Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Somers Schools Finish Under Budget As Ellington Covers Deficit

You won't want to miss Tolland Green Farmer's Market Art Market on the Ellington Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Saturday August 29th Patch AM
Saturday August 29th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Ellington? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Ellington schools tap reserves after closing year with budget shortfall
  • Ellington resident quietly turns a Vernon grocery run into $100,000
  • See how Ellington drivers fared in Stafford Speedway's busy race night

Also on today's calendar: Tolland Green Farmer's Market Art Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Sunshine, nice and less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Sunday: Times of sun and clouds, temps: high: 81, low: 62.
  • Monday: Mostly cloudy, p.m. showers, with a high of 84 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Somers Schools Finish Under Budget As Ellington Covers Deficit (patch.com) — Ellington residents learn their school district ended the 2025-26 year about $195,000 over budget, prompting use of $100,000 from a non-lapsing account and about $95,000 in Open Choice funds. Officials also addressed a separate school lunch deficit without tapping general education money, while neighboring Somers finished slightly under budget.
   

2. $100K lottery payday lands at Vernon supermarket (shorenewsnetwork.com) — An Ellington resident just claimed a $100,000 prize from a Connecticut Lottery CA$HWORD scratch ticket bought at the Super Stop & Shop in nearby Vernon. The winner, identified only as being from Ellington, claimed the six-figure prize Monday, adding to the state's recent run of big lottery payouts.
   

3. Alexander Pearl Gets First SK Modified Victory Of 2026 At Stafford Speedway (racedayct.com) — Stafford Speedway's latest race night featured multiple local connections, with Ellington drivers Tyler Chapman and Kevin Gambacorta posting solid finishes and another Ellington racer, Kolton Gambacorta, in the Street Stock field. Alexander Pearl captured his first SK Modified win of 2026 as several divisions delivered close battles and repeat winners.
   

4. Former Ellington Assistant Fire Chief Dies (patch.com) — Ellington is mourning Daniel Connors, an 85-year-old life member and former assistant chief of the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department, who died Tuesday. Connors served the department in leadership roles during the 1970s and leaves behind four daughters, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
   

📸 Around Ellington

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 Ellington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Ellington Shout Outs!

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

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Ellington PatchAM possible:

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

  • Cumberland Farms posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in Ellington. Apply here.
  • Kelly Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Machine Operator in Enfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ellington here.

Ok Ellington! 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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Ellington-Somers