Dear American Towns,

Here's what's new in Manchester:

Holiday Schedule
Town of Manchester Offices & Libraries will be closed on Monday June 20th for the Juneteenth holiday.
Trash will be collected according to the regular schedule with no delays.

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. 

The Land Acquisition and Historic Property Investment Committee will hold a special meeting on June 15, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Center Hearing Room, 494 Main Street, Manchester, Connecticut, to discuss 683 Vernon Street.

Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission
June 16, 2022 at 5:30 P.M.
This meeting will be held in the Town Hall Manchester Room.  Any member of the public wishing to participate and/or speak must submit a request to [email protected]
Agendas are posted online:
http://planning1.townofmanchester.org/index.cfm/boards-and-commissions/cheney-brothers-national-historic-district-commission/

The Spruce Street Farmers Market will run Wednesdays, 6/1-8/31, 4:30-7:30 on Market Field, 153 Spruce Street. The Northwest Park Farmers Market will run Wednesdays, 9/7- 10/26, 4:30-7:30 at Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike. Both markets feature Connecticut farms, prepared food vendors, and artisans. Both accept SNAP/EBT and double the value of SNAP purchases. Spend $10.00 using your EBT card, receive an additional $10.00 to spend on fresh produce. New for 2022: POP (Power of Produce) Kids' Club. Each child will receive a free $2.00 POP Bucks coupon weekly to be redeemed for fresh produce. Please contact Cynde at [email protected] with questions.

Adult Summer Reading Kick-Off Party
Wednesday June 22nd, 2022 from 3-4:30PM at Manchester Public Library
Adult summer reading technically starts Tuesday June 21st, 2022, but we're going to have a kick-off party to celebrate on Wednesday June 22nd, 2022! Join us for ice cream from Center Scoop Ice Cream, lawn games, music, photo booth with fun construction props, peg people craft, adult summer reading registration and t-shirt distribution (you can register and collect t-shirts starting Tuesday), and more! No registration required for this free event for adults.
http://library.townofmanchester.org

Walking Book Club
The Walking Book Club of Manchester Public Library at 586 Main Street will have its next meeting of the season on Thursday, July 7th, 2022.
The book club starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. in the Mary Cheney Library Lobby. Attendees will take a two mile walk in the vicinity of the library, making stops for discussion. We will walk rain or shine, but in extreme weather, please call the library at 860-645-0821. On July 7th we will discuss “The Stranger in the Woods” by Michael Finkel.
No registration is required for this free program. Copies of the book will be available at both library buildings. For more information on this event, please call (860) 645-0821 or visit the library website at http://library.townofmanchester.org

MACC Charities' Lobster Roll Fundraiser
If you like lobster rolls and supporting people in need then the MACC Charities' Lobster Roll Fundraiser is for you. From now until June, 25th you can pre-order your build-your-own lobster roll by calling 860-647-8003 ext. 13. Leave a message with your name, number, and order total to place your order. Then, on Saturday, June 25 between 10 am and 1 pm, stop by the Community Kitchen to drive thru and pick up your order. It's 24.99 to get all the fixing, your lobster roll and some chips! Cash or Check only at time of pick up. You will pick up in your car at 466 Main St, Manchester.

Moon Dance: The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute
July 9th at 7:00 PM
Moondance is the ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert. This incredible show captures the Van Morrison concert experience like no other. You’ll hear classic tunes - Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance, Domino, It Stoned Me, Tupelo Honey, Wild Night, Into the Mystic, Caravan - just to name a few. The show is packed with one VM classic after the next.
Visit www.cheneyhall.org or call 860-647-9824 for tickets

UR Community Cares is gratefully accepting donations in the form of volunteer hours or contributions to cover direct program costs. Help us connect older and disabled neighbors with free at-home assistance (housework, yard work, companionship and transportation) by signing up at www.URCommunityCares.org. Visit us online at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/ur-community-cares-inc to donate and make a big difference to those in need.
Join us for a live online Q&A meeting the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:00 pm, to answer questions about support services for older adults and those with physical disabilities, contact Michelle Puzzo, President at 860-430-4557 for meeting information. Sign up or refer someone in need on their website: https://urcommunitycares.org/

Walking Tour on the Great Lawn
Hosted by two members of the Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission, Saturday June 18 at 1:00 p.m. Popular history walk starting at Fuss & O'Neill, 146 Hartford Road (plenty of parking in the lots west and south of the building). Find out more about the Great Lawn and its former residents on this one-and-a-quarter-hour walk, which will proceed along streets and lawn to view historic mansions and the nine-acre property purchased by the Town in 2005 for open space and historic preservation. Historical Society member and former resident of the Horace Bushnell Cheney House, Tom Ferguson, and Town Historian, Susan Barlow, will comment on the historic landscape and buildings. There is some steep and uneven ground, so participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots. Extreme weather cancels, but the walk will be held if light rain. Free. To view a map of the District on this website, click Cheney Landmark District.

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 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