James Drumm has been hired as Coventry’s Town Manager, effective August 21, 2023..

James Drumm,
Coventry's new Town Manager

TOWN MANAGER'S MESSAGE:

I am pleased to be on board as Coventry’s Town Manager. I would like to thank everyone for the kind words in welcoming me to Coventry as the new Town Manager. Over the last couple weeks I have had the opportunity to meet Town staff, residents, and community volunteers. My family and I are looking forward to being part of the community.

As summer comes to a close, the Town is completing many important community projects, including the renovation of the Booth and Dimock Library, our Coventry High School re-roof project and many road resurfacing projects. I look forward to making progress with many other ongoing projects, and implementing new ones, to move Coventry forward. We will share more in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, should you wish to contact me, please email JDrumm@coventryct.org or call the office at 860-742-6324. Frequent updates are also posted to the Town Manager’s Facebook page.

Sincerely,

James Drumm

UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:

Tues, 9/5: Town Council meeting, 7:30 PM
Mon, 9/11: Planning & Zoning Commission,
7 PM
Thurs, 9/14: Board of Education, 7:00 PM
Mon, 9/18: Town Council meeting, 7:30 PM (Public involvement meeting for LOTCIP South/ Swamp road project preceding the meeting at 6:30 PM)
Mon, 9/25: Planning & Zoning Commission, 7 PM
Thurs, 9/14: Board of Education, 7:00 PM

For a complete monthly calendar of other Board & Commission events, click here.

Arts on Main
September 16

COMING EVENTS:

Fri 9/1 & 9/15: 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 9/1: Quiet Corner Contra Dance, 7:30-10:30 PM, Patriots Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street. Introductory lesson at 7:15. Adults $13, Students $6. Partner not necessary. Live music by The First Time Stringband and caller Billy Fischer, all dances taught. For more information contact Dennis: knowdj@frontier.com. or see website.

Sun 9/3: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Dog Days. Website.

Tues 9/5: Buy one, get one free: toys, books, games or puzzles, 9-11 AM, Noah's Closet Children's re-sale shop, Community Hall at 1746 Boston Turnpike (Rt. 44). Higher price prevails. Also Saturday 9/9 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Info: 860-742-1616. Website. Donations of gently-used items for children are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Fri 9/8: Ribbon-cutting Ceremony, 5:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. Join us to celebrate the completion of the Library Renovation project. Library website.

Sun 9/10: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Sweet Treats. Website.

Sun 9/10: Eagleville Lake Guided Paddle, 1:30 - 3:30 PM. FREE. Bring your kayak or canoe and join a guided paddle along the Willimantic River to Eagleville Lake and back. We will launch at the wheelchair-accessible canoe/kayak launch at River Park on Plains Road. (From intersection of Rt. 32 & Rt. 44, go south on Rt. 32 for .5 miles and take a right on Plains Rd. The parking lot will be after the railroad tracks on the right.) Eric Thomas of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will teach us how to identify aquatic invasive plants and how to prevent their spread. Register online or in-person. Mansfield Community Center, 10 S. Eagleville Road, Storrs. Activity #211001-A.

Weds 9/13: 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.

Sat 9/16: Arts on Main, 11 AM - 3 PM in historic Coventry Village on Main Street. This FREE event is brought to you by the Town of Coventry, the Coventry Arts Guild, and Coventry Cares. Families will enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, music performances, art exhibits, kids' activities and MORE! Parking & shuttle service available from Patriots Park, 124 Lake Street. Handicapped accessible parking available in Coventry Village. Rain location: Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road.

Sat 9/16: Hamburger & Hotdog Lunch, 11 AM - 3 PM, First Congregational Church parking lot, 1171 Main Street. Join First Congregational Church for lunch during Arts on Main. Seating will be available. Info: 860-742-8487 or email.

Sat 9/16: Food Truck & Mum Sale, 11 AM - 3 PM during Arts on Main event, First Congregational Church parking lot, 1171 Main Street. Rain location: Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Sponsored by Coventry CT Cares.

Sat 9/16: Drive-thru/take-out dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Roast turkey breast, dressing, gravy, potato, carrots, cranberry sauce and dessert. $15 adults, $7 children. Place orders by calling 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 9/17: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Celebration of National Honey Month. Website.

Mon 9/18: Autumn Classic Golf Tournament, Topstone Golf Course, 516 Griffin Rd., South Windsor. Sponsored by the KofC Council 4313 to benefit the Coventry Clergy Fuel Fund, a not-for-profit fund that supports needy and elderly Coventry residents with fuel for the winter. A day of golf, games and raffles for a good cause. $140 per golfer (includes 18 holes of golf with cart, box lunch, and dinner banquet). Make check payable to St. Jude Council and be sure to include the name, phone number, and email address of each golfer in your party. Send checks to: Mark Gadzik, KofC Council 4313, 478 Bunker Hill Rd, Coventry, CT 06238, or register and pay online at this link. For questions contact Daniel Garafola at 860-742-1465 or email.

Tues 9/19: 50% off on items with legs and/or wheels (high chairs, strollers, bassinettes, etc.), 9-11 AM, Noah's Closet Children's re-sale shop, Community Hall at 1746 Boston Turnpike (Rt. 44). Also Saturday 9/23 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Info: 860-742-1616. Website. Donations of gently-used items for children are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Weds 9/20: State of Coventry Lake Forum, 7 PM, Mill Brook Place, 1267 Main Street. Dr. Robert Kortmann will be speaking on the state of Coventry Lake. Watch for details, or email Debby Zeppa of the Coventry Lake Advisory & Monitoring Committee for more information.

Sun 9/24: Coventry Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 1 PM, Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street. Continuing the tradition of being one of the largest farmers’ markets in Connecticut, featuring some of the best of CT-grown, CT-made products around at one of the most unspoiled countryside settings in the state. Today's theme: Connecticut Cheese Please. Website.

Weds 9/27: 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.

Weds 9/27: Council Chair's office hours, 5-6:30 PM, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street. A monthly opportunity for citizens to ask questions or share concerns with Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas. Joining Lisa this month will be our new Town Manager, James Drumm.

COVENTRY PARKS & RECREATION:

The Before/After School Program, Rec Daze, is NOW OPEN for new registrations. Program is open to children in Grades K – 5 and is held at the Community Building in Patriots Park. Monthly and daily options available. Morning program runs 7am – 8:15am with transportation to school and afternoon program runs with transportation from school 3:30pm – 6:00pm.
Youth Basketball registration OPENS September 5th! Programs for boys and girls - instructional basketball for grades K-2, Rec Basketball League for grades 3-8, and Travel Basketball for grades 5-8. Registration deadline is September 29.

Info and reservations

BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is fully open! After a year of having our downstairs closed to the public, our newly renovated children’s and teen space is open to the public. Library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-6, and Saturday 10-3.

Our newly renovated library includes a brand-new teen area, new community room, puzzle parlor, local history area, study space, and more! Stop by the library to borrow a book, use the internet, study or work quietly, or enjoy one of our many programs!

September Children’s Programs:

Play Group – Every Wednesday at 10:30 AM
Crafts with Miss Rachel – September 30 at 1:00 PM
Chapter Book Story Time – Every Tuesday beginning 9/26 at 4:30 PM. Our first book will be Bunnicula.

September Adult Programs:

Tick-Borne Disease Awareness & Prevention – September 5 at 2:00 PM. Join us for an educational forum on tick-borne diseases, led by The Eastern Highlands Health District.

Please join us on Friday, September 8 at 5:30 PM for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of our renovation project. Lastly, make sure to drop by the Library during the Arts on Main Festival on Saturday September 16! We’ll be here with make-your-own puppets and a poetry writing station!

Booth & Dimock Memorial Library
1134 Main Street
860-742-7606
www.coventrypl.org

Facebook @BDLibrary

View from the Senior Center on a beautiful summer day.

COVENTRY SENIOR CENTER:

September events:

Veterans Coffee Hour, September 12^th at 9:30 am. Presentation and guest speaker, John Preisner, Assessor, Town of Coventry. Information on the next Veterans exemption which expires on September 30^th. RSVP is appreciated!
Tick-Borne Disease Awareness & Prevention Educational Forum, Tuesday, September 12^th, 11 am. Presented by Eastern Highlands Health District. This FREE event is open to anyone interested in learning more about reducing their risk of exposure to ticks and keeping safe this summer. EHHD will also provide information about COVID-19 with FREE test kits provided!. RSVP is appreciated!
Out to Lunch Bunch – Marlborough Country Barn and Sadler’s Restaurant. Thursday, September 21^st. Departure Time: 10:30. Sign up at front desk!
“Is it Aging or Something Else” Tuesday, September 26^th, 10:30-11:30 am. Presented from Buckingham Heights Memory Care. When is it time to get a professional opinion? A checklist for you or your loved one. Ideas to help dialing living. How to safeguard you loved one at home. Helpful communication and picking your battles. RSVP is appreciated!
End of Summer Sizzler! Join us for a luncheon, music by Bruce John and a fun time! Wednesday, September 27^th at 11:30. Cost: $4.00. RSVP by September 25^th.
Coffee, Cookies and Conversation with Town Council Chair, Lisa Thomas. Thursday, September 28^th. 10-10:30 am. One-on-one with Lisa, 10-11 am: Presentation by Margaret Khan, Director of Booth & Dimock Library. 11-noon: Join Lisa Thomas and Town Manager James Drumm.

For more information on any of these events go to the Coventry Senior Center website page or call 860-742-3525.

Sign up to receive the Senior Center's monthly newsletter electronically by emailing: bbennett@coventryct.org.

COVER PHOTO:

Colorful artwork on display during Arts on Main 2022. 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.