November Manager's Message:

November has arrived and we start the full shift from summer to winter mode. Please help support those having a bit more difficulty through donations to Scouting for Food; direct donations to Coventry Food Bank, or our annual holiday program for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

November is also the time for elections. This year the election is for local officials and two questions requesting bonding authority for a girls' softball field and increased funding for school roofs. Additional information and a sample ballot is available in our fall newsletter.

A few words on election. The process will run the same as last year. Facemasks are required since the polls are in the schools, and to protect poll workers. Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk's office, which can be submitted in the secure drop box behind Town Hall. Please respect your poll workers - they are doing their job to assure safe and accurate elections per State procedures.

COVID is still with us, and levels decrease and then increase again, but remain lower than last year. We still are requiring masks in public buildings at this time, and again urge you to respect business owner preferences. New options for vaccinations for children and boosters for adults are available. I suggest going to our Health District's webpage for vaccination and testing information in our region. A children's vaccination clinic is being planned for mid-November in our town, so watch for information. Location of booster shots and testing sites are also available on this site and kept up to date.

A few town projects to mention: our summer road work is winding down, with work almost done on Carpenter, Trowbridge, and final paving on South River during the week of October 25. Work is still ongoing in Lakeview Terrace in conjunction with a CT Water project. Stop bars and crosswalks, including South Street sidewalk crosswalks, are done with recently-paved roads being scheduled.

The good news is we have awarded a bid to Spazzani Construction for the Rt. 44/Swamp Road (and relocated Northfields) project. Some work, including utilities location, will be scheduled for fall/winter to allow the project to move more quickly in spring.

Our community also has many events listed in this e-blast, including the first Trunk or Treat event in the Village on Saturday, October 30, Chili Fest, Veterans Day Road Race, start of the Winter Farmers' Market - now in Patriots Park Lodge, and more!

Have a great month, and take time to thank all of the volunteers serving your community. Consider sharing your bounty with others in the spirit of Thanksgiving if you are able.

COMING EVENTS: 

Sat 10/30: Celebrate Halloween Weekend, 1-3 PM, Coventry Village. Trick or treat through the Village, see the scarecrow creations sponsored by local businesses, buy your pumpkins at the First Congregational Church, and enjoy special activities and offerings at the Booth and Dimock Memorial Library and at Village businesses. Costumes for all ages are encouraged. Contact Eric Trott, Director of Planning and Development at 860-742-4062 or etrott@coventryct.org for more information. Event flyer.

Tues 11/2: Election Day, 6 AM - 8 PM. Polls at the schools. District 1: GH Robertson School, 227 Cross St, District 2: Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Rd. See this link for a list of candidates, and the legal notice for two questions on proposed softball field and various school improvement projects. For more information, see the  Registrar of Voters webpage. 

Fri 11/5: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Intro session at 7:245 PM. Live music by the First Time String Band, called by Billy Fischer. Partner not required; all dances taught. COVID restrictions apply - see website for details. $12 adults, $6 students. Email for Info or call 860-742-9498.

Sat 11/6: CT Veterans Day Road Race, 9:45 AM, Patriots Park, 172 Lake Street. Run either live or virtual 4-mile certified course, or a 3-mile walk or ruck sack course. 100% of the proceeds benefit local veteran service organizations. Register and more details online. 

Sat 11/6: Fill the Boot Drive by Coventry Fire/EMS to support PJ Day for kids battling cancer. 9 AM - 1 PM at three locations: Highland Park Market, Wicked Slice, and Courtside Nutrition, or donate online.

Sat 11/6: 7th Annual Coventry Chili Fest, 12-2 PM, Coventry High School cafeteria, 78 Ripley Hill Road. $25 entry fee for chefs, top three awarded prizes. Click here for entry form and sponsorship opportunities. Admission for chili tasting: $10 adults, seniors & students $7. Children under six are free. 

Sun 11/7: Scouting for Food Drive, hosted by Coventry Boy Scout Troop 65 and Cub Scouts Pack 65 to benefit the Coventry Food Bank. Scouts will drop off bags at resident mailboxes on the weekend of 10/30 & 31 and will pick up donations left by residents at their mailboxes on 11/7 between 10 AM - 1 PM. You may also drop your donations off at Patriots Park Community Center on 11/7 between 10 AM - 1:30 PM, or at Coventry Human Services at Town Hall during regular business hours. Seeking non-perishable food items, personal care & cleaning supplies. NO glass or expired items. No donation too big or too small. Info: Tina, 860-428-8239.

Weds 11/10: 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.

Weds 11/10: Veterans Day Tribute, 12 PM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. Hosted by the Coventry Senior Center and American Legion Post 52. Please join us for fellowship and lunch at noon, followed by a ceremony at 12:30 PM. More information and RSVP by 10/29 to 860-742-3525. Due to COVID, seating is limited to veterans and their families.

Fri 11/12 & Sat 11/13: Parish Christmas Fair, Fri 6-9 PM, Sat 10 AM - 2 PM, St. Mary Church Hall, 1600 Main Street. Handmade and craft items, stitchery, religious items, Christmas, toys, wooden crafts, country store, jewelry and more. Raffle table. Bakery treats and food available to eat in or take out. Santa visits on Saturday. Free admission. More info: 860-742-6355.  

Sun 11/14: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street (new location). Opening day for the 2021-22 season! The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods, handmade crafts and services. Website.

Sat 11/20: Drive-thru/take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, bread & 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.
 
Sun 11/21: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods, handmade crafts and services. Website.

Weds 11/24: 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 11/27: Small Business Saturday, Noah's Closet, 9 AM - 1 PM, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Make a purchase and receive a free book. Noah's Closet sells gently-used children's clothing, shoes, coats, games, books, and baby equipment. Donations of items are accepted on Tuesdays 9 - 11 AM and Saturdays 9 AM - 1 PM. More info: 860-742-1616. Website.

Sun 11/28: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. The vendors you know and love are keeping their tractor wheels rolling through the winter with Connecticut farm-fresh products, artisan specialty foods, handmade crafts and services. Website.

HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT - HOLIDAY DONATIONS & MORE:

Holiday Donations ~ As we begin to plan for the upcoming holiday season, please take a moment to consider how your family or business can make a difference by adopting a family in need this holiday season.  If you would like to hear more about the many opportunities available, please contact our office at 860-742-5324 or access the “donor form” on the Human Services page of the Town website. If you are in need this holiday season, please reach out to our office for assistance.
 
We welcome frozen turkeys, hams, and all the “fixings” to provide a holiday meal for families in need for the December holiday.  Please give the office a call to let us know what you may be willing to donate or drop off.  We are accepting donations at the Human Services office in Town Hall.  Freezer space is limited so please call in advance if you plan to make a large donation to ensure room in our freezers.   
 
Clergy Fuel Fund ~ The Clergy Fuel Fund has begun the gift of caring for the 2021-2022 winter season.  The fund has been very successful over the years due to the tremendous generosity of our community.  The fund assists Coventry residents in need of emergency heating assistance, and 100% of the dollars raised remains in town.  Our goal is to help our clients utilize all other resources available that provides emergency heating assistance in order to ensure that our funds are available during the coldest winter months.
 
Energy Program ~ We are accepting energy applications for winter heating on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.  Please call the office for more information about the Access Fuel Assistance Program and income guidelines.

NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY:

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is open Tuesday - Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-6, and Saturday 10-3. We ask all visitors to please wear a mask while in the library or at a library program. The Library will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. The Library will be closing at 4pm on Wednesday November 24, and will be closed November 25 through November 27 for Thanksgiving. 
 
We are already looking ahead to Christmas in the Village! The Library will be decorating a tree for the Lion's Club and are asking patrons to create a Lego ornament. Lego packs will be available to pick up at the library, and all ornaments must be returned by November 24 to assure a spot on the tree! We will also host our first ever Gingerbread House Contest. Participants must provide all their own materials and candy and limit the footprint of their gingerbread house to 12"x12". Submissions should be dropped off at the library between December 1 and 4, and the contest will take place at Christmas in the Village on December 5. Gingerbread houses may remain on display until the 17th, and creations not picked up by that day will be disposed. 

PUMPKINS WITH A PURPOSE:

Now through 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. 

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA:

The Wreaths Across America ceremony will take place at Coventry Cemetery on 12/18/21 at 12 PM. A reminder that donations for all Coventry veterans or for a specific veteran interred in any of the Coventry cemeteries must be made by 11/19/21. Name of the veteran and cemetery should be included. Orders can be placed online. More information: Claudine Vieten, 860-742-6750 or 860-324-7956.