September 03, 2015

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PAGE 21
AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY
Vol. 7, Edition 36
Thursday
September 3, 2015
in the press
Overgrown area
overshadows
monument
More than two centuries after a
monument was erected, much
to the dismay of Granby resident
William Hart, the area around the
stone is overgrown with weeds
and poison ivy. Hart’s family lineage reaches back further than
the monument, dated 1782, and
he feels strongly about the importance of local history. PAGE 13
Towns honor
teachers
Nancy Landish was selected the
2015-16 Farmington Teacher of
the Year while Jan Ferrier Sands
was named the 2015 Kathleen
Magowan Simsbury Teacher of
the Year. PAGE 13
Photo by Ted Glanzer
Taking a swim to end the season
Bella the golden retriever does what she does best ­– retrieve a tennis ball – during the D.O.G.G.S. Daze of Summer event at Salmon Brook Park in Granby
Aug. 30. For more photos, see page 10.
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Wild about animals
NEWS
THIS WEEK
A&E
4
The Social Butterfly
5
Kids
6
Town News
13
Calendar 18
Editorial
20
Sports
21
Business
24
Classifieds
25
Quotes
of Note
“Many, many mornings,
I express gratitude for
moments spent with my
students. I genuinely love
teenagers. I give thanks for
a student who, after
persevering, loudly
exclaims., ‘Aha … I get it.” Is
there any sound as
wonderful as that?”
-Jan Ferrier Sands in “Ferrier
Sands given annual accolade” on
page 13
Courtesy photo
5
Farmington reader Kelly Shaw and her 15-year-old son, Thomas, took turns photographing this frequent
visitor to their yard over the summer. The above photo was taken by Thomas. If you have a photo of
a critter that you’ve spotted locally, submit it for this segment to Abigail at [email protected].
Include “Wild About Animals” and the animal spotted in the subject line, as well as your town of residence. All submissions will be considered for inclusion in a future edition.
“It was never our
intention to pit social
workers against
psychologists. We
understand that
relationships were built
between staff and students.
... We are committed to
addressing students’ needs
as they occur.”
-Kelly Grant in “Students
withdraw from AHS” on page 13
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The Valley Press
September
3, 2015
1
8/27/15 4:48 PM
136 Main St
Collinsville CT 06019
(860) 693-5912
277 Albany Turnpike
Canton, CT 06019
(860)693-6936
MEMBER FDIC
EQUAL HOUSING LENDER
Coincidence creates cooperation for Tanzania mission project
By Maria G. O’Donnell
Correspondent
“Pole pole,” Swahili for “take it easy,” became a way of life for two people whose African trip was the opportunity of a lifetime.
Jen Clark, a fifth- and sixth-grade special
education teacher at Simsbury’s Squadron
Line School, and her son Owen, 14, spent
time in Tanzania, Africa, from July 12 to 31.
Their cause was to deliver textbooks and
school supplies to children in remote regions.
The desire to participate in such an opportunity was always within her and reignited
months ago when Clark saw it: a post online
about an organization called Friends-Together that offers HIV/AIDS assistance in the
Moshi region of Tanzania.
Coincidentally, Squadron Line’s sixthgrade social studies unit focused on Tanzania, as well as Australia and Brazil, according
to Betty Lichota, who teaches the unit, as
does colleague Carrie Creech.
Lichota said in an email, “In the human
rights study, students learn about the groups
that help like the World Health Organization, Doctors without Borders, Oxfam, Red
Cross, Amnesty International, Human Rights
Watch. ... They write narratives creating characters who need assistance and describe how
the organizations come to their aid. That led
to wanting to actually help.”
That help began back at the end of April
when the sixth-graders attended their annual salmon release at Ski Sundown. They collected empty water bottles from the event,
and continued soliciting recyclables and
monetary donations schoolwide. Money
raised from students, friends and relatives
amounted to $350 for supplies and $175 for
textbooks.
Clark and her son took the trek from
Boston to Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro to
meet up with Friends-Together volunteers
and visit an orphanage and various schools
in Tanzania. Clark worked closely with the
nonprofit’s founder, Cathy Robinson Pickett,
who prepped mother and son before and after they arrived.
An email from Pickett stated, “The majority of children go to government schools
…[which] lack the essentials conducive for
learning such as textbooks, basic supplies,
teaching aids, and desks. … Most children
have to walk several hours to attend the closest school.”
Along the flight, the Clarks toted three
50-pound bags of supplies with their own
belongings. As a group, Friends-Together collected 2,000 pounds, according to Clark. They
stayed primarily in Moshi where the Kilimanjaro Orphanage is located, but also visited
schools.
“Friends-Together is a fantastic group,”
said Clark, noting that volunteers include
people in education or mission work, with
one from the Peace Corps. They were joined
by a longtime friend of Cathy Pickett, Bernard, from Uganda. “He was great to have because he speaks Swahili, and very few people
spoke English,” Clark said.
Moshi home base, Springlands Hotel,
proved to be on the “roughin’-it” side with frequent power outages, limited hot water and
off-limits drinking water. Other hotels had
A/C, WiFi and hot showers – all luxuries.
“We were at the orphanage every day
when we were in Moshi,” Clark explained.
One school Friends-Together visited is supported by their partner, TAFCOM, a nonprofit organization, whose clients consist of poverty-stricken people with different stages of
HIV/AIDS. TAFCOM provides a free program
for the clients’ children, who are in preschool,
kindergarten and first grade. “We spent time
mostly with preschool and first-grade classrooms,” said Clark. “We gave them supplies
and spoke with teachers about what they
do.” She noted that there are 40 students per
teacher, while in the U.S., there are two teachers for 20 kids.
“The kids are perfectly well-behaved,”
Clark described. “The kids are engaged;
they’re there to learn.” She and her son also
visited the homes of the HIV/AIDS clients. “It
was really eye-opening,” she said. “Owen was
completely open to it. He was immersed and
enjoyed the experience.”
Clark hopes to continue to support
TAFCOM back home, having Squadron Line
sixth-graders sponsor a child in the program.
For four days, the Clarks visited Gunge
School in the Maasai region, which serves 180
students, ages 7-14. They partner with TanzaCare, an organization whose goal is “to provide hope, opportunity and success for the future, to the children of Tanzania by providing
rural public schooling with the essentials for
a quality education,” according to its website.
When their bus arrived, “they sang to us,”
Clark said. “It was really great.” Their classroom, complete with actual slate blackboard,
is a large open space with three students per
wooden desk. She and her son delivered supplies and spent time with second- through
fourth-graders. “We worked with them on
letters, colors and basic English,” Clark said.
The Maasai women provided them with a
hearty meal of rice, fried banana, avocado, watermelon, juice, goat meat and goat intestines.
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Courtesy photos
The Kilimanjaro orphanage is within walking distance of the hotel where Jen and Owen Clark
stayed. They generally had a guide from the hotel escort them back and forth to the orphanage where they played with the children.
Another school visit came between
days one and three of their wild animal-filled
safari at Lake Manyara National Park, five
hours from Moshi. Open only since May, the
Ngorongoro Pre-school was founded by Zara
Charity, a nongovernment organization.
According to Clark’s blog, “We went
inside and listened to the children recite
the ABCs in English and Swahili. Part of the
challenge with this group is that the Maasai
speak their own language, so the children
need to learn both Swahili and English.” Regarding her overall experience, Clark
said, “The kids were excellent everywhere;
kids and adults were open and welcoming.
They don’t fear strangers – it’s a community-based area, and they help their neighbors.” She recounted her conversation with
Friends-Together founder Pickett: “Whether
hanging out or at the orphanage or school, I
felt completely happy the entire time we were
there.”
Her son agreed, offering an immediate,
“I’d go back,” adding that his favorite experience was “getting to work with the kids there
and teaching them. The orphanage was good,
too.” He noted “all the shocking differences
between here and there: 4-year-olds walking
miles alone – not here,” not to mention all the
animals walking around.
His mom concurred. “There are literally
chickens and goats wandering around everywhere. We got a big kick out of it.”
“It was so hard leaving,” Clark admitted,
adding, “It’s so nice to have Facebook. I’m in
touch regularly with Friends-Together, teachers, NGOs, volunteers.” The hardest transitions back home were the time change and
driving. Having been driven everywhere in
Africa, she still had to adjust to driving on the
right side of the road instead of the left.
Clark said that in Africa, “It’s so easy to
go with the flow; to wait for something is no
big deal. They have to go slow; it’s a way of life.
Everything they build is by hand – schools,
wells, farms – everything takes time, not
rush-rush-rush, like here.”
“Pole pole!”
For day-to-day details, visit Clark’s blog
at Ct2tanzania.blogspot.com.
Open
House
September 12
from 8:30am-1pm
FREE Intro Pilates Chair,
Reformer and Tower Lessons
from 9-12*
2 Arts Center Lane, Avon
near the Farmington Valley Arts Center
Raffle for Free Lessons. Fall discounts on
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Food from Vegan Chef, Jenny Manley
*Sign up for FREE lessons online at
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2 Arts Center Lane
Avon
860-674-1561
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
3
PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Acoustic Nights
at Winding Trails
Acoustic Nights, the
Farmington Valley’s own
version of Tanglewood,
will take place Friday,
Sept. 11, at Nature’s Porch
in Winding Trails in Farmington.
The event will be held
from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are
free to members of Winding Trails and Greater
Hartford Arts Council
card holders (the event is
supported in part by the
United Arts Campaign), $5
for non members, and $3
for children (4-12). Tick-
ets may be purchased at
the door the day of the
event. Food, beer and
wine will be served for a
fee. For more information,
call 860-677-8458 or visit
www.windingtrails.org.
Last Fair Deal will
headline the event. The
Sweetest Key, an all-female a cappella group
based in Greater Hartford, will open the show.
Hosting the event will be
Blackberry Jam, an acoustic guitar trio based out of
Farmington Valley.
Giant Used Book Sale
The Simsbury Library’s
popular annual Giant Used
Book Sale will be held at
the Simsbury High School,
34 Farms Village Road,
Saturday, Sept. 12 from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday Sept. 13 from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Free parking,
is available.
There are more than
30 categories of nonfiction from cooking, biography, parenting, arts,
how-to and hobbies, travel,
history, business, science
and nature, computers to
religion, self-help, sports
and games and more.
Fiction books are divided by
hardcover, trade paperbacks
and regular paperbacks by
genre. There is a huge childrens’ section containing
top quality books, games
and puzzles. Also available are large print books,
DVDs, CDs and audio tapes
for children and adults. A
“Special Selections” section
includes old and rare books
plus collectibles.
Sunday is an all day bag
sale, where for $10 patrons
can fill a grocery bag with
almost anything still available. All proceeds from the
Giant Used Book Sale support programs and services
at the Simsbury Library.
Courtesy photo
Sonia Plumb Dance Company stages free event
Sonia Plumb Dance
Company celebrates its 25th
anniversary with a season
of events culminating with
the staging of an epic dance
performance that brings
Homer’s epic poem “The
Odyssey” to life with dance,
music, video, masks and
more. Sonia Plumb Dance
Company continues its 25th
anniversary season Thursday, Sept. 10 from 6:30-7:30
p.m. with a free event entitled “Calypso’s Cave” at “The
Barn” dance studios at Miss
CD September
Porter’
s School, VALLEY.
located at 60
Main St., Farmington. The
free event will include a preview of one of the company’s dance pieces from “The
Odyssey: An Epic Dance
Journey” and a discussion
and Q&A with a local expert
about the role of women in
this heroic adventure tale
that continues to fascinate
us – 3,000 years after it was
first composed.
The featured dance
piece will be “Calypso’s
Cave,” which tells the story – through dance – of
8/28/15
the goddess Calypso, who
held Odysseus captive for
seven years in hopes of
marrying him. It’s Calypso
who raises questions of
equal rights among the gods
and goddesses in telling
Hermes, who ordered her
to release her love (captive)
Odysseus, “Cruel folk you
are, unmatched for jealousy,
you gods who cannot bear
to let a goddess sleep with a
man.”
Tickets are free, but
seating is limited. Audience
members are encouraged to
arrive early to secure seats.
“The Dog Walkers” by Donna Morency (pastel painting)
‘Wanderlust,’ members’ group
exhibition at Gallery on the Green
Photo by Carrie Ricciardelli
Christopher LaFleche and
Danielle Sinsigalli from Sonia Plumb Dance Company
“Wanderlust” is the
theme for the 7th Founders Gallery exhibit of the
2015 season from Gallery
on the Green. The theme
challenges member artists
to free their imagination
and focus on those daydream subjects that lure
one away from the here
and now. It’s a perfect subject for artistic expression. Also, in adjoining
SEPTEMBER
Certificate
of Deposits
Torrington Main 129 Main Street
torringtonsavings.com
* A $1,000 minimum required to open all accounts and earn the stated Annual Percentage Yield (APY).
Penalty for early CD withdrawal will be imposed. APY is accurate as of September 1, 2015. Rates
subject to change. Limited to our deposit area. See torringtonsavings.com or contact a Customer
Service Representative at (860) 496-2152 for more information.
4
The
Valley Press
September 3, 2015
(860) 496-2152
Torrington North 635 Main Street
(860) 482-5421
Torringford 235 Dibble Street
(860) 482-2664
Burlington 260 Spielman Highway (860) 675-2601
Goshen 55 Sharon Turnpike
(860) 491-2122
Falls Village Routes 7 & 126
(860) 824-3000
New Hartford 518 Main Street
(860) 738-0200
galleries, Lynne Anstett
and Suzanne Levey feature separate solo exhibits. Anstett’s photography
exhibit “Looking Up” is her
way of paying visual attention and tribute to vertical
vistas we often miss or
take for granted. Her vertical images demonstrate
the quiet dignity of buildings, the magnificence of
sky, water, land and other
daily proofs that the world
is made for our eyes.
She is the author of
“Love Bound, The Journey”
(photography and poetry)
and has shown her works
in exhibits throughout the
region.
Levy is an abstract
artist whose work re-interprets the natural world. She uses color, shape and
light to create artwork
bursting with energy. Her
rhythmic visual narratives
are expressed through
balancing the interplay of
these elements.
Using color as a tool
of freedom, she offers familiar images in new and
inspiring ways. Her work
is executed using palette
knives, brushes, rags and
print blocks, and is developed using addition and
elimination as the work
progresses.
She teaches art to
adults with special needs
and exhibits throughout
the area. Come for the
gala opening reception for
all three shows Saturday,
Sept. 5 from 6-9 p.m. with
refreshments. The reception is free and open to the
public.
1
3
1. Kelly Zabel, Sue
Sharkey and Terry Dehl
pose during the Taste in
Simsbury.
2. Sharon Shafran, Rose
Dobis and Jessica Dobis
enjoy the event, held at
the Riverview.
3. R. Michael Goman,
Sarah Nadeau and Chip
Houlihan pose for a
photo.
4. Alexandra Turner,
Helaine Pfaff and Diane
Conroy during the annual
2
5
4
6
event held Aug. 27.
5. Ruby Rosenthal,
Barbara Gillies and Liz
Buttner were among
many who enjoyed a
sampling of food and
beverages.
8
6. David Richman and
Nord Christensen
8. Bill Cranshaw, Anita
Mielert, Wolf Mielert and
Melanie Cranshaw
Photos by Abigail Albair
T
7. Shreya Kambhampati
and Colleen Dolan
7
he seventh annual Taste in Simsbury, presented by Simsbury Bank, was held Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Riverview in
Simsbury. A sampling of food was provided by a variety of
area restaurants, including appetizers, entree tastings and dessert
selections, as well as wine, beer and cocktails. Visit www.ShopSimsbury.com/A-Taste-In-Simsbury for more information.
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September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
5
PRESSKIDS
Eagle candidate completes human sundial at Winding Trails
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
When Jay Cizeski of
Burlington read about human sundials in Boys’ Life
magazine, he decided he
would make one someday.
That was a number of
years ago and shortly thereafter he put the idea on the
back burner. Then, when it
was time to complete a project to fulfill requirements to
become an Eagle Scout, it
came back to mind.
In August, he completed the project, placing the
human sundial near Walton
Pond at Winding Trails in
Farmington.
After the Scouting
council approved the project, Cizeski, who has been
involved with Scouting since
he was a Cub Scout in first
grade, began fundraising. He
needed $1,400 for materials,
engraving and a platform at
Winding Trails.
He reached out to the
troop and community and
said that over a period of
weeks he received generous donations. Next, he set
about to obtain engraved
pavers and, once he had
them, got to work on creating the sundial.
He and volunteers from
his troop laid the pavers,
engraved with numbers, in
specific, measured locations
in an arch shape within
the project area.
“It’s important to make
it perfectly accurate,” Cizeski
said. “I spent a lot of time
checking the hours to make
sure it works, and it does.”
Once he was satisfied,
he added the final touch,
placing stone dust around
the pavers. The project was
completed in about seven
hours over the course of two
days, with the first day for
taking measurements and
plotting the design and the
second day for the actual
installation.
The idea of the sundial
is for a person to stand in
the spot marked with the
current month. The shadow
will mark the time by falling
in the appropriate hour.
“You can’t get down to
the minute, but it’s pretty
close,” Cizeski said.
The sundial is calibrated to work during daylight
saving time, so in the summer it is on target, but after
the clocks change, it won’t
be as correct.
“In the winter when it
reverts to standard [time],
it would be an hour off,” Cizeski said.
Cizeski’s goal is to have
the sundial remain a part of
the Winding Trails campus
for upwards of 30 years.
As of Aug. 26, Cizeski
hadn’t quite made Eagle
Scout. He still had to finish a
couple of merit badges.
Courtesy photo
Jay Cizeski of Burlington stands with his completed Eagle
Scout project, a human sundial built at Winding Trails in
Farmington.
Simsbury’s Scout Troop 175 explores Alaskan wilderness
Submitted by Bill Rice
Twenty-six members of
Boy Scout Troop 175 flew to
Anchorage, Alaska, in July to
spend two weeks exploring
the state. The group rented
six RVs in Anchorage and
used them as moving base
camps as they explored the
Alaskan wilderness.
The first stop was Matanuska Glacier, which is one
of the largest glaciers in the
state. Armed with crampons
and ice axes, they hiked and
climbed three miles into the
glacier. Then the group was
off to Lake Louise where
they took out their fishing
rods for the first time and
tried their hand at trout and
lake salmon fishing.
The next day, the RVs
shifted into low gear and
traveled slowly on the gravel
road of the Top of the World
Highway, an extraordinary
road leading from Alaska
into the Canadian Yukon.
They overnighted at the famous town of Chicken and
then crossed the Canadian
border at a mountain pass
into the Yukon, finally arriving on a large ferry that
crosses the Yukon River
into Dawson. Dawson is
the scene of the biggest
gold strike in history in 1898.
The next day, the group
bought “daily claim rights” at
a Klondike River claim and
tried their hand at panning
for gold. No one got rich, except in stories.
That night, the older
Scouts put on a pizza party in the RVs and the adults
went ahead to the Diamond
Tooth Gerties, the local
dance hall, for a fun evening
of Alaskan stories and dance.
The next day, the
group headed back into the
U.S. and on to Chena Hot
Springs, a remarkable natural thermal springs near the
Arctic Circle. The entire village is heated and powered
A group picture of Troop 175 members in Seward Bay
by the geothermal waters,
and in the center of the vil-
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lage is a giant Ice Cathedral
built with the cheap energy
and kept cold year-round.
After touring the interior at
a cool 20 degrees, the group
headed off to the springs to
watch the midnight sun and
wildlife, such as moose, that
also gathered at the springs.
The troop went deep
into Denali National Park
and climbed one of the outer
mountains surrounding Denali. The next day, the caravan traveled south through
Anchorage
to
Seward
where they set up camp
right on Seward Bay and
used the base to go fishing
and climbing in the Seward
fjords. Then they were on to
Homer at the “end of Alaska.”
Along the way, the
group stopped on the Kenai
River for some of the best
salmon fishing in the world,
cooking up the catch each
night for dinner.
In Homer, the group
chartered a fishing boat to
go out in the Gulf of Alaska
to fish for halibut. Everyone
pulled in their limit of two
Courtesy photo
halibut with an average size
of 25 pounds. The last evening on Homer beach, the
group had its last bonfire,
ending at midnight just as
the sun set.
“Alaska is an amazing
land – we did this trip in 2010
and covered different areas,
but it is all spectacular,” said
Troop 175’s Scoutmaster
Brad Mead. “Every summer
we like to do a different expedition trip – in past years it
has been rafting the Zambezi
River in Zambia, climbing
Kilimanjaro or hiking deep
into the Amazon jungle to
do a monkey census. Next
summer, we are already planning to take our troop sailing
through the Greek islands.
Adventure is the greatest
form of education.”
Troop 175 is open to
all scouts ages 11 to 17 and
meets Thursday nights at St.
Mary’s Parish Center from
7-8:30 p.m. Contact Mead at
860-614-1484, bradmead@
deltanow.com or visit the
troop website at www.Simsburytroop175.org.
Granby resident part of ongoing effort to build school in Nigeria
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Since Elaine Chagnon
has been involved in a mission project in Nigeria, a
new school has been built
and more buildings are in
the works.
Now, the Granby resident is helping raise funds
for another one.
The Africa Education
Partnership, a non-profit
501(c)3 organization based
at St. Peter’s Church in
South Windsor, has raised
more than $200,000 in the
last six years to help build
Grace International School
in the Zamfara area of Nigeria, she said.
The goal is to provide
a high-quality primary and
secondary education for
boys and girls of all faiths.
The vision for this place
where children can learn
and grow together comes
from Bishop John Danbinta,
the local Anglican bishop,
who came to the U.S. in 2007
to earn a master’s degree in
Christian-Muslim relations
at Hartford Seminary.
When the buildings
opened in 2013, however,
people were showing up and
registering children of all
ages.
“It’s kind of hodgepodge
right now but both of [the
buildings] are full,” Chagnon
said.
Construction on an
exam hall where high school
graduates will be able to
take college entrance exams
Courtesy photos
Above: Elaine Chagnon with Bishop John Danbinta; right: A
scene from the Zamfara area of Nigeria
has begun. The building will
also have a second floor
with five more classrooms,
she said.
The next building,
which, according to the
press release, is the most
ambitious, will be a science
lab and media center with
administrative offices.
The hope is to break
ground next spring.
“[Danbinta]’s
vision
was to create a school of
children of all faiths and
ethnic backgrounds so
they could learn together
and facilitate reconciliation
through education,” Chagnon said.
To this end, when
he comes to the U.S. next
month, there will be a fundraising dinner.
In August, Chagnon,
a Granby teacher who has
been teaching for 30 years
and has a master’s degree in
special education, returned
from her most recent trip
to Nigeria, where she works
DANCE
“A Step in the Right Direction”
Gloria J. Rossetti
School of Dance
Featuring classes for 3-year-olds
through professional level.
* TAP * BALLET * POINTE * JAZZ
* HIP HOP * ACROBATICS * BATON
Miss Gloria is known Coast to Coast for her unique
teaching ability giving students confidence and selfworth. Students have performed on TV, at theaters, the
BigE, the XL Center, the Aqua Turf, the New York Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade and most recently, in performances at Disney World, as well as local benefits.
with teachers and offers
training programs. She
takes a similar trip each
summer
Because the area near
the school is unstable, she
must stay further south, in
the Kaduna area.
“For me to travel north
is not advisable,” she said.
The teachers traveled
to where she was and spent
two days with her, working on teaching reading
through phonics, how do
create a lesson plan and in a
writing workshop.
Since her first trip to
Nigeria in 2006, working on
the project with the teachers and local people has become a passion for Chagnon.
She has made dear friends in
the area, and each time she
returns it’s a reunion.
“I was just so astounded by the need of this young
country and I was taken by
the country,” she said. “I’m
a very spiritual person and I
felt a calling. This is what I’m
supposed to do. ... It’s hard
to describe, but it’s just its a
passion... It’s hard to explain,
but this is what we’re supposed to do”
On Saturday, Oct. 17, at
6 p.m., the group is sponsoring a benefit dinner at St. Peter’s Church, Sandhill Road,
South Windsor. Danbinta
will provide the keynote address, accompanied by his
wife, Helen.
Chagnon will also give a
presentation.
Anyone is welcome to
attend. There is no charge
for the dinner, but reservations are required. For more
information, contact AEP
President Don Ghostlaw at
[email protected], or
call him at 860-305-0700.
Contact Chagnon at [email protected] or call her
at 860-930-8703 for more information.
For more information
about AEP, visit www.africaep.org.
FREE LIFESTYLE MEDICINE PROGRAM
Clean Eating and
Whole Foods
Wednesday, September 16
7 - 8:30 p.m.
UConn Health, Main Building
Keller Auditorium
Join UConn Health’s lifestyle medicine expert
Brad Biskup, P.A.-C., to learn about the
principles of clean eating as well as:
•
How whole foods and eating clean are
beneficial to your health
•
Reasons to avoid processed foods
•
How to incorporate a clean eating plan into
your diet
REGISTER TODAY.
Call 800.535.6232
All classes begin the week of September 14th
860-658-5600 • 860-693-2721
Simsbury Studio
For information and registration,
please call or email: [email protected]
263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON
uchc.edu
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
7
Local agricultural celebration coming up for fourth year
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
The fourth annual Granby
Open Farm Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m., will feature among the best agriculture that the town has to offer.
“We have a lot of the larger
farms,” Pamela Burek, member of
the Granby Agricultural Commission and the chairperson of Open
Farm Day, said.
Ten farms are participating in
the event this year, including Sweet
Pea Farm, Lost Acres Vineyard,
Lost Acres Orchard, Holcomb Farm
and School House Farm.
Among the new features this
year is School House Farm hosting
Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital,
which will have one of its mobile
units at the farm. “They will be talking to people
about what they do to support the
farm animals and help the farmers
in the area,” Burek said.
Burek added that having
School House Farm is also nice
because it’s one of the few times
during the year that people can go
and see the alpacas there.
8
The
Valley Press
File photos
Maple View Farm is one of many open for the annual event that takes
place Sept. 12 this year.
Guests to Granby farms can greet a variety of animals during Open Farm
Day.
Another new feature this year
will be Granby resident Gary Melnysyn, a renowned nature photographer who has a studio in town,
offering for sale a calendar that has
photographs of Granby farms. The
calendars will be for sale at numerous farms this year, Burek said.
In addition to the farms, Granby Grange No. 5 will have a photo
contest, chili/soup competition and
canning demonstration. Also Briarwoods Farm, will be on site. O’Brien
turnout we got, and it continued every year. If anything, it’s grown a little bit. … We’ve had terrific crowds.
Last year, it was so hot, you could
hardly stand it, but people still
came. They’re all very supportive of
the farmers. “It’s what I like about living
in Granby the most. Everybody
supports local businesses, and the
farms are such a big part of those
local businesses. Open Farm Day
lets us showcase them.”
September 3, 2015
Nurserymen will have hosta dividing demonstrations throughout the
day.
Open Farm Day has been a hit
since its first year, Burek said, and
it continues to draw crowds in the
thousands.
“The Agriculture Commission
wanted to do something to let people know and educate them about
what our farms have to offer,” Burek
said. “The first year was an experiment. We weren’t expecting the
One of the things Burek is
most pleased about, outside of the
terrific turnout, is the diversity of
farms that take part in the event,
from a vineyard, to an orchard, to
meat producers, to vegetables, to
fruit, to dairy.
“There’s really something for
everyone who has an interest in
any kind of farming,” she said. “You
name it, we’ve got it.”
For more information on Open
Farm Day, visit: www.granbyAG.org. A reader’s guide to Open Farm Day locations
Clark Farm
at Bushy Hill
In June of 2010, Allen and
Becky Clark purchased the
75-acre orchard from Hal
and Nora Law. Since 2010,
Allen and Becky have continued to honor what the
Law family had begun, and
now that the rehabilitation
of the Apple Store and the
Creamery have been completed, this farming family’s
dream has come true. Although it’s an orchard, there
is so much more grown on
the farm. Seasonally, fruit
is available and includes
strawberries, blueberries,
raspberries, peaches, pears.
Apple picking is available
seasonally.
Enjoy a cone, sundae
or shake at the Creamery,
serving Bliss ice cream and
homemade gelato. Order
at the window and choose
from seating inside or on the
renovated porch.
On Open Farm Day, visitors will have the chance to
pick their own apples and
sample cider donuts.
Garlic Farm
The Garlic Farm grows pesticide-free vegetables and
flowers and sells them to
the public every day in the
vintage barn on the farm.
Equally well known for its
tomatoes and its garlic, the
farm also grows peppers,
eggplant, squash and other
summer veggies, along with
onions, leeks and shallots.
On Open Farm Day,
visitors can inspect tractors at close range and
perch for a moment on one
of them for a photo. Farm
owner Gary Cirullo will
lead several tours and offer tips on growing garlic at
home. Samples of roasted
garlic and peppers will be
available.
Holcomb Farm CSA
Holcomb Farm is a townowned historic property
in West Granby. Today, the
property continues as a
working farm with fields full
of fresh produce and is also
a resource available to the
public for passive recreation.
Holcomb Farm is committed to preserving the expansive green spaces for which
the state is known, and dedicated to offering programs
that honor community,
agriculture and education.
The Holcomb Farm CSA
brings the farming tradition
at Holcomb Farm into the
21st century. All crops are
grown without chemicals
and with a commitment to
sustainable agriculture. As
part of its nonprofit mission,
Holcomb Farm CSA’s Fresh
Access program provides a
portion of its harvest to social service agencies in Hartford and Granby.
At the CSA Barn, visitors will have several opportunities to tour the farm and
see the unusual plants that
are being cultivated on the
farm, as well as learn about
the health benefits hidden
in the herbs and vegetables
grown at the farm. Come
at noontime and join in the
Tomato Taste-off, sampling
a variety of heirloom, slicers
and cherry tomatoes.
Lost Acres Orchard
Since the ‘70s, the Wutka
family at Lost Acres Orchard
has grown peaches, apples,
quince and pears. In the fall,
visitors can pick own apples
or buy them already picked.
They also sell local winter
squash, mums, pumpkins
and gourds.
On Open Farm Day, enjoy complimentary wagon
rides through the orchard.
Each hour, on the hour will
be a five-minute talk on the
history of the orchard and
the area of North Granby
where it is located. Light
lunch will be available for
purchase.
Lost Acres Vineyard
In the 1700s, Lost Acres was
a political no-man’s land
known as “the Wedge.” In
the early 1800s, the Wedge’s
free spirited, cider distilling
hill farmers populated the
area. At Lost Acres Vineyard, owners Kevin Riggott
and Michelle Niedermeyer
continue this tradition with
grape wine. A former apple
orchard, Lost Acres Vineyard reclaimed this land in
2008, and is now home to
five acres of wine grapes,
contributing to the agricultural spirit and the natural
beauty of Granby.
On Open Farm Day, the
vineyard will have free samples of its Clemons Springs
wine and demonstrations
of an old style wine press.
Lost Acres Vineyard will
welcome the Granby Pony
Club, in its 50th year. The
Pony Club will offer pony
rides for a small fee and give
demonstrations. Acclaimed
horse trainer Marcus Rhatigan will wow visitors with a
training and riding demonstration.
Sepe Farm
Sheep shearing team – Peter and Carolyn Sepe, Erin
Sepe Pirro and Jonathan
Pirro – will be at the vineyard to demonstrate fall
sheep shearing. Ongoing at
Sepe Farm will be spinning
demonstrations and a felting activity for kids.
Maple View Farm
In 1950, Bill and Evelyn Bogli
found 50 beautiful acres in
Granby to move their young
family and take over an existing dairy operation. After
coming out of the milking
business, the farm was used
to board horses and ponies.
Jason and Kate Bogli are
committed to keeping this
land in the center of town
a working farm. They now
raise cows, goats and pigs
in addition to boarding and
leasing horses and providing beginner horseback riding lessons. The Farm Store
offers cuts of their meat and
other locally made products.
On Open Farm Day,
Farmer Kate will lead tours
of the farm where visitors
will get to meet all of the animals and see how they are
raised. There will be a riding demo given by some of
the students, and a chance
to meet Jellybean the pony.
Come early for breakfast
with Farmer Kate or come
at lunchtime to purchase a
Maple View burger, dog or
sausage. The day culminates
with a haybale throwing
contest.
O’Brien Nurserymen
O’Brien Nurserymen has
grown into New England’s
premiere hosta nursery. Its
extensive display gardens
feature more than 1,600 hosta varieties as well as other
shady characters including
asarums, pulmonarias, epimediums and arisaemas.
The gardens also include
a wide variety of unusual
dwarf conifers and more
than a hundred varieties of
Japanese maples.
On Open Farm Day,
nurseryman John O’Brien
puts the spotlight on rare
peony species and intersectional peonies (cross of tree
peonies and herbaceous
peonies). Their showy seedpods ought to be at their
peak in early September.
Also expect hosta division
demos, a tour of the landscaped trails with O’Brien
for fans of the hostas and
a self-guided plant quiz for
fun. Discover the pleasure
of plants, many unique and
unusual specimens.
Old Beech Farm
Old Beech Farm began operation in the fall of 1988. The
farm raises registered Hereford cattle, and the breeding
stock is sold from Maine to
Virginia. The farm actively
shows cattle throughout the
Northeast and as far away as
the National Hereford Show
in Denver in January. This is
a great opportunity to view
this breed including cows
with their calves, breeding
age bulls and yearling heifers ( females). There are free
range chickens roaming
around and a large vegetable garden to explore. Joan
Palmer will be available to
share her expertise in plants
and gardening. There will be
a display of tractors, great
for some photos with the
kids on board.
Also available for sale
will be locally sourced beef,
chicken and pork as well as
maple syrup. Farm owners
look forward to sharing the
farm with the community.
Come wander around the
fields.
Schoolhouse Farm
At Schoolhouse Farm,
Mary-Jo
Toczydlowski
breeds alpacas and shows
them. You’ll also find pigs,
chickens and vegetables at
Schoolhouse Farm, which is
so-named because it’s located on the former site of the
Loomis School one-room
schoolhouse.
Meet alpacas, pigs and
chickens at this new farm.
Take a look at the John
Deere 1946 B tractor on display. Perch on the tractor for
a momentary photo opportunity. There will be a spinning demonstration from 10
a.m.-noon, and they will be
giving samples of their farmraised ham. Items such as
gloves, hats, socks, scarves
and blankets made from the
Schoolhouse Farm alpaca
fiber will be for sale during
Open Farm Day.
The Granby Horse
Council will be at Schoolhouse Farm all day for
Open Farm Day. They will
have horses for petting, and
demonstrations of tack and
different styles of horsemanship. There will be kids’
games, trivia questions and
prizes. There will be something for everyone.
New to Open Farm Day
this year, Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital will also be
at Schoolhouse Farm.
Guests will have an opportunity to meet the new
vet, Dr. Rothacker, and see
the Ambulatory Truck used
to help treat the farm animals. In the afternoon, they
will be giving several presentations – one on sheep and
goat parasites and one on
vaccinations.
Sweet Pea Cheese at
House of Hayes
Sweet Pea Cheese extends
the House of Hayes traditional cow dairy operation
into goat milk, yogurt and
cheese. A growing herd of
goats produces milk yearround for products sold at
the farm and at farmers’
markets in the region. The
House of Hayes cow dairy
has 60 cows and produces cheese,
yogurt and
milk.
presentations from project
groups such as dairy cows,
poultry, goats, sewing, hiking, small engine and baking
that are worked on throughout the year. Information
about the program will be
onhand, and T-shirts and
food items will be available
for purchase to support
Granby agriculture and
Granby 4-H.
Granby Grange
The Grange is a venerable
rural community organization. On Open Farm Day,
the Grange will be hosting a photo contest and
chili-cooking contest. Come
have chili for lunch and vote
on your favorite. The photo
New this year:
Open Farm Day
memorabilia
Open Farm Day T-shirts will be available
for sale. The Granby 4-H will be selling
the T-shirts in their booth at Sweet Pea Farm.
Come support local agriculture and the Granby 4-H.
An Open Farm Day calendar, featuring the work of
renowned photographer and Granby resident Gary
Melnysyn, will be available for sale.
Melnysyn has been busy visiting the farms and
capturing candid shots of local farms.
The result is an Open Farm Day calendar
showcasing beautiful images.
Calendars will be available for purchase on
Open Farm Day at several farms,
and at Gary’s studio –
Open
Hidden Acres Yoga & Art Gallery,
Farm
Day
114 East St., Granby.
activities at the
House of Hayes include
tours of the dairy and
cheese-making
facilities. contest theme is
Visitors can enjoy free bite- “People and the Land” – enter the contest or vote on
sized goat cheese samples.
The corn maze will your favorite photo.
In the evening after
also be open at noon, with
an admission fee of $7 for Open Farm Day is over,
adults/$5 for children aged there will be a rock band at
5 to 13; free for children un- the Grange.
Briarwoods Farm will
der 5. The retail store sells
pasteurized whole goat and also be at Granby Grange
cow milk, along with yogurt, with produce, canned
feta cheese and chèvre (goat goods, recipes and canning
cheese prepared according demonstrations at 11 a.m.
to the French tradition).
and 2 p.m.
Hemlock Knoll Farm
Located on the Granwill also be at Sweet Pea by/Barkhamsted/Canton
Farm, with an informational line, and accessible from
display about its farm-raised Rte. 179, the land has been
meat products.
in the Langer family for
Granby 4-H will be at more than 100 years. Sheila
Sweet Pea Farm. Come see (Langer) Groneman started
what young people have ac- Briarwoods Farm in 2011
after building on the back
complished.
Granby 4-H is an orga- acreage in 2007. Briarwoods
nization run by local youth Farm produces naturalthat provides opportuni- ly grown fruit, vegetables
ties for them to learn and and herbs, as well as small
grow. There will be demon- batches of jams, jellies and
strations and educational other fruit products.
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
9
D.O.G.G.S. Daze of Summer
From left; Perry, Nancy
and Dean Lenart pose
with their dog Bandit
during the D.O.G.G.S.
Daze of Summer event.
Jazzy the Yorkie (center), flanked by pals, enjoys a dip in the pond.
Left: A large number of
people turned out for the
D.O.G.G.S. Daze of Summer
event at Salmon Brook Park
in Granby Aug. 30.
Below, left: Linda Goodman
and her dog Kendall
Below, right: Mark
Piwonski teaches Maddie
how to swim.
Simsbury Woman’s Club Presents
46th ANNUAL
ARTS
CRAFTS
&
F E S T I VA L
Showcasing The Work of
Over 120 Juried Artists,
Artisans, & Craftspeople
Read
Valley
PRESS
AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY
www.TurleyCT.com
SEPTEMBER
19th & 20th
10am to 5pm
RAIN
OR
SHINE
Free
Admission
Free
Parking
Something For All Ages!
Iron Horse Boulevard, Simsbury
1 block east of Routes 10/202 in the center of town
Member of General Federation of Woman’s Clubs
10
The
Valley Press
September 3, 2015
G
Photos by Ted Glanzer
ranby let the
dogs out on
Sunday, Aug.
30. About 150 dogs
and even more of their
owners showed up at
the D.O.G.G.S. Daze
of Summer event at
Salmon Brook Park last
weekend. For $10 per
pup, plenty of precocious pooches took
a dip in the enclosed
pond, retrieving tennis
balls, chasing each
other’s tails and
generally having a good
time. The event is the
major fundraiser for the
Granby D.O.G.G.S. Park.
The funds go to the
maintenance of the dog
park at Salmon Brook
Park.
Audition
Master Class with
LINDSAY
MENDEZ
68 M ain Street
T orrington, C T | 860.
489.
7180
www.
w arnertheatre.
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Concert
To Benefit
THE WARNER
THEATRE
SAT, SEPT 5 AT 1PM
In The Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
Master Class with
LINDSAY MENDEZ
SEPT 5
AT
1PM
SCOTT HELMER
Torrington Thunder Bike Night
SEPT 11
SEPT 11 @ 8PM
RICKY BYRD’S CLEAN GETAWAY
ALL STARS
To Benefit The McCall Foundation
SEPT 19
In The Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
ASSASSINS
SEPT 26 - OCT 4
MetOpera Live in HD Series
VERDI’S IL TROVATORE
OCT 3
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRIGHT
FESTIVAL
OCT 15-17
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
The Movie On Our Big Screen
OCT 16 AT 8PM
TAB HUNTER: CONFIDENTIAL
5
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-8P
On The Warner’s 50 Foot Screen
OCT 17 AT 7PM
MetOpera Live in HD Series
VERDI’S OTELLO
5-8PM
OCT 17
WARNER MUSIC FEST 2015
Featuring Ian Campbell, The Loft, Stache,
Switch Factory & Western Lands Trio
OCT 24
MetOpera Live in HD Series
WAGNER’S TANNHÄUSER
OCT 31
WINE TASTING
To Benefit The Warner Theatre
NOV 6
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
NOV 7-15
Young Actors Series Presents
CHARLOTTE’S WEB
NOV 20-22
POP ROCK & DOO WOPP LIVE
NOV 21 AT 8PM
TORRINGTON SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
DEC 5
SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM
DEC 10-13
Nutmeg Presents:
THE NUTCRACKER
DEC 19 & 20, 2015
MOMIX OPUS CACTUS
JAN 9 & 10, 2016
ROCK OF AGES
FEB 6-14, 2016
In The Nancy Marine Studio Theatre
LOST IN YONKERS
MARCH 5-13, 2016
Nutmeg Presents:
IMPACT
MAR 19-20, 2016
COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD
SHERWOOD:
TWO MAN GROUP
APRIL 17, 2016
AT
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7PM
MAY 7-15, 2016
NUTMEG GRADUATION SERIES
MAY 18-21, 2016
Nutmeg Presents:
SUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL
JULY 25-31, 2016
SEUSSICAL
JULY 30 - AUG 7, 2016
With support of
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
11
Fitzgerald’s is your neighborhood fresh Deli!
We have over 20 fresh store made deli salads to choose from.
And a large variety of quality cold cuts and cheese - headlined by Boar's Head,
and our own quality turkey breast, roast beef, and ham.
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with a large assortment of fixings. The best part is all of our deli sandwiches are made on
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710 Hopmeadow St. • Drake Hill Mall
Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-658-2271
Fax: 860.658.2273
Pizza: 860-658-1210
12
The
Valley Press
September 3, 2015
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PRESSNews
Students withdraw from AHS
Twin sisters cite decision to eliminate social workers as reason for leaving school
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
AVON — Catriana and Jaelle
Hersey are not planning to complete their senior year at Avon
High School.
After presenting the Board of
Education at its Aug. 25 meeting
with a petition with 650 signatures
declaring no confidence against
Superintendent of Schools Gary
Mala and board chair Peggy Roell, the twin sisters said they were
withdrawing from the school.
“Both me and my sister have
been bullied by teachers,” Catriana said. “I feel intimidated by
teachers in this school and don’t
feel safe, and no one has helped
me besides Miss Knee. ... The administrators have never done anything to stop this and, as a result,
I won’t be able to complete this
year. I am withdrawing and going
to college.”
Jaelle echoed her sister’s sentiments.
“I think you need to take a
good look at how your teachers
treat special ed students,” she
said. “It makes you appear socially
ostracized.”
Both girls said they had only
made it as far as they had because
of the support they have received
from social worker Laura Knee, on
whom they heavily relied.
In June, Knee was laid off,
along with the rest of the school
social workers in the district, all of
whom were replaced with school
psychologists.
Jaelle and Catriana said they
would not feel comfortable being
counseled by a school psychologist, who, in their esteem, would
be prone to make assessments instead of listening and helping.
Parents in the district have
said much the same thing and
have pointed out that both social
workers and psychologists were
necessary, with social workers
having a longer reach into the
community at large to find services for children in need.
The petition is a response to
Towns honor teachers
Ferrier Sands given
annual accolade
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Simsbury Land Trust. They were
all dead ends, he said.
The town told him it wasn’t
its responsibility; the historical
society said the property the
monument is on belongs to the
land trust, and the land trust said
maintaining monuments is not
what it does, Hart said.
FARMINGTON — West District Elementary School teacher Nancy Landish was selected
the 2015-16 Farmington Teacher
of the Year, according to a press
release.
Landish has taught first
and second grade in Farmington
public schools for 15 years and,
during that time, has become an
educator who has developed lessons that reflect personalization,
choice and creating student leaders, according to the release.
“I am honored and deeply
grateful to be selected Farmington’s Teacher of the Year,” Landish
said “When I think of excellence
in education, I think of the many
Farmington teachers and administrators with whom I have
worked and from whom I have
learned. I am grateful for the many
supportive parents who entrust
their children to my care each day.
My students are my motivation to
do my best always, and they make
what I do so personally gratifying.
SIMSBURY — Jan Ferrier
Sands always knew she would be
a teacher, and from her first Spanish class in the early 1970s, she
knew that would be her subject of
choice.
Sands was named the 2015
Kathleen Magowan Simsbury
Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the
school district’s morning “welcome back” gathering for teachers
Aug. 24.
At the assembly, Simsbury’s
2014 Teacher of the Year, Central School kindergarten teacher
Georgia Austin, introduced Sands,
who received a standing ovation
from her colleagues.
“If you Google ‘dedication,’
Jan’s picture would be there,” Austin said, according to a press release.
In a phone call Aug. 28, Sands
recalls playing with her sister as
a child and making her sit down
and be the student while she
played the teacher.
See OVERGROWN on page 17
See LANDISH on page 16
See SANDS on page 16
See WITHDRAW on page 16
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Photo by Sloan Brewster
The David Russell monument on a hill on East Weatogue Street, which
depicts where the man was run over by a cart wheel in 1782, is overrun
by weeds and poison ivy.
ument is not being cared for because it’s a piece of that history.
“There’s got to be somebody
civic-minded that can take care
of this,” Hart said, adding that at
93, he’s simply unable to do it.
Hart took his mission down
several different local avenues,
including the town’s Public
Works Department, the Simsbury Historical Society and the
Courtesy photo
Jan Ferrier Sands is the 2015
Kathleen Magowan award winner.
West District educator
recognized
Overgrown monument sheds light on area of need
SIMSBURY — In 1782, David
Russell was run over by a cart
and died.
Russell was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, but a monument
was erected on the hill on East
Weatogue Street where the accident occurred. The brownstone
marker bears the inscription “This
Monument is erected in memory
of the fatal wound That Mr. David
Russell rec’d at this place by a cart
wheel Running across his body
On the 15th day of June 1782 in
the 38th year of his age.”
More than two centuries
later, and much to the dismay of
Granby resident William Hart,
the area around the stone is overgrown with weeds and poison ivy.
Hart’s family lineage reaches
back to the 1670s, when Granby
was part of Simsbury, and he feels
greatly connected to the local
history.
He is bothered that the mon-
Courtesy photo
Nancy Landish is Farmington’s
Teacher of the Year.
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The
Valley Press
13
STEAP grant modified for additional funding
By Alison Jalbert
Assistant Editor
balance, but money from
that account has recently
been used for the windows
project at the high school
CANTON — The Canand middle school, and a
ton Board of Selectmen
shortfall with the Emergency
seeks to modify its 2015
Photo by Ted Glanzer
Medical Services special revSTEAP grant application in
enue fund is anticipated.
order to fund the additional
Local residents have expressed some concern over the imA third option involves
cost for a traffic control sigpact a 268-unit condominium/apartment complex would
modifying another STEAP
nal on River Road.
have on traffic in the area, particularly on Perry Street (picgrant application. In NoAt the board’s Aug. 26
tured above with the faded Charles House sign on the left)
vember 2014, the selectmen
meeting, Chief Administraand Mill Street.
approved a grant application
tive Officer Robert Skinner
for $200,000 to remove the
explained that in 2009, the
bridge on Swimming Pool
town applied for a Small
Road.
Town Economic Assistance
“At some point, we need
Program grant to do two
By Ted Glanzer
ings, CenterPlan representato remove that bridge, but
things: make changes to the
Staff Writer
tives said that they planned
the second half of that road
Bridge Street area via trafon renting out the units for
is closed and no one uses it,”
fic calming measures and
FARMINGTON — Cen- $1,500 to $2,000 a month to
Skinner said. “It’s not necesto put in a traffic control
terPlan Development Co.’s attract young professionals
sarily needed [right now]; the
signal where the bike trail
application for a large, $60 to and empty-nesters/retirees
intersection takes priority.”
crosses Bridge Street. The
$70 million apartment com- who no longer want to own
First Selectman Richtraffic-calming portion of
plex on 17 acres of land adja- their own homes.
ard Barlow said he has conthe grant was denied, but
cent to Union School was so
Warner said in a teletacted the state to see if that
Canton did receive a grant
detailed and massive, it took phone interview Aug. 27 that
part of the STEAP grant can
for the signal.
two trips with a hand truck a town independent study
be changed from removing
The estimate for the
to haul the paperwork into from 10 years ago said that
the bridge to funding the
cost of the traffic light was
Town Hall Aug. 25.
it would cost between $7
traffic light shortfall. If the
$156,000, and the grant was
Other than the sheer and $9 million to clean up
state does not approve the
volume of the application, the property. Bob Landino,
change, Skinner said the
there were no surprises, ac- CenterPlan’s CEO, said to
town would have to look at
cording to Town Planner Bill make the investment work,
another option.
Warner.
the number of units had to
“Rails to Trails are inThe
much-anticipat- be on the higher end. The
viting
people
to
cross
these
A rea: 01929-07-15 Connecticut-Central/
&ENERGY
paving inc.
CLIPPER MAGAZINEconstruction
TOWER
ed application calls for 268 Town Plan and Zoning Comheavily traveled
roads,
” SeAccount #: 200432
The Farmington
Valley
Reg.Meg
Proof Release
apartments and condomini- mission approved a 91-unit
Tracking&
#: SERVICE
3115443.INDD
lectman
Lowell Humphrey
Mail Week:
09/07/2015
QUALITY
Approve By: 08/25/15
ums - down from an initial complex in 2007, but that
NICK
SCATA
This ad is the property
of
CLIPPER
MAGAZINE
and may not be reproduced.
said.
“We
should
provide
Since
1975
Please review your proof carefully. CLIPPER MAGAZINE is not responsible
Contact your Account Service Coordinator:
phone: 860-677-7347
estimated 295 units - to be development never went
whatever
safety cushions
for any error not
marked.
Kelly Metz
email: [email protected]; nscata@
COUPON PLACEMENT MAY CHANGE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.
constructed near the Farm- past the planning stages bewe
can
for
them.
…
We
plainvilleoil.com
Team: 5H
ington River on the parcel cause of the high cost of the
fax: 860-677-7395
have to do something soon
phone: 717-509-9289
email: [email protected]
known as the Charles House environmental remediation,
DRIVEWAYS • PARKING LOTS
with the bridge, but to prifax: 717-358-2525
property. The reduction of Warner said. oritize
these
[projects],
getROADWAYS • CURBING
Sales Rep: Christine Conroy
the number of units and conThe most pressing conting
people
across
Bridge
EXCAVATION • GRADING
version
of
some
of
the
units
cern
to local residents is the
Street
is
the
priority.
”
APPROVE YOUR AD OR SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER ABOVE.
DRAINAGE • MILLING
to
condominiums
would
negative
impact the addiThe
motion
to
autho❑ Ad is approved
❑ Ad is approved with changes
❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated
SEALCOATING
• RECLAIMATION
provide some of the com- tional vehicles owned by the
rize Skinner to modify the
plex’s residents an ownership new residents will have on
STEAP grant application,
SIGNATURE
DATE
PRINT NAME
r
interest.
traffic during peak times.
o
subject
to
concurrence
by
F
Call EE
The
developer
also
addLandino said his firm
the
state,
passed
unaniFR tes
ed
garages
behind
the
front
has
hired
a traffic engineer
a
mously,
save
for
Selectman
Licensed & Fully Insured LIC # 523704
Estim
of the building with condo- and that the town’s Plan and
Tom Sevigny, who was not
39 West Dudley Town Road, Bloomfield
Zoning Commission had
minium units, Warner said.
in attendance.
www.maglieri-construction.com
Overall, the complex, also hired an independent
according to the application, consultant at CenterPlan’s
will have four large buildings. expense to determine the
The plan also calls for traffic impact.
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the matter are expected to all
comments and concerns.
In one of those meet- start this month.
approved at a town meeting
in December 2010.
For the past 4 ½ years,
town officials have been pursuing approval from abutting
property owners, the state
Department of Transportation and the Historical Commission to install the traffic
light. Skinner said the DOT
recently gave its approval to put the project out to
bid. Only one response was
received, from A.M. Rizzo
Electrical, the predominant
bidder on traffic signals in
the area, he explained.
Rizzo’s base bid was
$250,838;
the
add-ons
from the Historical Society brought the bid to
$336,826.75.
“We figured with the
necessary add-ons, including
the decorative elements the
Historical Commission was
looking for, [the bid would
be] $266,000,” Skinner told
the selectmen. “We need
around $140,000 to $150,000
of additional funding in order
to put the light in.”
From the original grant
money, $26,000 has been
spent on design costs, attorney fees and other funding
requirements.
Skinner said there are
options for how to proceed.
The town could do nothing
and not install the light; he
said if the Collins Company
axe factory is developed, the
light would probably be installed by the developers, but
given that there is no official
plan in place, the safety issue
of pedestrians and cyclists
attempting to cross Bridge
Street is still a problem.
Selectmen could also
call a town meeting to take
$150,000 out of the undesignated fund balance. Skinner
said the current balance
is $4.7 million, which represents 12.83 percent of the
current budget. Taking the
necessary funds out would
not dramatically affect the
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The
Valley Press
September 3, 2015
Application for new
apartment complex filed
Town hits 375 years
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
FARMINGTON
—
Town Historian Betty
Coykendall doesn’t know
what to expect when various historical organizations
join together Sunday, Sept.
13 to celebrate Farmington’s
375th anniversary.
That includes how she
and other volunteers will
light all of the candles that
will top a cake at the end of
the festivities at the Community Center.
Farmington’s birthday
party will take place from
1 to 5 p.m., with seven organizations - the Unionville
Museum, the Stanley-Whitman House, the Hill-Stead
Museum, the First Church
of Christ in Farmington, the
Farmington Historical Society, the Lewis Walpole Root
House, and the Farmington
Land Trust - all taking part
in the event.
“Each one of them
will have some sort of entertainment for the public,”
Coykendall said.
The Hill-Stead, for example, will have someone
portraying Theodate Pope
Riddle, one of the first female American architects
who also survived the sinking of RMS Lusitania. The
Farmington Land Trust
will have an activity on the
Cowles property and have
E N D
O F
someone portray Robert
Brandegee, an artist from
Farmington who liked to
go visit the area known as
Farmington center to paint,
Coykendall said.
The Unionville Museum is going to play host to
someone playing Maria Hall
Richards, who was a nurse
in the Civil War, while the
Historical Society will have
Charlotte Cowles, who was
a young woman who wrote
a lot of letters in 1830s and
40s commenting on abolition, Coykendall said. The event will have
buses running the loop of
the seven locations every
20 minutes. Parking will be
available at Noah Wallace
Elementary School or the
Community Center.
“I hope people will be
interested enough to come
and learn about a little
history at the same time,”
she said. “People can see
Farmington history really
in human terms about the
people who made the town
what it is today.”
As part of the celebration, the Unionville Museum opened half of an exhibit
called “Faces From the Past,”
Aug. 23. The Barney Library
will open the other half
Sept. 9. The exhibit features
70 people - 35 from Unionville, 35 from Farmington
- who made a difference in
town, Coykendall said. New buildings at the Community Farm approved
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
SIMSBURY — The
Community Farm of Simsbury is getting some new
educational buildings.
At the Aug. 10 Board of
Selectmen meeting, Director of Public Works Tom Roy
and Diana Goode, executive
director for Gifts of Love
and the Community Farm
of Simsbury, presented the
plans to the board for its approval.
The plan involves a pavilion that will have three
seasonal classrooms, a permanent greenhouse and two
high tunnels or temporary
unheated greenhouses.
Volunteers from the
Triumph Company in Windsor will build and pay for the
pavilion, Goode said. The
greenhouse will be paid for
by a grant.
According to a letter from the Connecticut
Health and Education Facilities Authority that was
included in the meeting
packet, the $54,259 grant
was one of 24 awards in the
2012 grant program.
The authority received
145 responses to its initial
Requests for Proposals for
grants, the letter states. Of
those, 91 were selected for
full applications. In the end
88 applications were sub-
mitted and 24 projects received funding.
The seasonal classrooms will be used in a program through which every
local fourth-grader goes to
the farm four times and is
paired with a student from
Hartford, Goode said.
In the program, both
groups learn about each
other, about the history of
the land where the farm is
located and the bike trail
that runs nearby.
“[The farm] has become
more active each and every
year,” Roy said.
Among other educational pursuits throughout
the year, over the summer,
local Boy and Girl Scouts
have been camping out at
the farm, Goode said.
“We are incredibly
proud of the work going on
at the farm,” Goode wrote in
a letter to First Selectman
Lisa Heavner, also included
in the meeting packet. “We
Photo by Sloan Brewster
A view of flowers and produce growing at Community Farm
of Simsbury.
have over 200 campers there
this summer learning about
where food comes from,
what constitutes a healthy
food choice, the history of
that section of Simsbury, bug
and animal life – all while
having fun. Organic produce
is distributed by Simsbury
Social Services and Gifts of
Love. Volunteer groups are
harvesting and helping to
make all of this possible. It
is truly a Community Farm.”
Goode said she hopes
even more people will take
advantage of the opportunities at the farm.
“The last thing we want
to be is Simsbury’s best-kept
secret,” Goode said.
The board approved a
motion to build the structures.
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September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
15
WITHDRAW
from page 13
the removal of the social
workers.
The petition was crafted and began its circulation
after a public hearing July 1
at which every speaker from
the public made a statement
against the decision to eliminate the social workers.
At the end, only one board
member, Wendy Howard,
said a revote was in order.
Roell, in turn, defended
the decision, saying she had
reached out to an administrator from another district
who called the move progressive. She said that if it does
not work, there may be an
opportunity to revert back to
the old way next year.
Sarah Calatayud was
SANDS
from page 13
She knew from that time
that teaching would be her
gig when she grew up.
“You see, teachers have
always been my heroes,”
Sands said in her convocation speech during the welcome back gathering.
At Farmington High
School, where she first took
Spanish with Celeste Masi,
Sands realized that her subject would be Spanish.
“[Miss Masi’s] passion
was contagious, and I decided then and there that
I would study in Spain and
experience those marvels
for myself ” she said during
among a group of parents
packed into the August
meeting, continuing to rally
against the decision to eliminate social workers. Speaking
individually, they accused the
board of not listening to its
constituents.
Director of Pupil Services Kelly Grant, who made
the recommendation to put
psychologists in place of the
social workers, spoke as well,
stating that the plan, a multitiered system of support,
was the best way to serve
the needs of the students.
Psychologists can do all the
same things that social workers do and more, she said.
“It was never our intention to pit social workers
against psychologists,” she
said. “We understand that
relationships were built between staff and students.
... We are committed to addressing students’ needs as
they occur.”
In a message to parents Aug. 11, Mala replied
to some of the questions
that have been asked about
the decision. According to
Mala, social workers can do
nothing that school psychologists can’t also do.
“Similar to social workers, school psychologists establish liaison relationships
with family and community
partners, explicitly model
and teach social skills and
effective learning strategies, provide individual and
group counseling sessions,
and intervene in crisis situations,” Mala wrote.
School psychologists
will also provide services
that school social workers
did not previously provide.
He gave a long list of those
services including assessing
levels of cognitive, academic
and social/emotional functioning; conducting ecological assessments; and evaluating student performance
through direct observations and analysis of work
products.
Mala has also said the
district has begun an internal discussion to possibly
reverse the decision.
“We’re now having
those conversations, what’s
best for our students,” Mala
has said. “Internally, we’re
re-examining the decision
that was put forth.”
her speech. “Her enthusiasm
and love of Spanish-speaking cultures convinced me
that learning about another
language and culture could
be worthwhile, even life
changing.”
Aside from her love of
teaching, students and of the
Spanish language and culture, she spoke of gratitude.
Every morning she lists
five things for which she is
grateful, she said.
“I feel that I am blessed
with many, many things in
my life,” she said.
Those blessings include
teaching in Simsbury, where
she said there is a culture of
excellence.
She recalled her first
day teaching in Simsbury 36
years ago, which came with a
fear of whether she would be
able to meet high standards.
“There is a culture of
excellence here that I have always found stimulating,” she
said, “I tried my best to rise to
that challenge every day.”
Simsbury’s
annual
Teacher of the Year program
was renamed recently to
honor former teacher Kathleen Magowan, a Simsbury
elementary school teacher
for 35 years, who upon her
passing at the age of 87 Aug.
17, 2011, left a generous bequest to the district. The
Teacher of the Year honoree
traditionally receives $1,200
in district professional development funds; the Magowan
Fund provides an additional
$2,500 so that the honoree
can attend a national conference of their choosing.
Sands, who began her
career in 1979 at age 21, has
since risen to the challenge
she once feared.
“Many, many mornings, I express gratitude for
moments spent with my
students,” she said in her
speech. “I genuinely love
teenagers. I give thanks for a
student who, after persevering, loudly exclaims., ‘Aha …
I get it.” Is there any sound as
wonderful as that?”
Join us for an Open House
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LANDISH
from page 13
It is my privilege to
work in a community that
is dedicated to helping children achieve academic and
personal success and to
providing the foundation
for lifelong learning.” Farmington
school
officials praised Landish
for her dedication, talents
in the classroom and for
developing students for
Farmington’s Vision of the
Graduate.
“Teaching is a true
calling for Nancy,” Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Greider said in the
statement.
“Throughout
her impressive teaching
career, she has exemplified
the generous heart and exemplary skill of the very
best a Connecticut educator has to offer. Her kind
approach creates an atmosphere of deep care for all
students. When you enter
her classroom, students
are engaged, smiling and
highly collaborative. They
feel safe taking intellectual
risks as self-directed and
resourceful students. She
represents the powerful
and significant impact that
one teacher can make in the
life of a child, a classroom, a
school and a school district.
Nancy is a true Farmington
educator.”
“Nancy is a true Farmington educator,” Board
of Education Chair Mary
Grace Reed said. “Her care
for others, her skill as a
master teacher and her love
of the teaching profession
shine through each day in
her classroom. Nancy is an
individual who is always
learning and adjusting her
practice to meet the needs
of all students. The Farmington community has been
the fortunate recipient of
Nancy’s extraordinary gifts
and care for our children.
We thank Nancy for creating a place where students
thrive academically, socially
and emotionally.” West District Principal
Peter Michelson agreed.
“Nancy Ladish has dedicated herself to being the
best teacher that she can
be every day,” he said. “This
is true when she is with her
students, home planning
for the next day or on vacation in July. She is masterful
at creating an atmosphere
in her classroom where students succeed because they
want to do their best for her
and for themselves. This
leads students to reaching
academic and personal
goals that exceed expectations. She is a lifelong learner that is always looking for
the next great book to read,
and she is always willing to
share the knowledge that
she has with her colleagues.
West District and Farmington public schools are lucky
to have Nancy as a part of
our team.” Landish
graduated
magna cum laude from
Salve Regina University
with a B.A. in psychology
and elementary education
and he earned an M.S. in
reading and language arts
from Central Connecticut
State University. Landish
has worked in a variety of
educational settings since
she started her career in
1974, including teaching
first grade in the Suffield
public school system and
as a Title 1 reading teacher with cooperative special
services in East Granby, the
release states. She taught in
private schools for a number of years, including serving as a first-grade teacher
at St. Mary School in Simsbury from 1988-2000.
Landish has worked
as a first-grade teacher in
Farmington public schools
from 2000 to 2012, and as
a second-grade teacher for
the past three years.
Carl Shugart, the
strings music teacher at
Irving A. Robbins Middle
School, was the 2014-15
Farmington Teacher of the
Year.
TOWN OF FARMINGTON
TOWN PLAN AND ZONING COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that the Town Plan and Zoning Commission will hold a public
hearing Monday, September 14, 2015 at the Town Hall Council Chambers, 1 Monteith Drive, Farmington, at 7:00 p.m. on the following applications:
Birdseye Road LLC re-approval of special permit for medical office building located
at 32, 36 and 38 Birdseye Road, MOC zone.
Open house dates
Wilbur Charette special permit and site plan approval to construct construction
equipment garage at 55 Depot Place, C1 zone.
Registration not required
The Orchards
at Southington
Sept. 12 & 26
10 to 2 pm
34 Hobart Street
Southington, CT
860.628.5656
Independent and
Assisted Living
16
The
Valley Press
Arbor Rose at
Jerome Home
Cedar Mountain
Commons
Mulberry Gardens
of Southington
Sept. 13 • 10 to 2 pm
3 John H. Stewart Drive
Newington, CT
Sept. 19 • 10 to 2 pm
58 Mulberry Street
Plantsville, CT
860.229.3707
Independent, Assisted
Living and Memory Care
860.665.7901
Independent and
Assisted Living
860.276.1020
Memory Care, Assisted
Living and Adult Day
Program
Sept. 13 • 10 to 2 pm
975 Corbin Avenue
New Britain, CT
September 3, 2015
David S. Stoner & Son, LLC application for re-approval of special permit to demolish existing house and construct new house in ridgeline setback area for property
located at 99 Ely Road, R80 zone.
Town of Farmington text amendments to the Zoning Regulations; Article IV, Section
7.G.3 Temporary Signs; Article IV, Section 7.B.8. Signs; Article IV, Section 13.B.12.
Landscaping Requirements and Article 1, Section 2a. Prohibited Uses. A copy of
these amendments are filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
At this hearing interested persons may be heard and written communications received. A copy of these proposals are on file in the Planning Department, located
in the Town Hall, Farmington, CT.
Dated at Farmington, Connecticut, this 27th day of August 2015.
Donald W. Doeg, Secretary
Beautification Committee
seeks volunteers
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
SIMSBURY — A mass of weeds and poison ivy
around a historical monument in Simsbury drew attention to a need for new blood on a local committee.
Elizabeth Burt, chair of the Simsbury Beautification Committee, was dismayed when she learned William Hart, a 93-year-old Granby resident, was upset the
David Russell monument on East Weatogue Street was
not being properly cared for and was overgrown with
poisonous and unsightly weeds.
For Burt, the issue is one of manpower.
“There are too many things to do,” she said. “The
only thing would be to get a new volunteer.”
Burt listed some of the many landmarks and garden areas for which the committee cares.
She herself takes on maintenance of the two islands in front of town hall. There’s another spot on West
Street that is cared for by the same volunteer who does
the time consuming job of maintaining the plantings
at Schultz Park. There are small plots of land around
the signs at Simsbury Farms to be maintained, but the
women who cares for those area also does four other
gardens. Then there’s the island on the corner of West
Ledge and Mountain roads, the woman who does that
also beautifies another area, but the concern is less an
excess of work and more a matter of age.
“She’s elderly and she’s very uncomfortable because there’s traffic,” Burt said. “She can’t hear.”
In fact, nearly all the volunteers on the committee
are retired and in their late 50s and 60s.
“I’m 73,” Burt said. “People get arthritis, get dizzy
... Every year we get three or four people who drop out,
age gets them. ... We have several people in their 80s
and the majority of the people I would guess are between 50 and 80 and then I can really think of maybe
three or four that are under 50.”
Burt’s solution is an appeal to the next generation
of volunteers and hopes some of those folks will learn
about the issues at the Russell monument and step up.
“What we would really love to get is some young
people,” she said. “We really need new blood, it’s kind of
an ongoing issue.”
In addition, she wants manpower specifically.
“It is mostly women,” she said. “We could really
use more men ... When it comes to planting shrubs and
hauling mulch it would be really helpful to have some
men....so we need some more men in our group.”
For more information on the Beautification Committee visit www.simsbury-ct.gov/simsbury-beautification-committee.
To volunteer, contact Burt at 860-651-0710.
OVERGROWN from page 13 work in the area in the near when he was boy of only 6 safe as it has many fallen
years old.
future.
and falling trees.
From that time until
In the past, the deThe responses exasShe has asked the
partment has given mulch he was 81, he took on the town to help out by getting
perated Hart.
“All it takes is a weed for similar maintenance task of planting flowers rid of the dead trees and
and keeping the area nice doing something about the
hacker,” he said. “It’ll take projects, Roy said.
“I know that from time and spiffy, according to his poison ivy.
them 15 minutes to do it
and every month when it to time this issue comes daughter Sue Bednarcyk,
“My dream is to plant
grows up it’ll take 15 min- up,” he said. “There’s a vol- who is a member of the bleeding hearts and hosutes to do. Like I said, I’m 93 unteer in town that has Beautification Committee. tas,” she said, during a visit
so I can’t do that stuff any- done some maintenance As he grew older and was to the monument Thursmore. Somebody should on these unique oddities less able to keep up the day, Aug. 27.
She would also like
take care of this thing, it’s a in the past ... It truly is an work, the task was passed
on to various other volun- a landscape architect to
civic duty, have love of the oddity.”
An oddity or no, there teers.
town you live in.”
volunteer a few hours to
Planting flowers there design a stone stairway or
The marker sits at the is another similar marker
bottom of Tanager Hill, on Plank Hill Road. That is now part of the Beautifi- path up to the monument
which the land trust pur- one, which does not suffer cation Committee’s efforts and back to the road, takchased in 2013 from the from the same lack of care, and is Bednarcyk’s respon- ing into consideration
Ellsworth family – Tim memorializes a 3-year-old sibility.
drainage issues on the
The issue is that Bed- steep slope.
Ellsworth, his three sisters girl named Mindwell, the
daughter of Ezra Adams, narcyk can’t plant flowers
and their spouses.
Gerald Toner, director
Sally Rieger, a mem- esq, who died June 13, 1777. unless someone gets rid of Culture, Parks & RecreIn truth, there was a of the poison ivy, she said. ation, said he would look
ber of the land trust’s stewardship committee, said gentleman who took care She is highly allergic and into the matter and deterthe land trust discussed of the area around Russell’s in the past, when she has mine if the plot is in the
the matter after being con- monument for more than weeded around the stone, town’s right-of-way.
75 years. John Bednarcyk, she has ended up with a
tacted by Hart.
“If, in fact, it is on town
“My concern with that who passed away in 2008, severe case of internal poi- property, we will clear that
is that it is brownstone, the first came upon the stone son ivy.
out but if it’s not on town
sedimentary sandstone, marker and heard the story
Bednarcyk is also con- property, there’s nothing
and it’s falling apart, it’s of Russell’s untimely death cerned that the area is not we can do about it,” he said.
just kind of deteriorating,” Riegar said.
Now offe
That being said, Rieour prograrimng
a
gar added that the land
AVON HIG t
trust is all volunteers
H
SCHOOL
and its mission is to preserve land.
“[Maintaining
a
monument is] not our
primary mission,” she
said. “We have clipped
around it occasionally, my husband and I
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She mused that perhaps someone from the
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Or Call Us at: 860.408.9098
on the task of maintaining the spot.
Tom Roy, director
of Public Works, said
his department would
be doing some drainage
Avon Driving School
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September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
17
check it out
AVON–––––––––––––
Sew Thankful Quilters making Quilts of
Valor for service people touched by war
Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-9 p.m., at Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., drop in
Garden Club of Avon meeting Monday,
Sept. 14 at St. Ann Church, lunch at noon
followed by business meeting and program
on the predicament of bees, RSVP to Carol
at 860-673-4961
Avon Historical Society exhibit “A Canal
Runs Through It: Faith, Commerce and
Education in Old Avon Center” September thru October in display cases outside
the Local History Room of the Avon Free
Public Library, 281 Country Club Road
Avon historic sites open every Sunday
through September from 2-4 p.m. for tourist season – Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3
Harris St., and Derrin Farmhouse, 249 West
Avon Road
BURLINGTON–––––––
Burlington Garden Club meeting Thursday, Sept. 10 with Todd Hansen discussing
“Bonsai - Illusion vs. Reality,” meeting at
6:30 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. at Burlington Historical Society’s Elton Brown Tavern,
781 George Washington Turnpike, guests
and new members welcome
Tavern Day Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on
the Town Green
Parks & Recreation fall programs registration at www.burlingtonctparksandrec.com:
• Kickbox Combo Mondays and Wednesdays starting Sept. 14 thru Dec. 16. 6:307:30 p.m., at Lewis S. Mills High School,
$91/one class per week, $125/two classes
per week, $10 per class with waiver
• Health Coaching workshops Sept. 14 Harnessing Sugar Craving, Sept. 21 Creating
Mind/Body Awareness, Sept. 28 Sustaining Weight-loss and Oct. 5 Effective Stress
Management, at the Burlington Senior Center, Mondays, 9:30-10:45 a.m., sign up for
1, 2, 3 or all workshops, $20 each, $75 for
four, registration deadline Sept. 10, 17, 24,
Oct. 1 respectively
• Outdoor Tennis Lessons Wednesdays,
Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, at Farmington Farms Athletic Club, $126, registration
deadline Sept. 10
• Adult Co-Ed Soccer Wednesdays, Sept.
16-Oct. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Nassahegan
Rec Complex, registration deadline Sept. 13
CANTON––––––––––
Mills Pond Pool open thru Labor Day,
Sept. 7, pool memberships and daily passes available at the pool, daily fees $5 residents/$7 non-residents
At the Canton Senior Center, 40 Dyer
Ave., 860-693-5811:
• September is National Senior Month with
the theme Celebrate LIFE (Learning, Independence, Friends, Energy)
• Senior Safety Day, CERT Emergency Preparedness, Friday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m. – CERT
volunteers to help with sign-ups for emergency alerts
• Educational presentation: Stroke Detection & Prevention Wednesday, Sept. 9,
12:45 p.m., Cherry Brook to discuss who is
at risk for a stroke, how to detect a stroke
and what steps to take toward preventing
strokes in the future
• Pot Luck Picnic Thursday, Sept. 10,
noon, annual dues $10 payable the day
of the picnic, rain date Sept. 17
• $3, pick up before Wednesday, Sept. 9
– ‘50s music and dancing, chicken dinner, rootbeer floats, raffle prizes
• The ArtFull Heart Thursday, Sept. 10,
1 p.m. – create an acrylic painting in a
group setting, cost $20/session
• Celebrate at the September Sock Hop
Monday, Sept. 14, noon-1:30 p.m., tickets
$3, pick up before Wednesday, Sept. 9
VNA blood pressure screenings Tuesday,
Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Canton Town
Hall, 4 Market St., and Wednesday, Sept.
9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Canton Community
Center, 40 Dyer Ave.
Registration for Canton Park and Rec’s
fall musical “Aladdin” for grades 4-8,
program start date Wednesday, Sept. 9,
4-6 p.m., at the rec center, rehearsals
Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6 p.m., for
show Nov. 13, $390/$420, register at
www.cantonrec.org or 860-693-5808
Still accepting new vendors for An-
To submit an event for the calendar,
e-mail Sally at
[email protected]
nual Family Fitness Day at Mills Pond
Park Sept. 12, 2-4 p.m., contact [email protected]
Sept. 27, register before Thursday, Sept. 10
for $30, $35 after that, register at www.rotaryroadrace.org
Hot dog eating contest hosted by Reno’s
Drive In and the Canton Police Department
Sept. 12 from 4-5 p.m. at Reno’s, 228
Albany Turnpike, with a minimum $25
donation, entry forms at Reno’s or police
department, to benefit Special Olympics
CT (860-693-0701)
Events at Farmington Senior Center,
321 New Britain Ave., Unionville, 850-6752490, ext. 3: Chit Chat Café Wednesday, Sept. 9, noon, sign up; sign up
for Senior Center Gala to be held Sept.
16, $12/$19; stained glass instruction
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 16, 10
a.m.-noon, register
Sam Collins Day at the Canton Historical
Museum Saturday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.4 p.m., bands on the porch, blacksmith
and loom weaving demos, children’s Victorian games, model trains, fudge from
“Margaret,” see abolitionist John Brown
plan his raid on southern plantations
Calling all crafters for the Canton Holiday Craft Fair Nov. 21 at Canton High
School, contact Tammie Coffey at [email protected]
FARMINGTON––––––
At the UConn Health Center:
• Free IVF Information Session Thursday,
Sept. 3, 6-8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome
Sciences Building, 400 Farmington Ave.,
register at 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com
• Bladder Cancer Support Group, Saturday,
Sept. 5, 2-3 p.m., Onyiuke Dining Room,
860-679-4410
• Free Maternity Tours Saturday, Sept. 5,
2:30-3:30 p.m., main lobby, register at
800-535-6232
Normal trash and recycling collections Monday, Sept. 7; compost area
open Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 a.m.-noon
(860-675-255)
First Farmington Friends of Music
meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m., at
Farmington High School in Room 171,
everyone welcome
GRANBY––––––––––
Chili Cook-Off, photo contest and open
house at Granby Grange, 212 North Granby
Road, on Granby Open Farm Day Sept. 12,
entries brought to Grange Hall between 10
and 11 a.m. with lunch starting at 11:30
a.m. for $5, sample entries and vote for
favorites; bring photo entries between 9:30
and 11 a.m. (860-653-9350)
Mum Plant Sale to benefit Mary’s Kitty
Korner Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept.
13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at 281 Salmon Brook St.,
8” $6 each or 3/$15, 12’’ $20 each
Elizabeth Rhoades and Shauna Shane
art show thru Sept. 13 at Lost Acres Vineyard, 80 Lost Acres Road, North Granby,
860-324-9481
SIMSBURY––––––––
Vertigo Wine & Movie Night at Metro
Bis Thursday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m., watch
Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” and taste a glass of
either Vertigo Bianco and Vertigo Rosso
wine with antipasto, call 860-651-1908 for
reservations
At the Simsbury Farmers Market at
Simsmore Square, 540 Hopmeadow St.,
Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.: Sept. 3, The Art
Truck on-site with a fun activity for kids of
all ages; Sept. 10 , last day of the season,
joined by the Simsbury Public Library
Motor vehicle assessment appeals applications at the assessor’s office or town
of Farmington website www.farmington-ct.
org, any questions: 860-675-2370
The Second Chance Shop of Simsbury,
12 Station Street, semi-annual clearance
sale Thursday and Friday, Sept. 3 and 4,
everything 75 percent off; Saturday, Sept.
5 and Tuesday, Sept. 8, fill bags for $5 each
Registration now open for 5K Farmington Rotary Road Race to be held Sunday,
At the Simsbury Senior Center, Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-3273:
• Lunch Café at Eno Fridays 11 a.m.-noon,
$2/sandwich, $2/soup: Sept. 4, New England clam chowder, sliced turkey and
tuna salad sandwich; Sept. 11, beef noodle
soup, oven roasted chicken and seafood
salad sandwich
• Bird Watchers led by Roger Preston and
Gil Kleiner Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8 a.m., meet
at Great Pond State Forest parking lot
• No Lunch at Eno Wednesday, Sept. 9 due
to Police Picnic
• AARP Driver Safety Course Thursday,
Sept. 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $15/$20
• Jump on Board trip Thursday, Sept. 10,
Vision Dynamics Store and lunch at The
Victorian House, depart 9:45 a.m., return
2:30 p.m.
• Casino trip to Mohegan Sun Sept. 13,
depart 9 a.m., $47, sign up by Thursday,
Sept. 10
• Lunch and Learn, Five Steps to Living
Healthy for Older Americans, Thursday,
Sept. 17, noon-1:30 p.m., seating limited,
sign up
• Pickleball at Simsbury Farms Ice Rink
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4-5:30
p.m., thru October
• Farmington Valley Bridge Tournament
Sept 28, two sessions 9:30 a.m.-12:30
p.m. and 1-4 p.m., $1 for each session,
register no later than Sept. 22
NAMI Family Support Group Monday,
Sept. 7, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Simsbury
Senior Center at Eno Memorial Hall, 754
Hopmeadow St. (860-803-4139, 860-2995705)
At the Simsbury Free Library, 749 Hopmeadow St.:
• Drop In Book Club Tuesday, Sept. 8, 11:15
a.m., to discuss “The Storied Life of A.J.
Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin
• Pinchot Sycamore Art Contest exhibit
Sept. 8-26
VNA blood pressure screenings Wednesday, Sept. 9, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., at Eno
Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury Newcomers Club registration
and activity signups Wednesday, Sept. 9,
6-8 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-1
p.m., at the Simsbury Library large meeting
room, 728 Hopmeadow St., info at 860217-1311 (Karen Pineau)
Arts & Events
At Bridge Street Live, 41
Bridge St., Collinsville: Sept. 3,
8 p.m., Eilen Jewell with special
guest Miss Tess; Sept. 4, 8 p.m.,
The Guthrie Brothers present:
Scarborough Fair, a Simon and
Garfunkel Experience
At Infinity Music Hall
and Bistro
20 Greenwoods Road North,
Norfolk,1-866-666-6306: Sept.
4, 8 p.m., Ambrosia; Sept. 5, 8
p.m., Battle of the Sexes Comedy Night featuring Wali Collins,
Liz Miele, Robin Fox and Shaun
Eli; Sept. 11, 8 p.m. (rescheduled date) Ty Herndon
32 Front St., Hartford: Sept. 4,
8 p.m., Roomful of Blues; Sept.
10, 8 p.m. “Natural Wonder: The
Premier Stevie Wonder Tribute
Band
At the Crown and Hammer,
3 Depot St., Collinsville, 9:30
p.m.: Sept. 4, The Goddamn
18
The
Valley Press
Music by Claude Bourbon Saturday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., at Lost
Acres Vineyard, 80 Lost Acres
Road, North Granby, tickets $15
(860-324-9481)
• Mark Bradford/MATRIX 172
thru Sunday, Sept. 6, site-specific wall drawing inspired by
Sol LeWitt, founder of the “wall
drawing” art form
• Gallery Talk: A Curatorial Conversation Thursday, Sept. 10,
noon, with curators Erin Monroe
and Oliver Tostmann discussing
the ways in which Peter Blume’s
interest in Italian art and culture
impacted his work, free with
museum admission
• Peter Blume: Nature and
Metamorphosis thru Sept. 20,
exhibition on influential modernist painter
• Aspects of Portraiture: Photographs from the Wadsworth
Atheneum thru Nov. 15, featuring nearly 50 examples of photographic portraits in a variety
of styles
At the Wadsworth Atheneum,
600 Main St., Hartford, 860278-2670, thewadsworth.org:
At the Mark Twain House &
Museum, 351 Farmington Ave.,
Hartford, 860-280-3130:
River; Saturday, Sept. 5, Strawberry Machine; Friday, Sept. 11,
Ramblin’ Dan Stevens
At the Warner Theatre, Main
St., Torrington, 860-489-7180,
www.warnertheatre.org
• Audition Master Class with
Broadway star Lindsay Mendez
Saturday, Sept. 5, 1 p.m., at the
Nancy Marine Studio Theatre,
ages 12-adult, admission starts
at $45, call 860-489-7180, ext.
148 to register
• Scott Helmer’s “Support YOUR
Cause Tour” Friday, Sept. 11, 8
p.m., tickets $10-$25
September 3, 2015
• The Trouble Begins at 5:30:
Welcome to the Jungle: Patricia Philippon – A Tale of the
Clemens Family’s Conservatory
Wednesday, Sept. 9, reception
at 5 p.m., lecture at 5:30 p.m.,
in Hal Holbrook Hall, $5 donation requested, reserve – Philippon, former chief curator at the
Mark Twain House, telling tales
of the conservatory
• A conversation with R.A. Salvatore, fantasy genre author,
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.,
in Lincoln Financial Services Auditorium, tickets $25/$20
• An Evening with Playwright
Christopher Shinn Wednesday,
Sept. 9, 7 p.m., at West Hartford
Public Library, sign up at WH library, 860-561-6980
• A Spoken Word performance
with Henry Rollins Sept. 14 and
15 (Tuesday’s performance sold
out), 7:30 p.m., in Lincoln Financial Services Auditorium, tickets
$45/$40
• Author Stuart Woods Oct. 13, 7
p.m., tickets $30/$25
Rally to support Hartford Symphony Orchestra musicians in
quest for fair wages and working conditions Wednesday, Sept.
9, noon-1 p.m., on north steps
of State Capital, 210 Capitol
Ave., Hartford
Calla Lilies Art pARTy Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
at the Farmington Valley Arts
Center, 25 Arts Center Lane,
Avon, with artist Lori Racicot-Burrous teaching how to
use string, paint, colored pencils
and wax crayons to create calla
lily prints, fee $35 (includes materials, wine and refreshments)
Sunset Sounds Concert Series Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:307:30 p.m., in the Butler-McCook
historic garden at the Amos Bull
House, 59 South Prospect St.,
Hartford, featuring jazz by Hartford-based sextet Richard McGhee & The Rahstet led by saxophonist McGhee and vocalist
Margeaux Hayes and a special
presentation by Maurice Robertson of his musically inspired
photography and experience in
the Hartford jazz scene
Special performance of improv from Franklin’s Peaches
and Friends Friday, Sept. 11, 8
p.m., at Playhouse on Park, 244
Park Road, West Hartford, tickets $10, BYOB (860-523-5900,
ext. 10)
Three-course hearth-cooked
dinner with restaurateur and
chef Bill Rizzuto as a fundraiser
for the Noah Webster House &
West Hartford Historical Society
Thursday, Sept. 17, tickets $75
per person at www.noahwebsterhouse.org, space limited
check it out
Millwright’s Restaurant and McLean’s “Lunch at
the Loft” Tuesday, Sept. 15 (rescheduled from Aug.
18), noon-1:30 p.m. at The Lost at the restaurant,
77 West St., tickets $40 by Friday, Sept. 11 – threecourse lunch including local tomatoes, corn and
fresh seasonal herbs, and Sarah Leathers sharing
nutritional details of key ingredients
A Cookbook Dinner at Metro Bis featuring Chef
Pierre Thiam, author of “Senegal,” reservations at
860-651-1908
Simsbury Grange Fair Saturday, Sept. 12, noon3 p.m., at Farms Village Road, tables available for
rent at $25
Simsbury Land Trust Stewardship Work Day
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m., meet at the SLT office,
RSVP to [email protected] by Wednesday, Sept. 9
– doing projects to get ready for Tanager Hill Celebration Oct. 3
Financial Workshop: Your Source for Financial
Education, four-week workshop with Edward Jones
financial adviser Peter Mowry, beginning Wednesday,
Sept. 16 thru Wednesday, Oct. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,
at The Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, 749 Hopmeadow St., call 860-651-0849 to reserve a seat
Become a memory care volunteer at McLean,
register for training session Sept. 22 at 860-6583941
Chamber of Commerce Fun Run/Walk of
3-5 miles at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday, meeting and
ending at Red Stone Pub, 10 Jim Gallagher Way
VALLEY & BEYOND––––––
Chili Cook Off Saturday, Sept. 5, 2-7 p.m., Auerfarm, 158 Auer Farm Road, Bloomfield, $10 to
sample all chili entries, www.auerfarm.org for
more information
Farm Fest at Rosedale Farms, 25 East Weatogue
St., Simsbury, Sunday, Sept. 13, 4-8 p.m., part of
Max Chef to Farm series (860-566-8360)
Farmington Valley Visitors Association annual meeting and EF-VEE awards presentation
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Farmington Gardens, 999 Farmington Ave., Farmington,
$10 per person, RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 9
Drainage
“We’re a versatile Landscape and
Site Development company
committed to prompt, personal
service, and quality professional
results for all of your commercial and
residential projects -- big or small.”
Excavation
& Grading
Septic Work
Demolition
Trucking
Complete
Landscape
Services
Stone Patios,
Walkways,
Sidewalks
& Walls
Spots available in Tunxis Community College’s
Registered Medical Assistant program starting
Sept. 14 and running thru July 16, 2016 visit tunxis.edu.healthcareers, or call 860-773-1454
Tree Trimming
and Removal
To submit an event for the calendar,
e-mail Sally at
[email protected]
At the Library
Avon Public Library,
281 Country Club Road, 860-673-9712,
www.avonctlibrary.info:
• Free ACT Practice Test Friday, Sept. 4, 11:30 a.m.4 p.m., register
• Knit Wits Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Advanced College Planning Wednesday, Sept. 9,
6-9 p.m.
• Evening Book Club Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-8:30
p.m., “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
Canton Public Library,
40 Dyer Ave., 860-693-5800:
www.cantonpubliclibrary.org,
Library closed Sept. 5-7
• Town historian office hours Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4-6
p.m., with David Leff
• The Junior Book Club Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6:30
p.m., 1st-3rd graders, “Lulu and the Duck in the
Park” by Hilary McKay, register
• “The Artist’s Eye: The Work of Jim Koplar” in the
gallery space thru September
Farmington Library,
6 Monteith Drive, 860-673-6791, ext. 1,
www.farmingtonlibraries.org:
• Afternoon at the Bijou Thursdays, 2-5 p.m.: Sept.
3 “Bundle of Joy” and Sept. 10 “Portrait in Black”
• Fairy House Workshop Friday, Sept. 4, 3:30-4:30
p.m., for ages 4 and up and their families, register
• Salt Dough Afternoon Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4:30-5:30
p.m., ages 3 and up and caregivers, register
• Wild Birds of Connecticut Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7-8
p.m., with author and columnist Robert Tougias
discussing the natural history, conservation and
population trends of wild birds, common and rare
birds of Connecticut, and about finding and feeding
the birds, register
• Knifty Knitters Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5:30-6:30
p.m., ages 7 and up, register
• Disciplining Your Toddler Thursday, Sept. 10, 1011:30 a.m., interactive workshops with a parenting
educator from Bristol Hospital’s Parent/Child Center, register
• Local Author Fair Oct. 17, to be considered for participation submit contact info of name, phone, email,
street address and selection of titles by Friday, Sept.
18 to [email protected]
Barney Library, 71 Main St.,
860-673-6791, ext. 2
• Midsomer Murders: “Strangler’s Wood” Thursday, Sept. 3, 1:15-2:30 p.m., register
• Barney 375 years portrait hanging Tuesday, Sept.
8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Farmer Minor and Daisy the Pig present Pig Out
on Reading Thursday, Sept. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m.,
ages 4-12, register
SIMSBURY, CT 860-651-6130
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Delivery of
Landscape
Products:
including stone,
soil, sand
and mulch
Granby Library,
15 North Granby Rd., 860-844-5275:
• Crafternoon Time Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m.
• Huge Tag Sale at the Cossitt Library, 388 North
Granby Road, Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
rain date Sept. 19
Simsbury Library,
725 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-7663:
• So You Want to Get a Dog Thursday, Sept. 3,
7-8:30 p.m., with animal behavior specialist Barbara
Dwyer, register
• Friday Flicks, 1-3 p.m.: Sept. 4, “Suddenly, Last
Summer” and Sept. 11, “National Velvet”
• The Complete Job Search (2-part course) Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Thursday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-noon,
sign up
• The library at the Simsbury Farmers Market
Thursday, Sept. 10, 3-6 p.m.
• Adult Book Discussion Group Thursday, Sept. 10,
7-8:30 p.m.
• Meet Chef Pierre Thiam, author of “Senegal:
Modern Senegalese Recipes from the Source to
the Bowl” Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Make Room for Clarity: Getting Rid of the Clutter
that Gets in Your Way Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:308:30 p.m., with functional organizer Rick Woods,
pre-register
• Art on display for September: abstract artist Diana
Lemcoff in the Program Room, Susan Augustine’s
mixed media in the West Gallery, Simsbury Camera
Club photographs in the East Gallery
Teen programs
• Nerdfest/Fandom Social, Friday Sept. 4, 3-5 p.m.
Children’s programs
• Lego Mania Saturdays, Sept. 9, 12, 19, 26, 10
a.m.-2 p.m., ages 5 and up, drop in
• Picnic with Mike Thursday, Sept. 10, 11:30 a.m.,
family event with Mike Markowitz as he plays sing-along tunes on his guitar, on the library lawn, drop in
• Story Time at Rotary Park Playground Friday,
Sept. 11, 11 a.m., ages 2 and up
• Bouncing Babies, birth-23 months with caregiver, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; Time for
Two’s with caregiver Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.,
drop in; ABC You & Me Thursdays, 10:30 am. beginning Sept. 3, ages 3-5, drop in
TurleyCT Community Publications
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September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
19
PRESSOPINION
Letter to the
EDITOR
Board fails
at transparency
To the editor,
Linda Merlin
Avon resident
Capture
the
Moments!
PRESS
VALLEY
I don’t know how Diane Carney has been “following” the controversy in Avon around the firing
of social workers, but I doubt it
was by going to the actual BOE
meetings. I have attended the last two
BOE meetings and the one public hearing, and what I saw was
the exact opposite of what Diane
Carney suggested in her Aug. 27
letter to The Valley Press. Instead of hysterical parents
ranting and raving, I saw deeply
concerned citizens, many without kids in the schools, and many,
many education and medical professionals, seeking answers to important questions regarding the
BOE’s inexplicable actions. I also
saw a completely non-responsive
board. The unprecedented no
confidence petition didn’t come
out of nowhere; it is the result
of deep frustration with a majority on the board that will not
adequately explain the basis for
its actions, refuses to engage in
any kind of dialogue whatsoever
and rebuffs all direct questions.
On its website the BOE’s goals
include “[c]lear communication
and transparent processes.” It has
completely failed in this regard.
540 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: 860-651-4700
Fax: 860 606-9599
www.TurleyCT.com
EDITORIAL
A holiday few think about
Labor Day is almost here, the unofficial end
of summer. It’s one last chance to go to the beach,
camp out, have a cookout, or otherwise celebrate
the season one last time before heading into autumn.
Forget the fact that autumn doesn’t officially begin until Sept. 23. By that point, the weather will be cooling off, children will already have
three weeks of school behind them and any outdoor pools have long since been drained.
The question is – do we ever stop to think
why we have this holiday in the first place?
The history of Labor Day dates all the way
back to when it was officially declared by Congress in 1894. Several states had done so even earlier than that, including Connecticut.
The intent was to celebrate the organized labor movement. It was also intended to take note
of the contributions of all working Americans to
the nation’s social and economic prosperity and
overall strength.
So, while it has its roots in organized labor,
it can also be said that Labor Day is really about
every American who toils to earn a living. That’s
not something we should take lightly.
At a time when our nation is slowly coming
out of a prolonged economic recession, it might
be a good idea to think about that American work
ethic. It is a main ingredient in what allowed this
country to become such a major player on the
world stage in, from a historical perspective, a
relatively short period of time – 239 years.
Many of those who are employed today are
working harder than ever and putting in long
hours on the job. Too many are unemployed, and
the future seems bleak if you are among the longterm unemployed or of a certain generation.
Age discrimination may be officially illegal,
but it is still practiced on a widespread basis.
That’s in large part because it is so difficult to
prove in a court of law. The same is true of racial
and other forms of employment discrimination.
It might be wise to take a moment before
heading to the beach or firing up the grill to think
about how fortunate we are if we have a job.
It’s not something to be taken lightly in this
economy.
For those who are out of work, we can only
hope that they will not lose heart and that someone will give them a chance to showcase their
skills and earn a living. Few things are more depressing or stressful than unemployment.
Here’s to the American workers who made
this country great. Happy Labor Day.
Letters policy
www.turleyct.com
Click on the
SmugMug link on
our home page to see
albums
of photos that have
appeared in the
newspaper
20
The
Valley Press
Letters to the editor should be 400 words or less in length. Guest
columns will be published at the discretion of the editor and should
be no more than 650 words in length. No unsigned or anonymous
opinions will be published. We require that the person submitting
the opinion also include his or her town of residence and a phone
number where they can be reached. We authenticate authorship
prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit or withold any submissions deemed to be libelous, unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks or defamation of character. Send opinion submissions
to: our editor, Abigail, via email at [email protected] or via mail
to 540 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, 06070. Deadline for submissions
is Friday at noon for the following week’s edition. Call our office,
860-651-4700, with questions.
September 3, 2015
The Valley Press
is a publication of
TurleyCT
Community Publications
Delivering local news,
sports, entertainment
and more to the
Farmington Valley
community
Keith Turley
Publisher
Abigail Albair
Editor
[email protected]
David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
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Advertising Director
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Classified Sales
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PRESSSports
Gray
Matters
By Scott Gray
Photo by David Heuschkel
Lewis Mills, above, and the other five high school football teams in the Farmington Valley had full-contact practices and controlled
scrimmages last week. See page 22 for photos of all six teams practicing.
Almost time for kickoff
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
The sound of pads and helmets crashing, whistles blowing and coaches screaming is the surest sign the high school football
season is around the corner. Week 1 is just
one week away.
Of the six high schools in the Farmington Valley, two have new head coaches
and one is joining a new league. One team
is looking to bounce back and another will
continue to build. Perhaps the most intriguing team is at the far end of Route 10.
Since going 0-10 as a first-year varsi-
ty program five years ago, Granby has improved each succeeding fall. The Bears went
7-4 last season. And with players who filled
21 of the 22 positions – on offense and defense – back, it’s conceivable to think the upward trend will continue.
Head coach Rich Gadoury has his deepest and most experienced team since he
took over the program three yeasrs ago.
“We have 56 guys on the field right now in
uniform ready to go,” he said following a controlled scrimmage against RHAM last week.
“We’re looking [to play] freshmen games on top
of our JV games, which Granby has never done.
It’s a testament to the guys in the program, as
well as our youth program in town.”
That’s a significant increase from 2012,
Gadoury’s first season as head coach. There
were 42 players on the 2014 roster and the
majority of them were juniors.
So, the Bears have their largest senior
class ever, led by their strongest backfield. Running back Connor Field rushed for more than
2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. According to MaxPreps, he was fifth in the state.
Senior fullback Logan Strain joins Field
in the backfield. Senior quarterback Dom
Pagano runs the ball more than he passes it.
See KICKOFF on page 22
Redding ready to compete at the collegiate level
By Jeff Lutz
Correspondent
Most kids have aspirations to be like
their role model, whether it’s a singer, an athlete, or another celebrity. Who hasn’t imagined headlining a worldwide tour, having
their image on a Wheaties box, or strolling
on the red carpet on Oscar Night? It’s the
stuff of dreams.
Most of these people started out just
like regular kids, lip-syncing into a hairbrush
in front of a mirror, playing soccer with a
community recreation team and setting up
imaginary plays in their backyard. But what
separates the dreamers from the doers?
Farmington’s Erin Redding has managed to catapult herself into the next phase.
As a member of the Quinnipiac University
acrobatics & tumbling team, her first year
in college figures to include more twists and
turns than the average freshman.
“I am delighted to have Erin Redding
as an incoming student athlete,” Quinnipiac
coach Mary Ann Powers said. “Her outstanding commitment to both her academics and
athletics during her high school career has
earned her the ability to compete at the Division I level. I have no doubt that Erin will
have a tremendous impact
on the Quinnipiac community, both on and off
the mat.”
It wasn’t something that came
easy. When she was 7, Redding started competitive cheerleading when she
joined the Plainville-based Central
Valley Panthers.
“I was immediately welcomed to
the family. Aside from actual competitions, this was and still is my favorite
thing about being a competitive cheerleader,” Redding said.
Winning a national championship
was a close second. In 2011, Redding
was a member of the CVP team that finished first in the National Cheerleaders
Association title for Senior Level 3 Small
Division.
“Erin is a fantastic athlete and very
dedicated to the team and program. Our
gym lost her in regards to her ability,” CVP
Christina Gilbert said.
Redding’s dream was to compete at
the world championships at ESPN’s Wide
World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
This would require her to switch to a higherlevel team.
Cheerleading competitions have
a strict set of rules because of the
high intensity of the sport and
risk of injury. In order to compete at the world championships,
teams must be certified as a level
5 or higher. Redding’s team at
CVP was restricted level 5,
meaning there were limits
to the types of tumbles and
stunts, and therefore was
not allowed to compete
at the world championships.
Two years ago,
Redding joined East
Celebrity
East,
whose gym is located in Oakdale,
Submitted photo
and was a
member of the
Erin Redding
squad called
Fame.
ECE
earned a full paid bid to the
world championships in
2014 and this year allowed Redding to
See ERIN REDDING on page 23
An era ended Sunday in New Britain, dragging its feet all
the way to the exit door.
For 20 years, New Britain Stadium has been home to
the Eastern League franchise that began as a farm team
of the Boston Red Sox in Bristol in 1973, graced by the
presence of young stars named Fred Lynn and Jim Rice.
Ten years later, the team moved to New Britain’s Beehive
Field where such blossoming legends as Roger Clemens,
Curt Schilling and Jeff Bagwell made their marks. A decade later, the Red Sox ended the association with the
team, which, as the Hardware City Rock Cats, affiliated
with the Minnesota Twins. In 1995, the New Britain Rock
Cats moved into their new home and the marriage with
the Twins became a prolific producer of talent.
At the turn of the century, original owner Joe Buzas
sold the team to a group headed by Farmington attorney
Coleman Levy and former Yankees general counsel Bill
Dowling, under whom one attendance record after another was eclipsed.
Three years ago a new era began. The team was sold
to Double Play LLC, headed by Josh Solomon. In June of
2014, plans were announced to build a stadium in Hartford
and the wheels of change rapidly began spinning, including a new affiliation, with the Colorado Rockies. On April
6, at the corner of Main and Trumbull streets, the Hartford
Yard Goats will begin the newest era in the history of Connecticut’s oldest continuous professional franchise.
Sunday, the door to that era opened, very slowly. On
a perfect baseball day, the Rock Cats needed 15 innings
to beat the current Red Sox entry, the Portland Sea Dogs,
in the last Eastern League game ever at New Britain Stadium. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart is optimistic about
landing an independent league team for next season, the
Yard Goats owning the territorial rights for major league
affiliated teams. The new team won’t be the Rock Cats.
Those rights belong to minor league baseball.
Solomon arrived for Sunday’s game sleep deprived
after a long trip from Jordan via Tel Aviv.
“It was highly important that I be here,” he said. “I have
mixed emotions, a lot of great memories here, a lot of success, a lot of great fans. But there’s also a lot of excitement
for what we have to look forward to in Hartford.”
As Solomon spoke in the media dining room, the
Rock Cats scored twice in the fifth inning on a double by
Justin Morneau, who won the game the night before with
a home run. Morneau was in a unique position, finishing
a rehab assignment for the Rockies in the same place he
played three seasons as a Twins’ prospect before going
on to major league stardom.
“It’s pretty sad to see this day end,” said Rock Cats
general manager Tim Restill as Portland scored twice in
the sixth to tie the game at three. “But It’s really exciting to
know that 12 miles away, we’re going to start a new era
as the Yard Goats.”
Restill’s favorite memory in three years in New Britain is
the 2013 Eastern League All Star Game, “from the Home
Run Derby to the game, to the crowd, to the events. It was
a great chance to see great baseball in Connecticut.”
Portland scored in the seventh, the Cats tied it in the
eighth. They went to extra innings. A homer gave Portland an 11th-inning lead, an RBI double by Jordan Patterson tied it in the bottom half. With most of the final day
crowd of 6,575, capping a four-game weekend attendance of 26,224 that included a franchise record 8,672
on Friday night, still glued to their seats, the two teams
went scoreless for three innings, the Cats squandering a
first and second no-out opportunity on a play at the plate
on a single to right in the 13th.
A shortstop pressed into pitching duty for Portland,
throwing 79 mile an hour fastballs, struck out Pat Valaika
to end the 14th, but Patterson gauged the speed on one
of those batting practice deliveries with one out and one
on in the 15th, parking it over the right field fence to end
a long afternoon - 7-5 Rock Cats.
“You don’t want to get too big and do too much,” said
Patterson of the pitch he put into orbit. “He was flipping
them in there. I got a good pitch to hit and put a good
swing on it. I knew it was gone. It’s pretty cool. It’s great
for these people, you can tell. These fans, this atmosphere, it really means a lot to these people.”
For Joe Buzas’ expansion Eastern League franchise
that began life in Bristol in 1973, the door to a new era
opens April 6 in Hartford, “an opportunity,” says Solomon,
“to revitalize a part of the city that has been neglected
for a long time.”
Baseball has been known to have mysterious powers.
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
21
Football practice in the Valley
Avon
Simsbury
KICKOFF
from page 21
He rushed for 742 yards,
averaging nearly six yards a
carry.
“If you want to go after
one, we’ve got the other. If
you want to go after another, we got that one,” Gadoury
said. “So, it’s pick your poison.”
Granby, which plays in
the Pequot Conference-West
Division, opens Sept. 12 at
Gilbert/Northwestern Regional.
It took Canton nearly six months to find Paul
Philippon’s successor. Firstyear head coach Chris Currier, a former assistant at
Rockville, and his staff spent
the preseason installing a
new system and stressing
fundamentals.
There’s a lot of teaching
because there are a lot of new
players. Canton was down to
22
The
Valley Press
23 players last season and
nine players graduated. Do
the math. But at a practice
last week, there were nearly
40 players in uniform. The
Warriors went 10-2 in Philippon’s last season and qualified for the CIAC playoffs for
the first time.
Dave Masters is another
new head coach, replacing
Jeff Osborne at Simsbury.
The Trojans will have a more
balanced attack on offense,
led by junior quarterback
Riley Shanley and senior running back Grasonn Foster.
“We used to run the ball
all the time,” said Masters,
who was an assistant under
Osborne. “If we feel like we
can run the ball, we’ll run the
ball. If we feel like we need
to pass the ball, we want to
try to pass the ball. We don’t
want to be one-dimensional.
We’re going to give ourselves
more options.”
September 3, 2015
Photos by David Heuschkel
Canton
Granby
Farmington
Lewis Mills
Simsbury, which was
4-7 last year, hosts East
Hartford Sept. 11 under the
lights at Holden Field.
Avon is switching
leagues, moving from the
Pequot to the Central Connecticut Conference, which
means 10 new opponents
for the senior-laden Falcons.
The biggest challenge comes
Oct. 23 against perennial
power Berlin in a CCC East
Division III matchup.
Avon visits Simsbury in
the final game Nov. 24, the
Tuesday night of Thanksgiving week, in a CCC interdivision game.
For the first time, Lewis
Mills will play all its home
games at the high school
field. Fans will notice the
leaves along Route 4 will
begin to change color when
the Spartans host Gilbert/
Northwestern in their home
opener. A week later, Granby visits Burlington in a Pequot-West matchup.
In the past, Mills played
its home games at Muzzy
Field in Bristol. The Spartans
have never won more than
two games in a season since its
first in 2010, going 2-9 each of
the last two years under head
coach Jose Santana. Farmington is also looking to improve
after also going 2-9 last year.
ERIN REDDING from page 21
fulfill her dream of competing against the best cheerleaders around the globe.
“[The] competitive team
was very demanding, especially in terms of time,” Redding said. “I had to practice
for ECE three to four times a
week, and as a captain I had
to work out on my own outside of practice and let them
know what I was doing to try
to encourage them to work
out on their own, too.”
ECE coach Adam
French said Redding was a
great role model in and out of
the gym for any young cheerleader. She was very coachable and her presence will be
missed, he said.
Redding understands
the hard work that is re-
quired for her to compete at
the highest level.
“When I was little,
cheerleading wasn’t so much
about winning competitions
as it was about having fun
performing and improving
our skills,” she added. “But as I
aged, it became more serious
and competitive. My coaches
pushed me to my breaking
point, believed in me more
than I did, and made me into
a better cheerleader every
time I stepped into the gym.”
Redding was named to
the all-conference cheerleading team as a junior and senior
at Farmington High School.
“During the fall season,
I was very overwhelmed and
had to have a clear focus
on my time management,”
Redding said. “Some days,
I would go straight from
my last class to high school
cheer practice and then
straight to ECE practice, not
being home from 7 a.m. to
10 p.m. Although I was very
stressed and sometimes in
over my head, I continued
cheering for both teams because I had an unbelievably
strong passion for both.”
That passion will continue at Quinnipiac. Redding will enter the Doctor of
Physical Therapy program.
“When Erin began allstar cheerleading at 7 years
old, we had no idea that her
involvement in the sport
could eventually lead to becoming a D-I athlete,” said
Carrie Redding, Erin’s mother. “I have no doubt that she
will thrive at Quinnipiac with
Coach Powers and her acrobatics & tumbling team.”
Submitted photos
Simsbury’s Matt Gill, a senior at Avon Old Farms, looked good on the mound in his appearance
for the Yankees team at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.
A good Area Code for Gill
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
District champion
Submitted photo
The Farmington Youth Baseball League 9-10 division won the District 5 championships
with a 9-0 win over Yalesville. It is the second straight district title in the 9-10 division for
FYBL. Kneeling from left to right: Thomas Keough, Aidan Cooke, Christian Hoheb; Middle
row: Tyler Grubelich, Brandon King, Luke Watson, Chad Rizzo, EJ Sanchez, Cole Caccamo,
Brendan Kelly, Nick Bergin; Back row: assistant coach Chris Caccamo, Kyle Frank, Ethan
Gulino, manager Mike Gulino, assistant coach Byron Frank; Missing from photo: Dylan Diaz
As players from the area returned to
school last week, Avon Old Farms senior
Matt Gill had a memorable summer of baseball. He committed to pitch at Boston College, starting next fall, and had a strong season with Simsbury Post 84, which advanced
to the American Legion state tournament
semifinals.
The big right-hander from Simsbury
also got to perform on the biggest stage of
his young career. Last month, Gill pitched at
the Area Code games in front of scouts from
every major league team.
The weeklong baseball showcase was
held in Long Beach, Calif., and featured many
of the top high school players in the country.
“It went really well. It was a lot of fun,”
said Gill, one of 29 players on the Yankees
roster, the majority of them players from the
Northeast.
Gill pitched two scoreless innings and
didn’t allow a hit in his first-ever baseball
showcase. At 6-5 and 230 pounds, he was
one of the biggest players on the team.
And since size matters to big league teams,
he likely will end up on some draft boards
next June.
In the 2015 draft, four former players
on the Yankees Area Code team were selected in the first round, according to Baseball
America. Outfielder Garrett Whitely was
selected with the 13th overall pick by the
Tampa Bay Rays, and the Colorado Rockies
took pitcher Mike Nikorak at No. 27.
When he took the mound, Gill said he
wasn’t that nervous. He was too focused on
the catcher that he couldn’t see all the radar
guns pointed at him.
“It was just fun getting out there. Striking out the first batter was the highlight,”
he said.
Another highlight: getting a pep talk
from a big league pitcher. Angels lefty C.J.
Wilson spoke to the players about how he
made it to the majors.
“It was just about your work ethic,” Gill
said. “He didn’t make the Area Code team,
which helped motivate him to work harder
and get to the next level.”
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September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
23
PRESSBUSINESS
People on the move
First Connecticut
Bancorp elects John
Green as director
earned the titles of Registered Jeweler and Certified
Gemologist Appraiser with
the American Gem Society
in 1981. In 1992 Green was
elected president and chief
executive officer of Lux
Bond & Green.
Green has served on
many nonprofit organizations and leadership positions within the Hartford
community including the
Connecticut Historical Society, Old State House, Greater Hartford Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Connecticut Science Center, Bushnell
Park Foundation, TheaterWorks, The Hartford Ballet,
The Hartford Downtown
Council, Young Presidents
Organization, Connecticut
Business and Industry Association, and The Connecticut Bank & Trust Company.
Green serves as treasurer on
the Saint Francis Hospital
Foundation and on the economic development committee of the West Hartford
Chamber of Commerce.
Jessica Lyon becomes
partner at
Co-Communications
Do something if you must, just
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Co-Communications – a
First Connecticut Bancorp,
to anyone
full-service public relations
Inc., the publicly owned
that
in
and marketing firm with
holding company of Farmtimes of
offices in Farmington, Westington Bank, recently anfear and
chester, N.Y., and midtown
nounced the election of
stress it’s Nancy Fellinger
Manhattan – has announced
John A. Green to the rethe more primitive parts of
Jessica Lyon, executive vice
spective boards of directors
our brains that often drive
president and chief operatof the corporation and the
behavior.
ing officer, as partner.
Lyon
bank.
The more rational,
has been with the agency
Green graduated from
more logical parts, well,
for more than a decade and
Boston College in 1978 and
not so much. In its simopened its Connecticut offrom the Gemological Instiplest form, it’s the “fight or
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tute of America in 1979. He
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Tracking #: 3200556.INDD
Mail Week:
es to09/07/2015
create public relations
some
Approve By: 08/25/15
and marketing
strategies
tonot be reproduced. find that their primiSHERRY KOZIKOWSKI
This ad is the property
of CLIPPER MAGAZINE
and may
tive brains are more availPlease
review
your
proof
carefully.
CLIPPER
MAGAZINE
Contact your Account Service Coordinator:
help clients achieve their is not responsible
phone: 860-693-3404
for any error not marked.
able to them than their
goals. She supports the
Devan Zimmerman
email: [email protected]
COUPON PLACEMENT MAY CHANGE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.
more thoughtful, logical
agency by using technolfax: 860-693-4177
Team: 5J
brains.
ogy to create efficiencies
phone: 717-509-9547
Unlike for our earliest
TV
monitors
in
treatment
rooms.
and enhance collaboration
email: [email protected]
ancestors,
the dangers are
amongst team members
fax: 717-358-2645
No shots, no drill laser treatment for fillings.
not
so
imminent
or threatand clients.
Stacey Cohen,
Sales Rep: Nancy Duffy
ening
(hunting
for
food vs.
president and CEO, said she
being the main course),
has always considered Lyon
APPROVE YOUR AD OR SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER ABOVE.
but the reality is that the
a partner: “Jess has been a
heightened sense of uncer❑ Ad is approved
❑ Ad is approved with changes
❑ Ad is not approved
key make
part changes
of the indicated
company’s
Complete family care including preventative care,
tainty leaves them feeling
growth. She has brought
sealants and comprehensive orthodontics.
financially threatened and
the agency to another levSIGNATURE
DATE
PRINT NAME
wanting to take action –
el by spearheading the adany action – to try and gain
vancement of our digital
Michael Ungerleider D.M.D., M.A.G.D.
a sense of control.
services. Her
strategic
and
M aster of the Academy of G eneral D entistr y
If you find yourself
creative
thinking
are
unSusan DePatie, D.M.D.
feeling the urge to just “do
matched. Jess is responsi41 Hartford Avenue, Granby • 860-653-3220
something” with your inble for creating some of the
www.granbydentalcenter.com
vestments in the heat of
most brilliant campaigns
stock market uncertainthe agency has seen.”
ty, here are some actions
you can take instead that
can have constructive outcomes in the short term,
3 Days
but more importantly, the
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long term:
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financial
documents. Gather toUp To
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investment
statements,
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policies, bank statements,
credit cards and spending
plan.
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of getting your hands on
this information at a moment’s notice a stress-free
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Save money while enjoying the timeless design and high-efficiency
you have, where it is and
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Canton Village • Canton
including gas logs & glass doors
you are and where you’re
860-693-3404
Valley Fireplace & Stove, LLC
going. Your advisor should
www.valleyfireplaceandstove.com
Canton • 860-693-3404
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Offer expires 10/23/15.
know you very well and
be a source of reassurance
24 The Valley Press September 3, 2015
Getting to
know your
teeth is fun.
Offering complete Pediatric Dental Care...
right from the beginning.
Annual
Pre-Season
Sale
September 11-13 • Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, Sunday 11-3
$600 OFF
10
%off
any purchase of fireplace
accessories
(and if not, by all means
find another). On the other
hand, the talking heads on
financial news programs
don’t care who you are
(really more just that they
don’t know you) and make
a living by making financial
news seem more interesting than it sometimes really is.
Map out a financial
plan. A financial plan
will help you understand
where you are today so you
can make smart decisions
about how to get where
you want to go. If you have
a financial plan that is outdated or has not been updated within the past year,
now is the time.
Consider your current
and future cashflow, investment, insurance, retirement and estate planning
needs. Take the opportunity to lay out your goals,
concerns, aspirations and
financial condition, and
evaluate what may have
changed.
Adjust your spending. While there is much
that is out of our control
– what the markets are doing, what political leaders
may or may not be doing or
how the general economy
is or is not faring – people
can take more control of
how they allocate their resources.
Finding ways to adjust
your spending can lead to
a greater sense of control
– it’s the “do something”
that is among the most
productive things you can
do. Before you give in to the
urge to just do something,
make sure that something
is something you might
still do under calmer, more
measured circumstances.
Where should your focus be? At the intersection
of the things that matter
and the things you can
control.
Nancy B. Fellinger, CFP®
Wellspring Financial Advisory Partners with Coburn &
Meredith, Inc. serves the investment management and
financial planning needs of
couples who are retired or
want to plan for retirement
and women who manage
their own or their family’s
finances. Visit www.WellspringFinancialAP.com or
www.nancyfellinger.com or
contact her directly at 860784-2605 or at nfellinger@
coburnfinancial.com.
Classifieds
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
SCHOOL BUS
DRIVERS - AVON
STORE MANAGER - Consignment
Originals with 4 stores and 32 years
in business is opening a location in
Avon, CT. We are looking for the right
person to come on board and join our
management team! We are looking for
career minded applicants. Must have
minimum 2 years Management experience and plenty of passion. Salary
negotiable depending on experience.
Please send resume to: [email protected]
Hiring and training for
September 2015. Four hour
minimum daily guaranteed,
other hours available.
$17.20/hour to start
For details contact
Kim Bush 860-470-7200
Administrative Position P/T At small,
private Wealth Advisory practice in
Farmington. Approximately 15-20
hours per week, answer phones,
schedule appointments, scanning and
other duties as needed. Requires a
friendly, detail oriented person with excellent communication and technology
skills. Email resume and cover letter to
[email protected]
McLean in Simsbury has the following
Open Positions - if you are interested in any
of these openings please call
Human Resources at
860-658-3724. EOE
Dietary servers and dishwashers needed for 2-3 eves a week
4-7p or 5-8p with day/eve hours every other weekend.
RN needed for evening shift – 3pm-11:30 pm for 24 or 32 hours
a week including every other weekend. Long-term care experience preferred.
Per diem hours are also available.
Certified Nurse Aides needed for hours day shift 7a-3:30pm
and weekends. Must have long term care experience.
Café Attendant – Mondays and Thursdays 4p-7p with every
other weekend 10:30a-7pm. Cash handling experience helpful
along with excellent customer service skills. Set up and clean up
along with serving meals.
Certified Occupational Therapist needed weekdays per diem
for post-acute setting.
Building Service Assistant – per diem evenings. Thorough
cleaning of common areas, patient rooms and restrooms along
with stocking of supplies.
Help Wanted
Need drivers for
school kids. Canton,
Granby, Avon, Simsbury. 860757-3555.
FASHION MERCHANDISER/CUSTOMER SERVICE - Do you have an
eye for fashion? Are you talented, energetic, and love dealing with people?
Consignment Originals with 4 stores
and 32 years in business is opening
a location in Avon, CT. We are looking
for the right people to staff our new
location in Avon!. Salary negotiable
depending on experience. Must have
minimum 1 year Retail/Merchandising
experience. Please send resume to:
[email protected]
CAREGIVERS WANTED
At Your Service
Does Health Insurance confuse you?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Choose your own hours
• FT/PT positions available
• Live-in positions available
• 80% medical/401k
Apply Online Today at
www.caregiverjobsct.com
or call 888-844-4442
DCP HCA 0000101
Diversified
Maintenance, LLC
Hiring Custodians/
Janitors
Please contact
Nelson
230-501-0288
Affordable Care Act plans
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans
Medicare Advantage Plans
Prescription Drug Plans
CT Exchange plans
Dental/Hospital/Cancer plans
And more!
“We do Obama care and
the Affordable care act
plans!” Call us to make
it easy! 860-676-1100
Come see why people say “I have my health insurance with Dylan!”
Free no obligation no pressure consultation at my office in
West Hartford or home visits available upon request! 860-676-1100
Call Dylan Cowen at 860-676-1100 today, to make the confusion go away!
Your local licensed independent Health Insurance Broker. [email protected]
There is no extra cost when purchasing insurance through a Servicing Agent
PIANO LESSONS for all!
Take lessons from a patient and experienced teacher, all ages and levels
welcome. Private instruction with a
classically-trained pianist, graduate
of McGill University (B.Mus and
M.Mus). Studio located in Tariffville.
Please contact Claire for more information: 201-213-6645, claire.paik@
gmail.com
THROUGHOUT CT
We are looking for mature,
responsible individuals.
At Your Service
MUSIC LESSONS
Experienced private instruction
in Piano, Voice, and Guitar.
Please call Aimee Allen at
(860) 990-5184.
TRAVELING MUSIC
TEACHER
Music lessons in the comfort of
your own home. Musician Billy
Romanos offers piano and guitar lessons for all levels, ages,
and styles of music. Over 40 years
experience.
Graduate of Berklee College of
Music in Boston.
Billy 860-978-3333
Pet Services
GUITAR LESSONS
in your home. I am a Hartt School of
Music graduate with thirty years of
teaching and recording experience.
I have helped many students prepare
for Jazz Band music auditions,
improvise, and learn to play their
favorite songs. All styles, levels, and
ages with references available.
Tom Tribuzio, 860-673-1210.
[email protected]
Forever Companions
Pet Loss Services, LLC
“Where your memories are cherished forever”
Cremation, Burial,
Advanced Planning
We make house calls and service from all veterinarians
I BUY houses
AS-IS. Cash.
Call TODAY
860-674-9498 or
Email:
john@boucherbuilding.
com.
CT.REG.# 530518.
Robert L. Sagarino
Licensed Funeral Director and Aftercare Provider
860-306-5853
24/7 Service
www.forevercompanions.com
[email protected]
For Sale
Seasoned firewood
for sale.
Call 860-733-5630.
At Your Service
Brazil Painting Service
Best Service Guaranteed
Work Inside and
Outside
860-706-7479
For Sale
END OF SUMMER SPECIAL
One time offer:
Buy 3 hours of cleaning for $110.00.
Bonded & Insured, Gift Certificates Available.
MORAWSKI CLEANING LLC
A Super Service Award Winner
Call Sandy at 860-651-4601 • MORAWSKICLEANING.COM
[email protected]
12,000 Volt Ridgid Home
Generator. Can power a
3600 sq. ft. home. Used
once in Oct. 2011. New battery installed. Comes with
connection cord. Orig. cost
$1400 Asking $850 firm.
If interested call
Art, Farmington
860-982-7432
36
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press
25
Home Improvement
$29-1 week
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
$150- 6 weeks $300-13 weeks Add WEST HARTFORD Press for 1/2 Price!
AIR COND. & HEATING
BATHROOMS
BATHROOMS
Remodeling Your Bathroom?
BATHROOM
Bathroom
Pros
Baths & Tiling Our Specialty
Full & Partial Remodels
Also...Kitchens, Floors, Painting,
General Repairs & more
Install - Service - Repair
Support local business
tune-up your system
$125 for AC or heat Schedule
both and save 10%*
Suffield
668-8000
West Hartford
232-8002
HIC #613103
CHIMNEYS
L
I
C
E
N
S
E
D
STOVE
ONE CHIMNEY FLUE CLEANING PELLET
CLEANING
Offer Expires 9/30/15
& SERVICING Offer Expires 9/30/15
&
VALLEY CHIMNEY SWEEP LLC
220 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton Village, Canton, CT 06019
A+
860-693-3404
HIC License #0674006
WWW.VALLEYCHIMNEYSWEEPLLC.COM
28 years experience. Free Estimates. Insured.
Call Robert
Call For Free Estimates
EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Home of the
CHAMPS
CHIMNEY SWEEP!
With Full Safety Inspection
F R E E E S T I M AT E S
HIGH QUALITY WORK
DRIVEWAYS
DRIVEWAYS
RENEW ASPHALT
MAINTENANCE
Call for
Free Estimates
CPA REG. #593039
ELECTRICAL
CT Lic. 575422
ELECTRICAL
Residential * Commercial * Industrial
Call today
for your
FREE, no
obligation
consultation
& estimate.
860-242-6486
advancedequipmentct.com
www.renew-asphalt.com
Brannack Electric Inc.
Pick up
and Delivery
Available
860-269-3103
35 Peters Road
Bloomfield
Kyle
HOME IMPROVEMENT
AVALLONE
CONTRACTORS
HOME IMPROVEMENT
24 Hour Emergency Service
• Generator installations
• Interior & Exterior Lighting
• Remodeling & Additions
• Service Upgrades
• Telephone, Cable TV, &
Computer Network Wiring
• Repair & Upgrades
• Pool & Spa Wiring
License #103858 & 103859 • Fully insured
www.brannackelectric.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
www.JPCountryBuilders.com
Old Fashioned Quality You Can Live With
J
Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp & Liability
C
Remodeling
RY BUILDERS
O UN T
•Additions • Bath • Kitchens
LL
C
P
Replacement
Since 1988
In business for a blessed 29 years
(860) 582-0712 •Windows & Doors • Siding • Decks
Lic#0621710
Fax: (860)410-1190 or (860) 583-2183
PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT •
860-738-1502 John T.Yacawych 860-589-2267 Pat Collin
Email: [email protected]
ROOFING
SIDING
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
GUTTERS
ADDITIONS
TOTAL REMODELING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
Lic.#514976
G R E AT P R I C E
CALL TODAY 860-594-8607 www.chimneychamps.com
155 Brickyard Road, Farmington, CT 06032
26 The Valley Press September 3, 2015
LLC
NEW CONSTRUCTION • REBUILDING • REPAIRS
CAPS • CHIMNEY LINERS • WATER PROOFING
Leaf Blowers • Snow Blowers • Tuneups & Repairs
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CEILINGS
$99
EQUIPMENT SERVICE REPAIR
for
FREE estimate
860-749-8383 • 860-930-7722
860.953.6519
Pre-Season Tune-Ups
Darrell
Insured • Prompt Service
SPRAY-TEX
Call
• Sealcoating
• Hot Crack Filling
• Line Striping
EQUIPMENT REPAIR
ADVANCED
EQUIPMENT INC.
CT License #557873
the Competition
860-521-6942
Senior Citizen Discounts • Insured & Guaranteed
860-890-6704
6
2
8
0
5
4
We knock out
ER PA
EWSince 1958 VI
COMMERCIAL &
RESIDENTIAL
✔ Driveways
✔ Parking Lots
✔ Excavating
Texture Spray ~ Painting
I
N
S
U
R
E
D
CHIMNEY
G
Water Damage
Repair • Plaster
Sheetrock
• Textured Ceilings • Drywall & Plaster Repair
• Ceiling Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting
& Refinishing
• New Ceiling Installation
• Bathtub Reglazing
CT LIC #0673079
N
CEILING EXPERT
DRIVEWAYS
BR
CEILINGS
Specializing In: Cracked And Water
Damaged Ceilings
CEILINGS
F
U
L
L
Y
$20 OFF
$20 OFF
Since 1984
860.515.8265
CT’s Bathroom Remodeling Experts
CHIMNEYS
CEILINGS
REMODELING
DO IT NOW Affordable Remodeling
bathroompros.com
*Must present this advertisement at service
(800) 975-5495
www.BridgeWorks-llc.com
CEILINGS
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
BARRETT ENTERPRISES LLC
Home Improvement Contractor
So Many Amateurs . . . So Few Professionals!!
• Complete Basement Renovations
• Kitchen & Bathrooms Updated
• Windows/Doors Installed
• Pre-Finished Floorings • Custom Ceramic Tile
• Maintenance-Free Decks • Finish Carpentry
• Complete Painting Service • Custom Countertops
- COMPLETE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR • Siding
• Decks
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Remodeling
• Improvements
Jim Barrett, Owner
SMALL OR LARGE • WE DO IT ALL!
CT. LIC. #602130 • Office (860) 796-0131
www.berkshirewoodsmiths.com
Licensed & Insured
860.738.4931 or 203.232.9114
Lic. #HIC0625936
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Visit us at www.dhradomski.com
NICK
LOW
PRICES
CONSTRUCTION
Serving the Farmington Valley
for over 10 years
* Concrete * Stone Walls * Patios
* Bricks * Belgium Blocks * Chimneys
* Wood Fencing
D.H. RADOMSKI, INC.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
JUNK REMOVAL
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Junk Removal
Price includes dump fees,
labor and fuel cost. We will
remove junk from basements,
attics, and garages
Mattress & Box Springs
$50 extra.
“Building Trust By Doing Jobs Right!”
P.O. Box 791
[email protected] Farmington, CT 06034
www.pinnaclemaintenancellc.com T 860-284-8975 Fax: 860-255-7900
LANDSCAPING
LANDSCAPING
Arboretum
LANDSCAPE & DESIGN, LLC
Stone Work • Patios • Retaining Walls Custom Vinyl & Wood Fencing
Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Pruning • Plantings Tree Removals
CT LIC# 0630444
FULLY INSURED
860-906-6736
Expert Tree Climbers & Crane Service
Land Clearing • Brush Clearing
Shrub Removal • Hardscaping
New Lawn Installations
MASONRY
ALLSTAR MASONRY
Specializing in all types of jobs.
• stone work • stucco • chimneys
• repairs • patios • walls • steps
• concrete work and much more.
Fully licensed and insured. HIC #0563329.
Free Estimate and work
guaranteed at a great price.
860-417-9355 (work) 860-567-3342
MASONRY
Stonewalls • Brick Walls
Bluestone • Steps
Fireplaces • Chimneys
Patios • Sidewalks
We can also do all
Masonry Repairs!
Fully Insured
Quality Workmanship
Free Estimates • Lic#0604514
Ken (203) 558-4951
860-296-3405
LANDSCAPING
FallMowing
Clean-ups
Weekly
• Mulching
Aerating
• Overseeding
Hedge
Trimming
& Pruning
• Mulching • Weekly Mowing
Powerwashing
•
Stump
Grinding
Pruning • Hedge Trimming
Complete Landscape
• Powerwashing
• StumpServices
Grinding
• Complete
Landscaping
Services
SENIOR
DISCOUNTS
MASONRY
F&R MASONRY
All work done by Father
and Son
• Stonewalls • Sidewalks
• Steps • Chimneys • Patios
• Repairs & more
Serving the Farmington Valley
Lic #0637257
Insured
Free Estimates
203-805-9114
MASONRY MASONRY
Dennis Volpe
STONE MASON CONTRACTOR
860.225.3077
cell 860.839.8971
30 Years Experience • License #0630165 • New Britain, CT
SPECIALIZING IN:
Stone Wall Patios & Veneers • Patio Walls - Walk Ways
Chimney Rebuilding - Brick & Block Additions - Partition Walls
Basement Waterproofing - Drainage Work - Pre-Cast Retainer Walls
Pre-Cast Artificial Stone Veneers - Ceramic Tile Installed
Bobcat Service - Snow Plowing - Trucking
MASONRY
AD MASONRY
Stone Walls • Veneer Stone
Brick Walls • Blue Stone
Steps • Fireplaces
Chimneys • Patios • Sidewalks
Pavers • Retaining Walls
All type of Masonry Work
• Patios
• Walls
• Driveways
• Pools in Stone
• Brick, Bluestones
& Pavers
• Stairs and Walkways
All Masonry Repairs
Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates ~ Lic#0637095
Andi’s Masonry
Buki -
MASONRY
KC MASONRY
LANDSCAPING
• Pool Patios
• Poolscapes
• Lawn Installation
• Tree & Shrub
HYDROSEEDING
Planting
EROSION CONTROL
• Pruning
Based In & Serving The Farmington Valley • Walkways
For Over 18 Years
& Patios
Fully Licensed & Insured
• Walls & Steps
• Yard Drains
• Excavating
• Grading
cell: 860-250-2908
• Snowplowing
• Bucket Loading
For single truck load up to 1 Ton
Spring Cleanups • Mulching • Mulch Deliveries
FREE ESTIMATES
LANDSCAPE
CONTRACTORS
$149
PINNACLE
MAINTENANCE,
LLC.
High in Quality and Dependability
CT #0628836
Email: [email protected]
CT License #HIC0616677
CT REG.
ROOFING
#509749
SIDING • WINDOWS
DOORS • GUTTERS • DECKS • AWNINGS
203-206-2839
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Serving the Farmington Valley
for over 17 years!
FREE ESTIMATES
860-417-9968
MASONRY
ALEX EUROPEAN MASON
Over 30 years experience
Retaining Walls, Chimney Repair,
Steps, All Masonry Services
CT Lic# 602717
PAINTING
HIC#0629057
Pro Quality
Painting & Home
Repair, LLC
860-201-7788
www.pqpainting4u.com
Free Estimates • Fully Insured
203-232-0257 Lic. #0580443
860-810-4196
• High Quality interior/exterior painting
• Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations
• All home repair • Fully licensed and insured
The best decision you’ll ever make
860-368-9486
PAINTING
ZB PAINTING
Interior & Exterior
Aluminum, Vinyl & Wood
Siding & Shingles
• Good painting preparation
• Trim, Window Painting & Glazing
• Shingle Repair • Power Washing
INTERIOR WORK: repair ceilings, walls, trim,
moldings, baseboards, doors, windows
EXTERIOR WORK: Small Masonry Repair
Free estimates. You can count on us for a precise & excellent job!
20 year experience. HIC #0575928
Call: Zenon 860-518-0630
Bodgan 860-518-2625
September 3, 2015
The
Valley Press 27
Home Improvement
$29-1 week
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
$150- 6 weeks $300-13 weeks Add WEST HARTFORD Press for 1/2 Price!
PAINTING
WALLPAPERING
& PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING
DON’T RELY ON AN INTERNET SERVICE TO FIND YOU A
PAINTER WHEN YOU CAN HIRE A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL
Let
Hanging • Removal
Interior Painting
Wall Prep • Skim Coating
Speedy Pride Painting
beautify the inside of your home.
Scheduling interiors as well as exteriors.
If you sign within the next 2 months, receive $25 gift card to Starbuck’s
860-459-6705 [email protected]
lic. #0623272
Guaranteed Quality
28 years experience. Free Estimates. Insured.
We also offer general handyman/repair services.
860-890-6704
Our success is based on your satisfaction. Since 1986.
PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING &
CEILING REPAIR
Small renovations,
home repair, carpentry
& painting.
Complete prep.
T.C. Home Improvement
Cell 860-916-6287
Free
Estimates Home 860-523-4151
POWER WASHING
POWER WASHING
ROB’S
RAINBOW
HYDRA-BLAST
WHY JUST POWERWASH
GUTTER CLEANING
POWER WASHING
ROOF CLEANING
Specializing in high pressure
house detailing since 1988.
Fully Insured/Free Estimates
860-982-3300
RobPolo.com
860-649-4953
860-402-7672
ROOFING
ROOFING
ROOFING • SIDING
STUMPS?
G OT
• WINDOWS • & more...
Call
HARMONY
Call now.
VALLEY STUMP
Roofing
& Siding
GRINDING, LLC
Sale!
860-614-1173
Fully Insured
FREE Estimates
Lic. #604200
Lic. #0639246
TREES
WINDOW WASHING
978.67
Reg #0562179
EPA
CERTIFIED
Refer a friend, you both receive 10% OFF
PAINTING
860-673-7280
PESTS
PAINTING Walter’s Pest Control
PROFESSIONAL HOME
IMPROVEMENT-REMODELING
ZIBBY DRZAZGOWSKI
(860) 675-4025
Farmington
KITCHENS - BATHROOMS - WALLPAPER
TILES- BASEMENTS - ATTICS
ALUMINUM SIDING
[email protected]
CONN. LICENSE NO. 536406 COMPLETE INSURANCE
• General Pests
• Termites
• Mice
$
10 OFF
WITH THIS AD
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
DAY, EVENING OR WEEKEND SERVICE
(860) 689-6867
WaltersPestLLC.com
I’ll take care of any pest...
four legs or more!
License # B-3000
PLUMBING
ROOFING
ANDY WOTTON
PLUMBING &
HEATING, LLC
(860) 833-8153
Old fashion, honest, reliable
service at a reasonable price.
All residential plumbing, repairs
done from leaky faucets to
snaking your main drain.
Lic #:HIC0607969
Call today and we will
show you quality still
makes a difference!
STUMP GRINDING
STUMPS?
G OT
Call
VALLEY STUMP
GRINDING, LLC
860-614-1173
Lic. #0639246
WINDOW WASHING
Grimshaw Tree Service
and Nursery Company
68
19
Call 860-658-4420 for a
SMARTWOOD
free estimate or for more
AVAILABLE
C
l
o
a
n
r
t
necti
information
Cen
cut
r th
o
sin
on how we can
ce
gN
in
help your trees.
rv
25 years of experience
in Farmington Valley
785
Commercial & Residential
TREE CARE OR TREE REMOVAL
Se
Power Washing,
Deck Staining, Light Carpentry
2 rooms plus a 1/2 bath
$
includes materials
Any 3 rooms plus a 1/2 bath
$
includes materials
WE CLEAN WINDOWS!
grimshawtreeco.com
The
Interior & Exterior Painting
INTERIOR SPECIALS FOR
THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
When It Comes To Tree Service
We Run Rings Around The Competition.
28
BRECHUN PAINTING
SIDING
VINYL SIDING SUMMER SPECIAL
SAVE 35% OFF NOW
Free estimates. Absolute lowest prices possible!
Deal direct with owner.
REPAIRS/GARAGES
Home Improvement (860) 645-8899
Creating HARMONY
between customer,
contractor & community
PAINTING
Valley Press September 3, 2015
Ct Lic. #547581. Fully licensed & Insured.
Hann’s On Home Improvement
860-563-2001
WINDOWS
(SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO)
• Free estimates • Fully Insured & Bonded • Uniformed • Reliable
“Residential”
WINDOWS & DOORS
*Sales * Service * Installation*
A BETTER VIEW
WINDOW CLEANING, PLUS
(203) 284-8836
860-249-1558
www.fishwindowcleaning.com/3053
860-747-8875
thewindowmanofct.com * [email protected]
*Bill Morrell Contractor * Ct Lic.#0509785 * Insured*