In response, a colonist allegedly hid it in a large white oak tree, later called the Charter Oak Today, the document, which was written on parchment and is currently valued at over $10 million, has had a bit of a facelift. It recently underwent a six-month conservation treatment at the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover The restored charter will be put on public display Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford for one day and then locked away in a fireproof case for its own protection “It really needed to have a thorough examination,” said Lizette Pelletier Connecticut's state archivist to preserve it for hopefully another 400 years.” But in 1878 the Secretary of the State’s office glued all three pages of the document together into one long vertical sheet and put a backing on it it became too wet and partially gelatinized That may have created a permanent seal between each page workers were unable to separate the three pages “We can't treat it [the parchment] the same way that we would a piece of paper,” Boodle said “We're really limited in the types of treatments that we can do on it.” So workers decided to take a minimal approach and do what they could to stabilize the parchment “It was removing older repairs that were done with what was essentially like a cardboard paper and kind of replacing them with a more stable material that wasn't going to influence the parchment skin in any way,” she said “And wasn't going to be acidic or degrading to the piece in the future.” The process also revealed previously forgotten artwork at the top of the charter; illustrations of birds and flowers The NEDCC created two reproductions of the Royal Charter which will be on permanent display at the Connecticut State Library One version is how the Royal Charter of 1662 looks today and the other is how it would have looked like when it was written All three documents will be on display together for one day only: Tuesday Feb in Memorial Hall in the Museum of Connecticut History located within the Connecticut State Library in Hartford Visitors will notice that the original Royal Charter will be displayed horizontally “Just like gravity is not kind to our skin it is not good for the parchment either,” Pelletier said Receive daily news and talk from Connecticut Public Radio directly to your inbox The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts overall employment of data scientists is projected to grow an astounding 36 percent from 2023 to 2033 much faster than the average for all occupations Data Analytics students will be prepared for and could earn professional certifications "Our students in both programs will graduate with some of the most cutting-edge skill sets in the field." The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts overall employment of advertising and marketing managers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033 faster than the average for all occupations Marketing students will have the opportunity to earn professional certifications while in the program or be positioned to earn them upon graduation Charter Oak State College President Ed Klonoski said "We are fully committed to expanding our portfolio of degree programs in the industries that best meet the needs of today's workforce and best positions our students for career advancement upon graduation Charter Oak students will be able to achieve their degree affordably and in the most flexible manner possible – online – allowing them to more seamlessly balance work "Our students in both programs will graduate with some of the most cutting-edge skill sets in the field Our Marketing graduates will not only be proficient in all the most in demand areas of this field but they will also have the opportunity to earn leading industry credentials from Meta Google and Salesforce while earning their degree." Barron continued in Data Analytics students will experience industry-aligned curriculum with hands-on training in Python plus they will be prepared to earn industry recognized certifications from Microsoft and Google." Business & Technology Virtual Open House – May 14 Prospective students interested in meeting the Program Directors and Admissions Team can RSVP today to join a Virtual Open House on May 14, 2025; 5:30 – 6:30 PM EDT. To RSVP, visit https://www.charteroak.edu/business College staff will discuss both programs and the benefits of our online courses and walk attendees' through the simple admissions process Attendees can have their questions answered at the event Charter Oak State College (http://www.CharterOak.edu) is Connecticut's only dedicated offering associate and bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields including Business The College offers master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction Health Informatics and Healthcare Administration Charter Oak is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and governed by Connecticut's Board of Regents for Higher Education Carolyn Hebert, Charter Oak State College, 8605153880, [email protected] Do not sell or share my personal information: This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Details: cache-fra-eddf8230054-FRA 1746488834 1771804307 Scroll down to see the latest photography by Abigail Bowden is announcing the Connecticut Online AI Academy a transformative initiative designed to equip Connecticut residents with the foundational skills needed to thrive in an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven workforce The kickoff event took place this week at The Artists Collective in Hartford and educators to celebrate this groundbreaking program Charter Oak State College President Ed Klonoski Connecticut Board of Regents Chair Marty Guay and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam attended and shared remarks about how this effort will help Connecticut residents access future-focused jobs The Connecticut Online AI Academy offers a free fully online course accessible to all Connecticut residents 18 and older This asynchronous program introduces learners to the fundamentals of generative AI and ethical considerations surrounding AI technologies “As AI transforms the way we live and work Google is committed to helping Connecticut's workforce learn the skills needed to thrive in an AI-focused economy,” said Bronagh Friel "We’re proud to collaborate with state leaders and Charter Oak State College to offer Google’s AI Essentials course to Connecticut residents at no cost through the Connecticut Online AI Academy This partnership is an exciting step to ensure that Connecticut residents can realize the opportunities created by AI.” Participants who complete the course will receive an industry-recognized Google AI Essentials Certificate to showcase their newly acquired skills learners who take Google AI Essentials say the AI skills taught in the course will improve their productivity and or efficiency at their job For more information and to register for the course, Connecticut residents are encouraged to visit https://workforce.charteroak.edu/ it is an enormous benefit for workers to continually update their skills to match the technology that is moving our economy forward,” said Governor Ned Lamont AI skills are not just a luxury but a necessity,” said Dr “The Connecticut Online AI Academy represents our commitment to bridging the skills gap and empowering residents with the tools they need to succeed in the modern workforce across all industries.” The need for AI literacy in the workplace is urgent. LinkedIn’s 2024 Work Trend Index Annual report  revealed that while 66% of leaders prioritize hiring employees with AI skills over those with traditional experience 52% of workers admit they lack the knowledge to use generative AI effectively “The Connecticut Online AI Academy is a timely response to these challenges,” said Kelli-Marie Vallieres Office of Workforce Strategies Chief Workforce Officer. “By offering this program at no cost we’re providing Connecticut residents with the knowledge and confidence to navigate an AI-enabled future.” The Academy aligns with the Charter Oak State College’s mission to provide dynamic and industry-relevant education to working professionals and lifelong learners “I’m excited to see the development of the Connecticut Online AI Academy with a strong partnership between Charter Oak State College and Google," said Lt "This initiative ensures that all Connecticut residents have free access to critical AI skills that will empower them in today’s technology-driven workforce more inclusive economy that benefits everyone I’m proud to see our state continuing to lead the way in innovative workforce development.” © 2025 Connecticut By The Numbers [TM] 430 New Park Avenue, Suite 102, West Hartford, CT 06110Designed by RDK Design & Photography Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWATERFORD CT (WFSB) - Police released surveillance photos of a bank robbery suspect who hit a bank in Waterford last week The robbery happened at the Charter Oak bank on the Boston Post Road on Friday Police pointed out the suspect’s left cheek He was one of two suspects who dressed in dark clothing and traveled to and from the bank from the direction of Bank Street and Beckwith Street in New London Police also said they increased their presence in the area because of two recent robberies and the violence used during both incidents an older man was forced to the ground and threatened with a knife Anyone with information about the suspects was asked to contact detectives at 860-442-9451 extension 2313 Bradley International Airport (BDL) is reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience with its latest concession upgrades With nearly 7 million travelers passing through BDL annually the airport sought to create a stronger sense of place by transforming its retail spaces In partnership with Paradies Lagardère BDL unveiled two newly renovated storefronts: Charter Oak Emporium in November 2023 and CT River Landing in September 2024 These storefronts not only provide diverse retail offerings but also celebrate Connecticut’s cultural heritage "The vision was to create striking storefronts that prominently display a local sense of place and welcome passengers to explore the offerings within the space," said Mike Shea Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority "Our desire was to steer away from the typical 'news and gift' imagery and create a feeling of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts that would resonate with passengers." Recognizing that modern travelers expect more from airport retail BDL leadership prioritized the development of spaces that engage passengers with meaningful and locally inspired designs The need for these enhancements was twofold: to differentiate BDL from competing airports by reinforcing Connecticut’s unique identity and to introduce retail options that better serve both business and leisure travelers named after the historic tree that safeguarded Connecticut’s colonial charter showcases two oak tree replicas at its entrance CT River Landing highlights the Connecticut River and offers products that celebrate Hartford and the broader region "We have put tremendous focus on creating a sense of place within the terminal so that those traveling through Bradley International Airport feel like they are in Connecticut and the broader New England region," Shea said "Part of creating a sense of place is tapping into our state’s history As the largest and busiest airport in Connecticut it has also allowed us to create a local identity that sets us apart from regional competition and resonates well with travelers." The project was executed through a collaboration between BDL leadership and the Paradies Lagardère design team While the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) and BDL provided vision and oversight Paradies Lagardère translated these ideas into reality ensuring the new storefronts seamlessly integrated into the terminal’s flow travelers can explore a selection of regionally inspired products including locally sourced maple syrup from the Ackert Family the CAA/BDL pushed for Paradies Lagardère to develop these locations as marketplace destinations intentionally highlighting local and specialty products," Shea explained "The Paradies Lagardère team supported this direction and developed the necessary local connections to offer the right product mix." CT River Landing follows a similar approach offering chocolates made in New England with Hartford-centric packaging as well as apparel celebrating Connecticut’s sports history These thoughtful selections ensure that passengers can take home a tangible piece of the region’s culture The construction process was carefully phased to avoid disruption to airport operations "It was important for us to complete these projects with minimal inconvenience to travelers," Shea said "We strategically phased construction to ensure a smooth transition from the previous concessions to the newly branded storefronts." Another important lesson was the role of strategic vendor selection in ensuring the success of the project Partnering with Paradies Lagardère allowed BDL to curate an authentic and high-quality product mix that reflects the unique character of Connecticut This partnership ensured that the items available were not only practical for travelers but also meaningful and representative of the local culture the careful phasing of construction proved to be a critical element in minimizing disruptions to daily airport operations By implementing a well-planned timeline and working closely with stakeholders BDL ensured that the transition from the previous retail spaces to the new storefronts was smooth and seamless for passengers While no federal or state funds were used for the renovations the project was funded through a combination of airport-generated revenue and private investment from Paradies Lagardère "These two locations are two important players in our overall concession program at BDL and represent 50% of our news and gift store offerings," Shea said The success of Charter Oak Emporium and CT River Landing has set the stage for future concession development at BDL "Several other concession development opportunities are on the horizon over the next two years which will continue to have a dedicated focus on local and regional offerings," Shea stated Shea further elaborated on BDL’s long-term strategy: "We see this as part of a broader vision for elevating the passenger experience at BDL we plan to continue integrating local culture into our concessions while expanding our service offerings." Joe Petrie is the Editorial Director for the Endeavor Aviation Group Joe has spent the past 15 years writing about the most cutting-edge topics related to transportation and policy in a variety of sectors with an emphasis on transportation issues for the past 10 years Contact: Joe Petrie [email protected] >> To download the AviationPros media kits, visit: Marketing Resource Center >>Check out our aviation magazines: Ground Support Worldwide |  Airport Business  | Aircraft Maintenance Technology Wildfires are rapidly spreading toward East Charter Oak Road near South Triple XXX Road Jim Gardner and Sky News 9 saw that one house had already caught fire surrounded by highly flammable cedar trees Fire officials warn that cedar trees act as fuel for wildfires Experts note that natural fire cycles once helped control the landscape bison trampling grass and frequent natural fires reduced wildfire risks the region has become more vulnerable to fast-moving fires Firefighters are working to contain the flames as dry conditions and wind continue to fuel the fire Residents in the area should remain alert and prepared to evacuate if necessary Graham joined the News 9 team in February of 2025 He is dedicated to sharing the diverse stories that have shaped his country and his community and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox Photo courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society Historian Jeff Murray takes a look into West Hartford’s past to uncover some surprising information or reflect on how much life has changed – or hasn’t changed at all Enjoy this week’s ‘From West Hartford’s Archives’ … The future of Charter Oak Park in the 1920s was bleak but it would be another 10 years before its true end After a year and a half of discussion over the purchase of the park by the West Hartford Park Commission for a recreational space for residents the push gained new life in August 1930 when foreclosure proceedings began against the owner the fairs had been far from profitable and health concerns mounted with the emergence of rats in the stables and auto parades hosted by the local lodges the bondholders voted to push for a sale of the property entirely Charter Oak Park opened on Flatbush Avenue in 1873 near the corner of what would become New Park Avenue (literally the avenue to the new park) where horses pull  a two-wheeled cart driven by a jockey became a mainstream sport in the 1870s and involved many of the farmers and middle-class residents here A mile-long track for harness racing cemented the use of Standardbred horses at this park time records became a major part of the sport The 1880s and 1890s saw the rise in bicycle races Charter Oak Park was famous enough that Thomas Edison filmed a free-for-all race on July 5 the Library of Congress has a video of the event on YouTube titled “Free-For-All Race at Charter Oak Park.” It is most likely the first video of West Hartford ever recorded the track was used for automobile racing and even an attempted airplane liftoff New Britain aviators Nels Nelson and Albert Swanson spent a week running their plane they lifted the plane a foot and a half off the ground before it crashed into a fence Nelson would have made it big after some successful flights out of town in 1911 he lost contracts to bigger manufacturers and the moment was lost He left the industry and moved to New York to work in finance After Luna Park opened in 1906 at the corner of Talcott Road crowds congregated along New Park Avenue for all of the events Charter Oak Park hosted the state fairs and Labor Day fireworks Special constables had to be hired to crack down on trespassing and drunken men rampaging through the grounds Neighboring farms were carved up and subdivided for new homes Gambling was rampant and fights were common the closing night of the Connecticut State Fair featured a riot between a gang of youths and the “razor backs,” the laborers taking down the tents and equipment of the sideshows Police officers swung clubs at the rioters who shielded themselves with wooden boards from concession stands and put an end to the fun Charter Oak Park declined in popularity throughout the 1920s as it competed with more modern entertainments Movie theaters in Hartford (and then the Central Theater in West Hartford Center) attracted huge audiences locally Cars were being used more often to travel out of town to see events like baseball games and clubs in Hartford and beyond The 1920s brought a wealth of new options that drew attention away from traditional racetrack events The implementation of anti-betting laws in the mid-1920s signaled doom for the park Gambling had been a popular aspect of racing events and Connecticut followed the example of other states which cracked down on the practice over concerns of corruption and immorality racetracks like Charter Oak Park struggled to draw crowds and generate revenue The Great Depression was the final nail in the coffin the park was foreclosed and by the following spring Chase National Bank took over the property Another movement began by townspeople to buy the 121-acre piece of land from Chase National Bank for a recreational park The West Hartford finance board had to contend with organizing the growth of the town and appeasing residents who wanted a space for children to play without swiftly raising taxes Some people wanted it to become an airfield; some wanted it to just stay a racetrack under Chase The 1931 Grand Circuit harness racing event continued without an issue as the town council argued over what to do A special referendum was held on September 10 1931 to decide whether to purchase the park – only 4% of the voters who had participated in the 1928 presidential election even bothered to vote “Whether they represented a true cross-section of public opinion is debatable but we may assume that they did,” wrote the Hartford Courant Those who rejected the plan favored the idea of little parks all over town or less financing They got their wish in 1932 when the Beach family donated a tract of land for what would become Beachland Park and Saturday night dancing continued there Photographs of the trotting races in the early 1930s reflect the dying breaths of an iconic landmark It didn’t stop people from trying to revive the energy Democrats campaigning for Franklin Roosevelt held a rally a month before the 1932 election Four hundred Connecticut farmers started meeting at the park by the end of 1933 to hold poultry and egg auctions “Fancy riding cowboys” offered rodeo programs Chicken culling contests and horse shows filled the time with local Russians predicting soon the end of Communism in the Soviet Union (it would take another 56 years) Some horsemen looked to gain control of the park and incorporate legal pari-mutuel betting in 1935 the owner of Longue Vue Farm near Corbin’s Corner and noted horseman “Attempts to secure the property in the past two years by bargain hunters have failed The bankers want to get back the money they have used in financing the race track,” despite the fact that it would cost half a million dollars to build a new grandstand The death at the end of 1935 of the blacksmith and horseshoer who lived and worked across from the park at the corner of Talcott Road seemed like foreshadowing that horse racing was not coming back which ran the route that stopped off at the park Pratt & Whitney’s West Hartford factory was built in 1939-1940 on the site of the old Charter Oak Park bought the former Charter Oak Park from Chase National Bank for $100,000 and planned a large factory on the property They tore down all but three buildings (which were original to the park) almost immediately Real estate developers capitalized on the anticipation for more manufacturing by building up houses along South Quaker Lane and Oakwood Avenue Hartford politicians lamented the loss of industry to towns “with lower tax rates.” Over the next few years the grandstand and track fell into disrepair Pratt & Whitney began construction on the site of a tool manufacturing plant not to be confused with the aircraft division focused on heavy machinery and machine tools A photo of the construction shows completely empty land on all four sides of the former park When it was finally completed in January 1940 all of the equipment from Hartford was moved to this new site It was perfect timing – a year after World War II erupted in Europe government requested an addition of the factory in West Hartford for its national defense program West Hartford’s economy would pivot by 1941 towards war production and Pratt & Whitney contributed by producing the precision gauges and machine tools needed by the Allies the vacant Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool Company factory was replaced by Home Depot and a BJ’s warehouse store after a lengthy battle Some people in 1993 looked to bring back Charter Oak Park Jeff Murray was born and raised in West Hartford and has been involved with the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society since 2011 when he was a high school student and won the Meyer Prize for his essay on local history Jeff routinely volunteers as local history researcher uncovering information for numerous museum programs such as the West Hartford House Tour and West Hartford Hauntings Jeff works as a data analyst at Pratt & Whitney Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 • WeHa News • All Rights Reserved • Ezoic Privacy Policy - Created by Roy Web Design This is a photograph of a trolley car along New Park Avenue which stopped right at Charter Oak Park (and then Luna Park) Electric trolley lines had been steadily constructed across West Hartford since 1894 already had a train that ran along New Park Avenue between Parkville and Newington Junction Elmwood residents were petitioning for direct service along New Britain Avenue “The people of Elmwood feel much dissatisfaction with their transportation facilities and are ready for a trolley extension that will accommodate them.” The railroad was slowly going out of fashion especially as it transitioned to electrification from steam power The steam cars were reduced and the electrified trains were running more costly and less convenient forcing many people to simply walk to Hartford or to another station agreed to extend a track south along New Park Avenue from Park Street they would extend the Park Street line into West Hartford to South Quaker Lane News at the end of the 1890s was focused so much on the extensions of trolley lines and for good reason – transportation like this fueled residential development and in turn development expanded the population outward and increased demand for extensions to new areas William Francis argued for a trolley extension along New Britain Avenue from the Hartford line into Elmwood by 1900 and argued that it would open up a large tract of territory for housing He was right – both sides of New Britain Avenue from Hollywood Avenue to South Street were built up within ten years after the trolley line was extended west all the way to South Quaker Lane in 1901 The track along New Park Avenue stopped at Charter Oak Park though (now the location of Home Depot and BJ’s) Charter Oak Park was established in 1873 on a stretch of Flatbush Avenue by the Connecticut Stock Breeders’ Association as a horseracing track New Park Avenue didn’t even exist when the track was built and the road was laid out from Hartford south to New Britain Avenue as the avenue to the new park (of course) The park featured a one-mile oval track and a grandstand accommodating up to 4,000 spectators Charter Oak Park witnessed the evolution of hobbies and competitive sports over time and served as the venue for the Connecticut State Fair for many years The extension of the trolley tracks south to the terminus at the park was meant to satisfy as many people as possible without the cost of extending it all the way to New Britain Avenue most of the visitors from Hartford and beyond would be happy the condition of the road was “dreadful,” as described in the summer of 1906 “Teams from the nearby brickyards crawl painfully over its uneven surface.” A few months after the San Francisco earthquake the deadliest in American history and one that devastated that city the Hartford Courant described New Park Avenue as being equal in terms of appearance Elmwood citizens pleaded for an extension of the trolley line from the park to Elmwood station at New Britain Avenue to accommodate the hundreds of factory workers at Whitlock Coil Pipe Company Map of the trolley tracks along New Britain Avenue that stopped at the parks There was still much work to be done in double-tracking the trolley to accommodate multiple cars that had to drop off patrons of the brand new Luna Park A portion of the Charter Oak Park’s property had just been sold off for the construction of Luna Park Located at the corner of Talcott Road and New Park Avenue the park featured a variety of attractions including a Ferris wheel and a miniature train ride It drew inspiration from the success of similar parks like New York’s Coney Island The trolley was the lifeblood of such a park ferrying thousands of people from Hartford into West Hartford – families Charter Oak Park racing was done in conjunction with Luna Park’s festivities carrying cheers from the grandstand over the array of vendors selling peanuts and candies into the ears of passengers stepping off the trolley at the entrance to the park a man in his 40s found himself wandering around New Park Avenue in the morning and steadied himself to jump into Trout Brook from one of the bridges south of Talcott Road Two young men saw this and jumped into action to stop him They marched him up to Charter Oak Park and put him on the trolley back to Hartford Michael Bell of Elmwood was arrested on the trolley in 1914 for using abusive language around women; others were fighting Other extensions of trolleys in this area were not approved residents appealed to the companies for an extension from South Quaker Lane over the hill to Corbin’s Corner Ten years after Elmwood residents pushed for an extension of the Charter Oak Park line south to connect with the Elmwood line at New Britain Avenue There were newer factories that would be greatly helped by this kind of connection notably the New Departure Company on South Street The Business Men’s Association (the predecessor to the Chamber of Commerce) considered constructing trolley lines themselves to avoid having to go through the Connecticut Company which was reluctant to spend money for what they considered little benefit The Connecticut Company pushed back intensely arguing that they had built a similar line in New Britain and it had been a severe loss The increasing popularity of automobiles provided the public with alternative transportation options through the 1910s buses began to emerge in the 1920s as a flexible and cost-effective alternative the Chamber of Commerce pushed to raise money for a cross-town bus line that would connect the different school districts with the trolley system allowing the people to come to the trolleys rather than the other way around The featured photograph was taken in either the late 1910s or 1920 Charter Oak Park and Luna Park declined in popularity as other forms of entertainment took over and the trolley system was no longer sustainable in the long-term by the Great Depression Elmwood residents complained about how the Connecticut Company was allocating older cars for this section; these cars had no upholstery or springs and could barely stay on the tracks There was a general dissatisfaction towards the trolley service by the mid-1920s As someone said about the Connecticut Company service “Those miserable little cars are not good for long runs.” the first discussions of removing trolley tracks across town were being held the tracks on Steele Road had been dug up as the town favored bus service from the Connecticut Company the company replaced the double tracks on New Park Avenue with just a single line the entire track was gone but by this point This photo of the Connecticut Company trolley car at the loop shows the beginning of the end of the trolley lines in West Hartford Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Kern and more to be performed by accomplished cast at Congregation Beth Israel on March 29 Charter Oak Cultural Center and Congregation Beth Israel has announced a one-night-only performance of A Jewish Journey Through Broadway: Part 1 (1920-1980) This cabaret-style concert will feature songs by Jewish giants of the musical theatre including songs by Sondheim and more performed by an accomplished cast tickets will be sold at the door for cash or check only No one will be turned away for lack of funds to exclaim: “I think I will start writing Jewish tunes!” The shows represented include Porgy and Bess There promises to be several Gershwin tunes along with a special tribute to Fiddler on the Roof that you don't want to miss Theater is progress. Theater is always moving forward. Always innovating. Always creating something new. New Works are the lifeblood of the Theatre. Whenever a new play is given a World Premiere, it should be celebrated. TheatreWorks presented the world premiere of Upstate to great success. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running theatrical release in film history, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast member, Barry Bostwick (the iconic Brad Majors) who will be visiting cities across the US and Canada. Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner will return to the Hudson Valley with two performances of her “Greatest Hits” solo concert for families on Sunday, June 1 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill, New York. and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Scale Microgrids is diving into a new technology front by acquiring a future combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell power project planned for Connecticut’s biggest city The microgrid developer is buying a 9.6-MW CHP and fuel cell project which will provide heat and power in Bridgeport’s South End region The fuel cells will be paired with a thermal loop system and will convert natural gas into hydrogen through steam reforming of methane gas and then generate combustion-free electricity through the fuel cell’s electrochemical process Scale Microgrids acquired the CHP fuel cell power system preconstruction from original developer NuPower. HyAxiom will fabricate, install and operate the hydrogen fuel cells. Scale will handle financing, construction, operations and ownership over the lifetime of the Charter Oak CHP project in Bridgeport The microgrid firm was recently acquired by EGT Transition Infrastructure.  “This project is a terrific opportunity to deploy innovative clean energy technology to drive economic reliability and sustainability outcomes in Bridgeport,” said Julian Torres chief investment officer at New Jersey-based Scale Microgrids “We’re also proud to work with great in-state companies like NuPower and HyAxiom as we continue to expand our footprint in Connecticut more broadly.” The transition is supported with debt financing from Investec and MUFG "We are proud to support Scale Microgrids in this transformative project which not only enhances local energy reliability but also underscores our commitment to advancing clean energy solutions that benefit communities and the environment,” Fred Petit co-head of Energy and Infrastructure Finance North America at Investec The Charter Oak project in Bridgeport has been in development for about 10 years The thermal loop will supply heat and hot water for the University of Bridgeport (pictured) reducing their operating costs and enabling them to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by a combined 8,000 metric tons per year The reliability of the United Illuminating electricity grid should also be enhanced from the locally produced baseload power Bridgeport is Connecticut’s largest city with about 150,000 residents Scale was founded in the 2010s as a startup focused on microgrid development for commercial customers. Early this year, global investment firm EGT announced that its new Transition Infrastructure unit was acquiring Scale Microgrid which had previously gained financing from Warburg Pincus In recent years, the microgrid startup announced it was shifting part of its focus into community solar projects. For Microgrid Knowledge editorial inquiries, please contact Managing Editor Rod Walton at [email protected] I’ve spent the last 15 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist I was an energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World before moving to business-to-business media at PennWell Publishing where I covered the electric power industry I joined Endeavor Business Media in November 2021 to help launch EnergyTech I joined Microgrid Knowledge in July 2023 I earned my Bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma My career stops include the Moore American I have been married to Laura for the past 33-plus years and we have four children and one adorable granddaughter We want the energy transition to make their lives better in the future Microgrid Knowledge and EnergyTech are focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals These include the commercial and industrial sectors The C&I sectors together account for close to 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies and mission-critical users such as military bases shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids digitalization and building efficiency upgrades Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors As a partnership between Google and Charter Oak State College the academy offers state residents one month of free training in generative AI which are tools that can compose documents which awards participants an industry-recognized credential we had more sign-ups than our goal had been for the full year,” Maroney said “Our goal had been to train 1,000 Connecticut residents in the first year “These statistics underscore why this training is critical,” Maroney said “What happens if we’re removing the bottom rung of the ladder for jobs like customer service representatives and administrative assistants These are positions where talented people often start and work their way up That’s why it’s vital to provide this training — it’s a first step in ensuring our workforce is prepared for the future.” The AI Academy program includes five lessons and awards participants the Google AI Essentials credential upon completion While this credential doesn’t qualify one for a specific job it does signal to employers that the holder of it has the foundational AI skills increasingly required across industries “It’s to show employers that you have generative AI skills It’s a critical skill for employees in any field.” As the program continues to grow, Maroney emphasized the importance of inclusivity and scalability. Since the academy has already surpassed the goal of enrolling 1,000 participants, additional slots are being added to meet demand. David Ferreira, provost of Charter Oak State College is working on adding more slots to get people started as soon as possible The licenses are needed to access and use specific Google software Google’s commitment to donating these licenses is one of the main factors that keeps the Connecticut Online AI Academy project free to students “It’s a great example of a public-private partnership,” Maroney said Maroney sees the AI Academy as part of a broader effort to ensure that Connecticut residents are not left behind in the rapidly evolving job market He credited the collaboration between Charter Oak Google and the governor’s office for the program’s success and emphasized the importance of collective action “This program ensures that all Connecticut residents have the chance to succeed in a knowledge economy increasingly driven by AI.” Connecticut residents interested in joining the AI Academy can visit the Charter Oak website to register New slots are expected to open regularly to accommodate the high demand The site was slated to become The Whole Enchilada but plans fell through during construction The Charter Oak Tavern is open Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9 p.m Find out more at the restaurant's Facebook page Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedIn(WFSB) - Charter Oak Federal Credit Union reported intermittent issues with its online banking system It said on Monday that it was aware of the issues for users who have been trying to log on to the system “We are working to resolve this,” the credit union said Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A former military museum has been transformed into a new culinary destination along the Connecticut shoreline Charter Oak Tavern celebrated its grand opening in Westbrook on Thursday The restaurant is located at 24 Westbrook Place Michelin-trained Chef Scott Quinn opened the tavern as he returns to his home state after an acclaimed career in some of the world's top kitchens he has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and led renowned spots like Bouchon in Las Vegas Quinn's vision for Charter Oak Tavern is more than just a menu—it's a gathering place where local ingredients meet modern culinary approaches "His commitment to quality, precision, and creativity ensures that every plate tells a story of craftsmanship and passion," the tavern's website said Set in the former Military Historians Museum building the space highlights the historic charm of downtown Westbrook from salmon crudo with everything bagel chips to forest mushroom bolognese and a New York strip with green peppercorn au poivre The winter menu highlights dishes like crispy green olive polenta and pan-seared salmon with pearl barley risotto including a brie-topped burger and mac & cheese with aged cheddar Charter Oak Tavern is open for dinner on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 10 p.m describes the project she created to benefit West Hartford's English for Families and Futures program presented her Eagle Scout project Wednesday morning at the Family Resource Center at Charter Oak International Academy 2024 included participants in the English for Families and Futures program Madelyn “Maddie” Rivard is hoping that within the next few months she will become the first member of Troop 1163 to earn the rank of Eagle Scout but  as that process continues there are 17 West Hartford families that are the immediate beneficiaries of her Eagle Scout project Maddie presented each of the families that participate in the “English for Families and Futures” program which meets at the Family Resource Center at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford with their own bookcase – filled with books coordinated the building and painting of the wooden bookcases by volunteers Maddie Rivard stands beside the bookcases she helped build and stock for her Eagle Scout project Troop 1163 is the girls troop that’s linked to West Hartford’s Boy Scout Troop 163 that meets at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2019, Boy Scouts of America, which serves youth ages 11-17, began allowing girls to join and rebranded as Scouts BSA Maddie lives in Farmington and is a junior at Farmington High School but there’s not a troop in Farmington that has a linked troop for girls so she joined the West Hartford troop which has members from other area towns as well The literacy program is a collaboration between West Hartford Public School’s Adult Education and the Bridge Family Center their children participate in preschool play,” said Dawn Hambrecht an adult education teacher who leads the program “Parents and children join together for activities that promote English Dawn Hambrecht reads a few pages from “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” by Jean Fahey for just a few weeks when they join the program “Children who are read to at least three times a week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are not read to these children who are read to regularly will display greater language comprehension and higher cognitive skills than their unread-to peers.” Having books in the home has a major impact on a child’s interest in reading Hambrecht said the bookcase project was inspired by the book “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” by Jean Fahey Her connection to scouting through her sister and Hambrecht thought perhaps a scout could turn her inspiration into reality Mooney shared the idea – and that led to Maddie proposing her Eagle Scout project “I literally cried because it was so beautiful to have books and the community working together,” said Hambrecht who also read aloud some excerpts from the book describes the project she created to benefit West Hartford’s English for Families and Futures program “I was super excited about this project,” Maddie said and she knows how important it is for young kids and families About half of the books that fill the bookcases were actually donated by Melissa Nadeau one of the assistant scoutmasters from Troop 1163 – but the way that happened was fortuitous Nadeau ran into an acquaintance at Goodwill who was bringing in a load of books that she had been trying to give away – and convinced them to donate the books to Maddie’s project Other books were donated by friends and family Maddie looked through all of the books to ensure they were in good shape The distribution of the books in the specific bins was handled by those who run the Family Literacy Program The books are for children as well as the adult English language learners who are all practicing their literacy skills Maddie Rivard with some of the preschoolers whose families attend the English for Families and Futures program “I’m so happy about how many families it’s going to help,” Maddie said Maddie said she has completed all of her badges but before officially earning her Eagle Scout designation the project will be reviewed to ensure she has completed the requirements “I’ve learned what I’ve meant to from this which is the leadership skills of communication organization … so I feel confident about it,” she said who is now a senior patrol leader with Troop 1163 wants to stay involved in scouting but also focus on crew with hopes to take on more leadership in that sport next year She said she loves the field of education and as of now is considering applying to college to study forensic psychology Preschoolers participate in preschool play with one of the staff members – a former participant in the program director of West Hartford Public Schools Adult Education said the English for Families and Futures program has been such a successful collaboration “We’re very fortunate to be here at Charter Oak because it’s a wonderful place,” she said Participants in the program – adults and children who are preschool age and younger – attend twice a week for three hours at a time but there are helpers to hold the infants so the parents can focus on the program Two of the nursery helpers were former participants in the program “We hired them and this was their first American job,” Hambrecht added The families were excited for Wednesday’s celebration as well and brought an assortment of dishes representing their native countries Many also dressed up in their cultural attire “A community of generous people have made this significant gift of the ‘magic of reading’ possible,” Hambrecht said Families brought a variety of international dishes to the celebration Bookcases were built and stocked under the direction of Maddie Rivard Families int he English for Families and Futures attended a celebration at Charter Oak International Academy on Dec As the Author of the book that started this whole thing… “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” – I could not be more impressed with the collaboration between Dawn and Maddie – and Maddie’s imagination and innovation in creating a project that will so empower families Charter Oak State College (CharterOak.edu) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) creating a seamless pathway for graduates of Charter Oak's online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program to pursue a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) degree through UMass Global's online program 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Charter Oak State College (CharterOak.edu) This collaboration addresses the increasing demand for advanced social work education and aims to provide an accessible and flexible option for Charter Oak students to continue their professional development Charter Oak graduates with a BSW degree and a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply for the advanced standing MSW program at UMass Global This allows Charter Oak BSW graduates to build on their foundational social work education and gain specialized skills in their chosen areas "We are excited to partner with UMass Global to offer our students a clear and efficient pathway to earning an MSW," said Dr Benefits to Charter Oak's BSW students include: "We are excited to partner with UMass Global to offer our students a clear and efficient pathway to earning an MSW," said Dr "This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing our students with opportunities to advance their education and careers in social work." emphasized the positive impact of this agreement: "Our students have expressed a strong desire to continue their education in social work and this MOU provides them with a valuable opportunity to achieve their goals without interruption We look forward to seeing our graduates thrive in the MSW program with a quality choice at UMass Global." also highlighted the benefits of the partnership: "We are proud to offer Charter Oak graduates an advanced fully accredited MSW curriculum that will prepare them for leadership roles in the field of social work This collaboration aligns with our mission to make high-quality education accessible to all students This partnership represents a significant step forward in enhancing the educational pathways available to social work students and reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to support student success and professional growth About Charter Oak State College Charter Oak State College (http://www.CharterOak.edu) is Connecticut's only dedicated The College offers Master's degrees in Organizational Leadership Health Informatics and Health Care Administration About University of Massachusetts Global UMass Global is a private nonprofit institution committed to providing a high-quality With a wide range of degree programs and a focus on student success UMass Global helps students achieve their educational and career goals In response to overcrowding at Charter Oak Elementary Guthrie Public Schools has added two portable classrooms as a temporary solution to accommodate the growing student population One of the significant summer projects for Guthrie Public Schools has been the addition of two portable classrooms at Charter Oak Elementary to address the issue of overcrowding one portable classroom was moved from the Upper Elementary and another is expected to be acquired soon for placement at Charter Oak This initiative comes in response to the school’s inability to accommodate its growing number of students Originally designed to allow for additional classrooms as funding became available Charter Oak Elementary is now seeing the fruits of that foresight The same expandable design applies to the new Cotteral Elementary building which will open with a capacity for 200 additional students necessitating a re-districting of attendance zones to balance enrollment across the district Mike Simpson acknowledged the unexpected rapid growth “I know it seems crazy that we are out of room Charter Oak will turn seven years old this year and has around 100 more students than when it opened We have over 900 homes platted inside the city limits alone some of which are already built with students in them!” Dr The district concluded the last school year at 87.7% capacity with Cotteral Elementary exceeding 100% and Charter Oak at 94% The addition of portable classrooms is a temporary measure to manage the immediate need for space until the new Cotteral building and other expansions can be completed The upcoming bond election will propose six additional classrooms for Charter Oak and the construction of a new elementary school Given the current housing growth within the school district In response to social media inquiries about why the schools were not built larger initially “We utilized the funds which were available and delivered what was promised on time with the money approved by the voters Charter Oak has almost 100 more students in the building now than when it opened six years ago.” The majority of the community understands the situation and supports the necessary expansions More detailed information about the upcoming August 27th bond election will be shared soon Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" 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Va (7News) — A crash left a man dead and a woman seriously injured in Reston according to the Fairfax County Police Department Officers said they were on the scene of a single-car crash at North Shore Drive and Charter Oak Court on the morning of Nov The driver of the car and a passenger were both taken to an area hospital The driver lost his life a short time later and the passenger sustained life-threatening injuries online college graduated its 2024 Class June 13 NEW BRITAIN, Conn., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Charter Oak State College (http://www.CharterOak.edu) 6:30PM ET at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford Over 540 members of the Class of 2024 were awarded degrees was the Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient The event was streamed live for those unable to attend in person The Student Speaker urged his fellow graduates to "carry forward the lessons you have learned at Charter Oak State College and to value perseverance" President Klonoski congratulated the graduates for pursuing a college education as working adults with busy lives and family responsibilities Klonoski noted they worked hard and set examples along the way to their families and friends He told them it was their day to "hold your head like a hero and celebrate your achievements." He asked them to "think of yourself differently now" and encouraged them to "begin to design the curriculum of their lives and be the author of their next age" The Student Speaker was Pedro Rodriguez of Meriden He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Administration Rodriguez urged his class to "carry forward the lessons you have learned at Charter Oak and to value perseverance." He reminded the graduates that "the journey of learning and growth does not end here; it is merely beginning and to seize every opportunity that comes your way" The Class of 2024 featured graduates who range in age from 18 to 74 with the average age of 35 Charter Oak State College (http://www.CharterOak.edu) is Connecticut's only dedicated Carolyn Hebert, Charter Oak State College, 8605153880, [email protected], https://www.charteroak.edu A Reston man faces charges in connection to two sexual assault attempts at the same apartment complex The Fairfax County Police Department announced today that its officers arrested Hugo Ernesto Argueta Vasquez yesterday (Wednesday) after they were called to the Charter Oak Apartments on Charter Oak Court for an attempted sexual assault at 5:26 a.m “The suspect gained entry through an unlocked door and entered the victim’s bedroom while they were asleep,” the FCPD said in a news release “The victim fought the suspect off and called the police The victim was treated at the scene for injuries considered non-life-threatening.” officers found Argueta Vasquez nearby with help from its helicopter and K9 unit He was treated for injuries from the bite at the scene Detectives determined during their investigation that Argueta Vasquez broke into another home in the same apartment complex on Dec 2023 and allegedly tried to sexually assault someone in the residence the victim successfully fought off Argueta Vasquez before he fled The victim did not sustain any injuries,” the FCPD said Now in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond Argueta Vasquez has been charged with two counts of burglary with intent to commit a felony and stalking He was arraigned today and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov according to Fairfax County General District Court records The FCPD says detectives are now looking for other potential victims advising anyone with information to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 “Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victims are receiving appropriate resources and assistance,” the FCPD said “Officers have increased their presence and extended community outreach efforts across the local area following this crime.” Screenshot via Google Maps Charter Oak International Academy students competed at the Odyssey of the Mind finals Students from West Hartford’s Charter Oak International Academy competed at the Odyssey of the Mind finals this spring Charter Oak International Academy Odyssey of the Mind Fourteen fifth grade students from Charter Oak International Academy along with their teacher Michele Hadlock competed with students from around the world in the annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held at Iowa State University from May 21-24 which has hosted over 40 years of international competition provides specific problems that thousands of teams from around the world spend months using their creativity to solve Children from diverse cultures and varying economic backgrounds demonstrated creativity as a global practice at this event The Charter Oak fifth-graders started working on their problems in October 2023 working with Charter Oak QUEST teacher Michele Hadlock during the school day and in twice weekly after-school sessions through mid-March The two teams competed to earn top honors in different problems – one focused on small vehicle movement and the other on performance Both teams earned first place and were judged most creative at a rigorous state competition at Southern Connecticut State University in March 2024 Charter Oak’s own Odyssey of the Mind Team represented Connecticut to prove they were the world’s most creative problem-solvers The Odyssey of the Mind World Finals had teams competing from the United States along with 14 other countries; including Canada Charter Oak teams placed fifth and ninth in their respective problems and age groups competing against 31 and 34 other teams from around the world This is a fantastic accomplishment for these students and their coach as Michele Hadlock has earned over 15 trips to World Finals with her students from West Hartford “Our school had the privilege of seeing them share their talents here at school and then move on to the World Finals All of their hard work along with that of their dedicated teacher embodies the IB characteristics of being knowledgeable We are so proud of them as a school community and look forward to honoring the OM team and their teacher.”  In Odyssey of the Mind the “problems” are judged on creativity and risk-taking The students learn to apply their creativity to complex problem-solving The goals of the competition are to come up with divergent solutions and for students to incorporate their knowledge and interests into their solutions – such as math robotics – anything a child can imagine and enjoy To learn more about this problem-solving competition, visit Odysseyofthemind.com or CTOM.org 31 LA County Parks turn into winter wonderlands - complete with snow - on select Fridays and Saturdays this December The free events include sled and snow play areas There is a toy giveaway with Santa Claus and his helpers give toys to kids 0 to 17 (while supplies last) Saturday events are either 12 noon to 4pm Val Verde Community Regional Park (30300 W CA 90063)George Washington Carver Park (1400 E CA 90059)Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park (905 E CA 91744) El Cariso Community Regional Park (13100 Hubbard St. December 134pm - 8pmAdventure Park (10130 S CA 90605)Sorensen Park (11419 Rose Hedge Dr. CA 90022)Jesse Owens Community Regional Park (9651 S December 1412pm - 4pmHelen Keller Park  (12521 S CA 90044)Pamela County Park (2236 Goodall Ave. CA 91010)Ted Watkins Memorial Park (1335 E