June 25, 2015 - TurleyCT.com
Transcription
June 25, 2015 - TurleyCT.com
Family... Friends... FUN! PRSRT STD US POSTAGE THE HOP BROOK TENNIS CLUB y r a s r OPEN HOUSE JULY 19TH! 70th Aninoinv!e Celebrat PAID PALMER, MA PERMIT #22 12-4PM l All you can eat l Free tennis & paddle clinics 273 WESTLEDGE ROAD, WEST SIMSBURY, CT EMAIL hopbrook@yahoo.com FACEBOOK Hop Brook Tennis Year-round racquet club in a beautiful rustic wooded setting League play for men and women l Lighted courts for paddle and tennis Valley PRESS AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY IN SPORTS Good year for Granby PAGE 25 Vol. 7, Edition 26 Thursday June 25, 2015 in the press CRCOG grants funds locally Valley towns together with Bloomfield were honored for their cooperative spirit. At its annual meeting Tuesday, June 16, the Capitol Region Council of Governments awarded the municipalities of Avon, Canton, Simsbury, Farmington, Granby, East Granby and Bloomfield funds for joint equipment purchases to be shared by their public works departments, said Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson. PAGE 17 Board votes to broadcast Residents will be able to watch a Farmington Board of Education meeting on television or the Internet as soon as October. PAGE 17 Photos by Ted Glanzer Graduates say goodbye to high school halls Graduations were held throughout the Farmington Valley in recent days, with hundreds of graduates crossing the stage to receive their diplomas. Above, left, a graduate processes into the Simsbury High School ceremony Friday, June 12. Above, right: Salutatorian Ella Ackerman is congratulated by Granby Memorial High Principal Dr. Mary Gadd. Pictured inset: A Farmington graduate decorated her cap with a hopeful message. See more photos inside. LAND FREE Every Building On Sale Plus Free Upgrades & Free Delivery*! KloterFarms.com 860-871-1048 216 West Road Ellington, CT Mon & Wed 9-6, Tu & Th 9-7, Fri 9-5, Sat 8-5 • Closed Sun *FREE DELIVERY in CT, MA, RI $1500 min. purchase. Extra charge for Cape Cod. 12x24 T-1-11 Manor Cape Garage Reg $12,910 Sale $10,974 12x16 T-1-11 English Garden Reg $6185 Sale $5257 Plus $600 Free Upgrades! Plus $300 Free Upgrades! (shown with carriage door, cupola & transoms upgrade) (shown with cupola upgrade) 10x12 Signature T-1-11 Cape Reg $3235 Sale $2750 Plus $100 Free Upgrades! Wild about animals NEWS THIS WEEK A&E Quotes of Note “They like being at the highest point on a pole, platform or post. ... What they’re doing is mimicking that platform of a dead tree. ... The cell towers make a real nice substitute for those dead trees that they used to find.” 3 The Buzz 13 Calendar 14 Town News 17 Editorial 22 Business 24 Sports 25 Classifieds 29 -Brian Hess in “Cell tower work delayed...” on page 19 Courtesy photo 14 While hiking Taine Mountain in Burlington, reader Ann Jurkiewicz came across a garter snake. “She lifted her head to look at me, which is why it’s a bit blurry,” she explained. “Garter snakes are great to have in your garden. They eat many pests.” If you have a photo of a critter that you’ve spotted locally, submit it for this segment to Abigail at aalbair@turleyct.com. Include “Wild About Animals” and the animal spotted in the subject line, as well as your town of residence. All submissions will be considered for inclusion in a future edition. THE DOCTOR IS IN. UConn welcomes Christopher Morosky, M.D. OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST Dr. Morosky is an accomplished obstetrics and gynecology expert. He is a graduate of the UConn School of Medicine where he also completed his internship and residency. His research interests include contraception, reducing the Cesarean delivery rate and preventing complications of gynecologic surgery. OFFERING PERSONALIZED CARE FOR: • General obstetrics and gynecology • Contraception • Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases • Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery OFFICE LOCATIONS: Farmington, East Hartford, and Southington LANGUAGES: Spanish and Japanese MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY. Call 860.679.2792 or visit uchc.edu 263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON, CT 800 CONNECTICUT BOULEVARD, EAST HARTFORD, CT 1115 WEST STREET, SOUTHINGTON, CT uchc.edu 2 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 “The Hartford has repeatedly said that the joint work with the town on the charrette has been very helpful and is contributing to the successful refurbishing of that space.” -Tom Cooke in “‘Significant action’ for Hartford site...” on page 20 PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Simsbury resident directs show File photo Pictured above is a scene from a previous year’s Celebrate America performance at the Performing Arts Center. Celebrate America at HSO’s music festival July 3 The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival will Celebrate America with music and fireworks Friday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows. Led by guest conductor and former Simsbury High School student Eric Dudley and featuring the vocal forces of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church Choir, the program will feature such patriotic favorites as “The Star Spangled Ban- ner,” “Armed Forces Salute,” Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” plus music of the Americas including spirituals, South American folk music, Dixieland and more. Fireworks will take place after the concert. Rain date is Saturday, July 4. Advance single lawn tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under at 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony. org. Adult single lawn tickets are $25 at the gate. Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, has opened its third show in the 2015 season with the hilarious farce “Moon over Buffalo” written by Ken Ludwig. The final performances will be Friday-Sunday, June 26-28, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Much like last season’s Little Theatre hit “Noises Off,” this madcap comedy is sure to delight audiences. Karen Sidel of Simsbury, whose last role with Little Theatre was in 2008 as Madam Arcati in “Blithe Spirit,” directs the show, and the cast includes Little Theatre newcomers Rosemarie Beskind of Simsbury, Zach Gray, Bruce Larsen and Rachel West-Balling, along with Mitch Hess, Christine Voytko, Erin Williams and Mike Zizka. According to Sidel, the play is “a delightful comedy, a classic five-door farce, with mistaken identities, slamming doors, love lost and found, and an ending that’s both tidy and unexpected.” Tickets range from $19$24. Call 860-647-9824. Puppet Show Day at Farmington Libraries On Wednesday, July 1, the Farmington Libraries will be hosting two puppet shows to delight little ones. Sparky’s Puppets will perform “Every Hero Has a Story” at 10:30 a.m. at the Barney Library, 71 Main St., Farmington. Puppets to Go will perform “The Last Dinosaur” at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library, 6 Monteith Drive. “Every Hero Has a Story” shows that you never know who will save the day - it’s not always the biggest and strongest. The show is a lively collection of tales about some surprising heroes. Watch a tiny mouse rescue a huge lion, and discover an unexpected character who proves to be the “greatest of all.” Sparky’s Puppets dramatize favorite children’s stories with colorful puppets, lively humor and plenty of audience participation. Puppeteer Bob Nathanson presents “The Last Dinosaur” for the kickoff show in the Libraries’ Wacky Wednesday series. A young boy accidentally activates a time machine in a natural history museum ... and so begins a fascinating journey back through time. In this original, story, the boy encounters all sorts of awesome dinosaurs. The programs are open to all ages. Advanced registration is required. Register in advance by calling the libraries at 860-6736791, or visiting the libraries’ web site at www.farmingtonlibraries.org. ComicCon Festival at Burlington Library A ComicCon Festival and summer reading kickoff for those entering grades 5-12 will be Saturday, June 27, noon-4 p.m. at the Burlington Library, 34 Library Lane, The schedule of events is: noon-1:30 p.m., cartooning demo by professional cartoonist Scott Lincoln, creator of “Ralf the Destroyer”; 1:30-3 p.m., digital manga drawing demo by local artist Taylor Murphy; 3-3:30 p.m., CosPlay Iron Chef, compete in teams to create timed super hero costumes; noon-4 p.m., Super Hero Craft; noon-4 p.m., CosPlay photo op, come dressed as one’s favorite Super Hero and have the photo superimposed in a choice of backgrounds; noon-4 p.m., ongoing showings of Super Hero Cartoons; noon-4 p.m., comic book vendors. Sign up for 2015 Summer Reading Program, Unmask the Power of Reading. Earn a raffle ticket for every book read at one’s reading level over the summer. Historic Gardens Day has local stop Enjoy this special statewide celebration of Connecticut’s historic gardens Sunday, June 28, noon4 p.m. Enjoy lemonade and fresh fruit in the Sunken Garden at Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington. Hear about the Ladies of the Sunken Garden in a short talk at 1 p.m. by Lea Anne Moran, garden manager. Bring the children: drawing and coloring materials will be provided. For information on other gardens open to the public that day, visit CT Historic Gardens. Lori Racicot-Burrous of West Simsbury won the 2015 Historic Gardens Day Poster Art Contest. Strawberry Festivals coming up this weekend It’s strawberry festival time and there will be two in the Valley over the weekend. The West Granby United Methodist Church Strawberry Festival will be Saturday, June 27, noon-4 p.m. at 87 Simsbury Road. For more information, call 860-653-7437. On Sunday June 28 from 4-7 p.m., the First Congregational Church, Canton Center, will host its annual festival. Adult-sized shortcakes are $6.50 and the junior size is $5. Grilled hot dogs for $3 and hamburgers for $4 and beverages for $1.50. Home Equity Line of Credit 2.75% * apr (prime -0.50%) Endless possibilities right this way A great rate. No closing costs. With a home equity line of credit you have access to money whenever you need it. Take advantage of the equity in your home; buy that vacation home, pay college tuition, tackle home improvements, or consolidate debt. We will help you every step of the way. Visit simsburybank.com/heloc for more information and to ind an advisor near you. NMLS #441327 The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 2.75% is variable and based on the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal (3.25% as of May 20, 2015) minus .50% and will change along with changes in the index. Minimum rate is 2.75% APR. Maximum rate is 18.0% APR. Requirements to obtain this rate include a credit score of 740 or above (credit scores between 680 and 739 are eligible for the Prime Rate as described above), maximum LTV of 80% and an annual fee of $35.00. 10 year draw period followed by 10 year repayment period. Prepayment penalties may apply, consult a Mortgage Loan Advisor. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. All loans are subject to credit approval. New Simsbury Bank HELOCs only. Rates are subject to change without notice. O er may be withdrawn at any time. June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 3 Grads make ‘H15story’ T Above: Valedictorian Paige Holden hugs Granby Memorial High Principal Dr. Mary Gadd. Left: Class President Ivy Nguyen introduces teacher Michael Dombrowski. Above: Granby Memorial High’s Class of 2015 Class Scholars Photos by Ted Glanzer Right: A Granby Memorial High graduate hits a beach ball during the 58th annual commencement exercises. he 160 members of Granby Memorial High’s Class of 2015 made history – or H15story – according to class speaker Julia Mazzotta during her student address on the school’s turf field June 18. Mazzotta cited achievements such as “Peter Pan” being the highest-attended show ever at the school; students being accepted to 240 colleges and universities nationwide; and the three state titles in girls volleyball, boys ice hockey and girls lacrosse. The graduates showed their unity by wearing green and orange ribbons in memory of classmate Gregory Tarbox, who died in 2012. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan Addley advised students to pursue their dreams. “The theme is to follow your dreams, live every day to the fullest,” Addley said before quoting Winston Churchill. “Never give in.” Teacher Michael Dombrowski delivered a powerful commencement address urging graduates to be heroes by lending an ear to someone who needs to be heard or a voice to someone who requires an advocate. Board of Education Chairman Ron Walther told graduates that, while their high school years may have been great, they should look forward to adulthood for what truly will be the best years of their lives. FHS seniors ‘level up’ S truggling to come up with a theme for her graduation speech, Anne Sherrill, Farmington High’s valedictorian for the Class of 2015, received a series of fortune cookies from her aunt. The messages ranged from the whimsical (“The end is near, might as well eat dessert”) to, ultimately, the more sober (“Adopt an attitude of gratitude”). Sherrill was one of 332 graduates who received diplomas Wednesday, June 17 at Farmington High’s graduation ceremony. In a far-flung, entertaining speech, salutatorian Danielle Swanson said that life was like a video game. “Congratulations, you just passed Level 1,” she told her fellow graduates. Leaving high school is “just leveling up.” Class President Austin Zhu took a moment to remember former classmate Mateusz Maciulewski, who died in 2012. “I remember him as a kid who was always smiling, always in a good mood, always friendly,” Zhu said. Teacher Debra Jeffers, who was selected to be the graduation speaker, told the story of how she was visited during a hospital stay by five of her seniors. “Your presence and compassion made me stronger,” she said. “Class of 2015, I love you.” Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Greider told graduates to remember life’s three H’s: humility, health and happiness. 4 The Valley Press Farmington High Class of 2015 President Austin Zhu addresses graduates. Photos by Ted Glanzer Members of the Farmington High School Class of 2015 walk into the ceremony. Farmington High salutatorian Danielle Swanson delivers her speech. June 25, 2015 Left: A grad processes into the commencement ceremony; above: a triumphant mortar board Congratulations Class of 2015 Farmington High School Lucious Addison, Haseeb Afghaine, Sarah Al-Arshani, Dominic Alfano, Katherine Lynn Alperin, Meshail A. Alvi, Alicia Anachasian, Abigail Judith Arena, Jason Ashton, Francisco Manuel Astiasaran, Yagmur Atay, Benjamin Aubé, Griselle M. Aviles, Priscilla Hyangmog Back, Kaelin Carroll Baker, Sabrina Bald, Anthony Balkaran, Vivian NgocAnh Bang, Lauren Batton, Angelina Rose Bazzano, Kendall Taylor Benjamin, Andre Christopher Bernier, Monique R. Bernier, Brandon Biney, Byron A. Biney, John Carson Bombara, Sophie Borg, Samantha Boutwell, Katerina A. Bouzakis, Peter William Bowser, Jr., Brittany Bozzuto, Anna Rebecca Bradford, Beatrix Rose Bradford, Jose David Briones Lanche, Jack Brockelman, Samantha Brooks, Christina Marie Burgio, Allison Susan Burns, Shinhui Cai, Joshua G. Campbell, Benjamin Robert Carroll, Shyheim D. Carson, Dinora Iris Carter, David W. Casella, Griffin Daniel Cecil, Michael F. Chaia, Nyla Nichole Chase, Kimberly Paige Chemente, Eugenie P. Chen, Brandon Cheng, Nithisha Chittajallu, Justin Michael Cirone, Brendan M. Clark, Shaun Patrick Clark, Matthew Ryan Cohen, John Andrew Colavecchio, Jessica Lynn Colwick, Cami Coppage, Abby Jean Corrigan, Tyler Steven Cowles, Jeffrey Brian Crook, Brigit A. Cruess, Julie Ann Cunningham, Matthew Thomas Cunningham, Kurt Joseph Daigle, Kaitlyn Marie DaSilva, Madeline Rose DelGreco, Michael Robert Delldonna, Mason A. DeMilo, Gabriela Rossini Denardi, Matthew R. DePietro, Molee Desai, Emily Louise D’Eugenio, Matthew T. DeVoe, Nicholas M. DiLullo, Cory James DiMatteo, Roger J. Dionne, Jr., Jordan Paul DiTommaso, Laura Marie DiVirgilio, Nicholas Michael D’Occhio, William Donald, Amanda Jane Donelan, Lin Dong, Kaylee Beverly Drab, Nicholas Anthony Droddy, Eric D’Souza, Aidan Duggan, John Dunphy, Peter M. Dunst, Seth Eastman, Joshua Benjamin Endler, Lauren Elizabeth English, Caitlin Irene Farnan, Larissa Anastasia Farnan, Michael Joseph Feinberg, Derek D. Fern, Ethan L. Finn, Kayla Brooke Fisher, Taryn Fitzsimmons, Austin Richard Fleming, Le’Andrea Monaee Fletcher, Noah Matthew Floeser, Amanda M. Foga, Devaun L. Ford, Ryan A. Forsythe, Amanda Fox, Brian Fox, Rachel Mary Francini, Olga Frejlich, Rachel Danielle Friedland, Hannah Isabella Friend, Jeffrey James Fuller, Mason H. Gadd, Tyler Galske, Maxwell Grant Germano, Nathaniel Godfrey, Megan Marie Gombatz, Rachel Nicole Gombatz, Andrew Thomas Goss, Taylor Lin Gouveia, Michael Foley Griffin, Noah M. Gulino, Nikhil Gutha, Connor D. Habecker, Daniel Christopher Hardiman, Joseph Andrew Harrell, Anne Elizabeth Harris, Sarah Jeanne Held, Ian C. Higgins, Brianna Imani Holt, Yoonsun Houh, Abigail Ivian Isaacs, Matthew John Jablonski, Linna Elizabeth Jalinskas, Alexander H. James, Morgan Alex Jawitz, Rohan Abraham John, Harold Martin Johnson III, Tyler Johnson, Benjamin Johnston, Andrew Josey, Cristiana Tasia Kamais, Victoria Elizabeth Karwowski, Kiryu Kawahata, Matthew Keane, Dylan Kelsey, Jenna-Noor Hyat Khan, Jennifer Killian, Megan Britt Klingner, Rowena Brenda Dealy Kosher, Daniel Kowalski, Ryan Koziol, Drew Justin Labbadia, Emily Rose Ladda, Catherine Lagosz, Jessica Arian Lami, Andrew J. Landini, Lauren Lynn Landry, Owen LaPorte, Zachary Granby Memorial High School Jason Abate, Ella Ackerman, Carolyn Adams, Samy Ahmad, Mia Alexander, Michelle Allen, Amy Bahre, Engin Barolli, Kevin Bates, Sharon Bellone, Megan Bennett, Alexandra Benson, Emily Betterton, Kaylin Boldt, Nikia Bonner, Tess Borsecnik, Josiah Bourque, Matthew Bradley, Joshua Briere, Lindsay Brodeur, Sarah Burns, Cassidy Burrage, Austin Butler, Nicholas Camacho, Sarah Carson, Alyssa Carter, Paul Caruso, Kailey Casassa, Alexus Champion, Brian Christensen, Alexis Conkling, Jennifer Coppa, Leah Cormier, Congratulations Danielle Sullivan Just Keep Swimming . . . We are so proud of you! Love, Mom, Dad & Robbie Carl Lawton, Kevin C. Le, Yea Jin Lee, JingYu Li, Sarah Danuta Lipinski, Adam Daniel Liudzius, Samuel C. Lohner, Richard Lombardi, Elena S. Lynch, Juliette Marie Lyon, Jared Cormier Macaro, Elizabeth Mahonski, Trevor Thomas Maldonado, David John Maljanian, Sarah Elizabeth Mapelli, Shayna Rose Marin, Justin Tyler Marsh, Connor Martin, Isabella Martinelli, Alan Mashkovich, Sean David McCluskey, Sierra Nicole McGinn, Allison Shawn McGovern, Paige McGovern, Christopher Francis McLaughlin, John Tyler McLaughlin, Chad McMorrow, Shevalia Alecia Meggie, Therese Clare Messina, Joseph F. Miano, Devon Marie Michaelis, Amanda Mary Miller, Michael Miller, Anusha Mohan, Michelle Monko, Patrick Monko, Julie Ann Mordasiewicz, Megan Moreno, Alexus Morin, Zenna G. Mould, Elisabeth A. Mucci, Timothy James Nanos, Christopher I. Neal, Moises Nieves Diaz, Olivia Grace Noe, Tess Nogles, Julio Alberto Núñez, Lansing M. Nye-Madden, Jancis O’Brien, Morgan Dorothy O’Coin, Valentina Ossa Hernandez, Alexander Yuri Ostapiuk, Brandon Matthew Paguni, Deepak Pakala, Vishruthi Palanivel, Jaime Elaine Pantelopoulos, Emily Pareles, Danielle Alexandra Paris, Natasha V. Patel, Vinit Patel, Abigail Peltier, Steven Perfito, Jameson D. Petersen, Alan R. Pietrucha, Adrian Pietrzak, Samantha Marie Pittsley, Amanda Eve Plona, Christian August Pluym, Erika Nelle Podlasek, Alicia Marie Popielarczyk, Collin Forbes Porter, Nathan Quercia, Laura Jean Rahmig, Swati Rath, Robert Antonio Raus, Erin Elizabeth Redding, Kelly Rose Rio, Amanda Venus Rivera, Ismael Rivera III, Joshua R. Rivera, Julian A. Rodriguez, Owen Nelson Rogers, Christina Rosario, Hanna Ruth Rosenfield, Sabrina Carmen-Maria Rostkowski, Sarah Wilmot Rua, Darnica Rupiso, Christian Ryder, Connor James Sager, Sadé Heather Samuels, Garrett W. Sanders, Raveeshna Satyaneni, Kyle Scanlon, Victoria Theresa Scata, Lauren Anne Schneider, Connor Daniel Schreck, Quinntieja Diona Scott, Janet Irene Sebastian-Coleman, Brandon A. Seholm, Ethan Sepa, Jacob David Setzko, Shiv Shakti, Megan Catherine Shea, Michael F. Sheely, Lilia Shen, Anne Fielding Sherrill, Elizabeth Talmadge Sherrill, Austin Scott Shoaf, Seth Samuel L. Shoaf, Elijah Flynn Sicklick, Chirag Sikka, Eric M. Sims, Ghuljeet Singh, Joseph Siuta, Seeyashree Sodani, Kyle Stephen Sopelak, Morgan Inez St. James, Christopher Robert Stacy, Julia A. Staszak, Andrew Steele, Mark Timothy Steele, Vincent Stevens, Robert Stolarz, Sara Stranieri, Jonathan Paul Sucato, Olivia Rose Sullivan, Danielle Marie Swanson, Cordell Anthony Szot, Abigayil Rose Talkington, Omar George Taweh, Andrew Joseph Taylor, Daniel J. Theriault, Andrew Marquis Thomas, Christian Thomas, Damayah Unique Thornton, Daniel Tobey, Danielle Rachel Toger, Edward Tomasso, Lucy Powers Tomasso, Sarah Nicole Tritman, Madalyn Joi Trombley, Kirsten Elizabeth Turnbull, Maggie Lynn Underwood, Olivia Lorraine Vallen, Ashley Van Hoof, Rebecca Van Hoof, Olivia Ann Vibert, Daniel Joseph Wackelin, Ashantae Dychelle Walker, Jordan Alexandra Watt, Julie Waxler, Michael David Weber, Palmer Weimann, Connor Charles Welsh, Caitlin A. Westcott, Rachel Mary White, Sarah H. White, Thomas P. Wilcox, Bryan Joseph Williams, Evan Williamson, Trey John Witter, Terrin Michael Wohlford, Peter Wojteczko, Abby Marie Wollenberg, Cydnie Ehnesciou Wolo, Tricia W. Wong, Kyle Wood, Caroline Zeiser, Olivia Rose Zenobi, Austin R. Zhu, Mengjie Zhu, Margaux Zimmerman, Sarah Cassidy Zipp Angela D’Agata, Zachary Davis, Olivia deLeon, Gene Desideraggio, Manuel Desmangles, Mitchell Dorman, Samantha Dunham, David Eke, Emelia Escudero, Adam Farber, Halley Fede, Alysa Ferro, Madison Fink, Anton Fisher, Brendan Flanigan, Emma Florian, Grace Ford, Marisa Frederick, Brynne Fritjofson, Casey Gajewski, Sophie Galarneau, Tanner Gibson, Kaitlyn Goodridge, Riley Gravel, Molly Hammack, Ian Hancock, Jennifer Healy, Michael Heideger, Miranda Hicks, Christopher Holden, Paige Holden, Andrew Holmes, Cali Holt, Kristal Huber, Casey Hunt, Krista Iwanicki, Emily Jackson, Daniel Jacobs, Nathan Jansen, Steffen Janser, Kaylee Jerman, Olivia Johnson, Benjamin Karlson, Shane Kertanis, Jaimee Kidd, Jacob King, Cody Kirschbaum, Anna Kleis, Kathy Kleis, Sabrina Kopf, Alexandria Kulik, Valeria Lachapelle, Ivy LaFreniere, Thomas Langdon, Duke Large, Kerstin Lindgren, Colleen Longley, Tristan Longley, Jessica Manion, Keith Marlor, Erika Martenson, Peter Marzo, Brie-Anna Massoni, Jonathan Mazrek, Julia Mazzotta, Jack McCartney, Colin McManus, Joshua Miller, Malcolm Mongeau, Brendan Moore, Natalie Muller, Melanie Nash, Ivy Nguyen, Joseph Nichols, Joseph Noyes, Ryan Ohannessian, Adam Outlaw, Joan Palacios, Austin Puchalski, Jeffrey Rackliff, Jeremy Ray, Seth, Reinhardt, Rebecca Rising, Kevin Riveiro, Mariah Rocheleau, Taylor Rush, Shannon Ryan, Michael Sayers, Thomas Scallion, Erin Schultheis, Taylor Schwalm, Chadd Schwartz, Ivan Semyanko, Jessica Shaw, Chloe Shoaf, Keven Slyne, Alyssa Smith, Jacob Sonsini, Isaac Stevens, Grace Stingle, Clayton Stupienski, Danielle Sturgeon, Jennifer Szilagyi, Cassidy Tucci, Jeffrey Turcotte, Christopher Tweeddale, Emily Uhl, Molly Ullmann, Hala Van Nostrand, Spencer Vibert, Cameron Vujs, D’yanna Wallace, Zachary Walter, Michael Warchol, Randall Wardrop, Shannon Williams, Henry Wix, Brett Yankauskas, Benjamin Yoder, Megan Young, Amanda Zyzdorf Congratulations Class of 2015 The Valley PRESS June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 5 Alexander Ging told fellow graduates to “think about yourself for once.” Simsbury High Principal Neil Sullivan shakes a graduate’s hand. A member of Simsbury High’s Class of 2015 waves. Exit Through the Gift Shop performs “You Get What You Give” during the commencement ceremony. SHS grads say goodbye N eil Sullivan, the outgoing principal of Simsbury High School, said he knew the Class of 2015 was special in the fall of 2011 when the bleachers of a freshmen boys soccer match was filled with Mallory Barnard, the students screaming, “Ole, Ole, Ole.” Sullivan said there were more fresh- president of Simsbury men students supporting their team than those from other classes who High’s Class of 2015 were watching the varsity match at the turf field. The girls distinguished Kavya Bana themselves a short time later when they took part in their first Powder implored Puff football game, Sullivan said. “You have excelled, inspired and kept it her fellow fun,” Sullivan said at the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2015, which graduates into was held on a beautiful evening at the Performing Arts Center at Sims“Finding the bury Meadows Friday, June 12. The high school conferred diplomas on Balance.” 375 graduates. Class president Mallory Barnard said that she was “proud to be a part of such a spirited class.” Riley Morkan, one of the three student speakers and the class secretary, said he was through with the media telling him how he should look and act. Morkan said it was time for him and his classmates to forge their identities. Photos by Ted Glanzer Canton Class of 2015 looks to the future J ames Treacy, Canton High School’s 2015 valedictorian, loves baseball. His valedictory address focused on the subject, using a story of a Canton Little League game to illustrate the importance of perseverance in the face of failure. The two teams, the Braves and the Angels, had their ups and downs during a recent game. For the Braves, it seemed the game would be lost from the start, but before long the team caught up and surpassed its opponent. “The Braves never let the score change their positive attitude,” Treacy said. “In a matter of minutes, the Braves had gone from what seemed like no hope to changing the game.” The message, according to Treacy, was to try harder. “One breakthrough is always in our grasp,” he said. “Fighting through failure makes us all stronger.” Salutatorian Jonathan Smith also spoke of sports in his salutatory speech and spoke of the resolve, he said, that Congratulations 6 The defined his classmates. Superintendent Kevin Case said he had enjoyed watching the class grow up since fourth grade, when he began his tenure as superintendent. “The question is not what you should do to become successful, but who you should become,” he said. “Success must be guided by conscience so that both the end results and the personal achievement is worthy of respect.” Photos by Sloan Brewster Pictured from left to right: Senior class co-presidents Ben Kelley and Jacob Tilton; Canton High School Principal Drew DiPippo congratulates a graduate as he crosses the stage; valedictorian James Treacy; Board of Education Chair Leslee Hill hands a grad her diploma during the commencement ceremony Friday, June 11. Congratulations Hala Mae Van Nostrand Dr. Ryan J. Van Nostrand Granby Memorial High Girls Lacrosse Goalie State Championship, All State Award All Conference for past two years Graduated with MD and numerous honors from Upstate Medical University, Syracuse New York. She will be attending the University of Southern Maine for Pre-Med He is now a Dr. of Emergency Room Medicine at Vanderbilt, in Nashville, TN where he is doing his ER residency. Valley Press June 25, 2015 Ryan was inducted into the AOA medical honor society. Congratulations Class of 2015 Simsbury High School Samuel; Driscoll, Solveig; DuBois, MacKenzie; Durst, Thomas; Eck, Jason; Eldridge, Griffin; Elfeky, Sharif; Erasmus, Abigail; Estell, Lauren Elizabeth; Euting, Jason; Falkner, John; Fauci, Katherine; Fayerweather, Sarah; Feinberg, Steven; Feldman, Jacob; Fenelon, Allie; Fieger, John Finken, Andrew; Fitzpatrick, Kristen M.; Fleming, Abigail; Fleming, Brittany; Flynn, Daniel; Foley, David; Fountain, Chasya O’Neil Gianna; Fraher, Ondine; Franklin, Sarah; Frulla, Monica; Fukawa, Shinya; Gaborit, Tristan; Galston, Brittany; Gannon, Krista; Garceau, Connor M.; Gauthier, John; Gemme, Mackenzie; George, Alexander; George, William; Gerardi, Daniel; Gillman, Emily; Ging, Alexander; Gino, Melissa; Giorgio, Gina; Glenn, Nicholas; Glissman, Chelsea; Glover, Amy; Goncharov, Andrew; Goncharov, Katherine Gotberg, Kariana; Graham, Zachary; Grandahl, Rebecca; Grigely, Maggie Grobard, Brett; Gross, Mitchell; Grossack, Christopher D.; Gutierrez, Andrew; Hall, Christina; Havighorst, Nicole; Hayes, Hannah; Hedman, Marissa; Heffernan, Kaleigh; Heintz, Carly; Hendershot, Caroline; Hermsen, Jeffrey; Hession, Michael; Heubner, Alison; Ho, Candace; Honc, Joanna; Hug, Christiana; Hughes, Conall; Hulme, Emily; Humphrey, Benjamin; Huscher, Nicole; Iler, Annabelle; Ingle, Jacob; Irvin, Rachel L; Irwin, Sean D.; Jackson, Amanda; Jackson, Ashley; Jackson, Gerald; Jackson, Kayla; Jackson, Tiarra; Jainchill, Marion; Jimenez, Sarah; Johnson, Brian; Jones, Tyler; Juliano, Ryan; Kaljulaid, Brendan; Kapiloff, Jonathan; Keene, Joshua; Kim, SuBin; Klein, Jacob; Klemonsky, Mary; Kliszewski, Justin; Knecht, Sarah; Korten, Zachary; Kowalski, Nicole; Kratzer, David; Kuang, Lori; Kuzmin, Kathleen; LaFrance, Madison; Lamaj, Arber; Lamaj, Brian; Lamb, Jamie; Lange, Ryan; Lauben, Jacob; LaVerde, Shane; LaVigne, John P. Law, Brendan; Lazo, Austin; Lech, Allyson; LeConche, Alycia; Lee, Nicholas Leighton, Abigail; Lemfadel, Moussa; Leon, Margaret; Leone, Zachary; Lepowsky, Eric; Letscher, Jacob; Lievano, Ian; Loftus, Kevin; Loftus, Ryan Lohrey, Grayham; Lorenzen, Emma; Lucker, Piers; Lungarini, Anna; Lungarini, Claudia; Lynch, Amy; Lyons Chilton, Samantha; MacDonald, Nicholas; Madigan, Kyle; Maher, Brian; Mahon Jr., Anthony; Mancarella, Madeline E.; Mangiafico, Jack; Manser, Kiera; Markelon, Daniel; Marrone, Luke; Martensen, Kathleen; Massing, Owen; Maturo, Makayla; McGrady, Kathleen T.; Melanson, Nathalie; Menoret, Pauline; Meuser, Ashley; Michaelsen, Juliet; Michelson, Joshua; Misericordia, Robert Patrick; Molinare, Cameron; Moran, Emma; Moretta, Steven; Morgan, Aryn; Morkan, Riley; Morrison, Jeremy; Morse, Kaela; Mortimer, Joseph; Moses, Shaquoia; Mudano, Christopher; Mueller, Stefanie; Myslow, Madeline L.; Nanzig, Scott; Nardozza, Matthew; Narvaez, Wilfredo; Naughton, Sara J.; Nelson, Matthew; Newton, Thomas; Nigro, Oliver; Ober, Kyle; O’Brien, Rory; O’Connell, John; O’Donnell, Molly; Ogilvie, Rowan; Olechna, Richard; Oleskewicz, Kevin; Olson, Charlie; O’Seep, Carolyn; Ouellette, Jessica; Owusu, Audrey; Palermo, Vincent; Paquette, Alyssa; Paradis, Derek; Pasquariello, Anthony John; Patrina, John; Payandeh, Micah; Peer-Groves, Emily; Peluso, Nicholas; Petersen, Connor; Peterson, Samuel; Petrilli, Richard; Petruzzi, Hannah M.; Picken, Alexander; Pohl, Jacob; Prestigomo, Danielle; Pugmire, John; Pyatt, Anne; Ralphs, Spencer; Rankin, Zarick; Ransley, Ellen; Raters, Zoie; Ricciuti, Anna; Richardson, Brendan Ritz, Jeffrey; Rivera, Teddy; Robinson, Trey-von D.; Robucci, Anthony; Roche, Connor; Root, Casey; Rosenberg, Zachary; Roth, Jennifer Elizabeth Rotondo, Rachel; Russell, Dasczahlene; Sacala, Emily; Sacala, John; Sacala, Sarah; Saint Mary, Kadum Scholastica; Salina, Allison; Salisbury, Tyler; Santana, Julian; Sarkizi, Sabryna; Sartori, Katherine; Schmetterling, Daniel Schmitt, Daniel; Schoffstall, Cameron; Schwapp, Alexis; Serio, Austin; Sgamboti, Mia; Shaffer, James; Shea, Patrick; Sheary, Mikayla; Shepard, Kaitlyn; Shin, Yejie; Shingleton, Judah Christopher; Sickinger, Claire; Sickinger, Stephanie; Simmons, Amanda; Simmons-Thomas, Natalia; Sjogren, Emily; Skalski, Maxwell; Slama, Emily; Sloan, Sophia; Sojkowski, Nicole; Sottile, Dominique; Sowa, Liana; Starrett, Harrison; Stone, Lukas Sullivan, Danielle; Sullivan, Patrick; Sun, Wei-Da; Szerakowski, Philip; Tacuri, Charlie; Tang, Clara; Tanski, Jack; Taylor, Kendall; Taylor, Scott;; Testerman, Emma; Thomas, Ashley; Tice, Grace; Torres, Maria; Tourtillotte, Henry; Turley, Sean; Tyrrell, Meghan; Vang, Pavelon; Vasas, Hailey; Velasquez, Santiago; Vincent, Austin; Voegtle, Katerina; Walsh, Zachary; Walter, William; Welsh, Brenna; Werle, Patrick; Werner, Matthew; Whaley, Jordan; Williams, Peter; Winnick, Sydney; Wollert, Zoe; Wunderle, Sutton; Young, Shannon; Youngstrom, William; Zahorodni, Sarah; Zempsky, Eli C.; Zonenberg, Nicholas E.; Zunino, Michela; Zwick, Katherine Canton High School Truong Donovan, Kevin Anthony DosSantos, Nathan Edward Dube, Jacob Robert Dupre, Walter Thomas Dylag, Samantha Olivia Fine, Amanda Nicole Fitzgerald, Miranda Patricia Fitzpatrick, Jeffrey Richard Fournier, ◊Emma Katherine Frawley, ◊*Luca Nigel Frez-Albrecht, Sarah Melissa Gagnon, Michael Joseph Gardiner, Riley Elle Marie-Ange Gaudet, Austin Taylor Geist, Connor Joseph Gillooly, Eric Hopkins Goeben, *Liam Lucien Golfin, ◊*Anna Gorbenko, Jacqueline Michelle Grabowski, *Heather Leigh Griffin, Sebastian Armand Gumbs, Kevin Quinn Gurry, Nathan Henry Hanson, Richard Evans Hefler IV, Allison Morgan Higley, Katherine Anne Hill, ◊Hope Emery Hiza, Riley Patrick Hollis, Peyton Marie Jackson, Kendra Marie Jacques, Jenna Marie Janssen, *Mark Ivan Jurras IV, Hyun Jong Kang, ◊*Ben William Kelley, Ashlyn Marie Kerr, Akiva Annamia Khodra, Noah Daniel Korner, Ian Reid LaClair, Joseph Mark Lancianese, Dakota Richard Lawson, Jacob Mandel Litton, Alexis Eve Loewe, Peter Hazen Ludwikow, Sofia Malone, Nicholas Joseph Mazzaccaro, Maxwell David McLean, ◊Toria Lyssa Miller, Tyler Everette Mills, Austin William Montano, Conrad Rory Montano, Justin Daniel Mulcahy, Ashley Elizabeth Murray, *Abigail Morgan Mutch, Thomas Imre Nagy, Cole Jeffrey Napierski, Morgan Marie Nickerson, Alexander Grant Olker, Charlotte Suzanne Oswald, *Grace Wilhelmina Otte-Cheney, Caiden Lewis Permenter, Jillian Loreén Stengel Petraitis, Nicole Elizabeth Powe, Jonas Riley Real, Russell Myron Ronan, Gabrielle Taylor Rose, Ryan Calvin Sanger, Abigale Ghislaine Sayre, Richard Donald Schempp III, Augden Elliot Shaw, ◊*Madison Clare Siebers, Athena Skenderidis, Emma Elizabeth Skinner, *Jonathan Andrew Smith, Benjamin Joseph Sullivan, Jack Bailey Sullivan, Olivia Rose Sullivan, ◊*Arthur Jacob Jarvis Yanovsky Tilton, Christina Diana Titarenko, Shane Patrick Toland, ◊*James Emerson Treacy, *Nicolas William Tuccillo, Vincent John Uccello, Kayah Jane Velasquez, Richard Dana Villa, Christopher Joseph Villano, Austin Thomas von Richthofen, Katharine Marie Walker, Pearse Dillon Bard Walsh, Alex Weldon Walters, Elizabeth Kate Whytock, Griffin Herbert Wiles, ◊Dean Roberts Yost, James Daniel Yost, Liam Patrick Yurchick, Olivia Yurchick, Aaron Michael Zagoren, ◊Maggie Zhu Adorno, Joseph; Alicea, Andres; Alicona, Mary; Alix, Catherine; Alkatabi, Mohamed; Amato, Michael; Asselin, Connor; Ayala, Janelix; Azuma, Masashi R; Bailey, Grace; Ballard, Cameron; Balsewicz, Aleksander; Bana, Kavya; Barfield, Taylor; Barnard, Mallory; Barrows, Elijah; Bautista, Emily; Bedson, Eric; Belding, Daniel; Bell, Colin; Bergholtz, Kevin; Berry, Shanan; Betancourt, Jordan; Bitzer, Samuel; Black, Josephine; Blacker, Geoffrey; Block, Brittany; Boggan, Kelly; Bogucki-Baran, Philip; Bolling, Anna; Boogaert, Austin W.; Bouchard, Nicholas; Brady, Kayla; Bramson, Sarah; Brayton, Riley; Brennan, Mason D.; Briggs, Jordan; Brotman, Michaela; Brown, Cashawn; Buckley, Brendan; Bunn, William P.; Burger, Max; Burrows, Jay; Bursiewicz, Eric; Cadenillas, Soheil; Cagganello, Mayra; Callahan, Haley D.; Cameron, Paula; Campson, Graham; Carr, Timothy; Caulton, Dominique; Cayne Yackel, Martin; Centrella, Michael; Chandler, Jonathan; Chapman, Hunter; Chapman, Rayona; Chubb, Breanna Sydney; Church, Kendra; Churchill, Colin; Cirikovic, Mirela; Cirilli, Shannon; Clancy, Brendan; Clark, Alexandra E.; Cobleigh, Zoey; Cole, Emily W.; Colglazier, Sara; Collins, Samuel; Conrad, Marc; Corcoran, Meghan; Couchon, Stephen; Cowling, Brady; Craine, Nathan; Cranfield, Jeremy; Croke, Charles; Crombez, Nicole; Cruz, Xiomary; Cummings, Owen; Daguerre-Bradford, John; Daly, Emily; Daum, Sydney; Day, Kimberly; Deacon, Adriana; Deckers, John; Dell, Samantha; DeMaio, James; Denalsky, Kalyn; Denges, Taylor; Devine, Olivia; Donahue, Nathan; Doucette, Ryan; Drake, Tyler; Drees, Sydney Christine Abate, Logan Douglas Andersen, Andrew Peter Avenia, Brendan David Barr, *Delany Marie Berry, ◊*Margaret Mae Bidwell, ◊Tucker Swan Boman, Brianna Elizabeth Bonetti, Henry Gray Bonini, Zachary Thomas Bowyer, Avery Bryson Buehler, Claire Marie Byko, Dakota Kennerson Carey, Gianna Loren Cassetta, Sarah Marie Cheney, Annaliesa Jayne Chin, ◊Emma Leonor Ciccarillo, Tanner James Clarke, Olivia Jean Claywell, *William Frank Columbia, Bryce Ethan Joseph Contrastano, William Daniel Cote, Cameron Sean Daley, ◊Thomas John D’Amore, Michael Paul Davis, Stephanie Catherine Day, Sedona Christian DeBellis, Matheus Illian DeBorba, Daniel Patrick Delos II, Andrew Joseph DelSanto III, Bryan Thomas DeMarco, Dillon ◊Department scholar; *National Honor Society NEW CAMPUS 160 Granville Road North Granby, CT PATIO OPEN! Let’s meet at the NEW LOCATION Starting June 28 Su nd ay Se r vi c e Fish House Moves to: www.SaybrookFishHouseCanton.com The Intersection of 44, 202 & 179 160 Granville Rd. Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30-4 • Sat. 12-4 Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 4-9 • Fri. & Sat. 4-9:30 • Sun. 12-8 www.valleybrook.cc North Granby Reserv. Accepted: 860.693.0034 • Open 7 Days & 7 Nights OF CANTON est. 1978 June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 7 AHS grads ready for new season Class President Andre Wang gives the farewell address. Lea Jalbert gives her family a thumbs-up after getting her diploma. Graduates toss their caps in the air. H ow do you measure a year? That is not only a lyric from “Seasons of Love” from the popular musical “RENT,” but also a sentiment expressed by Avon High School Principal Christopher Tranberg in his speech at the June 16 graduation of the Class of 2015. The Chamber Choir sang “Seasons of Love” during the ceremony. The song posits Photos by Alison Jalbert Paula Tirado-Mansilla receives her diploma. that a year can be measured in daylights and sunsets, as well as laughter and strife. Tranberg said the juxtaposition of the last two always perplexed him, but realized that combination is part of the high school experience. “Remember, think about how you’re going to measure next year,” he said to the graduates. “The daylights and sun- Graduate Andrew Diamond strikes a more casual pose with Principal Christopher Tranberg and Board of Education Chair Peggy Roell. sets are a given – it’s what you do in between the two that matters.” Molly Hamel, class valedictorian, said many members of the Class of 2015 have lived in Avon their entire lives and are graduating with the same people with whom they started kindergarten. “We’ll soon be in the sea of the unknown,” she said. “We have the power and opportunity to shape our own identity. In the farewell address, Class President Andre Wang said the Class of 2015, as well as all other Avon students, has a reputation for greatness and for “plowing through barriers in front of them.” He told his peers, “We are the Avon High School Class of 2015 and we won’t let anyone forget it.” Mills’ milestone Jay Cizeski speaks. Rebecca Noel gives remarks. L Above: Grads celebrate their achievement by tossing their caps in the air; right: Molli Carr sings “The Star Spangled Banner.” Courtesy photos Class President Cooper Smelski and Vice President Jillian Keegan 8 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 ewis S. Mills High School held its annual commencement ceremony Monday, June 22. The graduation was held, as it is each year, at the Warner Theatre in Torrington. The class of 2015 comprised 189 graduating seniors. Graduate Molli Carr sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” while graduating American Sign Language students signed along. Remarks were delivered by, among others, Class of 2015 salutatorian Jay Cizeski and Class of 2015 valedictorian Rebecca Noel. Congratulations Class of 2015 Avon High School Raiq Ahmed, Jenna Rose Alessio, Zachary David Alter, Erika M. Anderson, Michael Vincent Arciero, Amanda Sofia Arroyo, Jumana Aryan, Nora Lynn Ayoubi, Christine Y. Bae, Makena Rae Barats, Tait A. Becker, Samuel Douglas Begin, Ashley Renee Bennett, Matthew Tyler Bergman, Scott D. Bernard, Gabrielle Amar Berns, Kashvi Nimish Bhatt, Marinna Ruth Binkowski, Kelly Nicole Blessing, Louis R. Bonalumi, Megan Mary Boos, Emily Victoria Bordonaro, Abigail Rose Bratton, Kevin Lawson Brown, Karina P. Bucci, Aidan Michael Byrne, Colleen Byrne Callahan, Maxwell William Campagna, Frank R. Campanelli, Julia Rita Canova, Emma Catherine Carlone, Hannah Lynn Carpino, Steven Michael Carrier, Rodney K. Case, Alexander Jay Casner, Elizabeth Anne Cavanaugh, Minji Chang, Sydney Elizabeth Chatfield, Yvonne Cho, Hannah Marie Coleman, Kyle Ernest Connelli, Gillian Anita Constable, Jake Henry Corrigan, Lydia P. Cuddeback, Caitlin Elise Cunningham, Shannon L. Curry, Denis R. Dalamagas, Lisa Darminova, Hannah Rietano Davey, Emma Michelle Davis, Andrew Ross Diamond, Drew W. DiCenso, Jameson Michael Dlugolecki, Dane Remi Doormann, Stephen Patrick Dorney, Brianna Leigh Downey, Taylor Lynn Drauss, Vincenzo Raimondo Drumpus, Taylor Rose Edgar, Logan T. Edwards, Anderson James Ernst, Nicole Marie Fiori, Gabriel Ethan Folkwein, Hailey Goode Fons, Jack H. Fontaine, Michael Robert Frost, Matthew F. Fuge, Eva Christine Gaston, Michele Taylor George, Paul Rosario Giarratana, Harrison Baker Gill, Emily Devin Gilmore, Tiana K. Glover, Lewis S. Mills High School Colleen Albert, Raechel Ashburn, Emma Avery, Morgan Baker, Ernest Barnes, Shannon Berard, Danielle Berube, Matthew Borovy, Amanda Boyajian, Tyler Brown, Haley Buckley, Laura Bufanda, Joseph Calabrese, Gregory Campbell, Stephanie Carlson, Molli Carr, Jordan Carrier, Nichole Chapman, Nicholas Cianciolo, Casey Ciemniewski, John Cizeski, Mary Claffey, John Consolini, Brian Constantino, Joseph Conticello, Nathaniel Cook, Taylor Copeland, Daniel Cosgrove, Wesley Coughlin, Aleksandra Czarnecka, Benjamin Czarnecki, Joseph Dakille, Christian Davis, Nicholas DeSisto, Kostas Diakogiannis, Julia DiGiuseppe, Allison Dionne, Brian Dooley, Justine Dougall, Shelby Dougherty, Alexander Draper, Taylor Driscoll, Jillian Duffy, Jared Dunbar, Alexandre C. Godoy, Kristen Marie Goldie, Tyler Ross Gordon, James Michael Grant, Jennifer Catherine Greenfield, Shannon Sabrena Gregrich, Matthew David Guarino, Emily Lynne Guersch, Monique R. Guidry, Abbey Paige Hagan, Molly Michelle Hamel, Matthew R. Hamilton, Rachel Lynn Hamilton, Robert Wilson Harris, Olivia Catherine Hart, Summer Lyn Havens, Sophia Marie Hebert, Kendall Elizabeth Held, Tristan Chauhan Henry, Katherine T. Holobinko, Amanda Ruth Holtzman, Brett Richard Holtzman, Patrick Claude Howard, Shaun M. Howes, Jennifer Marian Hudak, Lea Marie Jalbert, Cathryn C. Jenner, Alexandra Eleanor Johnson, Shannon Hart Jordan, Emily Joy Kane, Elisabeth Ann Kassel, Byung Yo Kim, Paul J. Kim, Haley Elizabeth King, Anastasia Kipor, Jonas O. Köpeke, Alec Walter Kohlhoff, Alexandra Rose Kolb, John Alexander Kostal, Jr., Jessica Ashley LeBlanc, Victoria Anne Laird, Julia Langevin, William Evan LaPlante, Gilbert Leng, Hilbert Leng, Benjamin I. Lerner, Avery Griffin Leveston, Gabriel F. Levin, Hyuckin David Lim, Alex Lin, Katherine Effie Lombard, Jennalise Sierra Lopez, Kendra Marie Love, Raisa Kathleen MacDonald-Soccorso, Justin Steven MacDougall, Stephanie Ann Mains, Samantha C. Maniatty, Michaela Stevie Marcus, Dominic W. Martinez, Zachary J. Mateja, Erin Colleen McGuire, Kelly Ann McIntosh, Devon Bright McLane, Laura Elizabeth McMann, Connor James Missett, Courtney Marie Mollo, Adam E. Moore, Rachel Marie Moore, Nazli Pari Morel, Shana Rachel Morel, Oona Marie Morrone, Amber L. Murray, Sky Sowun Na, Emily Grace Nelson, Ketzia Tiena Nelson, James M. Neville, Alexander Leszek Niezrecki, Justin Nathan Niezrecki, Colleen Grace O’Connor, Katherine Jean O’Connor, Gregory Joseph Oberhausen, Jonathan Andrew Oh, Kurt Andrew Ollestad, Ethan Daniel Olmstead, Noah Prestmann Olsen, Mitchell Robert Pastizzo, Timothy John Patton, Caleb Eric Paul, John Lawrence Pavano, Maxwell Joseph Pearlman, Kirstine S. Pedersen, Rohit Peesapati, Eli C. Peirce, Ryan S. Pereslugoff, Justine Sarah Perrotti, Anastasia Greyce Perry, Andrew J. Pesarini, Alden Fitzgerald Piper, Samantha Cali Polinsky, Christopher Patrick Preleski, Collin Michael Pritchard, Kaely Andrea Quijano, Kiely Cierra Quijano, Vinaya Rajahraman, Chastity Rae Ramos, Ilycia Gabrielle Rieman, Marcos Thiago Rocha Cabral de Vasconcellos, Ryan John Rogers, Paul Benjamin Ross, Tarik Timothy Ross, Audrey Nicole Rossignol, Kian John Rossitto, Chamiyah Miya-Alexis Rowland, Julia L. Russo, Stephanie Louise Saccoccio, Samuel Joseph Sahl, Sarah Nicole Sanchez, Natalie Alice Sawicki, Victoria R. Schilling, Emma K. Schweitzer, Eric Matthew Selzer, Tara V. Shayler, Nicholas W. Shillington, Keenan A. Siegal, Jeremy Nolan Slater, Andrew Gabriel St. Jean, Bryant Robert St. Jean, Harrison Edward Stanczyc, Haley Lane Stevens, Zachary J. Stirling, Katherine Elizabeth Stoll, Brittany Nicole Stote, Emily M. Stross, John Reilly Sutter, Michelle Stephanie Swetzes, Spencer C. Tahil, Clarissa Tan, Ana Rose Taylor, Rahyeme Ramone Taylor, Katherine Elizabeth teGroen, Roshini Thangavel, Cole Graham Thompson, Sadie Marie Thompson, Lauren Elizabeth Tiffany, Paula Gaviota Tirado-Mansilla, Kelsey Marie Tyler, Imani M. Vaught, Sarah Anna Elwell, Timothy Endersby, Leah Failla, Cole Farrey, Dominika Filipczuk, Zachary Fitzsimons, Madeline Florian, Samuel Flower, Timothy Forella, Kaitlyn France, Kenneth Fricker, Eric Furst, Elizabeth Gallagher, Nicole Gardiner, Nicholas Garrigan, Emily Gaudiana, Nicholas Gauthier, John Geissler, Nathan Genest, Kelly Gerrity, Taylor Giannone, Cameron Greenwood, Jakob Guerra, Kylie Hales, Karyn Helming-Crook, April Herz, Alexandra Horowitz, Madison Hoyt, Jamie Hubbell, Sage Iacovazzi, Alicia Jackson, Sarah Jacobson, Brenna Jacques, John Johnston, Vasilios Katehis, Andrew Kayan, Jillian Keegan, Benn Kelly, Andrew Kirkby, Ryan Kleindienst, Andrew Klimkoski, Jesse Kristy, Andrew Kucharski, Christopher Kucia, George Lamoureux III, Justin Lanza, Danielle LaPenta, Michael Lawrence, Samantha Lawton, Alyssa Leary, Cody Lessard, Christine Levesque, Rachel Lord, Madeline LoStocco, Alyssa Lyga, Hayden Macri, Zachary Magnoli, Ian Maher, Marissa Maitz, Lee Manzi, Christopher Marcoux, Andrea Martel, Mika Martin, Ruta Martisauskaite, Alexa Mattiello, Grant McGregor, Cortland McHale, Da’Ron McKoy, Tessa McNaboe, Jake Miceli, Carly Moris, Rachel Morris, Jackson Morrow, Molly Mulvey, Emily Nedley, Karlie Neuhausser, Richard Nicoletti Jr., Rebecca Noel, Hailey Ochs, Ciara Otnisky, Megan Palaia, Justin Pease, Giovanni Peraza-Santiago, Alyssa Pilkington, Haley Pilkington, Josiah Poppel, Madeline Powell, James Principi, Joseph Putnam, Jesse Quinn-Alger, Paige Reid, Shaylah Renzullo, Lauren Richards, Holden Robinson, Sadie Robinson, Kathryn Rohner, Zachary Photo by Alison Jalbert A graduate hugs Board of Education Chair Peggy Roell. Elizabeth Walters, Andre Sheng Wang, Olivia Catherine Welter, Alec Douglas Whipple, Tatyana Elisa White, Tara Leigh Wieter, Lauryn Elizabeth Williams, Andrew T. Wilson, Jessica Catherine Woodis, Eric Raymond Wright, Mitchell G. Wright, Tian-Shi Zhan Xu, Jade Kho Yen, Lauren Elizabeth Yost, John Michael Young, Alexander Gregory Zacchio, Tyler Stanley Zelazny David V. Delahanty – Honorary certificate Roma, Michael Ruby, Natalie Ruel, Axel Rutkowski, Jessica Sahlman, Adam Sanchioni, Anna Schatz, Emma Schibi, Sam Schippani, Rachel Seleman, Josephine Shaggy, Kyle Sheridan, Rebecca Shields, Dylan Smelski, Alexa Xia Smith, Evan Sokol, Jordan Sokol, Tori Solkowski, Noelle Doria Sonstrom, Amanda St. Pierre, Zachery Stefanski, Kyle Sterling, Andrah Stone, Bridgette Stoughton, Marissa Strang, Kristin Sullivan, David Swanson, Dylan Taylor, Leah Taylor, James Tessman, Sierra Thibault, Zackery Thompson, Brittany Toczko, Tyler Trask, Nicole Tsiongas, Eric Uhl, Elana Valentin, Jacob Vallee, Brooke Van Allen, Noelle Vandemark, Zachary Ventres, Jacob Wall, Hailey Wilcox, Jason Wilson, Kelly Winterbottom, William Woolsey III, Alexandra Zajko, Mark Zimmermann Valley PRESS read the paper or visit us online... TO ADVERTISE: 860.651.4700 • www.TurleyCT.com June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 9 Westminster School celebrates graduating class of 2015 Courtesy photo Northwest Catholic 2015 graduates celebrate with their teacher. Anna Case of Glastonbury, Gabriella Giannone of West Hartford, Ramone Clahar of Hartford, Deacon Jeffrey Sutherland of Bloomfield, Angela Miguel of Newington and Charlotte Carew of Simsbury share a moment as they prepare for their graduation ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. NWC holds 51st commencement The Most Rev. Peter A. Rosazza, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford, presided at the 51st graduation ceremony of Northwest Catholic High School June 3 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. The commencement began at 7:30 p.m. with the procession of the 141 members of the Class of 2015. James Jordano of Avon was the valedictorian and Sarah McLaughlin of Suffield the salutatorian. The Rev. Henry C. Frascadore, past president of Northwest Catholic, delivered the commencement address. Frascadore challenged the students to consider an important question: “What would you do for the world if you could do anything?” He told the graduates that each of them is “matchless” and “incomparable to every other human being that ever was or that ever will be” and that they should use their minds, bodies, imagination, senses and spirit to “become the person that God intends you to be.” Jordano quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “If you cannot fly, then run; if you cannot run, then walk; if you cannot walk, then crawl – but by all means, keep moving.” Jordano encouraged his classmates to learn from King and fashion their lives in a way that they might one day be quotable, too, and have achieved something great. The class included one National Merit Finalist, eight other students honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, seven students who were named “Summa Scholars” by the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford, four Division I athletes, and 18 students who plan to play Division II or III sports in college. “As we bid goodbye to these 141 wonderful graduates, we feel confident knowing that we have laid the groundwork for them to continue their journey to higher education,” said Northwest Catholic High School President and Chief Administrator David Eustis. “They have grown from freshmen four years ago to young adults that have studied their faith, excelled in athletics, performed on stage and left a mark on their community.” Local graduates include: Kyle Brooks, Meredith Davenport, James Jordano (valedictorian), Jessica Jordano, Caitlin Nicholas and Ryan Sands of Avon; Christopher Allen, Allison Coffey, Serena Frasco, Trenton Kowalec, Zachary Niziolek and Abigail Visintainer of Burlington; Michael Valentine and Benjamin Worley of Canton; Kathleen Craig, Caitlin O’Sullivan and Michael Pascoal of Farmington; Lauren Cenci of Unionville; Shannon Greene of Granby; Olivia Brazer, Charlotte Carew, Andrew Doran, Clarissa Green, Sean Kearns, Charles Lovallo, Elizabeth O’Hara, Jeremy Rocha, Hope Vaughn, John Cintron, Abigail Gardner, David Kalamarides and Sean Oleasz of Simsbury; Sarah Kosha of Tariffville. Westminster School celebrated the graduation of 107 students in the class of 2015 at commencement exercises May 23 on the campus in Simsbury. Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed family members and friends, cited accomplishments of the academic year and praised members of the graduating class for its leadership. “In so many ways, both formally and informally, this class led our school community impressively this past year.” Senior Tom Dudzik, a resident of Burlington, gave the outstanding scholar address. He spoke about a centuries-old poetry competition that gives a living rose as its first prize because it is truly alive. “It lives, it grows, it develops, if only for a short while.” He encouraged his classmates to live in the present without taking things for granted, to set big goals, envision their future and “dream large, for dreamers are not the most unrealistic people in the world.” The keynote speaker was Scott Reeves, a longtime Westminster English teacher and Web manager, who is retiring at the end of the ac- Courtesy photo Members of Westminster School’s class of 2015 following their commencement ceremony ademic year. He spoke about service and leadership, saying, “They are words that describe significant human behavior, behavior in assistance of others.” After Headmaster Philip and Tread Mink, chairman of the Westminster board of trustees, presented diplomas to the seniors, members of the class participated in the Westminster tradition of passing their diplomas. They formed a circle on the senior lawn and passed the diplomas they received randomly during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diploma. They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation. Local graduates include: Jade D. Marlowe and Aubrey K. Moulton of Avon; Thomas O. Dudzik of Burlington; Kiley A. Loureiro and Philippe A. Morin of Canton; Nadrina M. Ebrahimi of Farmington; Alaina M. Bisson, Shelby J. Gamble and Kyle B. Keir of Granby; Andrew S. Brazer, Eliza T. Christman, Benjamin A. Kille, Austin R. Pope, Sally S. Sandoval, David L. Swenson, Olivia R. Tawney, Sarah M. Burstein, Brennan R. Cross, Jolene A. Patrina, Aaron W. Rubin and Andrew B. Simeon of Simsbury. Local students graduate from Watkinson On June 5 at 10 a.m., 54 students celebrated Watkinson School’s commencement. Watkinson’s mission is to “develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them,” so years ago the administration decided that instead of inviting an outside speaker, it would be more meaningful to have the graduates themselves offer advice and reflections to their peers. Any graduating senior can opt to perform or speak at graduation, but they must go through a long, serious pro- cess of draft writing, reflection and practice, attending to deadlines along the way. Senior presentations ranged from heartfelt speeches to songs, to poems and quartets to dance performances. This year, Farmington residents Madison Hunter, Michael Troy and Spencer Pelham spoke at graduation. Bailey Polacek, also of Farmington, spoke and performed a song. Other local graduates included: Ryan Anthonypillai and Andrew Stierer of Farmington, Simsbury residents John Garrison, Ta-Yu Ting Courtesy photo Dakota Ford of Avon and James Ward, Avon residents Dakota Ford and Marco Holt, and Canton resident Nicole Sandal. The Ethel Walker School says goodbye to 2015 graduates in 103rd ceremony Under bright blue skies Sunday, June 7, 63 members of The Ethel Walker School Class of 2015 received their diplomas before families and friends, students, faculty, alumnae and trustees during the school’s 103rd commencement ceremony. Teresa C. Younger, current CEO and president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, delivered the commencement address. Younger advised graduates to push themselves 10 The Valley Press higher, to exemplify the Walker’s atmosphere of support and sisterhood throughout their lives, and to realize the importance of trusting oneself and one’s abilities: “Value what you bring to the table, and it will be valued. Be aware of the importance of the impact that you make.” In her charge to the Class of 2015, outgoing Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 said: “You are a class that will both enjoy the world and improve the world; yours is a June 25, 2015 class with exceptional leadership abilities. While you have learned much this year about yourselves, you have also led in the transformation of your school.” Local graduates include: Talia Basch, Marisa George and Lillian Reynolds from Simsbury, Alexandra Borreil from Farmington, Alexa Lochner of Canton, Jessica Brighenti, Meher Khan, Eleana Paravantsos, Angela Peavy, Nida Shaikh and Chloe Silverman from Avon. The graduating class of 2015 Courtesy photo Miss Porter’s celebrates 2015 commencement exercises Friday, June 5 marked Miss Porter’s School’s commencement exercises. Parents, students, faculty and Ancients joined in celebrating the graduation of the 84 members of the Class of 2015. Courtesy photo Farmington resident Katie Tyner smiles during graduation. Graduates are heading to premier colleges and universities, including Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Princeton University, and Rhode Island School of Design. After a welcome by Head of School Katherine Windsor and remarks by Student Head of School Rebecca Clark, graduates listened to the commencement address by Ariel Zwang ‘81, chief executive officer of Safe Horizon. Zwang encouraged graduates to seek out work that is both meaningful and enjoyable, noting, “I get up every morning and do work that I find deeply gratifying, and I wish all of you that privilege.” The awarding of the diplomas was followed by several traditions, including the Hanging of the Daisy Wreath, carrying of the Daisy Chain and singing of school songs. The Master’s School celebrates grads Courtesy photo The Master’s School held its annual graduation ceremony in early June. Local graduating seniors included: Araujo Celio, Olivia Bates, Jack Beebe, David Bigelow, Kaley Chamberlain, Beier Chen, Daeyoung Cho, Philip Ennin, Shelby Felix, Marissa Fenn, William Fortuner III, Elizabeth Graves, Emma Holden, Samantha Hunter, So Yeon Jung, Dohyun Kim, Jordan Lagan, Joshua Lebo, Taryn McCloud, Kacie Medwinter, Peter Neagle, Chibuzor Ogbue, Jonathan Riendeau, ZiYang Sun, Barbara Wright, Hyun-Jun Yoon. Photo by Ted Glanzer Seven of the nine members of the graduating class from the Farmington Alternative High School along with teacher Megan Lamontagne (far right) Students graduate from Farmington Alternative High By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer Emotions can run high at high school graduations, with parents and friends perhaps shedding a few tears as their son, daughter, brother, sister or friend turns the page on a new chapter of their lives. But it would be difficult to top the level of emotion and joy at the Farmington Alternative High School graduation held at West Woods Upper Elementary School Monday, June 15. There was hardly a dry eye in the cafetorium, as teachers, counselors and friends bade farewell to a record nine graduates: Joshua Baker, Amanda Foga, Olivia Noe, Michael Sheely, Terrin Wohlford, Seth Eastman, Devaun Ford, Joshua Rivera and Evan Williamson. Teacher Megan Lamontagne teared up when she described her interactions with the school’s Class of 2015. “I look forward to every day, to learn from the students,” Lamontagne said. “I cannot express how proud I am of each individual student.” Lamontagne listed the accomplishments of the class, which included the building of Buddy Benches for all four elementary schools. She then quoted Rosalynn Carter. “If you don’t accept failure as a possibility, you don’t set high goals, you don’t branch out, you don’t try – you don’t take the risk,” Lamontagne said. The significance of the graduation ceremony was not lost on Farmington High administrators. “It’s a big day for [the students],” Farmington High School Dean of Students Mary Lundquist said. “Schooling is hard for these guys.” Lundquist said that students are identified at Farmington High School and recommended for the Alternative High School, which provides a half day of academics followed by another half day of community service or work study. “There is a lot of teacher support for the students,” Lundquist said. “They might drop out if [they stayed at Farmington High School].” Rivera said that if it wasn’t for the alternative high school, he might be at least a year away from graduating. “I was never a star student; I’ve always kind of gotten by,” he said. “But the [alternative] school is a good opportunity to get yourself going and to motivate yourself to want to graduate on time. It gave me a lot of motivation and growing up and telling me that I have to start taking things seriously.” Rivera, who plans on working in construction over the summer before embarking on a career in marketing, said the smaller classroom sizes made a big difference. “I’ve always felt like I’ve had a calling for sales,” he said. In addition to graduation, Lamontagne recognized all of the students at the alternative school with superlatives, including Most Spirited Student (Morgan Piotrowski), Most Kindhearted (Taylor Blades), and the Voice of Reason – Most Likely to Succeed (Sheely). Board of Education Chairman Mary Grace Reed, who attended the event with Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Greider and several school board members, said during the school board’s meeting later that evening that she was impressed with the connection between the staff and the students. “The accolades were so personal,” Reed said. “If you didn’t have tears in your eye, then you are harder than most of us. We’re showing a huge connection between staff and kids. I was sitting there thinking how real that was. They’re sitting there in those chairs … it was wonderful.” School board member Bill Beckert, who also attended the event, said he was pleased that the alternative school provided a place for at-risk students to continue with their schooling. “When I first got on the board, there were kids falling through the cracks,” Beckert said. “No attention was given to them. … What I saw in the audience tonight … they felt they were part of something much greater. That for me was very powerful.” Everything for Your Home 860-953-2200 7 CODY STREET • WEST HARTFORD, CT MageeCompanies.com June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 11 Bringing history home: ss i ou lic e d ua “ LETTU CE” m a k e yo were not aware of what their father or grandfather had done during the war. Newman began to meet with his fellow Post members for interviews; often it would take several before the veterans felt comfortable sharing information. “What made this a slow process was a lot of veterans felt they didn’t have all the information I needed, sometimes memories were painful and, thirdly, they felt they just did their duty, that they didn’t do anything real special. You had to coax the stories out of them,” Newman said. There have been 600 members throughout the Post’s history and Newman is hoping to eventually get information on all of them. At this time he has interviewed 175 veterans. “I’ve only done 122 of the World War II guys, so there [are] a lot more stories to tell,” he said. Newman first gets details about each veteran that includes their branch of service, military job, units they served in, rank, campaigns they fought in, decorations they received, military school or training, and photos. This information is displayed on one page. On the back of the page are stories that the veterans shared about their experiences, which are then put in the binder. For example, Gildo T. Or stop by and pick up a flavorful offering Gnome-made daily from scratch in our own kitchens. Our new cases offer a variety of delicious prepared foods from chicken pot pies, chicken cutlets, chicken salads to black bean salads. Stuffed clams, hummus and more. Frozen Gnome! Summer Hours: Cafe Open: Mon., Wed., Thurs. 11:30 to 7; Ice cream: 11:30 to 8 Cafe Open: Friday & Saturday til 8pm; Ice cream Fri /Sat/Sun until 9pm 511 Spielman Hwy, Burlington • 860-673-8111 12 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 Photo by Alicia B. Smith Veterans from Avon that were part of the Veterans History Project has their stories on display. Consolini, for whom the Post is named after, was the first Avon resident to be killed in action during WWII. Cpl. Consolini was a squad leader in Company F, 169th Regiment and 43rd Division. He was in active service from March 19, 1941 to July 13, 1943. He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, American Defense, Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. According to his history, Consolini was killed while he and his unit worked to take Munda Airfield on New Georgia in the Pacific, where he is buried. “I learned that these stories are truly fascinating, and to really get into them and come to bring these stories out is very satisfying,” Newman said. “When I’ve done a story and put together all this information from the first source, I feel great about it. I’m bringing out The financial ramifications of divorce can be devastating. But with proper planning and expert help from a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)TM, you can increase your chances of arriving at a settlement that fully addresses your long-term financial needs. We have a delicious cuban sandwich on the menu now! We also Cater! Complete your meal with a visit to the July 16, 1 p.m., Bomber Planes of WWII, presented by author John Cilio ...but it can be financially fair Greenhouse Cafe offers a fresh, innovative menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal food. STARTING 6/17! July 1, 2 p.m., WWII The European Theater, Presented by Bill Newman, VFW Post 3272 d a you e ” k a m Divorce is never easy ”Lettuce Fresh lettuce from our own garden makes up all our salads. WHOLE BELLY CLAMS Lecture series events ious a l ad ! Books, DVDs and databases are all materials one can find at the Avon Free Public Library. But a World War II era Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar? That is at the library, too. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, with the European conflict ending May 8, 1945 and Aug. 15, 1945 in the Pacific. This year is also the 70th anniversary of the Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272, which was founded in 1945. Throughout the summer the Avon Free Public Library, in collaboration with the VFW, is presenting a series of lectures and an exhibit on the war and the local men and women who were part of it. The motorcycle is one large part of a display of WWII memorabilia from local veterans that also includes uniforms, weapons and military guidebooks, all of which are displayed in a case outside the Marion Hunter History Room. In addition to the memorabilia, visitors also have the opportunity to read through a binder of information that tells the stories of local indi- vidual veterans who served in the war. The exhibit and veterans’ history is a result of the work of resident and veteran Bill Newman, who began to record the histories of his fellow VFW members when he realized just how little the Post knew about its own members and their wartime experiences. Newman is the historian for the Post and served as a captain in the Army, first in Korea, later in Vietnam and was in the reserves for 12 years. In 2001, he began to talk to fellow Post members about their military experience and would periodically include their stories in the Post newsletter, and thus began his Veterans History Project. He took it upon himself to get his fellow members to open up in what soon turned into a much larger history project. Newman said he wanted to get the information for the Post, but to also enable family members to learn more about their loved ones’ experiences. “I was shocked. It wasn’t their fault. The World War II generation was notorious for not telling anyone of their military history,” Newman said of the families who elic By Alicia B. Smith Staff Writer WWII exhibit, programs at the Avon Free Public Library Diane P. Bell CDFATM, CRPC® Financial Advisor Call me today to find out how I can help secure your financial future. (860) 284-1056 (Member of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA™), the Association of Divorce Financial Planners, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.) A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)TM has the skills and knowledge to help you avoid the common financial pitfalls of divorce. For more information write to: Valley Financial Group, LLC 40 Tower Lane, Avon, CT 06001 dianepbell.vfgllc@yahoo.com www.divorcefinancialanalystct.com stories that may never have been told and would have been lost forever.” All the information that Newman compiled is in a large binder that is now on display at the library, located just outside the library’s community room. Visitors can look up family members in the binder to learn more or view the many individual stories that have been hung up in the library. On the walls outside the community room is a display of all the living local veterans. There is also a WWII timeline relating to the European and Pacific theaters. “It has been Bill’s lifelong mission for the last 10 years plus to do these histories,” Patrice Celli, reference librarian, said. Family members of the veterans who have participated have come to view the stories in the binder and often are finding out information on their relatives’ war experience that they were unaware of before. “We wanted to show this summer how little Avon contributed to this huge international event,” said Tina Panik, reference and adult services manager. In addition to the display, the library is hosting a series of lectures on a variety of topics relating to the war. The lecture series began in May and continues with more to come throughout the summer. The exhibit will run through the month of August. “The exhibit looks great; Bill Newman did a wonderful job organizing and putting this all together. It shows his dedication to his fellow comrades in arms. And I want to thank Jane Lowerre for her artistic and caring touch for making it look so patriotic and meaningful,” Lee Wilson, July 24, 2 p.m., the 94th Army Band of East Windsor will perform Aug. 4, 7 p.m., ENIGMA, presented by CCSU history professor John Mueller All events will be held in the Avon Library Community Room at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. Programs are free and open to the public. Post 3272 commander said of the display, adding that this type of display is important “to educate the younger citizens in our community of the sacrifices and duty of our WWII veterans.” “It is a great resource for our community and honors our patriots,” Wilson said. The discussions that have taken place so far have included several veterans in the audience who stood up to also share their experiences, something the library has tried to record to have on hand as well. “They told us tales of bravery beyond what you see in the movies,” Celli said. “This is the last chance to get this information. Many veterans are in their 90s.” “It’s a different kind of way to learn the history,” Panik said. The exhibit and programs also tie into the library’s theme of the “All American Summer.” “The library and Post have adopted each other,” Panik said. “We consider them part of our team.” “We really want to encourage the families of these veterans to come in, see what this is all about and feel a connection to their families’ past,” Celli said. She is hoping the exhibit will attract veterans to come to the library and perhaps donate memorabilia to the exhibit or maybe get their photo taken by the motorcycle. Troop 274 to hold U.S. flag retirement ceremony Avon Boy Scout Troop 274 will be conducting a United States flag retirement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, at Countryside Park in Avon. All are welcome to attend the ceremony in which the American flag, a proud symbol of our country, is taken out of service in a courteous and respectful fashion. Flag retirement ceremonies are conducted in a closely scripted order per Flag Code guidelines in order to retire the flag in an appropriate manner. According to the United States Flag Code, flags should be retired when they are no longer in a condition fitting their display as an em- blem of the United States. This leaves the decision to retire the flag to the owner of the flag, but flags that are faded, tattered, or seriously degraded are usually considered fit for retirement. Scouts from Avon Boy Scout Troop 274 will perform the hourlong ceremony in which a speaker will provide the his- tory of the flag and its role in America’s past. An honor guard will then proceed to retire the flags honorably in a bonfire built for the purpose. Flags may be brought to the ceremony for retirement. For more information contact Nancy Kostal at nancymkostal@comcast.net or at 860-676-2363. Department supervisor of art K-12 announced Courtesy photo Pictured at the YMCA of Greater Hartford Annual Meeting are Jerry Gooden, chairman of the board of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, United Technologies/YMCA Wesley A. Kuhrt Youth Citizenship Award winner Fatoumata Haidara, and Jay Kuhrt, son of Wesley A. Kuhrt. Resident awarded YMCA Youth Citizenship Award Fatoumata Haidara of Simsbury was awarded one of three United Technologies/YMCA Wesley A. Kuhrt Youth Citizenship Awards for Community Service at the YMCA of Greater Hartford’s recent annual meeting. The awards are made in memory of a man known for his outstanding volunteer and professional leadership, the late Wesley A. Kuhrt, who was president of Sikorsky Aircraft and a former United Technologies Corporation senior vice president. Haidara is a freshman at the University of Connecticut. She began her volunteer journey as a young child, helping wherever she could at her local mosque. She has volunteered for three summers for the camp run by The Islamic Center of Connecticut, providing a positive role model for the children ages 5 to 14. Her service to the Farmington Valley YMCA began when, as a high school junior, she was part of the committee planning the monthly Teen Night Life providing a safe, fun, drug free activity for the region’s teens. It was this work that led her to be asked to join the Branch’s Board of Advisors as a youth member. The UTC/YMCA Youth Citizenship Awards are presented annually to young YMCA program partici- pants ages 15 to 20, who have strongly demonstrated an ongoing commitment to volunteer service. Through their experience at the YMCA, applicants and winners alike learn the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, helping them to become positive role models and leaders in their communities. Simsbury High School art educator Shannon Gagne has been appointed to the position of department supervisor of art K-12. Gagne will assume her official duties with the commencement of the 2015-16 school year. Her appointment marks the culmination of a rigorous and thorough selection process, including involving Simsbury public schools faculty to serve on special interview committees. Gagne is currently completing her 14th year in Simsbury as an art educator at the secondary level. Prior to coming to Simsbury, she served as an elementary art teacher for the Enfield public schools. She earned her B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her master’s from Wesleyan University. On May 29, Assistant Superintendent Susan Homrok-Lemke sent an email to colleagues DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO RETIRE ON? ENOUGH INFORMATION, THAT IS? Attend our retirement planning seminar. These days, you need more than just Social Security, investments welcoming Gagne to the position. Lemke wrote, “Throughout the interview process, Shannon articulated her passion for collaboration, inclusion and the development of a collective vision for art education in Simsbury.” 18 Month Certificate of Deposit 1.25% Annual Percentage Yield and a pension. You’ll want to determine how much you’ll realistically need each month for retirement and how to best meet that challenge. Contact us to learn more. LIFE WELL PLANNED. Wednesdays in July at 10:30 to 11:30am and 6:00 - 7:00pm Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. 40 Tower Lane, Avon Park South Avon, CT 06001 Take a stroke and open your 18 Month CD today! Don’t wait, start earning like the Pros. $1,000.00 minimum deposit required to open account and earn interest. Collinsville Savings Society checking account required. Penalties may apply if account is closed prior to maturity date. Rates effective 5/11/15. Limited time offer. RSVP: Ed Barry or Diane Bell @ (860) 674-0377 Seating is Limited For more information contact: diane.bell@raymondjames.com www.raymondjames.com/valleyfinancialgroup ©2014 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. 14-BDMKT-1564 SFS/CW 08/14 136 Main St Collinsville CT 06019 (860) 693-5912 277 Albany Turnpike Canton, CT 06019 (860)693-6936 MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 13 AXA volunteers lend a hand to Land Trust VFW recognized for service On June 11, volunteers from AXA in Farmington dedicated an afternoon on the land to help prepare the Farmington Land Trust’s West District Nature Preserve for the Harvest Farm to Table Tasting fundraiser the Land Trust will host Sept. 20. Despite sweltering heat, 17 volunteers from AXA donned long pants, hats and gloves before taking their pruning shears to overgrown bushes, saplings and other vegetation surrounding a house and pond situated on Farmington Land Trust properties: the West District Nature Preserve, donated in Kingswood Oxford senior Julianne DeAngelo, daughter of Laura and Vincent DeAngelo of Weatogue, has been named a National Merit Scholar and will receive a $2,500 award from the National Merit check it out AVON––––––––––––– Sew Thankful Quilters making Quilts of Valor for service people touched by war Thursday, June 25, 6-9 p.m., at Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., drop in Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, 860675-4355: Caregiver Support Group Thursday, June 25, 2-3 p.m., pre-register at 860-6513539; Movie Day with Summer Camp Kids Friday, June 26, 12:30 p.m., sign up; Dress Down Day Tuesday, June 30; Shuffleboard Wednesday, July 1, 10 a.m., sign up; Lunch & Learn Wednesday, July 1, noon, “I Feel So Good, Why Can’t I Cut Back on My Medications?” with medical staff from Governor’s House in Simsbury, sign up; Dress Down Day Thursday, July 2; closed Friday, July 3 U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony hosted by Boy Scout Troop 274 Friday, June 26, 7 p.m., at Countryside Park Summer worship at Avon congregations June 28-end of August at 9:30 a.m.: on June 28 and in July, worship at the West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, and in August worship at the Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., with the ministers, the Rev. Martha Chenault and the Rev. Brian Hardee, alternating leading the worship Senior Citizens of Avon Organization Monday, June 29, noon, annual picnic of hotdogs and hamburgers, salads, dessert, entertainment provided by Jerry Lagace and The Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers, last meeting until fall Avon Arts Association Spring Members Show at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., thru Monday, June 29 during library hours (860-653-3375) Mobile Food Pantry Tuesday, June 30, 1010:30 a.m., change in location from St. Ann’s Church to Farmington Valley American Muslim Center Inc., 35 Harris Road (860-693-5811) Avon Rec & Parks summer camps registration online at www.AvonRec.com: Pee Wee Camp, ages 3 ½-5, fee $150 each session, Session 2 Crafty Critters July 6-17, Session 3 Color Play July 20-31 and Session 4 Insect Inspectors Aug. 3-14; Summer Fun 14 The Valley Press Camp entering grades 1-3 Session 2 Circus Week June 29-July 2, Session 3 Back in Time July 6-10, Session 4 Carnival Week July 1317, Session 5 Barnyard Palooza July 20-24, Session 6 Under the Sea July 27-31, Session 7 Let’s Make Things Aug. 3-7, Session 8 Week at Paradise Island Aug. 10-14; Camp Discovery entering grades 4-7, Session 2 Explore the Outdoors June 29-July 2, Session 3 Ocean Commotion July 6-10, Session 4 Summer Bucket List July 13-17, Session 5 Sports Week July 20-24, Session 6 Action Week July 27-31, Session 7 Camp’s Got Talent Aug. 3-7, Session 8 Summer Olympics Aug. 10-14 Avon historic sites open every Sunday through September from 2-4 p.m. for tourist season – Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris St., and Derrin Farmhouse, 249 West Avon Road Tuesday Crafters meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., on drop-in basis to do simple sewing and knitting projects BURLINGTON––––––– Burlington Parks & Rec programs at www. burlingtonctparksandrec.com: • Kickbox Combo Mondays and Wednesdays, June 29-Aug. 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $70/$95, walk-ins $10 per class • Fitness Mix – evenings Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 30-Aug. 27, 6:15-7:15 p.m., fee $10 • Playtime Adventure Thursdays, July 9-Aug. 27, fee $115, registration deadline July 2 Burlington Center Schoolhouse on George Washington Turnpike open to the public the last Sunday of the month, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 30, from 1-4 p.m. during the summer, free, children welcome CANTON–––––––––– Movie matinee of “Unbroken” Friday, June 26, 1 p.m., at the Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave., sponsored by Canton Library and Senior Center, free admission, open to the public, reserve a seat at 860-693-5800 (library) or 860-693-5811 (senior center) Collinsville Farmers Market (temporarily) in the Canton Library parking lot, 40 Dyer Ave., Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Annual Strawberry Festival Sunday, June June 25, 2015 Courtesy photo The team of AXA volunteers taking a lemonade break with Mary Bushley (front row). helped the Land Trust with a special property maintenance project, according to their team leader, Shannon Itzo. “Helping to preserving that beautiful piece of land was great. I know everyone enjoyed their time there, and we also learned a lot about the land,” she said. For more information about the land it preserves, visit farmingtonlandtrust. org. Julianne DeAngelo named National Merit Scholar Courtesy photo At the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Department of Connecticut and Auxiliaries 95th Annual State Convention June 13, state Commander Gregory Smith (left) presented three first prize awards to the Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272, Avon, for the best Post Newsletter in the state and for outstanding service distributing the Buddy Poppy every Memorial Day. Avon’s Post Commander Lee M. Wilson accepts the awards. 1995 by Mary Bushley and Ruth Bushley Childs, and the Bushley Homestead, donated to the Land Trust by Mary Bushley in 2013. Tina Delaney, the Land Trust steward of the parcels, led the volunteers in the work at the Nature Preserve to clear invasive plants from the earthen dam’s path, widen and clear the path to the pond, and remove overhanging branches. On the Homestead property, the team cut back overgrown bushes around the farm house and even weeded the garden. This is the third time that AXA volunteers have Scholarship Corporation. She is one of only 2,500 Merit Scholars in the country. The Dartmouth-bound DeAngelo is a varsity lacrosse player; an a cappella singer; a tour guide with 28, 4-7 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 184 Cherry Brook Road, Canton Center, $6.50/$5 for shortcakes, $4 for hamburgers, $3 for hot dogs, $1.50 for drinks All dog licenses purchased or renewed by Tuesday, June 30 entered in a special drawing to receive Tag #1 and a basket of goodies, register at town clerk’s office, 4 Market St., Collinsville, or by mail with a stamped, selfaddressed envelope to Canton Town Clerk, c/o Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 168, Collinsville, 06022 VNA blood pressure screenings Wednesday, July 1, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave. Canton Clay Works, 150 Cherry Brook Road, youth program for ages 6-12 July 6-Aug. 20, registration and full descriptions at www. cantonclayworks.com Matter of Balance classes offered by Farmington Valley Health District Thursdays, thru Aug. 6, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Canton Senior Center, 40 Dyer Ave., free of charge, register at 860-693-5811 Mills Pond Pool open thru Labor Day, Sept. 7, pool memberships and daily passes available at the pool, daily fees $5 residents/$7 nonresidents Register for Vacation Bible School program at Collinsville Congregational Church Monday, July 13-Friday, July 17, 6-8:30 p.m., pre-k thru 6th grade, call 860-693-6333 Shield & Dragon; and a prefect, one of only 12 seniors chosen to serve as mentors to KO underclassmen. She is also an accomplished debater, having represented KO at competitions in Canada, Lithuania To submit an event for the calendar, e-mail Sally at sedwards@thevalleypress.net 2, 6-8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave. Unionville Museum Tag & Plant Sale Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at 15 School St., Unionville Events at Farmington Senior Center, 321 New Britain Ave., Unionville, 850-675-2490, ext. 3: pinochle Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Bible Study Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Chit Chat Café Wednesday, July 1, noon, sign up by Monday, June 29 Farmington Valley VNA blood pressure screenings Tuesday, June 30, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Farmington Senior Center, 321 New Britain Ave., Unionville; Wednesday, July 1, 9-11 a.m., at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive; and Thursday, July 2, 9:3011:30 a.m., at Middlewoods of Farmington, 9 Middle Road Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St., collecting donations during month of June for victims of domestic violence who find refuge at the Prudence Crandall Center in New Britain, donations of goods and money dropped off during regular museum hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Red Cross blood donation opportunity Thursday, July 2, 1:30-6:30 p.m., at Knights of Columbus, 301 New Britain Ave., Unionville, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-7332767 to make an appt. Senior and Social Services Department summer office hours Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Five Corners Thrift Shop at First Church of Christ, 61 Main St., Unionville, super summer clothing sale, most summer clothing $1, hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Renter’s Rebate Program for 2015 thru Oct. 1, applications completed at assessor’s office, info at 860-693-7842 GRANBY–––––––––– FARMINGTON–––––– At the UConn Health Center,263 FarmingtonAve.: • Free workshop: Things to Consider Before Joining a Research Study Monday, June 29, 5 p.m., Onyiuke Dining Room, register at 860679-8802 • Nutrition for a Healthy Heart Wednesday, July 1, 2-4 p.m., Outpatient Pavilion, registration fee $30, call 1-800-535-6232 • Free IVF Information Session Thursday, July and many domestic locations. And, she’s the only high schooler who volunteers with Penny4NASA, an advocacy group aimed at increasing awareness of – and funding for – space exploration and NASA. Granby Senior Center: Shopping Manchester Friday, June 26, 9:30 a.m. in Community and square dance Friday, June 26, 7 p.m., at the Granby Grange, 212 North Granby Road, band: Heart’s Ease playing folk music (860-627-5053) Strawberry Festival Saturday, June 27, noon-4 p.m., at West Granby United Methodist Church, 87 Simsbury Road, West Granby, 860653-7437 – food, refreshments, live music with local artist Carrie Johnson and guest appearance by African drummer Mollishmael Gabah from Ghana, face painting, horse rides, bounce house, outdoor games, Blessing of the Bicycles Summer sessions at Maple View Farm, Salmon Brook Street, starting July 6, weekly thru Aug. 14, sign up on website or in Farm Store SIMSBURY–––––––-– Chamber of Commerce After Hours hosted by Hop Meadow Country Club, 85 Firetown Road, Thursday, June 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Charles Wolfe at 4:30 p.m. presenting “The Keys to Building Trust in Organizations”; Fun Run/Walk of 3-5 miles at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday meeting and ending at Red Stone Pub, 10 Jim Gallagher Way At the Simsbury Senior Center, Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-3273: • Lunch Café at Eno Friday, June 26, 11 a.m.-noon, New England clam chowder, sliced turkey and tuna salad sandwich, $2/ sandwich, $2/soup • Picnic and a Movie Friday, June 26, noon picnic, 12:45 p.m. movie “1776” • Lunch @ Eno Wednesday, July 1, noon, turkey cutlet in mushroom cream sauce, $3/$4, sign up the Friday before by noon • Hot Dog Barbecue Thursday, July 2, noon1 p.m., outside on the lawn, $2, sign up by Thursday, June 25 • Keeping the Home Fires Burning: Families on the Home Front in World War II Thursday, July 7, 1:30-3 p.m., with historian John Cilio, sign up by Thursday, July 2 • Pickleball at Simsbury Farms Ice Rink Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m., thru October Genealogy Road Show Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Simsbury Free Library, 749 Hopmeadow St., $5 for non-members, RSVP at simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com or call 860-408-1336 The Second Chance Shop, 12 Station St., storewide 50 percent off sale June 29-July 3, closed July 4, open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dog Days of Summer free hot dog suppers every Monday starting June 29 thru Aug. 17, 5-6:30 p.m., at Shepherd of the Hills check it out Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7 Wescott Road, 860-658-0583 – hot dogs, chips, fruit and veggies, beverage and dessert VNA blood pressure screenings Wednesday, July 1, 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury Community Band concert Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m., at Simsbury Farms Ice Rink, Celebrate America-4th of July Marketplace Day Camp Aug. 10-14, 9 a.m.-noon, at Covenant Presbyterian Church (The Barn), 124 Old Farms Road, children ages kindergarten-grade 6, and junior high and high school students to serve on ministry teams, registration open at cpcbarn.org (860-658-9772) VALLEY&BEYOND– Book signing Sunday, June 28, 1:30-4 p.m., at Peaberry’s Café, 712 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, for “There Is Something to Learn from Everyone” written and illustrated by Melanie Vaverchak of Burlington using rhyme, repetition and whimsical illustrations to celebrate the richness and value that a variety of people add to our lives Connecticut Swish Basketball Camp at Farmington High School for boys entering grades 1-9, 3 weekly sessions starting Mondays, June 29, July 6 and 13, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., email Swishcamp@ comcast.net for registration form and camp info Millwright’s Restaurant & 1680 Tavern and McLean’s “Lunch at the Loft” Tuesday, June 30, noon2 p.m. at The Loft at Millwright’s Restaurant, 77 West St., tickets $40 per person at 860-651-5500 by Friday, June 26 – a culinary experience with award-winning chef Tyler Anderson and nutritionist Jeanine Milano including locally grown vegetables and fresh seasonal herbs, gift bag with luncheon recipes to take home Farmington Valley Farmers Market Sundays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Riverdale Farms Shopping, 124 Simsbury Road, Avon, vendors offering certified organic produce, local meats, breads, local eggs, baked goods, prepared and readyto-eat foods, fresh local seafood, fresh coffee, Italian ice, local goat soaps and fresh cut flowers, SNAP/ EBT credit/debit cards accepted (fvfarmersmarket@gmail.com) John Mirabello’s Northwest Catholic Basketball Clinic 2015, cost $125, registration accepted until enrollment full, 860-2364221, ext. 130 or 860-670-0030, jmirabello@nwcath.org: 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 Northwest Catholic All State Youth Football Clinic teaching fundamentals of football July 28-31, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at the school, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, for those entering grades 3-9, registration form at www.northwestcatholic.org/page. cfm?p=509 Academy International Coaches visiting Ethel Walker School in Simsbury to host a weeklong field hockey training camp Aug. 1014, 4:30-7:30 p.m., beginners to advanced players welcome, register at www.academyinternational.net or call 1-888-529-3827 American Red Cross blood donation opportunities Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 6:30-11:30 a.m. at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, for appt. visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800733-2767 Arts & Events Summer Concert Series with Eight to the Bar at Elizabeth Park Thursday, June 25, 6:308 p.m., on the Rose Garden lawn, if rain, in the Pond House; Rose Garden & History Tour Friday, June 26, 10 a.m., in the Rose Garden Prado & Della Vecchia at Crown & Hammer, 3 Depot St., Collinsville, Thursday, June 25, 9:30 p.m., to Friday, June 26, 12:30 a.m. At Infinity Music Hall and Bistro: 20 Greenwoods Road North, Norfolk, 860542-5531: June 25, 8 p.m., Butch Hancock of The Flatlanders; June 26, 8 p.m., The Southern Comfort Band; June 27, 8 p.m., Los Lonely Boys 32 Front St., Hartford: June 25, 8 p.m., The Seldom Scene; June 26, 8 p.m., Liberty Comedy presents “Letterman’s Favorites”; June 27, 8 p.m., Jeff Pevar & Mo’ Pleasure All-Stars featuring surprise guests; June 28, 7:30 p.m., Tom Rush Historic WWII Aircraft at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks June 25-28, 860623-3305 or www.neam.org, including “Fifi,” a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, with aircraft tours at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday, and flying at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, tickets $20/$15 A Special Night with Treat Williams and Rex Reed Friday, June 26, 5 p.m., at the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St., Hartford, kickoff event for summer film series and a surprise film screening, reception 5-6 p.m. with Williams and Reed $25/$22, onstage conversation and film screening only 6 p.m. $12/$11/$10 The HSO’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival opening with Mambo Kings, Latin jazz ensemble, Friday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows, advance adult single lawn tickets $20, $5 for kids 12 and under, adult single lawn tickets $25 at the gate, 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsympphony.org At Bridge Street Live, 41 Bridge St., Collinsville, 860-693-9762: June 26, 8 p.m., The THE BAND Band, tribute to The Band with Je Conte; June 27, 8 p.m., Comedy Night: Dan Naturman At the Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford: • Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., tickets $22/$17/$15 at 860-280-3130 • Deven Green (aka Betty Bowers, America’s Best Christian) with her electric ukulele comedy lounge act The Survivors Swing Band Saturday, June 27, 7 p.m., tickets $20/$15 at 860-2803130 • Book/Mark “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” with author Kate Andersen Brower Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m., free, reservations recommended At Maple Tree Café, 781 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, live music at 9 p.m., cover charge, 860651-1297: Friday, June 26, Loups Garou, and Saturday, June 27, Mass Confusion Little Theatre of Manchester’s “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig final performances Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m., in Manchester’s Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester, 860-647-9824 Truck Stop Troubadours a Tribute to Waylon Jennings and his Outlaw Friends Saturday, June 27, 8 p.m., Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, Torrington, 860-489-7180 – performers from “Cash Is King: A Tribute to Johnny Cash” giving fans the chance to experience a Waylon Jennings live show; a Western Mass./Connecticut based band “HAIR” thru July 19 at Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford, tickets $15-$45 at 860-523-5900, ext. 10 – performances Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 25, July 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, June 26, 27, July 3, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, June 28, July 5, 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. with talk back with cast after show; Tuesday, June 30, special matinee at 2 p.m., $32.50 Ferrari & Friends Concorso Sunday, June 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Parade of Children at 11 a.m. from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Specialty Care Center, 399 Farmington Ave., Farmington, car show site LaSalle Road, West Hartford, to benefit Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Make a Wish Historic Gardens Day Sunday, June 28, noon-4 p.m., statewide celebration of Connecticut’s historic gardens including the Sunken Garden at HillStead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, Farmington The Kenn Morr Band at Lost Acres Vineyard, 80 Lost Acres Road, North Granby, Saturday, June 27, 7 p.m., in support of its new CD, tickets $10; music by Legacy Jazz at the Vineyard Sunday, June 28, 1-4 p.m. “Field of Dreams” shown on Warner Theatre big screen Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m., meet and greet with the Torrington Titans before the film in the lobby at 6 p.m., tickets $5 (860-489-7180, www.warnertheatre.org) “At the Table,” a group exhibition featuring artworks of food and how life is celebrated through meals, at the Farmington Valley Arts Center, 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon, in the Drezner Visitors Gallery thru Saturday, June 27 – paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and printmaking and crafts depicting food At Gallery on the Green, Canton, thru Sunday, June 28, hours: Friday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m.: New Work by Members and Guest; “How My Art Helped Me Deal with Cancer” in the Upstairs Gallery; color paintings by Carol Mintell of Avon in the Spotlight Gallery Avon Arts Association’s annual Spring Members’ Show at the Simsbury Library Program Room thru Monday, June 29 during library hours (860-653-3375) “Some Assembly Required” featuring the work of Michael Toti thru Tuesday, June 30 at the Simsbury 1820 House, 731 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury (860-658-7658) At La Trattoria, 21 Old Albany Turnpike, Route 44, Canton: music by Andre Balazs every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and music by Swing Jazz starting at 7 p.m. every Friday New England Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave., Bristol, open to the public Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m., admission $6/$5.50/$3.50/$2 At the Library Avon Public Library, Burlington Library, 281 Country Club Road, 860-673-9712, www.avonctlibrary.info: 34 Library Lane, 860-673-3331, www.Burlingtonctlibrary.info: • Celluloid Highway film and discussion series Thursday, June 25, “Little Miss Sunshine,” 6:30 p.m. introduction by Bob Kagan, 7 p.m. film begins followed by post-film discussion • Foodie Film Friday, June 26, “A League of Their Own” • Irish Dancing Summer Kickoff Tuesday, June 30, 11 a.m.-noon, with SRL Irish Dance Academy, jigs and reels followed by demo Tinker Tuesdays June 30, 1:30-4:30 p.m., drop in • Local Author Festival thru August: Young Adult/Teen authors June 30, 7 p.m., Katie Carroll, Steven Parlato, Cindy Rodriguez, Anissa Zucker with each author sharing thoughts on “The Reader Experience,” the theme for the summer, books for sale • World War II: The European Theater Wednesday, July 1, 2 p.m. – gain insight and perspective from veterans who were there – in conjunction with exhibit, “A Tribute to World War II Veterans of Avon’s VFW Post 3272 on Their 70th Anniversary” in the gallery thru Aug. 31 • Craft & Hobbies for Adults Wednesday, July 1, 2-3 p.m., Decorate Your Own Decoupage Tissue Box Cover, register • VNA blood pressure screening Thursday, July 2, 12:15-1:45 p.m. • Silly Science Thursday, June 25, 12:30 p.m., register • Rhythm & Rhyme Story Time Fridays, June 26-Aug. 14, 10:30 a.m. • CimicCon Festival and Summer Reading Kickoff entering grades 5-12 Saturday, June 27, noon-4 p.m. • Family Fun Night: Les Julian’s musical presentation “Dreaming Aloud” Tuesday, June 30, 6:30 p.m. – vocals and guitar • Hero Art – Craft Corner Monday-Friday thru Aug. 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon, ages 2 and up, drop in • Picnic Story Hour Wednesdays, thru Aug. 12, noon, all ages, drop in – bring lunch and a blanket for outdoor story hour Canton Public Library, 40 Dyer Ave., 860-693-5800: • Adult Film Series Friday, June 26, 1 p.m., “Unbroken” • Saturday Book Conversations Group June 27, 1 p.m., “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed • Parking lot temporary home of the Collinsville Farmers Market Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Summer Reading Program beginning Wednesday, July 1 “Every Hero Has a Story” for ages 0-12 and “Unmask” for teens, register • Drop-In Story Time: Super Fly Guy and His Insect Friends Wednesday, July 1, 10:30 a.m., ages 3 and up with parent/caregiver – songs, a craft, a snack and a short movie • Movies on the Big Screen, “The Spongebob • Movie: Sponge Out of Water” Thursday, July 2, 6:30 p.m., for the family ages 6 and up • June art of local artist Mary Wooten, dedicated to Maggie, who passed away; Shelter and Art: The Architectural Photography of Richard Swibold thru month of July • Teen volunteers needed for Book Buddies, with training session Monday or Tuesday, June 29 or 30, for application visit www.cantonpubliclibrary.org or call Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive, 860-673-6791, ext. 1, www.farmingtonlibraries.org: • Afternoon at the Bijou Thursdays, 2 p.m.: June 25, “Dream Wife,” and July 2, “Random Harvest” • Scratch Junior Saturdays, June 27, July 11 and 18, 10-10:30 a.m., ages 5-8, register for each session • Hour of Crafts Saturdays, June 27, July 11, 18, Aug. 1 and 8, 11 a.m.-noon, ages 6 and up, drop in • Turtle Dance Music Tuesday, June 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m., ages birth-5, register • Wacky Wednesday: Puppets to Go, “The Last Dinosaur,” Wednesday, July 1, 6:307:30 p.m., with puppeteer Bob Nathanson, register • Literary Afternoon: Animal Heroes Thursday, July 2, 2-2:45 p.m., children entering grades 2-4, register for each week attending • Spring Art Show in Community Room thru July 10, contact library in advance on room’s availability Barney Library, 71 Main St., 860-673-6791, ext. 2 • Summer Reading kickoff annual cupcake decoration competition, Cupcake Wars, Monday, June 29, 2 p.m., for ages 5 and up, register in advance – judged on neatness, creativity and defense of theme • Novel Ideas Book Group Tuesday, June 30, 1:15-2:30 p.m. • Sparky’s Puppets: Every Hero Has a Story Wednesday, July 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m., all ages Granby Library, (Simsmore Square) • Friday Flicks “1776” June 26, movie and picnic lunch of hot dogs and chips served at 12:30 p.m. followed by movie at 12:45 p.m., reserve a seat thru senior center • Family Movie Night Wednesday nights in July starting July 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m., call 860-658-7663, ext. 2200 for details • Books wanted for September Used Book Sale, collection site at library thru Aug, 29 • Avon Arts Association Spring Members Show thru Monday, June 29 during library hours Teen programs • Lunch & Lit with free books Wednesday, July 1, noon • Crafternoon: no-sew sleep masks Wednesday, July 1, 2 p.m. • Nerdfest/Fandom Social Thursday, July 2, 2 p.m. Children’s programs 15 North Granby Rd., 860-844-5275: • Zumba for Kids Saturday, June 27, 10:30 a.m. • Music at the Gazebo! Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m., with husband and wife Marcie and Gordon Swift and their harp and fiddle music • Bike Rodeo Wednesday, July 1, 9:30 a.m. • Crafternoon for Kids Thursday, July 2, 4 p.m. Simsbury Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-7663: • SPL at the Farmers Market Thursday, June 25, 3-6 p.m., 540 Hopmeadow St. • Lego Mania Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.2 p.m., ages 5 and up with caregiver, drop in • Family Movies Wednesday, July 1, 6:30 p.m., “Big Hero 6” • Ongoing Story Time Sessions, drop in: Once Upon a Story Time with Mrs. Moody Mondays and Fridays, 10 and 11 a.m., ages 2 and up with caregiver; Bouncing Babies Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m., birth-23 months with caregiver; Ring Around the Rosie Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., ages 2 and up with caregiver June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 15 Fitzgeralds has everything you will need including our new summer concert menu. Talcott Mountain Music Festival Concerts Mambo Kings, Friday, June 26 Celebrate American - Friday, July 3 20 Seasons in Simsbury - Friday, July 10 Classical Night Fever, Friday, July 17 The Music of Queen, Friday, July 24 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES MENU $9.95 FRESH CHEF PREPARED SANDWICH ~GRILLED BLACKENED CHICKEN ON A FRESH BAKED CIABATTA ROLL WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO, RED ONION AND AN AVACADO AIOLI ~GRILLED CHICKEN ON A FRESH BAKED CIABATTA ROLL WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO, RED ONION AND MAYO ~SHAVED ROAST BEEF ON A FRESH BAKED CIABATTA ROLL WITH SWISS CHEESE, LETTUCE, TOMATO AND HORSERADISH SAUCE SERVED WITH FRESH STORE MADE BOWTIE BLUE CHEESE SALAD AND FITZGERALD’S FRESH STORE MADE CANOLLI ALL PACKED IN A RE-USABLE FITZGERALD FOODS LUNCH COOLER. $9.95 FRESH CHEF PREPARED WRAPS ~ TURKEY, CHEDDAR CHEESE, LETTUCE, TOMATO, BACON THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING ON A SUNDRIED TOMATO WRAP ~ CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD ON A WHEAT WRAP ~GRILLED VEGGIE……..ZUCCHINI, EGG PLANT, RED PEPPERS, RED ONIONS, WITH MOZZARELLA CHEESE AND DRIZZLED WITH A BALSAMIC REDUCTION SERVED WITH A FRESH STORE MADE BOWTIE BLUE CHEESE SALAD AND A FITZGERALD FRESH STORE MADE CANOLLI, ALL PACKED IN A RE-USABLE FITZGERALD FOODS LUNCH COOLER. $9.95 GOURMET SALADS ~ GRILLED PLAIN OR BLACKENED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD ~ MIXED BERRY SALAD ON FIELD GREENS, WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE GLAZED PECANS FRESH ASSORTED BERRIES AND GRILLED CHICKEN ~ SPINACH SALAD…. BABY SPINACH, BACON, SLICED EGGS, GORGONZOLA, GRAPE TOMATOES, GRILLED CHICKEN WITH A BASAMIC VINEGARETTE SERVED WITH OLIVE OIL AND PARMESIAN BAKED CIABATTA ROLL AND A FITZGERALD’S FRESH STORE MADE CANOLLI, PACKED IN A RE-USABLE FITZGERALD’S FOODS LUNCH COOLER. PLEASE ORDR BY NOON CONCERT DAY…..IN CASE OF CONCERT POSTPONEMENT ORDER WILL BE CANCELLED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED. 860-836-0797 710 Hopmeadow St. • Drake Hill Mall Simsbury, CT Phone: 860-658-2271 Fax: 860.658.2273 Pizza: 860-658-1210 16 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 GIFT CARDS Always Available Double Manufacturer’s Coupons See Store For Details. Mastercard. Visa. Discover. American Express. Store Hours: OPEN 8 A.M.-9 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK PRESSNews Board votes to broadcast meetings Summer Solstice celebration By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer Y oga practitioners brought in the longest day of the year with yoga on the Drake Hill Flower Bridge. The Summer Solstice, the first day of summer, officially took place Sunday, June 21, but was celebrated in Simsbury the day before by Journey Yoga. It was the third year the studio held the event in honor of the solstice, said Journey Yoga owner Maggie Rueda. During the event there were yoga classes, with children’s yoga on the lawn beside the bridge and adult classes taking place on it. Refreshments and a raffle were part FARMINGTON — Residents will be able to watch a Farmington Board of Education meeting on television or over the Internet as soon as October. After a two-hour debate June 15, the Board of Education approved in a 7-1 vote to broadcast meetings, subject to the approval of the board’s policy committee’s recommendations. As part of the approval, the school board will revisit the issue following the deliberation of the 2016-17 budget to review how the policy is going. School board members Mark Blore, Bill Baker and Chris Fagan all expressed their support for recording meetings and showing them on cable access as well as over the Internet. “I’m 100 percent in support of it; it’s not going to change our discussions here,” Baker said, noting that the Town Council broadcasts its meetings. “This meeting 100 percent is equally or more important than Town Council meetings.” Photos by Sloan Brewster of the event. Proceeds are given to volunteers in the non-profit organization that maintains the bridge, Rueda said. A group from the studio decided to help because they love to walk to the bridge between classes. “It is an unbelievably tranquil and peaceful feeling,” Rueda said of yoga on the bridge. “People love it because it’s a different environment and they just feel like they’re out supporting their town and getting a workout ... at the same time.” See BROADCAST on page 21 CRCOG grants municipalities funds for shared equipment purchases By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer REGION — Valley towns together with Bloomfield were honored for their cooperative spirit. At its annual meeting Tuesday, June 16, the Capitol Region Council of Governments awarded the municipalities of Avon, Canton, Simsbury, Farmington, Granby, East Granby and Bloomfield funds for joint equipment purchases to be shared by their public works departments, said Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson. “CRCOG being that they’re a regional organization, they love to celebrate when towns work together,” said Simsbury Public Works Director Tom Roy. In total, there were three equipment purchases, each one spread between different municipalities, Roy said. The towns were awarded grants, which were also jointly filed, toward the purchases. Local communities work together in many ways such as when there are fires and emergencies, Robertson said. The award draws attention to that spirit. “It’s recognition and, you know, I think in particular, all the towns in the Farmington Valley work so well together. ... We work well together and it’s always nice to get recognition for that.” Avon, Canton, Simsbury, Farmington, Granby and Bloomfield joined forces to get three hot boxes to share. The equipment will be used to maintain the 668 miles of roadways in the six municipalities, according to the grant application. Hot boxes are used to recycle pieces of asphalt curbing into hot asphalt to be used for repairing potholes and patching other defects on roads. The towns of Simsbury and East Granby got a roadside mower. The mower will help clear sight See GRANTS on page 21 Now offe our prograrimng a AVON HIG t H SCHOOL Avon Driving School • Start Classes Anytime • Take Classes in Any Order • DMV Testing On Site • Free Drop Off and Pick Up From Home, School or Job • CT State-Mandated 8-Hour Safety Course Available Register Today! www.avondrivingschool.com Or Call Us at: 860.408.9098 June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 17 Moody’s reaffirms Simsbury’s Aaa bond rating for fifth year By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer SIMSBURY — For the fifth year running, the town of Simsbury has been awarded the highest possible credit rating. According to a press release from the town, Moody’s Investors Service has reaffirmed the Aaa bond rating – its highest rating. “I am pleased that the town was able to maintain the Aaa bond rating,” said Board of Finance Chairman Peter Askham. “This rating validates the town’s policies of Friendship — one of our many amenities for a healthy lifestyle. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All 120-acre wooded campus, You Nestled Needon aIs One. AllMcLean’s You Need Assisted Living community an engagingIs One. Is One. All YouoffersNeed for seniors who want independence, Alllifestyle You Need Is One. All You fulfillment, choices and activities — paired with the Needsecurity Isof 24-hour One.staffAll You Need Is and the support of a full One. continuum All ofYou Need care — for complete Is peace ofOne. mind. All You Need Is One. All You Need a visitNeed today. Is One. Is One. Schedule All You All You 860-658-3786 Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All You Need Is One. All Assisted You Living Need Is One. All You Communities Need Is One. All You Need Is 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 and home care and hospice. Assisted Living • Memory Care Assisted Living • Enhanced Assisted Living www.McLeanCare.org | 75 Great Pond Road | Simsbury, CT 06070 18 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 debt management, reserves, pension and fiscally responsible manner, Heavner said. other postemployment benefits funding. The Aaa rating further factors the The town has been and will always be com- town’s professional management team, mitted to sound conservative fiscal man- which has maintained historically stable fiagement.” nancial operations and healthy reserve levMoody’s assigned an Aaa rating to the els which are supported by a formal policy. town on $41.1 million of outstanding parity Further, the rating incorporates modest debt and for the issue of $9.1 million Gener- long-term liabilities for debt service, penal Obligation Bonds. sion, and OPEB. According to Moody’s reMancini said it all comes port, approximately $4.9 mildown to fiscal management “We understand and discipline. lion of the new bonds will be that the money used to refund old bonds, and “The gentleman from will save the town $122,000. Moody’s worded it that we we spend comes The remaining bonds will be have a very strong underfrom our used to finance open space standing of the running of a residents’ acquisition, road and highmunicipality,” he said. way improvement, school The process Moody’s pockets and upgrades and various other uses to determine the rating work very hard town projects. goes beyond looking at the to get it right.” The town first received town government and staff an Aaa rating from Moody’s and their ability to manage –First Selectman in June 2010, according to Fithe town’s cash, Mancini said. Lisa Heavner nance Director Joe Mancini. “They evaluate the “I’m pleased but not surwealth of the community,” he prised,” said First Selectman Lisa Heavner. said. “They do a fiscal overview of not only “We understand that the money we spend the town, ... but [also] the people.” comes from our residents’ pockets and Moody’s looks at such things as local work very hard to get it right.” unemployment figures and the number of Heavner credits the town’s long-term foreclosures in town, he said. approach to fiscal management for the That evaluation resulted in the invesrating. tors service determining that the town is “I think it reflects the working relation- affluent, with a moderately sized tax base ship the Board of Selectmen has with the and is in a favorable location outside of the Board of Finance and the Board of Educa- state capital, Heavner said. tion,” she said. “We deliver the most responAccording to Moody’s report, “Simssible budgets we can to our residents.” bury is an affluent residential community She pointed out that for the second located in Hartford County, approximateyear in a row, the town had decreased taxes. ly 10 miles northwest of Hartford and The $98.6 million 2015-16 budget for 25 miles southwest of Springfield, MA. the town and educational district lead to The town has an estimated population of a slight decrease in the town’s mill rate, 23,535.” bringing it to 37.12 from 37.14 mill rate. Heavner, who took over the helm of Of the $98.6 million. $18.9 million will the town in January, said she has not encover town expenses.. countered any tough challenges in followThe town’s budget continues to deliv- ing with the town’s tradition of fiscal reer quality services to taxpayers in the most sponsibility. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a very professionTOWN OF FARMINGTON al staff who understands the HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION challenges and the needs of Notice is hereby given that the Historic District Commission took the the community,” she said. following action on Tuesday, June 16, 2015: Approved Principal Financial Group application for Temporary Certificate of Appropriateness to install sign at 3 Brickwalk Lane as presented. Approved Loftus & Charbra Jestin application for Temporary Certificate of Appropriateness to install fence at 103 Main Street as presented. Dated at Farmington, CT June 18, 2015 Farmington Historic District Commission John Bombara, Secretary LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS TOWN OF SIMSBURY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO ALL PERSONS LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES AND SEWER USE CHARGES TO THE TOWN OF SIMSBURY AND SIMSBURY FIRE DISTRICT ON THE GRAND LIST OF OCTOBER 1, 2014, THAT SAID TAX IS DUE AND PAYABLE JULY 1, 2015. TOWN TAXES FOR REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN AUTOMOBILE) OVER THE AMOUNT OF $100.00 MAY BE PAID IN TWO INSTALLMENTS; ONE HALF DURING JULY 2015 AND THE OTHER HALF DURING JANUARY 2016. ALL TAXES DUE ON AUTOMOBILES ARE PAYABLE IN FULL IN JULY 2015. SEWER USE CHARGES ARE ALSO DUE AND PAYABLE IN FULL IN JULY 2015. IF THE TAX DUE IS NOT PAID ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 3, 2015, INTEREST WILL BE CHARGED FROM THE DUE DATE, JULY 1ST, AT THE RATE OF 1-½ PER CENT PER MONTH UNTIL PAID, SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM INTEREST CHARGE OF $2.00 ON BOTH TOWN TAX AND THE SIMSBURY FIRE DISTRICT TAX IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12-146 OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES AND PUBLIC ACT 80-468. PAYMENTS MAY BE MAILED OR PAID AT THE TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE, WHICH IS OPEN MONDAY 8:30 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M., TUESDAY THRU THURSDAY 8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M., FRIDAY 8:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. COLLEEN O’CONNOR TAX COLLECTOR Read Valley PRESS AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY online at www.TurleyCT.com Cell tower work delayed until osprey hatchlings leave nest By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer BURLINGTON — A family of ospreys has made a home atop a cell tower in Burlington. Two adult birds have had a nest on the tower at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Station on the George Washington Turnpike for about three years, Ginger Doherty, who works across the street at Crescent Manufacturing, has said at Board of Selectmen meetings. This year, for the first time, they have had hatchlings. Doherty first brought up the subject of the birds during a discussion on plans to make modifications to the tower. Since then, First Selectman Ted Shafer has been in contact with a wildlife biologist from the Department Energy and Environmental Protection who recommended the work be done after the hatchlings are old enough to leave the nest, he said. “While they’re young and nesting, they are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act until the young ospreys can fly,” Shafer said. While DEEP recommended the work be done after mid-July, Mark Applebee of Northeast Site Solutions, which is doing the work on the tower, said the consulting company has decided to wait even longer, Shafer said. “They decided not to even begin work, or continue work, until October,” Shafer said. “They’re be- ing very sensitive to the laws and the ospreys.” Ospreys are raptors like eagles, hawks and falcons, DEEP wildlife biologist Brian Hess said. “They are interesting in that they are fish eaters,” he said. “They hunt and are extremely adept at taking fish of all kinds. You’ll normally find them along bodies of water.” In Connecticut and Massachusetts, there are hundreds of osprey nests along bodies of water and they are coming inland as well, Hess said. That was not always the case. “They were endangered at one point,” he said. “In the early part of the 20th century they were abundant, there was a lot of ospreys around.” Then, in 1945, the insecticide DDT was approved for agricultural use and shortly thereafter, people began to notice that while there were still some adult ospreys, they weren’t successfully raising chicks. Theories suggested the eggshells were thinning as a result of the insecticide, which may have been one cause of the problem. “With thin eggshells, the incubating adult can potentially crush the egg with [its] body weight,” Hess said. The thinning shells may have also affected the exchange of gases that is pertinent to the growth of embryos. “As a bird egg develops, they exchange gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide between the embryo and the outside world,” Hess said. “Eggshells control how quickly and easily the gas flows.” Changes in the exchange of gases can be problematic for the growing embryo. “Because there was no young, eventually, that population crashed,” Hess said. “There were very few left.” In the late 1960s and 1970s, DDT was banned and now the population is once again on the rise. “They’re just looking for territory, places to nest, and their population is growing and rebounding, so they’re out there looking for new places,” Hess said. Places like cell towers and platforms specifically made for nests are taking the place of dead trees where the birds once nested. High cell towers are particularly appealing to the birds in areas such as Burlington, where there is very little land without tree cover. “Before humans started building platforms, they liked dead trees and snags,” Hess said. “They like open space all around them. They like being at the highest point on a pole, platform or post. ... What they’re doing is mimicking that platform of a dead tree. ... The cell towers make a real nice substitute for those dead trees that they used to find.” The birds are likely hunting on the Farmington River and at Nepaug Reservoir, Hess said. While there are plenty of fish on hand at the DEEP fish hatchery, which is just down the road from the cell tower, they are not likely to fish there as the area is dense with trees. According to the Migratory An osprey at a cell tower nest in Burlington. Bird Treaty Act, ospreys are protected from being bothered, killed, removed or harassed while they’re actively nesting, Hess said. That being said, the DEEP tries to come up with ways to mitigate problems when a nest is built on personal property or where it is not desired. Over Memorial Day weekend, for example, an osprey built a nest in a crane. For the owner, the crane was his livelihood. The DEEP worked with him to take steps to keep the osprey from returning, but warned him not to actually move the nest as it was unclear if there were any eggs in it. The DEEP also works closely with utility companies to provide alternatives when the birds make nests on telephone poles or transformers, Hess said. In one instance this year, the DEEP worked with a utility company when a nest was Paul J. Fusco/CT DEEP-Wildlife built on a pole. The solution in that case was to build a platform for the nest directly across the street and to move the nest. In another case, a pair of ospreys built a nest atop a bridge, and sticks and debris being used were falling on cars and the roadway. The DEEP worked with the state Department of Transportation, which built an arm extension over the water and put the nest there. “What we try to do is sort of be creative, think of alternatives,” Hess said. “The best case is to try to think about ways to coexist.” The DEEP is working with the Connecticut Audubon Society, which, through a program called Osprey Nation, is mapping out all the osprey nests in the state, Hess said. There are approximately 425 currently known. CONNECTICUT LIGHTING CENTERS & RESTORATION LIGHTING GALLERY So MUCH MORE than just a lighting store! The shocking truth about not having a Will When you die without a Will, did you know that you’re giving the state permission to make decisions for you? That’s right. Without a Will, state law decides who gets what. If you have children, state law will also choose their guardians. If you’re single without children, it’ll decide which of your relatives will get what you leave behind. Shop New England’s largest selection of fans, lighting, table and floor lamps, decorative hardware, home accents, vintage and reproduction lighting, shades and so much more. Don’t want the state making decisions that should be yours? Then call (860) 266-1038 or email us at: BeSafe@ctseniorlaw.com Download the FREE report The Shocking Truth About Not Having a Will www.ctseniorlaw.com/wills OVER 180 FANS ON DISPLAY BALANCE OF FORM & FUNCTION ...with prices starting at $89.95! CT Lighting Centers HARTFORD 860-249-7631 160 BRAINARD RD (I-91 EX. 27) SOUTHINGTON 860-621-7585 RT 10 WAL-MART PLAZA (I-84 EX. 32) Berlin ◆ Hartford ◆ Simsbury ◆ Vernon www.ctseniorlaw.com www.CTLighting.com Open 7 Days & 5 Nights Restoration Lighting Gallery HARTFORD 860-493-2532 167 BRAINARD RD (I-91 EX. 27) Across the street from Connecticut Lighting Centers June 25, 2015 www.myRLG.com Open 7 Days & 2 Nights The Valley Press 19 Farmington schools renew Chartwells contract By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer FARMINGTON — Despite a student-led boycott at the high school that gained national attention, the Farmington Board of Education voted June 15 to renew the agreement with food service contractor Chartwells. The school district entered into an initial contract with Chartwells in June 2012. The agreement provides for four additional renewals upon the consent of both parties. The renewal that took place June 15, which was approved in a 6-2 vote with Mark Blore and Bill Baker dissenting, was the third such renewal. School officials acknowledged the rocky start the food service company had in the district, which included allegations of, among other things, moldy and undercooked food at the high school as well as Draconian policies if students did not have enough money that re- sulted in a boycott in November 2014. “There have been some challenges this year, but we haven’t shied away from them,” school board Chair Mary Grace Reed said. “It was a rough start, but whenever things like that happen, it’s an opportunity to say how can we make this a stellar food service program,” Superintendent of Schools Kathy Greider said. “The work done has been incredible.” Farmington High student Sarah White said in a statement last year that Chartwells started off offering excellent healthy food. “It was clear they put considerable effort into their product,” White said. “Now, that effort has seemed lackluster at best, and Chartwells has not asked for our input this year.” After meeting with students, Chartwells responded by permitting the purchase of two meals on credit, installing a food warmer and offering fresher choices. School board member Bill Beckert said “the kids were not happy,” but the school district and the company responded well to the issues. “Our participation [in the lunch program] has gone back up,” Beckert said. “The community needs to understand that. That’s important.” Greider said the schools’ food service program was losing “tens of thousands of dollars” prior to the switch to Chartwells. “We weren’t self-sustaining at that point,” Greider said. “We had to do something.” Despite the boycott and negative publicity, Greider said the school district could break even in the area of food services this year. The school district also has an agreement with Chartwells in which the company will absorb some of the costs in the event of a deficit, Greider said. Blore first asked what the sales figures were currently and what they were before Chartwells was hired. Business administrator Mike Ryan said it was difficult to compare the two because of the federal and state guidelines that are now in place for school cafeterias. “We were on cheeseburgers and french fries before Chartwells,” Ryan said. “The menu is different. That had a big impact on food sales with what had to do with Michelle Obama’s program.” Blore also questioned how long it would take to get a new food supplier in place. Greider said it was not feasible to hire one if the Chartwells agreement was not renewed. “It would be very disruptive,” Greider said. During the meeting, it was announced that Jill Donnelly, Chartwells’ director of dining services for the Farmington school district, was resigning her post due to an impending move. Executive chef Jose Fontanez is taking Donnelly’s place. Addley offers end-of-year updates on district progress By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer GRANBY — Granby Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan Addley provided the Board of Education an overview June 17 of the major accomplishments and progress for the 2014-15 school year. He called the school year a “challenging, exciting and successful” one. Addley noted the hiring of a new middle school principal, the successful passage of a budget referendum, improvements to school safety and the “continued recog- nition of Granby Memorial High School as as an Excelling School of Distinction” as noteworthy for the school year, in addition to the three state titles earned by high school athletics team in girls volleyball, girls lacrosse and boys ice hockey. Addley set forth five goals and noted the progress on each: increase student achievement, model professional/personal leadership, board and community relations, provide educational leadership and business matters. For student achievement, Addley said, among other things, that “the development of new measurements and assessments for the district achievement goal is in progress. Work to date has included administrative workshops with consultant Jonathan Costa and has resulted in draft benchmarks.” Under model professional and personal leadership, the district utilized opportunities to build the capacity of teams and teacher leaders through a variety of means, including a seventh cohort of teachers participating in the Teachers’ Leadership Academy I & II. Under educational leadership, Addley wrote that his office “facilitated the district’s successful transition to the Common Core State Standards and Smarter Balanced Assessments. As for business matters, Addley said the district was continuing “to explore regionalization opportunities with surrounding school systems and active participation as a member of the town’s Intra-Board Advisory Committee, and the district is presently investigating increasing collaboration and programing with Asnuntuck Community College.” Suburban Sanitation Service 18 Colonial Rd., Canton, CT • 860-673-3078 • 860-693-2737 It Summertime Backyard Barbeque Time REMINDER: if you haven’t cleaned your septic tank in 2 years, do it now! • Remember, proper maintenance helps the longevity of your entire septic system • New septic systems installed and repairs of existing systems • Alternative repairs of septic systems using the non-invasive terralift or soil air techniques • Real estate inspections for home purchases • Portable restrooms for all occasions SUMMER SPECIAL $ 00 10 Our family has been providing prompt and courteous service since 1955 20 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 OFF SEPTIC SERVICE www.subsanserv.com Official: ‘Significant interest’ in The Hartford site By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer SIMSBURY — Though Simsbury officials are being mum on possible movement for The Hartford property, they have hinted that something is going on there. At the June 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, the board gave a brief and cryptic update on the property, alluding to something but giving no details. “I know that there’s a lot that we can’t say, but just keeping it as a point of discussion,” Selectman Nancy Haase said during the discussion. Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke said he had spoken with representatives from The Hartford the week before the meeting. “There has been significant action and interest with the property,” he said. While company officials told Cooke they were optimistic about the socalled action, they also said they were not ready to make an announcement about it, he added. The company will continue to use the building through the end of the year for employees who have been displaced by renovations to its offices in Hartford, Cooke said. In January 2013, the insurance giant sold its retirement business to MassMutual, and 700 employees were moved out of the Simsbury facility to MassMutual offices in Enfield. The year before that, the life insurance portion of the business was sold to The Prudential, and 200 employees were transferred to that company. Then in March 2013, company officials informed the town that employees working out of the Hopmeadow Street location would be moved to the Hartford or Windsor facilities and that now the the focus of business is on property and casualty insurance, meaning insurance homes and autos and group benefits, Hartford spokesman Thomas Hambrick said then. It also manages mutual funds. In the fall of 2014, Hambrick said employees were being temporarily moved back to the Simsbury facility while the Windsor and Hartford branches were being renovated. In April 2014, selectmen agreed to spend $30,000 on a land use study to determine the best use for the 172-acre property and 64,000-squarefoot building, which the insurance company is closing and looking to sell. The study, which resembled the 2009 charrette that resulted in the center code, cost a total of $175,000. Then last July, Simsbury’s Zoning Commission adopted a new form-based code for The Hartford property. The code is similar to the one adopted for the center of town in 2011 and will dictate zoning for the site. It does not deal with design, but does dictate how far buildings can be from the road, their height and the density of buildings on the property, Commission Chairman Robert Pomeroy said then. The 63-page code is available on the town’s website, www.simsbury-ct. gov. A form-based code is different than traditional Euclidean Codes regularly used to zone municipalities. Euclidean Codes outline a piece of property and its use while form-based codes goes a step further, Pomeroy said. “The Hartford has repeatedly said that the joint work with the town on the charrette has been very helpful and is contributing to the successful refurbishing of that space,” Cooke said. TOWN OF FARMINGTON INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION Notice is hereby given that the Inland Wetlands Commission took the following action on Wednesday, June 17, 2015: Approved Martin & Karen Wand request for modification of prior approval for revised storm water system as presented, in plan with revision date of June 9, 2015, for property located at 85 Prattling Pond Road. Approved 7-Eleven application for regulated activity within upland review area to remove underground storage tanks at 70 South Main Street, Unionville with conditions. Dated at Farmington, CT June 18, 2015 INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION John Hinze, Chairman GRANTS from page 17 lines and prevent brush and trees from growing into the roadway right of way, according to the grant application. The towns of Avon, Bloomfield, Farmington and Simsbury got a paving box to help maintain roads, sideBROADCAST from page 17 Fagan said that broadcasting meetings would result in greater transparency and bring increased accountability “and credibility to the process.” Other school board members, including Bernie Erickson and Ellen Siuta, expressed their reservations, however, over the potential for grandstanding, the possibility of increased caucusing that would lead to fewer open discussions and child confidentiality. “People say the Town Council is being videotaped,” Erickson said. “I was on the council for three terms. That’s a different ball game. Grandstanding is the name of the game there. Seldom do they have kids or talk about the budget. It’s very important that people come [to school board] meetings. If they want an answer, they can come and ask it here.” School board Vice Chair Paula O’Brien said the public doesn’t always see the Town Council’s discussions. “We don’t see business being conducted,” O’Brien walks and trails. The paving box will be used to put down quality asphalt patches, Roy said. In January, state Rep. John Hampton announced the grant awards, which came from the State Bond Commission. The commission awarded the towns a total of $101,000 in three separate grants. “Sharing resources makes both fiscal and common sense,” Hampton said then. “Moving to a more regional mindset helps municipalities and taxpayers save money.” Simsbury, Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, Farmington and Granby shared $52,500 for the hot boxes, according to the announcement. Simsbury and Bloomfield shared $20,000 for the track paver or paving box. And Simsbury and East Granby shared $28,500 for the roadside mower. The shared equipment not only continues a long-held tradition of cooperation between the communities, but channels that spirit down to the department level, Roy said. Joining forces also helped the municipalities get equipment for which they may not otherwise have budgeted as the pieces, while helpful in keeping roads in good condition, are not used as often as other equipment. “It’s a pretty good example of working together. This is equipment that we certainly do need, but it’s not equipment that we use every, day five days a week,” he said. “We work better when we work together.” said. “We don’t hear why [they do things] and [their] reasoning. Here there is a lot of back and forth. I do have concerns it might go away. We do everything publicly anyway.” O’Brien also said that she was concerned about what the policy would be concerning children, who often appear before the board. O’Brien suggested recording meetings as a pilot program. School board member Bill Beckert said he was concerned about grandstanding as well, but that in this current day and age, it was best to respond to what residents expect to see from their governing boards. “I’m mindful that this is an open public meeting. ... I want to make sure we do it right,” Beckert said. “It’s 2015. There’s something to be said for that.” School board Chair Mary Grace Reed said she has significant reservations, including that parents share things during public com- ment that they might not otherwise share if they have to do so on camera. In addition, Reed said that, while it wasn’t always pretty, she couldn’t recall caucusing to Fagan was the lone dissenting vote. But he later clarified in a telephone conversation that he did not believe it was necessary to include in the motion a provision that Greider estimated that, based on that rate, it would cost the district $4,500 to record an entire year’s worth of meetings. It wouldn’t cost anything for the the school board to use its own equipment and record its meetings and then send them to Nutmeg TV, Sutter said. As for student confidentiality, Sutter said it was possible to edit out students who did not have permission to be recorded. That could be done either during the meeting or post-production, Sutter said. “Nutmeg TV is here for you,” Sutter said. “We’re not trying to sell you anything or encourage you to use the channel. … We’re a community service organization. Our job is to be here for our clients. We would take direction from you.” At the start of the school board’s meeting, six members of the public all expressed their support for televised meetings. “It’s important for the ... students and not just adults to see what you do,” Olivia Germano said. “[It will result in] more transparency [and] also clarify any issues and questions. It will also help people who are not able to be here for whatever reason.” “I’m mindful that this is an open public meeting. ... I want to make sure we do it right. It’s 2015. There’s something to be said for that.” –Bill Beckert discuss issues such as the budget. Everything was handled in discussions at the table, Reed said. “For me, it’s been a real sticking point,” she said. Despite their reservations, the school board reached a consensus on the matter and voted to approve pending recommendations from the policy committee. Despite the 7-1 vote, the measure enjoyed unanimous support from the school board. required the school board to revisit the issue after budget deliberations. Prior to the debate, Joanie Sutter, executive director of Nutmeg TV, answered the school board’s questions surrounding the issue. Nutmeg TV broadcasts the Farmington Town Council’s meetings, among others. Sutter said it would cost the school board $35 an hour for Nutmeg TV to record the meetings themselves. Superintendent of Schools Kathy Drainage “We’re a versatile Landscape and Site Development company committed to prompt, personal service, and quality professional results for all of your commercial and residential projects -big or small.” QUALITY SCREENED TOPSOIL ANY SIZE LOAD DELIVERED Read Excavation & Grading Septic Work Demolition Trucking Complete Landscape Services Stone Patios, Walkways, Sidewalks & Walls Valley PRESS Tree Trimming and Removal AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY online at www.TurleyCT.com SIMSBURY, CT 860-651-6130 WWW.CRSLANDSCAPE.COM Delivery of Landscape Products: including stone, soil, sand and mulch We’ve Made Our Plans, Now It’s Time To Start Making Yours Welcome to the future of Seabury. Here’s a unique chance to be part of it. We have teamed with a top architectural firm and developed plans for 65 additional distinctive, well-appointed independent living residences — and so much more! Many unique floor plans are available, each with beautiful views and vistas in all directions and the flexibility to customize them to your personal taste. And that’s just the beginning. Join us for an info session to learn more about the state-ofthe-art features and amenities included in our new expansion, as well as the Seabury At Home program. Discover Seabury and Seabury At Home at our info sessions held at Seabury every 1st Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and every 3rd Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Call (860) 243-6081 or (860) 243-4033 for reservations or e-mail info@seaburylife.org Now accepting reservations from those 50 and over. An Active Life Care Community 200 Seabury Drive Bloomfield, CT 06002 (860) 286-0243 or (800) 340-4709 seaburylife.org June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 21 PRESSOPINION Capture the Moments! VALLEY PRESS www.turleyct.com 540 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 Phone: 860-651-4700 Fax: 860 606-9599 Click on the SmugMug link on our home page to see www.TurleyCT.com albums EDITORIAL of photos that have appeared in the Keep shelves stocked in summertime newspaper Letters policy Letters to the editor should be 400 words or less in length. Political letters should be 250 words or less. Guest columns will be published at the discretion of the editor and should be no more than 650 words in length. No unsigned or anonymous opinions will be published. We require that the person submitting the opinion also include his or her town of residence and a phone number where they can be reached. We authenticate authorship prior to publication. We reserve the right to edit or withold any submissions deemed to be libelous, unsubstantiated allegations, personal attacks or defamation of character. Send opinion submissions to: our editor, Abigail, via email at aalbair@turleyct.com or via mail to 540 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, 06070. Deadline for submissions is Friday at noon for the following week’s edition. Call our office, 860-651-4700, with questions. 22 The Valley Press It’s summertime, a time of fun, frolicking and trips. Cookouts are a seasonal tradition and, especially on the weekend, the aromas of food cooking on open grills can be smelled through open windows. Steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish, corn on the cob, vegetables – all mouthwatering summer foods, but not everyone can enjoy them. Those who are less fortunate can’t always afford to put food on the table, which is why every town has a food pantry and area organizations like Gifts of Love. Residents can donate nonperishable items to take care of their neighbors who are going through a rough spot. Shelves are stocked by a civic club, faithbased organization, business, school, or a philanthropic resident. Every item donated is important because it helps someone in need who may not know where their next meal is coming from, something many people in the Valley have never experienced. Food pantries receive an influx during the holiday season, as everybody is in a spirit of giving and wants to help those in need. Food drives are held in conjunction with Thanksgiving and Christmas, with overflowing bags and boxes delivered to the pantries. Once the warm weather hits, donations steeply drop off. People are thinking more about summer vacation rather than charitable giving. The shelves start to become bare. Families whose children eat breakfast and lunch at school during the school year no longer have that option, which further compounds the problem of dwindling supplies at food pantries in the summer. Some school districts still provide free summer meals for its students, but none of the Valley towns offer that option. The next time you’re grocery shopping, think about the food pantry in your town. Find items that are on sale, use coupons, or take advantage of a buy one, get one free sale. Even if you can only donate a couple of bags, if everyone did this, the June 25, 2015 pantries’ shelves would no longer be empty. Anything nonperishable is welcome: cereal, rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, noodles, canned fish and meat, peanut butter, granola bars, crackers and more. A quick call to the local food pantry will help identify which items are most needed. Some food pantries also accept donations of household items such as paper towels, bathroom tissue, cleaning products and toiletries. The past eight to 10 years have been tough for many because of the economy, illnesses and other major life changes. Talk to the staff at the food pantry and they will tell you that people who used to be donors are now clients. Don’t take the food on your table for granted; life changes quickly and unexpectedly, and it may be your family who relies on the food pantry for meals. Don’t forget that monetary donations are accepted just as welcomingly as nonperishable foods. Avon’s food bank is open Tuesdays from 9:3011:30 a.m. and is located in the back of Saint Ann’s Church, 270 West Avon Road. Donations to Gifts of Love’s food pantry can be dropped off at 34 East Main St. in Avon during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Burlington’s food bank is at 200 Spielman Highway. Canton’s food bank is located at the Trinity Episcopal Church on River Road in Collinsville and is open on Tuesdays from 8:30-11:30 a.m. In Farmington, the food pantry is located in the First Church of Christ, 75 Main St. Donations can be dropped off at the Pantry from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday in Amistad Hall, but there is also a cart labeled “Food Pantry Donations” under the coat rack just inside the doors leading in from School Street. Granby’s Food Bank Program is at 248 Salmon Brook St., and donations can be dropped off Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1 and 4 p.m. Simsbury’s food closet is in Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St. TurleyCT Community Publications Life Publications The Valley Press The West Hartford Press To advertise call 860-651-4700 • TurleyCT.com The Valley Press is a publication of TurleyCT Community Publications Delivering local news, sports, entertainment and more to the Farmington Valley community Keith Turley Publisher Abigail Albair Editor aalbair@turleyct.com David Heuschkel Sports Editor Melissa Friedman Advertising Director 860-978-1345 Melissa@turleyct.com Barbara Ouellette Classified Sales classifieds@thevalleypress.net FIND US ON PRESSOPINION Letters to the EDITOR Farmington loses in new state budget Support for the Lions Club To the editor: To the editor: Regarding the June 4 article headlined “Amendment aimed at Tackling Happy Hill Concern,” the Lions Club does not deserve negative publicity. Their Palm Sunday blueberry pancakes are to die for, their popcorn socials are delicious, their collection of used glasses is praiseworthy, and their untiring efforts to collect and box recyclables are hours of dedication by Lions Club members. The money dispersement from recyclables is thousands for worthy community causes. I have no remedy for the complaints, but I wish we could team together to avoid them. If membership increased, there would be more watch-guards and manpower to continue their good works. The Valley Press can help recruit members by publishing Lions Club in action. Every Monday, I see two smiling faces passing my house, tooting their white wagon horn on their journey to collect recyclables from neighboring towns. I would miss their spirit if the town refuses support. Thank you Lions Club for all you do for us. Sincerely, Dorothy M. Gondek Farmington residents have been largely shielded from the effects of Connecticut’s economic decline, thanks in part to our Town Council’s sound fiscal management. Recent events, however, mark an unfortunate turning point, as our state legislators voted to follow the largest tax increase in state history with the second-largest tax increase in state history. We are dismayed that our state representative, Mike Demicco, voted “yes” for a budget that will negatively impact Farmington’s ability to pass town budgets that maintain our quality of life, sustain our infrastructure and invest in education. With state grants, most communities were held harmless. In Farmington, not only were we not held harmless, our percentage of reduction was one of the highest in the state. Under the approved budget, Farmington will take one of the largest percentage decreases in the state in combined state statutory formula grants. There will be significant decreases in Farmington’s PILOT funding and a decrease in Farmington’s public school transportation and adult education funds. Taxes will be raised to finance a $23 million increase in Education Cost Sharing funding for public schools, even though none of the new money will come to Farmington. A property tax credit drop will affect nearly all of our tax returns next year. There will be higher income taxes for some, and previously approved business and sales tax cuts that affect us all will be canceled. Corporate taxes will increase by $700 million, a move that prompted companies such as GE, Aetna and others to publicly contemplate leaving the state, taking the jobs of Farmington residents with them. Despite the pleas of many Farmington officials, Mike Demicco voted “yes” to all these things, with the governor and against his own town. His election campaign continuously lauded his record of knocking on every door in town. Farmington residents deserve more than shoe leather. This second round of tax hikes and another deficit projection are just too big to ignore. Now it’s hitting home – our quality of life, infrastructure and education are at stake – and that’s a trajectory we can no longer accept from those who are supposed to represent us. Mike Clark Former Town Council Chairman 2005-2011 and current Chairman of the Farmington Republican Town Committee Jeff Hogan Former Town Council Chairman Submitted on behalf of the 70 members of the Farmington Republican Town Committee Summer Sale Event Keep Cool and Save on Your Energy Bills! Hurry! Sale Ends June 30, 2015. Sh Blin ut ds anters , Sh d , D ad Mo ra es re per , ! y 35 % Off Window Treatments* * Signature Series® Cellular, Roller, Solar & Exterior Solar Shades. Call today to schedule your Free in-home consultation! 860.408.1610 Serving Bloomfield, Barkhamsted, Burlington, Canton, Granby, Simsbury, Suffield, Winsted and Northwest Corner of Connecticut. *Applies to selected Signature Series® Window Treatments. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer good only at Budget Blinds of Simsbury and with initial estimate. Offer excludes shutters and drapery. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. BB4.875x6Ad_ValleyP_June_FM.indd 1 of Simsbury 5/27/15 7:32 PM CLUES ACROSS 1. Hiking path 6. Swiss river 10. Amorphous mass 14. Eastern spindle tree 15. A cheap rundown hotel 17. Oath of office day 19. The bill in a restaurant 20. Religious transgression 21. More lucid 22. Vietnamese offensive 23. Chief magistrate of Venice 24. Turfs 26. Copyread 29. Game using 32 cards 31. Largest society for technology advancement 32. Mrs. Nixon 34. Drunken bum (slang) 35. Times assigned to serve 37. Labor organizer Eugene 38. Come into the possession of 39. Carbamide 40. Affirmative! (slang) 41. Feudal bondman 43. Without (French) 45. Emits a continuous droning sound 46. Use diligently 47. A moving crowd 49. Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand 50. Sirius Satellite Radio (abbr.) 53. Mailing packet 57. Female shopping assistant 58. Dog & wolf genus 59. Opposite of beginnings 60. South by east 61. This language died with Tevfik Esenc CLUES DOWN 1. Foolishly annoying person 2. Type of genus of the Ranidae 3. Whale ship captain 4. An informal debt instrument 5. Piece of a felled tree 6. Arabic demon (var. sp.) 7. Actor Ladd 8. Decay 9. Programmes 10. Hat tied under the chin 11. Methaqualone pill (slang) 12. Ocean Search and Rescue 13. Turkish title of respect 16. Submarine sandwich 18. An objects functions 22. Touchdown 23. Judge or consider 24. __ Claus 25. Word element meaning ear 27. Fencing swords 28. Song: Aba __ Honeymoon 29. Standard wire gauge 30. Capital of Ukraine 31. George Gershwin’s brother 33. Thyroid-stimulating hormone 35. Horse trainer’s shackle 36. Soft-finned fishes 37. Internet infrastructure 39. Sieze without right 42. Dishonors 43. Speaks a slavonic language 44. Egyptian pharaoh 46. Small breed of horse 47. “__ the Man” Musical 48. Forest land (British) 49. Italian municipality 50. Japanese entertainment firm 51. Slovenian mountain 52. 20th Hebrew letter 53. Point midway between S and SE 54. Tap gently 55. European money 56. Research workplace June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 23 PRESSBUSINESS Avon Acupuncture opens in Valley, a ‘neat health care community,’ owner says By Alison Jalbert Assistant Editor AVON — Jen Tartakoff is bringing the benefits of alternative health care to the Farmington Valley with the opening of Avon Acupuncture. Her practice, located at 12 Waterside Court in Avon, offers acupuncture, Reiki, dietary counseling, qi gong and yoga. Tartakoff studied at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College. This program enabled her to learn both biomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine. She holds diplomate status through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and is licensed in the state of Connecticut. Her initial exposure to alternative health care was through Reiki, which was introduced to her by a family member. “I had the opportunity to meet several types of alternative health care practitioners,” she said. “It felt like the best model for me.” The ability to address symptoms and also make long-term, lasting changes for people is what appeals to Tartakoff about alternative practices. A lot of what she does is through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, she explained, such as the concept of using food as medicine or for health maintenance. The primary reason why people come to her practice is for pain relief, something that can be helped by acupuncture. She also integrates Chinese medical massage and Reiki into her treatments, as using multiple options in conjunction with one another can be beneficial for the patient. Sometimes, she will give patients two or three qi gong or yoga exercises to help in their recovery. Tartakoff said acupuncture is also helpful in stress management, as well as helping internal issues such as digestive problems, Courtesy photo Jen Tartakoff studied at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College. She recently opened Avon Acupuncture. asthma, headaches and the flu. It can often help boost health maintenance. She finds that most of her patients seek out her services on their own. “More medical fields and professionals are opening up and embracing acupuncture, but often, it’s folks who have had a tough time and haven’t found what they’re looking for, or need support while they’re undergoing other treatmentm,” she said. “Several local hospitals do have integrative medical centers, so it’s nice to see more collaboration between the two perspectives.” Tartakoff relocated to the area from upstate New York and said she loves the feel of the community. “There is a neat alternative health care community in the area as well,” she said. Avon Acupuncture has been open for a couple of months, and Tartakoff said things have been “wonderful” so far. She splits her time between Avon and New Haven, spending Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the Valley. Visit www.avonacupuncture.com, call Tartakoff at 860-269-4577, or email jen.tartakoff@gmail.com for more information. Dollars and Sense: Summer travel tips By Martin Geitz Simsbury Bank CEO Summer has arrived and that means many of you are starting to get ready for that long-awaited and well-deserved vacation. While you are packing your bags and planning your itineraries, here are a few things that can keep your vacation from becoming a financial hazard: While you are speaking with your bank about your vacation plans, take a moment to confirm they have accurate and up-to-date contact information for you, especially a phone number where you can be reached while on vacation. If they do need to reach you for any reason, you want to be certain that they have the right information to do so quickly. Inform your bank of your travel plans Enroll in electronic banking tools If you will be traveling far from home, let your bank know when and where you will be away. Most banks now monitor actively for fraudulent uses of their customers’ debit and credit cards. By letting your bank know where you will be, they can anticipate otherwise uncharacteristic activity in your account. When suspicious activity is detected, like purchases suddenly made out of the local area, your bank may need to block your debit or credit card from continued use until they are able to confirm with you that the transactions were authorized. With advanced notification, your bank can update your profile to anticipate and accept transactions originating from your specified location. This way, your accounts are protected without interrupting your vacation. Make sure your bank has your current contact information Most banks offer a full range of electronic capabilities from online banking and mobile banking to electronic statements and bill pay services. These features can be very useful tools, especially when you are traveling. With online banking, you are able to manage your accounts from almost anywhere. You can monitor your activity, authorize bills to be paid, or transfer funds between accounts as needed. With most mobile banking applications, you can perform all those same functions, plus deposit checks to your account using your mobile device. So, even while on vacation, you can conduct your banking and be certain your finances are in order. Another recommendation is to sign up to receive your monthly statements electronically. That way you will not have to worry about your bank statement sitting in your mailbox or getting lost in the post office while you PIROUETTE® WINDOW SHADINGS Has your dentist retired? Are you looking for a more current office with Dentists that utilize the latest and greatest techniques? Need to feel less like a number and more like a valued patient? Wanting a long term relationship for your entire family with a professional, fun dental team? THE GRANBY DENTAL CENTER IS NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. Comprehensive General, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry We offer Laser dentistry (no drills, no shots) Cosmetic procedures including Lumineers, Invisalign and Clear braces Porcelain Crowns done in one visit without impressions Zoom Tooth Whitening ~ Digital X-rays (50-90% less radiation) Laser gum therapy - replaces gum surgery: no cutting, no sutures, no pain Scan this QR code on your smartphone for an office tour: We look forward to your call! 860-653-3220 41 Hartford Avenue, Granby, CT 06035 24 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 May 5 –June 30, 2015 SAVE $100* OR MORE WITH REBATES on qualifying purchases of Hunter Douglas window fashions Shine the light. Design the light. Hunter Douglas window fashions allow you to design with light in so many ways. Create a shimmering glow, dramatic rays, a soothing retreat. Ask for details. Shades On Wheels Serving Western MA And Connecticut 860-529-7789 www.shadesonwheels.com *Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 5/5/15 – 6/30/15 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2015 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. SPG15MB6 51151 are away. Another step in keeping your financial information secure. Avoid using your debit card when making reservations Whenever possible, use your credit card to make reservations, particularly with rental car agencies and hotels. These businesses typically place a “hold” on your account to cover potential additional charges. These holds can remain in place for the duration of your contract, or even longer, and can often be in amounts greater than your ultimate purchase. While the hold is on your account, you do not have access to the underlying funds. If you use your debit card, the hold is placed against the funds in your checking account. This could interfere with your being able to access your cash when needed. Even worse, it could result in a check or other authorized payment being declined due to unavailable funds. This could quickly turn even the best vacation into a nightmare. Always carry a second form of payment No matter how careful you are, sometimes things just happen. You lose your debit card, your purse or wallet is stolen, or your bank has to close your credit card because of fraudulent activity. The problem is, however, you are on vacation, away from home and cannot easily visit your bank to obtain a replacement card. So make sure when traveling that you always have at least two separate forms of payment. Whether its multiple debit cards, credit cards, mobile payment applications, or some combination of all of these, it’s a great way to prevent yourself from being stranded should an unfortunate incident occur. Tips for travel to Europe Europe is ahead of the United States in introducing chip embedded debit and credit cards. Now, many restaurants and retailers in Europe will only accept chip cards. Banks like Simsbury Bank are ready to help you if you do not yet have a chip embedded card. You can purchase and load a chip embedded Travel EMV card to ensure that you have access to funds in a form that will be accepted in Europe. PRESSSports Gray Matters By Scott Gray Photos by David Heuschkel Simsbury Post 84 pitchers Matt Gill, left, and Pete Myers, right, will be showcased this summer in American Legion baseball games. Solid pitching leads to strong start for Post 84 By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Pete Myers knows he is being watched by college baseball teams. So, he was neither surprised nor fazed by two individuals who were sitting directly behind home plate and aiming a radar gun at the Simsbury Post 84 pitcher. It was also difficult to miss Matt Gill because of his large and imposing frame. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound pitcher is also on the radar of college baseball teams, Vanderbilt University among them, and figures to get a lot of looks later this summer when he pitches for the Northeast team in the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. For the rest of June and most of July, Gill will be pitching for Tom Vincent’s American Legion team in Simsbury. He just completed his junior year at Avon Old Farms. Myers, from Canton, still has two more years at The Master’s School in West Simsbury. Vincent used his two best pitchers in a 7-1 win over Bristol in a Zone 1 game June 19 at Memorial Field. Myers started and pitched five-plus innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Gill, making his season debut, got the final six outs by using mostly a fastball that touched 90 mph. He was on a pitch count of 30. “I was just trying to hit my spots. I wasn’t trying to throw that hard,” said Gill, who experienced biceps soreness earlier this spring. According to the guns, Myers’ fastball was clocked in the low-to-mid 80s. In two starts, he hasn’t allowed an earned run in 10 innings. “My curveball wasn’t my best pitch, but my two-seam [ fastball] was really moving and it was very effective,” he said af- ter beating Bristol. “I was able to throw it to both sides of the plate tonight.” Aside from a two-out double in the first by Bristol’s Jacob Hill, Myers didn’t allow any hard-hit balls and his fielders made all the plays. One was a set play that helped Myers escape a jam in the third after he walked the Nos. 8 and 9 batters to start the inning. Sensing leadoff batter Troy Micale would attempt a sacrifice bunt, Vincent called for a pitchout. Simsbury catcher Ryan Gothers fired the ball to first and See SOLID PITCHING on page 27 Rockin’ year for Granby sports By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Classic rock doesn’t resonate with today’s youth, mainly because it’s old music. A kid in 2015 likely shares a similar opinion about the Steve Miller Band as a teenager in 1977 felt about the Glenn Miller Orchestra. There are exceptions, though. Queen’s “We Are the Champions” never gets old to the 21-and-under athletes in the 21st century who have paid their dues, time after time, and experienced the ultimate triumph. Through the fall, winter and spring, it was a constant theme for Granby Memorial. The high school celebrated three state championships over the past school year – one in each season – to pull off a rare feat. First, the girls volleyball team went 26-0 to capture the first state title for the program last November. Secondly, Jake King and Shane Kertanis were among seven players from Granby who played on the Wildcats co-op hockey team (with Suffield and Windsor Locks) that won the Division II championship in March. The Granby girls lacrosse team then made it three state championships in the 2014-15 school year, defeating Old Saybrook in an overtime thriller for the Class L title June 13 in Stratford. Olivia Johnson and Krista Iwanicki, two of the five seniors on the Bears, ended their high school athletic career the same way they began it as freshmen on the field hockey team in the Photo by fall of 2011: No. 1. David Heuschkel “The six of us started together,” said Terri Granby’s Hala Van Ziemnicki, in her Nostrand gives fourth season as senior Anna Kleis a Granby head coach. Johnson scored victory piggyback ride after the Bears eight goals and won the Class S state title in girls See ROCKIN’ YEAR on page 28 lacrosse. As the 64th Travelers Championship tees off at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, I’m going to beat everyone to the punch. I already know who’s going to win. Someone from a field of 156 golfers will leave Cromwell with $1.152 million from a purse of $6.4 million. Some of the biggest names in golf will take a run at it. At last count, four of the top 10 in the Fed Ex Cup standings were ready to tee off at the TPC in a field that includes defending champ Kevin Streelman, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Zach Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Louis Oosthuizen and Brandt Snedeker. My winner doesn’t come from that list, nor from the list of 156 who will be on the course this weekend. My big winner will come from a list of thousands of people statewide. My big winner will come from a list of names that includes Jocelyn Gentile, Ben Goldman, Mackenzie Page, Chase Skrubis, Brittany Vose. It will come from a long list of people who represent the real winners that live inside us all. Ben Goldman was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 8 years old. Ten years later, he now volunteers at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where he was treated, and at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, where he was one of thousands of campers who, over the years, has been treated to the summer camp experience while being treated for life-threatening diseases. Ben’s a student at UConn, pursuing a career in broadcasting. He already has a résumé, as producer of “Ben Goldman’s Charity Corner” on Fox 61 reporting on charity events and organizations state-wide. Mackenzie Page was in the eighth grade when she responded to a friend’s brain cancer diagnosis by creating the Great Pumpkin Challenge, inspiring her community in Newington to involve itself in the battle against the disease. Mackenzie has raised more than $10,000 for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, where her friend, Zoe, is a camper. Chase Skrubis, a First Tee of Connecticut participant from Granby, started the “Klubs for Kids” program that works with local individuals and golf shops, donating and refurbishing sets of golf clubs to give youngsters a chance to play the game and learn the values that come with golf. Now Chase uses his program to generate scholarships for deserving youngsters. Brittany Vose lost her father to pancreatic cancer 15 years ago, shortly after her f5th birthday. In her father’s memory, Brittany devised a plan to raise money for research to battle pancreatic cancer. As an eighth grader she raised $20,000 for that research. Every year, Brittany leads the Lustgarten Foundation 18 Hole Stroll, in which, for a $50 donation, you can join her for a walk around the TPC River Highlands course at 7:30 on the morning of the final round of the Travelers Championship, breakfast and a ticket for the round included. When Jocelyn Gentile was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with a golf ball size tumor in the See GRAY MATTERS on page 27 June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 25 Quick loss, slow start for Unionville By Brendan Driscoll Correspondent The teams combined for seven hits and 11 base runners. The starters on Before this season be- each team collectively threw gan, Major League Baseball 166 pitches. attempted to deUnionville pitcher Baicrease the length ley Meccariello threw 81 of its games in pitches, 56 strikes, and order to attract pitched well enough fans back to win. He allowed to what three hits, surrenwas once dering his first one “America’s in the sixth inning. Pastime.” He struck out MLB six, walked one Commisand had hit one sioner Rob batsmen. Manfred “Bailey is would have an unbelievable been envicompetitor. He ous to see how has always Unionville and been a Terryville manfighter,” Unionville pitcher Unionaged to play a sevBailey Meccariello ville en-inning game in just over one coach Gerard Roy said. “He hour. is just the consummate With rain in competitor. I know with the forecast, the him on the mound, no matlightning-quick ter how young my team is, game started I have a chance. He gave a few minutes us a chance tonight and Photo by before the sched- Brendan Driscoll that’s all I could ask from uled time of 7 p.m. By 8:02, it anyone.” was over. In the final three inTerryville scored the nings, the Black Bears had a only run in the top of the runner on with less than two seventh inning, handing outs. All three runners were Unionville its fifth straight picked off base by Terryville loss to start the American left-handed pitcher FrankLegion season 1-0 June 20 at Romanelli. Tunxis Mead. “We have a young team. We are going to scratch to compete,” Roy said. “We have to do the little things right. We can’t afford to get picked off like that. That was the difference in the game.” Unionville out-hit Terryville, 4-3. Romanelli struck out five and walked one, mixing in his breaking ball to keep batters from squaring up many balls. “We just couldn’t get any timely hits or string any hits together,” Roy said. “[Romanelli] kept us off balance because his primary pitch wasn’t his fastball. I told the guys to go up looking for curveballs, but that comes with experience.” For the second straight summer, Unionville has gotten off to a slow start. Last year the Black Bears started the year with a 1-8 record before rebounding in the second half of the season to finish 10-12. “We are 0-5, which isn’t a great spot to be in, but this team is not a 0-5 team,” Roy said. “We are going to get better. I know it for a fact. We have a lot of grit. They just have to stay positive and stay at it. With the attitude and the quality of these kids they are going to be a better team in the second half of this Legion season.” Photo by Brendan Driscoll Unionville catcher Joe Nadel corrals the baseball as Terryville’s Matt Tehan scores the only run of the game on Jeff DuPaul’s RBI single in the sixth. AAU title for Spartans The Simsbury Spartans went undefeated in their final basketball tournament of the AAU season June 13-14 in Springfield, Mass. The Spartans beat CT Heat 32-13 in the championship game of the 6th/7th grade division, capturing their fourth AAU tournament title this spring. Front row from left to right: Maggie Sullivan, Maddy White, Ellie McElroy, Nora Griffiths, Mary McElroy. Back row: Coach Sam Zullo, Kate Sullivan, Madi Knapp, Riley Peterson, Sophie Greggains, Sadie Gould. Not pictured: Rachel Sullivan. Information and photo submitted ANDERSON TURF IRRIGATION, INC. Protect your grass and landscaping investment! Have an efficient automatic irrigation system installed or alter your existing system to be more water conservative. VALLEY F REPLACE (860)747-9911 INSTALLATION AND SERVICE & FREE ESTIMATES CT LIC# PLM0208739 SERVING THE FARMINGTON VALLEY FOR OVER 30 YEARS STOVE, LLC 220 Albany Tpke., Canton, CT 860-693-3404 www.valleyfireplaceandstove.com Make Your Marble Shine Again! Marble Floor Polishing • Honing • Grinding • Cleaning • Sealing Marble Limestone Granite Terrazzo Pro Quality Painting & Home Repair, LLC 860-201-7788 www.pqpainting4u.com Tile Repair & Installation • Regrouting • Sealing • Mexican Tile Refinishing S HIC#0629057 T S TONE & ILE ZIGGY OSKWAREK ERVICES The best decision you’ll ever make 860-913-4473 P.O. BOX 433, AVON, CT 06001 EMAIL: ZIG@ACNINC.NET Visit us at stonepolishingct.com NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS 26 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 NAT-20817-0 • High Quality interior/ exterior painting • Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations • All aspects of home repair • Fully licensed and insured Good start for Avon Legion By David Heuschkel Sports Editor The opening week of the American Legion baseball season is closer to being a snapshot than a big picture. Thus far, Avon first-year coach John Ponziani was happy with what he saw inside the frame. There was good pitching by the starters and relievers and the batters produced some timely hits. In the opener, Avon scored three runs in the first inning and coasted to a 9-3 win over Winsted. This was followed with three straight one-run wins, including a Sunday doubleheader sweep of Torrington. There were walk-off wins over Unionville and Torrington. What pleased Ponziani most about starting the season 4-0 was that all 18 players contributed. Several were dual-roster players, meaning they will play for the Junior Legion (17-and-under) squad and also see some action with the Senior team (19-U). But the four wins to start the season were against three teams that went 0-13 collectively in that span. Ponziani expected Bristol SOLID PITCHING to be a very good test when the teams played June 17 at Avon Old Farms. In a 5-0 loss, Avon managed just two hits off Bristol pitcher Jerry LaPenta. “This is one of the top teams in the zone,” Ponziani said before the game. “Bristol has been down the past couple of years and they’re back up.” Bristol has won 13 American Legion state championships, the last in 2006, but has finished fourth in the Zone 1 standings the last two years. With the win over Avon, Bristol improved to 4-1 with three shutouts. Under former coach Brian Doyle, Avon established itself as a perennial contender. The team was zone champion in 2013 and was runner-up three other times in the last five years. In 2012, Avon finished third in the zone and made it to the state tournament semifinals. Ponziani said he was a “little unsure” about his team until it played a handful of games. A 4-0 start gave him a better sense of the squad. “It kind of looked a lot better than maybe I imagined,” said Ponziani, who played for Doyle and was his assistant the last few years. “That’s ex- from page 25 Jaeden Rasmus, who was too far off the bag, got caught in a rundown. First baseman Jordan Whaley, seeing the runner at second break for third, threw the ball across the diamond, and third baseman Jake Nedorostek tagged Jalen Benoit for the first out. “That was huge. That was a great call by coach and a great execution by the team,” said Myers, who proceeded to strike out Micale and Nic Sassu to end the threat. order had a productive night. King was on base three times, going 2-for-3 with a walk, and scored three runs. Patrina went 3-for-3 with a walk and scored twice. Cassano had a single and drove in a run with his sac fly. Gothers drove in three runs with an RBI single and a pair of sac flies. Mike Amato, pinch hitting for Cassano in the sixth, had a two-run double to deep center. In all, the five batters were a combined 8-for-11 and drove in all seven runs. Through the first five games, Simsbury (4-1) had outscored opponents 40-6. Its only loss was to Wolcott 1-0 last week. Wolcott had two hits and scored the only run of the game on an error by Simsbury. actly how Brian did everything. They always called him the Sandbagger because he would always say, ‘Ah, we’re not going to be any good. We’re not going to be any good.’ Then they’d come out and finish in the top two in the zone. Maybe I get that from him.” Doyle, who resurrected the Avon Legion program in 2008, stepped down to follow his son Cody who plays for the Torrington Titans in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League this summer. Cody Doyle, a catcher, was the mainstay behind the plate for Avon Legion for the last four years. His replacement, construction & paving inc. QUALITY & SERVICE Since 1975 Commercial & Residential DRIVEWAYS • PARKING LOTS ROADWAYS • CURBING EXCAVATION • GRADING DRAINAGE • MILLING SEALCOATING • RECLAIMATION For Call EE FR tes a Estim Jeremy Zarwanski, helped Avon High win the NCCC tournament title last month and got off to a hot start with the Legion team. “Jeremy Zarwanski is tearing the cover off the ball. He’s hitting .400,” Ponziani said before the game against Bristol. “A couple other guys at the top of the order are in the high .300s. I’m very pleased with that. I like what our offense is doing. It’s a matter of executing a little bit better but that will come. It comes with time and experience. The more we’re out here, the more we’re working on it, the better we’ll get with that.” Photo by David Heuschkel MAGLIERI 860-242-0298 Licensed & Fully Insured LIC # 523704 39 West Dudley Town Road, Bloomfield www.maglieri-construction.com from page 25 back of her head. “It was messing up my vision and giving me bad headaches,” she recalled recently. “I had to have surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. It was a lot for a 7 year old to deal with. I was sad and missed my sports and my friends. Nothing tasted good except french fries.” As an 8-year-old, Jocelyn enjoyed her first sleepaway experience as a camper at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford. The brainchild of legendary actor and great philanthropist Paul Newman, the camp was created for youngsters like Jocelyn, to give them a chance to just be kids for a while. Jocelyn’s story is universal among HWGC campers, “I was able to go back to my favorite things, swimming, horseback riding, soccer. The camp took me away from my real world for a week. It’s awesome. My friends at camp know what I’m going through. It’s the best camp I have ever and will ever, go to.” The PGA Tour is famous for giving back to its host communities, and the Travelers Championship is the standard bearer of the success of those charitable efforts, the Hole in the Wall Gang camp among its greatest beneficiaries. This year, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was named the “PGA Tour Charity of the Year.” Ben Goldman, Mackenzie Page, Chase Skrubis and Brittany Vose are this year’s Travelers Championship honorary co-chairs, outstanding young representatives of what the tournament means to the Connecticut community, the largest single fundraiser for organizations that benefit thousands of people statewide in so many ways. Jocelyn Gentile is the face of those people who, more than golf, the Travelers Championship is all about. I’m picking those thousands of people as my real winners of the Travelers Championship. As for who goes home $1.152 million richer, that will be my next column. Avon pitcher Will Boone goes into his delivery against Bristol. “It was really a key for us at that point in the game.” In the bottom half, Simsbury loaded the bases with none out. Jake Cassano and Gothers hit sacrifice flies to make it 2-0. After Myers retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth, Simsbury tacked on a couple of runs. Jake King led off the fifth with an infield hit, stole second and scored when Jack Patrina grounded a double inside first. Patrina stole third and scored on a single by Gothers. The top four spots in Simsbury batting GRAY MATTERS YOUTH BOYS + GIRLS SUMMER CAMP Grades 3-9 JUNE 23 - 25 AT LOOMIS CHAFFEE (WINDSOR, CT) DAY CAMP Half Day 9:00-11:30 - Full Day 9:00-3:00 pm INCLUDES LUNCH + SWIMMING! OVERNIGHT BOYS ONLY CAMP INCLUDES ALL MEALS, HOUSING, SWIMMING and more! YOUTH + HIGH SCHOOL ELITE TEAMS TEAMS WILL PRACTICE AT LOOMIS CHAFFEE (WINDSOR, CT) TRYOUTS JUNE 11 - REGISTER ONLINE BOYS and GIRLS FALL PROGRAMS CLINICS AT LOOMIS CHAFFEE (WINDSOR, CT) - STARTING SEPTEMBER BOYS + GIRLS WINTER PROGRAMS LEARN FROM THE AREAS TOP HS AND COLLEGE COACHES! CLINICS. LEAGUES and PRIVATE LESSONS SPORTSWORLD (EAST WINDSOR, CT) - STARTING DECEMBER FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: DAN CORCORAN, DIRECTOR DCORC@COMCAST.NET 860.658.4834 WWW.CTRIPITLACROSSE.COM June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 27 Granby Bear 5K Melissa Stellato, Overall Winner Will Rice, Male Winner Photos and text by David Heuschkel The hills were alive with the unmistakable sound of bagpipes for the second annual Granby Bear 5K Challenge June 20. Steve Moore, positioned at the top of The Pit, played his instrument as 150 runners made their way up the steep incline at the high school. Melissa Stellato, 33, of Windsor was the first runner to cross the finish line in 17:50.3. Will Rice was the male winner and second overall finisher (18:23.2). He was followed by Kevin Bates (19:12.3), Brendan Forbes (19:25.7), Ben Caputo (20:17.6) and Zach Ziemnicki (20:18.4). Emma trailed most of the game. They had one lead, 1-0, Iwanicki’s goal with 70 secfor a total of 38 seconds in onds left in the first overtime regulation and didn’t lead period was the game winner. again until Iwanicki’s goal Granby goalie Hala Van Nosbroke a 13-13 tie. trand, another senior, made The Bears lost to Northsome big stops in OT and west Catholic and Stoningbroke up a pass with 15 secton in two of the last three onds left and Old Saybrook years. Johnson and Iwaniclooking to tie it. The ball ki also played on the field eventually ended up on hockey team that lost to Johnson’s stick and she Stonington and Lewis ran out the clock. Mills, respectively, their ju“I was just like, ‘It’s nior and senior years. time! It’s our time! It’s So, after four straight runner-up finishes, JohnPhoto by David Heuschkel Wildcats co-op hockey team won the Division II championship. son, who scored eight goals, ROCKIN’ YEAR from page 25 our time!’ ” Iwanicki said. The Bears and Iwanicki, who scored the game winner in the 1413 victory, walked off the field at Bunnell High School with championship medals around their neck. For Ziemnicki, it was a first state title as a head coach. Her Avon field hockey teams lost in the state championship three times in the 1990s, and the Granby lacrosse team – she took over as coach in the spring of 2012 – was runner-up in two of her first three years. “It’s as great as I was hoping that it would be,” Ziemni- Sheahan (21:49.2) was the second female runner to finish with Cailin Tennis (21:59.1), Stephanie Williams (22:17.4) and Sara Schackner (22:32.4) rounding out the top five females. Proceeds from the event benefited the Granby Athletics Booster Club. cki said. “This is a great team. I always say just because you deserve it doesn’t mean you’re going to get it. This group deserved it. This group came together. This is one of the most improved groups I’ve coached from start to finish.” Granby came together as their coach was going through a difficult time. Ziemnicki’s father was ailing in hospice early in the season and passed away April 25. She said the players helped her get through the grieving process. “If it wasn’t for this group I never would have made it,” Ziemnicki said. “These girls taught me and were there for me as much as I was for them. They were playing this game for my father.” The Valley’s only Full Service Hand Car Wash Photo by David Heuschkel Girls volleyball team went 26-0 to capture the first state title. GP OFFICE: (860) 379-9041 CELL: (860) 830-0257 COMPLETE LAWN CARE LLC FENCE INSTALLATIONS PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Connecticut • Florida • Nebraska • Ohio Full Service TJ Maxx Works Hand Wash 1949 Rt. 44 Russell Speeder’s Car Wash Wal-Mart 28 The $ Commuter Lot Valley Press Save $4.00 with this coupon. reg. $23.49 Big Y Includes: full service hand wash, undercarriage wash, foam wax, clean wheels, shine tires, vacuum carpets and mats, clean all glass inside and out, towel dry exterior, wipe dash, Russell Speeder’s console and dry door jambs. 7-5-15 Car Wash Exp. Exp.10-7-14 vpfs June 25, 2015 265 West Main Street • Avon (860) 269-3136 Full Service Hand Wash Hours: Monday Thru Saturday 8am til 6pm Sunday 9am till 5pm • Northern White Cedar • Ornamental Aluminum • Maintenance Free Vinyl • Chain Link • Stockade • Picket • Post & Rail • Guard Rail • Arbors & Pergolas • Mail Box Posts • Custom Lamp Posts • FREE Estimates & FREE Consultations BARKHAMSTED, CT 06063 LIC #601427 FULLY INSURED www.gpfence.com Classifieds Help Wanted Help Wanted PER DIEM RECEPTIONIST Receptionist needed to provide switchboard coverage and clerical work, 8am-5pm on a per-diem basis. Multi-line switchboard experience and computer skills required. Please contact Karen Bignelli at 860-6513539 or kbignelli@farmingtonvalleyvna.org for more information. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS - AVON PART TIME HELP WANTED: Looking for someone with great phone skills/ personality, good with the public to make phone calls and scheduling appointment for existing customers and/ or for part-time sales position selling wood/gas/pellet/coal stoves etc. Must work Saturdays from Sept-Dec. Call Mark 860-989-9588 or apply at Valley Fireplace & Stove at 220 Albany Turnpike, Canton Village, Canton. Knowledge of stove business or chimney sweeping helpful. Estate Sale Avon Estate Sale 116 Wildwood Drive Friday June 26th 7 am – 3 pm Saturday June 27th 8am – 2 pm Hiring and training for September 2015. Four hour minimum daily guaranteed, other hours available. $17.20/hour. For details contact Kim Bush 860-470-7200 I BUY houses AS-IS. Cash. Call TODAY 860-674-9498 or Email: john@boucherbuilding. com. CT.REG.# 530518. Help Wanted At Your Service Appointment Setter Part-Time Padgett Business Services of Farmington, CT, an accounting and tax preparation firm, is seeking a people oriented person to contact prospective small business clients in the central Connecticut area and set appointments for our salesperson. We offer: • An attractive base hourly wage, commissions and reimbursement for mileage. • An attractive work schedule from M-F, 10-3. No weekends or evenings required. • Ongoing training and support to help you succeed. You should like meeting new people, and be able to have a brief face-to-face discussion about our services. We will coach you on what to say and the questions to ask. You will need a car and a cell phone. You should be able to read a map or use email. PIANO LESSONS for all! Take lessons from a patient and experienced teacher, all ages and levels welcome. Private instruction with a classically-trained pianist, graduate of McGill University (B.Mus and M.Mus). Studio located in Tariffville. Please contact Claire for more information: 201-213-6645, claire.paik@ gmail.com To learn more and schedule an interview, call Greg Batton at 888-316-7897 from 9-5 EST. EOE. At Your Service At Your Service 203-826-1328 Connecticut Babysitting Service Flexible Hours, Affordable And Reliable Entire contents Magnificent home Northgate area. 10 rooms high end furniture, Showroom quality, fabulous dining room, bedrooms, living rooms, office, custom kitchen table, Carpets, art, entire household furnishings, electronics, … Everything must go. Don’t miss this one Wanted Help Wanted 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 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, revised March 12, 1989, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or familial status or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination; and is also subject to the State of Connecticut General Statutes Sections 46a-64c which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national original, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, lawful sources of income, familial status, or physical or mental disability, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate or for the sale or rental of residential property which is in violation of these laws. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. 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. 6he5ct@sbcglobal.net 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 HOUSE CLEANING POLISH /ENGLISH SPEAKING WOMAN CAN CLEAN YOUR HOME. 3RD CLEANING - 50% off. Satisfaction guaranteed. Insured. Bonded. Call 860-538-4885 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. dylanjcowen@gmail.com There is no extra cost when purchasing insurance through a Servicing Agent PUBLIC NOTICES 36 STOP CLEANING ON THE WEEKENDS ENJOY THE SUMMER! 3 hours of cleaning for $114.00 Bonded & Insured, Gift Certificates Available. MORAWSKI CLEANING LLC A Super Service Award Winner Call Sandy at 860-651-4601 • MORAWSKICLEANING.COM morawskicleaningllc@msn.com LEGAL NOTICES Deadlines for legal notices is Friday at noon. Notices may be faxed to 860-606-9599 For questions about rates or placing a notice please call 860-651-4700 June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 29 Home Improvement BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY $150- 6 weeks $300-13 weeks Add WEST HARTFORD Press for 1/2 Price! AIR COND. & HEATING BATHROOMS BATHROOM Bathroom Pros Baths & Tiling Our Specialty Full & Partial Remodels Also...Kitchens, Floors, Painting, General Repairs & more Support local business tune-up your system $125 for AC or heat Schedule both and save 10%* CT’s Bathroom Remodeling Experts CHIMNEY We knock out Home of the I N S U R E D CHIMNEYS CHAMPS the Competition $99 LLC CHIMNEY SWEEP! $20 OFF CEILINGS CT License #557873 Call Insured • Prompt Service SPRAY-TEX for FREE estimate 860-749-8383 • 860-930-7722 EQUIPMENT REPAIR Darrell WWW.VALLEYCHIMNEYSWEEPLLC.COM FLOORS DRIVEWAYS More Like A Friend Than A Company “WE SHOW UP” ALISTAR SERVICE CO. A Professional Cleaning Service • Commercial & Residential 860-895-9301 Carpets & Upholstery No Hidden Charges • No Over Wetting Pet Stains & Odors Floors Tile • Slate • Linoleum • Stone • Stripping Refinishing • Waxing & Polishing Fully Insured • Free Estimates • Locally Owned & Operated Over Three Decades of Service EQUIPMENT REPAIR ADVANCED Pick Up & Delivery Available EQUIPMENT ER PA EWSince 1958 VI COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL ✔ Driveways ✔ Parking Lots ✔ Excavating Call For Free Estimates CPA REG. #593039 860-521-6942 Senior Citizen Discounts • Insured & Guaranteed HOME IMPROVEMENT 20% off STONE WORKS SPECIAL EXPIRES 6/30/15. 959-999-4056 860-605-4987 Fully Licensed & Insured MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. 30 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 CT Lic. 575422 HOME IMPROVEMENT 24 Hour Emergency Service • Generator installations • Interior & Exterior Lighting • Remodeling & Additions • Service Upgrades • Telephone, Cable TV, & Computer Network Wiring • Repair & Upgrades • Pool & Spa Wiring License #103858 & 103859 • Fully insured www.brannackelectric.com HOME IMPROVEMENT www.JPCountryBuilders.com Old Fashioned Quality You Can Live With Remodeling RY BUILDERS O UN T •Additions • Bath • Kitchens LL C P Replacement Since 1988 •Windows & Doors • Siding • Decks Lic#0621710 860-738-1502 John T.Yacawych 860-589-2267 Pat Collin C • Patios • Walkways • Steps • Retaining Walls • Driveways • Chimney Repointing • Nautral Stone Walls www.renew-asphalt.com ELECTRICAL 35 Peters Road Bloomfield www.advancedequipmentct.com FREE ESTIMATES Call for Free Estimates 860-242-6486 860-269-3103 • Expert Tree Removal • Pruning • Stump Grinding • Landscaping • Lot Clearing & Excavation and much more. 860.953.6519 Call today for your FREE, no obligation consultation & estimate. 155 Brickyard Road, Farmington LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES • Sealcoating • Hot Crack Filling • Line Striping Residential * Commercial * Industrial INC. Bruto’s General Services, LLC RENEW ASPHALT MAINTENANCE Brannack Electric Inc. Kyle SPRING TUNE-UPS! HOME IMPROVEMENT DRIVEWAYS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SERVICE & REPAIR A+ 860-693-3404 HIC License #0674006 G • Textured Ceilings • Drywall & Plaster Repair • Ceiling Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting & Refinishing • New Ceiling Installation • Bathtub Reglazing Offer Expires 6/30/15 220 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton Village, Canton, CT 06019 Since 1984 G R E AT P R I C E N Specializing In: Cracked And Water Damaged Ceilings & SERVICING VALLEY CHIMNEY SWEEP LLC CALL TODAY 860-594-8607 www.chimneychamps.com CEILINGS $20 OFF Offer Expires 6/30/15 With Full Safety Inspection HIGH QUALITY WORK CHIMNEYS STOVE ONE CHIMNEY FLUE CLEANING PELLET CLEANING NEW CONSTRUCTION • REBUILDING • REPAIRS CAPS • CHIMNEY LINERS • WATER PROOFING F R E E E S T I M AT E S CT LIC #0673079 CHIMNEYS BR 6 2 8 0 5 4 860.515.8265 HIC #613103 CHIMNEYS & DO IT NOW Affordable Remodeling bathroompros.com *Must present this advertisement at service L I C E N S E D REMODELING Suffield 668-8000 West Hartford 232-8002 (800) 975-5495 www.BridgeWorks-llc.com BATHROOMS Remodeling Your Bathroom? Install - Service - Repair F U L L Y BATHROOMS J $29-1 week HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT Hebert Construction Home Improvement BARRETT ENTERPRISES LLC Home Improvement Contractor So Many Amateurs . . . So Few Professionals!! Framing • Siding • Roofing • Doors Sheetrock & Tape • Intall Finish Stairs Inside & Outside Trim • Replacement Windows Kitchens & Baths • Room Additions & Blueprints - COMPLETE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR • Siding • Decks • Kitchens Over 35 years experience • References Call 860-977-3621 or HIC 050743 860-819-3663 HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT AVALLONE CONTRACTORS CONSTRUCTION ROOFING SIDING REPLACEMENT WINDOWS GUTTERS ADDITIONS TOTAL REMODELING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Serving the Farmington Valley for over 10 years * Concrete * Stone Walls * Patios * Bricks * Belgium Blocks * Chimneys * Wood Fencing In business for a blessed 29 years Email: adaleta99@hotmail.com CT License #HIC0616677 JUNK REMOVAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN Junk Removal DESIGNS $149 For single truck load up to 1 Ton Mattress & Box Springs $50 extra. “Building Trust By Doing Jobs Right!” P.O. Box 791 pinnaclemaintenance@comcast.net Farmington, CT 06034 www.pinnaclemaintenancellc.com T 860-284-8975 Fax: 860-255-7900 860-508-2765 B-Designs@outlook.com Consulting - Landscape Design - Installation Residential & Commercial Specializing in eco-minded and low-maintenance landscapes that combine beauty and technical expertise to bring you Elegant Solutions to Complex Problems LANDSCAPING LANDSCAPING Arboretum LANDSCAPE & DESIGN, LLC Stone Work • Patios • Retaining Walls Custom Vinyl & Wood Fencing Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Pruning • Plantings Tree Removals Spring Cleanups • Mulching • Mulch Deliveries Land Clearing • Brush Clearing Shrub Removal • Hardscaping New Lawn Installations 860-906-6736 MASONRY MASONRY F&R MASONRY All work done by Father Stone Walls • Veneer Stone Brick Walls • Blue Stone Steps • Fireplaces Chimneys • Patios • Sidewalks Pavers • Retaining Walls Serving the Farmington Valley Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates ~ Lic#0637095 Lic #0637257 Insured All Masonry Repairs Andi’s Masonry Free Estimates 203-805-9114 Buki - 860-417-9968 MASONRY MASONRY Free Estimates Booca Masonry Company • • • • Stone/Brick Walls Side Walks/Steps Fireplaces/Chimneys Firepits/Outside Living (203) 263-0109 Cell: (203) 558-8019 boocamasonry@live.com WWW.BOOCAMASONRY.COM LOW PRICES CT REG. ROOFING #509749 SIDING • WINDOWS DOORS • GUTTERS • DECKS • AWNINGS D.H. RADOMSKI, INC. HOME IMPROVEMENTS High in Quality and Dependability PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT • Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp & Liability FREE ESTIMATES Email: avallonecontractor@att.net LANDSCAPING 860-296-3405 LANDSCAPING 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 FallMowing Clean-ups Weekly • Mulching Aerating • Overseeding Hedge Trimming & Pruning • Mulching • Weekly Mowing Powerwashing • Stump Grinding Pruning • Hedge Trimming Complete Landscape • Powerwashing • StumpServices Grinding • Complete Landscaping Services SENIOR DISCOUNTS LANDSCAPING When It Comes To Tree Service We Run Rings Around The Competition. MASONRY ALEX EUROPEAN MASON TREE CARE OR TREE REMOVAL Grimshaw Tree Service and Nursery Company Over 30 years experience Retaining Walls, Chimney Repair, Steps, All Masonry Services Call 860-658-4420 for a MULCH freeestimate or for more AVAILABLE ntral Connectic information h Ce ut s ort inc on how we can gN e n i help your trees. Free Estimates • Fully Insured 203-232-0257 Lic. #0580443 860-810-4196 grimshawtreeco.com MASONRY Dennis Volpe and Son • Stonewalls • Sidewalks • Steps • Chimneys • Patios • Repairs & more Visit us at www.dhradomski.com 68 19 CT LIC# 0630444 FULLY INSURED Expert Tree Climbers & Crane Service (860) 582-0712 HOME IMPROVEMENT Fax: (860)410-1190 or (860) 583-2183 rv Lic.#514976 203-206-2839 PINNACLE MAINTENANCE, LLC. CT. LIC. #602130 • Office (860) 796-0131 www.berkshirewoodsmiths.com Licensed & Insured 860.738.4931 or 203.232.9114 Lic. #HIC0625936 HOME IMPROVEMENT Price includes dump fees, labor and fuel cost. We will remove junk from basements, attics, and garages Jim Barrett, Owner SMALL OR LARGE • WE DO IT ALL! NICK • Bathrooms • Remodeling • Improvements Se • 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 STONE MASON CONTRACTOR 860.225.3077 cell 860.839.8971 MASONRY AD MASONRY All type of Masonry Work • Patios • Walls • Driveways • Pools in Stone • Brick, Bluestones & Pavers • Stairs and Walkways 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 Serving the Farmington Valley for over 17 years! FREE ESTIMATES CT Lic# 602717 MASONRY Tom’s Masonry Stone Walls • Brick Walls Blue Stone • Steps Chimneys • Sidewalks Pavers • Retaining Walls All Masonry Repairs 860-368-9486 MASONRY KC MASONRY Stonewalls • Brick Walls Bluestone • Steps Fireplaces • Chimneys Patios • Sidewalks We can also do all Masonry Repairs! Fully Insured Call Tom Ajro 860-274-7681 Cell - 203-565-4381 Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates Quality Workmanship Free Estimates • Lic#0604514 Ken (203) 558-4951 June 25, 2015 The Valley Press 31 PAINTING PAINTING Quality Painting by Joseph’s & Co. PAINTING PAINTING Exterior Experts Since 1950 PROFESSIONAL HOME IMPROVEMENT-REMODELING ALL WORK The Experienced, and Reliable Company. GUARANTEED Staining • Power Washing • Carpentry 860-561-0146 PAINTING Interior & Exterior Aluminum, Vinyl & Wood Siding & Shingles Let INTERIOR WORK: repair ceilings, walls, trim, moldings, baseboards, doors, windows EXTERIOR WORK: Small Masonry Repair (860) 675-4025 Farmington Speedy Pride Painting beautify the inside of your home. 860-459-6705 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 POWER WASHING ROB’S GUTTER CLEANING POWER WASHING ROOF CLEANING 860-982-3300 RobPolo.com Our success is based on your satisfaction. Since 1986. PAINTING Simsbury’s Hometown Painting Company VALLEY PAINTER Serving the Valley since 1980 FULL CREW READY TO GO EXTERIOR SPECIALS Quality Craftsmanship • Competitive Prices Call Peter Sottile 860-658-7745 Insured - Interior & Exterior • CT Reg. #562798 POWER WASHING RAINBOW HYDRA-BLAST WHY JUST POWERWASH Specializing in high pressure house detailing since 1988. Fully Insured/Free Estimates 860-649-4953 860-402-7672 ROOFING Lic #:HIC0607969 speedypride@gmail.com lic. #0623272 We also offer general handyman/repair services. PAINTING Olde Tyme Service drzazgowski@sbcglobal.net CONN. LICENSE NO. 536406 COMPLETE INSURANCE Scheduling interiors as well as exteriors. Call: Zenon 860-518-0630 Bodgan 860-518-2625 • Ceilings – Textured or Smooth – Repaired, Repainted, or Replaced • Woodwork – Crown Molding, wainscoting, etc – Installed, Repaired or Replaced • Drywall & Plaster Repairs • Wallpaper Removal & Hanging OWNER MR. JOSEPH PONTILLO MANY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS KITCHENS - BATHROOMS - WALLPAPER TILES- BASEMENTS - ATTICS ALUMINUM SIDING If you sign within the next 2 months, receive $25 gift card to Starbuck’s Free estimates. You can count on us for a precise & excellent job! 20 year experience. HIC #0575928 WATER DAMAGE REPAIR PAINTING -ALL PHASES Small renovations, home repair, carpentry & painting. Complete prep. T.C. Home Improvement Cell 860-916-6287 Free Estimates Home 860-523-4151 PAINTING PAINTING DON’T RELY ON AN INTERNET SERVICE TO FIND YOU A PAINTER WHEN YOU CAN HIRE A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ZB PAINTING • Good painting preparation • Trim, Window Painting & Glazing • Shingle Repair • Power Washing PAINTING & CEILING REPAIR ZIBBY DRZAZGOWSKI We also Spray Paint Faded Aluminum & Vinyl Siding like new with a 15 Year Written Guarantee Insured Lic. #062380 ROOFING STUMPS? G OT Call VALLEY STUMP GRINDING, LLC PAINTING INTERIOR SPECIALS FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS 2 rooms plus a 1/2 bath $ includes materials Any 3 rooms plus a 1/2 bath $ includes materials 785 978.67 Refer a friend, you both receive 10% OFF PAINTING HIC#0629057 Pro Quality Painting & Home Repair, LLC 860-201-7788 www.pqpainting4u.com • High Quality interior/exterior painting • Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations • All home repair • Fully licensed and insured The best decision you’ll ever make POOLPESTS CONSTRUCTIONPOOLS & REPAIR POOL CONSTRUCTION & RE In House Services include: Walter’sPOOL PestComplete Control Complete In House & Services include: POOL CONSTRUCTION REPAIR POOL CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR & REPAIR POOL CONSTRUCTION & POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Complete In House Services include: Plumbing - Coping Tile -include: - Paint • General Pests Plumbing - Coping - include: Tile - Plaster - Pa In House-Complete Services InPlaster House Services $ Complete Complete In House Services include: 10 OFF Complete In House Services inclu • Termites POOL CONSTRUCTION &- Patios REP Plumbing Coping Tile Plaster -Paint Paint Water Features Spas Stonework - Coping - Tile - Paint Plumbing Coping --Tile -Plumbing Plaster - Paint Plumbing - Coping - Tile -- Plaster Plaster -Decks Water Features Spas Stonework Patios WITH THIS--AD POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Complete In House Services include: • Mice Quality Guaranteed Water Features - Spas ---Stonework - Patios - Decks Plumbing - -Patios Tile - Plaster Features -House Spas Stonework Patios Decks Complete In-FREE Services include: Water Features -Water SpasWater -Features Stonework Patios -Coping - Spas - ESTIMATES Stonework --Decks Plumbing -Decks Coping --Tile - Plaster - Paint FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL Water Water Features -860-559-9104 Spas Stonework - Pa Features - Spas -- 860-559-91 Stonework - Patios -D Water Features Spas Stonework Patios Decks Licensed & Insured 35 years of c FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed 860-559-9104 860-559-9104 FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed -Guaranteed Coping - TileQuality - Plaster - Paint FREE ESTIMATESPlumbing Quality FREE ESTIMATES Guaranteed DAY, EVENING OR WEEKEND SERVICE (860) 689-6867 WaltersPestLLC.com I’ll take care of any pest... four legs or more! License # B-3000 860-559-9104 Licensed & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship 860-559-9104 FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed Licensed & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship Licensed & Insured -860-559-9104 35years yearsofofcraftsmanship craftsmanship Licensed & Insured - 35 Licensed & Insured860-559-9104 - 35 yearsLicensed of 860-559craftsmanship & Insured - 35 years of crafts 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! STUMP GRINDING STUMPS? G OT Call VALLEY STUMP GRINDING, LLC Licensed & Insured - 35Licensed years of craftsmanship & Insured - 35 yea ROOFING ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS • & more... Call now. Roofing & Siding Sale! HARMONY Home Improvement (860) 645-8899 Creating HARMONY between customer, contractor & community Fully Insured FREE Estimates Lic. #604200 SIDING VINYL SIDING SPRING SPECIAL SAVE 35% OFF NOW Free estimates. Absolute lowest prices possible! Deal direct with owner. REPAIRS/GARAGES 860-614-1173 Lic. #0639246 TREES WINDOW WASHING 860-614-1173 Lic. #0639246 WINDOW WASHING Ct Lic. #547581. Fully licensed & Insured. Hann’s On Home Improvement 860-563-2001 WINDOWS WE CLEAN WINDOWS! (SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO) Commercial & Residential • Free estimates • Fully Insured & Bonded • Uniformed • Reliable “Residential” WINDOWS & DOORS *Sales * Service * Installation* A BETTER VIEW WINDOW CLEANING, PLUS (203) 284-8836 32 The Valley Press June 25, 2015 860-249-1558 www.fishwindowcleaning.com/3053 860-747-8875 thewindowmanofct.com * thewindowmanofct@aol.com *Bill Morrell Contractor * Ct Lic.#0509785 * Insured*
Similar documents
May 21, 2015 - TurleyCT.com
host its inaugural Lucky Duck Race Friday, May 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the historic Drake Hill Flower Bridge on Old Bridge Road in the center of town. It is positioned over the Farmington River, wh...
More information