Home Care In South Glastonbury, CT

GLASTONBURY — The holidays can be an especially sad time for Connecticut kids in state care who are separated, either temporarily or permanently, from their birth parents.

"I think there's a loss of self and there's a loss of family and a loss of what could happen or what was," Maria Kelley, 22, who grew up in foster care, said Friday.

But the UConn graduate student said the season also can bring joy and hope to young people like her who are lucky enough to have dedicated benefactors. Now studying public policy with plans for a career as a child advocate, Kelley was honored Friday at the Olive Branch, the state Department of Children and Families' community space, which also serves as a holiday toy store for children in state care.

Launched in 2021 as a pop-up in Somerset Square in Glastonbury, the shop and year-round meeting place for families moved earlier this year to the parish house of St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Main Street in South Glastonbury. DCF officials said the shop was in response to countless emails and calls from Connecticut businesses, groups, and residents that wanted to donate new toys, bikes, and other gifts to children in state care.

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Ashley May-Williams of Bethel was seeking presents Friday morning for her four children, ages 6 to 16, and had picked out a light-up scooter for her 14-year-old daughter, among many toys and games donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Four years ago, May-Williams said, she was in an unstable relationship and using alcohol to cope. She found herself in the hospital and told staff "that I could really use some help — and help came." She never lost custody of her children, May-Williams said, but state workers tested her weekly for drugs and alcohol while providing counseling and therapy. Today, she's working as a paraeducator.

"I'm absolutely floored at the life I am able to have now," May-Williams said.

Over the past three years, the Olive Branch has served about 1,000 children from 300 families and has collected approximately 5,000 toys, according to DCF.

Gwendolyn Willey of East Hartford, a Merrill Lynch executive, has been among the shop's most generous donors, and on Friday, she presented a new laptop computer to Kelley. A former foster child herself, Willey focuses donations on children and young adults ages 17 and older who are "aging out of care," but she said the DCF shop allows donors to help kids of all ages so they don't feel "less than" other children during the holidays.

Of the 3,000 children in state care now, about 250 are 18 and older, said DCF Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes, who recently announced her resignation but is working through the end of January. The state continues to provide those young adults with educational, health, and other support, Dorantes said.

"The last three years, post-pandemic, were really tough on kids," she said. "We have a national children's behavioral health crisis, and for kids in foster care, that's been exacerbated."

Connecticut extended services for foster children who would have aged out of state care during the last several years "to make sure there were solid discharge plans for all those kids," Dorantes said.

"We have to make sure that their circumstances are not defining their futures," she said, calling Kelley "an incredible example" of such advocacy.

Kelley was among 158 Connecticut youths in foster care who took part in the Rising Scholars program, which she said gave her the encouragement and support to succeed in college. While she was a student at Wethersfield High School, she took classes in math and English composition at UConn's Storrs campus, earning college credits. The experience, Kelley said, gave her the confidence that she belonged in college. Now serving as a mentor to foster children, Kelley cited Dorantes as an inspiration on her path.

Gatherings like the one Friday at the Olive Branch, Kelley said, "mean everything to me and our community — to have an opportunity to see what the other side of the holidays can look like."

Dec 24, 2023

Jesse Leavenworth is a reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. He is a New Britain native living in Hebron, U.S. Army veteran (1979-83) and married (Lynn) father of three (Kerry, Kate and John). Jesse worked as a reporter and editor for about 35 years for The Hartford Courant, covering all kinds of stories across the state. Jesse is especially interested in Connecticut history, crime, veterans affairs and news of the weird.

Real estate auction of a 12+/- acre marina on the Connecticut River with a private boat basin a/k/a "Glastonbury Marina"

GLASTONBURY, Conn., March 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- JJManning Auctioneers is pleased to offer a 12+/- acre marina on the Connecticut River with a private boat basin located at 684 & 700 Tryon St., S. Glastonbury, CT. Most recently in operation as the 176± wet slip f/k/a "Glastonbury Marina." In July of 2023, record-setting torrential rains inundated the Northeast as "Great Vermont Flood" waters flowed into the Connecticut River resulting in unprecedented flooding and property damage along its entirety to the south. During this historic weather event, 86± basin & shoreline slips were protected, but 90± slips on seasonally removed fingers floating on the East side of the river were lost with pilings & shore dockage remaining. Buildings, parking, storage and other site improvements set high above the river were not directly impacted. The new owner of this property with a dredging permit in place will have the opportunity to restore or reimagine to suit their preferences as allowed by local, state & federal ordinances. The property is located in an eastern bank setting surrounded by open space, farm land and manicured residential neighborhoods close to dining, wineries & breweries. It's 1.5± hours (27± miles) to Long Island Sound by boat with easy access to Routes 17, 17A, 66, 9 & I-91 by car.

The auction is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at 12pm on-site with a property tour Friday, April 19 from 12-2pm. See Property Info Package (PIP) for Alta plan, dredge plan, environmental, fuel AST, SWPP, equipment including US hoist 50,000 LB travel lift and more.

JJManning Auctioneers has an unparalleled history of successful sales of unique and legacy properties. The firm is also accepting consignments of commercial, industrial, residential, and land properties for Spring and Summer auctions. Visit www.JJManning.com or call 800-521-0111 for further information.

About the Company

JJManning Auctioneers provides expert accelerated marketing and asset disposition solutions to Fortune 500 companies, REITs, corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, REO portfolio managers, small businesses, private individuals, and others. Since 1976, JJManning Auctioneers has successfully sold over 16,000 commercial, industrial, and residential real estate properties. The firm has been elected Best Real Estate Auctioneer by Banker & Tradesman News and Lawyers Weekly.

Media Contact

Justin Manning, JJManning Auctioneers, 1 8005210111, [email protected], www.jjmanning.com

SOURCE JJManning Auctioneers

Connecticut has no shortage of places to eat, and once again, Connecticut Magazine has surveyed a panel of food experts to share their favorite places.

Experts have named restaurants in dozens of categories, from top cuisine (American, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Middle Eastern, vegetarian, etc.) to outstanding apps and desserts, romantic ambiance, beer and wine selections and the best places to grab a burger or a slice of apizza.

Here, explore the top taco spots in the state, including spots in Litchfield, New Haven and Norwalk.

Looking for something brand new to try? Connecticut Magazine experts also shared their picks for the 27 top new restaurants that have recently opened around the state.

Scroll below to see which restaurants were named as the top taco spots by Connecticut Magazine experts.

ATC South St.

3 West St., Litchfield, 860-567-8882

Camacho Garage

36 Fountain St., New Haven, 203-691-1969

Don Rene Taqueria

50 S. Broad St., Milford, 203-283-9191

La Taqueria

10 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-992-1199

1077 Boston Post Road, Darien, 203-202-9399

Los Garcia Mexican Fusion

836 E. Main St, Waterbury, 203-910-9432

Milagro Cafe

142 Water St., Stonington, 860-535-8178

Sayulita

865 Main St., Glastonbury, 860-430-9941

Taco Guy

102 Wall St., Norwalk, 203-286-7061

Tacos El Azteca

94 Main St., Norwalk, 203-957-2029

Tacos La Rosa

255 Main St., Willimantic, 860-450-0380

Tacos Mi Nacho

554 Broad St., Meriden, 203-379-0259

You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Have a question or comment? Email [email protected].

And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag

SOUTH WINDSOR — Many farmers in the state are dealing with a huge loss of crops due to flooding from the Connecticut River that has also caused significant damage to roads, houses, and vehicles.

Tony Botticello, a farmer with 120 acres of growing land in Glastonbury, said he has lost all of his crops from the rise of the river, leaving him questioning what to do next.

"I'm at the point where I don't know what to do," he said. "It's catastrophic."

The flooding damage appears to be extensive, with more than 2,000 acres destroyed by flooding, state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said Friday.

Botticello said his farm was under four feet of water by Wednesday and half of his crops were destroyed. Botticello Farms, which has been been in business for 45 years, grows pumpkins, winter squash, peppers, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.

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Botticello said he initially had hope that his butter and sugar corn might be salvageable. Botticello added that he planned to get to the crops on Saturday, but the rain wouldn't stop.

Now he said it will at least be a week until he can properly assess the damage.

"It's raging," Botticello said. "It is ripping through there with current."

Botticello said he heard of an East Hartford farmer that took a kayak out to get to his corn and that Botticello pondered that idea himself, considering Friday is when he planned to pick the corn.

But Botticello said that any corn that is touched by the river's water is contaminated and useless.

Botticello Farms provides produce to Highland Park Market, a Manchester Stop & Shop, and three local ShopRites. None of those stores will be receiving Botticello's produce this season.

"The stores that I serve, they count on me for produce," he said. "We don't know what to do."

Of course, no produce for the markets means no revenue for the local farmers. Botticello said he could lose up to $400,000 due to the loss of all his crops.

"I'm praying that there's some sort of disaster relief," Botticello said. "They've got to help us. We're important to this state especially."

Botticello added that insurance will cover the cost of seeds, fertilizer, and maybe some labor, but it won't be nearly enough to make up for the lost crops.

"If there's no disaster relief, there's a lot of guys that'll close their doors," he said. "We're a dying breed as it is."

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Hurlburt visited Kasheta Farms in South Windsor on Friday afternoon along with other farmers in the area to see first-hand how the state's farmland has been damaged.

"This is peak season for our farmers across the state," Bysiewicz said. "This is going to impact our farmer's markets and our communities. We want our farmers to have products to sell."

Bysiewicz said she and Gov. Ned Lamont wanted to see the damage and will now assess what the state may do to help those farms in need.

Hurlburt said that flooding in some ares has reached 21 feet with over 2,000 acres worth of crops have been destroyed in Connecticut.

"It's important for us to see the damage that's out there, assess what's happening and the impact on Connecticut's farms," he added.

Louis Lipton of Pleasant View Farms in Somers said his farm lost about 500 acres worth of hay alone.

"We produce grains for farms and supply grains to farms all over Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and all the way up to Maine," he said. "This is going to affect us big time."

Steve Jarmoc of Jarmoc Tobacco lost about 15% of his 550 acres of crop just due to the rain, he said.

Bordua Farms of South Windsor has about 100 acres of mostly made of sweet corn, Justin Bordua said. Huge puddles have flooded many crops at the farm, leaving them with slim pickings.

"We're just going to start picking and in a couple of weeks we're going to run out of stuff to sell unfortunately," Bordua said.

One of the main problems with not selling crops is that farms will not have enough money to meet payroll for their employees. Hurlburt said that over 22,000 people in the state rely on farms for their jobs.

"It is hard to get good skilled workers for our farms and we want our farms to be in a position where they can continue to pay their workers," Bysiewicz said.

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Amazon announced the opening of two new state-of-the-art delivery stations in Connecticut ahead of the busy holiday season. The new facilities in Glastonbury and South Windsor expand Amazon’s robust operations and logistics network and continue the company’s commitment to the state where there are more than 15,000 full and part-time employees.

“The Town of Glastonbury looks forward to Amazon’s Delivery Station Warehouse on 35 National Drive having a positive impact on the community,” said Jonathan Luiz, Glastonbury Town Manager.

“South Windsor is pleased to welcome Amazon to our community. We will benefit from having another Fortune 500 company as a business partner not to mention one that will offer services to our community,” said Michael Maniscalco, South Windsor Town Manager.

The 105,000 square foot facility on National Drive in Glastonbury launched on August 30, 2023 and the 180,000 square foot facility on Ellington Road in South Windsor launched on September 27, 2023. These two sites have already created more than 250 full and part-time jobs with great pay and a variety of benefits that begin on Day One and will continue to ramp up over the next few months.

“We’re thrilled to officially launch our delivery station in Glastonbury, creating great local jobs and ensuring we can better deliver for our customers in this area. We look forward to continuing to engage with the town, deepen our relationship with this community, and find ways to give back in the neighborhoods we serve,” said Amazon Area Manager of Engagement, Angie Aguilar Villalobos.

“We’re excited to expand into South Windsor and we are committed to being a good neighbor,” said Amazon site leader, Habib Makhlouta. “This last mile delivery station not only brings hundreds of new jobs to this area, but it will also help us ensure we can deliver exceptional service to our customers throughout Connecticut.”

Delivery stations play a pivotal role in Amazon's logistics network, serving as the last stop before packages arrive at customers' doorsteps. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon Fulfillment and Sortation Centers, loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers. Delivery stations offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own business delivering Amazon packages, as well as independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex. In total, 3 Delivery Service Partners will operate out of the newly launched Glastonbury site and 5 Delivery Service Partners will operate out of the newly launched South Windsor site. To learn more, visit www.logistics.amazon.com and https://flex.amazon.com/.

In 2023, Amazon has added many new benefits, including a new emergency savings program and a financial assistance pilot program that has helped save fulfillment and transportation employees nearly $20 million—all available from day one of employment. Over the last five years, Amazon has created over 800,000 jobs, and will hire an additional 250,000 people this holiday season across full-time, part-time and seasonal roles.

Amazon provides career advancement opportunities, anytime access to earned pay access, health, vision, and dental insurance from the first day on the job; a 401(k) with company match; up to 20 weeks of paid pregnancy/parental leave for birth parents (6 weeks for eligible supporting parents); and Amazon’s Resources for Living program, a free benefit offering mental health and financial services and support for employees, their families, and their households.

“Amazon is proud to continue investing and growing in Connecticut. These two new delivery stations will not only help us better deliver for our customers here, but it also furthers our commitment to this state,” said Glendowlyn Thames, Manager of Economic Development at Amazon in Connecticut. “We are excited to bring hundreds of new jobs with competitive pay and great benefits, including free upskilling opportunities, to these communities.”

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $7.2 billion in Connecticut, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and has created more than 15,000 direct jobs here. These investments support an additional 13,300 indirect jobs across the state, in fields like construction and professional services, and have contributed more than $6.5 billion to the Connecticut GDP, on top of the company’s direct investments. For more information, you can visit Amazon’s U.S. investment map at aboutamazon.com/investing-in-the-u-s.

Beyond its investments and job creation, Amazon continues to support Connecticut by investing in local organizations and nonprofits through monetary and in-kind donations and volunteering opportunities. In the first weeks of operation, the team in Glastonbury delivered smiles to local students and educators by donating and transporting more than 1,200 classroom items to eight schools in the area (Buttonball Lane School, Eastbury Elementary School, Gideon Welles School, Glastonbury High School, Hebron Avenue School, Hopewell School, Naubuc School, and Smith Middle School).

“We are pleased that Amazon has donated school supplies to each of the schools in The Glastonbury Public School System. These supplies will make it easier for teachers in the classrooms. We hope we will do more in the future with our new Glastonbury neighbors at Amazon,” said Glastonbury, Superintendent of Schools Alan B. Bookman, Ph.D.

In 2022, Amazon donated more than $645,000 to Connecticut based charities, non-profits, and community development organizations, including donations to the local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club, The Connecticut Food Bank, Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, and several youth sports organizations throughout the state. In 2023, we are the presenting sponsor of the CT Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge, a statewide coding challenge for CT students from grades 3-12.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.