 The CHS HVAC project is now complete. |
TOWN MANAGER'S MESSAGE:As December begins, the holiday season is here! Whether you celebrate Hannukah, Christmas or Kwanza this is the month with the most festivities of the year. This is a busy month for everyone as there is much shopping to be done, many events to attend and lots of family to visit. Though you may likely shop online and also make your way to the big chain stores, I ask that you remember to shop in Coventry this year and find those special holiday decorations or gifts at our businesses or at the many craft and art events, including the Coventry PTO Craft Show, First Congregational Church Christmas Fair, and the crafters at Christmas in the Village. Also, you should check out the antique shops for unique gifts from years gone by. On December 6th, Christmas in the Village will hold their 21st annual celebration with musical and dancing entertainment as well as horse and wagon rides. Vendors, local businesses and community groups will provide a variety of activities and specials along Main Street. The Coventry Fire/EMS Department will present a “Torch Light” Parade through the Village with Santa arriving at the very end. Following the parade there will be the Annual Tree Lighting at First Congregational Church. That same day at the Patriots Park Community Center, the Lions Club hosts its annual Decorated Tree Festival, and Coventry Cares will have wreath sales. As we begin the holiday season with holiday cheer and family that’s near, we also need to remember the importance of giving to those families that are in need. Those looking to donate can contact the Town of Coventry Human Services Department to learn about giving opportunities within Coventry. You can visit the Human Services Department at their office at Town Hall or call (860) 742-5324. Families in need of food can also contact Mobile Foodshare at St. Mary’s Church (1600 Main St) on Wednesdays December 3rd and 17th . Around Town we are finishing up some of our 2025 capital projects. Most of these projects were funded totally or partially with state and/or federal grant funds Earlier this year, Miller-Richardson Park saw new roads and American Disabilities Act (ADA) friendly parking and sidewalks. This project totaled $590,000 in cost, including a $500,000 State grant, with the remaining amount coming from local capital funds. Our largest project, the Coventry High School heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) project is now complete. Our contractor Pro-mech is still working with the Commissioning Agent to test and adjust all zones and to ensure the system operates efficiently and effectively. This $12.6 million project is over 50% grant funded. We also had an aggressive schedule this year to make drainage and paving improvements. Additionally, we have many road, bridge, sidewalk, and utility projects now in engineering, with several that will be ready for construction in spring and summer of 2026. To learn more about these projects you can link to The Town Manager’s periodic update memos on our website. December is a busy month. I hope to see you out around the Town this month. Perhaps I will see you out shopping, at Christmas in the Village, at the Coventry PTO Craft Fair, at the Coventry Winter Farmers’ Market or perhaps I will see you at the Wreaths Across America event. Should you wish to contact me, please email JDrumm@coventry-ct.gov or call the office at 860-742-6324. Frequent updates are also posted to the Town Manager’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CoventryCTTownManager. Sincerely, James Drumm
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UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS:- Mon, 12/1: Town Council Meeting, 7:00 PM. Town Hall Annex.
- Mon, 12/8: Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, 7:00 PM, Town Hall Annex.
- Thurs, 12/11: Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 PM, School Admin. Building.
- Mon,12/15: Town Council Meeting, 7:00 PM , Town Hall Annex.
- Weds, 12/17: Inland Wetlands Agency Meeting, 7:00 PM, Town Hall Annex.
For a monthly calendar of other Board & Commission events, click here.
HOLIDAYS:- Weds & Thurs, 12/24 & 25: Christmas. Town offices and Senior Center closed. Trash & recycling collection on holiday schedule for remainder of the week.
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COMING EVENTS:Tues 12/2-12/30: T.O.P.S. - Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 5:15-6:45 PM, Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike (Rt. 44). A non-profit weight loss support group. See or call 860-944-4945 for info concerning weekly dues (determined by each chapter) and yearly membership fee set by the TOPS organization. Website Weds 12/3: 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 12/3: Blue Christmas Service, 7:00 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. Holidays are not always a merry or happy time for everyone. We invite you to join us for this service of reflection, comfort, healing, grace and hope. More info: 860-742-8487 or email firstchurchcoventryct@gmail.com. Sat 12/6: Holiday Fair, 9 AM - 2 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. Country Kitchen bake sale, Cozy Cafe luncheon, big raffle, take-a-chance raffle, Attic Treasures, antiques and collectables, and vendors. Also 12/7 from 12-4 PM during Christmas in the Village. More info: 860-742-8487 or email firstchurchcoventryct@gmail.com. Sat 12/6: 49th Annual Coventry PTO Craft Fair, 9 AM - 2 PM, Coventry High School gym, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Join us for this cozy indoor event. Come grab a cup of coffee, a tasty baked good, and shop our vendors' tables, while your children take part in one of our craft activities. All proceeds benefit the children of Coventry Public Schools. ALL goods sold are handcrafted! 50+ crafters, bake sale, food truck, take-a-chance table, craft classes. Admission $3, children & students free. Sponsored by the PTOs of Coventry Public Schools. More info. Sun 12/7: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Indoors at Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Season runs through February 22, 2026 (no market 12/28). Visit our website for more information. Sun 12/7: Christmas in the Village, 12-4 PM. Get ready to stroll Main Street as it transforms into a festive wonderland filled with lights, music, local makers, warm drinks, and the small-town sparkle we all love. Don't miss the Christmas tree auction at the Community Center at Patriots Park. Visit the Lions Club Facebook page for more details as plans unfold. 12/7: Food Trucks and Wreath Sales by Coventry CT Cares, 12-4 PM, Patriots Park during Christmas in the Village, 120 Lake Street. More info on website. Sat 12/13: Drive-thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Glazed meatloaf, potatoes, corn and dessert. $15. Place orders by calling 860-742-1616 or email secondchurch@sbcglobal.net and indicate pick-up time of 5:00 or 5:30 PM. Correct amount of cash or check is required. Drive down from church parking lot to the Community House located across from Coventry Public Market. Sun 12/14: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Indoors at Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Season runs through February 22, 2026 (no market 12/28). Visit our website for more information. Weds 12/17: 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 12/19: A Charles Dickens Reading, 7:00 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. More info: 860-742-8487 or email firstchurchcoventryct@gmail.com. Sun 12/21: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Indoors at Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Season runs through February 22, 2026 (no market 12/28). Visit our website for more information. Weds 12/24: Christmas Eve Service, 9:00 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. Candlelight Lessons and Carols. All are welcome. More info: 860-742-8487 or email firstchurchcoventryct@gmail.com. Weds 12/31: 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.
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PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT: Holiday Letters: Hey kids, let Santa or your Favorite Holiday Figure know just how good you have been this year! From now until Monday December 15th, we will be accepting your letters for delivery just in time for the "Big Day." Or mail your letters to: Santa Claus, c/o Coventry Recreation, 1712 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238. Be sure to include your name and return address so Santa can write you back! December Vacation Camp. 12/29, 12/30, 8 AM - 5 PM, 12/31 8am-12pm Patriots Park Community Center, 120 Lake Street. Designed for kids in grades K-5, this program is chock-full of fun indoor and outdoor activities including nature walks, group games arts and crafts, and sledding (weather permitting). Please bring warm outdoor clothes, boots, extra socks, a bagged lunch and a water bottle each day. $60 residents/$70 nonresidents, 12/31 $30 residents/$40nonresidents. https://secure.rec1.com/catalog/sessionQRCode/3850617
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BOOTH & DIMOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY: The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am-8pm Friday from 10am-6pm, and Saturday from 10am-3pm. We will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday December 25, and are closing early at 3pm on Wednesday December 31. We hope that everyone has an enjoyable holiday season! Join us on Sunday December 7th from 12pm – 4pm for the town-wide Christmas in the Village celebration. Enter through our historic front doors and be welcomed with hot cider and cookies. Seasonal crafts and activities will be available throughout the day. Holiday programming continues to the next weekend when Thread City Classical Dance will put on a story time and dance demonstration of The Nutcracker on December 13 at 11am. Adults and youth are welcome to participate in a variety of book clubs and story times offered at Booth & Dimock Library. These literacy-based programs help to foster a life-long love of reading and learning! Books for the following book clubs can be checked out at the library. - Mystery Book Club – December 5 at 1:30pm
- Wednesday Night Book Club – December 17 at 6:30pm
- Senior Center Book Club – December 17 at 1:30pm – *Note: this book club takes place at the Senior Center.
Join us for the following storytimes! - Nutcracker Storytime with Thread City Classical Dance – December 13 at 11am
- Little Creators Storytime – December 11 at 10:30am – Read about art, and make art together.
- Sweet Dreams Storytime – December 16 and December 30 at 6:30pm – A soothing nighttime story.
A complete list of all programs can be found at www.coventrypl.org/events. Booth & Dimock Memorial Library
1134 Main Street
Coventry, CT 06238
860-742-7606
www.coventrypl.org
bdlibrary@coventry-ct.gov
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NEWS FROM THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT:
Holiday Food: We are asking for Christmas donations of various types of foods. This allows families to “shop” for their preferred items to create their own personalized holiday meal.
Holiday Food Drop Off: Location: Community Center, 120 Lake St.
Times: Dec 10th 9am-4pm, Dec 11th 9am - 6pm, Dec 12th 9am - 1pm
If you are unable to drop off donations on these days and times, you can drop off items in the town hall vestibule from October 1st - December 9th. Note: we do not have refrigeration for donations in town hall. Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP/CHAP) is open at Community Action Agency sites around the state! Coventry Human Services 860-742-5324 and Coventry Senior Center 860-742-3525 are agency sites serving Coventry residents. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! For more information, eligibility, and to schedule an appointment, please call the Human Services Department or the Senior Center. THANK YOU to everyone who donates to our Food Bank!
Food bank is by appointment ONLY @ 120 Lake Street ! In addition to being scheduled on Fridays 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m., appointments have been extended to Thursdays 4:00-6:00 p.m. You can also ship food bank items to Coventry Human Services! Please make the shipping address: Coventry Human Services 1712 Main St. Coventry, CT 06238.
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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DONATIONS ARE DUE THIS MONTH:The 8th annual WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA ceremony will take place on 12/13/2025 at 12 Noon at Coventry Cemetery, 392 Main Street. The Cemetery Commission invites you to come remember and honor our veterans. Wreaths Across America ceremonies are taking place on this same day and time all across the U.S. and around the world where American veterans are interred. The Coventry Fire Dept. will have a 50 ft flag on the hook and ladder truck, the American Legion, the V.F.W. and Troop 62 of the Boy Scouts will participate. The H.S. Band will play and there will be distinguished speakers. The American Legion will do a 21 gun salute and Taps will be played, in echo, by band members. Eight ceremonial wreaths will be presented for all services and MIA’s and POW’s. Anyone who wishes can place a wreath on a veteran’s grave and say his/her name so no veteran, buried in Coventry, is ever forgotten, they are remembered and honored. Buses from Miller-Richardson Ball Field to the cemetery will run from 11 AM on a continuous loop to the cemetery. No parking in cemetery except handicapped.
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GET TO KNOW ONE OF COVENTRY'S CULTURAL JEWELS: The David Hayes Sculpture Fields, located at 905 South Street, is open every day of the year for self-guided tours during daylight hours. Admission is free. This cultural gem offers ten acres of mowed former sheep meadows and orchards populated with large steel sculptures. Individuals and families may wander the paths, explore the artwork, discover abundant wildlife, and reconnect with the natural world. David Hayes was an internationally-recognized artist whose work is collected by most major North American institutions including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Stonewalls, the David Hayes studio and family homestead, is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places and has a known connection on the property to the Underground Railroad. The non-profit venue is also open to scheduled music performances, literary readings, educational instruction, and general arts and culture programming. Learn more at their website.
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NEWS FROM THE VETERANS MEMORIAL & EVENTS COMMITTEE: Thank you, Coventry, for making this a record year for the 2025 CT Veterans Day Race. The Park & Recreation Dept., Dept. of Public Works, Fire & EMS Dept., and Police Dept. all went above and beyond to support this event and honor our veterans. Nearly 600 patriotic friends filled Patriots Park and 358 registered to participate in either the 4-mile race, 3-mile walk, or 3-mile ruck. The oldest runner was 82 years old and the youngest was 7! We even had one active-duty serviceman from Coventry that is currently deployed overseas who participated virtually! New Monuments at the Veterans Memorial Green: The Veterans Memorial & Events Committee (VMEC) are seeking volunteers to establish working groups in support of the Desert Storm Monument and Global War on Terror Monument and invites community members, veterans, and local leaders who are passionate about these monuments to contact us at CoventryVMEC@gmail.com. The mission is to organize local fundraisers for the two separate monuments that will join the other veteran war monuments on Coventry’s Veterans Memorial Green. These monuments serve as powerful symbols of remembrance, reflection, and honor to the brave men and women who served from Coventry. The cost of the two monuments is approximately $150,000. The VMEC sub-committee accepts Venmo at @CoventryMonuments or send a check to Coventry War Monuments, 984 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238 payable to “Coventry Monuments.” (A non-profit organization, EIN 39-3975463.) Thank you to all who served our great country and to the families and community who supported them.
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Top photo: A snowy view from a December stroll in Coventry. 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 prior month.
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