7790 or online by clicking here.

For a full calendar of library events, click here.

NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Banquet to honor former Bristol police chief

The West Hartford Chief of Police Vernon Reddick and recently retired Bristol Chief of Police Brian Gould will be keynote speaker and honoree, respectively, at this year’s Greater Bristol chapter of the NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.

The theme of this year’s event is “Preparing Challenges,” and the event will be held Friday, Oct. 25, at Testa’s Banquet Facility in Southington, with social beginning at 6 p.m. and the banquet, at 7 p.m. Tickets are for adults, $85, and for youth, $50.

For information or to purchase tickets, contact Deborah Dorsey by phone at (860) 834-4194 or via email at ddorsey7311@gmail.com or Lexie Mangum by phone at (860) 202-9965 or via email at lexiemangum@gmail.com.

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.

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

This year’s Lake Compounce summer concert series continues with the following national touring acts on the following dates:

  • Larger Than Life – July 20
  • Adventures in Parrotdise – July 27

In addition, the lake will have fireworks every Saturday in July.

For more information, check the website by clicking here.

Bristol Historical Society upcoming events set

A program on the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire and the monthly gaming club meeting are on the events calendar for July at the Bristol Historical Society.

James Battaglio, a former Hartford Times reporter, will present “A Tragic Price,” about the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire on Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The program is free to members. For nonmembers, there is a suggested donation of $5.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the circus fire tragedy, which occurred on July 6, 1944. Battaglia was working as a journalist in 1979, when he met a survivor of the fire. The encounter haunts him to this day.

On Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the BHS Gaming Club will meet. All ages are welcome. The program is free for anyone who is interested in joining the activities or learning about gaming.

For more information or to register, email president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org

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.


All TBE readers, supporters and donors                

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.                

  • Non-members will be able to access four (4) articles per week.                
  • Free readers and people who have subscribed by email will be able to access four (4) articles per week.                
  • Donors and financial supporters will have unlimited access as long as they log in.                

Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.