April 09, 2015

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AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY
IN SPORTS
Positive
numbers
for FHS
PAGE 25
Vol. 7, Edition 15
Thursday
April 9, 2015
in the press
Subdivision plan
doesn’t sit well
with neighbors
Neighbors and local residents are
opposing a proposed four-lot subdivision on Prattling Pond Road
that they say will significantly
impact the character of the area.
PAGE 13
First responders
take up different
lifesaving effort
Avon’s sixth annual “Battle of the
Badges” produced no winners, but
that was because no one was actually keeping score. The friendly
competition brought together fire
and police department members
for a blood drive. PAGE 13
Photo by Ted Glanzer
An ‘egg’cellent springtime celebration
Farmington’s yearly rite of spring took place Saturday, April 4 with the 19th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor.
Pictured above, a young participant excitedly gathers eggs into a basket. See more photos on page 6.
Wild about animals
NEWS
THIS WEEK
A&E
4
Kids
8
The Buzz
10
Town News
13
Editorial
16
Business
21
Calendar 22
Sports
23
Home and Garden
29
Classifieds
37
Quotes
of Note
“Part of scenic beauty is
not just beautiful homes
and the winding road
and the trees. Part of it is
naturalness of the
landscape. ...We like
that.”
-Marie Baker in “Neighbors
object...” on page 13
Courtesy photo
13
West Simsbury reader Matthew Kombert saw this chipmunk recently during the first few days of spring,
looking out of its home in his rock wall. 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. Be sure to mention your town of residence as well. All submissions will be considered
for inclusion in a future issue.
THE DOCTOR IS IN.
UConn welcomes
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OCULOPLASTIC AND ORBITAL SURGERY SPECIALIST
Dr. Falcone, a board-certified ophthalmologist, offers services in the evaluation
and management of all disorders of the eyelids, tear drainage system, and the
orbit. Her extensive training included a fellowship in ocular plastic surgery and
orbital surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine.
OFFERING PERSONALIZED CARE FOR:
•Droopyeyelid,excessskin,undesirableeyelidoreyelashposition
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263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON
65 KANE STREET, WEST HARTFORD
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2
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
“The idea now is we’re
putting together a new
strategic plan. We’re
moving a little away
from acquisition and
large fundraising to
taking care of the
properties and
[creating]
conservation plans. We
call this stewardship.”
-Fred Feibel in “Land Trust looks
ahead...” on page 20
Event to raise awareness for ‘under-recognized’ form of cancer
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Bladder cancer is often misdiagnosed.
John Vichi of Canton, who
runs the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Support Group at the
UConn Health Center in Farmington, said the cancer is often
confused with a urinary tract infection.
“The cancer is usually misdiagnosed. Running the support
group for the last five years, I’ve
never seen a patient coming in
that wasn’t misdiagnosed,” Vichi
said in a phone call April 3.
The problem with misdiagnoses is that it means the real
problem is not treated and the 96
percent survival rate quickly drops,
he said.
Since bladder cancer presents
as a UTI, many doctors assume
that’s what it is and run through
every possible treatment for a UTI
before testing for cancer, a process
that can take up to a year.
“If [the cancer] escapes the
bladder, if it moves to the lymph
nodes, you drop to 6 percent [survival],” Vichi said. “You fall from 96
percent very quick to 69 to 34 to 6.”
Many people who suffer from
bladder cancer and survive end up
having their bladders removed and
must use an ileostomy pouch to
collect urine.
Vichi, who is a bladder cancer
survivor, is not one of those people.
“My story is kind of boring
because I was the luckiest person
there is. I still have my bladder,
most do not,” he said.“ My street
creds are I fought bladder cancer ... then came up with another
cancer.”
“John’s is an unusual case,”
said his wife, Laurie Opalack.
Because Vichi had another
type of cancer, he received chemotherapy, which is usually not used
in treating bladder cancer, Opalack said.
Now he is cancer-free.
Bladder cancer survivor Patrick Carlina of Bristol is a part of
the support group and had his
bladder removed. He isn’t afraid to
discuss his situation.
Carlina, who is 71, was diagnosed in December 2006 and,
unlike many patients, the cancer
was caught right away. He went
to UConn where he was told he
should undergo surgery.
“They said the best thing to do
for you is to take your bladder out,”
he said.
After a three-month recovery
period, he resumed his normal daily activities.
“I got through it. I think the
biggest thing was I was positive,”
Carlina said. “I haven’t changed.
I’m 71 now. I still work, I’m healthy.”
In the support group, people
who have undergone similar surgeries share their stories and try
to offer advice to those who have
recently been diagnosed or who
have learned they need to have
their bladders removed.
“To me it’s been very helpful
to help other people,” Carlina said.
“To me it’s not a big deal. I work, I
play with the grandchildren, I ski,
I golf.”
According to a press release,
bladder cancer is the sixth most
commonly diagnosed cancer in
the United States.
Yet, most patients have never
heard of the disease until they are
diagnosed.
There are currently more than
half a million people in the U.S.
who live with this disease coupled
with an expected 70,000 diagnosed
annually and an estimated 14,000
related deaths.
Typical symptoms including
blood in the urine, urinary urgency
or frequency are often attributed
to other common conditions that
afflict the middle aged, the press
release states.
Bladder cancer most commonly affects people between the
ages of 40 and 70, though, according to Vichi and Opalack, is very
prevalent in an older crowd.
“This isn’t a young man’s cancer,” Vichi said. “This in an 80-yearold man’s cancer
Also according to the press
release, another little known fact
about bladder cancer is the cost.
It is the most expensive cancer to treat on a per-patient basis
with a recurrence rate of 50-80 percent that typically results in lifelong surveillance.
It is estimated that $2.9 billion
is spent in the U.S. each year on the
Courtesy photo
Participants in the Walk for Bladder Cancer make a difference with each
step, organizers say.
treatment of bladder cancer.
The support group will hold
a Walk for Bladder Cancer Saturday, May 2 at the Farmington River
Trail on Route 4 in Farmington.
The walk is one of dozens to
be held in 29 states, according to
Jeanne Mahoney, community resource coordinator for the Bladder
Cancer Advocacy Network.
“We’re hoping for 5,000 people
this year,” Mahoney said.
All proceeds from the walk
with be donated to the Bladder
Cancer Advocacy Network, to
raise awareness of this under-recognized disease, and support research into better diagnosis and
treatment of bladder cancer.
In addition to supporting research, funds from the walks will
support patient support programs
and educational programs, Mahoney said.
The cost for participation
in the walk is $20 for adults and
$5 for children. To participate or
make a donation, visit support.
bcan.org/Farmington.
All participants who sign up
by April 22 will receive a T-shirt
at the walk. For more information
email [email protected].
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Support Group meets
the first Saturday of the month at 2
p.m. in the cafeteria at the UConn
Health Center.
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
3
PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
An Evening with Abigail Adams
On Friday, April 17
at 7:30 p.m., the Women’s
Association of the First
Church of Christ, 1652,
Farmington at 75 Main St.
will host Carol Bielefeld as
she presents a one-woman
interpretation of Abigail
Adams, wife of the second
president of the United
States. The evening will be
held in the Porter Memorial
The Information
You Need for
the Care They
Deserve...
Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.
with refreshments. A freewill offering will be appreciated.
Artists
exhibit at
Ethel Walker
Photographer Siro Soliani and potter Charlene
Li will be exhibiting their
work in the Ethel Walker Library Gallery, 230
Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury,
through May 8.
The work of both artists is strong visual pieces;
close up portraits that pop
off the paper, and slab and
wheel pottery that has solid
designs and is technically
inspiring.
Li will lead a slab construction demonstration
to students during the day.
The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5:30
p.m., free to the public. Visitors sign in with the receptionist in Beverbrook, the
main building.
A reception is Friday,
April 10 from 5-7 p.m. The
public is welcome. d Is One. All You Need Is One. All
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The Atwater – Memory Care
McLean is a not-for-profit senior living community in Simsbury, CT offering a continuum of services including
independent living, assisted living, and memory care assisted living; an adult day program, short- and
long-term skilled nursing, outpatient rehabilitation and wellness; post-acute care, home care and hospice.
www.McLeanCare.org | 75 Great Pond Road | Simsbury, CT 06070
4
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
Courtesy photo
“Rhubarb II” with text from Psalm 148 – acrylic, sumi,
guache and gel pen by Kathleen Borkowski
As part of Word Art
Show in the Main Gallery
at the Gallery on the Green
in Canton, there will be an
evening of readings Saturday, April 11 from 7-9 p.m.
The concept of the show
is to explore the synergy
between writing and the
visual arts. The show, curated by Kent McCoy, may
also include paintings or
sculpture that incorporate
letters or text in the piece.
Studio 4A in building 27 at FVAC is
now the new youth classroom welcoming enrollment and participation to spring
break classes and afternoon sessions in visual arts for children. The vibrant first floor space has been
under construction since the turn of the
year by a team of volunteers. And, finishing
touches to the classroom are near complete. FVAC looks to have all seats filled
in the Spring Arts Adventures program
April 13-17, a half-day program for families
seeking arts activities in drawing, painting, sculpting, mixed media and kiln fired
ceramics. Information on the spring and
summer programs is available at the arts
center’s website with registration forms
available to be the first of many to create
with talented instructors. Seats are limited for youth in grades
two to eight, and families are able to select
the entire week or individual days for sessions.
The Farmington Valley Arts Center is
located at 25 Arts Center Lane in Avon Park
North, Avon.
For additional information, call 860678-1867 or visit www.artsfvac.org.
The Warner Stage Company announces its production of Winter Flowers representing New England (Region 1) in the
National Festival (AACTFest 2015) held in
Grand Rapids, Mich., this June.
The AACTFest 2015 will occur June 2328 and will showcase 12 community theater
productions from across the United States.
It will cost approximately $12,000$15,000 to get the cast, crew and set to
Michigan. On Saturday, April 11, a special
performance of the winning production,
“Winter Flowers,” will be held in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre beginning at 8:15
p.m. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds
will go toward funding the trip.
A pre-show reception will begin at
7:30p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine
included. Come meet the team and playwright Lily Rusek, learn how the AACTFest
cycle works and see the production that received the awards for Overall Outstanding
Production (“Winter Flowers”), Best Actress
(Lea Dmytryck and Jane Coughlin [tie]) and
Best Director (Sharon A. Wilcox) at the New
England Regional Theatre Festival.
To purchase tickets, call the Box Office
at 860-489-7180, or visit warnertheatre.org.
For those unable to attend the event but
would like to make a donation to support
the trip, visit the Warner Theatre website at
warnertheatre.org.
PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Take Two jazz duo at Friends Coffeehouse
The cast at Thompson Brook School rehearses
Courtesy photo
‘The Little Mermaid JR’
at Thompson Brook School
In three performances
of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid JR” from Friday, April
10-Sunday, April 12, join
Thompson Brook School
students and journey “under the sea” with Ariel and
her aquatic friends. In a
magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young
mermaid Ariel (played by
Kelli Raines) longs to leave
her ocean home - and her
fins - behind and live in the
world above. But first she’ll
have to defy her father King
Triton (played by Jeffrey
Arigoni), make a deal with
the evil sea witch Ursula
(played by Ella Bernarduci), and convince the handsome Prince Eric (played by
Daniel Cuyler) that she’s the
girl whose enchanting voice
he’s been seeking.
Working with director
Terri Schulman, musical di-
rector Terry Rowe, and choreographer Laura Harris, 86
Thompson Brook fifth- and
sixth-graders have been rehearsing both on stage and
behind the scenes in dozens
of different roles for the past
six weeks in preparation for
three performances: Friday,
April 10, and Saturday, April
11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday,
April 12, at 2 p.m. Performances will take place at
Thompson Brook School,
150 Thompson Road, Avon.
Tickets are available at the
door; $8 per adult and $5
per student/senior.
The musical is the
Thompson Brook School
PTO’s biggest fundraiser each year. Funds from
last year’s program funded
the purchase of backstage
headsets and character microphones for future school
performances.
Benefit clothing sale
The Women’s Association of the First Church
Congregational 1652 will
hold its Semi-Anuual Clothing Sale in the Porter Memorial Hall at 75 Main St.,
Farmington, Friday, April 10
from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday,
April 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The sale will feature clothing for all ages, footwear,
accessories, and costume
jewelry, and a Boutique
that will have new and new-
er clothing and specialty
items. Admission on Friday
is $5. Admission Saturday is
$3, and all regular items are
sold at $3 per bag. Boutique
items will be half price.
Most of the profits from
the sale are used to support
local charities. The church
annual Youth Mission and
items needed by the church
that are not included in the
operating budget are also
supported.
New Britain-born jazz
pianist John Brighenti accompanies vocalist Erin
O’Luanaigh for a tribute to
Peggy Lee and Cole Porter
at the Simsbury Public Library Friday, April 17 from
8-9:15 p.m. Doors open at
7:30 p.m. Brighenti’s musical genes and early inspiration came from his
mother, Angeline Battistone Brighenti, who was a
singer for an all-girls band
called The Novelty Syncopators in the 1930s. After
graduating from the Hartt
College of Music, he was
drawn to jazz piano at
the Hartford Conservatory of Music where he
studied big band arranging and jazz piano techniques. His instructor
was the prominent Hartford pianist, composer,
arranger and historian
Ray Cassarino. Brighenti
studied jazz improvisation in New York with
renowned jazz pianist
and composer Lennie
Tristano and the great
jazz saxophonist/pianist
Jerry Bergonzi. He toured
with several orchestras,
including Glenn Miller and worked with the
Valley Swing Shift Band.
He performed at The
Baby Grand Jazz Series
at the Hartford Public
Tunxis Stage
to premiere
new works
Tunxis Stage will
present “A Real Step Up”
and “Retribution,” the
premiere of two new
works by playwright
Geoffrey Craig, Friday,
April 17 at 7:30 p.m. and
Saturday, April 18 at 1:30
and 7:30 p.m. in Founders
Hall at Tunxis Community College in Farmington.
Tickets are $5 and can be
purchased in the President’s Office or online at
www.brownpapertickets.
com/event/1358301.
Huttlinger at Roaring Brook Nature Center
Pete Huttlinger will be at Roaring
Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.
For this fourth show at RBC, he will delight Roaring Brook fans with phenomenal
guitar playing and a lightning quick wit as
keen as Bill Morrissey or Billy Crystal. He
plays a diverse repertoire that includes Celtic jigs and reels, sing alongs with “Country
Roads” and mesmerizing renditions of pop
hits, “Fields of Gold” “Ricky Don’t Lose that
Number,” “Superstition” and “Mrs. Robinson.” Enjoy this National Fingerstyle Champion and Berklee grad who has played Eric
Clapton’s Crossroad Guitar Festivals with
tunes from his CDs.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the
door. Call 860-693-0263.
Library and has played in
many other venues across
Connecticut. O’Luanaigh
recently graduated from
Hillsdale College in Michigan, where she was involved in all things jazz.
She joined Brighenti as
the other half of The Take
Two Duo. When not singing, she is a teacher, tutor
and writer, and she performs in musical theater.
Registration is requested
at 860-658-7663 or www.
simsburylibrary.info.
Courtesy photo
Erin O’Luanaigh and John Brighenti
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
5
Isabella Porto gets her face painted at the
19th annual Egg Hunt at Farmington
Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor April 4.
Children scooped up as many eggs as they
could during the annual event that draws
hundreds to the mini-golf course.
Photos by Ted Glanzer
A young participant carefully examines her selection as she gathers eggs in a basket.
Claye Jeffs lays out eggs before
the 19th annual Egg Hunt.
Eggs filled with chocolate and prizes were scattered
everywhere for children to collect.
Smiles were a common accessory during the annual egg hunt
event in Farmington.
Chloe Christ wore bunny
ears and a cautious look.
Vivian Gawitt was pleased
with her egg collection.
Seraphina Lambright at the
face painting table
Amy Jackson and Jackson Drumbeller at the 19th annual Egg Focus and speed were traits employed by the hundreds
Hunt at the miniature golf course.
of young egg hunt participants.
Families hop on down to annual Easter Egg Hunt
F
armington’s yearly rite of spring took place Saturday, April 4 with the 19th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor. Hundreds of children and
parents turned out to see the Easter Bunny, paint their faces and take part in picking up some 15,000 Easter eggs filled with chocolate and prizes. Proceeds from the event were
donated to Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary.
IC
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e
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a
ComND GRlar St lebriti
A e Cel al ce
T
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“ME Bicycme loc
the lso so
a
HOURLY !
and
YC
WINGS
LL AR
DRA
S AV E T H E D AT E !
RE35th
Anniversary
ALL VISITORS
RECEIVE
A GIFT!
APRIL 11 & 12, 2015 • 9AM-5PM
GRAND PRIZE DRAWING for a new Raleigh Bicycle
Hourly drawings for accessories including Thule and Yakima bike carriers for cars,
plus much more. All visitors receive a gift. No purchases necessary – chance to see
the new store and new products available at the Valley’s Best Bicycle Shop.
532 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury • 860.658.1311
The Bicycle Cellar supports all kinds of cycling and congratulates Simsbury on being the ONLY Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community in CT
6
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
Maker Fair gives kids a chance at unique learning
T
he Farmington Main Library turned into one large markerspace March 30 with its second annual Maker Fair. Scores of children packed several rooms to try their hands at,
among other things, 3D printing, tying fishing flies, soldering and making light-up bookmarks. The Children’s Library room became a LEGO racing center, with kids constructing their own vehicles that they ran down a ramp. Upstairs, the computer lab was available for children to learn coding through a website game that required navigating
Elsa from the Disney movie “Frozen” and Angry Birds characters around various challenges. The following photos captured some of the activities.
Photos by Ted Glanzer
Dreaming of Spring?
Come on in and
Register at
860.658.1144 or
cobbschool.com
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www.SaybrookFishHouseCanton.com
The Intersection of 44, 202 & 179
Believe, Guide, Step Aside, Let Fly!
Reservations Accepted: 860.693.0034 • Open 7 Days & 7 Nights
Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30-4 • Sat. 12-4
Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 4-9 • Fri. & Sat. 4-9:30 • Sun. 12-8
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
7
PRESSKIDS
Acoustic cafe highlights ‘the beauty inside’ brought out by poetry
This is the second article in
a series highlighting local poetry
events as part of National Poetry
Month.
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Creative writing is about
beauty, reading it aloud is about
courage.
According to Tania MacNaboe, creative writing teacher
at Lewis Mills High School in Burlington and organizer of the Second Annual Acoustic Cafe, poetry
is not just about the beauty in the
words or that which is conveyed
by them. It is also about “the
beauty inside.”
The Acoustic Cafe, which included music and poetry, was about
sharing that beauty and having the
courage to do so, she said.
“This is about courage for [the
students],” she said, “building confidence. You have these gifts. Let’s
go and give them to the world. It’s
more of that confidence.”
MacNaboe started the night
by reading a poem of her own
and then by introducing the guest
poet: this reporter.
MacNaboe’s thinking was
that if adults participated with the
students, showed them they, too,
could expose their work to a room
full of people, it would be helpful
and make it a bit easier for them
to take to the podium.
Since it was not his first time
reading before an audience, while
slightly nervous, Jake Wall was not
that scared, he said.
For Wall, the good thing
about creative writing is being
able to write about things that are
personal, he said. It’s a class where
any subject is OK and where students share themselves with one
another.
While not a fan of poetry,
Wall drew the attention of the
crowd with his poem.
Called “My Mind,” the verse
took listeners – at least this one –
on a strange journey of discovery.
As it revealed the twists hidden
within Wall’s imagination, it made
impossible quirky ideas seem almost real. Perhaps a clock really
was growing in my throat.
“I must not overcome the
manatee,” Wall read. “Yet embrace
its whiskers. As the clock begins
to grow in my throat. I realize I’m
not far from my crate.”
It was the unusual items he
chose to describe that made the
images seem so real. The visual
of cauliflower sitting beneath a
chandelier made it seem that the
lighting fixture was hovering over
a dinner table and so made the
scene seem like something in an
actual room.
Also, because the lines in the
poem moved so smoothly each to the
next, it almost seemed as if the reader
really was the things he described.
“My pants light on fire,” Wall
read, “and I become a chandelier.
Joe Conticello reads his poem, “Stream of Consciousness,” during The Acoustic Cafe.
Hanging over the depths of cauliflower.”
After the recitation, which
brought whoops and lengthy applause, Wall, a senior, said he took
the creative writing class because
he doesn’t like reading or writing
and yet needed to get in another
English class before graduation.
The details in the poem fell together with little effort, he said.
“I don’t really like poetry,” he
said. “All those thoughts, I just
thought of on the spot ... those are
pretty random things.”
Wall’s fellow students, also
enjoy the class because it gives
WEDNESDAYS
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712 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury
peaberryscafect.com
8
The
Valley Press April 9, 2015
them a chance to express their
thoughts and learn about themselves, they said.
“There are not many classes where you ever get to express
how you feel,” said Gio Piraza.” In
creative writing, you get to learn
more about yourself ... grow as a
person.”
MacNaboe pushes her students to grow, they said.
Reading their poems in front
of students, teachers and parents
was all part of that growth.
“Definitely I feel like when
you read a poem, you’re really just
putting yourself out there,” said
Photo by Molly Bailot
Taylor Copeland after reading her
poem.
Copeland is used to playing
in a band and having an instrument between her and onlookers,
she said. Reading the poem took
away that safety net.
“There’s something about not
having that wall of an instrument
in front of you,” she said. “It’s just
so raw and out there.”
MacNaboe was impressed
with the turnout for the event and
with the students and their performances.
“I’m proud of these kids,” she
said.
6:30-9PM
starting April 15
PRESSKIDS
Left photo by Alison Jalbert; other photos courtesy of Kim Loveland
Left: Kellen Wilson explains his invention, Chap Wrap, to judges; right: The four finalists moving on to the statewide competition are Alexa Goff, Isabella Tawney, Callista Adorno and Riley Lill.
Students flex creative muscles with Invention Convention projects
By Alison Jalbert
Assistant Editor
hanger out of PVC pipes that allowed all of
his hockey gear to be hung up and dried after a game or practice. The hanger is able to
break down to make it easily transportable.
Isabella Tawney sought to find a way
to make it easier for her grandmother to
see the bills she had in her wallet, so she
designed the Money Manager, an accordion file-type wallet that has slots for each
denomination of paper money. There are
markings similar to Braille that indicate
which bill is in which slot and an attached
magnifying glass.
Since some cyclists have trouble signaling and steering a bike at the same time,
Riley Lill created a cycle signal for bikers.
The device mounts to handlebars and features two lighted arrows, functioning similarly to the blinker on a car. The signal is
battery-powered, and he spoke of trying
different circuits before finding one bright
enough so the arrows were visible from afar.
Kellen Wilson tackled a “simple but everyday problem” – melting lip balm in the
dryer. Chap Wrap is a PVC pipe container
that can hold a tube of Chapstick in it, in
case it’s accidentally left in a pocket before
going into the laundry.
Tyler Ma invented an animal-proof
trash can after seeing his neighbor’s garbage attacked by an animal, likely a bear.
The soft lock feature prevents paws from
being able to pry open the top or tip it over.
Tyler believed if a bear or other animal
tries and is unable to get into a trash can, it
might not come back.
The four finalists chosen were Alexa
Goff, Isabella, Callista Adorno and Riley.
The 13 students who participated in
the Invention Convention program at Tariffville School traveled to the state Capitol
April 1, where they presented their creations to Gov. Dannel Malloy and state Rep.
John Hampton.
The gym of Tariffville School was filled
with examples of ingenuity and creativity as students presented inventions created as part of the Invention Convention
program.
For the past few months, students in
grades three to six have been working on
creating their own inventions for the statewide Invention Convention. On March 31,
students presented their projects to judges
in hopes of earning a spot to participate in
the statewide competition at the University
of Connecticut May 2.
“The students have been working incredibly hard and have some great ideas
for new inventions,” Kim Loveland, fourthVaughan Marecki, left, explains his sports
grade teacher, wrote in an email.
equipment hanger invention to Gov. Dannel
Principal Scott Baker complimented
Malloy during a trip to the Capitol April 1.
the students on their efforts.
“Only four are moving
on to the next competition,
but in my book, you all have
won,” he said.
Loveland
explained
that there were two judges per group, and it would
be solely student and judge
interaction. After students
$
Perfect for:
presented their invention,
both judges and other stuRefinancing an
Home improvements
dents in the group could ask
existing line of credit
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questions.
She said the students all
worked hard, and it showed
Tuition or large purchase
Debt consolidation
in their creations. She didn’t
envy the judges, she said,
because there were so many
high-quality inventions on
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be 3.00% variable based on the Prime Rate minus 0.25% as stated above. The APR may vary and your minimum payment may increase or decrease. Offer applies to new Home Equity Lines of Credit on owner-occupied primary residences within the state of Connecticut,
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Vaughan Marecki deare no application fees on line amounts of $10,000 -$500,000. For amounts over $500,000, an appraisal is required and a fee applies. The minimum loan amount is $10,000. Maximum Combined Loan To Value (CLTV) is 80%. Property insurance and flood insurance,
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
9
PAW to host Mini Pet Expo to benefit Fidelco
Farmington Valley Trails
clean-up day
The Farmington Valley
Trails Council will hold its
6th annual Trail-wide CleanUp Day Sunday, April 12
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The
rain date is Sunday, April 19.)
Last year’s event drew over
100 volunteers at four staging areas across the eight
towns in the Farmington
Valley that encompass the
22.4 miles of the Farmington
Canal Heritage Trail and the
10.2 miles of the Farmington
River Trail.
These
continuously
paved miles from Farmington to Southwick, Mass., had
over 12 cubic yards of trash
removed. FVTC President
Bruce Donald stated that
“we’re always excited and
humbled by the amount
of volunteers that help on
Clean-Up Day. Our towns
know that this comprehensive clean up, along with
continuous work through
our Adopt-a-Trail program,
keeps the trails clean for the
over quarter million yearly
visitors it receives.”
Volunteers will cover a
specific one-mile stretch of
the trail starting from one of
five staging areas: Brickyard
Road in Farmington, Iron
Horse Blvd. in Simsbury, the
River Trail Pavilion at Route
4 in Unionville, Copper Hill
Road in Granby and Sperry Park in Avon. Volunteers
should bring gloves, brooms,
rakes and clippers. All volunteers are invited to a barbeque after the Clean-Up at
Flamig Farm in Simsbury
from noon-3 p.m.
To thank the community for its continued support that has helped Progressive Animal Wellness
grow over the past four
years, PAW will host its 4th
Annual Mini Pet Expo Saturday, April 11 from 2 p.m.4:30 p.m. at Fairways Plaza
on Route 44 in Avon.
Raising money for Fidelco once again, the event
will feature training by Ben
Garson of Dogology; a reptile demonstration by Harris in Wonderland; photo
sessions by RJS Photography; a puppy kissing booth
with puppies from Boot ‘n
Kit Canine Rescue; freestyle canine dance demon-
stration by Unleashed
Dance Company; Grooming by Doggy Do’s; Canine
Massage by Marissa Garson of Dogology; education
stations by the PAW staff,
Zoetis, and Our Companions; and a teacup auction
for prizes from local businesses such as Dogology,
Brownstone Bakery for
Dogs, Green Tails Market
and more. The first 50 people to arrive at PAW’s Mini
Pet Expo will receive swag
bags. Refreshments will be
served.
For more information,
visit PAW at www.progressiveanimalwellness.com, or
call 860-325-2124.
Courtesy photo
Liz DiPace of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation (right) shows
how service dogs guide people who are visually impaired.
Blindfolded is Corey Shagensky, DVM, of Progressive Animal
Wellness in Avon. The demonstration took place at PAW’s 3rd
Annual Mini Pet Expo, an event that raised $500 for Fidelco
in 2014.
Exceeding expectations
Photo by Sloan Brewster
The Take Action Club at Squadron Line Elementary School
recently held a Diaper Drive with a goal to collect 6,000
diapers for My Sister’s Place, a shelter for women and
children in Hartford. My Sister’s Place goes through
6,000 diapers in one month. The club asked community
members to drop off any-sized diapers at the Simsbury
school and, ultimately, exceeded the goal by 2,000
diapers. The diapers were loaded into vehicles and
caravaned to the shelter April 2. Members of the club are
pictured left, gathering the donations. The Take Action
Club is an international group led by children.
The Residence at Brookside Assisted Living Community in Avon, CT
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10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 15th and 16th
Call 860-284-5001 to make an appointment
We are an equal opportunity employer
10
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
Aspi and Mike Psaras of George’s dole out pizza at the annual
Pizza Contest sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Maddie Trimble gets a butterfly painted on her face by
Soumee Kar.
Ryan and Ian Trimble sample the cheese pizza during the
fourth annual Pizza Contest.
Left, from left to right: Nathan
Rydecki digs into a slice of
pizza; Robbie Fischel noshes
on a slice; Molly and Jodie
Moran wait at the facepainting station.
Below, left: Caroline Hayes
was happy with her pizza
selection; below, right: Drew
Rydecki tries out a piece.
Photos by Ted Glanzer
Pizza heaven in Farmington
F
our pizzerias and one dessert store took part in the fourth annual Pizza Contest sponsored by the Farmington Chamber of Commerce at Farmington Gardens March 31.
The fundraiser, which raised money for scholarships for Farmington High students,
drew some 200 tasters who sampled offerings from Joey Garlic’s, George’s, People’s Choice
and Tavern at the Exchange. The tasters then voted on the Best Cheese Pizza, the Best Specialty Pizza, as well as the Best Dessert, which had one entry – the ice cream pizza from
Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream Parlor. In the end, George’s prevailed over its three
challengers for Best Cheese Pizza, while Joey Garlic’s reigns supreme in the Best Specialty
Pizza category. People’s Choice and Joey Garlic’s placed second and third, respectively, in the
Best Cheese category, while George’s and Tavern at the Exchange placed second and third in
the Best Specialty category.
Allen Edmonds Anniversary Sale
April 9th
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Upon your request we will change the interest rate on your account to the Collinsville
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can only be one request made during the term of the Certificate, the request can be made
at any time during the Inflate Your Rate certificate term. The rate may change after
account is opened if consumer chooses to inflate their rate. You may also deposit
additional funds at the time of the rate inflate request. You may not make withdrawals of
principal from your account before maturity without penalty. You can only withdraw
interest credited in the term before maturity of that term without penalty. You can
withdraw interest at any time during the term after it is credited to your account. Limited
time only. Rates and terms are subject to change. Rate is effective as of 02/10/2015.
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
11
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break out
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and Fitzgerald's Meat Department
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12
The
Valley Press April 9, 2015
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PRESSNews
Neighbors object
to proposed subdivision
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
FARMINGTON — Neighbors
and local residents are opposing a
proposed four-lot subdivision on
Prattling Pond Road that they say
will significantly impact the character of the area.
Karen and Martin Wand of
85 Prattling Pond Road have filed
an application for a special permit
with the Town Plan and Zoning
Commission to subdivide their
26-acre parcel to have three new
homes built on the land. A hearing
was held by the TPZ in early March
and has been continued to April 13.
The plan also calls for 12 acres
of land, mostly wetlands, to be
donated to the Farmington Land
Trust.
But area residents who live
on Mountain Spring Road, which
runs parallel to Prattling Pond
Road, say the subdivision would be
too intense for the neighborhood
and would significantly affect that
road’s scenic designation, which it
obtained from the town in 2004.
“There’s not one person in favor of this subdivision,” Martin Pazzani of 99 Mountain Spring Road
said. “It’s an abomination.”
At issue is a roadside drainage
pond, as well as several rain gardens that would also be installed
on the property, designed to capture runoff that is part of the development plan. The pond and the
rain gardens, in addition to the construction of a long driveway, would
require significant clear cutting,
neighbors say.
“Part of scenic beauty is not
just beautiful homes and the
See OBJECT on page 18
Granby district hires
new middle school principal
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
GRANBY — Longtime West
Hartford educator Sue Henneberry
has been hired as the new principal of Granby Memorial Middle
School, according to a school administrator.
Granby Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Alan Addley made the
announcement at a regular meeting
of the Board of Education April 1.
Henneberry’s first day will be July 1.
“I’m very happy and honored
to be here,” Henneberry told the
board members. “I’m enjoying
learning about the community.”
Henneberry, an Avon resident,
grew up in West Hartford and held
Courtesy photo
Sue Henneberry was recently
named the new principal at Granby
Memorial Middle School.
various teaching positions in that
town for 27 years. She’s currently
the assistant principal of Sedgwick
Middle School.
See PRINCIPAL on page 18
Photo by Sloan Brewster
Kindergarten teacher Sue Gallaher donates blood at the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Friday, April 2.
Gallaher’s husband is a firefighter in the town’s volunteer department.
First responders save lives in a different way
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
AVON — Avon’s sixth annual
“Battle of the Badges” produced
no winners this year, but that
was because no one was actually
keeping score.
The friendly competition
was meant to see whether members of the town’s Volunteer Fire
Department or Police Department could bring in the most
donors to a blood drive Friday,
April 3.
“It’s just a friendly competition to get people to come out
and donate blood for a good
cause,” said volunteer firefighter
Jen Reeser. “No one’s really keeping score.”
Reeser, who organized the
blood drive, said the drive serves
a critical purpose.
“There is a need,” she said.
“Every two seconds someone
needs a blood transfusion.”
Reeser was not only the or-
Offer ends 4/16/15
Photo courtesy of the AVFD Facebook page
Last Friday, members of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department and Avon
Police Department hung up their uniforms and helped others in a different
way, donating 47 pints of blood to the Red Cross in a friendly battle.
ganizer, but was also a donor.
“I decided since I was making everybody else do it that I
had to do it, too,” she joked. “Almost everybody who helped coordinate has donated.”
By 5 p.m., about 50 people
had donated and there were
two people on the tables giving
blood.
See DRIVE on page 19
Offer ends 4/16/15
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
13
Granby finance board
approves budget
Funds appropriated to study Old Farms Road
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
AVON — Avon’s Town
Council is working on fixing
Old Farms Road.
At its April 2 meeting,
the council and special projects engineer Tom Daukas
discussed the challenges
with the road and potential
fixes including moving it, a
plan that, according to Daukas, has been bandied about
since 1968.
One member of the
public spoke during the discussion.
John Papadopoulos said
he was surprised there were
not more accidents on the
road.
When he was recently
at the auto service garage,
a man came in with a car
that was seriously out of
alignment, Papadopoulos
said. The mechanic, seeing
the condition of the car, said
the man must drive on Old
Farms.
“It’s just very dangerous,” he said. “I just find it
extremely dangerous.”
There are many potholes to avoid as well as frost
heaves and other bumps on
the road.
Due to hurdles dealing
with the state and federal
governments, plans to move
the road and add a base,
which it lacks, have been
long in the making, council
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
Photo by Sloan Brewster
The Town Council approved a resolution April 2 to hire C&C Consulting Services to study
Old Farms Road.
members and Daukas said.
But because that plan
has been to move it, the
town does quick fixes each
year, rather than a full reclamation project.
“We have, in my time
here, tried chip sealing,” said
council Chairman Mark Zacchio. “We’ve been filling the
holes, skin coating it every
year.”
A more permanent
solution such as reclaiming
the road would run the town
upwards of $3 million, Zacchio said.
It would not be a sensible expenditure as there is
no base on the road and the
long-term plan is to move it.
“We don’t want to spend
a lot of money on it,” agreed
Daukas. “We’ve been remiss
in not doing it because we
always anticipated we would
be realigning it.”
Town Manager Brandon Robertson did not entirely agree with Daukas’ assessment.
“I don’t think we’ve been
remiss,” he said.
The town will finally
enter an agreement with
the state to complete the
project, and the state will refund 90 percent of the town’s
costs for a consulting study
to determine the feasibility
of moving the road.
The council approved
a resolution to hire C&C
Consulting Services to perform the study and to enter
into the agreement with
the state.
The reimbursement will
also cover items the town
has already paid for and will
result in $45,000 in positive
cash flow, Daukas said.
“Our net on this, we’re
making money,” he said.
Avon Old Farms School
will also help pay for the
project, Daukas said.
“We’re going get it in
land. Land is going to be the
currency,” he said. “We’re going to get a lot of open space
with it. We’re going to get an
open space corridor with
Fisher Meadows.”
The council appropriated $340,000 for the study.
Daukas estimated that,
in the next couple of years,
the road will be moved and
repaired, but Papadopoulos was less optimistic.
“I suspect that as optimistic that we like to be,
this is going to be a fiveyear project,” he opined.
GRANBY — All three
Granby governing boards
appeared to achieve their objectives when the Board of Finance unanimously approved
budgets for town operations
and schools March 30.
At 1.97 percent, the finance board met its goal to
pass along a mill rate increase
that was below 2 percent to
the townwide public hearing
scheduled for April 13.
The finance board also
kept intact the Board of Education’s requested $28.71
million budget for the 201516 school year that calls for
a 2.39 percent spending increase over current levels. The school board’s request was more than the 2.29
percent, or about $27,000,
that the finance board initially appeared to favor. The
added spending was due to
the re-insertion of a thirdgrade section into the budget
to keep class-size levels at the
district averages.
At the three-board meeting March 30, finance board
Chairman Mike Guarco located an extra $10,000 in
the Capital and Nonrecurring
Expense Fund line item that
could be transferred to the
school district, which fellow
board members endorsed.
Finance board members
said the remaining $17,000
that the school district was
over could be accounted for
through making selected cuts.
“This is a no-brainer,”
Francis Brady said. “We don’t
treat this as found money, but
we can balance the budget
without causing too much
discomfort to either board.”
Guarco was clear that,
based on the town’s projected
modeling of its finances, he
would not support a tax increase above 2 percent, something his fellow finance board
members also endorsed.
Brady credited the
school board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan
Addley for taking “the bull by
the horns” in seeing the need
for an added third-grade section and inserting it into the
school budget for a “modest”
increase.
On the municipal side,
the finance board approved
sending to the town meeting
a $10.05 million town operating budget proposal for
the 2015-16 fiscal year, representing a 2.5 percent, or a
$240,000, spending increase.
Though finance board
Chairman Gordon Bischoff
noted that the budget for the
Department of Public Works
took the brunt of the cuts to
balance the request, he called
the budget a responsible one.
“You achieved it with
no reduction to the operating hours in the library or
town offices,” Bischoff said. “I
know there was belt tightening in other parts of the budget. For me it was important
to see that.”
After the April 13 public
hearing, set for 7 p.m. at the
high school, the town budget
vote will take place April 27.
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Joseph F. Shiman, III*, Vice President
Margaret H. Jakubowski, Vice President
Jill Brandon, CLU, ChFC*, Financial Advisor
Robert B. Loomis, CLTC, Long-Term Care Advisor
10 Avon Meadow Lane | Avon, CT 06001 | Ph: (860) 678-1090 | (800) 875-1090 | Fax: (860) 678-0544
www.hensleyassociates.com
*Registered representatives offering advisory services and securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
14
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
Officials reduce budget proposal, pass it on for town meeting
By Alison Jalbert
Assistant Editor
CANTON — The Board of Finance worked with town officials to
decrease the proposed 2015-16 budget, keeping the mill rate and taxes
from increasing too drastically.
During the April 1 budget
workshop, Board of Finance Chair
Brian First outlined the boards of
selectmen and education’s budgets
as they stood prior to making any
eliminations.
The Board of Selectmen’s
$10,082,815 budget represented a
4.37 total increase, with the operating budget increasing by 2 percent and the Capital Improvement
Project budget increasing by 27.5
percent.
The Board of Education’s
$25,001,796 budget increased by 1.23
percent, with the operating budget
going up by 1.56 percent and the CIP
decreasing by 18 percent.
The Board of Finance’s budget
grew by 23.5 percent. First said the
mill rate would go up just over a
point, at 29.59 percent. Taxes would
increase by 3.61 percent, whereas it
increased by only 2.85 percent last
year.
Looking at the budgets, he said
he would like to see the selectmen’s
overall budget no higher than $10
million and was similarly concerned
about the Board of Education’s budget going over $25 million.
The total expenses between the
two boards is above $35 million, a
level he would prefer not to reach.
“We’ve held ourselves to the
$35 million level for three years,”
First said. “If we go with the assumed projections for spending
improvements, it will increase
by about a million a year. I’m approaching it as I’d like to get us in
$36 million for a couple of years.”
Board member Beth Kandrysawtz said the current increase
and the predicted increases in the
next few years are “not sustainable.” Though bonding is contributing to the increase, she still feels
it’s too high.
“It’s too much of a burden on
the taxpayer,” she said.
“I remember in the past we
had a conversation about this very
problem several years ago, before
we would track bonding,” said board
member Ken Humphrey. “We were
worried about it. Now we have to
face it.”
First said the town is fortunate
to be in a strong fund balance position, but also that it’s in a period of
change. There is a projected decline
in enrollment in the schools, something to plan for in the future. Being
an older infrastructure presents a
systemic challenge to the town, also.
“The roads are obviously getting fixed, but they need to be maintained after they’re fixed,” he said.
“I do think at the town level, as the
need for services seems to have
shifted, you’re getting creative in the
ways you’re managing your staff.”
The increase in the selectmen’s
budget is driven by the CIP. First
asked First Selectman Dick Barlow
where he would make cuts if there
was a $100,000 reduction across the
entire budget.
Barlow said no more than
$40,000 could come out of the CIP,
with the rest coming out of the operating budget.
“If you look at our CIP budget
now, it’s heavily vehicles for public
works, vehicles for fire and EMS, and
vehicles for the police department,”
he said, with Chief Administrative
Officer Bob Skinner adding the town
is spending less money on emergency vehicles than what is recommended on the replacement plan.
Kandrysawtz said she didn’t
have any thoughts on what specifically could be cut, but when she
looked at the bottom line, the increase is too high, to which Humphrey concurred.
It was proposed to try and get
the selectmen’s increase to 3 percent, but to do that, $78,000 would
need to be eliminated from the operating budget, which Barlow said
would result in “substantial reduction” to staff resources.
“You’re borrowing against the
future if you take more out of CIP,”
he said. “I know it’s fashionable to do
that, but [there would be] long-term
effects on town infrastructure.”
Kandrysawtz said she sympathized, but felt the bottom line number was “still difficult.” She proposed,
instead, an even split of $50,000 out
of both the CIP and operating budget, which Barlow said would be
easier.
First said the Board of Education is in a similar situation as
the selectmen. The increase is low
compared to previous years, due to
reduced health costs.
“I’m happy we got a break
there,” he said. “I’m just not confident we can bank on it.”
He suggested taking $75,000
out of the CIP, which is “a better target.” He asked the board what they
would do if they had to eliminate
$100,000 from its budget.
Superintendent Kevin Case
said he and the board would look
at two capital projects in particular
that total $80,000 – HVAC for the
band room at Canton High School
and repairing/replacing the exterior
main entrance walkway at Cherry
Brook Primary School.
“We would look to reduce our
operating budget by an addition-
al $20,000, which will not be easy,”
Case said.
By making those reductions,
the education budget is almost
$100,000 below the $25 million
mark, First said.
Leslee Hill, Board of Education
chair, said the $20,000 deduction
from the operating budget will have
to be “spread around.” Full-day kindergarten is “the biggest nut,” so no
significant amount of funding can be
taken away from that.
After inputting the proposed reductions into a budget spreadsheet,
the mill rate is at 29.19, an increase
of 2.21 percent over the current fiscal year. Based on the average assessment of homes, taxpayers will
have to pay an additional $150 a year.
Three different motions were
put forth based on the new budget
amounts after the reductions. The
Board of Selectmen budget is now
$9,982,815, an increase of 3.2 percent. The Board of Education has a
$24,901,796 budget, an increase of .7
percent. The Board of Finance will
have a $1,949,688 budget, with the
additional use of $200,000 from the
fund balance.
All three motions were approved unanimously.
Canton residents will have the
opportunity to vote on the budget
at the annual town budget meeting
Monday, May 11.
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The
Valley Press
15
PRESSOPINION
Letter to the
EDITOR
Purchase Taine
Mountain, now
16
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
PRESS
VALLEY
To the editor:
The town of Burlington should
move forward with a plan to purchase
107 acres of Taine Mountain. This action would improve our tax structure
and save valuable conservation land.
Forty houses could be built on
this property. The cost in services
for residential development exceeds
the amount of taxes generated. The
exception is very high-end development, which is not in vogue anymore.
The longevity of a house, through several owners, sends children into the
school system many times over. Gone
are the days when empty nesters kept
their large rambling homes.
Taine Mountain is identified by
the Land Trust as well as the DEEP as
valuable for conservation. The entire
area of Taine Mountain has been listed
as a “Natural Diversity Data Base Area.”
This means the area has unique aquatic, riparian and geological features,
which are habitat for state and federal
listed species and natural communities that are endangered, threatened,
or of special concern. Other areas of
Burlington have had the NDDBA designation, but have been lost to residential housing. Most notably of these
was the development of Angela’s Way.
One preserved NDDBA in Burlington
is the Nassahegon Forest; the smallest
forest in the state at 1,200 acres.
The deal with owner Jennifer
Ventres has been in the works for 15
years. Ms. Ventres has made several
donations of land on Taine Mountain
including the Ventres Birding Area
and a five-acre parcel that saved Perry’s Look-Out. Without this parcel, a
building lot could have been located
15 feet from the edge of the LookOut allowing a homeowner to build a
fence. Both of these land acquisitions
were completed while I was president
of the Land Trust. I appreciate the
good will of Ms. Ventres. Her willingness to make a deal with the town
of Burlington should not be taken
lightly. It is unreasonable to depend
on land donations alone to preserve
open space. Land owners/developers
have a valuable investment to manage for their families.
Open space land is a valuable
asset to Burlington, and we should
capitalize on it. People move here
because of the rural character and
good school system. But not all land
is equal. Our valuable conservation
land, agricultural land, historical sites
and sections of the Tunxis Trail have
been lost or are at risk for loss because
they are not preserved in perpetuity
through purchase or easement. It is
time for the citizens and town officials of Burlington to finally make a
commitment to preserving the character of our town. Ann Doherty-Jurkiewicz,
Ex-officio Land Trust President
540 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: 860-651-4700
Fax: 860 606-9599
Beyond the desk of the EDITOR
‘Poetic’ thoughts
If you Google “quotes about
poetry,” a variety of beautiful statements come up.
I’m a quotes person when it
comes to self-expression, toggling
back and forth between sharing the
words of others and at least trying
to say a few words now and again Abigail Albair,
Editor
that may have some staying power
of their own.
Some of my favorite quotes about poetry include “Poetry is truth in its Sunday clothes,” by Joseph
Roux; “Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is
burning well, poetry is just the ash,” by Leonard Cohen and “Poetry is an act of peace,” by Pablo Neruda.
The statement I love most, however, is one I
referenced several months ago in a column I wrote
about the passing of Robin Williams.
It is the words of character John Keating,
brought to life by Williams, in the film “Dead Poets
Society”: “We don’t read and write poetry because
it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are
members of the human race. And the human race is
filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to
sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these
are what we stay alive for.”
If only we all shared that same passion for the
way poetry can speak to the essence of life as a fictional character that imparted such appreciation to
his students.
We might not all fancy ourselves poets, but we
all have it in us, which is why events like the ones
being held this month locally are so important.
April is National Poetry Month, inaugurated by
the Academy of American Poets in 1996, according
to poets.org. Each year the month brings with it the
largest literary celebration in the world as schools,
libraries, publishers and poets celebrate the craft.
An Eve of Poetry Friday, April 10 will kick off the
2015 Live Poets Society Appeal, an appeal for funds
to benefit the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at the
Hill-Stead Museum. This year’s poetry festival, a
unique outdoor arts event, begins June 24.
An Acoustic Cafe was held last week at Lewis
Mills High School to expose young poets to the opportunity to share one’s work.
What’s wonderful about these activities is that
they touch on different age groups and seek to make
poetry accessible to everyone.
With that in mind, local poets laureate, including those from Simsbury, Canton and West Hartford,
have come together in an effort to spread poetry and
help communities appoint their own poet laureate
or otherwise increase exposure to the art form.
I’ve often heard people say they don’t understand poetry. I can relate to that from school days
of trying to find a literal interpretation of words intended to offer subjective meaning to each individual who reads them.
When you pause just to listen to the message,
you often start to realize how lyrical poetry can be,
and therefore how calming it can be in a world that
moves at an ever-increasing pace.
When speaking with West Hartford Poet Laureate Ginny Connors about the goings-on at that town’s
library this month, she shared thoughts about how
important poetry is within the world of literature.
“It gets right down to the important things,” she
said. “People turn to poetry at lots of different times
in their life, even those who don’t think of themselves
as people who love it. They turn to it for celebration,
to express what they don’t have the words for. Poetry
and literature have been shown to foster empathy in
people, and that can’t be a bad thing.”
That idea really stuck with me and, as I read
over quotes from famous poets and poetry-lovers
about the place it has, I found that idea of fostering
empathy to be a repeated theme.
“Poetry is an act of peace,” Neruda said.
When we reach the hearts of others with our
words, we, hopefully, bring them peace so they may
share it.
At a time when so much turmoil exists in the
world – as we take up battles against discrimination,
relive the Boston Marathon bombing through a trial,
hear daily reports of terror threats and conflict, and
try every day to find hope in small victories – a little
poetry might be just what we all need. It comes in
many forms, not just written words, but in music and
speeches, and it is something we all can appreciate.
Local residents are lucky to live in towns where
poets laureate seek to infuse the culture with poetry through activities and collaboration, and an area
where a groundbreaking annual event celebrates
and promotes such expression.
At its core, we read and write poetry because
we are members of the human race. And the human
race is filled with passion.
Truer words may never have been spoken.
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FIND US ON
Finance board approves ‘modest increase’ budget
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
SIMSBURY — Simsbury’s Board of Finance has
approved the proposed operating budget for 2015-16.
At the March 31 Board
of Finance meeting, First
Selectman Lisa Heavner
presented the budget, which
selectmen had slashed twice
since it was first proposed.
The $18.8 million budget “is a modest increase of
0.84 percent over last year
and responsibly meets the
needs of the community in
the most cost-effective manner,” Heavner said.
The three primary goals
of the budget are to maintain
fiscal responsibility by delivering services in a cost-effective manner, stewardship of
open space and modernizing
technology, Heavner said.
Highlights of the budget, Heavner shared, are that
it includes two new police
officers and a new public
works administrator. It also
includes $90,0000 to fix an
accounting error in the Simsbury Farms line item.
In addition, the budget
includes the cost of filling
contractual obligations, she
said.
Had the town done
nothing but pay those raises,
the budget would have been
1.88 percent above last year,
Heavner said. Instead, the
town saved money in other
areas to end up with the .84
percent hike.
“In crafting this budget,
the Board of Selectmen goal
was to avoid an increase in
taxes,” she said.
Included in the capital
budget are improvements to
Simsbury Farms ice skating
rink and pool and a Board
of Education project for climate control systems.
Board of Finance members asked questions about
the budget including the
addition of the two officers,
which Heavner said would
be “staggered starts.”
“So the hit on the budget is one this year, then one
next year,” she explained.
The new public works
administrator would begin
later in the year, so that salary would only be a half year
salary as well, she said.
Board of Finance member Linda Scofield asked if
the two new officers would
impact overtime costs.
“Yes,” Heavner said. “It
will reduce it.”
Finance Chair Peter
Askham asked about funds
set aside for open space and
what they would be used for.
“The Open Space Commission is going through
and categorizing all our
open space. We’ve actually
never had an accounting of
what open space we have
out there in terms of habitat,
fauna, relationship to other
open space,” Heavner said.
“That process is underway.”
Specifically, some of the
open space funds will go toward improvements at Ethel
Walker Woods and creating
a plan for the Betty Hudson
property, Heavner said.
“As we transition from
acquisition to stewardship,
we are beginning that planning process,” she said.
Askham said he was
glad to see the funds were
there while keeping the overall increase small.
“I was happy to see that,”
he said. “I think it’s a responsible budget. I’m happy with
it. I have no problem with
taking this on.”
The board passed the
budget unanimously and
also passed a capital non
recurring budget and an
amended Board of Education budget.
The public hearing for
the budgets will be April 8
and will adjourn to a referendum that will be held May 5.
Discussion on Granby enrollment to be brought forward
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
GRANBY — The Granby
school system will continue
to experience declining enrollment over the next few
years, which may necessitate
the repurposing, or the closing, of an elementary school,
according to the administration’s top official.
Since 2010, enrollment
has declined 14 percent, Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Alan Addley said in a phone
interview. Enrollment is expected to decline an additional 14 percent over the
next five years, according to
Addley.
With those numbers in
mind, Addley said the dis-
cussion of the future of the
schools should be brought
forward to the Board of Education before the end of the
school year. The discussion is
part of the five-year plan and
is also a strategic goal of the
district, Addley said. The plan
had been to possibly address
the issue in the 2017, 2018 or
2019 school year. But the enrollment projections have made it such
that it makes more sense to
bring the discussion to the
board this year.
“It’s something that
should be done sooner rather than later,” Addley said.
“What happens there remains to be seen.”
Dropping enrollment is
not new, nor is it unique, to
Granby, Addley said.
Addley didn’t discuss any
potential solutions, though
he acknowledged that it was
possible to look at closing an
elementary school.
Kearns Primary School,
which houses grades pre-K
through two, is the town’s
oldest elementary school and
has been the subject of the
most speculation as to its fate,
Addley said.
“I understand that if
there is a decision to close
one school, it’s one question
you ask and wonder,” Addley
said before adding, “but that
remains to be seen.”
Regardless, Addley said
any decision regarding any
school would not be made before the 2016-17 school year.
With that said, enrollment
will drop by about another
100 students by then, Addley said.
“If we want to maintain diversity and remain a
vibrant school district, we
need students,” Addley said.
That issue may also include looking to surrounding towns to increase enrollment in Granby schools,
Addley said.
Hartland, for example, already sends students
to Granby Memorial High
School. It’s a possibility that
Granby could accept students
from other towns to increase
the population and revenue
coming to the school district.
“That’s an option,” Addley said.
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Senior
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By Stephen Allaire
Will you be liable for
mom’s nursing home bill?
A recent Ohio court case decided that a son was liable for an unpaid portion of his mother’s nursing home bill.
Don’t let yourself end up in the same situation.
There are two critical steps to take that will prevent a
child from being responsible for the nursing home charges for
a parent. The first is not to sign an admission agreement that
says you are a “responsible party”. Federal Law prohibits nursing homes from requiring third party guarantees, but almost
all admission contracts have language that could impose liability. The second critical step is to have an elder law attorney
represent your parent in planning how the nursing home is
going to be paid, and doing the Medicaid application, if that is
the source of payment. The nursing home deserves to be paid
for the services it provides and you want to be sure there is
not an unpaid bill that you will be responsible for.
The way to avoid signing as a “responsible party” is
either to have one or the other of your parents sign the
admission agreement, or, if you are signing, have your attorney eliminate those provisions that could cause liability.
This is harder than it sounds, because anyone who has been
through it knows that there is a tremendous pressure by discharge planners and nursing home admission workers to get
that admission agreement signed in a timely manner. You are
put into a difficult position because you want mom to be
taken care of, but you don’t know your rights and are afraid
of the consequences. If you find yourself in this situation,
stop. Call someone who knows the rules and who can guide
you safely through the fear of the unknown.
The way to make sure the nursing home gets paid if
Medicaid is involved is to have your elder law attorney evaluate the situation. Do not rely on the nursing home’s employee, or a company hired by the nursing home. They are
looking out for the nursing home’s interests. An elder law
attorney will insure that you get eligibility, and may help to
save significant assets.
A recent example is a father who needed nursing home
care. The home told the son that their company could do
the application, which was true. But what the home and its
Medicaid application company did not ask about, or maybe did not know, was that the son had lived with his mother and had taken care of her for over two years. There is a
federal law and Connecticut regulation that says in such a
situation, over $280,000 could be transferred to the son and
mom would still be eligible for Medicaid. Fortunately for
that family, they realized that the nursing home company
was working for the nursing home, not them. They sought
their own counsel and received thorough advice which resulted in saving all of dad’s money for the son, and getting
the nursing home paid in full by Medicaid.
Getting the Medicaid application done correctly is not
simply a matter of filling out papers. Thinking it is can lead
to liability. An example is a child filing an application, not
knowing that the parent owns a life insurance policy that has
a cash value that puts the parent over the $1,600 asset limit.
Another example can be transfers to children of assets that
the state considers disqualifying for Medicaid. There have
been successful lawsuits against children who did not know
of such assets, and then did not take timely steps to cure the
problem.
In summary, if you find yourself in a nursing home admission situation, get someone who represents you, and not
the nursing home. Not only is an ounce of prevention worth
a pound of cure, but it might end up with a far more favorable result that you thought possible.
Attorney Stephen O. Allaire is a partner in the law firm of
Allaire Elder Law, members of the National Academy of Elder
Law Attorneys, Inc., with offices at 271 Farmington Avenue,
Bristol, (860) 259-1500, or on the web at www.allaireelderlaw.
com. If you have a question, send a written note to Attorney Allaire at Allaire Elder Law, LLC, 271 Farmington Avenue,
Bristol, CT 06010, and he may use your question in a future
column.
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
17
PRINCIPAL
Surveys provide feedback on one-to-one computing initiative
from page 13
Henneberry said in an interview that she took the GMMS
position because of the success of the town’s school district and that it is a perfect
time in her career to move on.
“Middle school opportunities come up very rarely,”
Henneberry said. “I’m, in my
heart, a middle school educator, a middle school leader. ...
The size of the school is very
appealing; the success of the
school district is very appealing. I’m very excited to work
here.”
Addley said the school
district interviewed about 10
candidates for the position
and that Henneberry stood
out for her strong background
in middle school education,
as well as teacher/administrator evaluation, curriculum
and technology.
He also said that rising
through the ranks as an educator in one school district
also was indicative of her
talent.
Henneberry earned her
Sixth-Year degree in Educational lLeadership at Central
Connecticut State University
and obtained her Master’s
Degree in Education from St.
Joseph College, according to a
press release. OBJECT
from page 13
winding road and the trees,”
Marie Baker of Mountain
Spring Road said. “Part of it is
naturalness of the landscape:
the scrubby brush, the lowgrowth trees, the fallen stone
wall. We like that. What
they are proposing is to re-
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
GRANBY — Director
of Curriculum Dr. Patricia
Law updated the school
board on the one-to-one
computing initiative during
last week’s Granby school
board meeting.
In 2014-15, students in
grades seven to 10 were provided Dell Chromebooks by
the school district.
The district surveyed 74
students at Granby Memorial
High School and 46 students
at Granby Memorial Middle
School, which revealed that
94 percent of the students
rarely experienced device
issues and 50 percent of the
students used the devices at
least once per day. The devices were most often used
to conduct research, turn
in homework, provide feedback, or for presentations,
Law said.
In addition, the district surveyed 138 middle
and high school parents, 91
percent of whom said their
children can access information from the school and
teachers. Eighty-four percent
of the respondents said there
was “some” to “strong” own-
ership for learning, while 65
percent said their children
were demonstrating growth
in ownership.
The district also surveyed 40 middle and high
school teachers, 67 percent
of whom said that they felt
students demonstrated ownership of the devices, and 52
percent saw growth in that
ownership, Law said.
Teachers had shown a
fluency with the new technology, but that time was
needed to develop and plan
lessons. Student distraction, particularly among the
younger students, was still an
issue, according to the teachers surveyed.
“Some students make
poor choices with use of
technology, but are not reflective of [the] entire student
body,” according to a matrix
provided by Law.
Also, there are some
breakage issues with the
students, particularly at the
middle school level, Law said.
During the presentation, Law
quoted an anonymous parent
who supports the initiative.
“Keep it up,” the parent
wrote. “We cannot go back
now. ... It will only get better
and better [in spite] of a few
challenges. ... So let’s stay focused on the positives ... and
just work together to refine
the challenges.”
Law said the evaluation
process of the one-to-one
computing initiative is still
being conducted, including
setting expectations for their
use by teachers based on
feedback from teachers and
students, updating curriculum documents to include
technology standards and
instructional strategies, testing of alternative cases for
Chromebooks and planning
for the next phase of the rollout process.
Two new hires add up to fully staffed police department
The Farmington Police Department recently hired two new officers
to its ranks. Officer Alexander Jones and Officer Alicia Catania
graduated from the Police Academy March 19 and started their
14-week field training several days later, according to police PIO
Lt. Colin Ryan. The two will be on solo patrol by mid-June, Ryan
said. With the two officers currently in the academy, Ryan said
the police department is now fully staffed with 45 sworn officers.
Pictured from left to right are Sgt. Kory Vincent, Officer Alicia
Catania, Lt. Colin Ryan, Officer Alexander Jones, Capt. Marshall
Porter and Sgt. Troy Williams of the Farmington Police
Department. Jones and Catania recently graduated from
the Police Academy.
Courtesy photo
move low-growth trees and
replace [them] with berms,
rain gardens and retention
ponds. It would alter the natural beauty of the area and
disrupt the abundant wildlife in the area.”
Baker and Pazzani both
said they are not anti-development. Both said they
would favor one, or even two
homes constructed on the
Wands’ land. But three new
homes, which necessitate
the retention, are too many,
they said.
“The street has had [a]
reasonable amount of development,” Pazzani said, noting
that about six homes have
been constructed on the road
in recent years. “The question
is that too many homes built
on too small an area generates the need for unsightly
drainage ponds.”
Pazzani said that, while
Thomas, for his part,
says the Wands are good
people who had a hand in
having Mountain Spring
Road achieve its scenic
designation.
“If someone wants to
seek to develop their land,
that’s their right,” Thomas
said. “But [Pazzani] already
has water issues now and it’s
going to be worse.” … What’s
going to happen when you
are disturbing more water
and there is an unsightly
change to the historic route?”
Thomas said he is more
26 acres sounds like a lot on
which to construct three
houses, the area of actual
developable land is about
seven acres.
Furthermore,
Baker,
Pazzani and CJ Thomas, of
Mountain Spring Road, are
concerned that the drainage
pond and rain gardens won’t
work like the Wands’ engineers say they will.
“It’s called Mountain
Spring Road for a reason.”
Baker said. “We already
have water problems on our
street.”
in favor of having additional
tree cover added to the plan
to ensure that the young
trees that are currently growing are not cut down.
Thomas said that many
of the area’s older trees were
knocked down after the
October 2011 snowstorm.
“Have they really looked at all
options?” Thomas asked.
In addition to the TPZ
hearing, the town’s Inland
Wetlands Commission was
scheduled, as of press time,
to discuss the proposal at its
April 8 meeting.
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The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
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Combining step-by-step painting classes, music, beer and wine,
Scene Art Bar is a new alternative form of social-tainment
where you can laugh, socialize, and learn something new.
Go
Carts
BATTING CAGES • PHAZERBALL • BATTLEBALL
DRIVE
from page 13
“You don’t have to be a first responder to save a life,” Reeser said.
“Every minute of every day someone needs blood, and one pint of
blood can save up to three lives.”
Firefighter Reice Newberg
was one of Resser’s helpers in organizing the blood drive. He volunteered last year after another
department member, who happens to be a doctor, gave a speech
at a monthly corporation meeting
asking if anyone was interested in
helping out.
“I raised my hand, volunteered,” Newberg said. “The next
thing I knew I was Jen’s right hand
man.”
Being involved in the blood
drive was a way for Newberg to ex-
tend his aid to others beyond what
he does as a firefighter.
“I joined the department to
help people, and I know there’s
people out there that desperately
need blood transfusions, be it in a
combat situation or just surgery,”
he said.
Christine Auletta, account
manager for donor recruitment for
the American Red Cross, reiterated
the need for blood and, like Reeser,
said every two seconds someone
in the U.S. needs blood.
“The American Red Cross
is really grateful to the Avon Fire
Department and the Police Department for hosting this event
because it’s community drives
like this that ensure there’s blood
on the shelves for patients wherever and whenever needed,” Au-
letta said. “The need for blood is
constant.”
As well as the traditional way
ing to Auletta. The machines collect two units of red cells and put
back the plasma, the saline and
“The American Red Cross is really grateful to the
Avon Fire Department and the Police Department
for hosting this event because it’s community drives
like this that ensure there’s blood on the shelves
for patients wherever and whenever needed.
The need for blood is constant.”
–Christine Auletta of the American Red Cross
of extracting blood, double red
machines, a new technology, were
used at the blood drive, accord-
platelets.
Patients who receive two
units of blood from donors who
on whom the technology was used
are less likely to have a reaction
because both units come from the
same donor, Auletta explained.
In the traditional way that blood
is donated, each donor gives only
one unit and a person getting two
units gets them from different donors, which increases the chance
of having a reaction.
Another difference with taking blood using double red machines is that donors must wait
112 days between giving blood,
versus 56 if they give it in the traditional way.
The reason for the extended
wait is that it takes 56 days to rebuild each unit of red blood lost,
so, for the two units extracted with
double red, double the time is required for rebuilding, Auletta said.
We’d like to care for
you in the hospital.
The Hospital at
Hebrew HealthCare.
Jeff Finkelstein, MD
Chief of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital and The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare have formed a special partnership to help
ensure that seniors receive the best care in the best setting. That’s why doctors in the Hartford Hospital
Emergency Room may recommend that you or your loved one be admitted to The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare.
The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare has experts who specialize in geriatrics – care of the elderly, as well as many
of the common conditions that cause older people to need hospitalization. The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare is
designed with the elderly in mind. And Hartford Hospital doctors are important members of the Hebrew Hospital
team, which works together to help patients to recover as quickly and completely as possible.
For more information, call or visit us online
860.218.2323 | www.hebrewhealthcare.org
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
19
Land Trust looks ahead to new strategic plan after closing on Tanager Hill
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury
Land Trust has closed the deal on
Tanager Hill.
In a phone call March 26,
Land Trust President Fred Feibel
announced that the closing was
taking place.
“We are closing, as we speak,
on Tanager Hill, the closing was
actually today,” he said.
The land trust hit a few financial snags along the way toward
finalizing the purchase of the
property and, after federal funding fell through last year, was not
able to buy as much as it originally
hoped, knocking the final acreage
it acquired to 75.
“We had to give up about 15
acres or so. From my way of think-
ing it didn’t detract from it too
much,” Feibel said. “If we had to
do it the way we did, that was the
way to do it.”
In the end, the land trust received grants to cover the $1.2
million purchase from a few different sources including two sizeable donations from the family
selling the property.
In October of last year, the
Ellsworth family – Tim Ellsworth,
his three sisters and their spouses
– donated $50,000 to the cause of
preserving the property. Previously, they donated $200,000.
Preserving the property was
not only the siblings’ fond wish,
but was also their parent’s desire,
Tim Ellsworth said in a phone call
shortly after making the $50,000
donation.
Also in October, the John T.
and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation offered a $125,000 challenge
grant, according to a press release.
The grant matched, dollar for dollar, donations to the project, up to
$125,000. At that point, the Land
Trust was $75,000 short of its goal.
The Land Trust was working
on raising funds for Tanager Hill
in tandem with its endeavor to
raise funds to preserve the George
Hall Farm, Feibel said.
That purchase was finalized
in the fall of 2014, shortly before
Hall passed away.
Tanager Hill is extremely biologically diverse, with varied habitats for wildlife, including meadows, woodlands, vernal pools and
wet meadows. It also has interesting geological features and a 500foot elevation change reaching
from the Farmington River flood-
plain to the ridgeline of Talcott
Mountain
“Tanager Hill, the thing that’s
unique about it is that it’s got so
many unique ecosystems all the
way up the mountain,” Feibel said.
The property is a crucial
piece of a corridor that extends
east from Simsbury to Bloomfield
and, northwest, goes all the way
to Norfolk, where it picks up the
Appalachian Trail, said land trust
member and former President
Richard Davis on a hike of the
property in October.
“Interspersed through the
property you find these delightful
fields,” Davis said during the hike.
The phenomenon is not only
part of the trail’s charm, but it is an
added boon for wildlife as it gives
species in need of such areas, certain birds for example, a place to
call home, Davis explained.
Now that the land trust has
preserved the Hall Farm and Tanager Hill, it will be making some
changes, according to Feibel.
“The idea now is we’re putting
together a new strategic plan,” he
said. “We’re moving a little away
from acquisition and large fundraising to taking care of the properties and [creating] conservation
plans. We call this stewardship.”
But that doesn’t mean it
won’t buy any more land to add to
the more than 1,000 acres it protects in town.
“Obviously, if something
comes up that we can preserve,
we’ll be on top of it,” he said.
The next steps with Tanager
Hill will be to add parking and
plan for a big grand opening of the
property, Feibel said.
In conjunction with state initiative, local departments crack down on distracted driving
REGION — Farmington Valley
police departments are stepping up
efforts to find distracted drivers as
part of National Distracted Driving
Awareness Month.
The state Department of
Transportation’s Highway Safety Office, along with local departments,
recently kicked off the “U DRIVE. U
TEXT. U PAY.” campaign, an effort
to target motorists who text, talk or
are otherwise distracted while driving by using a hand-held device.
According to a press release,
this effort is part of a larger campaign sponsored by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has named April
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Both Canton and
Farmington are participating by
adding special patrols aimed at
catching distracted drivers, especially those on their phones.
Connecticut’s current cell
phone and texting law dictates a
$150 fine for a first offense, $300
for a second violation and $500 for
each additional violation.
Chris Arciero, Canton police
chief, said distracted driving is becoming a leading factor in the cause
of motor vehicle accidents.
“This enforcement project is
an effort by the Canton Police Department to not only reduce the
number of accidents, but also provide education and awareness to
drivers concerning the hazards associated with distracted driving,” he
said in a press release.
In 2013, 3,154 people were
killed and an estimated 424,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes in-
volving distracted drivers.
The press release states that
Connecticut is the only state in the
nation to receive special distracted
driving prevention funds, which are
used to pay for special patrols such
as this one.
More than $4.6 million has
been awarded to the state over the
last two years to fund distracted
driving campaigns.
SAVE THE DATE
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015
REGISTER ONLINE
TODAY at
www.SimsburyRiverRun.com
Registration will be at Simsbury Meadows
next to the Rotary Park Playground. Both
10k and 5k races will start and finish on Iron
Horse Boulevard. Both races are flat scenic
routes. Mile markers and water are provided
on these USATF certified courses.
Silver Sponsors
MeadowBrook of Granby
McLean
Educational Playcare
20
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
PRESSBUSINESS
Is outperforming the S&P 500 a desirable goal?
Sometimes
it is easy to forget why we are
investing. Our
goal should not
be to beat our
neighbors or an
index, but rather to achieve John W. Eckel
our financial goals without taking
on more risk than necessary.
If an investor has 100 percent
of his portfolio in large U.S. companies such as the S&P 500, it may
be the investment equivalent of a
risky football pass, as in this year’s
Super Bowl. Sometimes the risk
pays off, but oftentimes it does
not. And you will never know in
advance.
Large U.S. growth stocks performed incredibly well in 1998 and
1999, and left most other indexes
in the dust. Those who invested
heavily in that asset class may
have felt incredibly happy until
2000, and then suffered immensely as large U.S. stocks dropped precipitously in 2000-02 while other
asset classes advanced.
More recently the S&P 500
was one of the top performing indexes last year. Those who invested solely in large U.S. companies
likely did well and for them the
risk did pay off – at least as far as
last year was concerned.
However, memories of the financial crisis only a few years ago
are still vivid.
From the beginning of 2008
until March 9, 2009, the S&P 500
declined by more than 50 percent,
and those who had an investment
portfolio invested solely in the
stocks of large U.S. companies
may have panicked and sold near
the lows.
According to JP Morgan,
a more diversified portfolio invested in small company stocks,
bonds, international stocks and
REITs (real estate investment
trusts) would have returned 5.2
percent in 2014, much lower than
the returns from the S&P 500.
But a diversified portfolio
would have also stood up much
better than the S&P 500 in the
market turmoil of 2008-09 and
2000-02, and investors with a diversified portfolio might have
been less likely to sell at the market bottom.
Of course, if you or someone
else knows where the best investment opportunities lie in the
coming year, there is no reason to
diversify.
However, if you believe that
someone knows where the best
investment opportunities will be,
you should think again. It is virtually impossible for anyone to be
able to choose the best performing asset class in advance.
Hedge fund manager John
Paulson made a bundle of money
on the mortgage crisis in 2008, but
lost a bundle by investing in gold
the following years.
A few years ago, Nassim Taleb, the author of the best selling
book “Black Swan,” said that “two
lousy bets every investor should
avoid are U.S. Treasuries and the
U.S. dollar.” Those two investments
have done very well recently.
Do you know anyone who
made an accurate forecast on the
Connect to another
outstanding physician.
Sowmya Kurtakoti, MD
30 Loeffler Road, Floor 4,
Bloomfield
price of oil or the U.S. dollar last
year? These are only a few examples, but the list of erroneous forecasts is long.
A better approach
Rather than constantly trying to
achieve high returns and subjecting yourself to high volatility, it
is better to strive for consistency.
Over time, consistent returns will
actually result in a higher dollar
return than large swings.
A portfolio that consistently
returns 10 percent per year will
turn $10,000 into $25,900 over 10
years, while a portfolio that has
a return of 20 percent, followed
by zero over five cycles (still an
average return of 10 percent) will
only see the same $10,000 grow to
$24,900. The investor who had the
consistent returns would likely
have slept better.
You can run this example
with any numbers and the story
will be the same.
Consistency pays and lets
you sleep at night, and although it
may not give you bragging rights
at a cocktail party, it should do a
good job in helping you achieve
your financial goals.
So, don’t worry about beating
your neighbor, an index, or anyone else. Focus on achieving your
financial goals without subjecting
yourself to undue risk by diversifying your investment portfolio.
John W. Eckel, CFP, CFA
John W. Eckel, CFP, CFA is president of Pinnacle Investment Management Inc. of Simsbury. He has been
included in BusinessWeek.com’s list
of the Most Experienced Independent
Financial Advisors, has been named
four times to Worth Magazine’s list
of Top Financial Advisors, included
twice in Medical Economics list of
Top Financial Advisors for Doctors
and named twice in JK Lasers list of
Top Professional Advisors for Baby
Boomers. John Eckel can be reached
in Simsbury at 860-651-1716 or at
[email protected] for comments
or questions. For additional information about Pinnacle Investment Management Inc., you can visit our website at Pinnacle-Investment.com.
We always place
your interests first
With Pinnacle, that is more than an empty phrase.
As a trusted fiduciary and
independent investment
advisor, we always place our
client’s interest before our
own in all wealth management,
investment management
and financial planning
services we provide.
Pinnacle or its employees were:
Dr. Kurtakoti specializes in primary care and
consultative services for adults age 55 and over,
who seek help with medical concerns unique to
seniors.
Visit harthosp.org/seniors
or call 860.380.5150 to
make an appointment.
• Named four times to Worth Magazine’s list of
Top Financial Advisors
• Included four times in Medical Economics list of
Top Financial Advisors for Doctors
• Included three times in Bloomberg Wealth Manager’s list of
Top Wealth Managers
•Named twice to JK Lasser’s list of
Top Professional Advisors in Estate Planning for Baby Boomers
This should not be construed as an endorsement of Pinnacle by any of its clients. Nor should they be
construed as a guarantee that any client will experience specific results. The selection criteria for inclusion
in any list or publication is based upon criteria established by those organizations and may be based upon
information prepared by and submitted by organizations or individuals selected for inclusion to the lists.
Pinnacle Investment Management Inc.
Greystone Court West, 573 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury
860.651.1716 • [email protected]
www.Pinnacle-Investment.com
Read The Valley Press online at www.turleyct.com
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
21
check it out
AVON––––––––––––-
Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road,
860-675-4355: Current Events Thursdays, April
9 and 16, 11 a.m.; Technology Learning Monday,
April 13, 2:30 p.m.; UConn Health Center with Dr.
Les Wolfson about work being done on a blood
pressure treatment study Tuesday, April 14, 1 p.m.,
sign up; Shuffleboard Wednesday, April 15, 10
a.m.; Primary Eye Care & Eye Care Bingo Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m., sign up; Wellness Fair Friday, April 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Senior Citizens of Avon Organization meeting at 635 West Avon Road Monday, April 13,
Easter dinner at noon – ham with raisin/pineapple
sauce and birthday cake – entertainment by pianist
David Eberly; tag sale April 25, crafters wanted, call
860-404-5436 or 860-225-7124
Avon Congregational Church Rummage
Sale Friday, April 17, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday,
April 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at 6 West Main St.; drop
off items Sunday, April 12, noon-3 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, April 13-15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and
6-8 p.m. (860-678-0488)
Avon Rec and Parks Department upcoming
adult programs beginning in April, register at
www.avonrec.com: men’s softball, tennis adult –
learn to play beginner class and doubles class, bus
trip to NYC to visit the 911 Memorial and Museum,
TAZ’s low impact aerobics, TAZ’s Fitness Challenge, yoga and Yoga for Wellness; upcoming children’s programs: field hockey clinic, soccer shots
BURLINGTON––––––-
Registration being taken for Burlington
Parks & Rec programs at www.burlingtonctparksandrec.com:
• Health Coaching Workshops with Jen Minery,
CHHC, at Burlington Town Hall Senior Center,
1:30-2:45 p.m. – Harnessing Sugar Craving Sunday, April 12, deadline to register April 9; Creating
Mind/Body Awareness April 19, holistic approach
to understanding the body’s way of communicating
through physical issues, registration deadline April
23; and Sustainable Weight Loss April 26, registration deadline April 26
• Spring Vacation Soccer Camp Monday-Friday,
April 20-24, at Malerbo Rec Complex, ages 4-6
from 9-10:30 a.m., $79 per person, ages 7-9 from
9 a.m.-noon, $109, and 10+ years from 9 a.m.noon, $109, registration deadline Monday, April 13
Bus trip to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory
April 29, register by April 22
• Cardio Kickboxing Mondays and Wednesdays,
April 27-June 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Lewis Mills
Aerobics Room, $64/one class per week, $75/two
classes per week
• Accepting applications for counselors-in-training and junior counselors for Foote Road camp
program, info on website
• Toning and Shaping ongoing thru June 22,
7:15-8:15 p.m., fee $45, at Town Hall auditorium
or Senior Center, walk-ins $4 per class at the door
with signed waiver
• Total Body Fitness Tuesdays and Thursdays thru
June 25, 6:15-7:15 p.m., at the Senior Center, $45
one class per week, $85 two classes per week, $4
per class at the door
CANTON––––––––––-
Bike Trail closed thru Friday, April 17 – weather
permitting the bike trail from the bridge on the corner of Route 179 to 50 Old River will be closed for
resurfacing, questions: 860-693-7863
information about opportunities in fire and emergency medical services, meet Sparky the Dog
a.m.-1 p.m., admission $3 with all regular items sold
at $3 per bag and boutique items half price
Farmington Valley VNA blood pressure
screenings Tuesday, April 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at
Canton Town Hall, 4 Market St., and Wednesday,
April 15, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave.
At the UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington
Ave.:
• Free hospital maternity tours Saturday, April 11,
2:30-3:30 p.m., main lobby, call 860-535-6232 to
register
• Managing Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes
Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m., Low Learning Center,
with physician assistant Bradley Biskup
• Free IVF Information Session Thursday, April 16,
6-8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building,
400 Farmington Ave., register at 860-679-4580
• Infertility Peer Support Group Thursday, April 16,
7 p.m., Center for Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road
Talk by Farmington Valley VNA regarding
joints Wednesday, April 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
at the Canton Senior Center, 40 Dyer Ave., Collinsville, 860-693-5811 – ways to reduce aches,
pains and inflammation associated with aging and
osteoarthritis
At Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey
Road, 860-693-0263:
• Vernal Pool Walk Thursday, April 9, 7-8:30 p.m.,
for adults and older students, cost $7, pre-register – vernal pools are temporary wetlands that hold
water for only a few months each year, temporary
fish-free wetlands where amphibians lay their eggs
• Family Raptor Day Saturday, April 11, noon-4
p.m. for children and adults featuring birds of prey
(also known as raptors), owl pellet dissection,
feather identification and stories of the nature center’s resident raptors, $6 for nonmembers
• April Vacation programming: Wildlife Wakes
Up! Monday-Friday, April 13-17, 9 a.m.-noon,
for grades K-5, daily rate $35/$40, weekly rate
$150/$175, pre-register w/payment – activities
about spring’s arrival, bring snack and dress for
outdoors
• Adventure Story Time Monday, April 13, 1-2
p.m., ages 2-5, pre-register
Canton Dollars for Scholars 2015 accepting
applications thru Wednesday, April 15; must
live in Canton, but attend public, private or home
school; to apply and submit go to www.canton.
dollarsforscholars.org
Friday Night Out Dinner of chicken piccata
Friday, April 17, 5-7 p.m., at North Canton Community United Methodist Church, 3 Case St., North
Canton, eat in or take out
East Hill Writers’ Workshop with Anne
Batterson and Chivas Sandage meeting six
Mondays April 20-May 25 from 7-9 p.m., in Collinsville, space limited, cost $400 for series, www.
easthillwriters.com (860-693-0504)
Canton Senior and Social Services Department offering AARP Smart Driver Safety
Course April 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Canton
Community Center, call 860-693-5811 to sign up
Canton Senior Center looking for folks 55+
to participate in intergenerational series, Days of
Our Lives, with the 6th-grade class of students
from Canton Intermediate School for one-on-one
interviews of storytelling on Fridays, April 10, 24,
May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 10:25-10:55 a.m., if interested call 860-693-5811 for info
Canton Community Health Fund seeking
applicants for money available to any nonprofit
or community agency whose efforts contribute to
the health and well-being of Canton, applications,
completed online at cantoncommunityhealthfund.
org, due by April 30
Favarh events:
• Program for children with special needs Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-noon, at 225 Commerce
Drive – ages 3-9 and 10-17, to register go to [email protected], 860-693-6662, ext. 128
• Favarh Thrift Shop, Route 44, weekly sale of
clothing and household items for $1 and 50 percent off, 860-693-6662, ext. 128, hours: Mondays,
noon-6 p.m.; Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; volunteers and tax
deductible donations needed
Canton Parks & Rec Boston Bus Trip May 9,
tickets $55, register at www.cantonrec.org
Canton Chamber of Commerce 22nd Annual Golf Tournament May 11 at Farmington
Woods Golf Club, register and pay by Friday, April
10 and receive a discount, $145 individual/$580
foursome, Canton ChamberOfCommerce.com or
call 860-693-0405
Cooking for Wellness with Kristen, Shop Rite dietitian, Monday, April 13, 12:45-2:30 p.m., at the Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave., $3 per person per class,
sign up by Thursday prior to class at 860-693-5811
Canton Senior & Social Services office soliciting volunteers for Focus on Canton Inc. to assist
with medical transportation needs of a Canton resident, info at 860-693-6819 (Pat Swan)
Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day Tuesday, April
14, noon-8 p.m., at Ben & Jerry’s, The Shoppes at
Farmington Valley raising money and awareness
in support of the Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS
Department with members giving fire truck and
ambulance tours, “passing the boot” and providing
To submit an event for the calendar,
e-mail Sally at
[email protected]
FARMINGTON–––––--
Semi-Annual used clothing sale of Women’s
Association of First Church of Christ Congregational 1652, 75 Main St., Friday, April 10 from
5-8 p.m., $5 admission, and Saturday, April 11, 9
Movie for children Wednesday, April 15, 1 p.m., at
The Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St., 860-677-9222
Farmington Land Trust’s annual meeting
and awards dinner Thursday, April 16, 5:308:30 p.m., at the Porter Memorial, 75 Main St.,
reservations at 860-674-8545
Support group for adult children caregivers
who care for seniors Tuesdays thru April 28,
5:30-7 p.m., at Staples House, 1 Monteith Drive,
info or sign up by contacting Martha Taylor, elderly
outreach coordinator, at 860-675-2390
GRANBY––––––––––
West Granby Methodist Church, 87 Simsbury
Road, West Granby, launching community Bible
reading campaign by experiencing “The Story,”
which presents the Bible reading like a novel, visit
Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. beginning April 12
with the theme and message for each service taken
from “The Story,” and process what one is reading in a small group discussion beginning weekly
Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m., for info, visit www.westgranbyumc.org or call 860-653-7437
At the Granby Senior Center, 15 North Granby
Road, 860-844-5352:
• Shopping, $3 for each out-of-town trip: Ocean
State/Big Y Thursday, April 9, 1:45 p.m.
• April Vacation Painting Party Tuesday, April 14,
1:30 p.m., with Irene Hilbert, $25
• Grandparent/Grandchild Breakfast Wednesday,
April 15, 8:45 a.m., $3 adult/$1 child, call for reservations
• Get in Shape for Spring: Nutrition, Exercise and
Gardening Tips with Sandee Fleet from the Farmington Valley VNA Thursday, April 16, 12:45 p.m.,
healthy salad served
Granby Rovers Soccer Club hosting scrimmage between the UConn men’s soccer team and
Siena College Saturday, April 18, 7 p.m., at Granby
High School stadium field, 315 Salmon Brook St.;
free clinic for kids age 5-8th grades from 5-6 p.m.,
register online before Monday, April 13, or the day
of the clinic ([email protected])
SIMSBURY–––––––--
American Red Cross blood donation opportunity Thursday, April 9, 1-6 p.m., at First Church
of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., to make appt. visit
redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767
“The World’s Most Haunted House: The True
Story of the Bridgeport Poltergeist on Lindley Street” Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., in Simsbury
Public Library, with presenter and author William J.
Hall, sponsored by Simsbury Historical Society
At the Simsbury Senior Center, Eno Memorial
Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-3273:
• Final Thursday April 9, between 9:30 a.m. and
3 p.m., for AARP tax aid at the Simsbury Library,
call to make appt.
• LGBT Discussion Group Thursday, April 9,
5-6:30 p.m., drop in
• Lunch Café Friday, April 10, 11 a.m.-noon, broccoli cheese soup, oven roasted turkey and egg salad
sandwich, $2 sandwich, $2 soup, take out or eat in
• Casino trip to Mohegan Sun Casino Monday,
April 13, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bird Watchers Wednesday, April 15, meet at Great
Pond State Forest parking lot at 8 a.m., sign up
• Massage Wednesday, April 15, $10, appts. starting at 10 a.m.
• Lunch at Eno Wednesday, April 15, noon, baked
meatloaf, sign up for lunch the Friday before (April
10) by noon
• Investment Club Wednesday, April 15, 2-4 p.m.,
drop in
• Dine and Discover: Financial Crimes and Identity
Theft Monday, April 20, 5-6:30 p.m., reservations
by Wednesday, April 15
• Book Club Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m., “A Tree
Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith
• Spring Bingo Thursday, April 23, 1-2:30 p.m.,
$2, sign up by Friday, April 17
Events at Simsbury Free Library, 749 Hopmeadow St., 860-408-1336:
• Genealogy Road show Saturday, April 11, 10
a.m.-2 p.m., with genealogy librarian Diane LeMay,
$5 for non-members, RSVP
• Drop In Book Club Tuesday, April 14, 11:15
a.m.., “Dakota” by Kathleen Norris
Simsbury Retired Men’s Luncheon Tuesday,
April 14, noon, with lunch ($8 charge) followed by
a physician’s presentation on “Small Device, Big
Miracle: Left Ventricle Assistive Device” in Palmer
Hall, First Church of Christ (860-658-7996)
Farmington Valley VNA blood pressure
screenings Wednesday, April 15, 11:45 a.m.-2:15
p.m., at Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury Chamber of Commerce’s Spring
Shopping Fling at Simsburytown Shops, 916928 Hopmeadow St., April 23, 3:30 p.m., followed
See CHECK IT OUT on page 28
At the Library
Avon Public Library,
281 Country Club Road, 860-673-9712,
www.avonctlibrary.info:
National Library Week April 13-19:
• Shakespeare - Inspired Movie Matinees
Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: April 9, “Forbidden
Planet” and April 16, “Big Business”
• Evening Shakespeare Film Series Thursdays,
4-6 p.m.: April 9, “As You Like It” and April 16,
“Romeo & Juliet”
• Junior Explorers Thursday, April 9, 4:15-5:15
p.m., Insects & Arachnids, grades K-3, register
Family Game Night Thursday, April 9, 6:30-8
p.m., ages 7 and up
• Shakespeare: A Festivus for the Rest of Us
Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., Dr. Humphrey Tonkin,
professor of humanities at University of Hartford,
discussing “As You Like It,” part of partnership with
The Hartt School and Hartford Stage
• Evening Book Club Thursday, April 9, 7-8:30
p.m., “Defending Jacob” by William Landay
• Shakespeare Workshops for Teens grades
9-12: Soliloquy Class Saturday, April 11, 10:30
a.m.; Setting the Stage Tuesday, April 14, 6 p.m.
• AARP tax aide service last Saturday, April 11
at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.; last
Wednesday, April 15, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and
3:30 p.m., call 860-673-9712, ext. 4 for appt.
• Those Were the Days: Reliving the 1940s
Tuesday, April 14, 2-3 p.m., by Connecticut
Historical Society
• Farmers Market Open House for Farmers and
Vendors of 2015 Tuesday, April 14, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Morning Book Club Wednesday, April 15, 10-11
a.m., “Cuckoo’s Calling” by Robert Galbraith
• Stupendous Musical Prodigies! Wednesday,
April 15, 2-3 p.m., by Jeffrey Engel
• Nutmeg Book Discussion Thursday, April 16,
4:15 p.m., “Joshua Dread” by Lee Bacon
22
The
Valley Press
• Strategic Academic Planning for College with
Dr. Roberta Tansman Thursday, April 16, 7-8
p.m., sign up
Burlington Library,
34 Library Lane, 860-673-3331,
www.Burlingtonctlibrary.info:
• Making Book Talk Videos Saturday, April 11,
2 p.m., grades 6 and up, register
• Silly Science Tuesday, April 14, 4:30 p.m., for
children, register
• How I Won the West: A Journey of Discovery
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., adults, join
Jan Mann, author of “Cruising Connecticut with
a Picnic Basket” in her newest journey during a
solo road trip to the West, register
• T(w)een Craft: Botanical Book Prints Thursday,
April 16, 6:30 p.m., grades 5 and up, register
• Morning Book Club Monday, April 21, 11
a.m., “Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of Early
America” by Amy Belding Brown
Canton Public Library,
40 Dyer Ave., 860-693-5800:
• Spring Book Sale April 10-25 during library
hours
• Knitting and Handwork Group Saturday, April
11, 3 p.m.
• After School Wii Gaming Monday, April 13,
3-4:30 p.m.
• Dungeons and Dragons Teen Activity Monday, April 13, 5-6 p.m.
• Monday Evening Book Club April 13, 7 p.m.,
“Mrs. Bridge” or “Mr. Bridge” by Evan S. Connell
• Canton Feud Trivia Contest Tuesday, April 14,
2 p.m. – book-related trivia
• Movies on the Big Screen, “Alexander and
the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day,”
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., ages 6 and up
April 9, 2015
• Uke-Can-Dance Friday, April 17, 11 a.m.,
ages 6 months and up with caregiver
• Registration underway for Friends annual
Crossword Puzzle Tournament May 2, room for
40 participants
Farmington Library,
6 Monteith Drive, 860-673-6791, ext. 1,
www.farmingtonlibraries.org::
• Friends Book Sale Thursday, April 9, 9 a.m.-9
p.m.; Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, April
11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 3-5 p.m. bag sale ($6 each)
• Lego Saturdays April 11, 2-4 p.m., ages 6
and up
• Read to Lucy, certified therapy dog, April vacation specials, Monday, April 13, 9:30-11:30
a.m., all ages, sign up for 10 minute time
• Crazy Hat Storytime Tuesday, April 14, 9:3010:15 a.m., 3-5 year olds, wear a hat
• Reptiles and Amphibians Meet & Greet
with Adam Harris from Harris in Wonderland
Wednesday, April 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m., ages
5 and up, register
• “Prospects of Empire: Slavery in Eighteenth-Century Atlantic Britain” Wednesday,
April 15 at the Lewis Walpole Library, 154 Main
St., talk by Heather Vermeulen from Yale University, Q&A session, opportunity to view exhibition
with Vermeulen who is curator of exhibit, and
refreshments, advance registration required
• Teddy Bear Storytime and Parade Thursday,
April 16, 9:30-10:15 a.m., ages 3-6, bring
stuffed animals
• Afternoon at the Bijou Thursday, April 16, 2-5
p.m., “A Double Life”
BarneyLibrary,71MainSt.,860-673-6791
• Martha’s Movies Monday, April 13, 1:153:15 p.m., “Harry & Tonto”
Granby Library,
15 North Granby Rd., 860-844-5275:
• Crafternoon for Kids Thursday, April 9,
4 p.m., and Thursday, April 16, 1 and 4 p.m.
• Guest Chef, Thursdays at 5 p.m.: April 9, Katering by Karen, and April 16, Sandi, Sur la Table
• Craft Week April 13-18
• Family Film Fun, all ages, Wednesday, April
15, 1 p.m.
• Crafters Café: Embroidery Guild Wednesday,
April 15, 6:30 p.m.
Simsbury Library,
725 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-7663:
• The World’s Most Haunted House: The True
Story of the Bridgeport Poltergeist on Lindley
Street Thursday, April 9, 7-8 p.m., with presenter and author William Hall
• Simsbury Adult Book Discussion Group Thursday, April 9, 7-8:30 p.m., “Illuminations: A Novel
of Hildegarde von Bingen” by Mary Sharratt
• Friday Flicks 1-3 p.m.: April 10, “The General” and April 17, “Lady Windermere’s Fan”
• Free VNA blood pressure screening Friday,
April 10, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
• Sit & Stitch Needlework Group Friday, April
10, 10:30-11:30 a.m., drop in
• Theatre Guild of Simsbury: Reader’s Theatre
presentation Sunday, April 12, 2-4 p.m., reading of “The Psychic”
• Business program: iPad Lab Monday, April
13, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Mystery Book Group Monday, April 13,
noon-1:30 p.m., “Winter and Night” by S.J.
Rozan, drop in
• Getting Started on Facebook Monday, April
13, 6-8 p.m.
• NAMI Book Discussion Group: “When Your
Adult Child Breaks Your Heart” Monday, April
13, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Spices and Seasons: Simple, Sustainable
Indian Flavors Wednesday, April 15, 6-8 p.m. –
author talk, cooking demo and signing Chinese
for Travelers Thursday, April 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Night of 1,000 Stars Thursday, April 23, 7
p.m., call for reservations
Teen programs
• Teen Advisory board meeting Thursday, April
9, 7-8 p.m.
• Teen Book Club with brunch Saturday, April
11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Paper Quilling for Teens: Make a 3D card or
piece of art Saturday, April 11, 3-4:30 p.m., RSVP
• Wii Bowling for Teens & Older Adults with
Pizza Tuesday, April 14, noon-2:30 p.m., older
adults RSVP through senior center at 860-6583273, teens RSVP to simsburylibrary.info
Children’s programs
• Baking Thursdays, April 9 and 30, 4-5 p.m.,
grades 3-6, April 9 sweet and salty cookies,
April 30 pee wee cookies, register
• Lego Mania Saturdays, April 11, 18 and 25,
10 a.m.-2 p.m., ages 5 and up
• Chinese Dance and Music Saturday, April
11, 2-3 p.m., grades K-6, with the Phoenix Performing Arts Connecticut
• The Connecticut Ballet Performs Monday,
April 13, 4-5 p.m., “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream,” grades K-6, register
• “Pinocchio” by The Hampstead Stage Tuesday, April 14, 2-3 p.m., grades K-6, register
• Pop & Fizz Rockets Wednesday, April 15, 2-3
p.m., grades 1-3, presented by Discovery Museum of Bridgeport, register
• Let It Snow! Thursday, April 16, 2-3 p.m.,
grades 1-3, presented by Discovery Museum of
Bridgeport, register
PRESSSports
Gray
True sign of spring
Matters
By Scott Gray
Photos by David Heuschkel
The Avon and Simsbury high school baseball teams will have a chance to win every time sophomore right-hander Justin Olson, left, pitches
for the Falcons and senior left-hander Jordan Whaley, right, is on the mound for the Trojans.
Baseball: Yolles takes over at Avon
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
The slow-melting snow on
baseball fields kept high school
baseball teams indoors for the
first week of practice, which began March 23. This is nothing
new to coaches in New England.
Jonathan Yolles, the new
coach at Avon, had hoped to
play at least one scrimmage before the Falcons open the season April 8 against Granby. All
three scrimmages last spring
were canceled for a variety of
reasons, the most bizarre being
a huge fire at a tire warehouse
in Torrington, and Avon lost its
first four games in the regular
season.
Yolles is hoping to avoid a
similarly slow start this spring
as he takes over for Marty deLivron, who stepped down following 37 years.
Yolles, who spent the last
eight years as deLivron’s assistant, will have plenty of firstyear varsity starters. Center
fielder Steve Carrier is the only
returning senior starter and junior Sean DelGallo is the only
other position player who was a
regular in the lineup last spring.
But the Falcons will rely a
lot on their pitchers, a cast that
includes DelGallo when he’s
not playing a position. Junior
Matt Boone and sophomore
Justin Olson showed poise as
underclassmen a year ago and
the two right-handers figure to
lead the staff.
“I think any time you can
get varsity experience and play
against bigger and stronger
kids, it goes to your benefit,”
Yolles said. “Justin was certainly our most productive pitcher
last year. I’m hopeful he will be
again. My expectation is that
Matty will build on last season.”
Yolles said the players on
the team will benefit by the
large graduating class that
included all-state shortstop
Noah Hahn, a freshman on the
Quinnipiac team, and all-conference third baseman Jared
Rosenblatt, who is playing at
Western New England.
With many spots to fill,
Yolles said everyone will get a
“fresh look” and there will be
no preconceived notions. That
group includes Ian McDonald,
Bryant St. Jean and Alex Zacchio.
“It’s a good time to be an
Avon baseball player,” he said.
Avon went 15-8 last spring,
losing to Darien in the second
round of the state tournament.
This is the Falcons’ last season
in the NCCC.
Trojan arms
Simsbury’s strength is on
the mound with the return of
senior pitchers Jordan Whaley, Jack Patrina and Marty
Cayne-Yackel.
“They carried the load last
year and they’re back carrying
the load again,” coach Dave
Masters said. “They’ve gotten a
lot of innings.”
See BASEBALL on page 27
Girls lacrosse coaches switch teams
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
The new coach at Lewis
Mills is more than a familiar
face to some of the seniors on
the girls lacrosse team. Dee
Stephan remembers a few of
them
attending a camp
she
ran for Burlington
Youth
Photo
Lacrosse
by David
Heuschkel
as grade
school students.
Stephan takes
over at Mills following previous high school
coaching stints at Canton,
the Ethel Walker School
and
Lewis Mill’s
Avon.
Jillian Keegan
She
assumes control of the sixyear-old program at an opportune time.
The Spartans have experience and strong leadership
with a large senior class that
includes Tessa McNaboe,
Kristin Sullivan, Jillian Keegan,
Andie Stone, Kelly Winterbottom and Allison Dionne.
“There’s
some talent
behind them,
too,”
said
Stephan,
who
coached
at Canton
the last
two years.
See LEWIS MILLS
on page 24
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
To some in the high school
lacrosse community,
Sean Cole’s decision to step down
as the Avon girls lacrosse coach was
just that – a step
down – when he
decided to take
the same job at
Canton, a smaller
school with a relatively new program.
In its first
five years as a varsity
squad, Canton has won
a total of 14
games. Cole’s
Canton’s
Avon team
Grace Giancola
won 17 games last spring and
averaged more than 14 wins in
his three seasons as coach of
the Falcons, advancing to the
Class M semifinals each of the
last two years.
Cole didn’t
Photo
by David
have to wait
Heuschkel
long to see
how his new
team measured
up against his
old one – Canton
was scheduled to play
Avon in the season
opener April 8. He will
have an even better
idea how good his
team is after the Warriors and Falcons
meet again April 27,
See CANTON on page 24
Ian Poulter’s tweet last Friday afternoon said it
best, “Was it ever really in doubt. ... Best show on earth
just got better.”
It came a half hour after Tiger Woods tweeted that
he will play in the Masters this weekend, his first tournament since pulling out of the Farmer’s Insurance in
February issuing a statement that he would return when
his back and his game were again competition ready.
Everyone in golf immediately circled the same date on
their calendars. April 9, Augusta, Ga. Poulter was right,
there was never really any doubt.
In the interim, Tiger skipped, among other events, the
Arnold Palmer Invitational. He sat out last week’s Houston Open, where the greens were manicured to Augusta
“Stimp” readings to help the pros prepare for the speedy
putts they’ll face this weekend. If the Masters had been
last week, Tiger would have played. Instead, he went to
Augusta for two practice rounds before declaring himself ready. The fact he put off his announcement until
Friday afternoon left many wondering if he really is.
Two years ago, Tiger won five times on Tour, but he’s
played in only nine tournaments worldwide in the last
year, to a résumé of missed cuts and withdrawals. He’s
played in three tournaments in 2015, earning no money.
It’s been seven years since he won a major. His last was
the 2008 U.S. Open, when he overawed an adoring Rocco Mediate in a playoff. Notably, Tiger limped through
that round on a broken leg, an indication it would probably take more than a sore back to drive him from the
Tour. If the shots aren’t working and there’s no championship within reach, it’s more likely his competitive
juices just stop flowing.
The question of whether Tiger’s ready to compete
at the Masters, with its elite field, will be answered this
weekend, but already there’s justification to suppose
even he doesn’t believe his game is there yet. He may
feel considerable pressure to return, particularly after sitting it out last year. His primary sponsor is Nike,
which stood by him through the personal issues that
sidetracked his career seven years ago. They just paid
big bucks to produce, and purchase air time for, an epic
commercial faintly disguised as a Rory McIlroy tribute to
Tiger. The spot was targeted for the Masters all along,
and having Tiger and the ever present “swoop” visible at
Augusta was surely part of the marketing plan. Competitive or not, Tiger’s presence gives his sponsors big bang
for their bucks. He just has to show up.
Just ask the media. Tiger no sooner pressed the
send button on his tweet than Golf Channel announcers
apologized in advance for the coming, usual, shameless,
“All Tiger all the time” approach to golf at the expense of
the rest of the field. Shots by Masters weekend leaders
will be relegated to Memorex while we get the latest live
updates on Tiger. One Golf Channel pundit rationalized
the coming onslaught by saying, “Tiger doesn’t move the
needle, he is the needle.”
I broke my calculator counting the number of times
NBC’s Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller referenced Tiger over
the weekend in Houston. But that’s OK. I understand. With
Tiger in the field and Phil Mickelson throwing up two or
three competitive rounds a week, the Masters becomes
more compelling. But this one won’t be about Tiger or Phil.
Phil is 45 with five majors. He isn’t likely to win another.
Tiger is 39, with about five years to put up Mickelson’s career numbers to pass Jack Nicklaus for the most majors,
making it less likely as each major passes.
There are a couple of veterans in the field who haven’t
won a major yet, 38-year-old Henrik Stenson, currently
ranked #2 in the world, and 36-year-old Jimmy Walker,
the Fed Ex Cup points leader. Either could rise to the
occasion this week, and both, at some point, will probably respond to their “overdue” status, but the consensus
favorite at Augusta is McIlroy, while most of the Vegas
money moves alongside the name of 21-year-old Jordan
Spieth. This one will most likely go to the 25-and-under crowd. McIlroy, ranked #1 in the world, has won
more than a quarter of the majors since his final round
meltdown cost him the 2011 Masters, and Speith has
emerged as the best player in the game over the last
month, with a win and two seconds in his last three
outings, the ill-timed click of a photographer’s camera
possibly costing him a win in Houston.
Even with two-time winner Bubba Watson and the
new version of Dustin Johnson in the field, I believe this
Masters will come down to two golfers. Not Tiger and
Phil. Rory and Jordan. It won’t surprise me if they’re the
final twosome on Sunday.
I’m going with the hot hand, Jordan Spieth.
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
23
LEWIS MILLS
Photo by David Heuschkel
The return of All-State goalie Amanda Gottlieb gives Canton a strong defensive anchor.
CANTON
from page 23
a game that concludes the most challenging
three-game stretch of the season for Canton.
Preceding the second meeting with
Avon is the first-ever game for Canton
against a team from the Fairfield County
Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC). The Warriors have a road game April 24
against Fairfield Warde, a Class L semifinalist a year ago. Two days prior to that, Canton
has a tough road test against Granby.
“The bar has been significantly raised,
no doubt about that,” Cole said. “Just comparing last year’s schedule to this year, the
proof is right there.”
Canton will make a total of three trips
to Fairfield County, the state’s hotbed for
lacrosse. The second and third will be in
the first week of May when the Warriors
play back-to-back road games against
South-West Conference teams Joel Barlow
and Bethel, two Class M schools. Canton’s
other nonleague opponents are Tolland, a
first-year varsity team, Newington, a Class
L school that went 12-6 last year, and Immaculate of Danbury (14-6).
Cole is taking over a program that is
trending upward. Last season under former
coach Dee Stephan, Canton went 8-10 and
qualified for the state tournament for the
first time. The Warriors defeated Ellington
and Suffield for the first time after going
0-16 against the two NCCC opponents from
2010-14.
Cole is hoping to continue the program’s growth. He is encouraged with the
numbers – there are 36 girls playing this
spring, 14 more than last season, and several who didn’t play last season are back.
With All-State goalie Amanda Gottlieb, Cole believes his team will be in every
game. He said midfield is another area of
strength with Grace Giancola, Emma Charron, Carly Atkinson, Olivia Sullivan and
Devon Daubert.
“We will compete for every inch of the
field,” Cole said.
Cole is counting on Emma Ciccarillo
and Sarah First to lead the defense. The offensive attack will sorely miss junior Kaeyln
Oliver, who is recovering from a knee injury.
She scored more than 50 goals as a sophomore. Cole believes Giancola can fill much
of that scoring void with help from Peyton
Jackson,
“The general consensus from the girls
is that they would like to compete for the
[NCCC] championship and qualify and do
well in the Class S state tournament,” Cole
said. “As a coach, I always go into any season with lofty goals.”
FINDING GUIDANCE DURING A DIFFICULT TIME IS COMFORTING.
from page 23
the third different coach in as many years.
Margaret Dunlop was a fill-in coach last
As her first season at Canton in 2013, spring for Killeen Leonard, who took a leave
Stephan remembers watching McNaboe of absence after coaching three years.
score three times in the second half to lead
“It’s going to be a matter of adjusting to
the Spartans to a 6-5 win over the Warriors. a new style of coaching, learning new techThe teams did not play in 2014 and will not niques and skills,” Stephan said.
meet this spring unless they happen to see
The players, she said, must adapt to
each other in the state tournament.
a new style of playing defense, forcing opMills plays in the Western Connecti- ponents to take low-angle shots to make
cut Lacrosse Conference (WCLC) along
it easier for the new goalie.
with Housatonic, Watertown, Amistad,
Stephan said Carly Moris,
Holy Cross and Capital Prep. The
a three-year starter in
overall competition isn’t as strong
net, transferred.
as it is in the NCCC or CCC,
Stone is the team’s
Stephan said.
best defender and juSo, she worked with Mills athletic direcnior Nicole Crockett is
tor David Francalangia to “beef up” the nonpart of a strong midfield
league schedule, starting with Danbury in
that includes Keegan and
the season opener April 10. The Hatters are a
Winterbottom. Stone and
Class L team – Mills is S – that plays in the
Winterbottom were
Fairfield Country Interscholastic Athletteam captains on the
ic Conference (FCIAC), which features
state championship
the best lacrosse in the state.
field hockey team
Newington is another largelast fall. Both will resume
school team on the schedthose titles along with
ule. Mills also plays
Keegan and Sullivan.
Sheehan (Class M) as
“They obviously know
well as NCCC teams
how to win, which is huge,”
Granby and Somers.
Stephan said. “When I took
Granby beat Mills by 10
over at Canton [in 2013], I will
goals in the second round Lewis Mill’s senior
say that was the big problem.
of the Class S tournament Tessa McNaboe
The kids didn’t know how to win.”
last spring.
Last year under Stephan,
“We need to be playCanton had its best season (8ing games that are going to challenge us,”
10) and qualified for the state
Stephan said.
tournament for the first time
Mills (12-8) won its first-ever state since it began playing as a varsity team in
tournament game last spring, beating 2010. After resigning as Canton athletic diHousatonic in an opening round matchup rector last summer, she hoped to remain the
between the two teams. The teams played girls lacrosse coach, but the school wooed
four times last year; all four were decid- former Avon coach Sean Cole to replace
ed by one goal with Mills winning three of Stephan.
them, including 12-11 in the WCLC cham“Tess [McNaboe] said to me last night,
pionship. The Spartans have won it three ‘Gosh, I wish you were here last year,’”
straight years.
Stephan said last week. “It’s nice to be
Given the number of experienced play- wanted some place, and it’s nice to work
ers on the team, Stephan said she expects a with a group of kids who are excited to
lot from them even as they adjust to having have me coaching them.”
Spring sports previews
Information for previews was based on coaches returning preseason preview forms
that were emailed to them. More team previews will appear in next week’s edition.
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The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
May 11, 2015
Farmington
Woods Golf Club
A portion of tournament proceeds helps
fund annual Canton High School scholarships!
Early Bird
FEE SavEr
rEGiStration
Platinum SPonSorS:
A.R. Godbout & Company
Collinsville Savings Society
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Simsbury Bank
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by April 10, 2015 and
receive a discount!
To Register, call 860-693-0405
Or go to CantonChamberOfCommerce.com
Boys tennis: Positive numbers for FHS
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
As a math teacher
at Farmington High, Jeff
Dauphinais has a good
grasp on numbers. As the
new coach of the boys tennis team, the numbers on
the court look promising.
Dauphinais, who spent
the last 13 years coaching
the girls tennis team at Thomaston High, takes over a
team with plenty of experience in singles and doubles.
The junior class is especially strong with the return of
All-CCC singles players Kyle
Dopp and Matt Lee.
Prabhath
Mannam,
Aneesh Venuturumilli and
Eric Kang – all juniors –
will see action at singles
with the latter two possibly
playing doubles, possibly
partnering with senior
Shaun Clark.
“Our team is very deep
and has a lot of experience,”
said Dauphinais,
who replaces
Chris Loomis.
Dauphinais is counting
on nine returning starters
and hoping a solid core of
players will compete for the
remaining spots, or spot.
Matches consist of four
singles matches and three
doubles.
Farmington went 8-8
overall last spring and finished fourth (3-4) in the
CCC West behind Simsbury, Hall, Conard and
Southington.
Simsbury
hasn’t
lost a CCC West match
the last two years, going 14-0 in league
play. But the Trojans
graduated a big senior class that included the top four
singles and five of
the six players who
played doubles. So,
winning a third
straight CCC West
title with a new
cast will be a
challenge.
Dauphinais expects
Southington,
Conard and
Hall to be
tough opponents.
Last spring,
advanced to the Class S
tournament semifinals,
losing 5-2 to eventual
champion Northwest
Catholic.
Farmington has a
schedule
similar
to
last
spring.
The only
new opPhoto
ponent
by David
is Bristol
Heuschkel
Central
and the
Indians
were
scheduled
to
open
the
season at Glastonbury,
whereas last season they
played the Tomahawks
in the final match of the
regular season.
“The team’s expectation is to contend for
the CCC West title,”
Dauphinais said. “They
have been practicing all
year with their sights set
on this season.”
his Thomaston girls team
went undefeated to win the
Berkshire
League
championship
and
Look good, feel good
Submitted photo
The Avon Old Farms School community will host its 7th
annual Push-ups for Patriots charity fundraising event
this weekend in the AOF Field House on the prep school
campus. The event begins Saturday, April 11, at 9 a.m.
and runs 24 continuous hours with participating teams
and individuals attempting to complete a total of 15,000
pushups and run 50 miles during that timeframe. All the
proceeds gathered from participants who collect pledges
for each pushup will benefit the Semper Fi Fund, an
organization that provides financial assistance to wounded
me and women returning from military service. In the last
six years, AOF School has raised almost $88,000 for the
cause, which is spearheaded by faculty member John
Bourgault (Class of 1980), a veteran of the U.S. Marine
Corps. The public is invited to participate or stop by the
event to show support. To donate, please send a check
payable to Avon Old Farms School, c/o John Bourgault,
500 Old Farms Road, Avon, CT, 06001.
Farmington’s Kyle Dopp
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
25
Softball: A mound of experience
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
having a very strong defense behind
Petraitis. Davidson will be the backup
pitcher. Prior to this season, Petraitis
has served as the second pitcher behind Morgan Scafuri.
“There will be a lot of sharing
of positions,” Batan said. “I think
all around we’re pretty strong – our
speed, our defense. We’re
well-rounded. We’re more
well-rounded
than we were
last year.”
The team
chemistry is stronger as well, Batan
said.
“They all
seem
to
get
along
really
well,” he said.
“The chemistry is
awesome and the talent
is pretty level across the
board.”
Canton softball coach Charley
Batan was disappointed that his team
finished 10-11 last year. He’ll be even
more disappointed if the Warriors
don’t finish at least .500 this spring.
That seems like a lofty goal for a
team that will have a new outfield and
three new starters in the infield, but
Batan has an experienced battery in
pitcher Jill Petraitis and catcher Katie
Hill. Both earned All-NCCC honors
last year.
“Jill is a very good pitcher,” Batan said.
Petraitis and Hill are
two of the team’s top hitters. The two seniors were
named captains along
with senior Katie Walker,
a first-year player who was
a starting guard on the
girls basketball team
that advanced to the
Class S tournament
final last month.
Batan is imGodwin at Avon
pressed with Walker’s athletMeg Godwin, a
icism and her ability to tranformer softball player
sition from backcourt to the
at Eastern Connecticut State University,
middle infield. She is expectis looking to build
ed to play shortstop next to
a winning program
Emma Plourd, the returnin her first season as
ing starter at second base.
Avon coach. She takes
The corner infielder will
over for John Snyder.
likely be Jaela DavidGodwin
is
son at first and Alexa
used to being
Szczepanski at third.
Photo by
part of winning
The outfield is
David Heuschkel
teams. In the
a work in progress.
last four years,
Batan envisions usshe played on
ing several players
four ESCU
to fill the three
Canton senior Jill Petraitis
teams
spots.
takes over as the No. 1
that
Batan
pitcher for the Warriors.
went
antici132-37
pates
and qualified for the NCAA Division
III tournament twice. During that
span, Avon was 14-66.
The Falcons graduated six starters from a team that won two games
last spring. Third baseman Kendra
Love, pitcher Lindsey Sitaro and center fielder Hannah Lindley are returning players with varsity experience.
“Their work ethic is admirable
and, if this continues, they should
have a great building year,” Godwin
said.
Starting on a high note
Simsbury: 4 in 4
Simsbury also had a new coach,
again. Jed Flaherty becomes the
fourth different one in as many years
for the Trojans. He takes over for Jessie Swetcky, who replaced Kat Hannah, who succeeded Jack Casey.
Flaherty has a good core of returning players, led by all-conference
third baseman Nicole Gomez-Nieto
and pitcher Lauren Rivera. Center
fielder Alexa Guglielmino and pitcher/infielder Lauren Catalano are also
back. Simsbury went 8-12 last year.
… Lewis Mills coach David Bohmer
believes his team will contend for the
Berkshire League title. All-state outfielder Karlie Neuhausser is one of
many returning players for the Spartans, which went 14-7 last season.
First baseman Paige Reid and catcher
Emma Kryzanski are the other team
captains. The team will have a new
No. 1 pitcher and leadoff batter to replace Amy Powers and Alyssa Halpin,
respectively. …Granby pitcher Jen
Szilagyi and infielder Jaimee Kidd are
among, the best players in the NCCC.
Szilagyi, who was the regular shortstop last season, will spend her senior
year as the No. 1 pitcher. Four-year
catcher Samantha Groskritz, who
is playing at Southern Connecticut
State University, is among five starters who graduated.
Photo by Jerry Conley
The snow was falling as Simsbury’s Nathan Ransley
was being lifted on a lineout in the season opener
for the Trojans’ rugby team March 28 at Holden Field.
Simsbury defeated Ridgefield 27-5. Simsbury, in its
third season as a varsity sport, is coached by Ed Matteo
(boys) and Denis Horrigan (girls). The team is one of
14 in the state that is part of USA Rugby’s State Based
Rugby Organization (SBRO), according to the website.
Matteo and Horrigan formed the rugby program in
2007. The girls team won the state championship each
of the last two years.
West Point bound
Submitted photo
Andrew Finken, a senior captain on the boys rugby team
at Simsbury High, has been accepted into the United
States Military Academy (class of 2019) and was
recruited to play on the mens rugby team at West Point.
State Rep. John K. Hampton was among the attendees
at a ceremony held March 18 at the high school.
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26
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
995 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury, CT 06070
860-408-3021
swimcenter.net
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AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos by David Heuschkel
From left to right, seniors Jack Sullivan, Logan Anderson and Riley Hollis return as the top three golfers for Canton this spring.
Boys golf: Avon goes for it
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
Avon boys golf coach Joshua Glick will
have a new No. 1 player this year. In any given match, however, any one of three golfers
could be at the top of the leader board.
Glick lost would-be junior Marcus
Husted, whose family moved back to Denmark. He earned medalist honors 14 times
in his two years with the Falcons with a ninehole average of 38 as a freshman and 38.67 his
sophomore season.
Senior captains Matt Bergman and Zach
Mateja lead a group of five golfers with varsity
experience for the Falcons. Bergman, a fourtime medalist, has the lowest average match
score (39.75) among the returning players.
BASEBALL
from page 23
Whaley and Patrina got the bulk of the
innings last season, both earning all-conference honors and pitching Simsbury into the
Class L tournament semifinals. Whaley and
Cayne-Yackel are lefthanders and senior Sam
Collins gives the Trojans three lefties.
The Trojans are strong up the
middle. When he’s not pitching,
Patrina will play second and
senior Jack LaVigne is back at
shortstop. Jack Falkner returns in
center field and catcher Michael Amato, another senior,
saw action behind the plate
last season.
But the team will have
new starters in the corner outfield positions. There will also
be a new starting third baseman.
Whaley and Cayne-Yackel can
play first, though Masters has been
looking at other first basemen.
Simsbury went 17-6 last
season, allowing two or fewer runs in 13 games. Going
Mateja (41.5), who has earned two medals,
had the lowest by an Avon player in the Division II state tournament, shooting a 1-overpar 73 to finish fourth overall in the 18-hole
tournament.
Sophomore Jake Avery, who averaged just
over 41 in his matches last spring, posted Avon’s
second lowest score in the state tournament
with a 3-over-75 to finish tied for seventh. The
Falcons finished fifth among 20 teams.
Glick is counting on Bergman, Mateja
and Avery to have solid seasons for Avon in
its final spring in the NCCC. The Falcons went
19-3 overall and finished third in the conference (10-2) last year.
“I believe our team has the capability to
contend for the league title,” Glick said. “We
have good depth.”
into this season, Masters said the biggest
mystery is how the team will hit. …In his second season as Canton coach, Greg Brisco is
looking for his
team to improve.
And there’s
much room for improvement
after going 3-17 last
season. It starts in
the middle of the diamond with returning
pitchers Kevin Gurry, Ben
Sullivan and Justin Mulchahy. Jake Schaetzel, a junior,
and sophomores Ethan
Burke and Sam Beadle will also see
time on the
mound. The
biggest position to fill
Photo by is behind the
David Heuschkel
plate. All-NCCC catcher Jake Wood, a
four-year starter, graduated.
Schaetzel, the starting left
fielder, batted .322 as a sophomore last spring.
Avon’s Steven Carrier
Seniors Will Harris, Alden Piper and
freshman Tyler Hahn will fill out the 4-6 spots
in the lineup to start the season.
Canton will open the season and close
it on the same course, and coach Bill Phelps
hopes his team of experienced golfers will
play well both times at Tallwood Country
Club in Hebron.
The Warriors, who tee off April 13 against
Bolton at Tallwood, return four of their top five
golfers from the team that finished third in the
Division IV state tournament last spring. This
year, the tournament is June 8 at Tallwood.
“We want to do better [than third place],”
Phelps said.
Canton will also look to move up in the
NCCC after finishing fourth in the regular
season. The Warriors (11-6 overall) were third
in the conference tournament, shooting a
311 to finish two strokes behind Avon and
eight behind league champion Suffield.
Seniors Logan Anderson and Riley Hollis
are back as the No. 1 and 2 golfers, respectively. Hollis shot a team-best score of sixover-78 in the state tournament at Timberlin
Golf Club in Berlin last June, finishing tied
for eighth overall. Anderson shot 84 and tied
for 24th.
Alex Olker and Jack Sullivan, who respectively shot 87 and 98, along with Vinnie
Uccello, give the Warriors five seniors. Ian
Witzgall, a promising sophomore, will be
looking to move into the top five.
“The team should be pushing each other,”
Phelps said, adding his top four players each
have the ability to be a medalist in any match.
COLLEGE corner
College Corner, the weekly column that follows the progress of former Farmington
Valley scholastic athletes who are now competing at the collegiate level, has returned.
Meg Griffin (Granby Memorial High ’12), a junior on the Westfield State University
womens lacrosse team, was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletics Conference’s Player of Week March 30. Griffin had 21 points, scoring 17 goals and notching
four assists and picking up eight ground balls in three games for the Owls, who went
3-0 in that span. She scored four goals and three assists in a 16-12 win over Lasell
College, seven goals in the 12-9 win over Nichols College and added six goals and an
assist in the 19-12 win over Worcester State. Griffin leads the team with 48 points (38
goals, 10 assists) in just eight games. … Philip Brown (Simsbury High ’14), a freshman
on the Vassar College mens track and field team, was named the Liberty League Rookie
of Week March 30. Brown placed fifth overall - and first among Division III runners - in
the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:44.10 at the Monmouth Season Opener March 28.
… Hope Shevchuk (Lewis Mills High ‘13), a sophomore on the Worcester Polytechnic
Institute field hockey team, was one of 14 WPI student-athletes to earn recognition
from the NFHCA for their work in the classroom. Shevchuk received NFHCA Division
III Scholars of Distinction for the second time, according to a March 24 press release.
Do you know of a former Farmington Valley athlete currently competing in college?
Let us know by sending an email to staff writer Ted Glanzer at [email protected].
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
27
Fal
check it out
Arts & Events
UConn Greater Hartford Campus Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Concert Series
presenting Judy Handler & Mark Levesque,
“Rhythms of the World,” Thursday, April 9, 7:30
p.m., in UConn Hartford Library Auditorium, 1800
Asylum Ave., West Hartford, free admission
At Bridge Street Live, 41 Bridge St., Collinsville, 860-693-9762: April 9, 8 p.m., Leo
Moran & Anthony Thistlewaite of The Saw
Doctors; April 10, 8 p.m., Betty Harris + The
Mighty Soul Drivers; April 11, 7 p.m., Shakedown + The Remnants + Brendan James
Donahue + The Guilty Party; April 12, 7 p.m.,
Pierre Bensusan
At the Hartt School, 200 Bloomfield Ave.,
West Hartford, 860-728-4428:
• An Evening with Guitar Thursday, April 9,
8-9:30 p.m.
• “She Stoops to Conquer” Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11, 7:30-10 p.m., and Sunday,
April 12, 3-4:30 p.m., Handel Performing Arts
Center, HPAC Roberts Theater, 35 Westbourne
Parkway, Hartford, tickets $20/$18
• Bass Band Concert Friday, April 10, 8 p.m.,
Fuller Music Center
• Collegium Musicum Friday, April 10, 8-9:30
p.m., Berkman Recital Hall
• Faculty Recital Series featuring Luiz de
Moura Castro, piano, Sunday, April 12, 2-4
p.m., Berkman Recital Hall
• Hammerklavier Tuesday, April 14, 8-9:30
p.m., Berkman Recital Hall
At Lisa’s Crown & Hammer, 3 Depot St., Collinsville: Mark Mandell & What She Said Thursday, April 9, 8 p.m. and Bruce Gregori Saturday,
April 11, 9:30 p.m.; Happy Hour Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m.
At Maple Tree Café, 781 Hopmeadow St.,
Simsbury, live music at 9 p.m., cover charge,
860-651-1297: Friday, April 10, Street Life
Rock n Soul Review, and Saturday, April 11,
Beatles Forever
At Infinity Music Hall and Bistro:
20 Greenwoods Road North, Norfolk, 860542-5531: April 11, 8 p.m., Sierra Hull; April 14,
8 p.m., Rhiannon Giddens with Bhi Bhiman
32 Front St., Hartford: April 10, 8 p.m., Rubblebucket with Vacationer; Saturday, April 11,
8 p.m., Bernie Williams (rescheduled date);
April 12, 7:30 p.m., John Sebastian; April 17,
8 p.m., Taj Mahal
At the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St.,
Hartford:
• Gallery Talk, “Coney Island Revealed” Friday, April 10, noon, with professional carousel carver and band organ restorer Bob
Yorburg, free with admission
• Second Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.,
free admission, “City Silhouettes” – inspired
by MATRIX 17 artist Michael C. McMillen
• Coney Island Jazz Brunch, Carol Lipnik &
Spookarama, Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m.-2
p.m., $35/$25
• Film “Annie Hall” Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.,
screening in conjunction with “Coney Island”
• Film “Sophie’s Choice Sunday, April 12,
4:30 p.m.
• Talk, Sideshow and Film “Freaks” Thursday,
April 16, 6 p.m.
• Gallery Talk, MATRIX 17, Friday, April 17,
noon, with curator Patricia Hickson discussing
the work of Michael C. McMillen
Windsor African Violet Society’s Show and
Sale Saturday, April 11, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., free
Evening of readings Saturday, April 11, 7-9
p.m., at Gallery on the Green in Canton, part of
Word Art Show in the Founders Gallery (860693-4102, www.galleryonthegreen.org)
A Spring Shower for “Winter Flowers” Saturday, April 11 in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, Main St., Torrington – 7:30-8:15 p.m. hors
d’oeuvres, beer and wine reception, showtime
8 p.m. – fundraiser to support Warner Stage
Company team representing New England in
National Festival in Michigan in June
Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters Saturday, April
11, 7:30 p.m., at the Northwest Park Nature
Center, Lang Road, Windsor, 860-285-1886 –
duo of Gallatin and guitarist Roger Williams,
along with JD Williams on mandolin and vocals and bassist Eric Levenson
Men at Words Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m.,
at the Sounding Board Coffeehouse at
The Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern St., West Hartford, tickets
$24/$22/$12/$10, reservations at [email protected]
Baby Grand Jazz Series featuring the
Curtis Brothers Sunday, April 12, 3-4 p.m., in
the atrium of the Hartford Public Library, 500
Main St., Hartford – Zaccai Curtis on piano
and Luques Curtis on bass
Mark Twain House Museum Center,
351 Farmington Ave., Hartford, 860-280-3130:
• The MOuTH: Thrown for a Loop Friday, April
10, 7:30 p.m., $5, to submit story and/or purchase tickets visit marktwainhouse.org
• Volunteer Open House Monday, April 13, 10
a.m., RSVP to Grace Belanger at 860-280-3130
• Film “88 Days in the Motherlode: Mark
Twain Finds His Voice” Thursday, April 16, 7
p.m., $5 suggested donation
At the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford:
• Newman Law Lecture Monday, April 13,
4:30 p.m., in Wilde Auditorium, Harry Jack
Gray Center – Timothy Fisher talking about
affordable justice (860-768-4905)
• Hartford Art School’s Auerbach Lecture
Series Thursday, April 16, 2:30 p.m., in Wilde
Auditorium, Harry Jack Gray Center, featuring
the husband and wife team of JW and Melissa
Buchanan, “The Little Friends of Printmaking,”
and their silkscreened concert posters (860768-4392)
Infinity Hall presents Celtic Thunder Tuesday, April 14, 8 p.m., and Tedeschi Trucks
Band Thursday, April 16 at 8 p.m., both at
the Warner Theatre in Torrington
Musical Club of Hartford’s ‘From Purcell
to Rachmaninoff’ Thursday, April 16, 10
a.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church,
2080 Boulevard, West Hartford
Broadway with the Callaways Saturday,
April 18, 7:30 p.m., Belding Theater at The
Bushnell, tickets starting at $22.50, 860987-5900
At Trinity-on-Main, 69 Main St., New Britain,
860-229-2072: Charter Oak Photographic
Society Workshop Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.
Phoenix Theater Company auditions for
May production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,”
looking for male singers and female dancers/
singers, by appt. only, at Trinity on Main in
New Britain, call 860-836-4365 or chris@
phoenixtheater.us
ASSASSINATION
The Story of a President’s Murder
and a Nation’s Heartbreak
An original performance about one of America’s most
infamous crimes. Witness the shock, the frenzied hunt for
Booth, and a nation in mourning.
Exclusive – One Night Only
University of Saint Joseph
Hoffman Auditorium
April 14, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.
860-231-5555 or tickets.usj.edu
CHECK IT OUT
from page 22
Auerfarm, 158 Auer Road, Bloomfield
by After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m., hosted by
Popover Café, 928 Hopmeadow St., $10 entry fee
for non-chamber members, RSVP for After Hours
by Monday, April 20; at 4:30 p.m. go to Popover
Café to hear local business and life coach Paul
Mikkelson present “How to Sell to Get What You
Want” (860-651-7307, [email protected])
Opening day of trout season Saturday, April 11
(moved forward by one week by DEEP)
The Simsbury Land Trust’s Cathles property
hike scheduled for April 5 has been postponed until May 3, RSVP by April 30, 860-658-3836
Copper Hill United Methodist Women Spring
Tag & Bake Sale April 18, donation drop-off Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (860-668-1031)
Simsbury Culture, Parks and Rec accepting applications for camp counselors-in-training, deadline by April 30, 860-658-3836, www.simsburyrec.com
Farmington Valley Trails Council’s trailwide
clean-up day Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
with five staging areas: Brickyard Road in Farmington, Iron Horse Boulevard in Simsbury, the river trail
pavilion at Route 4 in Unionville, Copper Hill Road in
Granby and Sperry Park in Avon, barbecue for volunteers after at Flamig Farm in Simsbury from noon-3
p.m.; to volunteer call 860-202-3928
Nominations sought for Simsbury “Hometown Heroes,” submitted by April 23 to Simsbury Hometown Hero Selection Committee, Town
of Simsbury, P.O. Box 495, Simsbury, 06070, forms
available on town website at www.simsbury-ct.gov
VALLEY & BEYOND–––
Events at Tunxis Community College,
271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington:
• “Behind Closed Doors: Juvenile Court in Connecticut, An Honest Discussion of Child Abuse and
Neglect in Our State” Thursday, April 9, 11:30 a.m.,
in Founders Hall, panel including Assistant Attorney General Sherelyn Labowski and Attorney Scott
Sandler, moderated by Angela Fierro
• Professional Development Workshops: Change
Your Career: Change Your Life Friday, April 10, 9
a.m.-3 p.m., $45; How to Refocus Your Job Search
Wednesday, April 15, 9 a.m.-noon, $45; Influencing without Authority Friday, April 17, 9:30 a.m.-3
p.m.; info at tunxis.edu/cesched, 860-314-4700
Erin Bowman (former Canton resident)
talking, answering questions and signing
books – “Forged” is her new book coming out
April 14 – Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m., at Barnes &
Noble at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley, Canton
Red Cross blood donation opportunity during
National Volunteer Month Tuesday, April 14, 10
a.m.-3 p.m., at Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott
Swamp Road, to schedule appt. visit redcrossblood.
org or call 1-800-733-2767; Red Cross potential volunteers orientation Tuesday, April 14, 6 p.m., at the
Red Cross office, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington
Spring Plant and Seedling Sale to benefit the
North Central Conservation District Friday, April 10
in the afternoon and Saturday morning April 11 at
Suicide Bereavement Support Group Monday, April 13, 6:30-8 p.m., contact sbsg8756@
gmail.com or phone 860-655-1562 before attending and for more info
Spring Break Youth Arts Adventures Monday-Friday, April 13-17 at the Farmington Valley
Arts Center, 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon during
April vacation, runs daily from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., for
kids grades 1-8, [email protected]
Connecticut Swish Basketball Camp at
Farmington High School for boys entering grades
1-9, 3 weekly sessions starting June 29, July 6
and 13, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., email Swishcamp@
comcast.net for registration form and camp info
John Mirabello’s Northwest Catholic Basketball Clinic 2015, cost $125, registration accepted until enrollment full, 860-236-4221, ext.
130 or 860-670-0030, [email protected]:
boys entering grades 8-9 June 22-25, 8:30 a.m.noon; boys entering grades 5-7 June 29-July 2,
8:30 a.m.-noon; bonus boys weeks (grades 5-9)
July 6-9, 8:30 a.m.-noon; girls entering grades
5-9 July 13-16, 8:30 a.m.-noon
CCIU (Central Connecticut Interfaith Understanding) with the Hartford Seminary
and Muslim Coalition of Connecticut
beginning series of conversations with
Muslim Neighbors Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.,
at First Church of Christ, Farmington
Twelve area Chambers of Commerce Business After-Hours networking event Thursday, April 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Country Club
of Farmington, 806 Farmington Ave., $10 registration fee, RSVP at www.centralchambers.org
TIP OF THE WEEK
2014 FEDERAL TAX UPDATES
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the most accurate way to file your tax return.
Here are eight common tax-filing errors to avoid:
1. Wrong or missing Social Security numbers. Be sure you enter all SSNs on your tax return exactly
as they are on the Social Security cards.
2. Wrong names. Be sure you spell the names of everyone on your tax return exactly as they are on
their Social Security cards.
3. Filing status errors. Some people use the wrong filing status, such as Head of Household instead
of Single. The Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov can help you choose the right status. If you
e-file, the tax software helps you choose.
4. Math mistakes. Double-check your math. For example, be careful when you add or subtract or
figure items on a form or worksheet. Tax preparation software does all the math for e-filers.
5. Errors in figuring credits or deductions. Many filers make mistakes figuring their Earned Income
Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the standard deduction. If you’re not e-filing, follow
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spouses must sign a joint return.
8. Electronic filing PIN errors. When you e-file, you sign your return electronically with a Personal
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28
The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
A
Home & Garden
Timeless or trendy?
Achieve both in your home decor
re you looking for ways to update
your home this new year? With
so many fresh interior ideas available, it can be difficult to balance current
design trends with classic styles for a look
that is both of-the-moment and everlasting. Follow these guidelines to find a way
to blend now and forever for a look you
will love today and tomorrow.
Focus on the foundation
As you are laying the groundwork in your
kitchen, bath or bedroom, the key is to
keep it timeless. Flooring, cabinetry, lighting and fixtures should possess clean, traditional lines and classic finishes.
If it’s time to do a complete overhaul
of your home, you may be tempted to
invest in the latest and greatest in materials and furniture offerings, but sometimes the simplest of tweaks can bring
your existing pieces up to date.
For example, your sofa may have
great structure, but could use a bit of
reupholstering. Or perhaps your oak
kitchen cabinets are an ageless shape,
but could be transformed by painting
them a fresh color and swapping out the
hardware.
Much like a smart wardrobe, as long
as you have the basics, minor updates
can be made throughout the years by
adding small touches in the form of accessories, paint, new hardware and other
alterations.
Incorporate color
Taking a classic space and transforming
it when you have an itch to try something new is done easily with paint. For
165 years, Pratt & Lambert Paints has
been synonymous with recognizing the
shifts and nuances of home style and design. In the true fashion of merging timeless with trendy, the brand has recently
released its 2015 Color Trends Forecast,
called Origins, which goes full circle from
essential neutrals to progressive pops
of color.
Consider spicing up your kitchen
with colors from the Cadence palette.
The collection focuses on co-mingling of
cultures, and what better place to feature
these hues than the room where flavors
from all over the world are literally coming together on a daily basis? Pratt &
Lambert colors Baby Carrot (8-11) and
Vibrant Red (4-12) can make a statement
throughout the entire space, or just on an
accent wall near a breakfast nook.
Many people seek to transform their
current bath into a soothing, spa-like
retreat. To capture that feeling, paint
walls and even ceilings the cool or deep
bold colors of water — much like those
included in the Chronicles trend that
speak to hues straight from the depths of
the ocean. Look to the Pratt & Lambert
shades Blue Zircon (23-13), Glacial (272) and the Color of the Year, Noir (24-16).
A bedroom is a place for rest — a
calm, down-to-earth haven. Pratt & Lambert’s two trend palettes, Elemental and
Terra, are the perfect pick for the place
in which you recharge. Interior designer and Pratt & Lambert Style & Design
Guild member Laura Kirar recommends
shades Tobacco (33-19) and Feather
Gray (32-37) from the Elemental palette.
They are sure to provide many nights
of peaceful slumber. Include the harmonious hues of the Terra palette, Rye
(12-26) and Zinc (14-20), for a natural,
relaxed vibe.
A dash of detail
Now, with a solid foundation and
freshly painted walls, move to the
decorations that will truly transform
your home. Remember —
­ small pieces
can make a grand statement, so pick
and choose how you will incorporate
trendy accessories like table lamps,
hand towels, planters, window coverings, pillows, throws or table settings.
If you want to go bold with hues or
graphic prints, now is your chance to
infuse colors in small doses. That’ll
make it easy and more cost-effective
to swap out or mix and match accessories in the future.
Whether you want to take small
steps to refresh the look of your home
or want to tackle larger renovation
projects, by following these steadfast
ideas, it’s easy to stay on trend while
paying tribute to classic design. You
can have the best of both worlds for
timeless decor that can easily transition with you through the years.
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The
Valley Press
29
Give your landscaping a
no-maintenance makeover
L
ow- and no-maintenance features top the list when
making over outdoor living spaces because less time
maintaining means more time enjoying.
Low-maintenance landscaping outranks native
plantings, water features and food/vegetable gardens, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects
(ASLA) 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends
survey. Landscape professionals love to share their secrets
and show off their craft when redesigning outdoor spaces for low or no maintenance. Armed with know-how and
using sweat equity, do-it-yourselfers also can employ tips
that professionals use for a no-maintenance landscape
makeover.
Landscaping with hardscapes
Landscape professionals use retaining wall systems for
a variety of landscaping solutions. Segmental retaining
walls are commonly used to transition elevations, shore up
slopes along foundations and define spaces such as creating planters, tree rings and other features.
“Hardscape products like retaining walls and pavers
are important tools for both landscapers and do-it-yourselfers in creating low-maintenance landscapes,” says
Scott Arnold, manager of Villa Landscapes in St. Paul,
Minn. “With just the standard VERSA-LOK retaining wall
unit,
you can easily create seat walls,
curved couches, columns and
other features.”
Retaining wall systems combined with concrete pavers can be used to create beautiful raised patios, replacing
high-maintenance wooden decks, says Arnold. In addition
to being as cost effective as a wooden deck, a raised patio
offers several advantages.
“A deck railing can be replaced with wrought iron
fencing or a low seat wall so the view is unobstructed,” Arnold says. “Raised patios also look great with a contrasting
paver course or rock barrier for potted plants, and steps to
the ground can be created with retaining wall units.”
Retaining wall units and interlocking concrete pavers
come in a variety of colors, shapes and textures to complement any landscape design and are often used to create
design continuity in outdoor spaces. Tree rings can be coordinated or color-contrasted with raised patios, retaining
walls and other hardscapes.
Permeable pavers are an environmentally sound and
low-maintenance solution where impervious surface limits, stormwater management, water quality and water
conservation are issues.
“Permeable pavers are a best practice for stormwater management and quality issues because they prevent runoff and let rain water infiltrate in place naturally,”
says Burt Plett, product manager of Willow Creek Paving
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April 9, 2015
Stones. “Permeable pavers reduce the need for irrigation in
drought-prone areas, unlike poured concrete or asphalt.”
It’s best to consult a landscape professional who is experienced in installing permeable paving systems so that they
work properly and consistently, Plett says.
Low-maintenance landscaping practices
Landscaping practices can make it easier to control weeds
and manage lawn care as well. The use of rock mulch and
natural rock in gardens and beds, as walkways and as
stepping stones offers an attractive solution to weed control and also lessens the need for irrigation. At least three
inches of rock mulch or four inches of natural mulch will
prevent weeds. A landscape fabric under stepping stones
and rock mulch offers even more insurance against weeds.
A simple way to cut down on trimming is to add a
course of pavers along the bottom of a retaining wall, tree
ring or planter so the mower can get close to the wall, says
Arnold.
Maintenance-free outdoor accessories
Selecting maintenance-free outdoor furniture and accessories is an easy way to make over a space. Outdoor furniture made of recycled HDPE like Comfort Craft requires no
storage or maintenance other than cleanup with soap and
water. Unlike wood, Comfort Craft furniture won’t chip,
splint, crack or rot and never needs painting.
Hardscape kits‑ — containing everything needed to
create a fireplace, firepit, water feature or grill island — are
some of the most popular low-maintenance landscaping
products, Arnold says.
“Using easy-to-install kits like those from Willow
Creek Paving Stones, homeowners and contractors alike
can create beautiful features such as grill islands, bar islands, fire pits and fireplaces that are long-lasting and
low-maintenance,” Arnold says.
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The
B#0378
Valley Press
31
J
Creating characterful interiors
with hardwood moulding
ust as tasteful, well-chosen jewelry can turn
an unexciting outfit into a stylish, eye-catching ensemble, carefully applied hardwood
mouldings and trimwork can transform a plainJane interior into an interesting —
­­ even beautiful
— space.
Today’s newly built houses often lack any
sort of carved-wood ornamentation. Many older homes have lost their traditional decorative
details through successive modernizing renovations. To transform stripped-down to charming,
and ordinary to characterful, homeowners are incorporating decorative millwork to enhance their
interior design.
While there is an almost infinite variety of
hardwood mouldings and trims, the pros at the
American Hardwood Information Center, www.
Hardwoodinfo.com, and most design experts, recognize the following most basic categories:
* Baseboards, which run at the foot of walls
and act as an elongated pedestal, are both aesthetic and practical. They visually anchor the wall
to the floor and at the same time protect it from
everyday low-impact abuse such as kids scooting
around in toy cars.
* Crown mouldings, which run between the
walls and the ceiling, soften the abrupt transition
between wall and ceiling.
* Casings, the trim surrounding door and
window openings, define a wall opening and help
connect the spaces being joined.
“Our clients are attracted to the enduring
quality and ageless appeal of hardwood moulding,” says architect Jeff Murphy, principal of Murphy & Co. Design, a Buffalo, Minn.-based firm.
“For them, it’s the heart of the home — something
they see and touch each day. Done right, it will last
forever and always be in style.”
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The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
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For architect Tim Button of New York City-based
Stedila Design, hardwood
mouldings are appropriate
in any room in the home,
but he also says, “I think
wood trim often makes its
biggest impact in an entry
hall where high ceilings allow for large-scale crown
mouldings.” And he’s a
fan of using stained-wood
mouldings in bathrooms,
“because it brings warmth
to what can be a somewhat clinical space.”
Edina, Minn.-based
architect Meriwether Felt
agrees, having installed
stained-cherry mouldings,
trims and casings in the
master bath of a home
she renovated. “The client
asked for a luxurious yet
elegant feeling, and the
cherry fit the bill perfectly.
The stained wood warms
up the bathroom and provides richness.”
The size of the trimwork and the complexity
of its profile will be determined by the size and style
of the space in which it’s
being installed; the larger
and more traditional the room, the bigger and more ornate the trim.
Crown mouldings in particular have a profound and
sometimes unexpected effect on how people perceive the
scale, proportions and character of an interior, so they
must be chosen with great care. If too small and plain,
they’ll look skimpy and undernourished; too large and
ostentatious and they’ll overwhelm the space. If in doubt,
consult a design professional.
Before the Civil War, American hardwood moulding
was made by hand, so it tended to be simple, elegant and
expensive. In the later 19th century, methods of mass
production enabled builders to deck out even modest
houses with affordable wood trim in ever-more-complex
profiles. The 20th century saw decorative simplifications
of the Arts and Crafts style, emphasizing clean lines, unfussy forms and the inherent beauty of natural wood.
This was followed by the Art Deco and Modernist
movements, which further streamlined or completely eliminated applied architectural ornament such as
mouldings and trims.
Today, tastes tend to be eclectic, and whether you
install an elaborately carved crown moulding featuring
acanthus leaves and egg-and-dart detailing or an elegantly austere profile comprising nothing more than a graceful S-curve, will depend on personal preference and the
overall style of your home.
No matter what your architectural preferences
might be, you can transform a plain-Jane interior into a
distinctive, characterful environment by incorporating
hardwood mouldings and trimwork into your home’s design. Visit the American Hardwood Information Center,
www.hardwoodInfo.com, and be inspired.
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The
Valley Press
33
This top garage trend keeps
gaining momentum
T
he carriage house garage door is to your house what
the little black dress and strand of pearls are to your
wardrobe: classic style elements that never go out
of fashion.
At the dawn of the automobile age, those who were
affluent enough to own a car kept it in the carriage house,
where the horses and buggy would have been stored. But
this cohabitation became a little, well, smelly, and the need
for separate storing structures was soon realized.
Enter the garage. Built in the style of the original carriage house, the garage’s sole intent was to store the car
away from the animals and elements. The word garage actually comes from the French word, garer, which means to
shelter and protect. Naturally, the garage needed a door to
offer protection for the automobile. The ensuing “carriage
house door” was a hinged, double door that swung outward, and can be considered the original garage door.
In the early 1920s, the kickout door was invented and
progress continued from there, bringing homeowners the
modern convenience of today’s overhead garage doors. Today’s carriage house sectional garage doors open overhead
and continue to gain in popularity, constituting 35 percent
of the volume in the garage door industry with projections
to remain a huge trend.
When it comes to the style of garage door chosen,
most homeowners want something classic that won’t fade
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Valley Press
April 9, 2015
in popularity over the years and will also enhance curb
appeal. This is especially true if home resale is a factor.
The carriage house door also offers a myriad of design elements. For example, the Classica Collection by
Amarr offers a dual-directional wood grain design that
provides the realistic look of wood with the practicality
and low-maintenance upkeep of steel. With a three-section design and the option of larger windows, this door
offers a more authentic carriage house look with the
benefit of additional natural light flow into your garage.
Two-tone looks are also available with many color combinations and panel designs, and hardware and window
choices are plentiful. These different design options can
be tailored specifically to your home’s facade and will further enhance curb appeal.
If you’re thinking of replacing a tired garage door in
an effort to boost your home’s curb appeal, consider the
classic carriage house door whose popularity has only continued to grow. With a timeless design that can be specifically tailored to your house, it’s a choice that both you ­and
future owners of your home can live with for a long time.
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Creating an island paradise:
Tips for adding an island in your kitchen renovation
C
ustom cabinetry, granite countertops, reclaimed wood flooring and
accents, and top-of-the-line, hightech appliances — what more do you need
to make your kitchen renovation perfect?
How about adding an island? Designers and
builders across the country are pointing to
the addition of an island as the must-have
upgrade for kitchen renovations this year.
Homeowners are embracing the island, and what’s not to love about it? Adding an island can dramatically alter a kitchen’s appearance, provide additional storage
space and work area, and create a fresh
focal point for family meals. What’s more,
common challenges that have historically held homeowners back from adding
islands — such as the difficulty and high
costs associated with adding plumbing
drainage in the center of the room — are
easier to solve than ever.
Plumbing problem solved
While you could add an island without
plumbing, having a sink in an island can
improve the workflow in a kitchen and
open up counter space elsewhere. Plumbing an island can be problematic, however,
if your home is built on a slab or a crawl
space. The cost of cutting through concrete
and adding piping can be prohibitive.
Above-floor plumbing can solve the
problem. Manufacturers like Saniflo make
a variety of pumping systems that can
eliminate the need to cut concrete and
reduce the cost of installing plumbing in a
new island. For example, the SANISWIFT
gray water pumping system is about the
size of a small wastebasket (so it fits easily
in an island cabinet space), and comes out
of the box fully assembled, reducing installation time and costs.
“Cutting through concrete to install
plumbing can easily account for 50 percent of a renovation budget,” says Chris
Peterson of Saniflo. “Homeowners may
decide to abandon the idea of an island altogether when they face that kind of cost.
Above-floor plumbing allows them to add
an island, hide a single drain pipe in a decorative column, and achieve the kitchen
of their dreams at a fraction of the cost of
traditional plumbing options.”
Top island trends
Islands are increasingly becoming the focal
point of kitchen renovations, serving both
practical purposes and as design statements.
More homeowners are replacing traditional dining tables and breakfast nooks
with spacious islands that feature seating.
“Islands are replacing tables,” said Audrey
Macdonald of Creative Interiors By Audrey
in Mississauga, Ontario, in the National
Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2015 Kitchen
& Bath Style Report.
In addition to seating, homeowners
are incorporating restaurant-quality fittings into islands, adding charging stations
for the family’s personal digital devices.
They’re also choosing architectural and design touches such as decorative legs, and
countertops and cabinetry that contrast
with those around the perimeter of the
kitchen.
Kitchen renovations continue to be
among the most popular home improvement projects and can offer homeowners a
high return on their investments. A major
kitchen remodel costing about $56,000 can
recoup nearly 68 percent of its cost when
you sell your home, while a minor remodel
in the range of $19,000 can yield a 79 percent ROI upon resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.
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April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
35
Four designer touches every well-dressed deck will wear this season
W
hen spring arrives will your
deck be ready for “primetime?”
Or will it still be wearing the
shabby remnants of last season’s look?
Clunky, view-blocking railings, a rectangular layout and dark stain are so last decade.
Before warm weather gets here, consider
upgrading your outdoor living space with
the trends that every well-dressed deck
will be wearing this year.
tra-tec stainless steel cable railings. Do-ityourself kits from manufacturers like The
Cable Connection make it easy to replace
old balusters with stainless steel cable,
creating a sleek, upscale and view-friendly look. The cable can be used with wood,
metal or sleeved posts with a solid core,
and you can retrofit any railing with the
cable. Whether your deck is made of
wood or composite, cable railing works
wherever you would install a traditional
railing, including the deck perimeter and
stairs. Visit www.thecableconnection.
com to learn more.
Cable railing = better views
Whether you’re lucky enough to live on
the water or you spend a lot of time keeping your backyard green and blooming,
wouldn’t it be great to be able to enjoy the
view from your deck? Traditional wooden
railings can block your view, and glass can
be hard to clean.
More view-seeking homeowners
are replacing wooden balusters with Ul-
•
•
•
•
A deck of a different color
Clear sealant for a natural look or subdued rustic hues have long been the colors of choice for decks. This year, expect
to see a plethora of fresh colors popping
up on decks. While changing the color
Kitchens
Bathrooms
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of a wooden deck from a darker hue to
something brighter may be problematic,
composite decking manufacturers have
branched out into a variety of brighter
colors, including whites and light grays.
You’ll even see pops of color like greens
and blues in designs and inserts set into
decking planks.
You can also add color to your deck
through plantings. Think outside the
planter box — and traditional floral plantings — to mix things up with decorative
grasses and leafy foliage that will splash
color around your deck throughout the
summer.
Mixed media ups interest
Wooden planks, wooden railings, stairs
and even furniture — long gone are the
days when decks were single-material
constructions. Today’s decks are a study
in mixed media, incorporating traditional materials like wood, brick and tile with
modern elements such as composite
planks, cable railings and even ceramic tile.
The amalgam of materials can yield
a multitude of patterns, styles and looks.
Pair a traditional wood deck with cable
railing and stairs that descend to a patio
of pavers set in a herringbone pattern.
Use heat-resistant ceramic tile to create
a decorative and functional cooking area
on a composite deck. Varying the materials used in your deck adds visual depth,
interest and excitement to your outdoor
living space.
On the lighter side
Outdoor lighting isn’t just for the purposes of safety, or to extend the deck’s usability well into the night. Lighting can be a
design statement and a powerful decorative element for your deck.
Decorative post caps can add a designer look to railings while also providing ample light for outdoor activities.
Inset lights create mood and ensure safe
footing on stairs. For a soft, glowing effect,
tuck rope lighting beneath upper and lower railings. Don’t forget the beauty of natural light, too; fire pits and chimineas offer
up warmth, ambience and gentle light.
With some designer touches, it’s easy
to turn your deck from dull to delightful
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The
Valley Press
April 9, 2015
Demolition
Trucking
Complete
Landscape
Services
Tree Trimming
and Removal
*
Rte. 44, Avon – Rte. 66, Marlborough – Rte. 322, Southington 866-844-9328
Septic Work
Stone Patios,
Walkways,
Sidewalks
& Walls
All New 2014 Models on Sale!
www.Superior at Home.com
Excavation
& Grading
SIMSBURY, CT 860-651-6130
WWW.CRSLANDSCAPE.COM
Delivery of
Landscape
Products:
including stone,
soil, sand
and mulch
Classifieds
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
REGISTERED PHYSICAL
THERAPIST – PER DIEM
The Farmington Valley VNA is seeking highly skilled, compassionate,
registered physical therapists with 2-3
years clinical experience to conduct
home care visits on a per diem basis.
Our dynamic “HomeCare Elite” agency offers competitive per-visit rates,
mileage reimbursement, and a flexible schedule. Please contact Dyanne
Hanelius, OTR/L at 860-651-3539 or
[email protected].
HAIRSTYLIST-CHAIR RENTAL available in well established upscale Avon
salon. All inquiries will be kept confidential. Please call Clyde St.Amand’s
Hair Design at 860-674-8400.
CAREGIVERS WANTED
Immediate Openings
We are looking for responsible,
mature individuals who enjoy
working with the elderly and making
a difference in someone’s life.
Good Pay
Choose Your Own Hours
Health/Dental/401k Benefits Available
Positions Available
Throughout the State.
Must have car available
(except live-ins)
Apply Online Today At
www.caregiverjobsct.com
or call 888-844-4442
DCP HCA 0000101
At Your Service
WEBSITES
HOUSE CLEANING
Websites done right
JCWeb makes professional business
websites and gets you listed on Google and up to 90 different directories.
Call James at 860-940-8713 or visit
www.jcweb.org
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]
Farmington Valley VNA
8 Old Mill Lane
Simsbury, CT 06070
www.farmingtonvalleyvna.org
EOE
Companions &
Homemakers Inc.
At Your Service
Wanted
I BUY houses
AS-IS. Cash.
Call TODAY
860-674-9498 or
Email:
john@boucherbuilding.
com.
CT.REG.# 530518.
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
POLISH /ENGLISH SPEAKING
WOMAN CAN CLEAN
YOUR HOME.
3RD CLEANING - 50% off.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
Insured. Bonded. Call 860-538-4885
HOUSE CLEANING
Polish lady is looking for houses to
clean. Insured, reliable, many years
of experience, excellent references.
Second cleaning 50% OFF.
Please call Mariana
860-748-3172
At Your Service
HOUSE CLEANER
Reliable, experienced, Polish lady
will clean your house at a great price.
Free estimates
860-830-4750
Flexible schedule
HOUSE CLEANER
Residential/commercial cleaning.
References available.
Competitive pricing. First cleaning
comes w/a free plate of homemade
Polish pierogis!
Call Regina 860-869-5021.
Does Health Insurance confuse you?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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! 860-922-2005
Come see why people say “I have my health insurance with Dylan!”
Free no obligation no pressure consultation at my office in
Farmington or home visits available upon request! 860-922-2005
Call Dylan Cowen at 860-922-2005 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
Give the
Gift
of Time
End of Winter Special
3 hours for $99.00
First time customers only. Expires 3/13/15.
.Daily, Weekly and One-Time Rates Available
Bonded & Insured, Gift Certificates
BBB Accredited and Angies List Approved
MORAWSKI CLEANING LLC
A Super Service Award Winner
Call Sandy at 860-651-4601 • MORAWSKICLEANING.COM
[email protected]
Read our newspaper online at www.TurleyCT.com
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
37
Home Improvement
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
$150- 6 weeks $300-13 weeks Add WEST HARTFORD Press for 1/2 Price!
$29-1 week
BATHROOMS
BATHROOM
Remodeling Your Bathroom?
Bathroom
Pros
Suffield
668-8000
West Hartford
232-8002
bathroompros.com
BATHROOMS
REMODELING
Baths & Tiling Our Specialty
Full & Partial Remodels
Also...Kitchens, Floors, Painting,
General Repairs & more
DO IT NOW Affordable Remodeling
203.434.0021
860.505.8537
HIC #613103
CT’s Bathroom Remodeling Experts
CT LIC #0673079
CEILINGS
CEILING EXPERT
F
U
L
L
Y
CEILINGS
Water Damage
Repair • Plaster
Sheetrock
L
I
C
E
N
S
E
D
28 years experience. Free Estimates. Insured.
860-890-6704
6
2
8
0
5
4
Texture Spray ~ Painting
Call Robert
CHIMNEYS
Custom Bathrooms CEILINGS
by Todd Malinosky
Specializing In: Cracked And Water
Damaged Ceilings
specializing in
• Textured Ceilings • Drywall & Plaster Repair
• Ceiling Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting
& Refinishing
• New Ceiling Installation
• Bathtub Reglazing
Custom Design Tiling with
Mosaic, Stone, Marble,
and Porcelain materials.
CT License #557873
Call
HIC 0638889
CHIMNEYS
Insured • Prompt Service
SPRAY-TEX
for
FREE estimate
860-749-8383 • 860-930-7722
Call 860-706-2565 Today,
for a FREE quote!
CHIMNEYS
We knock out
DECKS
Home of the
LLC
the Competition
$99
• We specialize in wood and
composite decking/railing
• Professional craftsmanship
• EARLY SPRING SPECIALS
• Free design/consultation
CHIMNEY SWEEP!
With Full Safety Inspection
NEW CONSTRUCTION • REBUILDING • REPAIRS
CAPS • CHIMNEY LINERS • WATER PROOFING
F R E E E S T I M AT E S
HIGH QUALITY WORK
Get inspired at www.decks-r-us.net
860.209.1485 [email protected]
CALL TODAY 860-594-8607 www.chimneychamps.com
$20 OFF
STOVE
ONE CHIMNEY FLUE CLEANING PELLET
CLEANING
Offer Expires 5/30/15
& SERVICING Offer Expires 5/30/15
VALLEY CHIMNEY SWEEP LLC
Pro Installer
Elite
G R E AT P R I C E
CHIMNEYS
$20 OFF
CEILINGS
*R*US
CHIMNEYS
CHIMNEYSDECKS
DECKS
CHIMNEY
CHAMPS
You Dream It, We Build It!
&
I
N
S
U
R
E
D
BATHROOMS
CHIMNEYS
CHIMNEYS
IS YOUR CHIMNEY UNSAFE?
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE
Specializing
in restoration
NO OBLIGATION CHIMNEY INSPECTION
Chimney Relining • Rebuilds & Water Leaks • Chimney Cleaning • Stainless Steel Caps
Mortar Deterioration? Cracked Crowns? Bad Flues? Liner Deterioration? Loose Bricks?
These problems can cause water damage to your roof and inside your home
and result in bad ventilation for your furnace and fireplace.
860-623-5359
Email: [email protected]
OVER
OVER2928YEARS
YEARSEXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
220 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton Village, Canton, CT 06019
Since 1984
HIC License #0674006
860-693-3404
WWW.VALLEYCHIMNEYSWEEPLLC.COM
DRIVEWAYS
DRIVEWAYS
R P AV
WE
I
Since 1958
E
Call For Free Estimates
CPA REG. #593039
860-521-6942
Senior Citizen Discounts • Insured & Guaranteed
ELECTRICAL
Over 30 Years In Business
LIC. #104659
CIZEK ELECTRIC INC.
Additions * New Homes
Service Up-grades * Service Calls
* Generator Hook Ups * Prompt Service
860-673-0747
38
The
RENEW ASPHALT
MAINTENANCE
Valley Press April 9, 2015
Visit Our Website:
www.hardyschimney.com
EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Darrell
ADVANCED
• Sealcoating
• Hot Crack Filling
• Line Striping
with any chimney repair
work done
EQUIPMENT REPAIR
Pick Up & Delivery
Available
EQUIPMENT
G
COMMERCIAL &
RESIDENTIAL
✔ Driveways
✔ Parking Lots
✔ Excavating
N
BR
LICENSED & INSURED • CT LIC. #564099
FREE
CHIMNEY CLEANING
Kyle
INC.
EQUIPMENT SERVICE & REPAIR
SPRING TUNE-UPS!
860.953.6519
155 Brickyard Road, Farmington
www.renew-asphalt.com
Call for
Free Estimates
CT Lic. 575422
860-269-3103
www.advancedequipmentct.com
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL
Brannack Electric Inc.
Residential * Commercial * Industrial
Call today
for your
FREE, no
obligation
consultation
& estimate.
860-242-6486
35 Peters Road
Bloomfield
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
ELECTRICAL
FLOORS
KITCHENS
A.D. FLOORS
ACCENT BUILDING, CO.
ACCENT KITCHENS, LLC
Wood Floors
Sanding & Refinishing
of West Hartford
35 yrs. consistent, quality service.
Very reasonable prices.
Call Tony - leave a message or
available after 6:00pm.
860-953-4732
HOME IMPROVEMENT
A Full Service Building Contractor
• Kitchens
• Basements
• Dormers
• Barns
• Offices
• Designs
• Additions
• Media Rooms
• Garages
• New Homes
• Restaurants
• Consulting
860-740-2161
203-819-1612
Over 25 Years Experience
www.accentbuildingco.com Licensed & Insured | HUD 203K & RRP Certified
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
www.JPCountryBuilders.com
John T.Yacawych
- COMPLETE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR -
• Siding
• Decks
• Kitchens
Replacement
•Windows & Doors
• Siding • Decks
• Bathrooms
• Remodeling
• Improvements
SMALL OR LARGE • WE DO IT ALL!
www.berkshirewoodsmiths.com
Licensed & Insured
860.738.4931 or 203.232.9114
Lic. #HIC0625936
860-589-2267
Pat Collin
Lic#0621710
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
NICK
* Concrete * Stone Walls * Patios
* Bricks * Belgium Blocks * Chimneys
* Wood Fencing
203-206-2839
HOME IMPROVEMENT
ADVANCED PRO HOME IMPROVEMENT
• Additions • Vinyl Siding Trim
HIRE
• Sunrooms • Flooring
US
• Garages • Drywall & Taping
because
• Interior Painting
• Decks
we like
• Windows • Popcorn Ceilings
what
we do!
• Snowplowing
• Roofing
• Kitchens
One Call Does It All!
• Bathrooms
Quality Work Cleanup Daily
• Basements
Over 20 Years Experience
• Complete
Landscaping
Services
SENIOR
DISCOUNTS
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Visit us at www.dhradomski.com
LOW
PRICES
FULLY
INSURED
Lic. #578351
CT REG.
ROOFING
#509749
SIDING • WINDOWS
DOORS • GUTTERS • DECKS • AWNINGS
• 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
D.H. RADOMSKI, INC.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Jim Barrett, Owner
High in Quality and Dependability
CT. LIC. #602130 • Office (860) 796-0131
FREE ESTIMATES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
We canCHARLIE’S
rebuild stone walls
860-296-3405
HOME IMPROVEMENT
AVALLONE
CONTRACTORS
ROOFING
SIDING
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
GUTTERS
ADDITIONS
TOTAL REMODELING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
In business for a blessed 29 years
(860) 582-0712
Fax: (860)410-1190 or (860) 583-2183
PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT • Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp & Liability
Email: [email protected]
HOME IMPROVEMENT
JUNK REMOVAL
Home Repairs
Junk Removal
$149
35 Years Experience
For single truck load up to 1 Ton
All Type Home Repairs
Quality Work • Free Estimates
Reasonable Rates • Professional Service
PLUS INTERIOR FINISH CARPENTRY
CUSTOM TRIMWORK & BUILT-INS
PINNACLE
MAINTENANCE,
LLC.
WWW.JOHNVALISWOODWORKING.COM
LANDSCAPING
LANDSCAPING
Arboretum
LANDSCAPE & DESIGN, LLC
Spring Cleanups • Mulching • Mulch Deliveries
Stone Work • Patios • Retaining Walls
Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Pruning • Plantings
CT LIC# 0630444
FULLY INSURED
MASONRY
860-906-6736
MASONRY
Free Estimates
Booca
Masonry Company
•
•
•
•
Stone/Brick Walls
Side Walks/Steps
Fireplaces/Chimneys
Firepits/Outside Living
(203) 263-0109
Cell: (203) 558-8019
[email protected]
WWW.BOOCAMASONRY.COM
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
John Valis Woodworking
Insured 860-485-9420 Reg. #550090
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
HOME IMPROVEMENT
860-653-4677
HOME IMPROVEMENT
860-798-4275
DESIGN AND REMODEL YOUR HOME
Fully
Insured
We can rebuild stone walls
Email: [email protected]
CT License #HIC0616677
www.advancedprosite.com
860-483-1912
Lic#
0631459
• Site Work
• Backhoe Service
• Bobcat, Wood Chipper For Hire
• New Lawns Installed
• New Septic Systems & Repairs
• Small Demolition Work
Serving the Farmington Valley
for over 10 years
FREE
ESTIMATES
No Job Too
Small
[email protected]
860-250-1715
CONSTRUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
Carpentry • Roofing
Decks • Siding • Porches
Windows • Masonry
Landscaping
Custom Ceramic Tile
Home Improvement Contractor
So Many Amateurs . . . So Few Professionals!!
Old Fashioned Quality You Can Live With
860-738-1502
ROCKY
CONSTRUCTION
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
BARRETT ENTERPRISES LLC
Since 1988
Remodeling
•Additions • Baths
•Kitchens
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Lic.#514976
Tree Removals
Expert Tree Climbers & Crane Service
Land Clearing • Brush Clearing
Shrub Removal • Hardscaping
New Lawn Installations
LANDSCAPE
CONTRACTORS
• 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
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
LANDSCAPING
MASONRY
KC 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
April 9, 2015
The
Valley Press
39
MASONRY
MASONRY
F&R MASONRY
ALEX EUROPEAN MASON
All work done by Father and Son
• Stonewalls
• Sidewalks
• Steps
• Chimneys
• Patios
• Repairs & more
Lic #0637257
PAINTING
L.A.G. Painting Services
ANY JOB AROUND YOUR HOME
Over 30 years experience
Interior & Exterior
Retaining Walls, Chimney Repair,
Steps, All Masonry Services
Painting, Carpentry, Roofing, Drywall,
Tiling, Masonry, Hardwood Floors,
Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling,
Power Washing & Roof Washing
Free Estimates • Fully Insured
203-232-0257 Lic. #0580443
860-810-4196
Insured
For Free Estimates
203-805-9114
PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING
VALLEY PAINTER BRECHUN
Interior & Exterior Painting
Simsbury’s Hometown Painting Company
Serving the Valley since 1980
Power Washing,
Deck Staining, Light Carpentry
FULL CREW READY TO GO
EXTERIOR SPECIALS
25 years of experience
in Farmington Valley
Quality Craftsmanship • Competitive Prices
Reg #0562179
Call Peter Sottile 860-658-7745
EPA
CERTIFIED
Insured - Interior & Exterior • CT Reg. #562798
PAINTING
860-673-7280
PAINTING
In need of having a couple of rooms painted?
Let
PAINTING
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
We also offer general handyman/repair services.
Our success is based on your satisfaction. Since 1986.
860-706-7479 or 860-897-1735
Manoel
Paulo
PAINTING
PAINTING
ZB PAINTING
Interior & Exterior
HIC#0629057
Pro Quality
Painting & Home
Repair, LLC
860-201-7788
www.pqpainting4u.com
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
• High Quality interior/exterior painting
• Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations
• All home repair • Fully licensed and insured
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
The best decision you’ll ever make
PAINTING
PAINTING WALLPAPERING
& PAINTING
PROFESSIONAL HOME
IMPROVEMENT-REMODELING
INTERIOR SPECIALS FOR
THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
2 rooms plus a 1/2 bath
785 includes materials
$
Any 3 rooms plus a 1/2 bath
$
includes materials
978.67
Refer a friend, you both receive 10% OFF
ZIBBY DRZAZGOWSKI
(860) 675-4025
Farmington
KITCHENS - BATHROOMS - WALLPAPER
TILES- BASEMENTS - ATTICS
ALUMINUM SIDING
Hanging • Removal
Interior Painting
Wall Prep • Skim Coating
Guaranteed Quality
28 years experience. Free Estimates. Insured.
[email protected]
860-890-6704
CONN. LICENSE NO. 536406 COMPLETE INSURANCE
PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING
WATER DAMAGE REPAIR
PAINTING &
PAINTING -ALL PHASES
CEILING REPAIR
• Ceilings – Textured or Smooth –
Repaired, Repainted, or Replaced
• Woodwork – Crown Molding, wainscoting,
etc – Installed, Repaired or Replaced
• Drywall & Plaster Repairs
• Wallpaper Removal & Hanging
Olde Tyme Service
Call Andrew at 860-930-0392 or 860-659-1296
I will respond to all phone calls and will be present on all jobs.
Over 25 years experience. Insured • Free estimates • 24 Hour Message Center
CT LIC. #621995 • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
www.OldeTymeServiceLLC.com
ROOFING
ROOFING
PAINTING
Small renovations,
home repair, carpentry
& painting.
Complete prep.
T.C. Home Improvement
Cell 860-916-6287
Free
Estimates Home 860-523-4151
PLUMBING
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.
Call today and we will
show you quality still
makes a difference!
ROOFING
ROOFING
ROOFING • SIDING
• WINDOWS • & more...
A&J
Quality Roofing LLC
Call now.
Roofing
& Siding
Sale!
Quality Always Comes First
OUR FAMILY SERVING YOURS SINCE 1956
Lic #:HIC0607969
Gregory Erisoty (860) 836-9427
Jim Erisoty- Founder (860) 693-2803
www.a-jqualityroofing.com
HARMONY
Home Improvement (860) 645-8899
Creating HARMONY
between customer,
contractor & community
LICENSED ( HIC0503809) & INSURED
Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Chimney Flashing & Carpentry
VINYL SIDING WINTER SPECIAL
Ranches/Capes start at $7300 (1000 SQ. FT)
Raised Ranch/Colonials start at $9000 (1200 SQ. FT)
Free estimates. Absolute lowest prices possible!
Deal direct with owner.
REPAIRS/GARAGES
Lic. #0639246
40
The
Valley Press April 9, 2015
Hann’s On Home Improvement
860-563-2001
WINDOWS
When It Comes To Tree Service
We Run Rings Around The Competition.
TREE CARE OR TREE REMOVAL
Grimshaw Tree Service
and Nursery Company
Call 860-658-4420 for a free
estimate or for more information
on how we can
Central Connecticu
r th
t si
No
nc
help your trees.
g
e
in
Smartwood available
grimshawtreeco.com
68
19
860-614-1173
Ct Lic. #547581. Fully licensed & Insured.
TREES
rv
STUMPS?
G OT
Call
VALLEY STUMP
GRINDING, LLC
SIDING
Se
STUMPS
Fully Insured
FREE Estimates
Lic. #604200
“Residential”
WINDOWS & DOORS
*Sales * Service * Installation*
860-747-8875
thewindowmanofct.com * [email protected]
*Bill Morrell Contractor * Ct Lic.#0509785 * Insured*