🌱 Patch AM: Coming Soon In Glastonbury: Joint Celebration Of MLK'S Birthday And America's 250th

Hello Glastonbury! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Glastonbury to launch MLK and America 250 celebrations this January
• Which Glastonbury neighborhoods were hit in this regional auto theft spree?
• How Glastonbury’s Olive Branch became DCF’s year-round free toy store

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve Celebration: Sharing a Compassionate Intention and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 42 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Snow late in the afternoon, temps: high: 25, low: 21.
• Saturday: Morning snow, 1-2"; cloudy, with a high of 30 and low of 14 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Coming Soon In Glastonbury: Joint Celebration Of MLK'S Birthday And America's 250th (patch.com) — Glastonbury residents are invited to a free community celebration on January 10, 2026, honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and launching the town’s America 250 festivities at Gideon Welles School. The program will feature a keynote by Bishop John L. Selders, musical performances, and remarks from officials, introducing a yearlong series of events highlighting Connecticut’s role in the nation’s 250th anniversary.
   

• Hartford Man Charged On Three Warrants Related To Stolen Cars In Glastonbury (patch.com) — Glastonbury police say a Hartford man has been charged on three warrants tied to a regional auto theft ring that included at least 15 vehicles stolen from town neighborhoods. One Glastonbury car was allegedly used in crimes where a gun was pointed at a woman. The investigation links more than 130 incidents across Connecticut and Rhode Island between 2023 and 2025.
   

• Families shop for Christmas gifts at the Olive Branch, DCF's free toy store (nbcconnecticut.com) — Families connected with DCF can choose free, brand-new gifts at the Olive Branch store in Glastonbury, giving local children something to unwrap at Christmas and throughout the year. The shop lets parents and caregivers select exactly what their kids want, preserving dignity while relying on donations from residents, businesses, and agencies across Connecticut. Supporters can email to help keep shelves stocked.
   

📸 Around Glastonbury

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Glastonbury

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 26

• Comedy Night
  Crystal Ridge Winery, 257 Belltown Rd, South Glastonbury
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 27

• Paint by Numbers - Winter Edition
  Welles-Turner Memorial Library , 2407 Main St , Glastonbury
  12:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• Caffeine & Octane
  Starbucks , The Shops at Somerset Square , 140 Glastonbury Blvd , Glastonbury
  9:00 am
• Paint & Sip (Bottomless Hot Chocolate) Glastonbury
  Ben & Jerry’s , 41 Hebron Ave , Glastonbury
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• New Years’ Brunch and Dance Party
  Riverfront Community Center , 300 Welles St , Glastonbury
  11:00 am
• New Year's Eve Celebration: Sharing a Compassionate Intention
  Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center , 450 New London Turnpike , Glastonbury
  6:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• Odiyana Buddhist Center Open House with Free Guided Meditations
  Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center , 450 New London Turnpike , Glastonbury
  12:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Rest, Reset, Restore: A Mini Meditation Retreat
  Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center , 450 New London Turnpike , Glastonbury
  10:00 am

📣 Glastonbury Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• AARP Smart Driver™: Bolton Senior Center
  Bolton Town Senior Services · Bolton , CT , Bolton
  9:30 am
• Congregate Lunch Program
  Newington, CT Calendar , Senior & Disabled Center 120 Cedar Street , Newington
  11:50 am
• The Marlborough Tavern
  Marlborough Tavern , 3 E Hampton Rd , Marlborough
  6:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Day after Christmas - Town Offices Closed
  Rocky Hill, CT Calendar Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Glastonbury PatchAM possible:

• Dustless Hardwood Floors LLC — (860) 993-7657
  Dustless sanding and refinishing service for hardwood floors
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• FileShred — (860) 261-9595
  On-site Document Shredding Services
• DK Brand Collective — (959) 263-5876
  People-First Training, Coaching, Branding & Event Strategy
• Action Carpet & Floor Covering — (860) 651-8406
  32 Years of Trusted Flooring and Renovation Expertise

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Glastonbury Public Schools posted a job opening for Office Paraeducator, Full-Time (Union) in Glastonbury. Apply here.
• Five Guys posted a job opening for Crew Member - 0607 in Glastonbury. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Glastonbury here.

🗞 Nearby News

Manchester

• Little Theatre Of Manchester Unveils January Tribute Concerts At Cheney Hall (broadwayworld.com)
• Connecticut boys basketball coach, East Catholic's Luke Reilly, earns 500th career victory (middletownpress.com)
• Last-minute Christmas shoppers pack malls as holiday crunch time hits (fox61.com)

East Hartford

• Drop in donations won't stop The Salvation Army from delivering Christmas meals across Connecticut (fox61.com)

Hartford

Ok Glastonbury! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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