Town Manager's Message:

May is a polite month. If you see all the opportunities available to you to enjoy the riches of Coventry, you ask, "May I?" and the answer is, "Yes, you can."

May is the month citizens can vote on the annual operating budget, forwarded to you by the annual town meeting. Take a few minutes to cast your vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 2 between 6 AM - 8 PM in the two Main Street firehouses.

You may want to learn about various grants and projects underway in your town. A bimonthly project memo is available here. A couple of highlights include that we received a $6.6 million grant to improve the air quality at Coventry High School (the largest grant award in the state). We also just received notice that our grant application for replacing the Depot Road Bridge over the Willimantic River was approved.

You may also sign up for Road Alert notices here to avoid road work delays. Work is already underway on South Street and in the lake district, and CT Water is working in Pilgrim Hills. 

The first of two full-sized softball fields at Miller Richardson is substantially complete, with construction on the second one scheduled to start in May and be complete by August. State-bonded improvements at Miller Richardson are also being planned for summer work. 

There are many opportunities for you to learn about the town, and programs to enjoy. Read about them below.

A reminder that the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is scheduled to leave their temporary home at Mill Brook Place on April 28 and reopen in their building on Tuesday, May 9. The renovation project is now moving fast and should be complete in a few months.

"May you enjoy spring in Coventry."

COMING EVENTS: 

Tues 5/2: Budget Referendum, 6 AM - 8 PM. Budget details and poll locations.

Fri 5/5 & 5/19: BINGO Night, first and third Fridays of the month, doors open at 5 PM, BINGO starts at 6 PM. First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Presented by the American Legion Post 52. 50¢ entry fee, must be 18 or older to play. Raffles, prizes and refreshments available. Email for info. 

Fri 5/5: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 8-11 PM, intro lesson at 7:45. Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street.  Adults $12, students $6. Partner not necessary. Wear soft-soled shoes and light layered clothes. Mask optional sign in/waiver required. Music by Dogtown. Dances called by Don Heinold. Info, contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. Website.

Sat 5/6: Town-wide Tag Sale, 8 AM - 4 PM. Visit one of the many tag sales during this annual event. Coordinated by Coventry Parks & Recreation. Map available for FREE at Dunkin Donuts on the corner of Rt. 31 and 44 on Friday 5/6 at noon. Additional info at https://secure.rec1.com/CT/coventry-ct/catalog.

Sat 5/6: 1/2 price clearance on selected clothes, 8 AM - 2 PM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Donations welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Call Saturdays for info, 860-742-1616. 

Sat 5/6: Rabies Clinic, 10 AM - 12 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main Street. $20 per animal, CASH ONLY. Dogs must be on leashes, cats in carriers. If previously vaccinated for Rabies bring written proof. Info: 860-742-7966.

Weds 5/10: 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.

Fri 5/12: Famous Baked Fish Dinner returns, 6 PM, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Presented by First Church & American Legion Post 52. Featuring baked cod, baked potato, coleslaw, Italian bread & beverage. $15 per plate, takeout available. Email for info.

Sat 5/13: Food Truck Fest & Veggie Plant Sale, 11 AM - 3 PM, Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School, 1776 Main Street. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares. 

Sat 5/13: Roast Chicken Family Dinner, 5-6:30 PM, St. Mary Church Hall, 1600 Main Street. Join St. Jude Council for roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, bread and butter, dessert, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or lemonade. $15. Tickets will be sold at the door. Take-out is available and reservations are not required. Info: Rick Parr at rick.parr@hotmail.com 860-742-9818 (before 5/13) or Dan Garafola at dgarafola.smpc@live.com. 

Thurs 5/18: Program - Early Ministers of Coventry, 7-9 PM, Sanctuary at First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. A discussion on the history of the Church and some of its notable ministers from its inception through 1838. Guest speaker: Dr. Christian Cuthbert, Senior Pastor at Vernon's Union Church. While in the sanctuary, appreciate the recent renovation following a structural failure of the meeting house's original timber frame. Refreshments will follow.

Sat 5/20: Roast Pork Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: roast pork, potatoes, carrots, apple sauce, bread, and dessert. $15 adults, $7 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.

Tues 5/23: 1/2 price on everything in the shop, 9-11 AM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Donations welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Call Saturdays for info, 860-742-1616.  

Weds 5/24: 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 5/27: 1/2 price on everything in the shop, 9 AM - 1 PM, Noah's Closet, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Donations welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Call Saturdays for info, 860-742-1616.  

Mon 5/29: Memorial Day Parade, 10 AM. Kicks off at Memorial Green on Lake Street with a ceremony and travels to Main Street, south the Bradbury Lane. Military flyover scheduled. Enjoy breakfast by the Lions Club prior to the parade at First Church, 1171 Main Street, from 7-10 AM.

Weds 5/31: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Ask questions and share feedback with Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas during this monthly session. 

PROJECT GRADUATION SEEKING DONATIONS:

Coventry Project Graduation is a fun and safe event for our graduating seniors.  The goal is to provide an exciting, fast-paced, all-night party that is free of alcohol and drugs, where students can celebrate their achievement in a truly safe environment.  Additionally, this is an all-night event that keeps our students off the roads on an evening that traditionally has a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents.  

All expenses are covered by Coventry Project Graduation volunteer fundraIsing and community donations, and your generous support is appreciated!  Please mail checks payable to "Coventry Project Graduation", 78 Ripley Hill Rd, Coventry CT 06238. Donations also accepted through Venmo: @CHSProjectGraduationCT, and GoFundMe: “Coventry Project Graduation - Class of 2023”.  Contact Denise Twerdy at denni515@charter.net with questions.

COVER PHOTO:

Eagleville Dam in the spring. Photo by Laura Stone.

To list your non-profit organization's event in this bulletin, contact Laura Stone by email by the 15th of the previous month.