Dear American Towns,

Here's what's new in Manchester:

Celebrate Manchester! June 4-12
Formerly known as Pride In Manchester, this is the 31st anniversary of the town's weeklong celebration. Free family friendly events and activities all week long! Here’s a few highlights: Historical Society open houses, live music Downtown, Duck Race at Charter Oak Park, Truck Day at the Lutz, and more!
Walk-up registrations for the June 11 Sculpture Project Mini Golf Tournament to be held at Mar-Lea Miniature Golf Course are welcome! Player registration starts at 9am. All players must register before the start of the Tournament at 10am.
More details on these events at:
http://prideinmanchester.townofmanchester.org/CelebrateManch2022.pdf

Fire Flow Tests – Tuesday June 14, at 7:30 AM.  
The Town of Manchester will conduct a fire flow/hydraulic capacity tests, at 623 Main Street, corner Main St & Pearl St Manchester, CT to determine the effects upon the water distribution system.  The hydrant flow test may result in reduced pressure and/or discoloration of the water in the area of 623 Main Street, corner Main St & Pearl St, Manchester, CT.   If water appears discolored, the homeowner should try to avoid using it until it clears.  This will prevent rust and sediment from being brought into the home’s system. If sediment does get into a home’s hot water tank, the homeowner should wait until the water clears and then open the faucet at the bottom of the tank to drain the collected material, which will settle at the bottom. Also, if a load of wash is done during the period of discolored water, the load should be kept wet and done again after the water clears.  Four ounces of cream of tartar should be added to help clean any discoloration of the clothing. It normally takes a few hours for the water to clear in a home.  If water appears discolored for an extended period, the homeowner should call the Water Division at 860-647-3201.

Manchester Board Of Education
Regular Meeting: June 13, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. – Virtual or in person option: Lincoln Center at 494 Main St.
Individuals who wish to speak at the meeting, must complete a Request to Speak form by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.  
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2qj6RfD49ovEnwfH_4YSFAhaC__SpXLV9rK1Fwxg-hDG90Q/viewform
Community members can submit questions prior to or during a Board of Education meeting by contacting Jim Farrell, the district’s communication director, by email (b11jfarr@mpspride) or Facebook message (via the district Facebook page).
Public access to view meeting live :
http://www.channel16.org/CablecastPublicSite/watch/1?channel=1
Live streaming on FaceBook : Link to MPS Pride FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/MPS-Pride-Manchester-CT-Public-Schools-1677756609137170
On demand after the meeting: http://www.channel16.org/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=1
Agendas are available online: https://www.mpspride.org/Page/62

The James “Dutch” Fogarty Independence Day Celebration provides people of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to gather and celebrate our nation’s freedom and honor the men and women of our armed forces.  This year’s celebration will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 (rain date is Sunday, June 26, 2022) on the grounds of Manchester Community College at the Bicentennial Band Shell.  The day’s festivities will begin around 4:00PM and include a variety of food, organized activities for children and live music. Local sensation Whiskey Boulevard will begin their musical set at 5 pm and we are thrilled to have Savage Brothers headline this year’s music presentation beginning at 7:15 PM. The evening will conclude with a spectacular display of fireworks beginning at approximately 9:30PM.  We are also happy to announce the return of our famous “Chicken BBQ” Dinner this year. Tickets for the event are now on sale at Town Hall Customer Service, Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30. The $15 ticket includes ½ chicken, coleslaw, roll, baked potato, watermelon, beverage. BBQ is from 5:30-7pm.
We would like to invite you to become a sponsor of the 37th Annual James “Dutch” Fogarty Independence Day Celebration.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Erin O’Neil, at (860) 922-6805, Molly Devanney at (860) 338-1612 or Marty Shea at (860) 202-1773. 

Dog Licensing for the June 2022 to June 2023 license began June 1st. For options of how to obtain a new license please go to http://townclerk1.townofmanchester.org/index.cfm/dog-license/
For detailed instructions on renewing a dog license, please go to: http://townclerk1.townofmanchester.org/NewTownClerk/assets/File/dog%20renewal%20options.pdf

Spring Water Main Cleaning
To provide the Town of Manchester’s water customers with the best possible quality of water, we will be cleaning water mains from April 4, 2022 through July 1, 2022. The cleaning is done to remove sediment in the pipe that has accumulated. The following streets are scheduled to be flushed:
June 13 – June 17: Adams St., Batson Dr., Bilyeu St., Botticello Dr., Brentwood Dr., Broad St., Buckland St., Burnham St., Burnham St. Ext., Canterbury St., Carolyn Dr., Chapel Rd. , Chapel St., Cherry Cir., Clearview Ter., Commerce Rd., Croft Dr., Cumberland St., Depot St., Dogwood Ln., Drexel Dr., Electric St., Fleming Rd., Gear Dr., Griffin Rd., Hilliard St., John Dr., Kathleen Way, Loomis St., Main St., Marble St., Margaret Rd., Mary Dr., McCabe St., New State Rd., North Main St., Oak Forest Dr., Pleasant Valley Rd., Redstone Rd., Regent St., Stock Pl., Tolland Tpke., Union St. (west side), Westerly St., Windsor St., Woodland St.
Complete details & schedule can be found online:
http://waterandsewer1.townofmanchester.org/newwaterandsewer/assets/File/2022%20Street%20Schedule%20Listing.pdf

Not So “YA” Book Club
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 7PM at Whiton Branch Library, 100 North Main St, Manchester, CT.
The Light in Hidden Places – Sharon Cameron: One knock at the door, and Stefania has a choice to make...
It is 1943, and for four years, sixteen-year-old Stefania has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemysl, Poland.
But everything changes when the German army invades Przemysl. The Diamants are forced into the ghetto, and Stefania is alone in an occupied city, the only one left to care for Helena, her six-year-old sister. And then comes the knock at the door... With two Nazis below, thirteen hidden Jews above, and a little sister by her side, Stefania has one more excruciating choice to make.
Copies of the book are available at both library buildings. This is a free book discussion program and no registration is required. For more information call Reference and Adult Services at 860-645-0821. http://library.townofmanchester.org

Connecticut Wineries with “The Nutmeg Nose”
Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 6:30PM at Whiton Branch Library, 100 North Main Street
Take a virtual ride through Connecticut’s wine country and learn about our state’s 40+ wineries. Our wine guide is Michelle Griffis, an enthusiast of Connecticut’s wineries, nicknamed by friends as “The Nutmeg Nose.”  Michelle will discuss the array of fantastic, award-winning wineries here in our state. She will also share dining options which include vineyards with on-site cafes, food trucks, and BYO picnic options. Whether you like a dry rose’, a crisp white, or a hearty red, our state offers a wine for your palette.  With beautiful scenery, daily tastings, and live music, Connecticut wineries make great destinations.  Registration is required for this event, call the library at 860-645-0821 to reserve your spot.

Knights of Columbus Council 1155 will host a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Church of the Assumption Church Hall; 27 South Adams Street in Manchester, CT.
100% of all proceeds will go directly to support humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Please join us for a great Italian meal (all you can eat), homemade desserts and raffle prizes. The cost is: $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 – 12, children under three are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance after Mass at St. James and Assumption churches on the weekends of June 5th and June 12th or at the door. Take-out will also be available. For more information please contact: Grand Knight Bob Misage at 860-559-2742 or [email protected] or Joe Congdon at 860-372-1738  or [email protected]. Thank you in advance for helping ’the Knights’ help others.

Gentle Love Diaper Pantry Diaper Drive
Come support us on Mon. June 13 from 3-5pm by bringing a donation of diapers to our diaper drive at Manchester High School’s Summit Street parking lot. All sizes are needed, especially sizes 4, 5 and 6, along with pullups and baby wipes. If you would like to contribute to the drive but unable to attend check out our Amazon Wishlist. Any questions can be sent to [email protected]  
Diapers are currently distributed to families in need through a robust network of community partners, which includes the Bridge Food Pantry, the ECHN Family Development Center, the Manchester Public Schools Welcome Center, and the HVCC Food Pantry.

You are invited to visit the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE to see the ART OF PRIDE exhibit which runs through June 30th. With over 50 pieces by 25 local artists, this exhibit reflects and celebrates the pride and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Gallery Hours are weekdays from 10AM-4PM and every 2nd Saturday from 10AM-2PM. The 2nd Saturday Open House on June 11th will include a Rainbow Pop-Up Shop with local vendors selling handmade products. Events are free but space is limited so please RSVP via: http://workspacemanchester.com/events-programs/.
Location: WORK_SPACE - 903 Main Street, Manchester
Contact: 860.647.3168 - [email protected]). 

Make A Powerful Impact! Blood donations are critically important at this time of year. Give by June 30 & get a $5 e-gift card, plus a chance to win a VIP trip for two to Memphis and Graceland!
Upcoming Manchester blood drives include:
June 10 from 11:00am -4:00pm at Buckland Hills Mall, 194 Buckland Hills Dr.
June 16 from 9:00am-6:30pm at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker Street.
June 20 from 11:00am -5:00pm at Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Turnpike.
June 23 from 10:00am -3:00pm at Buckland Hills Mall, 194 Buckland Hills Dr.
For more info and to schedule your appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online to find drives in nearby towns:  
http://www.redcrossblood.org

Share this service with a friend:
Forward this link to sign up for Manchester Matters E-Mail service to those you know who live or work in Manchester: http://manchestermatters.townofmanchester.org/ManchesterMatters.cfm