May 14, 2015 - TurleyCT.com
Transcription
May 14, 2015 - TurleyCT.com
The FuTure oF ChildCare and PresChool is here! he’s dressed for success—you can be sure we’ll do our part! PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PALMER, MA PERMIT #22 Experience the difference a high quality program makes! EDUCATIONAL PLAYCARE PRESS Valley www.educationalplaycare.com AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY IN SPORTS Granby out to ‘reverse the curse’ PAGE 25 Vol. 7, Edition 20 Thursday May 14, 2015 in the press Horse Guard funding could be cut by state State funding for the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard in Avon has been threatened, and one resident said he would wage a war to keep the equines in town. PAGE 17 Board discusses televising meetings Nutmeg Television has recorded and shown the Farmington Town Council’s meetings on cable TV and online for years; last week, five residents voiced their support for the school board to do the same. PAGE 17 Photo by Ted Glanzer Art and activities fill annual ‘fun day’ The eighth annual Granby Artists Association’s Fun Day was held on a summerlike day at Holcomb Farm Saturday, May 9. Pictured above: Adam Florian makes a huge bubble during the event. See more photos on page 6. NEWS Wild about animals THIS WEEK A&E 5 Kids 8 The Buzz 10 Town News 17 Business 23 Editorial 24 Sports 25 Calendar 30 Home and Garden 33 Classifieds 36 Quotes of Note “Televising changes the dynamic. This is how we have a dialogue – at the table. ... If we find that it will lead to more discussions off-table, then I’m not sure I want to do that.” -Paula O’Brien in “Board of Education discusses...” on page 17 Courtesy photo 4 Avon reader Karen Marcus said she often helps young deer get through the winter. This year, she spotted a very white fawn among her backyard visitors. 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. Be sure to mention your town of residence as well. All submissions will be considered for inclusion in a future issue. THE DOCTOR IS IN. UConn welcomes Nicole Cote, M.D. DERMATOLOGIST AND MOHS SURGEON Dr. Cote is an experienced specialist with expertise in advanced, precise treatments of skin cancer, including Mohs surgery. A graduate of Duke University School of Medicine, she joins UConn Health from the Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin where she established a Mohs surgery program. OFFERING PERSONALIZED CARE FOR: • Dermatology • Mohs Micrographic Surgery OFFICE LOCATIONS: Farmington and Canton MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY. Call 860.679.7546 or visit uchc.edu 21 SOUTH ROAD, FARMINGTON, CT 117 ALBANY TURNPIKE, CANTON, CT uchc.edu 2 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 “I can sit down with him and have a parcel map or a zoning map and he can walk me through the history since King George to the present time.” -Brandon Roberts in “Kushner to retire...” on page 17 260 West Main St •Avon (Across from Big Y & Wal-Mart) 860.470.7237 www.BottleStop.com Every Good Bottle. One Great Stop. Caymus Conundrum Miraval Rose 750ml 750ml 17.99 23.99 Whispering Angel Rose ® Balvenie 12yr Angel’s Envy Bourbon 750ml 750ml 49.99 19.99 40.99 The Best Selection of WINE 1.5L WINE 750ml FINE WINE Stag's Leap Artemis R. Mondavi Napa Cabernet BR Cohn Silver Label Cabernet Oberon Cabernet Simi Cabernet J.Lohr Cabernet Silver Palm Cabernet Rodney Strong Cabernet Dreaming Tree Wines Bogle Cabernet, Essential Red P. Noir, P. 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Not Responsible for Typos, State Min Pricing Prevails. Beer Prices Exclude Tax&Deposit, No Mix&Match. Prices Valid for Avon location. May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 3 May Market at the Hill-Stead Photos by Lynn Woike Above: Pam Mackiewicz, one of the owners of Mack & Twine Farms, a retail greenhouse in Torrington, was one of the many plant vendors at the market. Above, right: The eagle is a favorite of Phil Jonker of Rollin Thunder Home Accents, one exhibitor at the market. Right: Marshall Deming of Hartford Denim Company displays products – made in Hartford on antique machinery with a lifetime guarantee – on natural elements. Ginny Hadfield and Kathy Lindroth of the Farmington Garden Club sell gloves. H Trying on a bracelet is Cathy Billian of New York City, in Farmington visiting family. Nancy Richardson of NR Designs sells pillows on the porch. ill-Stead Museum’s signature two-day gardening and arts & crafts event, the May Market, featured more than 60 exhibitors and drew more than 1,300 people May 8 and 9. Musicians and dancers, along wiith food, were also part of the event. Left and above photos by Lisa Lappe Left: Helen Hayes of Avon and Marie Baker of Farmington leave with plants; Above: The Morris Dancers from New Haven entertain festivalgoers. 4 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Rockwell and spirituality Civil War book event The Salmon Brook Historical Society presents Lesley Gordon, author of “A Broken Regiment: The 16th Connecticut’s Civil War,” Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m., at the Senior Center, 15 N. Granby Road, Granby. Tickets will be available at the door: members $3, non-members $5, students $2. Light refreshments are included. Professor Gordon, a graduate of East Granby High School, will talk about her recently published book on the 16th CT Regiment, which fought at Antietam. The soldiers in this unit came from towns throughout the Farmington Valley, including 21 from Granby. After the talk, autographed copies of the book will be available for sale. Additionally, a student exhibit about the 16th Connecticut Volunteers will be on display in the Senior Center, along with many photographs of men from the Regiment. Courtesy photo Synchronicity - Garah Landes and Gregory Landes Duo featured at Shepherd Music Series The piano and percussion duo Synchronicity will be featured in the final concert of this season’s Shepherd Music Series at Collinsville Congregational Church, 7 South St., Collinsville, Saturday, May 16 at 7 p.m. Comprised of pianist Garah Landes and percussionist Gregory Landes, Synchronicity fuses jazz and classical music into a visually and aurally exciting experience. Their program will include transcriptions by the duo of works by Béla Bartók and Alberto Ginastera, solo compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and Enrique Granados, and three newly commissioned pieces by contemporary jazz artists Jeremy Beck, Steve Kenyon and Rory Stuart. The concert is free and all are invited to attend. No reservations or tickets are required. As well as transcribing works and composing their own music, Synchronicity has premiered a diverse range of new music by established and emerging composers including Paquito D’Rivera, Dafnis Prieto and Jack Gulielmetti. Their newest project, Synchronicity Voyager!, saw the commissioning of seven new works for piano and percussion, three of which will be heard at this concert. Lee Robin Band to perform at Westminster School The Lee Robin Band will give a free performance at Westminster School, 995 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Gund Reading Room of the school’s Armour Academic Center that is open to the public. It is part of a series of readings, lectures and concerts held at Westminster during the academic year. As a singer and songwriter, Robin spent her early career drumming for several bands. She then submerged herself in the contemporary songwriter folk scene and switched from drums to guitar and formed the Lee Robin Band. Writing songs from a place where tragedy meets triumph, and heartbreak meets heartfelt, Robin quickly compiled an abundance of original and immediately accessible material. Joining Robin in her original folk rock, countrified, Americana music are Hugh Smolen on bass, Tim Lembo on guitar and Joe Petrolito on the drums. Their 2015 release, “The Fighter,” is a FREE VACUUMS NOW AVAILABLE! off Most of us know that Norman Rockwell was contracted by the federal government to paint the Four Freedoms as advertising for war bonds during World War II, but how many know the story behind the paintings? Rockwell, perhaps the most famous of American illustrators, was born into a devout Episcopalian family and he was active in the congregation during the early part of his life. Fred Biamonte will discuss the life of Norman Rockwell, with an emphasis on his spirituality Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Road. Biamonte is a docent, educator and lecturer at the New Britain Museum of American Art. He gives art history talks with a focus on the psycho biographies of over 35 American and European artists, including Norman Rockwell, Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Andrew Wyeth and others. He worked for 40 years as a management consultant to major corporations, with a focus on organizational cultural change. He also taught organization behavior at New York University and in the Graduate School at Pace University. Following Biamonte’s lecture, there will be the opportunity for fellowship and refreshments in Fellowship Hall. RSVP attendance to the church office at 860-6732111 or avonmumc@gmail. com. KC Sisters in Burlington The Congregational Church of Burlington invites all to the Spring Music Series concert featuring The KC Sisters Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. The KC Sisters are a talented band of sisters ranging in age from 11 to 17. They have performed in over 500 concerts that include vocals, instrumentals, country fiddling, a capella hymns, pop, jazz, standards, country; a wide variety of genres and styles. The church is located at 268 Spielman Highway (Route 4), Burlington. Refreshments will be served after the performance. There is no admission; consider a free-will donation. For more information call 860-673-4618. Garmany series: Swing Band concert Courtesy photo The Lee Robin Band will perform at Westminster School. collection of songs about having the strength to face the challenges that test true coupon expires 5/30/15 limits. Refreshments will be served after the performance. The Valley’s Premier ALL NEW!! UNLIMITED WASH PROGRAM EXPRESS DETAIL Easy as 1•2•3 SCAN COUPON AT KIOSK * 5 O F F E X P R E S S * On Tuesday, May 19, the Farmington Libraries will host the Survivors Swing Band for a performance of classic favorites from the Big Band era. Th event will take place at 2 p.m. at the Main Library at 6 Monteith Drive. The Survivors Swing Band is a seven-piece ensemble made up of recent retirees and senior citizens. Come celebrate the nostalgic 1940s with hits THE LOWEST PRICES AROUND! ing 1. Pick your wash 2. Get your fast pass sticker 3. Wash all you want! at 15 t star $ from Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, and other favorites. Advanced registration is required for the program. Register in advance by calling the library at 860-673-6791 or visiting the library’s web site at www.farmingtonlibraries. org. The event is made possible by Richard P. Garmany thru a grant awarded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. onth m per STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY NEW EQUIPMENT FAST SERVICE *Spot Free Natural Spring Water Rinse* RT 44 across from Hoffman Auto Group formerly Valley Car Wash www.ctautospa.com May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 5 Maria Caracciolo works on her piece during the Granby Artists Association’s Fun Day at Holcomb Farm May 9. Gabriella Fisher isn’t feeling blue over her picture as she paints during the event. Siena Fisher enjoys her time during the Granby Artists Association’s Fun Day. Ashley paints on a canvas during the event. Photos by Ted Glanzer Amanda Scoville makes a big bubble as one of the activities at Holcomb Farm. Artists Association hosts annual Fun Day Isabella Lopez gets a tutorial on compressed air painting from Bill Scheel during Fun Day. M ore than 300 children and adults attended the eighth annual Granby Artists Association’s Fun Day at Holcomb Farm Saturday, May 9. Children got the opportunity to work with a dozen Granby artists to paint flowers, create watercolor pictures for Mother’s Day, make jewelry out of washers, and draw and color in fish for a fish tank by Matt Ryan. The kids also made giant bubbles outside. New Showroom Now Open! Spring Reupholster 2 Chairs or a Sofa for as low as PATIO OPEN! Let’s meet at the $479.00* CALL TODAY! Custom Window Treatments, Blinds & Shades FREE in-home OR in-office consultations We bring the fabrics to you! Fish House www.SaybrookFishHouseCanton.com The Intersection of 44, 202 & 179 Reserv. Accepted: 860.693.0034 • Open 7 Days & 7 Nights OF CANTON 6 The est. 1978 Valley Press Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30-4 • Sat. 12-4 Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 4-9 • Fri. & Sat. 4-9:30 • Sun. 12-8 May 14, 2015 SALE! PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED AND GUARANTEED EHRLICH INTERIORS Since 1902 Store Hours: Mon-Fri. 10-5. Nights available by appointment. *Plus the cost of fabric. Restrictions may apply. Consultations available by appointment. 860.678.0111 or toll-free 855.678.0111 2 EAST VIEW DR., FARMINGTON EhrlichInteriors.com PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Friends Coffeehouse: Hungrytown – original roots music Hungrytown will be at the Simsbury Library, 725 Firetown Road, Friday, May 22 from 8-9:30 p.m. Hungrytown is the musical and married duo of Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson. Their concert will feature close harmony singing, strong melodies and accompaniment on multiple instruments. The duo tours full time, their songs have been performed by many other artists, and their music has also appeared on several television shows. Hall learned to sing in church as a child and had developed into a skilled interpreter of jazz and blues standards by the time she was in her 20s. Her discovery of roots music coincided with the reissue of the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music in 1997 and inspired her to write her own material. Anderson is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented producer and arranger. He learned to play drums and keyboard as a child, and has since moved on to bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica. When not touring with Hall, Anderson is often hiding out in their home studio, Song Catcher Recording. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Reserve a seat at 860-658-7663, ext. 2200, or www.simsburylibrary.info. Dorazio, fine art painter, equine and sporting art, exhibiting at EW Library Gallery Nationally renowned artist Susan Dorazio, who has gained wide acclaim for her ability to capture the spirit, energy and personality of all she paints, is exhibiting thru June 7 at the Ethel Walker School Bell Library Gallery, 230 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury. Dorazio is a versatile artist, equally accomplished in the use of oils, watercol- or and pen & ink. Whether depicting race horses thundering toward the finish line, foxhounds leading the hunt, or portraying a favorite family pet, Dorazio’s work captures the essence of her subjects -- the observer feels their motion and vitality as their unique Left: Susan Dorazio’s piece “Sophie” Renaissance and Baroque The Windy Hill Guitar Ensemble and the Windy Hill Baroque Ensemble will present a concert of Renaissance and Baroque music at the East Granby Library, 24 Center St., East Granby, Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m. The students of the Windy Hill Guitar Studio in Granby, both school-age and adult, will be performing music written between 1550 and 1750 in England, Germany, France and Italy arranged for two, three and four guitars as well as solo repertoire from the time of Queen Elizabeth and pieces by John Dowland, Gaspar Sanz, Johann Pachelbel and J.S. Bach. The Baroque Ensemble concert will feature student guitarist Emily Uhl, a student at Granby Memorial High School, performing Vivaldi’s Concerto in D, Nathan Woodruff playing Handel’s Recorder Sonata in F, and Deborah Robin, ensemble coach, performing Telemann’s Partita in G for recorder. Ensemble director Laura Mazza-Dixon of Granby will play Telemann’s Sonata in G for viola da gamba. Continuo players for the ensemble are Ryan DeFranzo and Mazza-Dixon. Other Granby residents performing are Erin Keener, a student at Granby Memorial High School; Evelyn Danke, a student at Kelly Lane School; and Sue Canavan. Admission to the concert is free. For more information contact the library at 860-653-3002. personalities come to life. An elected member of the American Academy of Equine Art, Dorazio shares her expertise by teaching watercolor workshops for the Academy, and through painting classes at her Colebrook studio. With many local and national awards to her credit, including numerous “best in shows,” she has gained national recognition for the quality of her work. Get pre-approved for your mortgage right this Alumni art exhibit Westminster School’s third annual Alumni Art Exhibit will showcase the work of the late Bryan Nash Gill, a member of the class of 1980, who is best known for his sculptures and large-scale wood cross-section relief prints. The show will continue through May 25 in the Baxter Gallery of the school’s Armour Academic Center, 995 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. Gill died unexpectedly in 2013, and the show is being held in honor of his 35th reunion. The exhibit is free and open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. way Depend on us for your mortgage needs: No closing cost loans Fast turnaround times Competitive rates Expert advisors who know, live and work in your community Second home financing Simsbury Culture, Parks & Recreation Pool Passes Now On Sale! JOIN US FOR A FUNTASTIC SUMMER AT SIMSBURY FARMS & MEMORIAL POOLS New for this seasonpasses will only be sold until May 31 After May 31 you will only be able to enter the pool by paying the daily rate of $5 for residents or $7 for non-residents Spring is here and the snow is melting–not only are the temperatures heating up, but so is the home buying market! Have Simsbury Bank pre-approve you for a mortgage, and see a greener shade of grass this spring. SimsburyBank.com/mortgages 860.392.7623 SUMMER 2015 HIGHLIGHTS!!! *Pool season extended an extra week *Early evening and weekend special events for working families *Season pool pass holders can be cash free at the snack bar with our new debit account system *We’ve doubled the amount of chairs available-100 chairs for your comfort Simsbury Farms Pool “ Your Hometown Vacation” NMLS #441327 Featuring Music Mondays, Waterslide Wednesdays and Fun Fridays! Pool passes now on sale! May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 7 PRESSKIDS The Joe Carter Duo performs during the second annual Evening of Arts and Culture May 7 at Irving A. Robbins Middle School. The Sivasankaran family enjoys the offerings of the event that has become an annual one at the Farmington middle school. IAR cultural event I rving A. Robbins Middle School hosted the second annual Evening of Arts and Culture May 7. The event was a joint effort of the World Language Club and the art department, spearheaded by art department chair Julie Sawyer and world language teacher Amy Clark-Garcia. Clark-Garcia said the event was an ideal way to enforce the curriculum taught at IAR as well as give students a taste of what was to come at Farmington High School, which has a huge international showcase every years. “It prepares students to think about what they want to know more about,” she said. Hundreds of attendees were first treated to an international potluck dinner, including empanadas and chips and salsa, provided by parents as well as Besito of West Hartford. In addition, there were workshops and performances, including salsa dancing, stilt-walking students, international songs and dances, and world language presentations. The World Language Club also raised funds to help a boys foster home in Peru that is located in the middle of the Andes Mountains. The foster home does not have a van, and its residents must walk in order to purchase food and sundries; the club was raising money to help purchase a mode of transportation for the home. Photos by Ted Glanzer Above, left: Eighth-grader Shreya Harshavarshana performs a song; above, right: Camille Hoheb sings “On My Own” from the musical “Les Miserables.” Group of Walker’s students inducted into Cum Laude Society Ten students have been inducted into The Ethel Walker School chapter of the Cum Laude Society, an organization that recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice and honor (cumlaudesociety.org). Inductees from the class of 2015 are Jianna Footman, Claire Graham, Margaret Hegwood, Alice Li, Lila Reynolds, Ella Ross, Becky Xu and Sally Yao. Juniors Emily Peairs and Isabel Huang were also inducted for academic work so extraordinary as to merit early recognition into the society. Faculty speaker Grace Epstein shared her hopes for the new inductees, encouraging them to strive for knowledge, seek fairness for everyone and nurture a strong moral compass. She said, “Know deep inside what your interests and moral beliefs are. Respect these interests and beliefs, work HIC#0629057 Pro Quality Painting & Home Repair, LLC 860-201-7788 www.pqpainting4u.com The best decision you’ll ever make NAT-20817-0 8 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 on them continually, evolving into the whole person you want to be defined by core values that are morally sound, intellectually challenging, fair and just for all.” The Cum Laude Society, founded in 1906, has grown to include 382 chapters throughout the world and inducts around 4,000 new members each year. The Ethel Walker School is in its 62nd year as a member school of the Cum Laude Society. ! Courtesy photo The 2015 inductees of the Cum Laude Society NOW OPEN! NOW OPEN! 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Park Avenue, Bloomfield • 860.769.2020 812 Park Avenue, • Fully licensed Sat. 9-5 Sat. 9-5 860.769. 2020 860.769. 2020 w w w.lensesonlyoptical.com w w w.lenses and insured TM Where Lenses Are Always On Sale Where Lenses Are Alway TM 812 Park Avenue • Bloomfield, CT 06002 TM Store Hours: Mon. 10-8, Tues. 10-6, Wed. 10-8, Thurs. 10-8, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 9-5 PRESSKIDS Unified Theater students dance, write skits and Skype with a celebrity On April 27, the halls near the chorus room of Henry James Memorial School were buzzing with even more excitement than usual for an afterschool session of the Unified Theater club. On this day, the students were about to Skype with a real celebrity, Kevin Chamberlin, who plays the character of a butler named Bertram on the Disney Channel hit television series “Jessie.” In Unified Theater, students with or without disabilities work together on every aspect of theater production, including dance, writing skits and assembling props. The club develops student leaders, emphasizes creativity and breaks down barriers between students. Although music and performing arts teacher Lisa Grant and technology education teacher Craig White are present at the twice-weekly meetings, the production is entirely organized, written and directed by the students themselves. While waiting for White to set up the Skyping session so students could all see the actor on a large screen, the students worked in groups, practicing their dance moves or crafting their scripts. Eighth-grader and student leader Margaret Budlong explained why she joined Unified Theater. Aside from already having a strong interest in theater, she said, “I thought it would be a fun experience to do with my friends, but still be helping.” Eighth-graders Kyra Laiuppa and Sarah Poole had similar reasons for their involvement. Laiuppa characterized Unified Theater as “an opportunity to make new friends.” Poole added, “It includes everyone.” Inside the chorus room, the Skyping session with “Bertram” began. Students took turns asking questions, ranging from “What’s your favorite color?” to “What’s it like to work with a real, live lizard?” The actor’s answer to the latter brought some giggles as Chamberlin explained that although the law protects the child actors on the show by requiring metal guards to be worn on their legs, there is no such law protecting the adult actors, thus he made a habit of keeping his legs far away from “the 2,000 teeth.” The students were impressed at Chamberlin’s résumé, especially when they found out that he had played the original “Horton” the elephant in the play “Seussical Courtesy photo While waiting for the Skype session with actor Kevin Chamberlin to begin, HJMS students take a moment to confer about the script for a skit they are writing. the Musical” and had been nominated for a Tony award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role. 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Valid through May 16 79 Costello Road, Newington, CT May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 9 Spanish students score well Courtesy photo Active learning at The Master’s School about blind and deaf living While learning about famous American Helen Keller, third graders at The Master’s School wondered how a person who is blind or deaf, or has another physical disability, negotiates the world we live in. Mark Tyler, TMS parent and employee at Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, offered the students hands-on exercises to experience varying levels of blindness, and taught them how service dogs can help people with physical disabilities. Third-grade teacher Christy Neagle said, “Authentic learning experiences such as this become meaningful and lasting: one they will never forget.” NOW OPEN! Several world language students from Avon Middle School attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2015 National Spanish Examinations. Students from Avon Middle School earned a total of seven gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze medals along with 45 honorable mentions. “Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious, because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States with over 157,000 students participating in 2015,” said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, national director of the exams. The followng students achieved the highest scores and received a gold medal: Jillian Jurczyszak, Huyen Nguyen, Max Raha, Rosemary Salchert, Pranav Tadepalli, Ellie Zwolensky and Sofia Olivares. Spanish teachers are Orazio Donato, Bruce Mitchell, Marlene Patterson and Sarah Gutierrez. Courtesy photo From left to right on the bottom row are: Elisabeth Neff; Terri Wilson, president; Dr. Helaine Bertsch, vice president; Carolyn McGrattan; Mary Harrop; and Deb Key. Back row left to right are: Sebastian Saraceno, Leonard Tolisano, Peter Wright and Ben Isaacson. Missing from photo: John Forster, Capri Frank, Satvinder Mayall, Sue Cho and Eric Throndson Historical Society elects new board At the 41st annual members meeting of the Avon Historical Society last month, a new board of trustees was elected. Highlights of the meeting were reports on activities of the year including the restoration of the 1865 Pine Grove School House, the reconstruction of the roof on the c. 1880 Horse Guards Barn and the listing Tariffville School PTO Carnival May 19 The Tariffville School PTO Carnival and Silent Auction will be held Tuesday, May 19 from 4-7 p.m. (rain date Wednesday, May 20 from 4-7 p.m.). Stop by and enjoy a bounce house, food from Little City Pizza, a performance by Villari’s Martial Arts Center, the cake walk, face painting, cupcake decorating and a variety of games. Browse the silent auction with items including $100 gift card to Metro Bis, brunch for two at Season’s Restaurant in the Avon Old Farms Hotel, four tick- Quick, accurate blood tests. Quick, accurate results. Stop by our Open House Refreshments • Enter to win a FitBit D AY P • ER R I LD E DG FREE cholesterol screenings (no fasting required) BOU Thursday, May 21st 40 Dale Rd., Suite 200, Avon 7am to 4pm • CAM BARKHAMSTED, CT 06063 (860) 379-6500 OPEN HOUSE 800.286.9800 | clpct.com 10 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 of the Horse Guards Barn and c. 1810 Derrin House on the State Register of Historic Places. For more information about the Society, visit avonhistoricalsociety.org. Sun. May 17TH 1- 4pm B oulder D ay . com Boulder Ridge Day Camp’s activities include: • Instructional Swimming & Boating • Lacrosse, Baseball, Soccer & Tennis • Volleyball, Basketball, Gaga & Archery • Climbing Tower, Zip Line, Mountain Bikes • Arts & Crafts, Ceramics, Cooking • Science Lab, Performing Arts, Dance • Theme days, off-camp trips & more! ets to a New Britain Rock Cats game, a one-hour facial at Nails & Skin Care at the Mill, or one week of camp at the Simsbury Community Farm. A press release calls on residents: “Do come to support Tariffville School at this wonderful, annual event.” Pedals for Progress annual collection Pedals for Progress will hold its 14th annual Granby sewing machine and bike collection Saturday, May 23 from noon to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Road, West Granby. Anyone with working sewing machines, or an adult or child’s bicycle in working or repairable condition is encouraged to donate it to this cause. For more than 20 years, Pedals for Progress has prevented over 143,000 bikes and nearly 3,000 sewing machines from entering the waste stream. Instead, families are living better lives because they have the simple mobility of a bicycle. Through sewing machine ‘Malice in the Palace’ program partnerships, Pedals for Progress is creating jobs and contributing to school enrollment and health care. The cost to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle is $40. A $10 minimum donation toward shipping costs in requested with each bike or sewing machine, and any additional donations are appreciated to cover the increasing cost of shipping. All cash and material donations are tax deductible. Pedals for Progress is a 501 c (3) corporation and a registered charity in Connecticut. For more information call Jackie Johnson at 860-653-7758, or go to www.p4p.org. Courtesy photo West Avon Congregational Church presented the Children’s Musical “Malice In the Palace: The Story of Esther” written by Tom Long and Allen Pote last month. The musical depicts how acts of courage even by the smallest among us can make a big difference in the world. Pictured above: Braden Distel as King Ahasuerus and Isabel Andrews as Queen Vasthi ‘Strut Your Mutt’ May 16 It’s time to show off your mutt (or purebred, of course) at the Paw Meadow Dog Park annual Strut Your Mutt event Saturday, May 16 from noon to 4 p.m. Prizes are awarded in various categories, so any pooch might win. There will be vendors showing off their products and services, as well as an array of Paw Meadow T-shirts and hats available. All proceeds will go directly to the dog park, as will the suggested donation of $10 per family or group. “With Strut Your Mutt, we are raising money to pay Math Night supports CCMC More than 50 elementary school students celebrated Math Night last month at Union School in Farmington. Students collected donations for The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in exchange for working and playing with math for an hour. They raised more than $650. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade Avon- Canton VFW Post 3272 announces Buddy Poppy Drive and their siblings participated in a variety of games and activities. Teachers and other staff from Union School volunteered their time to support the cause. Also during the evening, parents participated in a workshop with Mike Buccetti, Union School’s math specialist. The Union School PTO hosted a pizza party after Math Night ended. for the upkeep and maintenance of the park,” according to dog park committee chairwoman Nikki Perry. “We have projects to finish, such as a walkway, which can be maintained to provide easy winter access.” Kane’s Market will serve food, and local experts will offer demonstrations. The event will take place next to the dog park on Iron Horse Blvd., near the Performing Arts Center. Information is available at www.pawmeadowdogpark. com or on the park’s Facebook page. The Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272, Avon announces its annual event that supports charities and causes providing relief to current and past servicemen and women in this state and region. The annual Buddy Poppy Drive will be held at various locations in Avon and Canton through May 24. The familiar red paper poppy, normally worn in the lapel, is a symbol from WWI memorialized in a poem written in 1915 by John McCrae about Flanders Field, Belgium, where, in 1914, American soldiers were engaged in battle in the fields of poppies that grew there. The VFW conducted its first buddy poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The buddy poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Military veterans of the Avon Post, with the help of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, will be distributing poppies at Walmart in Avon, Stop & Shop in Simsbury and Shop Rite in Canton during the 10-day event. Donations are accepted. Last year, the Post raised more than $22,000, which was distributed to a few national causes and local ones such as the Veterans Oasis Centers at Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University, Connecticut’s Operation Stand Down for homeless veterans, Simsbury Veteran’s Memorial Fund, Veterans Home in Rocky Hill and the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain. The Post also sends relief packages to current military servicemen and women from the area. Checks can be sent to: Avon VFW Post 3272, P.O. Box 297, Avon, 06001. 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. Berlin ◆ 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 GRAND OPENING F R I DAY, M AY 1 5 T H E u ro p e a n - s t y l e c afe offe r i n g f re s h c offe e + p a s t r i e s . A g re a t p l a c e t o wo r k o r re l a x . 20 W. MAIN STREET AVON, C T 06001 860.707.0925 @D OMSCOFFEE Hartford ◆ Simsbury ◆ Vernon www.ctseniorlaw.com May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 11 Martial Arts championship winners Wide Open Golf Classic brings Project Purple to the Valley The Wide Open Committee invited Chris Herren, a former guard for the Boston Celtics and sought-after motivational speaker, to speak again this year to students at the local high schools. He will be presenting his experiences with drugs and alcohol, which resulted in the eventual loss of his NBA basketball career. Herren is scheduled to tell his story to the students of Northwestern Regional 7 High School May 26 at 9:30 a.m. followed by Lewis S. Mills High School at 12:15 p.m. Herren will also present at 1 p.m. May 27 for students and at 6:30 that night for the public at Canton High School. Canton Valley Dental and The Wide Open will be sponsoring the event. Herren has been substance free since August of 2008 and created The Herren Project, followed by Project Purple, an initiative that assists individuals and families struggling with addiction. The organizers of the Wide Open Tournament, Dave Regan, Ryan Mains and Dr. Matthew Keefe of Canton Valley Dental, hope to help students realize what drugs and alcohol can do to a career and personal life, according to a press release. For more information on any of the presentations, contact Canton Valley Dental at 860-693-0887. Courtesy photo Students from Villari’s Martial Arts Center of Simsbury won medals and trophies at the 2015 Spring Championship Tournament held at Canton High School recently. More than 65 Villari’s students ranging in age from 4 to 55 years of age participated at the annual competition. Barbara Palazzini turns 100 years old Barbara Palazzini of Cherry Brook Health Care Center celebrated her 100th birthday last month with family and friends. A citation sent from the Connecticut General Assembly and Canton’s state Rep., Timothy LeGeyt was given to Barbara for a life well lived. Palazzini was born in Salisbury April 15, 1915 and has remained a lifelong resident of Northwestern Connecticut. She has experienced everything from the invention of the jet engine and color television to the Internet and the many devices of today’s digital age. “Mrs. Palazzini is certainly known to be very determined,” said Jacob Bompastore, administrator. “She truly is an inspiration to us all.” Courtesy photo “Our whole family has peace of mind knowing mom is safe, happy and comfortable at McLean.” Carey and Laurie with their mom, Claire 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 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 woodedAll campus, McLean’s Assisted Living You Nestled Needon aIs One. You Need Iscommunity One. 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All 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, shortand long-term skilled nursing, outpatient rehabilitation and wellness, post-acute care and home care and hospice. www.McLeanCare.org | 75 Great Pond Road | Simsbury, CT 06070 12 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 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. INSTALLATION AND SERVICE (860)747-9911 FREE ESTIMATES CT LIC# PLM0208739 SERVING THE FARMINGTON VALLEY FOR OVER 30 YEARS Troop 76 inducts three new Eagle Scouts Courtesy photo Bob Francolini presents Incy S. Muir with a check. Granby Lions donate to VNA As part of the Lions Club International, the world’s largest service organization, the Granby Lions Club is a long-term supporter of the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association. Bob Francolini, chair of the Granby Lions Club Giving Committee, recently presented Farmington Valley VNA Executive Director Incy S. Muir with a $3,000 donation designated for therapeutic and nursing supplies to directly benefit clients, as well as technology that will enhance the agency’s ability to provide health and wellness education throughout the communities served by the non-profit home care and hospice agency. The Rehabilitation Department has acquired balance disks to help those with balancing issues, and the purchase of two Sigvarus “Doff N’ Donner” sets will offset clients’ challenge of donning and removing prescribed compression hose stockings. A new CoaguChek monitor will allow nursing staff to effectively monitor the level of blood coagulation in clients who take blood thinning medications. The VNA’s Community Programs Department, which houses the Granby Food Bank Program and provides the School Nursing program for the Granby Board of Education, was able to replace the 15-year-old laptop computer that is used at frequent health and wellness education events, community presentations and staff education. Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 76 celebrated the induction of three new Eagle Scouts earlier this year, continuing the tradition maintained by Troop 76 and bringing the total number of Troop 76 Eagle Scouts to 185 since 1921. The ceremony was held at First Church of Christ, Troop 76’s sponsoring organization. Patrick Sullivan, Harrison (Cole) Starrett, and Cameron Ballard, all high school seniors, started their scouting careers with Tootin’ Hills School Cub Scout Pack 276. The requirements to attain the Eagle rank include holding a leadership position within the troop, earning a minimum of 21 merit badges including 12 eagle required badges, and showing that the Scout lives by the Scout oath and law in his daily life. The candidate’s journey culminates with a community service proj- ect that demonstrates the leadership skills he has learned in the troop. The three boys chose service projects that supported their community in different ways. Patrick chose to support FAVARH’s, the ARC of the Valley, wood bundling operation by building two wood sheds that retailers had requested to store wood bundles which are sold to support FAVARH. Cole chose to support the Simsbury Public Library by cleaning up the land between Boy Scout Hall and the library. Cameron chose to support Troop 76’s sponsoring organization by rebuilding the dumpster enclosure at Palmer Hall. Nationally, less than 5 percent of all Boy Scouts attain the highest rank. In Simsbury’s Troop 76, more than 50 percent of Scouts earn Eagle status. For more information visit www. troop76.info. SVFC firefighter completes course Firefighter Renee Cafasso, Firetown station, of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, has been certified Firefighter I by the state of Connecticut. The 160-hour course covers fire suppression, breathing apparatus, search and rescue, ladders, ropes, hydrant hook-up, and salvage and overhaul. NSO competition winners Courtesy photo Two Farmington High School students were recently named the winners of the Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington. The competition sponsor is the Oles Family Charitable Foundation. Pictured left to right: violinist Shayamal Datta, second prize; singer Benjamin Aube, first prize; Bridget de Maura Castro, competition pianist. Shayamal performed the first movement of Joseph Haydn’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G major. Ben performed two arias by Bononcini and Vaughan-Williams. The two winners will perform with the Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra at the educational children’s concerts for third graders May 19. “Lights, Camera, Cure!” 36 Month Certificate of Deposit May 16, 2015 1.30% APY* F A R M I N G T O N $1,000.00 Minimum Balance S C H O O L Music, Games, Bouncehouses, Variety of Food and Beverages. All are welcome all day!!! *APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Upon your request we will change the interest rate on your account to the Collinsville Savings Society 36 month interest rate that is in effect at the time of the request. There can only be one request made during the term of the Certificate, the request can be made at any time during the Inflate Your Rate certificate term. The rate may change after account is opened if consumer chooses to inflate their rate. You may also deposit additional funds at the time of the rate inflate request. You may not make withdrawals of principal from your account before maturity without penalty. You can only withdraw interest credited in the term before maturity of that term without penalty. You can withdraw interest at any time during the term after it is credited to your account. Limited time only. Rates and terms are subject to change. Rate is effective as of 02/10/2015. CANTON 277 Albany Turnpike Canton, CT 06019 H I G H COLLINSVILLE 136 Main Street Collinsville, CT 06019 relayforlife.org/farmingtonct CELEBRATE SURVIVORS • 5:00PM Survivor & Caregiver Celebration Laps, followed by reception REMEMBER all who have fought cancer! Dusk Lighting of luminaria and memorial torches. Fight Back!! Raising funds for ACS, raising awareness and cancer prevention education. TELEPHONE: (860) 693-6936 WWW.COLLINSVILLESAVINGS.COM May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 13 $1,600 raised at Relay dinner Students from West Woods Upper Elementary School in Farmington were chefs and waiters for one evening all while raising funds for their Relay for Life team. “Cure to the Future” Relay for Life Pasta Dinner was held April 26 and served more than 150 members of the community. The 15 boys raised nearly $1,600 for the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life will be held May 16. Courtesy photo Remembering and honoring pastors luncheon a success On April 17, 55 people from Memorial United Methodist Church in Avon en- joyed the celebration of their pastors beginning in Burlington then Unionville and We are here to help 24 hours a day, every day. In times of trouble, we lean on family and friends. For many foster children, that support network doesn’t exist. You can change that. By opening your home to a foster child, you can provide safety, stability, structure and kindness. It’s something you’ve thought about – now is the time to act. A child needs you. www.thevillage.org/fostercare 860-236-4511 You have what it takes, and we provide extensive training and ongoing support. CD MAY VALLEY 5/1/15 1:07 PM Page 1 now Avon, and welcomed back three of them and one daughter. The Committee on Records and History reflected back to 1816 on its churches and pastors with a program brochure, album, slide show and pastors and/or wives’ recipes from old cookbooks. Memorial welcomed back Penny and Dick Yerrington (1960-1978), Dorothy and Mel Kawakami (1995), Judy and Jim Hoffman (19992009), and Christine Carroll for her parents Bill and Doris Carroll (1978-1981). Current Pastor Joseph Piccirillo, the 100th pastor (2014 to present), led the blessing. In addition to the program brochure, they also had available the brochures “A Walk Through Our History” for those who would like to visit the church’s six sites, and “A Brief History of Methodism in the United States and Memorial United Methodist Church.” Guiding Eyes open house May 18 Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy Drew recently arrived in Granby, and has been welcomed by his new puppy raiser, Amandine, and her daughter, Scarlette. When Amandine was a little girl, she had an adult friend who was also a guide dog user. She loved to help her friend and Scarlette, Amandine and puppy Drew It’s time to plant for the future! torringtonsavings.com * A $1,000 minimum required to open all accounts and earn the stated Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Penalty for early CD withdrawal will be imposed. APY is accurate as of May 1, 2015. Rates subject to change. Limited to our deposit area. See torringtonsavings.com or contact a Customer Service Representative at (860) 496-2152 for more information. 14 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 Torrington Main 129 Main Street (860) 496-2152 Torrington North 635 Main Street (860) 482-5421 Torringford 235 Dibble Street (860) 482-2664 Burlington 260 Spielman Highway (860) 675-2601 Goshen 55 Sharon Turnpike (860) 491-2122 Falls Village Routes 7 & 126 (860) 824-3000 New Hartford 518 Main Street (860) 738-0200 her dog and vowed to volunteer one day to help sight-impaired individuals. For someone without sight, a Guiding Eyes dog provides independence, companionship and mobility. Raisers welcome 8-weekold puppies into their homes and, with support from the nonprofit, including training classes and free vet care, love, nurture and educate the puppies for a 14- to 16-month period before sending them off to their calling as a guide dog. The nonprofit’s Puppy Raising Program is comprised of more than 400 volunteers from Maine to North Carolina. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is always looking for more puppy raisers or sitters. Puppy raising classes are held on Monday evenings in Granby and Avon. An open house is scheduled for Monday, May 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., Avon. Visit www.guidingeyes.org/volunteer/puppy-raising/ for more information. Hope Noar says farewell Courtesy photo Farmington High School jazz students pose for a photo with Middlewoods of Farmington residents after performing at the community. FHS jazz students perform at Middlewoods Residents and staff at Middlewoods of Farmington Independent and Assisted Living Community welcomed the Farmington High School Jazz Combo for a special performance April 23. Students entertained the community audience with favorite songs from a variety of artists, including a fun arrangement by The Beach Boys, and afterward took time to visit and chat with the residents. Residents were thrilled to be able to enjoy the students’ musical talents in the comfort of their home. Many thanks to the Farmington High School Jazz Combo for offering their time and talent at Middlewoods. For more information about senior living options at Middlewoods of Farmington, contact Katie Mauriello at 860-284-5700 or visit www.middlewoodsoffarmington.org. Middlewoods of Farmington is affiliated with the UConn Health Center and is located at 509 Middle Road in Farmington. Piano teacher Hope Noar had her 41st and last recital in Simsbury recently at the Simsbury Library. Every seat was filled, and the recital lasted well over two hours. Most of the students played duets with Noar, and the music was upbeat and jazzy. Noar will be relocating to North Carolina and will open up a piano studio there, bringing her contemporary teaching methods with her. She has taught for 51 years in all, and continues to research new and creative ideas for her students. Courtesy photo A cake wished teacher Hope Noar farewell Noar said she has had “many wonderful experiences” here, including raising three sons, and making many lifetime friends. “Simsbury is a terrific place to raise children, and [I] will cherish all my wonderful memories of this town.” Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution holds spring conference The Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual spring state conference recently in Windsor, simultaneously celebrating the 125th anniversary of the founding of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Individuals and chapters received awards for Courtesy photo their work in advancing the society’s objectives of proAbigail Phelps Chapter Remoting historic preservation, gent Debbie Payne (left) with education and patriotism. State Regent April Staley The Abigail Phelps Chapter of Simsbury was Connecticut Outstanding recognized for many of its Chapter Regent Award to Reachievements. The mem- gent Debbie Payne by State bership was commended Regent April Staley at the Women’s, Vintage, Select Men’s, Select Household for contributing more than awards dinner. Only 1 Payne min. westalso of 164 Albany Tpke. (Rte. 44) 3,000 volunteer hours to a serves as the CTDAR State Canton Shoppes between The Shoppes Only 2 min. Now ACCEPTING (mall)variety & Cantonof Green wide community Historian. west SPRING & SUMMER $ service projects in 2014. The Among otherof Avon Abigail CONSIGNMENTS $ CTDAR Award for Outstand- Phelps Chapter members ing Purchase Use of Public JUSTrecognized IN! during the conof Relations $60 or more of ShoeswerePurchase Overall was presentedLadies to the9 Narrow ference Barbara Crede, $30 or more Exp. 4/30/15 Exp. 4/30/15 Ladies 14-18who Clothing Sun along & Mon 11-2,with a number chapter along with her husband, Tu, W, Th, Sat 10-5, Fri 10-7 of other awards. George Crede, were honored www.pinkhousecanton.com The highlight of the at a special 50th anniversary conference for the chapter of the Vietnam War Ceremowas the presentation of The ny for their service in the U.S. PINK HOUSE Navy during the war. Louine King received an award from the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution for her efforts in recruiting new SAR members. Chapter treasurer Jacqueline Fenelon was recognized for her work on obtaining funding for the CTDAR historic Oliver Ellsworth Homestead Museum in Windsor, and District Director Jennifer Vazquez was commended for her direction with planning and hosting this very successful and en- 10 OFF Purchase of $ $60 or more Exp. 4/30/15 Canton Now ACCEPTING Only 1 min. west of Canton Shoppes Only 2 min. west of Avon Now accepting SPRING & SUMMER CONSIGNMENTS $ 5 High-end JUST IN! Spring & Summer OFFof Ladies 9 Narrow Shoes Purchase $30 Exp. 4/30/15 Ladies 14-18 Clothing Consignments Sun & Mon Sun Mon11-3 11-2, Tu, Sat 11-5, 10-5,FriFri11-7 10-7 Tu, W, Th, Sat. www.pinkhousecanton.com or more IT ED F 15 F TIM – ER E Ju ne 7! % 1.79 APR* 860-693-3933 164 Albany Tpke. (Rte. 44) between The Shoppes (mall) & Canton Green M ANY MODEL YEAR R AT E S A S L OW A S 5 OFF PINK HOUSE Women’s, Vintage, Select Men’s, Select Household ay O NEW, USED & REFINANCED Canton 10 OFF LI M DRIVE INTO Summer DAR American History Essay Contest. It was announced that both students were first place winners in the state competition as well as in the Northeastern Division. They now advance to the national competition. joyable conference. The Abigail Phelps Chapter sponsored George Stephan, a sixth-grader, and Elan Stadelmann, a seventh-grader, both from the Farmington Valley Academy Montessori of Avon, in the UP TO 60 MONTHS APPLY TODAY! 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Store Hours: OPEN 8 A.M.-9 P.M. 7 DAYS A WEEK Ant Pl 12” Serve 16” Serve 18” Serve PRESSNews Kushner to retire after quarter century of service By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer Photo by Alison Jalbert Funding for the care and feeding of the horses at the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard in Avon, along with funds to cover a caregiver’s salary, would be cut under the proposed state budget. Horse Guard funding could be cut by state Officials will fight to keep Avon location open if one of CT’s two facilities must close By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer AVON — State funding for the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard in Avon has been threatened, and one resident said he would wage a war to keep the equines in town. Avon residents flocked to the May 7 Town Council meeting in a show of opposition against the elimination of funding to the Horse Guards under Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed 2015-16 budget. Council Chairman Mark Zacchio said the proposal is to cut funding for the care and feeding of the horses in Avon and those in the Second Company, which is stationed in Newtown, and to cut funds that cover a caregiver’s salary. Another option is to relocate Avon’s horses to the Newtown facility. According to its website, the Avon unit is holding a fundraiser in the event of a worst case scenario in the hopes it will get $35,000 to cover its half of the $70,000 that pays for the annual support of the two units. Zacchio and other speakers said the horse guard funding is constantly being used as a budget tool. “We were as surprised to hear about it as you all; we were as appalled that that is what’s being used,” Zacchio said. He has spoken with state legislators and has received a verbal agreement that if a move were to take place, legislators would propose that Avon’s guard stay put and Newtown’s be moved, Zacchio said. Some arguments in support of keeping that facility open are that Avon’s facilities are newer and better and that the guard was stationed in that town first. “I’m cautiously optimistic at this point,” he said. Several speakers rose to the podium to vocalize their dismay. “We’ve always been a political football for the state budget,” said Gary Brooks, a longtime member of the First Company, who gave a presentation on the guard at the meeting. He spoke of the First Company’s long history, which started in 1778 and is the oldest continuously active mounted cavalry unit in the United States. Brooks also read a few documents, including a 1964 memo from the state of Connecticut Adjutant General’s Office to the major commandant of the First Company, which acknowledged receipt of a letter that established the Avon land as assigned to the First Company for use “as a Military Reservation in perpetuity.” See GUARD on page 32 AVON — After 26 years, Steven Kushner, Avon’s director of planning and community development, is retiring. Kushner will leave his post June 30, however, he will not entirely give up his employment with the town, he said. Rather he will be moving his office down the hall and will continue to work as a part-time consultant for a year and will be there to assist his replacement in the transition. Still, it’s going to be a loss to the town. “The thing about Steve is that Steve knows the history on every parcel in town, and I can sit down with him and have a parcel map or a zoning map and he can walk me through the history since Photo by Sloan Brewster Steven Kushner, Avon’s director of planning and community development, is retiring June 30. King George to the present time,” Town Manager Brandon Robertson said. “You can’t replicate that.” See KUSHNER on page 21 Board of Education discusses televising meetings By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer FARMINGTON — During its May 4 meeting, the Farmington Board of Education discussed the possibility of having its meetings recorded and shown on cable television and the Internet. Nutmeg Television has recorded and shown the Town Council’s meetings on cable TV and online for years; five residents voiced their support for the school board to do the same. “Nutmeg TV is in our backyard,” former school board member and current town councilor Jon Landry said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for Farmington public schools and for the community to have access to public meetings.” Landry referenced the recent referendum that had just 13 percent of the town’s registered voters show up at the polls. See TELEVISING on page 32 ‘Take a good school system and make it great’ is Perron’s parting message By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer GRANBY — Citing work commitments, Ben Perron resigned from the Granby Board of Education at its regular meeting May 6. Perron was in his third stint on the board and 12th year overall. He served two years in his most recent term on the board. He thanked his fellow school board members for serving with him. “It’s been fun to see the growth of the board in this term,” Perron said. “Two years ago, in November, we had new leadership and different roles. We all embraced the challenge. It feels good.” Perron described the board as a “vibrant” one that worked together well. When he first started on the board in 1997, Perron said “the mission was simple: take a good school system and make it great.” Back then, Perron said, there were significant challenges, including an aging infrastructure. The high school was “a collection of buildings,” Perron said, and Kelly Lane and Wells Road needed to be upgraded. “We had changes in the curriculum that were always coming at us,” Perron said. Concepts such as magnet Photo by Ted Glanzer Granby Board of Education member Ben Perron (left) receives a plaque in recognition of his service from Chairman Ron Walther May 6. Perron stepped down from the school board having served for a total of 12 years, including the last two. schools, computers inside the classroom and No Child Left Behind were either just taking root or weren’t part of the lexicon at all, Perron said. “Now we have the Common Core and Smarter Balance Assessment,” he said. But, Perron said, even with the new changes and challenges, he believed the school board would always be on the right path if it stayed true to the mantra of taking “a good school system and make it great.” Perron’s replacement is Stephen Royer, a former Planning and May 14, 2015 See PERRON on page 32 The Valley Press 17 Flower bridge coming to Collinsville By Alison Jalbert Assistant Editor CANTON — Collinsville will soon be home to a flower bridge, welcoming drivers, pedestrians and cyclists into the village with brightly colored blooms. The bridge at the intersection of Bridge Street, Maple Avenue and River Road will be transformed this summer. Bob Bessel, chairman of the Economic Development Agency and a member of the Canton Main Street Association, said that intersection receives 12,000 automobile trips per day, the greatest number of trips of any area in Canton outside Route 44. The Main Street Association spearheaded the project, with Marge Harmon and Angie Roman coordinating all aspects of it. Bessel said the members of Main Street all thought a flower bridge would be a good addition to Collinsville and, initially, targeted the bridge over the trail by the Collins Company Axe Factory. It was soon realized the visibility on that bridge is significantly lower than the one at Bridge, Maple and River. “We wanted something that can be seen. … This is a great area to do something,” Bessel said. “The whole thing with Main Street is to create a sense of place, to inform people you’ve come to a different place. We’ve done signage, but to have something substantial or planned is great.” The members of the EDA and Main Street see the bridge as being a space for functions; Bessel said there have been discussions about having contests or festivals on the bridge, giving it a haunted theme near Halloween and having art exhibits or flower contests. “It’s a long piece of real estate,” he said. Like the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge in Simsbury, people can buy plants to hang on the bridge. Main Street has reached out to the business community, and the Collinsville Savings Society has already committed to buying plants. Bessel Free Educational Sessions Surgical Weight Loss ............................. Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Centers for Surgical Weight Loss offer free educational sessions about weight loss surgery. Each 90-minute session covers information about obesity and treatments. Meet the physicians and other team members and learn about steps toward surgery. Family members and friends welcome. To register, call 1-866-668-5070. Date: Location: Presenter: 18 The Tuesday, May 26 at 6 PM Hartford HealthCare Medical Group 11 South Road Farmington Dr. Edward Hannoush Valley Press May 14, 2015 Central Region Surgical Weight Loss-May 26-Ad-3.22x7.indd 1 said Main Street already has most of the money for the flower bridge, and the rest will be raised through plant sales and fundraising. Winterberry Landscape & Garden Center in Southington will provide the plants. Though Main Street received many bids, Bessel said Winterberry had the most complete proposal and has a great reputation, as it does the plantings at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley. Local artist Shelby Barnhart will be creating the hooks on which the plants will hang, forging them in her Shagbark Lane workshop. Bessel complimented Harmon and Roman on their efforts in coordinating the bridge project. “This kind of thing gets more complicated than you would think,” he said, explaining it goes beyond simply hanging the plants. They need to be watered, so it must be determined where the water will come in from and how to get the electricity necessary to pump the water. Winterberry is currently growing the plants that will decorate the bridge, Bessel said, and they need time to be hardened off, which enables the seedlings to adjust to strong sunlight, cooler temperatures at night and infrequent watering. He expects the bridge to be up and functional in early- to mid-July, around the same time the Collinsville Streetscape project is anticipated to be complete. Courtesy photo Work continues on the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems inside the temple, and stone masons are on site installing granite on the exterior walls. Drywall is being hung on interior walls. The parking lot area is being prepared for asphalt. Burlington man to lead Mormon community FARMINGTON — A change in leadership for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Connecticut recently took place when a local man, William Elwell, was called as the new president of the Hartford Connecticut Stake to oversee the Mormon congregations in central and northern Connecticut. The new Mormon temple being built in Farmington is within the jurisdiction of President Elwell and his first and second counselors – Alan Wade and Cory Nielsen. More than 1,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Connecticut gathered at an area conference to show their support for the new presidency. Local leadership assignments within the church, such as stake presidencies, bishops and Relief Society presidencies, are unpaid lay minister positions. The new members of the stake presidency will serve in the church as they continue to balance full-time employment and family obligations. Elwell and his wife, Shannon, live in Burlington and are parents of four children. Shannon is currently a counselor in the Canton Ward Relief Society presidency. A graduate of Georgetown Law School, Elwell is an attorney with The Hartford Financial Services Group. “As church members, we are committed to following the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and supporting and loving our neighbors,” Elwell said. “We look forward to the upcoming dedication of the Hartford temple in Farmington and are excited to share with our friends in this area the importance of the temple and our belief in the enduring nature of eternal families.” Former Stake President Wayne Taylor said of the temple in Farmington, “Breaking ground for a temple to be dedicated in Farmington was a monumental event in the lives of our Connecticut members.” President Taylor served in the position for more than nine years. “With fewer than 150 Mormon temples in the world, this is an extraordinary opportunity for the residents of Connecticut,” he said. An open house will be held just prior to the temple’s dedication. “The growth of our faith is in large measure the result of a successful culture of voluntary service,” said Robert J. Bazyk, Hartford Stake director of public affairs. “Our members and our lay clergy leaders financially support themselves and their families in secular careers. They are doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, property owners, carpenters, plumbers, tradesmen, fishermen, tax collectors, etc. They serve in church positions as called upon. They give of their time and talents, and also contribute monetarily through tithes and offerings, because they believe in the values and principles for which the church stands. The church’s emphasis on faith in God, family values, self-improvement, and helping others is a powerful influence in the daily lives of our members.” SCHOOL TEACHERS Financial Professionals Lawyers BUSINESS OWNERS Civil Engineers EQUESTRIANS Marketing Executives Nurses DENTISTS Professors Musicians Hair Stylists Computer Engineers Police Officers GENERAL CONTRACTORS Fishermen Veterinarians Doctors COACHES Electrical Engineers Supply Chain Executives COUNSELORS Mechanical Engineers Firefighters SCHOOL TEACHERS Financial Professionals Pr Lawyers Civil Engineers ATHLETES DID YOUBUSINESS KNOW OWNERS Marketing Executives Nurses DENTISTSTHERE Professors Musicians Hair StyliHost Principals GETCAREGIVERS TO ARE TRANSPORTATION ORTATIONL CONTRACTORS Fishermen Veterinarians Doctors tors COACHES Electrical Engineers KNOW ONE Supply Chain Executives LEAN SIX SIGMA EXPERTS COUNSELORS Mechanical Engineers Firefighters SCHOOL TEACHERS TEACHER Financial Professionals Lawyers BUSINESS OWNERS Civil Engineers TODAY MANAGERS MORMONS www.mormon.org IN CONNECTICUT? CEOs ng Executives Nurses DENTISTS Professors Musicians Hair StyliDEsts IT PROFESSIONALS Police Officers GENERAL CONTRACTORS Fishermen Veterinarians Doctors COACHES Electrical Engineers Supply Chain Executives LEAN SIX SIGMA EXPERTS COUNSELORS Mechanical Engineers LEAN SIX SIGMA SCHOOL TEACHERS TEA Financial Professionals Lawyers BUSINESS OWNERS Civil Engineers MANAGERS CIOs ng Executives Nurses DENTISTS Professors Musicians Musicians MANUFACTURING PROFESSIONALS police Officers GENERAL NERAL CONTRACTORS Fishermen Veterinarians Doctors COACHES Electrical Engineers Supply Chain Executives LEAN SIX SIGMA EXPERTS COUNSELORS Mechanical Engineers LEAN SIX SIGMA SCHOOL TEACHERS Financial Professionals Lawyers BUSINESS OWNERS Civil Engineers NURSES Marketing Connecticut Executives Nurses DENTISTS Professors Musicians Hair Stylists Computer Engineers Police Offi * MORMONSOACHES Electrical Engineers Supply Chain cers GENERAL CCONTRACTORS fishermen Veterinarians Doctors COACHES Executives LEAN SIX SIGMA EXPERTS COUNSELORS Mechanical Engineers Firefighters MUSICIANS animal techni *Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints SCHOOL TEACHERS Financial Professionals Lawyers BUSINESS OWNERS Civil Engineers NURSES Marketing Executives Nurses DENTISTS Professors Musicians Hair Stylists Computer Engineers Police Offi LEAN SIX SIGMA EXPERTS 17,000 17,000 3/27/15 11:49 AM Voters approve all budget-related referendum questions By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer SIMSBURY — Simsbury’s mill rate is going down. At the May 5 referendum, voters approved five budget related questions, including the $98.6 million town and education budgets for fiscal year 2015-16. According to a press release, 988 votes were cast out of 15,775 eligible voters, representing a 6.26 percent participation. The board of finance set a 37.12 mill rate, a decrease from last year’s 37.14 mill rate. The $18.9 million budget for the town – put to voters in question one – was approved with 808 yeses and 176 nos. “This budget lowers taxes while still delivering what our residents ask for – quality services, modernized technology and responsible stewardship of our natural resources and town assets to keep Simsbury a vibrant, beautiful, safe and desirable place to live and do business,” First Selectman Lisa Heavner said. The three primary goals of the budget are to maintain fiscal responsibility by delivering services in a cost-effective manner, stewardship of open space and modernizing technology, Heavner said in a presentation at the Board of Finance hearing in March. The budget includes the cost of filling contractual obligations, she said. Had the town done nothing but pay those raises, the budget would have been 1.88 percent above last year, Heavner said. Instead the town saved money in other areas to end up with a .84 percent hike. “This is a responsible budget,” Board of Finance Chairman Peter Askham said in a press release. “For the second year in a row taxes have inched downward. This was made possible by the various boards working together and an increase in the town’s Grand List.” The $66.4 million education budget, an increase of $850,188 or 1.30 percent over last year – put to voters in question two – was approved with 775 yeses and 211 nos. “Crafting a budget for a high-achieving school system like ours is no simple task,” said Superintendent of Schools Matthew Curtis. “With the ultimate goal of creating great schools for each and every child, we have had to balance fiscal responsibility with our need for growth in programming at all levels K-12. Additionally, funding for capital projects and support for a myriad of other variables impact our bottom line. This required working cooperatively with the town of Simsbury’s governing boards to find a way to achieve this balance.” The $13.3 million in question three was approved with 794 voting yes and 187 voting no. The funds will pay for the sewer treatment plant, residential rental properties, special programs at Simsbury Farms, nonpublic schools, debt retirement/ capital and capital non-re- curring annual budgets. Question four, which was approved with 728 in favor and 256 opposed, requested $1.1 million in improvements to the Simsbury Farms skating rink and pools. Question five, which voters approved with 742 in favor and 242 against, requested $2.15 million for the installation of climate control improvements at several schools. Cost savings, combined with common goals of boards, input from residents and the work of town staff made the tax decrease possible, Heavner said. Officials review racial profiling report, take ‘totally proactive’ approach to the matter By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer GRANBY — Granby town officials recently met with the authors of a report that concluded that the Granby Police Department may have engaged in racial profiling. Town Manager William Smith told the Board of Selectmen at its regular meeting Monday, May 4, that he and Chief of Police Carl Rosensweig met with the report’s authors to discuss the conclusion that the Granby Police Department was one of five law enforcement agencies in the state that had “statistically significant” racial or ethnic disparities in its traffic stops, according to a statewide Central Connecticut State University racial profiling study. The study revealed that Granby police engaged in 1,484 stops in 2013-14, 1,392 of which – or 91.1 percent – were white drivers, while 85, or 5.7 percent, of the stops were black drivers; 42, or 2.7 percent, were Hispanic drivers; while 6, or .4 percent, were Asian. The study also revealed what it called significant statistical variations between when black and Hispanic drivers were pulled over in the daytime than during the evening hours, a model known as the “Veil of Darkness.” Minority drivers were more likely to be pulled over in the daytime, presumably when it’s easier to discern a driver’s race, than in the evening hours. Smith said there were several issues and mistakes contained in the report, including double counting some infractions. In addition, while the report utilized Granby’s minority population as one reference point in its analysis, it did not take into account minority drivers who were perhaps driving through town who were not residents. “The review from us is very marginal,” Smith said. Smith said he and Rosensweig were “totally proactive.” “We found no evidence of any officer engaging any bias or a culture [of bias],” Smith said. “We care about that immensely.” In response to the report, Rosensweig reissued his policies and the police department would continue to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice training programs concerning fair and impartial policing, Smith said. “I feel we are not in noncompliance with any of that activity,” Smith said. In other business, the Board of Selectmen, acting as the town’s Water Pollution Control Authority, unanimously approved setting water rates for the 2015-16 fiscal year. The rates increased 10 percent to $190.58 at a maximum of 55,000 gallons of use for residential customers and $266.70 for up to 100,000 gallons of use for commercial and industrial consumers, according to Smith. “We are very low with respect to our rates,” Smith said. “We would be lower except for the fact that we are dependent on the costs for discharge to the town of Simsbury. We don’t have our own facility, and they had to upgrade their facility. They also had to redo the Wolcott Road pump station, which kicks into effect for our rate increase. … The town is required by law to charge users for water use. It’s a benefit to the town as a whole and a benefit to the local users. It’s a fair share to the users and the community. We try to envision that as best we can.” The selectmen also approved transferring $22,911.28 of taxes to the suspense list. That amount is how much the town tax collector was unable to reasonably collect. The amount, which increased from $20,395 in 2014, is typically comprised of motor vehicle taxes that could not reasonably be collected. Smith said that moving the amount to the suspense list does not relieve a resident of his or her burden to pay the tax, but simply allowed the town to properly and accurately calculate a Grand List and mill rate. “It doesn’t mean the taxes go away,” Smith said. “People can’t re-register their vehicle [until they pay their motor vehicle taxes]. All taxes are still collectible.” The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Monday, May 18. CRABGRASS Get it to go! 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! We also Cater! Catering menu available IT’S NOT TOO LATE! 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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 Visit us today at www.thegreenscene.info Call Today 860-528-0373 Local, Family Owned Since 1983 May 14, 2015 The B#0378 Valley Press 19 FHS students want ‘electric’ welcome to school By Ted Glanzer Staff Writer FARMINGTON —A group of Farmington High School students is seeking to change the town’s zoning regulations to have an electronic sign replace the current sign at the entrance of the high school on Route 4. Austin Zhu, the current president of the student council at the high school, told the Board of Education May 4 that the junior and senior classes wanted to gift the school with an electronic sign to replace the old, weathered sign that requires changes be made manually. “A lot of labor goes into changing it,” Zhu said. “Students are not allowed to do it during the school day. … The sign does not represent the direction Farmington is going. We stress innovation here. Everything is more technology-oriented and more advanced.” Zhu, who appeared before the board with council executive Vice President Akash Kumar and Treasurer Danielle Swanson, noted that schools such as Lewis Mills and Bristol Eastern currently have electronic signs that have the ability to scroll different messages. Currently, the sign that sits at the entrance of the high school, Town Hall and library complex could have the same message for several weeks. The electronic sign could be changed easily to reflect important meetings, a referendum being held, as well as high school events such as sports and plays. Voters approve Region 10 Board of Ed budget By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer Photo by Ted Glanzer The junior and senior classes at Farmington HIgh School want to gift the school an electronic sign to replace the old, weathered sign that requires changes to be made manually. Zhu also said the sign could be used for safety purposes, such as during a snowstorm to inform people that a road is being closed. Town zoning regulations currently prohibit signs with LED or LCD letters. However, Town Planner Bill Warner has been working with students to craft a change in the zoning regulations that would permit public service electronic signs on town-owned property. School board Chair Mary Grace Reed inquired where the equipment that changes the sign’s messages would be housed – Town Hall or at the high school. Zhu said that Town Hall would supply the electricity for the sign, but that it had not yet been deter- mined where the equipment would be kept. School board member Jean Baron said she believed it to be “a wonderful idea” and that she is “100 percent behind it.” Reed said she and the rest of the board supported the proposal, as it is a gift from two grades, it improves the safety of the community and it will be run by students. “This is a huge gift,” she said. “I only hope it moves forward. It moves us into the 20th century – not even the 21st century.” The town Plan and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hear the proposed change to the town’s zoning regulations at its meeting Monday, May 11. BURLINGTON — The Region 10 Board of Education budget was approved by voters. In a referendum held May 5, 762 Burlington residents and 370 from Harwinton cast votes. Of those, 413 from Burlington agreed to spend the $37.9 million and 349 did not. In Harwinton, voters narrowly denied the expense, with 183 saying yes and 187 no. Overall approval came with 596 yeses and 536 nos. The budget numbers, which represent a 2.95 percent increase over last year, were driven by health care and salaries, both certified and noncertified, according to Superintendent Alan Beitman. The increase for the certified teaching staff was 1.66 percent. “Salaries are on the rise again after many years of being relatively flat,” Beitman said. “To retain quality teachers and quality staff, the district needs to raise the base pay and the increases.” In Beitman’s message to voters, which he included in his initial budget proposal, he said local schools offer a wide variety of subjects such as world languages, reading, mathematics programs, computer technology, social studies, science and science labs, as well as extracurricular activities, performing and fine arts programs. The district supports best practices and professional development with principals who set high expectations and teachers and staff who translate those expectations to the classroom, Beitman said. Health care also comprises a large percentage of the budgetary increase, Beitman said. “We were hoping to bring in a lower budget, but health care has become a flashpoint for a lot of districts,” he said. The district is working with a new insurance company and initiating programs to keep staff healthy, he said. At an earlier referendum in March, Burlington voters approved $6.38 million in local bond projects. The first bonding project, the replacement of the Lake Garda Fire Station, will cost the town $1.6 million with $1 million toward the project coming from the State Bond Commission. The second bonding project, the addition, improvements and renovation to the public library, will be a $2.6 million project for a 3,500-square-foot expansion to the 9,000-square-foot existing building. The final bonding project approved was to spend up to $2.18 million for the future purchase of active recreational land and improvements. Kick Off Spring With Our Biggest Decking Sale EVER! Take 15% OFF any In Stock Composite or PVC Decking and Composite Railing! Saturday, May 2nd through Saturday, May 23rd • Modernview Composite Decking • Fiberon Horizon Composite Decking • Kleer PVC Decking Take 15% OFF Bluestone with Extra 10% off on Saturdays at our Unionville Location Must present ad at time of order to receive discount KITCHENS, WINDOWS, DOORS, LUMBER 20 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 Stop by any of our conveniently located branches and get your spring decking project started. Take advantage of our biggest decking sale ever. Must present ad at time of order to receive discount. BONUS In Stock • Fairway Vinyl Rail • FX-2 Composite Rail • Fiberon Composite Rail Place your order in any of our branches on any Saturday until May 23rd and receive an additional on your decking and railing order! 10% OFF Unionville, Avon, Manchester, CT & West Springfield, MA 1-800-433-7941 • www.sanfordandhawley.com Summer hours: Monday-Friday 7am-4:30pm & Saturday 7:30am-12noon Cash, check or credit card only. No additional discounts apply. KUSHNER from page 17 The thing with Avon, according to Kushner, is that it started long range planning very early in the game and, in 1957, was one of the first small towns in the state to come up with zoning regulations. “Avon has had a long history of master planning, Plan of Conservation and Development. The town prepared the first plan in 1956,” he said. “There were less than 3,000 people then. A lot of small towns would not have invested the time and resources to do that.” Before that, there were no rules and people were freer to make their own zoning decisions. “It was kind of an open door policy where you could do what you wanted to do,” Kushner said. “To have zoning rules in the 1950s in a town with only 3,000 people, that was kind of progressive.” As towns began to look more and more at zoning regulations, there was a great deal of controversy because people didn’t want to let go of their freedom. “It does create an opportunity to long range plan,” Kushner said. “It also takes away freedom. ... You had to be able to give up certain liberties.” When he first became a town planner in the 1980s, there were about 10 towns in the state, including five or six in the Northeast, that had no zoning regulations at all. “There may be still one or two left actually, I’m not sure,” Kushner said. That’s one of the few points on which he is unsure. According to Robertson, Kushner not only has a wealth of information on local land use and individual parcels, he also has a lot of depth when it comes to the subject. Kushner attributes that to having more than 3 1/2 decades of experience. He has been in planning for 36 years, 10 of which he worked in other towns. He started his first out of college job at age 21, after graduating from the University of Massachusetts, as a planner in Northampton, Mass. Kushner’s undergraduate degree was in natural resource studies, a new field at the time. People were starting to look at man’s relationship to the world and give more consideration to environmental concerns, Kushner said. “[They were starting to] figure you can’t do things like dump pollutants into the ground,” he said. “That kind of interested me.” His adviser was a city planner with a consulting firm and made Kushner understand that planning incorporates many facets, he said, listing science, philosophy, political science, architecture, engineering and law. He took some graduate level courses in regional planning at UMass Amherst and realized how much he enjoyed the subject matter. He worked, first for one year in Northampton, then, when the temporary gig ended, at a regional planning agency in eastern Connecticut for five years. Then, he became the town planner in Ellington. Next he took a job as Farmington’s assistant town planner under then Town Planner Bruce Hoben. At that point, he decided to return to grad school and get his master’s degree. “Working in Farmington, commuting to Amherst, I used to say that the hardest part of grad school was the drive,” he said. By the time then Town Manager Phil Schenck Jr. hired him as Avon’s town planner in 1989, Kushner had 10 years in the industry under his belt. “I was 32 years old and found a home here and I’ve been here 26 years,” he said. Since the 1950s, the town’s population has increased from 3,000 to 19,000 and, in the 26 years Kushner has worked there, the town has added housing, commercial properties and manufacturing while working to maintain its rural character. Commercial and manufacturing “Avon has had a long history of master planning, Plan of Conservation and Development. The town prepared the first plan in 1956. There were less than 3,000 people then. A lot of small towns would not have invested the time and resources to do that.” –Steve Kushner growth in Avon has created jobs and increased tax revenue, he said. Retail establishments, grocery stores, for instance, have made life for locals more convenient. Planning the continued growth of town is in the beginning stages. As of press time, the Planning & Zoning Commission kickoff meeting for updating the POCD was scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. That update is another reason Kushner will remain with the town for a year. It will be his third go-round at updating the POCD. He worked on an update in 1991 and again in 2006. “The POCD is the most important document that any town has,” he said. “It’s a blueprint for towns in terms of growth and conservation.” Over the next 20 years, the town will continue to transform, Kushner said. There will be new roads, houses and businesses, but the town will remain rural in character. “Avon is not going to be an urban place,” he said. “In Avon, in Connecticut, in New England, in general, in a sense, we’re fortunate. It’s easy to predict the future because we don’t have mega projects.” In Avon, between 40 and 150 homes are built per year compared with some other states, Kushner said. In Arizona and Nevada, entire new towns have been approved or built, and, in Florida, housing complexes can have as many as 19,000 homes. One plan for the future involves Avon Park North, where there remains 80 acres of undeveloped land. The plan for a mixed use development with 600,000 square feet of commercial property and 400 apartments and condominiums is scheduled to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission in June, Kushner said. In Kushner’s tenure, the town has preserved more than 500 acres of open space, and there are a total of 2,000 preserved acres, Kushner said. Kushner has been an asset to the town, Robertson said. It will take a lot of work to transfer his knowledge. “It’s going to be a challenge,” he said. Connect to outstanding physicians. We specialize in primary care and consultative services for adults age 55 and over, who seek help with medical concerns unique to seniors. National Senior Health & Fitness Day Open House Wednesday, May 27 • 10 AM-2 PM For appointments, or to schedule your FREE blood pressure and memory screenings, call 860.380.5150. harthosp.org/seniors May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 21 Race will let teacher’s memory ‘Shine On’ By Sloan Brewster Senior Staff Writer partment also gets a small portion of the proceeds, as does a scholarship for a local high school student planning to go into education. Aside from improving the prizes and adding gifts for the children, there will also be more fun activities during the race. There will be a bounce house, face painter, a DJ, a bubble machine and food. The race was named for Karen DuCotey, a local teacher, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2010 at the age of 31. Seven months later, the first Shine On 5k was held in her honor. DuCotey was an intern at Lake Garda School after college, then taught there for eight years. When the school community learned of her passing, everything seemed to stop as she was a part of its fabric. “You see someone so vibrant, so outgoing, so energetic all of sudden stopped in her tracks,” said then Principal Bob Choiniere shortly after DuCotey passed. “So, it stopped the entire school community in our tracks.” This year’s race is the 5th annual, taking place Sunday, May 17. The 5k race route is USATF certified. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. The one-mile kids’ run starts at 12:40 p.m. and the 5k run and walk begins at 1 p.m. Online registration is available at burlingtonctparksandrec.com. Additional information can be found by finding Shine On 5K on Facebook or @shineon5k on Instagram. Email shineon5k@gmail. com with questions. BURLINGTON — Burlington’s Fifth Annual Shine On 5k comes with surprises. All children in the race will get prize packs with goodies such as gift certificates for free cones at Ben & Jerry’s, pencils, key chains and bracelets for older children, said race director Amanda Fioretti. In the past four years, the overall winners were awarded watches; this year they’ll be getting cash, she said. The top male and female will receive $100 and, like in past years, the top three males and females will be awarded medals. The first male and female finishers that are teachers will receive prizes as well. In last year’s race, 183 runners and 100 walkers took to the streets for the 5k race, and 12 children joined the one-mile run for kids 13 and under, Fioretti said. There were also little children in the “Dolphin Dash,” a one-quarter mile run for children 8 and under. Since the race started, more that $30,000 has gone into the Karen DuCotey Fund for Kids, which is administered by Main Street Community Foundation of Bristol. Teachers in the Region 10 school can apply for grants for students and families that have needs, such as having been hit by hard times and needing groceries, Fioretti said. The Burlington Parks & Recreation De- Sunday, June 7 WEST HARTFORD Whole Foods Market 50 Raymond Road W.H. ROAD RACES Spotlight on Bike Month activities Police Officer Jason Trombly keeps an eye on Lily Collies and Audrey Chung during their ride to school. James Moody rides along with his neighbor, Madeliene Orosz, to Tootin’ Hills School. S tudents around town met at neighborhood locations and biked or walked to school last week as part of National Bike to School Day, held during the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month. Tootin’ Hills students took part on the actual national day, May 6, while Squadron Line School participated Friday, May 8. An event at Latimer Lane is scheduled for May 27. Simsbury schools have a focus Photos by Alicia B. Smtih on ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ Tootin’ Hills students came to school on two wheels and also host Walk to School during National Bike to School Day May 6. An event events in the fall. was held at Squadron Line later in the week. 5K - 9:30 AM Kids Fun Run The Farmington Valley’s Best Source for Sport, Fitness, General Health & Nutrition Products - 8:30 AM Come see the widest selection and best prices! Owned and operated by true athletes with over 25 years of industry experience. 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NASM, CPT NASM, FNS KBA, Level 1 Like and follow us for the latest specials and updates! 192 West Main St., (Rt. 44) Avon, CT M-F 10am-8pm, Sat 10-4, Sun 10-3. 860-470-7240 22 x 7.69 Life The Valley Press May 14, 2015 PRESSBUSINESS Financially coping with the death of a spouse their ability and One of life’s experience in each most difficult area that you ask challenges is copfor their help before ing with the death following their adof a spouse. The vice. impact of your • Gather esloss is not only sential documents emotional, but is John W. Eckel such as wills, trusts, also socially and financially stressful and insurance policies, death certificates, Social Security overwhelming. Unfortunately, the emo- numbers, marriage license, tional toll makes it more dif- military discharge papers, ficult to deal with the other account statements and inchallenges. In this time of formation about the benefits grieving, it is helpful to keep provided by your spouse’s in mind the following when employer such as life insurdealing with financial and ance. Again, if you need help from a close family member estate issues: • Don’t make quick de- or friend, you should ask. • Contact the insurance cisions other than the ones that require immediate ac- companies to collect life tion – especially ones that insurance and other benecannot be altered, such as fits. You should receive paychanges in your job or life- ments relatively quickly, and style or the purchase of an this may help with shortannuity. It is much more term cash flow needs. • Contact Social Securiimportant to make those decisions correctly rather than ty. You may be able to collect survivor benefits as early as to make them quickly. • Of course, you need age 60. But before you begin to take care of urgent needs, collecting, it is worthwhile such as funeral arrange- to discuss this with a professional advisor knowlments. • If you have someone edgeable about the Social you trust and who is quali- Security system to make fied to help, do not hesitate certain that you choose the to use them. This might be optimum strategy for cola family member, friend, lecting benefits. Oftentimes minister, attorney, financial it is helpful to delay Social planner, accountant, or a Security to obtain increased combination of these. They benefits later. But note that may be able to help you if you and your spouse were make decisions more objec- already collecting Social Setively than you are able to curity, you will lose the bendo yourself after suffering a efits of the spouse with the significant loss. But assess lower benefit. • If your spouse was collecting a pension or annuity, notify the appropriate company so that future payments are made payable to you • If you have an estate planning attorney, ask them to help you settle the estate, go through probate and retitle assets, so that the title of everything that should be in your name is changed. If you do not have an estate planning attorney, ask friends or other advisors for recommendations and choose one you like and is competent. • Try to identify your immediate cash flow needs as well as your cash needs over the next year. The review should include considering life insurance proceeds, health insurance needs and assessing what liquid reserves you may have to use during the next year. • After you take the preliminary steps above, your primary financial goal during the remainder of the first year is to get a sense of where you are and what you need to do to make certain you take control of your financial life so you understand what your financial needs are and what resources are available to meet them. • To help with this, you may choose to work with a trusted professional or qualified relative or friend to put together a longer term financial plan to ensure that you will not run out of money. • If necessary, change your investment portfolio to one that is appropriate to your new financial circumstances and one that you are comfortable with. This may mean making changes to a portfolio that was appropriate when your spouse was alive to one fitting you and your financial goals. While the steps above may address important financial aspects of a traumatic loss, they, of course, do not address emotional or social aspects of your loss. However, by taking the appropriate steps and making a plan to get your finances under control, you should have less to worry about and be better able to address other important aspects of your life. John W. Eckel, CFP, CFA This article is intended to be general in nature and not intended to be comprehensive nor a substitute for personal tax advice. John W. Eckel, CFP, CFA is President of Pinnacle Investment Management Inc. of Simsbury. He has been included in BusinessWeek.com’s list of the Most Experienced Independent Financial Advisors, has been named four times to Worth Magazine’s list of Top Financial Advisors, included twice in Medical Economics list of Top Financial Advisors for Doctors and named twice in JK Lasers list of Top Professional Advisors for Baby Boomers. John Eckel can be reached in Simsbury at 860651-1716 or at Invest@PinnInvest.com for comments or questions. For additional information about Pinnacle Investment Management Inc., you can visit our website at www.Pinnacle-Investment. com. People on the move King achieves Circle of Success honor Leigh E. King, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial, has qualified for the company’s 2014 Circle of Success annual recognition program and will be honored for this achievement in 2015. To earn the achievement, King established himself as one of the company’s top advisors by consistently demonstrating exceptional commitment to financial planning and superior client service. Only a select number of high-performing advisors earn this distinction. King’s office is located at 963 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. We always place your interests first With Pinnacle, that is more than an empty phrase. As a trusted fiduciary and independent investment advisor, we always place our client’s interest before our own in all wealth management, investment management and financial planning services we provide. Pinnacle or its employees were: • Named four times to Worth Magazine’s list of Top Financial Advisors • Included four times in Medical Economics list of Top Financial Advisors for Doctors • Included three times in Bloomberg Wealth Manager’s list of Top Wealth Managers •Named twice to JK Lasser’s list of Top Professional Advisors in Estate Planning for Baby Boomers This should not be construed as an endorsement of Pinnacle by any of its clients. Nor should they be construed as a guarantee that any client will experience specific results. The selection criteria for inclusion in any list or publication is based upon criteria established by those organizations and may be based upon information prepared by and submitted by organizations or individuals selected for inclusion to the lists. TRUST experience RELATIONSHIPS Pinnacle Investment Management Inc. Robert S. Hensley*, President Joseph F. Shiman, III*, Vice President Margaret H. Jakubowski, Vice President Jill Brandon, CLU, ChFC*, Financial Advisor Robert B. Loomis, CLTC, Long-Term Care Advisor 10 Avon Meadow Lane | Avon, CT 06001 | Ph: (860) 678-1090 | (800) 875-1090 | Fax: (860) 678-0544 www.hensleyassociates.com Greystone Court West, 573 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury 860.651.1716 • invest@pinninvest.com www.Pinnacle-Investment.com Valley PRESS Read AVON • BURLINGTON • CANTON • FARMINGTON • GRANBY • SIMSBURY www.TurleyCT.com *Registered representatives offering advisory services and securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 23 PRESSOPINION Beyond the desk of the EDITOR Reasons to Relay 24 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 PRESS VALLEY For my grandfather. That’s one person who gives me a reason to support Relay for Life. When I was a little girl, my grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer. Throughout his treatment process, it Abigail Albair, was discovered he needed Editor major heart surgery in order to have the surgery to treat his cancer. A long battle later, he was cancer-free and he has remained so for nearly 20 years. For my best friend’s mother. My best friend and I were inseparable from age 14 until the time that college took us to different states. We spent every weekend together from the moment school ended Friday afternoon until Sunday night. As students of a private high school who lived 45 minutes apart, we regularly ran up our parents’ long distance phone bills staying up too late talking about nothing in particular. We enjoyed the innocence of youth. We talked about boys, we helped each other with homework, we watched movies and we shared secrets. When I was 16, her life, and my life with it, changed forever when her mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer. At first the prognosis was good. She had surgery and chemo and was expected to make a recovery. After some time passed, however, her cancer returned aggressively and metastasized to her bones. I spent as much time as I could with their family until the end. I served as a babysitter for my friend’s five-year-old sister, helped make dinners and watched as her mom took more than a dozen pills a day and made photo albums and keepsakes for her three kids. My best friend watched her grandmother die of cancer, and, not long after, we buried her mom. For my husband’s family. Multiple members of my husband’s family have lost their battle with cancer or are, thankfully, living as survivors. In the last year, we lost his aunt at the end of her fight with cancer. It had been just a few years since her husband passed away from it as well. When he died, all she could talk about was how she always thought they’d have years of retirement to spend together and time had suddenly been cut short. There is only a small amount of solace in the fact that they are now together again. For my dad. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer last fall. I’ve been told of all the forms of cancer one can get, prostate cancer is a better one because it is known to be quite treatable. One major surgery later, he was fortunate to need no chemo or radiation, and simply be declared healthy once again. The thing about these stories, is that none of them are unique. Everyone has been impacted by cancer in some way. We’ve all known a survivor, or lost a fighter – be it a friend or family member. The effects of cancer are far-reaching and they can be devastating. These are just a few reasons I support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Throughout my year’s covering local Relay events, I’ve met incredible survivors of all ages and heard stories of sorrow and hope. The Relay for Life of the Farmington Valley is this weekend at Farmington High School. There is still time to make a donation or show up Saturday to support survivors and caregivers and to “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.” Everyone has been touched by cancer. Everyone has a reason to Relay. For more information visit relayforlife.org. 540 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 Phone: 860-651-4700 Fax: 860 606-9599 Guest Column Give back during special event By Ian Costello Tootin’ Hills student, age 12 At the end of every month, locally owned LaSalle Market and Deli hosts a great event called a “Give Back Night.” The events are on the fourth Saturday of every month, from 7 to 10 p.m. The event has existed for around three years and was founded by singer-songwriter, Bill Benson, with the support of LaSalle’s awesome owners. Basically, a Give Back Night is a perfect example of what I like to call “arts and activism.” A band or two performs, and the people who come to the Give Back Night donate money to a selected cause; a cause that the band playing that night cares about, hence the words “give back.” It’s a way for people to give back to the community while having a fun time jammin’ along with musicians. When I first heard of the Give Back Night, I knew I wanted to host one of my own. Luckily for me, I have gone to so many open mic nights in the area that I have developed relationships with other local musicians. With their help, and support from LaSalle’s owner, we got together and scripted out our Give Back Night. This Give Back Night is a little different because not only is it a Give Back Night, it is also kind of a Tribute Night. Essentially, we are hosting four different bands, The CRB, The Cody Bondra Band, my band: BRO-kin, and musician Melanie Michaud. We will all be performing the music of artists we respect. I will be paying tribute to my idol, Jason Mraz, and others will honor Bob Marley, Bon Jovi and Ed Sheeran. These artists where selected because they all have made efforts to use their music and fame to support charitable causes to make a difference in the world. The entire night is celebrating the principle of arts and activism. I got my idea for hosting this event in part because I help lead a community service club called the Take Action Club at my elementary school. We are supported by an incredible organization called Free the Children www.freethechildren.org. It’s a long story but the organization helps empower youth to make the world a better place. We tackle many issues including how to break the cycle of poverty, locally and globally. I helped start this club at our school two years ago, and it’s been a great success. We have just recently raised over $10,000 to help build a school in a community in Ecuador. We are now shifting our focus from a club-wide global campaign to a personal “finding your own spark” focus where we are encouraging everyone to use your own passion and talents to help change the world. So when I first got my eyes on the idea of a Give Back Night, I was psyched. Because I think that all kids should have lots of chances to learn music, donations for our Give Back Night are going to the Burns Latino Studies Academy’s music department in one of two ways; money donations will be accepted and used to purchase percussion instruments for the school, or pre-owned/used instruments can be donated. Now the Burns Latino Studies Academy might sound like a fancy private school or even college. But really, it is a Pre K-8 grade public school located in Hartford’s Frog Hollow neighborhood; that lacks many resources for their students. For example, at my school, we have 400 kids and three music teachers; one chorus, one orchestra, and one band. At the Burns Latino Studies Academy, there is one music teacher for 650 kids, and a lack of instruments meaning that kids do not have as many opportunities to experience the awesome power of music. The Give Back Night event is a special night where people young and old come together to celebrate the love of music and hold out a hand to the community. LaSalle Market has and will always be a special place to me. The music community is warm, loving, and a really fun place to hang around with old friends and to get to know new ones. We hope to see you there May 23. For more information, visit www.lasallemarket. com. 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 submissions to: Abigail via email at aalbair@turleyct.com or 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. www.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 PRESSSports Gray Matters By Scott Gray Photos by David Heuschkel Granby seniors Olivia Johnson (5), left, and Krista Iwanicki (8), right, are determined to make a strong run in the state tournament and leave high school the same way they came in – as state champions. Granby out to ‘reverse the curse’ By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Krista Iwanicki has maxed out in her high school athletic career in one aspect. A threesport athlete in her four years at Granby Memorial, she has earned 12 varsity letters – four in field hockey, four in basketball and four in lacrosse. She has been named to AllState teams in field hockey and lacrosse, and was All-Conference in hoop. In the fall of her freshman year, she played on a state championship field hockey team. She’s also played on four teams that lost in a state final. So, as the final weeks of her playing days at Granby wind down, Iwanicki has set her sights on leaving with a state title. “That would be the cherry on top,” she said after Granby defeated Lewis Mills 18-8 last week. “I went in with a state championship [in field hockey]. To close it with one would be so neat and so cool.” Her teammate, Olivia Johnson, echoed that sentiment. Like her senior classmate, Johnson has played four years of field hockey and four years of lacrosse and earned All-State honors in both sports. In the 2014-15 school year, Granby has won state championships in the fall (girls volleyball) and winter (ice hockey) seasons. To win one in lacrosse would mark the first time that Granby won a title in the fall, winter and spring in the same school year. What would be bookend state titles for Johnson and Iwanicki would be the first one for their coach. Terry Ziemnicki is 0-2 in the finals as Granby lacrosse coach and 0-3 as Avon field hockey coach. “Oh yeah, we’re reversing the curse,” Johnson said, smiling. Leave it to a player on Granby’s baseball team to use the same phrase once associated with the Boston Red Sox’s championship drought, which lasted 86 years until the team finally won the 2004 World Series. According to Johnson, se- nior Jake King, who also played on the Suffield/Granby/Windsor Locks co-op hockey team that won the Division II state title in the winter, has jokingly made it a point to remind the lacrosse players of the goal. “He’s the little devil nephew,” Johnson says, laughing. “He goes in the school hallways and goes, ‘Reverse the curse! Reverse the curse!’ He gives her a little bit of flack for that, but we’re aware. We’re working for that.” Johnson was among the throng of Granby supporters who traveled to New Haven March 21 and watched King score two goals to help the See REVERSE CURSE on page 26 Patrina leads Simsbury over Farmington By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Jack Patrina is a hardnosed player, his baseball coach says. But like his teammates, the Simsbury second baseman doesn’t have a nose that can withstand the impact of a collision. Of course, Patrina has heard of Pete Rose. However, he had never seen a YouTube clip of Rose at full throttle barreling into catcher Ray Fosse to score the winning run in the 1970 All-Star Game. “That’s the last thing I need to show him,” Simsbury coach Dave Masters said. “He’d probably do it.” In a game that saw Patrina Photo by David Heuschkel Reaching for a low throw, Simsbury second baseman Jack Patrina manages to stay on the bag for the force out of Farmington’s Derek Fern. getting shaken up and ace lefthander Jordan Whaley delivering a shaky performance, Simsbury took advantage of several fielding miscues by Farmington that paved the way to a 9-3 win over the Indians May 6 under the lights at Memorial Field. When the game ended, Masters gave a game ball to lefty Sam Collins for striking out six in two scoreless innings of relief. Patrina went home with a nose that appeared crooked to his mother Andrea. Simsbury scored all its runs in two innings and didn’t get a base runner in the other four. I once caught Wade Boggs cheating me in a card game. What else did I expect playing a game called Liar’s Poker? Each player at the table has a stack of dollar bills and bets on poker hands using the numbers from the serial numbers of their own bill and the bills of the other players in the game. The winner of each hand won every bill in play in that hand. Boggs was a regular player, as he frequently came to my room for a beer after dinner. Ace reliever Bob Stanley, who, because his wife disapproved, kept his tobacco chaw in our room for an after dinner chew, was also a regular, as were reliever Steve Crawford, Red Sox radio play-by-play man Ken Coleman and my best friend and spring training roommate Frank Benettieri. We each started with a $50 stack of bills. After each hand, the bills in that hand were supposed to be removed from the table. One night, however, Boggs was on a solid winning streak. I noticed he was doing most of his winning by playing the same number, seven, and after a particularly frustrating loss, I called him on it and discovered he’d been using sleight of hand to return the same winning bill to his pile, repeatedly returning it into play. “You just signed a $3 million contract,” I bellowed at him. “Do you know how much I make? And you’re cheating me out of dollar bills?” “It’s not the money,” he said sheepishly, after being caught. “I just have to win.” No one will ever doubt Boggs’ ability to hit a baseball. He hit his way into Cooperstown. Likewise, no one will doubt future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady’s ability to throw a football. But even elite athletes often believe talent alone isn’t always enough. Some seek an edge. Last week, more than three months after suspicions first surfaced, Manhattan attorney Ted Wells released the results of an investigation into allegations that the Patriots deflated the footballs used in the AFC Championship Game with the Indianapolis Colts below the NFL legal limit of 12.5 pounds per square inch. At the time of the original allegations, Brady denied having knowledge of any such activity. The Wells Report pointed to two primary culprits, both part-time, game-day employees of the team: Jim McNally, the attendant for the game officials locker room, and John Jastremski, a game-day assistant equipment manager. McNally, who called himself the “deflator,” reportedly removed the balls from the officials’ room after they’d been checked before the game and took them to a men’s room, where he defelated them to a PSI level apparently preferred by Brady. The quarterback denied knowing either McNally or Jastremski, but a string of cellphone calls and text messages among the three indicated otherwise. The Wells Report concluded “that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady was at least generally aware” of what McNally and Jastremski were up to, and they may have acted on his behalf for payments that included athletic shoes and memorabilia items. Brady may not have been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, but his fingerprints are all over it. The report went on to clear Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick of any complicity in the scheme, but added that Brady “was presented as not especially forthcoming in the report.” Brady, reportedly, refused to share any of his cellphone records with Wells. Breaking the NFL rules is a more serious infraction than cheating an underpaid sports reporter out of a few bucks, even if the objective in both cases is to gain an edge. See SIMSBURY on page 28 May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 25 Stephan wants to speed things up By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Initially, the players on the Lewis Mills girls lacrosse team were intimidated by the new coach. Part of it had to do with Dee Stephan’s voluminous knowledge of the sport. Another part had to do with the volume of her voice. Sprint! Sprint! Hustle back! Sticks on the line! “Everybody knows I’m loud and I talk a lot during game,” Stephan said after a recent game. “Yeah, I yell. But I don’t actually yell at kids. I yell direction at kids. It takes kids and parents a while to get used to it. One of the girls said the reason they were intimidated was because of how much lacrosse I know. “I get that, but you shouldn’t be intimidated by that. You should want to soak it up. I think now that we’re over that, they’re much more comfortable. I see a lot of good stuff coming. It’s just we have to be exposed to better teams. We’re only as good as the teams we can play against.” REVERSE CURSE from page 25 Wildcats hockey team to a 4-1 win over North Branford at Yale’s Ingalls Rink. “At the end of the game, I was almost in tears,” Johnson said. “I was so happy The intimidation has since subsided. “We used to be so scared of her,” one player said. “I think Dee’s a big teddy bear,” another player chimed in. Last week, the Spartans faced their biggest challenge to date in an 18-8 loss to Granby. It was the first loss by Mills (6-1-1) and the fifth straight win by the Bears (8-2). The outcome aside, Stephan welcomes nonleague challenges because she doesn’t expect her team to be tested in matches that involve Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference opponents. The other teams in the WCLC are Capital Prep, Amistad, Housatonic, Watertown and Holy Cross. In its first five league games, all wins, Mills outscored the opposition 83-24. “I don’t see us losing a [WCLC] game in that this year. I see us running the table,” Stephan said. “That’s why these outside games are so important.” Of the remaining games on the schedule, Somers and Danbury figure to be the only challenges. Of the 16, there may only be two competitive games – the tie with Newington and an 11-10 win over Sheehan, a two-year-old program, last month. “I’d much rather play a competitive game,” Stephan said following the loss to Granby May 5. “If we were to play Granby again, I think the score would be very different. I’m not sure we’d win. If we played 10 times, they’d probably win nine, but I do believe we could compete much better. We haven’t faced this speed. So, we didn’t know what to do. We have never seen it yet this year.” Mills won’t see it again until May 15 and 16 against Somers and Danbury, respectively. Playing in the FCIAC against the elite programs in the state, Danbury is used to that speed. “We need to be able to have opportunities to play against teams that are faster and better than us, that are going to push us and show us what we’re not doing so that we can start doing it,” Stephan said. “It’s really hard when you have a small school to get that competitive practice mode going because they only know half speed, because that’s all they have in their league. You have to go outside of the league to see what full speed is.” Stephan sees that speed with players on her premier club, the CT Dodgers. None of the current players on Mills have played on that squad, she said. Stephan has experienced players who are athletic. Some played on the field hockey team that won the state championship in the fall. But the players have had three different coaches in each of the past three years. Margaret Dunlop was a fill-in coach last spring for Killeen Leonard, who was on maternity leave, before Stephan took over this year. Stephan said the situation is not similar to her previous coaching gig at Canton when she took over that program in 2013. The Warriors qualified for the state tournament for the first time last spring, going 8-10, and are contending for the NCCC championship for the first time under Sean Cole this year. “Canton’s issue when I first took over there is they didn’t know how to win. So, we had to teach them how to win,” Stephan said. “These guys [on Mills] know how to win from other sports. It’s just believing it now on the lacrosse field.” for their team. I was like, ‘I want to feel this.’ I felt it in my freshman year with field hockey. I know what it’s like to win. I know what it’s like to lose. Being aware of both really gives you the emotions you need to really fight to win.” Granby lost a 13-10 heartbreaker to Stonington in the Class S final last spring. The Bears only scored two goals in the second half after leading 8-7 at halftime. “That was a tough one,” Iwanicki recalls. In 2012, Ziemnicki’s first season as coach, the Bears lost 12-10 to Northwest Catholic in the final. Granby also lost in the 2011 final. No other team is 0-3 in the finals since the CIAC staged the first state tournament in 2004. “It is a motivator,” Johnson said of losing in the final two of the last three years. “I think our team is actually looking to finish this year. We have been working hard in practice, and as the season’s progressed, we’ve developed as a team. I think we look back at those past losses and say, ‘Hmm, what do you need to do to get the win this year?’ I think the coaches and the teammates and the captains have done a great job of pulling it all together to find that extra piece to get us a championship this year.” Photo by David Heuschkel Lewis Mills girls lacrosse coach Dee Stephan, who took over the program this spring, addresses three players following a loss to Granby. The Valley’s only Full Service Hand Car Wash THE BALL STOPS HERE TM Connecticut Soccer School and Star Goalkeeper Academy form a powerful combination to provide goalkeepers and field players with an outstanding training experience. Camp Schedule 2015 Our camp is located at the world class Westminster School facility in Simsbury, CT. 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Exp.10-7-14 vpfs May 14, 2015 July 26–30 • All programs offered • All programs offered • FEMALE Connecticut Olympic Development Program and YPDP • MALE Connecticut Olympic Development Program and YPDP • All programs offered Dan Gaspar with Messi at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil Works Hand Wash Rt. 44 July 12–16 July 19–23 t • All programs offered • All Female Week t July 5–9 • SGA World Champions Week (Co-ed) Dan Gaspar with Ronaldo, 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year 265 West Main Street • Avon (860) 269-3136 Full Service Hand Wash Hours: Monday Thru Saturday 8am til 6pm Sunday 9am till 5pm Register online today at: ctsoccerschool.com or stargoalkeeper.com. Questions? 860.221.8613 Athletes of the Week Nick Knisel Boys Golf Class: 2016 Keys to success: Passion and dedication Best word that describes me as an athlete: Passionate Favorite quote: “It never gets easier. You just get better.” – Unknown Nick Knisel Favorite meal: Simsbury High Chipotle burrito Pre-match ritual: “I always putt first before I hit balls.” Song that pumps me up: “All Me” by Drake Been listening to: Florida Georgia Line Favorite movie: “Interstellar” My must-see TV show: “Arrow” Favorite pro team: Buffalo Bills Dream job: PGA professional Dream vacation: Two rounds of golf at Augusta National Dream car: Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R Nismo My time machine is set to: “Twenty years from now because I would like to see how I am doing in life.” My three dinner guests would be: Grandpa, dad, Jordan Spieth. Annie Harris Girls Golf Annie Harris Farmington High Class: 2015 Other high school sport: soccer Will attend: Syracuse University Keys to success: “Having no expectations, and always treating practice like a match.” Athletic honor: All-Conference in golf Best word that describes me as an athlete: Driven Favorite quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” – Marianne Williamson Pre-match superstition: “I eat a bag of pretzels before every match.” Favorite snack: Twizzlers Song that pumps me up: “Numb/Encore” by Jay-Z and Linkin Park Been listening to: Dave Matthews Band Favorite movie: “Soul Surfer” My must-see TV show: “Gossip Girl” TV show character who cracks me up: Michael Scott from “The Office” Dream job: “I would love to work in hospice care. However, that is not the plan for what I will study at college” Dream vacation: Jamaica My time machine is set to: “I wouldn’t want to travel to anywhere but the present.” My three dinner guests would be: Kanye West, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe Photos by David Heuschkel Simsbury’s Kathlene Euting is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run in the second inning against Farmington. Quick run by Simsbury and many more By Brendan Driscoll Correspondent Just one pitch, that’s all it took for the Simsbury softball team to get on the scoreboard. Alexa Guglielmino stroked the first pitch from Farmington’s Taylor Westerberg to deep right field and circled the bases for a leadoff homer. It was not the first time Guglielmino crossed the plate in a 20-0 five-inning “mercy win” over the Indians May 6 at Tunxis Mead. “That home run set the tone for the game. It got [Farmington] on their heels and we took it from there,” Simsbury coach Jed Flaherty said. Guglielmino went 2 for 5, driving in two runs and scoring four times. Simsbury, which had 18 hits, sent nine or more batters to the plate in three separate innings. Sophomore catcher Kathlene Euting hit her first career homer in the second inning. With a full count and Lauren Catalano on third base, Euting drilled an outside pitch over the right fielder’s head and scored standing up to make it 12-0. Euting said it was the first time she ever hit a homer in 10 years of playing softball. As she rounded sec- ond base, she sensed this would be her first. “I got really excited and I thought this is finally it. It’s been a really long time,” said Euting, who had two hits and drove in four. Junior Lauren Catalano had three hits and three RBIs for Simsbury. Junior pitcher Lauren Rivera also had a productive day at the plate, as well as in the circle. She struck out 11 in five innings and limited Farmington to two hits. With the bat, she went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and scored three runs. “Our pitching performance was really stellar tonight,” Flaherty said. “Lauren is quite a competitor. She was terrific.” Rivera was equally terrific the last time the Trojans played at Tunxis Mead. She pitched a one-hitter and struck out 13 in a 6-1 win last spring. “I think we are still kind of a work in progress,” said Flaherty, whose team has no seniors in his first season as coach. “We have a lot of young players, which is awesome, but they are learning how to manage game situations. Hopefully we are on the right path now.” It was the fourth straight loss for Farmington. The Indians were out- Pitcher Lauren Rivera struck out 11 for Simsbury. scored 69-6 in those games and 16016 in their nine losses. Farmington (3-9) must go no worse than 5-3 in its final eight games to qualify for the state tournament for the second straight year. “We have lost a few games that the team and I thought we should have won, so it’s going to be tough,” Farmington coach Betsy Harvey said. “We have to turn it around and play better defense in the future.” Suburban Sanitation Service 18 Colonial Rd., Canton, CT • 860-673-3078 • 860-693-2737 Valley PRESS read the paper or visit us online... 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Larissa Jalinskas sadly succumbed to her syndrome, according to Farmington coach Jeff Manaresi. The Farmington High graduate (Class of ’12) was 21. The following day, Farmington defeated Newington 14-2. Two days later, playing its third game in four days, the Indians lost 10-8 to Conard. Abby Arena scored three goals and Jalinskas had two goals and three assists for Farmington. Tessa Sinatro led Conard with three goals and three assists. Both teams are 7-3. Trailing 5-2 midway through the first half, Farmington scored three quick goals to pull even with about 4 minutes left. Conard coach Meg Cersosimo called a timeSIMSBURY from page 25 Patrina was the first batter to reach, poking a leadoff double down the left field line to open the fourth after Farmington starter Jay Palais had retired the first nine batters he faced. With two outs and Patrina still on second, Jake Pohl lined a single to right. Patrina rounded third and beat the throw home. Sliding feet first, his face made contact with catcher Joe Nadel, who was blocking the plate. Patrina’s nose took the Photo by Brendan Driscoll Farmington senior Linna Jalinskas (11) looks for a teammate in front of the net in a game against Conard. out and made a defensive adjustment. In the closing minutes of the half, Arena and Jalinskas had good scoring chances but couldn’t put the ball past Conard goalie Lauren Scheid (six saves). The Chieftains held Farmington scoreless for 18 minutes. Sinatro sparked Conard’s offense in the second half by intercepting a pass and feeding Marisa Haverbrunt of the collision. He sat on the ground for a couple of minutes as a trainer checked him out. He played the final three innings with a gauze in his nose, and was scheduled to have it examined by a specialist this week. “He’s tough,” Masters said. Patrina’s second hit was an RBI single in a five-run sixth as Simsbury (10-2) sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs on just two hits. Farmington reliever Joe Harrell faced four batters, walking two and hitting another with Sims- ty (three goals) with the first of four straight goals by the Chieftains. “We had a tough week mentally with the loss of Linna’s sister. That finally caught up to us a little bit,” Manaresi said. “Not to say that’s the reason why we lost, but I think in the second half after playing so hard to get back those goals in the first half, we came out a little bit on our heels and they attacked us right way. We bury leading 4-3. Simsbury’s Rick Olechna, who had two hits and drove in two, greeted reliever Derek Duffy with an RBI single to center just out of the reach of Derek Fern, who made a diving effort. Jack Falkner followed with a grounder that was mishandled by third baseman David Maljanian. Patrina followed with an RBI single to right, making it 7-3. Olechna scored on Patrick Werle’s groundout. An error by second baseman Dom Alfano allowed another run to score. Be Cool in the Heat! righted ourselves, but we ran out of time.” This week will be similarly challenging for Farmington with games against Hall, Avon and Trumbull. “We have the strongest team I’ve had in quite some time,” Manaresi said. “We have a nice balance of a senior group and some young players that can really play. Even in this loss I feel good going forward.” “The score wasn’t indicative of the competitiveness of the game,” Farmington coach Mike McGuire said. Alfano had three hits for Farmington (6-6) and Noah Gulino two. The Indians outhit Simsbury 9-7, but the Trojans capitalized on a misjudged fly ball and a fielding error by Farmington in the fourth inning to grab a 4-1 lead. After Pohl’s two-out single scored Patrina to tie it at 1, Mike Amato lofted a ball to left center. As Fern was drifting over from center, the ball fell behind left fielder Peter Dunst, allowing Pohl to score. Amato moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Whaley hit COLLEGE corner Jenn Whaley (Farmington ’12), a junior on the Quinnipiac University women’s golf team, tied for 28th at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship April 24-26. In addition, Whaley and teammate Alexa Gentile (Avon ’12) both were named to the MAAC All-Academic team. Whaley is majoring in economics, while Gentile is majoring in finance. To be eligible for the MAAC All-Academic team, a student athlete must complete two semesters at their institution and hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a 4.0 scale. … Also at Quinnipiac, Jess Soja (Simsbury ’10), a graduate student on the Bobcats women’s track and field team, set a new personal-best in the 3,000 steeple chase, running the event in 11:50.86, which was good enough for eighth place overall, at the MAAC Championships May 2. Soja’s performance scored a point for the team, helping the Bobcats to a second-place finish at the conference meet. Soja also placed 23rd in the 1,500 run with a time of 5:19.95 at the Yale University Spring Invitational April 26, which was also Senior Day for the team. … Sarah Benedetti (Canton ’11), a senior on the St. Francis Brooklyn College womens basketball team, was named one of six Northeast Conference Winter Scholar-Athlete award winners. According to a press release, "all scholar-athlete award winners must have earned a minimum of 60 semester hours at their institution, maintained a minimum cumulative grade-point-average of 3.20 and participated with distinction as a member of a varsity team.” On the court, Benedetti had a terrific season for the Terriers, averaging 14.2 points per game in the regular season and being named the MVP of the NEC tournament after she led the fifth-seeded Terriers to three straight road wins and the program’s first league championship. She averaged just over 21 points in those three games. The Terriers eventually fell to UConn, the eventual national champion, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. … Avon resident Graham Welter (Avon Old Farms ’14) is a freshman midfielder on the Sacred Heart mens lacrosse team. Welter played in three games this year and scored one goal for the 6-7 Pioneers. … College corner is a periodic feature that follows the collegiate athletic careers of former high school students from Farmington Valley towns. Please email the name of any individuals along with their college and sport to staff writer Ted Glanzer at tglanzer@turleyct.com. a grounder to the left side that was muffed by Duffy. Griffin Myslow and Olechna followed with back-to-back singles, scoring Whaley. On the mound, Whaley allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Farmington scored twice in the fifth on Alfano’s RBI single and a sac fly by Duffy, trimming Simsbury’s lead to 4-3. Masters said Whaley, Simsbury’s top pitcher, had a lot on his mind earlier that day and struggled to refocus in the game. “Not to make excuses, but the kid sat for eight hours in AP testing today,” Mas- ters said. “He got out really late, ran home. Tried to nap, couldn’t nap. Tried to eat, couldn’t eat …He just didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but he certainly had enough to win the game. It was good to have Sammy come in and shut that door. That was big for Sammy, too.” Collins replaced Whaley to start the sixth and gave up a leadoff single to Fern. Two batters, the tying run was in scoring position when Patrina muffed a slow roller by Maljanian. After Collins struck out Raus, the runners moved up on a wild pitch. But Collins struck out pinch hitter Robert LeConche to keep it 4-3. Now offe our prograrimng a AVON HIG t H SCHOOL Avon Driving School 200 off any awning $ 220 Albany Tpk. (Rt. 44) Canton Village • Canton 860-693-3404 www.valleyfireplaceandstove.com 28 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 Valley Fireplace & Stove, LLC Canton 860-693-3404 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Offer expires 5/31/15 • 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 Fall Sp DuBois saves the day By David Heuschkel Sports Editor Mackenzie DuBois is the girl behind the mask. The Simsbury senior has spent her high school athletic career as a goalie, transitioning from ice hockey in the winter to lacrosse in the spring. Whether she’s playing on ice or field turf, her experience as a two-sport goaltender allows her to remain cool in the crease. When the stakes are high, DuBois has risen to the occasion. And when the game is on the line, as it was in the closing minutes against Hall last week, she can be a stone wall. In what her coach called a “rock star” performance, DuBois stopped 14 of 21 shots and made a huge save late as the Trojans held on for an 8-7 win over the Warriors in an evenly-played CCC North game May 9 at Holden Field. “Amazing,” Simsbury coach Kim Rabbitt said. “She’s always been pretty consistent, but she’s come up big for us in the last three games.” DuBois came up every bit as big in a 7-6 win over Ridgefield May 2, stopping 15 shots. Her 14-save performance against Hall mirrored that. It was the seventh straight win for Simsbury (8-2) following back-to-back losses to New Fairfield and Daniel Hand last month. The streak has included three one-goal wins by the Trojans. The win over Hall was close throughout. Neither team led by more than one goal and the score was tied on seven occasions. With the scored tied at 7, Simsbury’s Callie Bredice took a pass from Regan Sebolt and beat goalie Gabrielle Gershon (six saves) with 5:14 remaining. Hall had several chances to pull even, only to be denied each time by DuBois. The Warriors had possession with less than 2 minutes left. Mackenzie Molodetz took a high shot that DuBois stopped. Seconds later, Cammie Cho couldn’t beat DuBois with a low shot in front. In the final minutes, DuBois dropped to her knees to stop a low shot by Cho. Seconds later, Cho tried to bounce a shot past DuBois and the ball glanced off the crossbar. Following a Simsbury turnover, Hall called a timeout with 30 seconds left. With the clock winding down, Christine Taylor had the ball on her stick in front with nobody between her and DuBois, but the Simsbury goalie made the save with 12 seconds left. “She tried to go high with it and I think it hit my wrist or chest protector,” said DuBois, a two-year starter in goal and three-year varsity player. As a junior, DuBois was the starting goalie on the girls ice hockey team that won the 2014 state championship. The Trojans were co-champs with East Catholic this year when the teams played to a 2-2 tie. In the championship game, DuBois made 33 saves, including 17 in the two overtime periods. “I can tell you being a hockey goalie, it definitely helps with not being afraid to drop low and get hit by the ball,” DuBois said. “If you see me a lot, I end up going into butterflies. Being a hockey goalie, just having all that practice with reaction time, it helps so much.” Photo by David Heuschkel Simsbury goalie MacKenzie DuBois stood tall – and occasionally dropped to the ground – to make 14 saves like this one against Hall’s Natalie Nordyke (26) in an 8-7 win over the Warriors. Bredice and Sutton Wunderle each scored twice for Simsbury. Sebolt, Meg Corcoran, Lizzie Moore and Annabelle Iler had the other goals. Three players accounted for all seven goals by Hall. Molodetz had three while Cho and Taylor had two apiece. The first half was pretty even. Each team led twice, and each won four face-offs. And when Moore scored off a free position as time expired in the first half, the score was tied at 4. Hall took its first lead in the second half, 7-6, when Molodetz weaved through a maze of players and beat DuBois with 8:28 left. Simsbury won the ensuing faceoff, but Gershon denied Bredice. The Trojans regained possession and Iler tied it with 6:54 left. After Hall won the subsequent draw, Natalie Nordyke had a good scoring chance in front, but her shot was corralled by DuBois. “We had our chances. That’s why I can’t be disappointed,” Hall coach Meg Chaplin said. “It’s a fluky game and the little bounces didn’t go our way, but it was anybody’s game. It went right down to those last 12 seconds and the kids never gave up for one second.” new loCation, more serviCes. UConn Health Canton 117 Albany Turnpike Primary Care/Family mediCine Blood drawing 860.693.6951 860.658.8770 Cardiology urgent Care 860.679.3343 860.658.8750 • Radiology dermatology • Monday–Friday9a.m.to9p.m. 860.679.4600 •WeekendsandHolidays9a.m.to5p.m. mohs surgery 860.679.7546 new Patients welCome. make an aPPointment today. 117 AlbAny Turnpike (CVS plAzA) CAnTon, CT uconnhealth.com Canton-10x7.indd 1 May 14, 2015 The Valley 4/9/2015Press 11:10:17 AM29 check it out AVON––––––––––––– Pine Grove Elementary School’s Screen Free Week thru Friday, May 15, with end of week celebration Friday, 5-7:30 p.m., at the school, 151 Scoville Road, featuring a bounce house, bike safety clinic and obstacle course hosted by Avon PD, dunk tank, food, crafts, movie night immediately following, food drive to benefit Gifts of Love; school assembly called “Brain Challenge,” a “live” interactive TV game show, May 15 with two shows, 9:1510:15 and 10:30-11:30 a.m. Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, 860-675-4355: • LGBT Dinner and Movie Thursday, May 14, at the Simsbury Senior Center, 5 p.m. dinner, 5:30 p.m. movie, call 860-658-3273 to sign up • Memorial Day Celebration Luncheon Monday, May 18, noon, with entertainment by the Jerry Carillo Orchestra, $5, call to sign up • Story of My Life Tuesday, May 19, 12:45 p.m. • Shuffleboard Wednesday, May 20, 10 a.m. • Lunch & Learn Wednesday, May 20, noon, with Jonathan Dibble from Morgan Stanley talking about “Securing Your Legacy” focusing on estate planning and preparing for posterity, sign up Tag sale benefiting Paws Pride, an animal welfare fund, Saturday, May 16, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., hosted by Miller Foods, 308 Arch Road, with a preview Friday, May 15, 3-6 p.m. – furniture, clothing, home goods, children’s items, pet supplies VNA blood pressure screenings Tuesday, May 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Avon Town Hall, 60 West Main St., and Thursday, May 21, 12:15-1:45 p.m., at the Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road Senior Citizens of Avon Organization at 635 West Avon Road, Monday, May 18, Memorial Day Celebration Luncheon and Dessert (see Avon Senior Center) At Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, 860-693-0263, rbnc@thechildrensmuseumct.org: • Muddy Kids Are Healthy Kids Saturday, May 16, 3 p.m., pre-register, $4/$6 – “get the dirt” on soil and learn how playing in the mud can benefit children • May-June Discovery Days four-week program, “Exploring Together,” for preschoolers ages 3-5 and a parent/grandparent, beginning Friday, May 22 and running thru Friday, June 12, 1:15-2:15 p.m. • “Wildman” Steve Brill Saturday, May 23, 1 p.m., pre-register for $15, $20 at the door from Odiyana Center, East Hartford Rec and Parks Department registration for summer programs including swim memberships and swim lessons at www.avonrec.com Avon Arts Association Spring Members Show June 7-29 at the Simsbury Library, with opening reception June 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. and presentation of scholarships BURLINGTON––––––– Burlington Garden Club meeting Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., at the Burlington Historical Society, 781 George Washington Turnpike, with Jeffrey Ward talking about “A History of Connecticut’s Forests”: plant sale Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Town Hall parking lot, 200 Spielman Highway VNA blood pressure screenings Tuesday, May 19, 9:30-11 a.m., at Walgreens at Canton Village, 220 Albany Turnpike, and Wednesday, May 20, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave. Burlington’s 5th annual Shine On 5K Race/ Walk/Kids Fun Run to benefit The Karen DuCotey Fund for Kids Sunday, May 17 at Lewis Mills High School, 26 Lyon Road, registration beginning at 11:30 p.m., kids run at 12:40 p.m., and 5K and walk at 1 p.m., register at burlingtonctparksandrec.com and at shineon5k.com Current dog license renewal during months of May and June at town clerk’s office, or by mail with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Canton Town Clerk, c/o Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 168, Collinsville, 06022–all dogs whose licenses are purchased or renewed by June 30 entered in a special drawing to receive Tag #1 and a basket of goodies Congregational Church of Burlington Spring Music Series concert featuring KC Sisters Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m., at the church, 268 Spielman Highway, 860-673-4618, freewill donation Register now for all Canton Parks and Rec summer programs and events online at www. cantonrec.org or call 860-693-5808: Explorers Day Camp, CAST, Red Cross swimming lessons, Dusky Dolphins swim team, Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Certification courses, Mad Science Camps, Let’s Gogh Art Camps, Tiny Tots Pre-School Camp, Teen Adventure Travel Camp, SCUBA certification course, Water Aerobics, Water Polo, Skyhawks Sports camps, self-defense class and more Burlington Parks & Rec programs at www. burlingtonctparksandrec.com: Cardio Kickboxing Mondays and Wednesdays thru June 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Lewis S. Mills Aerobics Room, walk-ins $10 per class;Toning and Shaping ongoing thru June 22, 7:15-8:15 p.m., fee $45, at Town Hall auditorium or Senior Center, walk-ins $4 per class at the door with signed waiver Farmington River Coordinating Committee offering two scholarships to high school graduates or current undergraduates from Canton who will be attending college to major in environmental science or a related field, info at farmingtonriver.org CANTON–––––––––– Garden Club of Avon bus trip June 24 to Wayside Inn Historic Site in Sudbury, Mass., and The Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Mass., $78, call Lynn at 860-989-7590 by June 10 Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department. Inc. Jamboree Thursday-Saturday, May 16-18, at Jamboree Field, 91 Powder Mill Road, Collinsville, bracelet nights $22 each night, carnival rides from 6-10 p.m., fireworks Friday, May 15 and parade Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m. beginning at Canton High School Weekly meditation class ongoing Tuesdays, 7:15-8:30 p.m., at Be.Yoga, 17 West Main St., $10 per class, info at 860-266-6041, everyone welcome – (Really) Enjoying Relationships with resident teacher Kadam Eve Arias Friday Night Dinner May 15, 5-7 p.m., at the North Canton Community United Methodist Church, 3 Case St., North Canton, country roasted pulled pork, $13/$6, take-out available (850-593-4589) FARMINGTON–––––– Movement for Change sponsored by The DeFilippo Fund Saturday, May 16, 6-11 p.m., at the Marriott, 15 Farms Springs Road, $100 per ticket, register at defilippofund.eventbrite.com Farmington Eagle Open Golf Event Monday, May 18 at Farmington Woods Golf Course in support of Farmington elementary schools, $150 per golfer/$600 foursome, dhacker33@ To submit an event for the calendar, e-mail Sally at sedwards@thevalleypress.net hotmail.com – 18 holes of golf, raffles, contests, silent auction and hot breakfast and lunch served Farmington EDC’s Business Breakfast Wednesday, May 20, 8-9:30 a.m., at the Farmington Club, with Mike Freimuth, executive director of the Connecticut Regional Development Authority, ponter@farmington-ct. org for registration Game Night Benefit Auction Thursday, May 21, 6-10:30 p.m., at the Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road, 860-677-4787 – multicourse dinner, live and silent auctions At the UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave.: • Free Sickle Cell Disease and Reproduction: From Genetics to Delivery Thursday, May 14, 5-7 p.m., Low Learning Center, register at 1-800-535-6232 • Celiac Disease Nutrition Class Monday, May 18, 8-9 a.m., Outpatient Pavilion, fee $20, call 860-679-7692 to register • Free Cosmetology Services for Cancer Survivors Monday, May 18, 1-3 p.m., Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, “Looking Good…Feel Better” to improve self-image and self-esteem of women experiencing appearance-related side effects from cancer treatment, register at 1-800-227-2345 • Exercise As Medicine” Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m., Low Learning Center, with physician assistant Bradley Biskup, register at 860679-7692 • IVF Info Session Thursday, May 21, 6-8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave., register at 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com • Infertility Peer Support Group Thursday, May 21, 7 pm., Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road (860-523-8337) Support Group for Caregivers of Seniors Tuesday, May 19, 3:30-5 p.m., at Staples House, 1 Monteith Drive, contact Martha Taylor for info and sign up, 860-675-2390 (meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month) Farmington Chamber of Commerce annual dinner Thursday, May 28 at the Farmington Club, 162 Town Farm Road, announcing business leader awards, with speaker Sen. Chris Murphy, $60 per person, register at 860-678-8490 Farmington Garden Club offering the June Ray Scholarship of $1,000 to a graduating senior at Farmington High School who will be attending a four-year, two-year or technical college in September, majoring in horticulture, agriculture, environmental studies or a related major, applications obtainable in FHS counseling office Unionvillle Museum’s exhibit, “These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things,” Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 2-4 p.m., thru June 7, at the museum, 15 School St., Unionville, 860-673-2231 GRANBY–––––––––– At the Granby Senior Center, 15 North Granby Road, 860-844-5352: • Excursions to: Meadowview Nursery Friday, May 15, departing 9:30 a.m., $4 for ride; Ocean Beach, New London, Wednesday, May 27, departing 9:30 a.m., $5 for the ride • Stroke Awareness with Sandy Flagg/Jane Archer Tuesday, May 18, 1:30 p.m., call to register – hear personal stories of those who have experienced a stroke • Annual Veterans Luncheon Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 p.m., for Granby veterans as a thank you for their service, menu: baked ham, mac and cheese, and more, entertainment by Roland the Keyboard Guy, RSVP to 860-844-5350 by Friday, May 15 “A Broken Regiment: The 16th Connecticut’s Civil War” Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m., at the Granby Senior Center, 15 North Granby Road, hosted by the Salmon Brook Historical Society, $3/$5/$2 Summer sessions at Maple View Farm, Salmon Brook Street, starting July 6, weekly thru Aug. 14, sign up on website or in Farm Store Pilgrim Covenant Church Vacation Bible School June 22-26, 6-8 p.m., open to the public, registration forms at the church, 605 Salmon Brook St., or printed from www.pilgrimcovenantchurch.org SIMSBURY–––––––-– Bike to Work Day Friday, May 15, bike-in social 6:30-8:30 a.m. at Simsbury Meadows (by the playground), Iron Horse Boulevard, and Simsbury Silver Celebration 5 p.m. at Red Stone Pub, part of National Bike Month At the Simsbury Senior Center, Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-3273: • Lunch Café Friday, May 15, 11 a.m.-noon, beef barley soup, sliced ham and egg salad sandwich, take out or eat in, $3 sandwich, At the Library Avon Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, 860-673-9712, www.avonctlibrary.info: • Shakespeare-Inspired Movies Thursday, May 14: 1:30-4 p.m. “Yellow Sky” and 6 p.m. “Much Ado About Nothing” • Kids Choice Book Club “The Familiars” Thursday, May 14, grades 4-6 • Pajama Storytime with Mrs. McCabe Thursday, May 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Evening Book Club “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake Thursday, May 14, 7-8:30 p.m. • Meet a Ballerina Friday, May 15, 11-11:45 a.m., ages 3-5, dance class w/ballerina • Children’s Hula Hoop Show with Amanda Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.-noon, ages 4 and up, register • World War II Memorabilia collection on display in Marian Hunter Room starting Monday, May 18 thru Aug. 31 • International Student Exchange Tuesday, May 19, 6-8 p.m., learn about studying abroad, hosting and meet current exchange students and their host families, AFS volunteers and returnees • Teen Advisory Board meeting Tuesday, May 19, 6-8 p.m. • Morning Book Club Wednesday, May 20, 10-11 a.m., “Orange Is the New Black” by Piper Kerman • Computer Classes with the Uberbots Wednesday, May 20, drop in, Keyboard Crash Course • Blood Pressure Screening Thursday, May 21, 12:15-1:45 p.m. • Teen Karaoke Thursdays from 2:30-4 p.m. thru June 11, grades 7-12, drop in 30 The Valley Press • Family Game Night Thursday, May 21, 6:30-8 p.m., ages 7 and up Burlington Library, 34 Library Lane, 860-673-3331, www.Burlingtonctlibrary.info: • T(w)een & Adult Craft: Romantic Book Roses Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m., grades 5 and up, adults welcome, register • AM Book Discussion Group Tuesday, May 19, 11 a.m., “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel Brown • TAC meeting Thursday, May 21, 6:30 p.m., grades 6 and up, register Canton Public Library, 40 Dyer Ave., 860-693-5800: • Music for Me: Drop-in Music and Movement Time Friday, May 15, time TBD • Drop-In Story Time: Farm Yard Beat Tuesday, May 19, 10:300 a.m., ages 3 and up with parent/caregiver • Hand in Hand: Stories of Those Who Help One Another with storyteller Carol Birch Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m. • Storytime Storywalks: Clouds (Condensation) Thursday, May 21,, 1:30 p.m., for children 4-5-K with caregiver • Artist Mary Wooten in main gallery space; Collinsville Farmers Market exhibit in display case (market in the library/community center parking lot last three Sundays in June) • Earring making workshop scheduled for May 9 postponed until June 13, register Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive, 860-673-6791, ext. 1, May 14, 2015 www.farmingtonlibraries.org: • Afternoon at the Bijou Thursdays, 2 p.m.: May 14 “Kiss Them for Me” and May 21, “A Face in the Crowd” • Friday Afternoon Games – Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle May 15, 2:30-4:30 p.m., grades 7-12 Sci-Fi Movie “Guardian of the Galaxy” Monday, May 18, 2:30-4:30 p.m., grades 7-12 • Singalong with Mike Tuesday, May 19, 10:30-11 a.m., all ages, register • Garmany Music Series: Survivors Swing Band Tuesday, May 19, 2-3 p.m., register • Red, White and Blue Storytime Wednesday, May 20, 10:30-11:15 a.m., wear red, white and blue celebrating Ameriica’s colors, ages 3-6, register • Gardening Lecture: Container Gardening Wednesday, May 20, 7-8:30 p.m., with Master Gardener Roxanne Lovell, owner of Aerie Mountain garden shop in Barkhamsted, register – how to choose plants and maintain a container garden • What’s; the Buzz? Honey Bees and Beekeeping Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., with Ned Farrell, beekeeper and owner of The Bee Happy Co., register • Spring Art Show in Community Room thru July 10, contact library in advance on room’s availability Barney Library, 71 Main St., 860673-6791, ext. 2 • Make Delicious Gluten Free Pizza with Rebecca Tuttle, author of “The Story of My Gluten Free Cookbook: No Chicken, No Turkey, No Gluten, Oh My!,” Thursday, May 14, 1-2 p.m., register • Crafting quilts with old T-shirts Thursday, May 21, 1 p.m., free – no prior knowledge of sewing or quilting required Granby Library, 15 North Granby Rd., 860-844-5275: • Crafters Café II Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m., Seashell birdhouse • Around the World Book Club Monday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. • Possum Writers Group Tuesday, May 19, 6 p.m., at Cossitt Library, 388 North Granby Road, 860-653-8958 Simsbury Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., 860-658-7663: • Simsbury Adult Book Discussion Group Thursday, May 14, 7-8:30 p.m., “Unaccustomed Earth” by Jhumpa Lahiri • Tea and Talk – Safe Steps: Freedom from Falling Thursday, May 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with Raymond Shaw Jr., licensed physical therapist and certified orthopedic specialist and certified manual therapist, registration suggested • Friday Flicks 1-3:30 p.m.: May 15 “The Producers” and May 21 “Mame” • National Stuttering Awareness Week thru May 17 to help Stuttering Foundation, with display of books and DVDs available on stuttering along with display of authors who stuttered • Iraq: The Creation of Colonialism Thursday, May 21, 10-11:30 a.m., by Professor Mark Albertson • Friends Coffeehouse: Hungrytown – Original Roots Music Friday, May 22, 8-9:30 p.m. • Art display for the month of May: Frank Marotta’s sportraits, Bernard Duffy’s paintings and Shirley Mae Neu’s contemporary paintings in the Program Room; Donna Morency portrait paintings in the West Gallery; Sally Sargent Markey’s watercolors and crafts in display case; Simsbury Camera Club photographs in East Gallery Teen programs • Teen Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, May 14, 7-8 p.m., drop in • SAT Essay Writing and Critical Reading Workshop Monday, May 18, 7-8:30 p.m., RSVP • Keep Calm and Choose a Career Tuesday, May 19, 7-8 p.m., RSVP • Practice PSAT Exam Saturday, May 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., RSVP Children’s programs • Baking: Grades 3-6 Thursdays, May 14 and 28 at 4 p.m., Best Ever Brownies and Old Fashioned Gingerbread, register • Lego Mania Saturdays, May 16, 23, 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., ages 5 and up, drop in • Lunch with Mike Saturday, May 16, noon, with local guitarist Mike Markowitz, bring picnic lunch, drop in • Tails of Joy Saturday, May 16, 1-3 p.m., with R.E.A.D. dogs, grades K-6, drop in • Discover Dance: Meet a Ballerina Tuesday, May 19, 1:30 p.m., ages 2-5, registration encouraged • Chess and Go Club Tuesday, May 19, 3:454:45 p.m., grades 2-6 • Maker Buddies: Water Balloons Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 p.m., grades 1-6, register • Baking: Grades K-2 Thursday, May 21 at 4 p.m., Lightning Cake, register check it out $3 soup Simsbury residents age 50 and over, non-residents and Simsbury residents under 50 $4 • Monday Supper May 18, 5 p.m., sign up by Thursday, May 14, make your own taco bar • Food and Medical Myths Thursday, May 21, 1-2 p.m., sign up by Monday, May 18 • Bird Watchers led by Roger Preston and Gil Kleiner Wednesday, May 20, 8 a.m., at Great Pond State Forest Park, sign up thru Senior Center • Massage Wednesday, May 20, appts. starting at 10 a.m., cost $10 • Lunch at Eno Wednesday, May 20, noon, baked meatloaf, sign up by Friday, May 15 • Jump on Board: Monday, May 18, Buckland Hills Mall & Christmas Tree Shop Try-Simsbury River to Ridge Try-athlon Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m., starting at Simsbury Performing Arts Center for a 3.6-mile running segment, 11.5-mile bike segment, 2-mile kayak paddle segment on the Farmington River, with post-race festivities at Performing Arts Center, entry fees: $90 for individuals/$115 for teams, www.trysimsbury.com Red Cross blood donation opportunity Monday, May 18, 1-6 p.m., First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow St., appt. at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 Simsbury Chamber Music Festival’s second concert in the Chamber Music Masterworks Series Monday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., $15 suggested donation, kataviolin@yahoo.com or 860-205-6290 – Mozart Horn Quintet, Brahms Clarinet Quintet and movements from Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet Farmington Valley VNA blood pressure screenings Wednesday, May 20, 11:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m., at Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St. Genealogy Road Show at Simsbury Free Library. 749 Hopmeadow St., Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., RSVP at 860-408-1336 Simsbury Chamber of Commerce’s Good Morning Simsbury vendor space available for $150 for a 10’ x 10’ space at Simsbury Spooktacular Chili Challenge in October, info at 860-651-7307 or info@simsburycoc.org VALLEY & BEYOND– Duncaster’s Art & Science of Graceful Aging Thursday, May 14, 3 p.m., at Duncaster Retirement Community in Bloomfield, changes in bones as people age including osteoporosis presented by Rohini Becherl, M.D., register at 860380-5006 or fKent@Duncaster.org American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Farmington Valley 8 a.m. Saturday, May 16 to 8 a.m. Sunday, May 17 at Farmington High School, 10 Monteith Drive, Farmington Connecticut Daylily Society’s annual Daylily and Plant Sale Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., on grounds of Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon, with prices starting at $5 – member-grown hardy daylilies available in all colors, sizes and forms at 50 percent or more off retail, as well as companion perennials Farmington Valley Farmers Market beginning Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Riverdale Farms Shopping Center, 124 Simsbury Road, Avon, to run thru end of November Farmington Valley NFL Flag Football League’s spring clinic Sunday, May 17, 2-4 p.m., at Avon Middle School, 375 West Avon Road, Avon, hosted by Mike and Chris Golic, Avon Parks and Rec, info at 860-409-4332 “Food and Medical Myths” Thursday, May 21, 1 p.m., at the Simsbury Senior Center, Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, call 860-6583273 to reserve a space Avon-Canton VFW Post 3272 Buddy Poppy Drive thru Sunday, May 24, in three locations in Avon and Canton, all proceeds benefiting local, state and national veteran causes Registration for summer credit courses at Tunxis Community College in Farmington under way, five- and eightweek sessions: June 1-July 2, June 1-July 21 and July 6-Aug. 6, visit , (860773-1300) Red Cross blood donation opportunities in May Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 6:3011:30 a.m., at the Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, to schedule appt. visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 Connecticut Swish Basketball Camp at Farmington High School for boys entering grades 1-9, 3 weekly sessions starting June 29, July 6 and 13, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., email Swishcamp@ comcast.net for registration form and camp info John Mirabello’s Northwest Catholic Basketball Clinic 2015, cost $125, registration accepted until enrollment full, 860-236-4221, ext. 130 or 860670-0030, jmirabello@nwcath.org: boys entering grades 8-9 June 22-25, 8:30 a.m.-noon; boys entering grades 5-7 June 29-July 2, 8:30 a.m.-noon; bonus boys weeks (grades 5-9) July 6-9, 8:30 a.m.-noon; girls entering grades 5-9 July 13-16, 8:30 a.m.-noon Farmington Valley Health District offering free in-home asthma program called “Putting on AIRS,” for info or to make referral, call 860-352-2333 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Arts & Events “Tasting at Tunxis” to benefit Alumni Association Thursday, May 14, 7-9 p.m. in Founders Hall at Tunxis Community College in Farmington featuring a selection of wines, beer, cheese, chocolate and liquor, sponsored by Wine Cellars 4 of Farmington, must be 21 to attend, tickets $20 at the door, contact Helen Lozada at 860-773-1425 or Ashley Fosterat 860-773-1549 At Bridge Street Live, 41 Bridge St., Collinsville, 860-693-9762: May 14, 8 p.m., Marshall Crenshaw Trio w/special guest Ray Mason; May 15 and 16, 8 p.m., Comedy Night: Tom Cotter; May 17, 7 p.m., Sonny Knight & The Lakers At the Hartt School, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, 860-728-4428: • Kevin Gray Memorial Concert Thursday, May 14, 7-9 p.m., Handel Performing Arts Center, 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford • Connecticut Children’s Chorus: All Choirs Concert Sunday, May 17, 2-4 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford At Infinity Music Hall and Bistro: 20 Greenwoods Road North, Norfolk, 860-542-5531: May 14, 8 p.m., David Lindley; May 16, 8 p.m., Jane Monheit; May 17, 7:30 p.m., Leo Kottke; May 21, 8 p.m., Art Garfunkel 32 Front St., Hartford: May 14, 8 p.m., Dar Williams w/special guest Lucy Wainwright; May 16, 8 p.m., The Spirit of Johnny Cash Tribute Band; May 17, 8 p.m., Diane Schuur; May 21, 8 p.m., Mullett; May 22, 8 p.m., Art Garfunkel SOLD OUT Suffield Players production of “Hearts” by Willy Holtzman Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16 at 8 p.m., at Mapleton Hall, 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield, tickets $17, 800-289-6148 or 860-668-0837 At the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St., Hartford: • Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus’ “Men on Broadway” Friday, May 15, 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 16, 8 p.m. • Gallery Talk Sunday, May 17, noon, “America’s Playground” with Robin Jaffee Frank, chief curator and exhibition curator of “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland,” free with admission • Sunday Serenades, “Copland and Coney Island,” Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m., with Hartford Symphony Orchestra performing chamber music concert offering a musical counterpart to “Coney Island,” tickets online or call 860-987-5900 • Talk and Book Signing, “Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi,” Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m., with author Hayden Herrera discussing her book “Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi,” arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. to FEDERATION HOMES view American art galleries and attend a pre-lecture reception, free and open to the public At the Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford: • The Artists Collective’s annual Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration May 15-16 at 8 p.m. at 1200 Albany Ave., Hartford, featuring historical theater production of Celeste Bedford Walker’s “Black Wall Street,” tickets $25/$20 in advance, $30 at the door (860-280-3130 or 860-527-3205 • An evening with author and actress Issa Rae discussing her book “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” Sunday, May 17, 7:30 p.m., in Lincoln Financial Services Auditorium, tickets $10/$5, 860-280-3130 • Book/Mark Wednesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., an evening with author Brian Abrams discussing his just-published book “Party Like a President: True Tales of Inebriation, Lechery and Mischief from the Oval Office,” free, reservations recommended at 860-280-3130, book sale and signing • Collection of Han Dynasty stone rubbings exhibition with a free opening reception Thursday, May 21, 5-7 p.m., in Webster Bank Museum Center, reservations recommended, exhibition on display thru Aug. 31 • An evening with author Thomas Santopietro discussing his book “The Sound of Music Story: How a Beguiling Young Novice, A Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing Von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time” Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., free Book/Mark event followed by book sale and signing, reservations recommended at 860-280-3130 “Hairspray” May 15-31 at The Repertory Theatre in New Britain, 23 Norden St., tickets $25/$23, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., www.connecticuttheatrecompany.org Charity live music and juried art show Saturday, May 16, 4 p.m., with live music starting at 6 p.m. in the Hurley mill building in New Hartford hosted by Peter and Christine Greenwood of Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio Gallery School, artists participating donating a piece of work for a raffle with 100 percent of proceeds sent to Save the Children Foundation in Fairfield for disaster in Nepal and Syria – two bands, guest R&B singer, dancing, full cash bar and other entertainment (860-7389464, www.petergreenwood.com) Portable Folk Festival at The Sounding Board Coffeehouse, 433 Fern St., West Hartford, Saturday, May 16, 8 p.m., $16/$14/$8, reservations@soundingboardcoffeehouse.org or call Janet at 860-635-7685 – benefit for folksinger Don Sineti Shawn Taylor at Crown & Hammer, 3 Depot St., Collinsville, Saturday, May 16, 9:30 p.m.; Happy Hour Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. Connecticut Women’s Chorale “Concert of American Songs” Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave., Bloomfield, special guests will be Chinese chorus the Kang Hua Singers, free-will donation accepted, call 860-2425213 for more information Jazz with the Fred Hersch Trio Sunday, May 17, 4 p.m., part of The Music Series at South Church, 90 Main St., New Britain, tickets $30/$20/$10, 860-223-7555 Vermont Beer Social Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m., at Lisa’s Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub, 3 Depot St., Collinsville, featuring beers of three Vermont breweries – Long Trail, Otter Creek and The Shed – five food stations paired with the beers, $35 in advance, $40 at the door, 860-6939199, lisascrown.hammer@gmail.com Susan Dorazio, fine art painter, equine and sporting art, exhibiting at the Ethel Walker School Library Gallery, Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, thru June 7, gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., obtain guest pass from receptionist in Beaverbrook, the main building (gepstein@ my.ethelwalker.org) Exhibits at the Gallery on the Green in Canton thru May 24, hours: Friday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m., www.galleryonthegreen.org: Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Exhibit of painting and sculpture by Peter Waite, “IN/ TRANSITIVE,” in the main gallery downstairs; “The Florence Five,” work of Kent McCoy, Walter Kendra, Rowena Okie, Jane Hoben and David Owen, all of Canton, in the main upstairs gallery; Diane Wright in the Spotlight Gallery with “Limbo” Westminster School’s Alumni Art Exhibit thru May 25 in Baxter Gallery at the school, 995 Hopmeadow St., showcasing work of the late Bryan Nash Gill, class of 1980, gallery hours: Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. “Angry Robots Liquefied My Brain,” Karl Lund exhibit at the New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain, thru May 31 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 Everything for Your Home Dedicated to Independent Living accepting applications for our 1 & 2 bedroom waiting list Applicants must be 62 years of age or older, handicapped or disabled in order to apply. Income Limits restricted. Contact Federation Homes at 860-243-2535 for an application 156 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 860-953-2200 7 CODY STREET • WEST HARTFORD, CT MageeCompanies.com May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 31 TELEVISING from page 17 “When it comes to budget season, people can send links of the meetings to PTOs,” Landry said. “Residents have the opportunity to become informed. [Taping the meetings] may engage them to come out to vote [and] turn 13 percent into 26 percent.” Town Council Chair Nancy Nickerson also spoke in favor of the school board recording its meetings because senior citizens can’t always be in attendance, but may wish to watch on television or online. Resident Darlene Dopp said that making the meetings available on television or online would cut down on the amount of misinformation that spreads throughout town. “It’s essential that an objective form of communication [be provided so parents] can be accurately informed of every dimension of our children’s education,” she said. “It will enable community members to hear verbatim all points and counterpoints shared. … This small addition is certain to yield positive outcomes.” Former school board member and current town councilor Meredith Trimble said in an email that she, too, was in favor of having the school board’s meetings recorded. “I think any time you can increase access and participation, it is a good thing,” she said. “I’ve heard from seniors who want to be more informed about the education budget, for example, so they can be supportive at referendum time, but for whom getting to or sitting through a lengthy nighttime meeting might not be practical. I’ve also heard from parents with obligations to small children at PERRON from page 17 Zoning Commission alternate. The Granby Board of Selectmen voted May 4 to approve his appointment. School board member Jenny Emery said the board would miss Perron. “Thank you for doing such a good job and home, or who give evening time to church, sports or civic groups, and can’t always be present for meetings even of great interest to them. For all of these groups, offering the opportunity of a meaningful connection to the process would be a very welcome and positive service.” No vote was taken on the issue, with the board instead seeking to gather additional information on the issue, including inviting a Nutmeg TV representative to a meeting. Still, Republican school board members Bill Baker, Mark Blore and Christopher Fagan appeared to support the measure, while Democratic member Bill Beckert and Vice Chair Paula O’Brien expressed some concerns. “I haven’t heard anyone in the public say they don’t want us to do it,” Blore said. Beckert said he was concerned about the legalities of whether children who attend the meetings could have their images shown on television or online. He also said he was concerned about “people using it as an opportunity to grandstand.” “I don’t subscribe bad motives to people,” Beckert said. “But I’m not naive either.” O’Brien said she was concerned about how recording the meetings could change public and board participation. “Televising changes the dynamic,” she said, noting that the Town Council Republicans and Democrats caucus off-camera. “This is how we have a dialogue – at the table. ... If we find that it will lead to more discussions off-table, then I’m not sure I want to do that.” The school board’s next meeting is scheduled for May 18 at Union School at 7 p.m. don’t leave,” she said. “We’ll miss you, Ben,” Walther said. The school board also heard a presentation on the annual technology report from Jon Lambert, director of technology. Lambert said that highlights from the 2014-15 school year included the 1:1 comput- Anniversary Sale Buy More, Save More on Blinds and Shades Buy 5-9 Buy 10-14 Buy 15 or more Get 30% off* Get 35% off* Get 40% off* Have you moved, remodeled, or just need a fresh look for your home? File photo The Avon Horse Guard is the oldest continuously active mounted cavalry unit in the nation. GUARD from page 17 “Losing history: it’s being eaten away, things are not being funded; it’s not being taken care of,” said John Caruso, a resident. Caruso said he “would wage a war” to keep the horses in Avon and that there were a number of lawyers, including himself, willing to work pro bono on the case. “What they’re doing is wrong,” he said. The council echoed residents’ concerns and even discussed making a resolution to show its support of efforts to reinstate the funding. Caruso, who said he has lived in town since 1962 and often visited the horses with his children and grandchildren, asked the council if it would consider the motion. Zacchio said he wasn’t opposed to the idea, but was not sure if such an action ing program for grades seven to 10, the Smarter Balance Assessment testing, new software and improvements and security systems upgrades. Lambert said the district’s vendor was replacing all 750 Chromebooks at no cost with an upgraded version. “The devices that were purchased didn’t hold up as well as we thought, particularly at the middle school level,” Lambert said. “It’s understandable because kids tend to be rougher on the devices and [the devices] needed to be designed better.” Lambert said the newer Chromebooks would have tougher cases and better screens and likely won’t have screws falling out of them. The Chromebooks will be swapped out over the summer, with the replacements arriving in the fall, Lambert said. Other upgrades include parents of more than one student in the district being able to log in just once to Schoology, a minor but particularly helpful change, according to school board member Melissa Migliaccio. “That’s huge and greatly appreciated,” would have any pull. After some discussion, Town Manager Brandon Robertson suggested penning a letter stating the council’s concerns and objections to the proposed cuts. The council agreed. Zacchio advised residents to call and write their legislators, requesting that the funding be reinstated, or that the horses remain in Avon. “We’re going to continue to apply as much pressure as we can,” he said. He also said the council and town staff would look into the legalities of the situation. “There’s seemingly a preponderance of evidence that the land can’t be used for any other purposes,” he said. Donations to support the guard can be made at www.ctfirsthorseguard.org. she said. Technology initiatives for the 2015-16 school year include network and systems upgrades, 1:1 computing program expansion to grades seven to 12, an upgrade to the district’s website and new software applications and improvements, Lambert said. The new school district website is a project that was started last year, Lambert said. The technology department is in the process of transferring existing content onto the new site, which will accommodate mobile devices, according to Lambert. “There were some delays, but it’s starting to pick up pace again now,” he said. The school board also recognized the Granby Memorial High girls volleyball team, which won the state Class M championship in the fall, just six years after the team was formed. In addition, the team was provided with a Sportsmanship Award as well. “You’ve elevated the program,” Superintendent of Schools Alan Addley said. “The board is extremely proud of all your efforts. It was a thrill to see you perform throughout the year.” Get started today! *C el lu W lar, oo Ple Co d, F ate m a d Bl po ux a , Un in sit n is ds e d on , Hurry! Sale Ends May 30, 2015. Call today for your Free In-Home Consultation! 860.408.1610 32BB4.875x6Ad_ValleyP_May_FM.indd The Valley Press May 14, 2015 1 Voted Best Antique Shop Hartford Magazine 2014 Over 70 Dealers • 2 Floors Serving: Bloomfield, Burlington, Barkhamsted, Canton, Granby, New Hartford, Riverton, 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. Offer expires May 30, 2015. in the historic Collins Axe Factory 10 Depot Street (at Rte. 179) Collinsville, CT 06022 • (860) 693-0615 Furniture • Art • Pottery • China • Glass • Jewelry Vintage Clothing • Books • Sports Items, etc. OPEN DAILY 10-5 • Air Conditioned - Delivery & Shipment Available from I-84 or W. Exit 19/Rte. 4 W to Rte. 179 N to Collinsville Village From US44/202 W to Rte. 179 to Collinsville Village of Simsbury 5/1/15 10:04 AM www.antiquesonfarmington.com Home & Garden SHS student wins 2nd place in design competition Students from the architecture courses in the technology and engineering education department at Simsbury High School presented their models and designs, along with other school districts in the state earlier this year, at the 67th annual Student Design Competition at the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show at the Connecticut Convention Center. A student design contest was hosted by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Central Connecticut. To compete in the contest, the students must submit both a floor plan design and a scale model of a 3-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home, based on the criteria set by the CT HBRA. A panel of HBRA members, including local architects and contractors, served as the contest judges. Winners were announced at the home show by competition chair Bob Hanbury and were presented with the Sen. Richard Blumenthal Award. The student design contest has become a tradition for students who are interested in pursuing careers in architecture, construction management, building and engineering. This contest provides the students with the opportunity to showcase their work and creativity, as well as the opportunity to win cash prizes and scholarships. SHS junior Jake Floryan’s architecture design won the award for 2nd place, which includes a $600 cash prize and $750 scholarship award. Floryan was also presented with an award from the lieutenant governor of the state of Connecticut, Nancy Wyman, at a special awards ceremony at the Connecticut Governor’s Residence March 24. Photos by Matthew J. Wagner Fine Photography Above: SHS junior Jake Floryan’s architecture design won the award for 2nd place at the 67th annual Student Design Competition at the Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show. Below: Students must submit a scale model of a 3-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home. MAGLIERI 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 860-242-0298 Licensed & Fully Insured LIC # 523704 39 West Dudley Town Road, Bloomfield www.maglieri-construction.com Make Your Marble Shine Again! Marble Floor Polishing • Honing • Grinding • Cleaning • Sealing Marble Limestone Granite Terrazzo Tile Repair & Installation • Regrouting • Sealing • Mexican Tile Refinishing STONE &TILE SERVICES ZIGGY OSKWAREK 860-913-4473 P.O. BOX 433, AVON, CT 06001 EMAIL: ZIG@ACNINC.NET Visit us at stonepolishingct.com NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS May 14, 2015 The Valley Press 33 Design a stunning backsplash without the whiplash (BPT) – The kitchen is the heart of the home and a top-selling feature with homebuyers. Does yours convey style and functionality? Whether you’ve just completed a remodel or you’re looking for ways to upgrade your existing kitchen, a tile backsplash will instantly transform the space into an eye-catching masterpiece. “Tile backsplashes are timeless, providing the ideal transition between the cabinetry and the countertop,” says Kirsty Froelich, design director for The Tile Shop. “It’s one of the number one ways homeowners can add value to their kitchen while adhering to their personal design preferences. Best yet, the process can be simple and enjoyable.” Froelich offers her top tips for designing a stylish backsplash for your kitchen without headaches or stress: 1. Determine your style profile and take action Start by looking at Houzz, Pinterest and home magazines to see what styles you’re drawn to. Are you more contemporary, vintage or transitional? It can help to see backsplashes in person to get a true idea of how different materials look, feel and reflect light. For up close and personal inspiration, attend your local Parade of Homes, or visit a showroom environment like The Tile Shop to view multiple styled vignettes. 2. Follow your vision When exploring tile or stone, think about whether you want the backsplash to be a focal point or more subdued. Subway tiles in neutral tones are timeless for those who prefer a muted backsplash. If you’re looking to make a statement, clean and tumbled white marble is trending right now. Slate is comforting and earthy where metallic offers a more eye-catching and contemporary look. For added personality, consider designs with color, patchwork or patterns. “Pop art” is also really hot right now (e.g., incorporating Andy Warhol visuals into the backsplash design). 3. Consider product type and maintenance requirements A backsplash isn’t necessarily maintenance-free, so know how much time you’re willing to spend before making a final design decision. If you prefer low maintenance, the best route is ceramic tile. If you are drawn to the beauty of natural stone, keep in mind 144 Prospect Hill East Windsor, CT that there’s minimal annual maintenance, including resealing the surface to ensure the product’s integrity and beauty last. “One of my current favorite backsplash looks is a new globally influenced Decor Mayflower pattern featured in The Tile Shop’s 2015 Spring Design catalog,” says Froelich. “It coordinates with the Treviso solid ceramic tiles that are available in three beautiful colors. Each piece has a handmade look and feel inspired by classic looks from long ago. This collection will Let us help you with your pool needs this year. Family owned and operated, over 30-years experience. Whether your job is big or small, we do it all! 860-627-9773 www.poolmanpools.com tate@poolmanpools.com Pool Openings l Free Computerized Water Testing l Restorations Repair Winter Weather Damage l Liner Replacements Pool Constructions l Full Service Retail Store l Pool Closings l Safety Covers definitely add a wow factor to your backsplash. “Another collection I love is the Devonshire Cararra marble. It’s crisp, clean and particularly elegant when set in a herringbone pattern by itself or when paired with a picture frame design incorporating polished mosaic and marble profiles.” 4. Know your budget Before digging into any home improvement project, it’s important to know your budget. Convey your visions and cost parameters to any experts you work with, such as a contractor or interior designer. Bring a sample of your cabinetry and countertop, or a picture of your kitchen, to the designer or showroom you’re working with. It will GP help them maximize your budget while achieving your vision. 5. Add personal touches When finalizing your OFFICE: (860) 379-9041 CELL: (860) 830-0257 COMPLETE LAWN CARE LLC FENCE INSTALLATIONS PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • 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 34 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 LIC #601427 FULLY INSURED www.gpfence.com design, consider adding unique characteristics. Above the sink or cooktop are good places to do something more decorative. If appropriate, you might decide to add a niche with a cutout that has tile on the interior that matches the exterior tile or create a picture frame design using a completely different style of tile and stone that complements the backsplash to make a statement. Additionally, if you are doing a backsplash in a bar area, it’s a great place to have fun with materials and shapes. “Adding a backsplash does so much to dress up a room and complete the space,” says Froelich. “The most common mistake I see homeowners make is letting indecisiveness cause the project to be delayed. Alas, the above tips will help create a clear path toward a backsplash design they can feel confident in and admire for years to come.” Was winter hard on your hardscape? Tips for simple DIY repairs (BPT) — Heavy snowfall that lingers for weeks or months, extreme temperatures, ice that thaws and then refreezes — Old Man Winter can be rough on your home’s hardscape. When the last vestiges of cold weather finally melt away, you can find yourself heading into spring with pitted driveways, cracked asphalt and crumbling landscaping. It’s important to make repairs before summer heats up and puts further stress on these important areas. Doing your own hardscape repairs isn’t difficult. You’ll save money, and doing it yourself gives you the opportunity to get some outdoor exercise this spring. Here are some hardscape features that commonly need a little TLC in the spring: Asphalt driveways — Winter delivers the perfect mix of conditions to cause potholes, pits and cracks in asphalt surfaces. Wet, cold conditions work to weaken minute fissures, cracks and other flaws in an asphalt driveway. Add in the vehi- cles that travel over it constantly — not to mention the occasional snow plow — and when spring arrives, your asphalt driveway could need some serious repair. While you may need pros to pour new asphalt, repairing existing asphalt is well within the abilities of most DIYers. For pothole repairs, start by sweeping and removing any loose materials from the area needing repair. Next, pour U.S. Cold Patch by Sakrete in the trouble spot and spread evenly to a depth of no more than 2 inches at a time. Use the back side of a shovel to compact the material, then, since there is no oily tracking with this material, just drive over it a few times with your vehicle. The compaction causes the product to cure into an effective patch. For deeper potholes, keep repeating in 2 inch amounts until completely filled. Patios and pavers — Patio pavers and bricks can shift, sink or raise, and even crack during a tough winter. If your patio has a sand underlay, fixing problems is relatively easy. For broken or cracked pavers, simply remove the damaged pieces, check that the sand is level, and fill the gap with a new paver or brick. If your patio has become uneven over time, you’ll need to lift all the uneven pavers, level the sand beneath — you may have to add sand — and then put the pavers back atop the now-level sand. Concrete surfaces — Concrete is a common hardscape material around homes across the country. Concrete driveways, walkways and steps can all succumb to cracking, crumbling, chipping and spalling after a harsh winter. Fortunately, concrete is an easy material to fix, and patching a problem while it’s small may help prevent a much costlier repair or even replacement down the road. To repair cracks of virtually any size, simply apply an easy-to-use product like Sakrete Top’n Bond. Power wash cracks to remove debris. For larger fissures, it may be necessary to use a hammer and chisel to remove crumbling concrete and produce a clean, clearly delineated repair site. For resurfacing old, damaged or spalled concrete, Flo-Coat resurfacing material by Sakrete provides an easy alternative to costly replacement. Simply remove loose materials from the surface, mix the material, dampen the concrete surface with water and pour the resurfacing material onto the concrete slab. Use a long-handled squeegee to spread the mixture evenly. Be sure to protect expansion and control joints with tape to prevent filling. Retaining walls — Whether your brick, stone or cinderblock retaining wall is acting as a retaining wall or simply a decorative one, moisture is not its friend. If your region has had a lot of snow this past winter, check your landscaping walls for damage such as cracks in mortar, shifted stones or crumbling bricks. Repairing cracked mortar is easy as long as the bricks or stones it secures remain in good position. Just use a hammer and chisel to carefully remove the cracked mortar to a little more than half the depth of the stone or brick, taking care not to damage the bricks. Then fill the gap with new mortar. To replace cracked bricks in ornamental walls, remove the damaged brick and the mortar around it, then remortar and replace with a new brick A few simple repairs will help ensure your home’s hardscape is in good shape. 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Making the most of your basement doesn’t have to mean costly contractors and expensive remodeling scenarios. Several easy DIY projects that you can take on alone, with the aid of the right tools, can help you gain that extra space you wish for. Ready to get started? Give these projects a try: * Build walls. Adding drywall to your basement has a big impact on the space immediately. Use 2-by-4s to mark where the walls will stand and place studs 16 inches apart. Then nail the panels to the wall where the edges meet the studs and cover the seams with drywall tape. Once the walls are up, mud the seams and areas where nail pops appear. A drywall saw or power saw will help you shape your drywall perfectly, but if you don’t own one, you don’t have to buy one. It’s more cost efficient to simply rent it instead for this one-time project. Your local American Rental Association member rental store will have what you need. Don’t forget to add drywall stands to your rental list. * A touch of paint. A fresh coat of paint means you won’t have to stare at those drab walls in your new space. You can paint the space by hand, but if you have a large basement and you want to give every room that professional look, rent a paint sprayer instead. The cost is worth the time saved. * Freshen up your floor. If your basement is completely unfinished, you probably have cold, concrete floors. How you improve them is up to you. If you want the polished, marbled look, consider renting concrete floor finishing equipment for a look that’s sure to amaze. And if the appearance of hardwood is more your style, laminate flooring panels are inexpensive and easy to install. Lastly, if you want the feel of carpet beneath your feet, don’t forget to add the pad first to make those future steps a pleasure. * Eliminate the stink. Your new basement is coming together, now what can you do about that musty basement smell? A dehumidifier can help. You can purchase one at your local home goods store and when you get it home, try to place it near the washtub sink if your basement has one. This will allow you to drain right into the sink and save you from having to empty the dehumidifier regularly. * Install a sump pump. Now that you’ve refinished your basement, don’t let water damage ruin all your hard work. A sump pump can protect against flooding issues and installing one is easy. Most new homes have a location marked for a sump pump; it will look like a small well. Follow the water pipes in your home and you can find it. Once you do, purchase a sump pump from your local home goods store and follow the easy instructions to install in less than an hour. The extra space you have dreamed of has been with you all along. Transform your basement from barren to beautiful and you’ll be creating a space you can enjoy for years to come. To learn more about renting the tools you need for your home improvement projects, visit RentalHQ.com. Classifieds Help Wanted Help Wanted PER-DIEM RECEPTIONIST Per-Diem Receptionist position available in busy Simsbury office. Summer work, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 2-3 days a week, and future hours as needed to cover staff vacations/ sick time. Multi-line switchboard experience and computer skills required; medical office experience preferred. Competitive salary for the right candidate. For more information, please contact Karen Bignelli at 860-651-3539 or email kbignelli@farmingtonvalleyvna.org. Farmington Valley VNA 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070 www.farmingtonvalleyvna.org EOE We are looking for responsible, mature individuals who enjoy working with the elderly and making a difference in someone’s life. Good Pay Choose Your Own Hours Health/Dental/401k Benefits Available SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS - AVON www.caregiverjobsct.com or call 888-844-4442 Companions & Homemakers Inc. CAREGIVERS WANTED Immediate Openings 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 36 The Valley Press May 14, 2015 Positions Available Throughout the State. Must have car available (except live-ins) Apply Online Today At DCP HCA 0000101 Help Wanted House cleaner Wanted: Make your own consistent hours, must be reliable, independent, and experienced. Call Sandy 860-651-4601. Established asphalt pavement milling, crack sealing, and bridge maintenance contractor seeking multiple experienced foremen, operators and laborers. Valid driver’s license with clean record, ability to pass pre-employment drug test and work in all weather conditions. All public sector work with prevailing “high” wage and benefits. Email resume to jacostello@ costelloindustries.com. EEO COINS, paper money, & collectibles bought, sold, and appraised for over 36 years. Call Bob Kevorkian for an appointment. 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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. 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HIC 0638889 CHIMNEYS $20 OFF CHIMNEYS $20 OFF STOVE ONE CHIMNEY FLUE CLEANING PELLET CLEANING Offer Expires 5/30/15 & SERVICING Offer Expires 5/30/15 VALLEY CHIMNEY SWEEP LLC 220 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton Village, Canton, CT 06019 Since 1984 HIC License #0674006 860-693-3404 WWW.VALLEYCHIMNEYSWEEPLLC.COM May 15, 2015 The Valley Press 37 DECKS • Textured Ceilings • Drywall & Plaster Repair • Ceiling Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting & Refinishing • New Ceiling Installation • Bathtub Reglazing CT License #557873 Call Insured • Prompt Service SPRAY-TEX • We specialize in wood and composite decking/railing • Professional craftsmanship • EARLY SPRING SPECIALS • Free design/consultation for FREE estimate 860-749-8383 • 860-930-7722 EQUIPMENT REPAIR Darrell You Dream It, We Build It! Pro Installer Elite Get inspired at www.decks-r-us.net 860.209.1485 craftsman@decks-r-us.net EQUIPMENT REPAIR ADVANCED Pick Up & Delivery Available EQUIPMENT COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL ✔ Driveways ✔ Parking Lots ✔ Excavating Call For Free Estimates G Specializing In: Cracked And Water Damaged Ceilings ER PA EWSince 1958 VI N CEILINGS DECKS*R*US DRIVEWAYS BR CEILINGS CPA REG. #593039 860-521-6942 Senior Citizen Discounts • Insured & Guaranteed INC. ELECTRICAL Brannack Electric Inc. 860-673-0747 860-895-9301 Carpets & Upholstery No Hidden Charges • No Over Wetting Pet Stains & Odors Floors Tile • Slate • Linoleum • Stone • Stripping Refinishing • Waxing & Polishing License #103858 & 103859 • Fully insured HOME IMPROVEMENT ACCENT BUILDING, CO. ACCENT KITCHENS, LLC • Painting, Carpentry, Tiling, Flooring • Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling • Maintenance and Repairs All your home improvement needs at one place! Call David 860-539-0495 HOME IMPROVEMENT 35 yrs. consistent, quality service. Very reasonable prices. Call Tony - leave a message or available after 6:00pm. 860-953-4732 HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT www.JPCountryBuilders.com J C 860-740-2161 203-819-1612 Over 25 Years Experience www.accentbuildingco.com Licensed & Insured | HUD 203K & RRP Certified Rocke Construction Handyman Service Wood Floors Sanding & Refinishing of West Hartford 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 • Additions • Media Rooms • Garages • New Homes • Restaurants • Consulting HOME IMPROVEMENT A.D. FLOORS Old Fashioned Quality You Can Live With A Full Service Building Contractor FLOORING Fully Insured • Free Estimates • Locally Owned & Operated Over Three Decades of Service www.brannackelectric.com • Kitchens • Basements • Dormers • Barns • Offices • Designs FLOOR & CARPET CLEANING ALISTAR SERVICE CO. A Professional Cleaning Service • Commercial & Residential 24 Hour Emergency Service • Generator installations • Interior & Exterior Lighting • Remodeling & Additions • Service Upgrades • Telephone, Cable TV, & Computer Network Wiring • Repair & Upgrades • Pool & Spa Wiring KITCHENS ELECTRICAL More Like A Friend Than A Company “WE SHOW UP” Residential * Commercial * Industrial CT Lic. 575422 Additions * New Homes Service Up-grades * Service Calls * Generator Hook Ups * Prompt Service 860-269-3103 35 Peters Road Bloomfield Call for Free Estimates CIZEK ELECTRIC INC. www.advancedequipmentct.com 860-242-6486 860.953.6519 www.renew-asphalt.com Over 30 Years In Business LIC. #104659 155 Brickyard Road, Farmington Call today for your FREE, no obligation consultation & estimate. • Sealcoating • Hot Crack Filling • Line Striping Kyle SPRING TUNE-UPS! ELECTRICAL RENEW ASPHALT MAINTENANCE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SERVICE & REPAIR DRIVEWAYS HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT Bruto’s General Services, LLC LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES • Expert Tree Removal • Pruning • Stump Grinding • Landscaping • Lot Clearing & Excavation and much more. HOME IMPROVEMENT 20% off STONE WORKS SPECIAL EXPIRES 5/30/15. • Patios • Walkways • Steps • Retaining Walls • Driveways • Chimney Repointing • Nautral Stone Walls 959-999-4056 860-218-7886 Fully Licensed & Insured MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. FREE ESTIMATES HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT BARRETT ENTERPRISES LLC Home Improvement Contractor So Many Amateurs . . . So Few Professionals!! 860-250-1715 djzshrake@cox.net - COMPLETE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR • Siding • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Remodeling • Improvements SMALL OR LARGE • WE DO IT ALL! DESIGN AND REMODEL YOUR HOME 38 The Valley Press May 15, 2015 www.berkshirewoodsmiths.com Licensed & Insured 860.738.4931 or 203.232.9114 Lic. #HIC0625936 • 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 Jim Barrett, Owner CT. LIC. #602130 • Office (860) 796-0131 HOME IMPROVEMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT NICK HOME IMPROVEMENT We canCHARLIE’S rebuild stone walls CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION • Site Work • Backhoe Service • Bobcat, Wood Chipper For Hire • New Lawns Installed • New Septic Systems & Repairs • Small Demolition Work Serving the Farmington Valley for over 10 years * Concrete * Stone Walls * Patios * Bricks * Belgium Blocks * Chimneys * Wood Fencing 203-206-2839 HOME IMPROVEMENT Lic.#514976 In business for a blessed 29 years (860) 582-0712 Fax: (860)410-1190 or (860) 583-2183 PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT • Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp & Liability Email: avallonecontractor@att.net • Additions • Vinyl Siding Trim HIRE • Sunrooms • Flooring US • Garages • Drywall & Taping because • Interior Painting • Decks we like • Windows • Popcorn Ceilings what we do! • Snowplowing • Roofing • Kitchens One Call Does It All! • Bathrooms Quality Work Cleanup Daily • Basements Over 20 Years Experience FREE ESTIMATES No Job Too Small LANDSCAPING FallMowing Clean-ups Weekly • Mulching Aerating • Overseeding Hedge Trimming & Pruning • Mulching • Weekly Mowing Powerwashing • Stump Grinding Pruning • Hedge Trimming Complete Landscape • Powerwashing • StumpServices Grinding • Complete Landscaping Services SENIOR DISCOUNTS www.advancedprosite.com 860-798-4275 $149 For single truck load up to 1 Ton PINNACLE MAINTENANCE, LLC. Price includes dump fees, labor and fuel cost. We will remove junk from basements, attics, and garages Mattress & Box Springs $50 extra. “Building Trust By Doing Jobs Right!” P.O. Box 791 pinnaclemaintenance@comcast.net Farmington, CT 06034 www.pinnaclemaintenancellc.com T 860-284-8975 Fax: 860-255-7900 LANDSCAPING D.H. RADOMSKI, INC. HOME IMPROVEMENTS High in Quality and Dependability FREE ESTIMATES 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 LANDSCAPING MASONRY ALEX EUROPEAN MASON LANDSCAPE & DESIGN, LLC Stone Work • Patios • Retaining Walls Tree Removals Expert Tree Climbers & Crane Service Sidewalks • Fire Pits • Pruning • Plantings MASONRY 860-906-6736 MASONRY STONE MASON CONTRACTOR Stone Walls • Veneer Stone Brick Walls • Blue Stone Steps • Fireplaces Chimneys • Patios • Sidewalks Pavers • Retaining Walls 860.225.3077 cell 860.839.8971 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 Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates ~ Lic#0637095 Andi’s Masonry 860-417-9968 MASONRY Olde Tyme Service Call Andrew at 860-930-0392 or 860-659-1296 I will respond to all phone calls and will be present on all jobs. Over 25 years experience. Insured • Free estimates • 24 Hour Message Center CT LIC. #621995 • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL www.OldeTymeServiceLLC.com All type of Masonry Work • Patios • Walls • Driveways • Pools in Stone • Brick, Bluestones & Pavers • Stairs and Walkways Serving the Farmington Valley for over 17 years! FREE ESTIMATES CT Lic# 602717 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 Quality Workmanship Free Estimates • Lic#0604514 Ken (203) 558-4951 Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates PAINTING • Ceilings – Textured or Smooth – Repaired, Repainted, or Replaced • Woodwork – Crown Molding, wainscoting, etc – Installed, Repaired or Replaced • Drywall & Plaster Repairs • Wallpaper Removal & Hanging AD MASONRY Stone Walls • Brick Walls Blue Stone • Steps Chimneys • Sidewalks Pavers • Retaining Walls All Masonry Repairs boocamasonry@live.com WWW.BOOCAMASONRY.COM WATER DAMAGE REPAIR PAINTING -ALL PHASES MASONRY Tom’s Masonry Stone/Brick Walls Side Walks/Steps Fireplaces/Chimneys Firepits/Outside Living (203) 263-0109 Cell: (203) 558-8019 PAINTING 203-232-0257 Lic. #0580443 860-810-4196 MASONRY Free Estimates Booca Masonry Company • • • • Free Estimates • Fully Insured 30 Years Experience • License #0630165 • New Britain, CT All Masonry Repairs MASONRY Retaining Walls, Chimney Repair, Steps, All Masonry Services MASONRY Dennis Volpe Buki - Over 30 years experience Land Clearing • Brush Clearing Shrub Removal • Hardscaping New Lawn Installations Spring Cleanups • Mulching • Mulch Deliveries 860-296-3405 LANDSCAPING Arboretum CT LIC# 0630444 FULLY INSURED FULLY INSURED Lic. #578351 Junk Removal CT REG. ROOFING #509749 SIDING • WINDOWS DOORS • GUTTERS • DECKS • AWNINGS JUNK REMOVAL AVALLONE ADVANCED PRO HOME IMPROVEMENT ROOFING SIDING REPLACEMENT WINDOWS GUTTERS ADDITIONS TOTAL REMODELING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LOW PRICES 860-653-4677 HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS Visit us at www.dhradomski.com We can rebuild stone walls Email: adaleta99@hotmail.com CT License #HIC0616677 HOME IMPROVEMENT PAINTING 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 May 15, 2015 The Valley Press 39 PAINTING PAINTING Quality Painting by Joseph’s & Co. PAINTING PAINTING BRECHUN PAINTING Exterior Experts Since 1950 PROFESSIONAL HOME IMPROVEMENT-REMODELING ALL WORK The Experienced, and Reliable Company. GUARANTEED Staining • Power Washing • Carpentry We also Spray Paint Faded Aluminum & Vinyl Siding like new with a 15 Year Written Guarantee Insured Lic. #062380 860-561-0146 PAINTING OWNER MR. JOSEPH PONTILLO MANY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS Let Speedy Pride Painting beautify the inside of your home. Scheduling interiors as well as exteriors. 785 includes materials 860-459-6705 $ speedypride@gmail.com lic. #0623272 Any 3 rooms plus a 1/2 bath $ 978.67 includes materials We also offer general handyman/repair services. Refer a friend, you both receive 10% OFF Our success is based on your satisfaction. Since 1986. A Power Washing, Deck Staining, Light Carpentry (860) 675-4025 Farmington 25 years of experience in Farmington Valley KITCHENS - BATHROOMS - WALLPAPER TILES- BASEMENTS - ATTICS ALUMINUM SIDING Reg #0562179 drzazgowski@sbcglobal.net EPA CERTIFIED CONN. LICENSE NO. 536406 COMPLETE INSURANCE PAINTING PAINTING & CEILING REPAIR • High Quality interior/exterior painting • Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations • All home repair • Fully licensed and insured Cell 860-916-6287 Free Estimates Home 860-523-4151 The best decision you’ll ever make POWER WASHING POWER WASHING ROB’S POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Complete In House Services include: Complete In House & Services include: POOL CONSTRUCTION REPAIR CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR REPAIR POOL CONSTRUCTION &Plaster REPAIR kcent POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Complete In House Services include: Plumbing - POOL Coping -Complete Tile -CONSTRUCTION - Paint POOL Plumbing - Coping - include: Tile - Plaster & - Paint Complete In House Services include: In House Services RAINBOW HYDRA-BLAST WHY JUST POWERWASH GUTTER CLEANING POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Water Features Spas Stonework Patios Decks POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR Complete In House Services include: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING FREE Quality Guaranteed POWER WASHING Water Features - SpasESTIMATES - Stonework - Patios - Decks Painting and Remodeling Complete In House Services include: Complete In Services include: Specializing in: - Coping Tile -House Paint- Patios Water Features Spas -Plaster Stonework - Decks - Coping ---Tile - Paint Plumbing - Coping - Plumbing Tile -Plumbing Plaster - Paint Plumbing - Coping - Tile -- Plaster Plaster - -Paint Specializing in high pressure house detailing since 1988. Fully Insured/Free Estimates Plumbing - -Patios Tile - Plaster - Paint Features Spas -- Stonework Patios Decks Complete In--House Services include: Water Features -Water SpasWater -Features Stonework Patios -Coping - Spas - Stonework --Decks • Powerwashing • Deck Staining Plumbing -Decks Coping --Tile - Plaster - Paint FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed Coping Tile Plaster Paint • Ceiling Repairs • Spraying FREE ESTIMATESPlumbing Quality Guaranteed 860-559-9104 FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed Water Water Features -860-559-9104 Spas Stonework - Patios Features - Spas -- Stonework - Patios - Decks - Decks • Home Improvements & Renovations Water Features - Spas - Stonework -Licensed PatiosQuality - Insured Decks & 35 years of craftsmanship FREE ESTIMATES Guaranteed FREE ESTIMATES Quality Guaranteed 860-559-9104 860-559-9104 Licensed & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship 860-559-9104 and more 860-559-9104 FREE ESTIMATES ROOF CLEANING 860-982-3300 Licensed & Insured - 35 RobPolo.com years of craftsmanship 860-649-4953 860-402-7672 Quality Guaranteed Licensed & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship Licensed & Insured -860-559-9104 35years yearsofofcraftsmanship craftsmanship Licensed & Insured - 35 Over 15 years of experience - 35 yearsLicensed of 860-559-9104 craftsmanship Call Chris @ 860 944 9100 Licensed & Insured860-559-9104 & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship www.AkcentRestoration.com Licensed & Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship PLUMBING PLUMBING ROOFING ROOFING ROOFING STUMPS? A&J G OT Quality Roofing CallLLC Quality Always Comes First VALLEY STUMP GRINDING, LLC Gregory Erisoty (860) 836-9427 OUR FAMILY SERVING YOURS SINCE 1956 Jim Erisoty- Founder (860) 693-2803 www.a-jqualityroofing.com HARMONY Home Improvement (860) 645-8899 860-614-1173 STUMPS Creating HARMONY between customer, contractor & community STUMP GRINDING STUMPS? G OT Call VALLEY STUMP GRINDING, LLC Lic. #0639246 WINDOW WASHING 860-614-1173 Lic. #0639246 WINDOW WASHING When It Comes To Tree Service We Run Rings Around The Competition. WE CLEAN WINDOWS! Grimshaw Tree Service and Nursery Company Commercial & Residential rv Se 68 19 grimshawtreeco.com 40 The Valley Press May 15, 2015 SIDING VINYL SIDING SPRING SPECIAL SAVE 35% OFF NOW Free estimates. Absolute lowest prices possible! Deal direct with owner. Ct Lic. #547581. Fully licensed & Insured. Hann’s On Home Improvement 860-563-2001 WINDOWS (SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO) TREE CARE OR TREE REMOVAL 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. Fully Insured FREE Estimates Lic. #604200 REPAIRS/GARAGES LICENSED ( HIC0503809) & INSURED Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Chimney Flashing & Carpentry Call now. Roofing & Siding Sale! Lic #:HIC0607969 Call today and we will show you quality still makes a difference! ROOFING ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS • & more... 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. PAINTING HIC#0629057 T.C. Home Improvement POOLS POOLPAINTING CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR 860-673-7280 Pro Quality Painting & Home Repair, LLC 860-201-7788 www.pqpainting4u.com Small renovations, home repair, carpentry & painting. Complete prep. INTERIOR SPECIALS FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS 2 rooms plus a 1/2 bath If you sign within the next 2 months, receive $25 gift card to Starbuck’s Interior & Exterior Painting ZIBBY DRZAZGOWSKI PAINTING In need of having a couple of rooms painted? PAINTING • Free estimates • Fully Insured & Bonded • Uniformed • Reliable “Residential” WINDOWS & DOORS *Sales * Service * Installation* A BETTER VIEW WINDOW CLEANING, PLUS (203) 284-8836 860-249-1558 www.fishwindowcleaning.com/3053 860-747-8875 thewindowmanofct.com * thewindowmanofct@aol.com *Bill Morrell Contractor * Ct Lic.#0509785 * Insured*
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