Easy Ways You Can Help Our Community

Nanette's Paintings At The Buttonwood TreeWe celebrate local artist Nanette Albright Fresher and her paintings now on exhibit at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center. To see some of Nanette's paintings and for gallery hours, click here. Next spring, Nanette will be setting up easels in Middletown for novice or experienced painters to know the joy of outdoor painting.

Advocates Needed For Waste Reduction Legislation
The Jonah Center is partnering with Middletown’s Resource Recycling Advisory Commission to promote legislation to address our state’s solid waste crisis. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging and printed paper will require producers either to fund better recycling infrastructure or use more recyclable content. This will help us achieve a "circular economy." Learn the basics of EPR here. To help with this effort, reply to this message with the letters EPR or send us a message.

Comments Needed On Meriden Trail Study
A 3.5-mile section of the Central CT Loop Trail in Meriden has been studied to determine the best route. But this proposed route is receiving some opposition. We need supportive comments sent to the Meriden Public Works Department. Read more (including where to send comments) here.

Middletown & Portland Trail Study To Begin
The route study for the Central CT Loop Trail segments in Middletown and Portland has been funded, with an engineering consulting company to be selected soon. Advocates for this section will be needed too. Reply to this email or send us a message with the words “Middletown-Portland Study” and we will contact you when advocacy is needed for this and other trail projects.

Heating Aid Grants Available
Home energy costs have risen and are about to go a lot higher. Electricity rates are scheduled to rise dramatically in January, posing challenges for many households. The State has increased funding for heating aid grants. Eligible households can receive grants of $250 to $600, depending on income level, household size, and whether there is a vulnerable member in the household. Find more information here.
Green Burials
The subject of “green burials” for humans and other animals has arisen more and more lately. The term “green burial” generally means a burial that avoids the use of toxic (and expensive) embalming chemicals and fuels for cremation. If this subject interests you, here is an article in the New York Times, Thinking About Having a Green Funeral? Here’s What To Know by Sonya Vatomsky.

Please Support The Jonah Center
Once a year, we ask our subscribers to show support for our work by contributing to our Annual Appeal. To those who have already given, thank you so much! If you haven’t, you may donate by credit card here, or you may send a check to: The Jonah Center, Box 854, Middletown CT 06457.

Follow Us On Facebook
The Jonah Center is preparing to expand our network by posting content on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you use one or more of these social media platforms and are willing to help us expand our reach, please send us a message with the words "social media." Then "follow" us on our Facebook page, which you can reach by using the button below. Thank you.