Veterans parade won’t be held this year

HARTFORD » Organizers of the CT Veterans Parade are not planning a November procession.

The Connecticut Veterans Fund, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, which coordinated the annual parade in Hartford, cites the high cost of running this type of event and the increasing difficulty in raising funds to produce it as contributing factors.

Instead, Lilley and the committee encourage all veterans service organizations, military and veterans support groups, and individual veterans to participate in local annual Veterans Day observances this year that take place in almost every Connecticut town and city. They also urge the public to attend those events to express their gratitude for the servicemen and women who dedicated their lives so all Americans can live in freedom.

“We are grateful to the planning committee, comprised of many veteran service organizations (VSOs), the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, and thousands of individual veterans for their participation and support since 2000, the very first year of the parade,” adds Lilley. “And we thank the many companies, organizations and individuals for their donations of dollars and services over the years.”

The Connecticut Veterans Parade was created by a grass roots organization over a decade ago to honor the men and women who selflessly have given their service so all Americans can live free. It was annually recognized by U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Day Committee in Washington, D.C., as one of nation’s official Veterans Day Regional Sites.

Blood donations urgently needed

FARMINGTON » The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a chronic summer blood shortage.

In August, regular donors may delay giving as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up. To fully meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks, donations are urgently needed from new and current donors.

Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and Power Red cells can be donated every 112 days. As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard. Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/ RapidPass.

Middlesex County donation dates, sites:

• Chester: Aug. 18, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Chester Village West, 317 West Main St.

• Clinton: Aug. 18, 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., HCH Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike/Route 81; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Andrews Memorial Town Hall*, 54 East Main St.

• Cromwell: Aug. 18, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cromwell Town Hall, 41 West St.

• Deep River: Aug. 15, 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., Deep River Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 274

• East Hampton: Aug. 21, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., VFW, 20 North Maple St.

• Higganum: Aug. 24, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Haddam Volunteer Fire Department, 439 Saybrook Rd./ Route 154

• Middlefield: Aug. 22, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St.

• Middletown: Aug. 15, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, 48 Church St.; Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Middletown Toyota, 634 Newfield St.; Aug. 30, 7:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Middletown Police Department, 222 Main St.

• Old Saybrook: Aug. 23, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW of Old Saybrook, 315 Essex Road

Summerfest, Fireworks 2018 Committee to meet

CLINTON » The next meeting of the committee to plan the 2018 Summerfest and Fireworks will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Parks & Recreation Building at the Indian River Complex, 201 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton.

All members of the community are welcome.

Come with ideas; come with a willingness to participate; or just come to learn more. Those who want to become involved but cannot make the meeting, or for more information, may call the chamber office at 860669-2889 or email Chamber@ clintonct.com.

At the first meeting in July, members did a quick review of how the fireworks got started and why it didn’t happen this year, and then opened the floor to a brainstorming session to see what ideas people had.

There were many good ideas as well as some good input on where some of the shortcomings were from our first two years.