Coventry is Reopening & Recovering

April is finally here. While no one is certain of the origin of the word April, many believe it is based on the Latin word "Aperie", which means to open. So whether this is correct or not, it feels right. Coventry is reopening, thanks to vaccinations and better understanding. While some events are still too large and complex (e.g., fireworks), we are planning on several events in April and a smaller Memorial Day parade in May. But above all, we are giving a socially-distanced Annual Town Meeting a try for Saturday, April 24 at 10 AM in the Veterans Auditorium at Coventry High School. Please watch for the spring newsletter for the Budget in Brief memo and a full summer projects list. A smaller summer camp and programs are also open for business (see Recreation).

Also now open, we welcome Husky Pizza, Courtside Nutrition, and Dollar General. Several other businesses are working their way through permitting or construction. The weather is now cooperating with outside dining and additional seating is allowed. So open your wallet and shop local.

We are urging you to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Click here for information on how to get an appointment. We are waiting for guidance on how the federal funding will help our town, but do know it will help us recover some lost revenue and help build a safer community. 

Please read through this month's e-blast and be open to the opportunities available in your town. 

TOWN CLERK OFFICE HOURS:

The Town Clerk's office will be opening at 1 PM on April 20-22, 2021, so that staff can attend a virtual Connecticut Town Clerk Association conference. Please plan accordingly for services such as licenses, real estate research and recording, notary services, and other vital records information. Many services are available online. Visit the Town Clerk's web page for more information.

TRANSFER STATION SPRING HOURS BEGIN 4/1:

Effective this month, Thursday hours at the Transfer Station change back to noon - 6 PM. Saturday hours remain the same, 9 AM - 3 PM. The Transfer Station can now accept payments with a credit or debit card.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sat 4/10: Project Graduation Bottle and Can Drive, 9 AM - 12 PM, South Coventry Firehouse, 1755 Main Street. Clean out your garages and basements, and support Coventry youth! Information: Joanne McHugo (860) 742-8689 or Sandy Loalbo (860-212-5358), or view the Project Graduation Facebook page. 

Mon 4/12-6/14: Art-Venture Virtual Program. 4:15-5:15 PM. For kids grades K-5. Join Art-Ventures, a division of Mad Science New England, for these fun and innovative virtual art programs from the comfort of your home. These programs will keep kids engaged through live streaming, interactive ZOOM classes! Each session includes eight one-hour classes. Cost: $115. A list of supplies will be provided to obtain on your own, or you can purchase the materials from Art-Ventures for local pickup. Siblings can also join on the same screen for $33. Two sessions in April: "Spread Your Wings and Roar!" and "Lions and Tigers and Pigs - Oh My!" Details and registration information in the Parks & Recreation catalog here.

Weds 4/14: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Sat 4/17: Keep Calm and Craft on! 11 AM – 12 PM. Join Coventry’s own Yasmine Forte as she leads kids in grades 3-5 in fun, easy, themed craft activities on Saturday mornings. Order your “craft kit” chock-full of materials needed to complete the projects, and join Yas for a ZOOM class as she walks you through how to complete each project. The $10 kits can be picked up at the Parks & Recreation office during regular office hours. April’s theme: Springtime. Register early – space is limited! 

Sat & Sun 4/17 & 4/18: Celebrate Spring in Coventry Village. Two days of in-store specials, prize drawings, and live outdoor music provided by the Song-A-Day Music Center. Businesses include: Coventry Arts & Antiques, Worn Yesterday Shoppe, Country Way Realty, Tips to Toes Spa and more. Dining and take-out food available at participating restaurants including Bidwell Tavern, Subway, Pizza on Main and Husky Pizza. Daffodil decor and information at the Coventry Visitors' Center. Coordinated by local merchants and members of the Coventry Village Partners Group. Facemasks, social distancing and capacity limits are encouraged for the health and safety of all. Sanitizing stations will be provided throughout the Village.  More info: 860-918-5957. 

Sat 4/17: Drive-thru Pot Roast Dinner, pick up times of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6 PM. Second Congregational Church of Coventry Community House, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy, bread, and dessert. $13 for adults, $6 for children. Place orders and set pick-up time by email to secondchurch@sbcglobal.net or call 860-742-1616. Correct amount of cash or check is required. 

Sat & Sun, 4/24 & 4/25: Rid Litter Weekend. Sponsored by the Coventry Conservation Commission to coincide with Earth Day celebrations. Residents are encouraged to do roadside cleanups along their properties and neighborhoods. This is a great opportunity for civic groups and neighborhood organizations to organize cleanup crews. Spring is a perfect time to remove accumulated trash and litter from the long winter season. This is also a good time of year to do stonewall maintenance. Free garbage bags can be picked up at the Land Use Office at Town Hall. Please follow social distancing guidelines. More information: 860-742-4062.

Sun 4/25: Poker Run for Lions Club International Fund, 1-3 PM, Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. Coventry Lions, along with several other area clubs, is hosting a stop on this poker run, where participants will drive to five towns and purchase a playing card for $5. The last stop is at Carter Hill Farm in Marlborough, where you purchase either one or two cards to finish out your poker hand. Prizes awarded for best poker hands. Food and raffles in Marlborough. Details on the Lions Club website or Facebook page as the date gets closer.

Weds 4/28: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. An outdoor food distribution service for persons of low income. Text FOODSHARE to 85511 to receive the mobile schedule and cancellations directly on your phone. More info.

Fri 4/30: Drive-up Food Distribution, 10-11:30 AM, Coventry Town Hall, 1712 Main Street. Available for any Coventry resident who is need of additional food. No appointment is required to participate. Please bring proof of residency. Food box will be distributed in front of Town Hall. Please follow directional signage. Info: Coventry Human Services, 860-742-5324. 

LIBRARY UPDATE:

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is currently open Tuesday 10-3, Wednesday 2-7, Thursday 2-7, and Friday 10-3, as well as Saturday 10-1 for curbside and computer appointments only.

Stop by the Library to buy some BDML apparel! We have t-shirts for $20, facemasks and tote bags for $10, and pens for $5, or get one of each for $40! The Library’s store is part of our Library Giving Day fundraiser event to help support the renovation project. 100% of all sales and donations will match $75,000 that has already been donated. To donate, make checks payable to Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, or donate on PayPal @BDMLibrary.

The Library continues to offer fun programs for all ages each week. For school aged children, check out our Facebook page to try out our Curriculum Booster programs or our new classic children’s literature storytime. For adults, call the library to reserve a take-home bag for Tea Explorers or Spice Club, two foodie programs which provide you with supplies needed to enjoy some goodies at home!

We look forward to celebrating spring during this year’s Daffodil Daze. On Saturday April 17 stop by the Library between 10am and 1pm to pick up a take & make bag for daffodil hats! Keep an eye on our Facebook for update!

Booth & Dimock Memorial Library
1134 Main St, Coventry CT
860-742-7606
www.coventrypl.org

CALLING COVENTRY POETS:

BBC Contains Strong Language is seeking participants for a "Twin City Poets" feature in their UK City of Culture 2021 festival. The event takes place the weekend of September 23-26, 2021. The aim of the project is for 10 Coventry writer/poets to send postcard poems to writers/poets in one of Coventry's twin cities. The producer is seeking poets who reside in Coventry, CT to participate. This will be a paid commission for the poet. If you are interested in participating, contact Mollie Davidson, Producer, at mollie.davidson@bbc.co.uk.