Town Manager's Message:

It is now formally the holiday season. Take a few minutes in your hectic schedule to see what your town offers you. I suggest that you try out Christmas in the Village on December 4th, which is followed by a tree lighting at First Congregational Church and a fire truck light parade. The Winter Farmers' Market moved back to the high school on Sundays from 10 AM - 12:30 PM (no Market on 12/25 and 1/1). 

Town business continues with a Special Town Meeting planned for December 19 at 7 PM in the Town Hall Annex to allow funding for an application for a School Air Grant for Coventry High School.

We are glad that two major road projects: the intersection of Swamp Road and Rt. 44, and South Street near the Homestead, are substantially complete. Thank you for your patience for these 100% State-funded grant projects to make car and pedestrian safety improvements.

Thank you for entrusting us with Road Bond funds to continue to improve our roads over the next four years. 

Have a happy holiday season.

COMING EVENTS: 

Fri 12/2: 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. Music by Dogtown. Dances called by Paul Wilde. More info. 

Sat & Sun, 12/3 & 12/4: Christmas Fair, First Congregational Church, 1171 Main Street. Sat 9-2, Sun 12-4. Attic treasures, baked goods, books, hand-crafted gifts, holiday cup raffles with prize values from $100-$500, and vendors. Enjoy food from the Cozy Cafe on Saturday and pizza from Wicked Slice on Sunday. FREE admission. Info: 860-742-8487.

Sun 12/4: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. First market of the winter season! Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Sun 12/4: Christmas in the Village, 12-4 PM along Main Street in Coventry Village, and Patriots Park. Santa Claus, pony rides, horse & wagon rides, Lions Club Christmas Tree Festival, crafters & vendors, Arts Guild youth art show, photo ops and children's activities food, music, dance, Artists Open Studios, and specials at local Main Street businesses. Followed by fire truck torch light parade and tree lighting at First Congregational Church at 4:30 PM. Updates on Lions Club Facebook page, or call the coordinators at 860-617-3588 or 860-918-5957 for more information.

Sun 12/4: Christmas Wreath Sale, 12-4 PM at Patriots Park Community Center during Christmas in the Village. Sponsored by the Coventry Lions Club. One wreath for $20, two for $35 and 3 for $50. Proceeds to benefit Coventry Human Services to help individuals in need of assistance.

Weds 12/7: 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 12/7: Blue Christmas Service, 7 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. A service of remembrance and hope for hurting hearts. Information: 860-742-8487.

Sat 12/10: Breakfast with Santa, 8-11:30 AM, CHS Old Gym, 78 Ripley Hill Road. $10 adults, $5 seniors and kids 2-9. Kids under 2 are FREE. Proceeds benefit CHS Project Graduation. Info: Carrie Houk, chouk0189@charter.net or call 860-707-6962. 

Sat 12/10: Roast Pork Drive Thru/Take-out Dinner, Second Congregational Church of Coventry, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Menu: Roast pork, applesauce, potatoes, gravy, carrots, bread and dessert. $15 adults, $8 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.

Sun 12/11: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. First market of the winter season! Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Tues 12/13: Holiday sale, 9 AM - 11 AM, Noah's Closet Children's Consignment Shop, 1746 Boston Turnpike. Also Sat. 12/17, 9 AM - 1 PM. 50% off holiday items, toys, games, & puzzles. Donations of winter clothing are welcome on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. The shop will be closed on Sat. 12/24. Info: 860-742-1616.

Sat 12/17: Wreaths Across America, 12 PM, Coventry Cemetery, 392 Main Street. A ceremonial wreath presentation honoring all seven military services. See full details below.

Sun 12/18: Coventry Winter Farmers' Market, 10 AM - 12:30 PM, Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road. Over 30 vendors featuring everything from locally-grown produce, freshly-baked goods, and hand-crafted items. Website.

Weds 12/21: 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 12/24: Christmas Eve Service, 6 PM, First Congregational Church of Coventry, 1171 Main Street. A candlelit service with lessons and carols. All are welcome. Information: 860-742-8487.

Weds 12/28: Council Chair's office hours, Town Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas is canceling her office hours during the month of December. Watch for new dates resuming in January.. 

KEEPING IT GREEN - GENTLE HINTS FOR RECYCLING

Want to know about what’s IN and what’s OUT for recycling in Coventry? take a look at recyclect.com or www.scrrra.org.  These websites will let you ask about a specific item or material.  Or, download the free SCRRA app to your smart device, or contact Coventry Public Works at 860-742-6588.  Recycling saves our Town money and is good for the environment.  In general, all recycled items should be empty, rinsed out, clean, and open.  Do not shred, box, bag or bundle items.
 
December's Recycling Focus – Christmas Trees, Decorations, and Wrapping Paper: Check with your local recycling coordinator. Natural Christmas trees can be recycled after removing all tinsel, lights, decorations, and plastic bags. DO NOT place them in your recycle cart. Artificial Christmas trees are considered bulky waste. If in good condition, consider donating the artificial tree to a local charity. Incandescent and LED holiday lights are recyclable, but DO NOT place them in your recycle cart, bring them to the Transfer Station. Paper and foil wrapping paper, and tissue paper are NOT recyclable, consider reusing these items or place them in the trash.

This message is a public outreach effort by the Town of Coventry's Energy Conservation/Alternative Energy Advisory Committee. For more information about the committee, see this link.

COVENTRY CEMETERY COMMISSION SEEKING DONATIONS FOR WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA EVENT

The Coventry Cemetery Commission will be participating in Wreaths Across America for the 5th year on December 17, 2022 at 12 Noon. A ceremonial wreath presentation honoring all seven services Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW’S and MIA’S will take place at Coventry Cemetery, 392 Main St. Honoring and remembering our veterans will be the American legion Post 52 and the V.F.W. Post 10589, the Coventry High School Band, and distinguished speakers. All are invited to come and place wreaths if they wish. The Coventry Boy Scout Troop 65 has adopted two cemeteries, the Old South Burying Ground and the Carpenter Cemetery this year. After the main ceremony at Coventry Cemetery we will proceed to these cemeteries where the Boy Scouts will place wreaths on veterans from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Coventry remembers all our veterans!

There is no parking (except for attendees with handicap placards) in Coventry Cemetery the day of the ceremony. The M and J Bus Co. is providing bus service from the Miller-Richardson Ball Field, 240 Main St, Coventry to the cemetery, starting at 11:00AM in a continuous loop. Further information: Claudine Vieten, 860-742-6750.