Town Manager's Message:

Fall is known for sharing its bounty. This October e-blast shows how much this community has to share. It was an eventful summer with hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and lots of dead trees. We are working hard finishing up this summer's road projects, and working on grant infrastructure projects on top of keeping up with COVID changes. Please take a few minutes to read what we think is the largest e-blast to date. More details will be included in the upcoming Town newsletter in a few weeks. A heads-up that the final Hydrilla treatment on Coventry Lake is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 28. 

Enjoy the fall with a food truck festival on October 3 at the middle school, sponsored by Coventry Cares to help fund community projects such as the CoventryFest fireworks. Review the Recreation program flyer, "06238" for lots of programs including Scarecrows in the Village and a Celebrate Halloween in the Village event on October 30. 

October is also Walktober, with many walks scheduled as part of the Last Green Valley outdoor event series. See more at their website. 

Road construction is still underway. Sweeping for roads that were chip sealed is planned over the next two weeks. In mid-October, final paving for Carpenter, Trowbridge, and South River is planned. Repair of a culvert on Bunker Hill Road damaged by a summer storm is planned to start this week. We anticipate that Andover will be reopening their Bunker Hill Road bridge soon.

CT Water is planning to start replacing water lines on Midland Road, Woodmere Drive, and Forest Hills Road. The Town will follow with road improvements which will likely be next spring. Swamp/Rt. 44 intersection project bids will be opened this week. More project news to come in the newsletter.

So please enjoy fall and the bounty available in town.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sat 10/2: Walktober - Landscape Tour: Reading an 18th Century Farm, 11 AM - 12:30 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Take an easy 1-mile stroll into history as you are guided through the Hale Family Farm and discuss how the scenic landscape has changed. The last leg of the journey takes you through the Nathan Hale State Forest on the "road to Norwich," an 18th-century dirt road that the Hale family used to drive their livestock to market. Register at Eventbrite. Info: 860-742-6917.

Sat 10/2: Scout Fair, 1-4 PM, Patriots Park Pavilion, 124 Lake Street. Learn about scouting with Pack 65 & Troop 65 BSA at this free event for youth 5-17 years old. Learn how to set up a teepee, catch fish, forge a ring, cross a monkey bridge and more. Rain date: 10/3. Website.

Sun 10/3: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Sun 10/3: Food Truck Fest, 12-4 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School parking lot, 1776 Main St. Food by The Philling Station, Latin Flabor, The Portly Pig BBQ, Jeff's Kettle Corn, and Kona Ice of Manchester. Music by Song-A-Day Music Center. Bring chairs and hang out, or take food to go. Rain or shine. Proceeds benefit community programs and events such as CoventryFest. Website.

Sun 10/3: COVID Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Gratitude: 1 - 2:30 PM. Area residents are invited to participate in an interfaith COVID remembrance service in Willimantic’s Jillson Square. The gathering will include non-sectarian prayer, opportunities for communal and individual expressions of loss, and music by local artist Bruce John. It will also offer an opportunity for participants to thank front-line workers. Covid protocols will be observed; masks are required. In case of rain, the service will be held via Zoom with access through the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85180600548  The Meeting ID is: 851 8060 0548.

Tues 10/5: Walktober - Hop River Tour, the Mills, 9:30-10:15 AM, Top River Rail Trail parking area on Hop River Road. Visit the site of water-powered mills that operated on the Hop River from the early 1700's until the early 1900's. See dams, flumes and races, sluice gates, and hear the history of various mills including grist, saw, iron works, fulling, and cotton textiles. Sponsored by Columbia Historical Society. Info: 860-228-2849.

Tues 10/5: Walktober - Where is Hop River Village? 10:30 AM - 12 PM, Hop River Road, park at rail trail. Hop River was an important mill village in its day. Now, you have to know where to look to find the dams, rail bed, and mill sites. Find the clues and learn about this slice of history. See two factory sites and the dam. Sponsored by CT Eastern Railroad Museum, www.cteastrrmuseum.org. Info: 860-617-3308.

Sun 10/10: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Sun 10/10: Cemetery tour, "Gone But Not Forgotten," 12-1:30 PM, Nathan Hale Cemetery, 120 Lake Street. Parking at Patriots Park, adjacent to cemetery, 124 Lake Street. Nathan Hale had some fascinating friends and relatives. Learn about them and many others on this tour led by local historian Linda Pagliuco. Sponsored by the Coventry Cemetery Commission. Rain date: 10/17, same time. Email for more information.

Weds 10/13: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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.

Thurs 10/14: Things That Go Bump In the Night, 7-9 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Get into the "spirit" of the season as you shiver and shudder through a special candlelight tour. Walk the property from the school house, past the corn field, and hear traditional, long-standing Homestead ghost stories. Prepare to be scared while surrounded by the very history that spawned the stories, as featured on the Syfy Channel's Ghost Hunters. Not for young children. $20 per person; $15 for CTL members. Register at Eventbrite. Additional dates: 10/15, 10/21, 10/22, 10/28, 10/29. Info: 860-742-6917.

Sat 10/16: Town-wide Tag Sale, 8 AM - 4 PM. Host a tag sale, or find a treasure at participating locations around town. Contact Coventry Parks & Recreation for details or see this link for more information.

Sat 10/16: Shred-it Day, 9 AM - 12 PM, Coventry Public Works, 100 Olsen Farm Road. Get rid of unwanted paper documents securely. Free for Coventry residents. Limited to a couple of boxes or bags per household. More information. 

Sat 10/16: Drive-thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: turkey breast, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, gravy, carrots and dessert. $13 adults, $6 child. Place orders at 860-742-1616, or email and indicate pick-up time of 5, 5:30, or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check is required. Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Sat 10/16: Pasta Supper & Basket Raffle, 5:30 PM, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Haitian Ministry. St. Mary Church Hall, 1600 Main St. Adults $10; Child $5. Under 4 years free. Take outs will be available. All proceeds benefit our school in Les Palmes, Haiti. For tickets call Sue at 860-742-8664.

Sun 10/17: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Sat 10/23: $10 Stuff-a-Bag Sale, 9 AM - 1 PM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Noah's Closet sells gently-used children's clothing (newborn to size 10), shoes, games, books, puzzles, DVDs, toys, and baby equipment. Donations of children's items are welcome on Tuesdays 9 AM - 11 AM, and Saturdays 9 AM - 1 PM. For more information, call on Saturday mornings, 860-742-1616. Website. 
 
Sun 10/24: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. Every Sunday from June 6 - October 31, 2021.

Weds 10/27: Mobile Foodshare, 10-10:30 AM, First Congregational Church @ St. Mary's, 1600 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 10/30: Celebrate Halloween Weekend: Hold the date! Come celebrate Halloween weekend the afternoon of October 30 in Coventry Village – see the scarecrow creations sponsored by local businesses, buy your pumpkins at the First Congregational Church, special activities and offerings at the Booth and Dimock Memorial Library and at Village businesses. Costumes for all ages are encouraged – stay tuned for more details on the fun being planned! Contact Eric Trott, Director of Planning and Development at 860-742-4062 or etrott@coventryct.org for more information. 

Sun 10/31: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Back to an in-person market this season! For more info, visit our website or follow CFM on Facebook or Instagram. LAST SUMMER MARKET OF THE 2021 SEASON!

PUMPKINS WITH A PURPOSE:

Sept. 26-Oct. 31, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Weekdays 12-8 PM, weekends 10 AM - 6 PM. The church lawn will transform into a HUGE pumpkin patch with hundreds of different types of pumpkins, specialty gourds and outdoor fall décor for sale. All proceeds support community and local church missions. The church partners with a farm located on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico that employs local Native Americans. Thanks in advance for wearing masks and practicing social distancing. For more information, call 860-742-8487. 

DAFFODIL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT:

Three varieties available at $4.50 per dozen. To order for fall planting, call Judy at 860-214-9567. A project of the Coventry Village Improvement Society, which has resulted in the planting of thousands of daffodils along Coventry's roadsides and in our public spaces.

NEWS FROM THE COVENTRY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION:

The Coventry Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars recently awarded over  $68,000 to 57 high school seniors graduating from the Coventry Class of 2021. The Board of Directors extends its thanks to all who donated during its annual fundraiser. The Foundation formed in 1992 and now has assets totaling over $1,250,000, thanks to donors that include individuals, sponsors, and organizations. Your generosity is much appreciated. The Foundation will hold its Annual Meeting in October for the election of officers and to transact other business. This meeting is open to the public. For details, visit the CSFDFS website or contact them by email.  

MILITARY PACK AND POST PROGRAM:

If you are a resident of Coventry or Mansfield and have a Coventry/Mansfield family member currently serving overseas, please contact the Pack and Post Coordinator, July Ringuette at 860-742-8412 or Roberta Macaro at 860-742-9543. Judy, with help from American Legion Auxiliary Unit 52, and American Legion Post 52, sends monthly packages to our overseas military members filled with personal hygiene products, snacks and treats, and recreational items. Standard packages may be customized when we know the individual service member's wants or needs. In addition, a welcome-home celebration can be arranged upon their return. Donations or checks to support this program may be made to the American Legion Post 52 and mailed to American Legion Post 52, PO Box 51, Coventry, CT  06238-0051. Thank you for supporting our troops!

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA:

The Coventry Cemetery Commission will be hosting the Wreaths Across America ceremony on 12/18/21 at noon at Coventry Cemetery. This is our fourth year, and each year more of our veterans are honored as more cemeteries participate and more of Coventry's organizations join in to make the ceremony a fitting tribute. You can donate a wreath at a cost of $15, and our participating cemeteries, Coventry Cemetery, St. Mary's Cemetery, Nathan Hale Cemetery, Grant Hill Cemetery, Old South Burying Ground, and Carpenter Cemetery, will accept donations that are grave specific, cemetery specific, or for all of our veterans. Grave-specific donations must note name of veteran and cemetery where the wreath will be placed. Orders can be placed online, with payments by credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay. Payment can also be made by check to Coventry Cemetery Commission, 1712 Main St., Coventry, CT  06238 with the name of the cemetery and name of veteran if grave-specific. All payments must be made by 11/19/2021. Info: Claudine Vieten, 860-742-6750 or 860-324-7956.