Town Manager's Message:

November is viewed as the start of the holiday season, and our town will put you fully in the mood. Please take a few minutes in your busy schedule to see the holiday events planned for November, from Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, to the start of Christmas events. You will see opportunities to share with your community via food donations, the fuel fund (see the Human Services section below), Christmas fairs, letters to Santa, and the Holiday Lights contest. Donate a wreath to a veteran through the Wreaths Across America program, and the Winter Farmers' Market starts up for local shopping opportunities. I think your holiday spirit will be overflowing this year.

November 8 is also election day. You can go online to see information on voting and absentee ballots here. A drop box is available at the rear entrance of Town Hall for properly-completed absentee ballots. If you need help, call the Town Clerk's office at 860-742-7966. There is a bonding question for a 4-year road bond as a local question on the ballot. Please see the explanatory text for additional information. 

November will be the end of this year's road construction season. A lot has been accomplished this year. Here is a link to the project memo of Town activities that is on the Town Council agenda twice a month, but here are a couple of updates on major projects:

• The Swamp Road/Rt. 44 realigned intersection is open with some landscaping, signage, and other finetuning underway.
• South Street near the Homestead is scheduled for final paving and sidewalk work over the next several weeks.
• Road and drainage work in the Lakewood area is reaching conclusion, too.

COMING EVENTS: 

Fri 11/4: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, intro lesson at 7:45. Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main Street - across the street from the Bidwell Tavern (this month only!)  Adults $12, students $6. Partner not necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes and light layered clothes. Music by The Boom Chicks. Dances called by Don Veino. More info. 

Sat 11/5: Food for Golf, Skungamaug River Golf Course, 104 Folly Lane. Bring donations of food for the Coventry Food Bank in lieu of greens fees. Play golf and help your neighbors in need at the same time. Call for tee times: 860-742-9348.

Sat 11/5: Connecticut Veterans Day Race. Opening ceremony 9:45 AM. Race start time 10 AM. Patriots Park, 172 Lake Street. 4-mile run, or 3-mile ruck or walk, Register here. 100% of proceeds supports CT veterans.

Tues 11/8: Election Day. Polls open 6 AM - 8 PM. District One: GH Robertson School, 227 Cross Street. District Two: Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Sample ballot.

Weds 11/9: 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 11/9: Veterans Day Tribute, 12 PM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. Hosted by the Coventry Senior Center and American Legion Post 52 to honor and recognize our Coventry Veterans and their families. Ceremony at noon followed by fellowship and lunch. Info: 860-742-3525.

Fri & Sat, 11/11 & 11/12: Annual Christmas Fair, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 1600 Main Street. Many booths to visit, including holiday decorations, stitchery and other hand-made items, jewelry, country store, Geppetto's Workshop hand-made wooden items, Santa's Toy Shop. Delicious pastries at the bakery and the kitchen will serve hot and cold foods for dine-in or take out. Take a chance to win some beautiful items at the Raffle Table. Fri 6-9 PM, Sat 10 AM - 2 PM. Info: 860-742-6355.

Sat 11/12: Holiday Fair, 9 AM - 3 PM, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Main Street. Browse, shop, have breakfast or lunch. Handmade holiday items, Cabot cheese, baked goods, vendors, books, toys for kids, and a White Elephant sale. Info: 860-742-1616.

Sun 11/13: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. First market of the winter season! Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Sat 11/19: Pot Roast Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: pot Roast, potatoes, gravy, carrots, bread and dessert. $15 adults, $8 children. Place orders at 860-742-1616 or email and indicate pick-up time of 5 PM, 5:30 PM, or 6 PM. Correct amount of cash or check required. Drive down from church parking lot the the Community House located across from Highland Park.

Sun 11/20: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Weds 11/23: 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 11/26: Small Business Saturday Celebration, 9 AM - 1 PM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Purchase anything and receive a free book. Noah's Closet is a unique children's resale shop. Donations of gently-used children's items are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Info: 860-742-1616 or see website.

Sun 11/27: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Mon 11/28: Well Water Testing Workshop, 6:30 - 8 PM, Coventry Senior Center, 172 Lake Street. When is the last time you tested your drinking water? This workshop, hosted by UConn Extension, will provide information about where your water comes from and possible contaminants. A low-cost ($50) water test will be available following this workshop. Seats are limited and registration is required. Register here.

Weds 11/30: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Share your concerns or provide input to Lisa Thomas, Town Council Chairwoman. 

KEEPING IT GREEN - GENTLE HINTS FOR RECYCLING

Want to know about what’s IN and what’s OUT for recycling in Coventry? take a look at recyclect.com or www.scrrra.org.  These websites will let you ask about a specific item or material.  Or, download the free SCRRA app to your smart device, or contact Coventry Public Works at 860-742-6588.  Recycling saves our Town money and is good for the environment.  In general, all recycled items should be empty, rinsed out, clean, and open.  Do not shred, box, bag or bundle items.
 
November's Recycling Focus – Plastic (part #2): Plastic bottles (with or without caps), plastic containers, tubs and lids, and plastic one-use cups (without the lid or straws) are recyclable. Non-bottled plastics, loose bottle caps, plastic plates, bowls and utensils, and prescription bottles are NOT recyclable and should be placed in the trash.

This message is a public outreach effort by the Town of Coventry's Energy Conservation/Alternative Energy Advisory Committee. For more information about the committee, see this link.

COVENTRY CEMETERY COMMISSION SEEKING DONATIONS FOR WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA EVENT

The Cemetery Commission will participate in the national Wreaths Across America program for the fifth year, on Saturday, December 17, 2022. A ceremonial wreath presentation honoring all military services and POW's will take place at Coventry Cemetery, 392 Main Street, at noon. Donations of $15 per wreath can be made online or mailed to the Town of Coventry Finance Office, 1712 Main Street, Coventry CT 06238. Donations can be designated for a specific veteran in Coventry Cemetery, Nathan Hale Cemetery, Grant Hill Cemetery and St. Mary's Cemetery. Please name the veteran, and the cemetery code CTCCC MUST be used. Deadline for donations is November 23. All grave-specific wreaths will ONLY be distributed at the Coventry Cemetery, after the ceremony. If you donate a wreath for other cemeteries you will be responsible for its placement. Contact the Finance office at 860-742-3528 for details if you wish to donate a wreath to take to a cemetery not named above.