Lantern tour returns, Phantom Fall Fest at the Lake and library programs among others

Posted By: David Fortier September 25, 2024

West Cemetery Lantern tours return early in October

This West Cemetery Lantern tours return this year with a new twist, an open dress rehearsal prior to the real thing.

The event, sponsored by the Bristol Cemetery Commission and the Bristol Historical Society, are guided walking tours of the cemetery that begins early evening at dusk and continue until darkness falls.

During the walk, participants encounter notable cemetery “residents,” in period costumes performed by local actors who share parts of their life stories.

The walking tours will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6, at West Cemetery at 6 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The rain date for both evenings will be Oct. 12. If the rain date comes into play, those who have signed up will be notified by email. The change will be posted on the BHS website and Facebook page, as well.

The suggested donation for the tours is $10. Reservations for the tours are required and can be made online via Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4AA9AA2DA7F58-51412733-west
or by emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org.

New this year is the dress rehearsal for those who prefer to view the reenactments indoors on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Bristol Historical Society on Summer Street.

Refreshments, programs with information about the historical figures portrayed and a question-and-answer period are included. Suggested donation for the dress rehearsal is $10.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (860) 583-6309 or emailing president@bristolhistoricalsociety.org.

Phantom Fall Fest brings two new haunts to Lake Compounce

This year’s Phantom Fall Fest at Lake Compounce continue through Oct. 27. Two new haunts and more actors promise a better experience than last year, according to a release from Lake Compounce.

The fear kicks into gear every night at 6 p.m., with two new offerings–Bloodcraft and Malignant: Overgrown Evil–joining favorites mAlice in Wonderland 3D and MediEvil.

Bloodcraft largest and most interactive haunt ever introduced during Phantom Fall Fest. Malignant: Overgrown Evil challenges guests to navigate an abandoned garden with its vines and fog standing in the way.

mAlice in Wonderland 3D, a three-dimensional rabbit hole, hosts evil inhabitants of a twisted Wonderland. MediEvil brings guests face to face with the Inquisitor, ruler of a medieval chamber of chaos, filled with never-ending punishment and no way to escape the dark fate that lies ahead.

Phantom Fall Fest also features more than 20 rides and attractions including the re-tracked Wildcat Roller Coaster, day and nighttime rides on Boulder Dash, kiddie land rides during the day. Park guests can also feast on fearful bites like blood bags, zombie funnel cake and savory turkey legs.

For more information on Phantom Fall Fest and to purchase Season Passes, visit LakeCompounce.com.

Library programs include Spain party and women’s suffrage

Among the programs at Bristol’s libraries in the coming week are “Travel to Spain Party with Flamenco Guitarist Gladius,” on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. and “A Vote of Her Own: The Fight for Women’s Suffrage in Connecticut, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Experience the rich culture of Spain without traveling beyond your local library, sampling Spanish foods, and listening to live Spanish music by Flamenco Guitarist Gladius. Visit, call the library at (860) 584-7790, register online at Bristollib.com.

Learn about how the women of Connecticut worked for — or against — the right to vote, while discussing photos, letters and pamphlets in a long hard-fought political battle. Presented by Mya Concepcion, museum educator at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. RSVP by visiting the library, online via Bristollib.com or calling (860) 584-7787 ext. 3.

For more library programs, see the calendar for both the Bristol Public Library and F. N. Manross Memorial Library, by clicking here.

Local coffee shop marks National Coffee Day with free coffees and donations to Make-A-Wish

Aroma Joe’s is celebrating National Coffee Day on Sept. 29 with a free 20-ounce hot or iced coffee for all guests, it was announced in a release earlier this week.

In addition, Aroma Joe’s will donate $1 for every free coffee given to Make-A-Wish, which gives children with critical illnesses renewed strength to fight their illnesses, bringing families closer together and uniting entire communities, as stated in the release.

The offer is good for one coffee per person, while supplies last, and the offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Cold brew or espresso-based drinks are not included.

New services at Bristol Public Libraries include free access to TBE, 1,000s of movies via ‘Kanopy’ and digital magazines from ‘Flipster’

The Bristol Public Libraries have added free services for anyone with a library card.

“Kanopy” is an “expertly curated collection of narrative and documentary videos–which includes both films and television content from at home and around the world–is now available for streaming to Bristol cardholders at no cost,” the release from the library states. Click here to get started.

The Bristol Edition and the Bristol Public Library have partnered to provide full access to The Bristol Edition (TBE) at the Bristol Public Library free of charge. TBE, Bristol online community newspaper, is available in the Reference Department at a dedicated kiosk during regular library hours.

“Flipster” digital magazines have also been made available free of charge to library patrons on the web and via mobile app, for in-house or remote use.

“‘Flipster’ is a next-generation digital magazine distribution platform which lets users access their favorite magazines from a variety of publishers through their local libraries,” the release states.

Among the magazines available are People, Time The New Yorker, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Vanity Fair, Prevention, Vogue, Car & Driver, Prevention, Scientific American and Consumer Reports Buying Guide.

To access “Flipster,” click here and click on the “Download It” tab or “Flipster” mobile App.

For more information, call (860) 584-7787 ext. 4 or ask a librarian next visit.

1st Annual Brian McCutcheon Memorial Shootout benefits cancer alliance

The 1st Annual Brian McCutcheon Memorial Shootout, benefiting the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, will be held Monday, Oct. 21, at Great River Golf Club in Milford.

A little less than a year ago, on Nov. 3, McCutcheon, a Bristol native, passed. The family, in announcing the event, hopes to channel their heartache “into positivity and ultimately see improvements in colorectal cancer treatment.

“Doing this,” the literature states, “will ensure the beauty of Brian’s life carries forward, both in our memories and out across the greater world.”

The event features a buffet lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., shotgun start at 12:30 p.m., cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Costs for individuals, $300; foursomes, $1,200; no golf cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, $80.

Payments to zelle: (860)866.8321; venmo: @bmshootout; checks: to 60 Beard Sawmill Road APT 3002A, Shelton, CT 06484. After registration, email bmshootout@gmail.com for followup communications and for pairings.

For more information, contact Connor McCutcheon by phone at (860)866-8321 or via email at bmshootout@gmail.com.

NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Banquet tickets on sale

The West Hartford Chief of Police Vernon Reddick and recently retired Bristol Chief of Police Brian Gould will be keynote speakers and honorees, 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.

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.