OneManchester

OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER is the single-best source there is for people trying to keep up with everything happening in our ridiculously busy town and school system, but it's not enough. So, we use this spillover space to share a comprehensive collection of valuable resources including newsletter links, calendars, social media sites and more. Plus a bonus -- each week, we have an outtake from the photo files of Paul Ofria. If we are missing something, please let Paul know at pofria@mpspride.org

OTHER NEWSLETTERS and CALENDARS

• Manchester Now (formerly known as Better Manchester Magazine (Fall 2026)
• Cheney Hall's LTM Calendar and Tickets (upcoming events)
• Downtown Manchester Special Services District (to subscribe)
• Change Collaborative monthly and (to subscribe)
• Manchester Adult & Continuing Education (Sept 25)
• MACC Minutes (newsletter archives)
  

• Manchester Historical Society (Oct. 16)
• Manchester Land Conservation Trust (newsletter archives)
• Manchester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale (website and 2026-27 schedule)
• WORK_SPACE (to subscribe)
• Town of Manchester calendar of events

• Manchester Public Schools
• Manchester Public Schools Office of Partnership & Engagement
• Manchester Adult & Continuing Education
• Manchester Public Schools Office of Business & School Partnerships

INSTAGRAM

• Manchester Public Schools

Manchester Recreation Division

Manchester Public Library

Manchester Police Department

Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center

Manchester Youth Service Bureau

Manchester Fire Department

Manchester Senior Center

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

INSTAGRAM

Town of Manchester

Manchester CT Public Library

Downtown Manchester

Manchester Fire Department

Manchester Historical Society

MANCHESTER HIGH

• Red Hawk Nest (athletic department website)
• MHS Red Productions (mhstelevision.com)

YOUTH SPORTS

• Manchester Little League (Facebook)
• Manchester Soccer Club (website)
• Manchester Knights Basketball-Cheer-Football (website)
• Manchester Knights football (Facebook)
• Manchester Pop Warner Red Hawks Youth Football and Cheer(website)
• Manchester Travel Basketball Inc. (website)

ALSO

Hartford Shockers (website)

MARTIAL ARTS

• Impact Martial Arts
• Hidden Dragon Karate
• White Tiger Taekwon-Do

• FaceBook: Manchester Road Race
• Instagram: @manchesterroadrace
• Website: www.manchesterroadrace.com

• Troop 25 (website)
• Troop 27 (Facebook)
• Troop 123 (website)
• Cub Scout Pack 47 (website)

.

The fire at 805-809 Main Street started at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, 10-12-13 according to published reports. The photo on the top was taken the following day and the one on the bottom was taken on Monday, 10-14-13. The 1905 building was home to Great Harvest Bread Co. and Connecticut Valley Coin. There are more pictures from the scene in this folder.

In case you missed the last three Annex entries...

…and the agony of defeat.

I took this picture Monday night at Manchester High and spent too much time this week trying to decide whether it should go in the OneManchester newsletter or The Annex. So here we are.

I was in a poor position to get a shot of the actual goal, which happened right in front of me, but didn’t have time to wallow and just started clicking away at the celebration. I was completely surprised to see the contrast of emotion I had accidentally captured.

Here’s some fall color from 10-3-18, captured at 153 Spruce Street during a Wednesday night farmers market that featured live music, laughter and lots more color. Click here and see for yourself.

It’s almost unthinkable by today’s standards that a tavern could be successful in such a small, narrow space (16 x 44), but Renn’s Tavern operated for decades at the corner of Cooper and Walnut Streets before closing sometime between May of 1995 and June 1996.

The building is used for storage these days and I’m sure there are plenty of stories buried behind those boarded up walls. Btw, special thanks to Noreen Palladino Cullen for researching Renn’s closing and all the genealogy and research work in general that she does.

As for when Renn’s opened, I went through the town directories available on the Manchester Historical Society website and found the tavern listed in 1934, but in 1927, Economy Grocery occupied 76 Cooper St. (the property is now under the 72 Cooper St. umbrella). So let’s say it opened at some point during that seven year stretch, and raise a glass for all those who raised a glass at Renn’s Tavern over its 60 (ish) year run.

Past Annex entries can be found in The Annex Vault. Thanks for checking in;-)

• NOTE: The OneManchester Annex is compiled by the school district's communications office and is a complement to our weekly OneManchester newsletter. If you spot a mistake or have a suggestion for an addition, please contact Paul Ofria at pofria@mpspride.org.