NEWS ALERT: ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETS DECEMBER 14TH AT 12 P.M. IN HARTFORD

NEWS ALERT:  THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETS ON DECEMBER 14, 2020 AT 12 P.M.  AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE IN HARTFORD.

 

Article II of the U.S. Constitution clearly specifies how the president is chosen by Electors & how the votes for president will be counted.

 

It states "The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Govern- ment of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed...." The “3 U.S.C. § 7-The President § 7-“Meeting and Vote of Elector’s” states "The electors of President and Vice President of each State shall meet and give their votes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next following their appointment at such place in each State as the legislature of such State shall direct" which is Monday, December 14,2020.

 

Former Vice President Joseph Biden & U.S. Senator Kamala Harris received 59.24% of the vote in Connecticut on November 3rd to President Donald Trump & Vice President Mike Pence votes of 39.21% according to official results from the Secretary of State's website. In Middletown, Biden-Harris received 65.97% to Trump-Pence 32.37%. The Electoral Votes for Biden-Harris is 306 to Trump-Pence 236 according to the Associated Press.  It takes 270 electoral votes to become president.

 

As a result of this victory from the Biden-Harris ticket they will receive Connecticut's seven electoral votes on December 14th. 

 

According to State Senator Matthew Lesser the Electors will meet at 12 p.m. on December 14^th at the Secretary of State office.  Lesser stated “I am not sure at this point if the State Capitol Building will be open to the public. It hasn’t been because of the pandemic.” By December 23rd, the certificates Electors sign must be delivered to the President of the Senate-Vice President Mike Pence. On January 6, 2021, 

A Joint Session of Congress would count the votes & declare the results according to the Congressional Research Service.

 

For more information about the Electoral College and the vote count from the Secretary of State’s Office please see the following websites:

 

https://constitutioncenter.org/media/files/constitution.pdf

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11641

https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-3-the-president/3-usc-sect-7.html

https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/home

 

Enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middlesex Health Tree Of Lights Begins Dec. 3rd Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 8, 2020

Middlesex Health will be sponsoring the "Tree of Lights" as a fundraiser for the Middlesex Hospice program. This is way for people to remember their departed relatives. Anyone can have their departed relatives’ names listed regardless if they were in the Middlesex Hospice program before they died. Interested residents who would like to have a name listed of their relatives on the Tree of Lights for this year can go to the middlesexhealth.org/treeoflights

"You can make a gift of $5 or more and add a name" stated Kathleen Russo of Middlesex Health.

 

The "Tree of Lights" will be placed under the flagpole at Middlesex Health main campus on 28 Crescent Street beginning on Thursday, December 3^rd through December 13th. Then, the "Tree of Lights" will be on exhibit from December 15th to January 2, 2021 at the Middlesex Health Shoreline Medical Center, located at 250 Flat Rock Place in Westbrook, Connecticut. People can also see the names virtually with a Tree Lighting ceremony after December 8th by going to middlesexhealth.org/treeoflights. For more information, please call Kathleen Russo at 860-358-6200

On November 15, 2020, the Middlesex Health Hospice program held their 36th Annual "Service of Remembrance" for those patients who were in their program from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. This year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic it was held virtually. To see this year’s virtual service please go tohttps://middlesexhealth.org/hospice-care/service-of-remembranceand click on the video.

 

https://middlesexhealth.org/donate/fundraising-events/tree-of-lights

 

 

"A Mystery Murdered: A Virtual Play" this Friday

 

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents “A Mystery Murdered: A Virtual Play”, by Karl Garner, on Facebook Live this Friday, December 4 at 6:30 pm.

“A Mystery Murdered” is a 2020 one-act parody of the Murder Mystery genre, created specifically for virtual performance. It features all the classic elements of a murder mystery – a wealthy gentleman who mysteriously shows up dead, a fiancée, an ex-fiancée, a business partner, a mysterious friend, and, of course, a butler.

The play is directed by Oddfellows Program Manager Jacqueline Brown and is being produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service. The cast includes Trinity Norfleet, Lucy Zajack and Artemis Trowbridge-Wheeler, all from Middletown; Kate Yurasek of Chester; Sofia Hurlbert of Durham; and Emily LaValley of Rocky Hill.

The play will run about 40 minutes and will include a short “talkback” with the cast and staff after the show. The performance is appropriate for all ages.

The 2020 Teen Repertory Company at Oddfellows is made possible by support from the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Fund; American Savings Foundation; New England Foundation for the Arts Resilience Fund; Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation; and many generous donors.

To view the performance, simply go to the page for Oddfellows Playhouse  on Facebook by 6:30 pm on Friday evening. The play will be performed in real time on Facebook Live. If you have questions about this performance, or other Oddfellows Playhouse programs, email info@oddfellows.org, call (860) 347-6143, or visit www.oddfellows.org.

MxCC Hosting Registration Event on December 5

 

Join Middlesex Community College for its Super Saturday Registration Event (virtual) on Saturday, December 5 beginning at 9 a.m. This is your one-stop opportunity to register for the Spring 2021 semester and winter session courses at MxCC. If you're interested in attending the online event, please make sure you have applied to the college and then fill out this form to attend. We will then contact you with a link to the Saturday meeting.

MxCC is your way forward!
mxcc.edu

Buy Local For Thanksgiving

 

Healthy PlanEat is offering a series of Thanksgiving pick up events where you can order food from local farms that use sustainable growing practices. Order today (Saturday, November 14th) through Thursday, November 19th at this link: https://bit.ly/hpthanksm

And pick up your order at Forest City Farms (1100 River Road, Middletown, CT, 06457) on Sunday, November 22nd from 1 - 3 pm. 

Items available include turkeys, vegetables, meats, oysters, cheeses, herbs, honey, milk, yogurt, egg nog, and maple syrup. 

Happy Thanksgiving from Healthy PlanEat!

Explore Academic Programs at Middlesex Community College

Learn more about MxCC degree and certificate programs during virtual open house week.

Sign up for a virtual open house about any of the program subjects or choose any information session from the weeklong schedule which starts on Monday, November 16. Explore degree or certificate programs ranging from Radiologic Technology to Criminal Justice to Manufacturing and many more. 

Click here to browse the schedule.

The virtual academic program sessions will be led by faculty from each area of study via Webex. Attend as many as you are interested in throughout the week. An Enrollment Services representative will also be available during all sessions to answer questions about admissions, registration, or financial aid.

Middlesex Community College is your way forward!

Water Department Urges Conservation

In case you didn't see the Pipeline newsletter recently published by the Water and Sewer Department and haven't visited their website lately:

Please Conserve Water

In Middletown,  in the in the beginning of October, the reservoirs dipped to 56% capacity prompting the water department to issue a water conservation advisory.

Due to the unusually dry weather that we have encountered this summer, the City of Middletown is asking customers to please conserve water. This is not a mandate but a request. We are asking that everyone limit nonessential water use. This will help us ensure that everyone has all the water they need.

 Suggested measures:

Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads

Take shorter showers

Shut the tap off while washing hands, shaving and brushing teeth.

Fix leaky faucets and pipes

 If the capacity of the reservoirs reach a low 50%, the water department may move to mandatory restrictions that will need to be enforced. The scorching summer heat brought record low rainfall and much of the northern and eastern parts of Connecticut are in severe drought, prompting us to ask you to limit water use. At Bradley International Airport, precipitation from June 1 to August 31 totaled 4.42 inches, the lowest level recorded in more than a century of data collection, according to state whether expert Gary Lessor. Hartford had 39 days of summer with a high of at least 90 degrees, the most ever.

Oddfellows events for kids and teens coming up!

Photo by Bill De Kine from Teen Rep October outdoor performance.

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown is offering local young people a variety of opportunities to get involved in the arts over the coming weeks. The upcoming schedule offers something for all age groups from 5 to 20, and includes performance opportunities, classes and lots of fun.

Young performers ages 14 – 20 are invited to join the Teen Repertory Company virtual production of “A Mystery Murdered”, a comic mystery directed by Playhouse Program Manager Jacque Brown. The play will have two rehearsals (December 2 and 3, 6:30 – 8 pm) and a single virtual performance on Friday, December 4 at 6:30 pm. Tuition is $30.

The Junior Repertory Company will be offering 2 in-person classes for ages 12 – 15, each meeting twice. “Spoken Word Night” will be led by Hartford-based performing artist and poet Laugh Sanchez on November 19 and December 17, 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the Playhouse, which is located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown. On November 24 and December 8, Carmine Lavieri will be leading “Improv Jams”, also 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the Playhouse. Both classes are limited to 8 participants and will be held in our large, well-ventilated theater; masks and social distancing will be required. Tuition is $15 per class, with discounts for signing up for multiple classes. “Spoken Word” will focus on creating original poetry for performance; “Improv Jam” will be a fast-paced evening of theater improvisation. No experience is necessary for either of the groups, and financial aid is available for anyone who needs it.

Younger students have a series of virtual events and classes to choose from over the coming weeks, starting with “Chill Art Party” with Artemis Omani on Wednesday, November 18, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. “Chill Art Party”, open to ages 6 -11, is a relaxing chance to draw together, listen to music, and share your art work. Markers and drawing pads are available to pick up at the Playhouse.

 “Holiday Crafts”, with Cookie Quinones, is a hands-on chance for kids ages 5 – 8 to create various holiday-themed crafts. It will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 23, 5 – 6 pm, and supplies will be available to pick up at the Playhouse.

On Wednesday, December 2, kids ages 6 – 11 may join Oddfellows Circus Director Allison McDermott for “Circuspalooza”, a chance to learn or practice your circus skills, including juggling, balancing, flower stick, and other cool skills. “Circuspalooza” will be held 4:30 – 5:30 pm, and students may borrow equipment from Oddfellows to use at home.

“Acting for Fun”, with Diamond Wynn, will be offered to ages 8 – 11 on Wednesday, December 9, 4:30 – 5:30 pm. This is a great chance to play theater games and have some fun together.

On Wednesday, December 16 from 5 – 6 pm kids ages 6 – 14 may join Playhouse Hip Hop dance instructor Felicia Goodwine for a “Virtual Holiday Dance Party”. Get ready to work up a sweat dancing with Felicia and friends!

The 2020 season will culminate with a “Holiday Family Paint Night”, led by Lanea Collins, on Monday, December 21, 5 – 6 pm. The virtual session is open to ages 5 – 11 and their families; paint supplies may be picked up at the Playhouse prior to the class.

Tuition for all individual classes is $15 per class, and financial aid is available. It is Oddfellows policy that inability to pay should never stand in the way of participation.

Oddfellows Playhouse will be offering a full 8 week session of classes and performance opportunities for kids starting in January, including Playwriting and Acting classes for teens (culminating in a New Plays Festival), a Junior Rep main stage production, and a mainstage circus theater production with Circophony Teen Circus. Stay posted for the full list of winter programs to be announced in December!

To register for any of the above classes, or for more information, go to www.oddfellows.org, call (860) 347-143, or email info@oddfellows.org.

The Oddfellows Playhouse late fall season of classes is made possible thanks to generous support from The Fund for Greater Hartford, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch/Youth Violence Prevention, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Middletown Commission on the Arts, Stare Family Fund, Middletown Youth Services Bureau, Thomas J. Atkins Fund, New England Arts Resilience Fund and generous individual donors.

 

Storytelling Returns to The Buttonwood Tree

 

Story City Troupe is online!

FIRST FRIDAYS

November 6, December 4 ...    7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

We’re now on ZOOM!

Sit back and relax to a fascinating adult style story time!  These tellers are proficient at storytelling and will truly delight and entertain you. Mike Isko emcees the event which has a different theme every month.

 

The Buttonwood Tree is proud to bring back the amazing tellers of the Story City Troupe for a recurring “Moth Style” storytelling event now online, on FIRST FRIDAYS. Reserve your tickets here!

 

Story City is a troupe of storytellers based in the Hartford, CT area and mentored by Matt Dicks, one of The Moth’s champion storytellers. Story City Troupe uses The Moth Formula: all are true, personal stories, often funny, sometimes amazing, poignant or ironic and based on a single theme for the evening. The troupe members range in age from their 20’s to their 70’s, proving you can come up with a good story at any age.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll identify!

---

 

This group is led by Sue Huggans and welcomes new members. Do you have a story to tell?

 Mike Isko:

 

Since taking Matthew Dicks beginner storytelling course in 2015, the veteran public defender, married father of two, has been telling stories about his foibles and family. As a member of Sue Huggans’ Story City Troupe you can hear Mike tell stories at The Buttonwood  Tree Art Center in Middletown the first Friday of every month when there is not a global pandemic. He has also told at a number of SpeakUp Story Telling events, at Saul Fussiner Songs and Stories at the Next Door, New Haven and is now thrilled to be a part of the New Haven Festival of Arts and Ideas.

 

 Please register using this link and you will be emailed the Zoom information.  ($10)

For more information about Buttonwood events ... see Buttonwood.org

 

Our theme for the show tonight is “Anything But Serious,” and here’s our lineup of the storytellers:

         Mike Isko                            The Story of Little Red Ridinghood

         Nina Lesiga                         Lift and Separate

         Sue Huggans                       Easter Hat

 

         Elisabeth Anton                  The Reunion

         Denise Santisteban             Turning Thirty

         Nina Lesiga                         Coming Out

    

                         

Find us on Facebook.com/StoryCityTroupe.

To book a show, contact Sue Huggans at 860-895-8045.

 

 

 

MxCC Virtual Open House is November 4

Learn more about Middlesex Community College at our virtual Open House on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. Find out about student activities, tutoring services, the college library, disabilities services, financial aid, advising, career services, and more. You can also participate in breakout sessions featuring academic programs and faculty. 

Click here for more information. MxCC is your way forward! 

NEWS ALERT: ELECTION DAY 2020. ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

 

NEWS ALERT:    ELECTION DAY 2020!  CHECK ON THE STATUS OF YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.  CALL THE TOWN CLERK TODAY BEFORE NOVEMBER 3^RD TO SEE IF YOUR BALLOT WAS RECEIVED.

 

This is very important for those of you voting by Absentee Ballots for the November 3rd Election. After you drop off your absentee ballot in the ballot boxes or sent it through the U.S. Mail please call the Town Clerk Ashley Flynn-Natale to ensure that her office received your ballot & it was recorded. Her phone number is 860-344-3459 & email her at Ashley.Fynn-Natale@middletownct.gov.​ Please do not take for granted that your ballot was received and documented. If you value your vote, please call Town Clerk Ashley Flynn-Natale or email her to check on the status of your absentee ballot today. Please see The Middletown Press article written by Cassandra Day titled "Middletown clerk ‘overwhelmed’ by 6,000-plus absentee ballots." Here is the link to the articlehttps://www.middletownpress.com/middletown/article/Middletown-clerk-overwhelmed-by-6-000-plus-15679156.php

 

If you don't check on your absentee ballot your vote may not get counted and you will lose your right to vote in this year’s election.

 

Abrams Spending Heavily on Facebook Advertisements

Wesleyan students are tracking the spending by candidates for the State Senate on Facebook advertisements as part of a class. Overall, Republican and Democrat candidates are spending approximately the same amount, averaging nearly $3500 per candidate between September 6 and October 17. 

But spending by individual candidates varies significantly.

Incumbent State Senator Mary Abrams, who represents about half of our city, leads all candidates in her spending, with $9,424. Her opponent, Len Suzio, is one of the highest Republican spender, at $4,363 in the same period. Their race is considered a very competitive one. 

Our other State Senator, Matt Lesser, is being outspent on Facebook by his opponent, Richie Ruglio. Ruglio has spent $4,039, while Lesser has spent only half of that, $1,932.

This work has been done by Domenique Monserrat, Andrew Kushnir, and Natasha Wong, as part of a class taught by Logan Dancey and Erika Franklin Fowler