Beyond Vitamin C
SIMSBURY — Kristin Pomeroy will speak on how to take care of one’s own health and wellbeing when it’s halfway between flu and allergy season at 4:30 p.m.Monday, May 7, at
Simsbury
Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St.
Pomeroy is a personal and professional coach based in Simsbury. Registration is requested at www.simsburylibrary.info or 860-658-7663, ext. 4. This event is free and open to all.
Symphonie Fantastique
WEST HARTFORD — Music by French composers will be featured in the final classical concert of the season by the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Jonathan Brennand, (pictured) on Saturday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of St. Joseph’s Hoffman Auditorium, 1678 Asylum Ave.
The program will feature works by French composers representing distinctly different eras in musical history: Jean-Philippe Rameau, 18th century Baroque; Claude Debussy, late-19th and early-20th century Impressionism; and Hector Berlioz; 19th century Romanticism.
The major work will be the groundbreaking “Symphonie Fantastique” by Berlioz, whose dramatic music was meant to portray episodes in the life of an artist, from reveries to a grand ball, from dreams of a march to the scaffold to a witches’ sabbath.
The familiar “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” by Debussy, represents a major pivot away from traditional tonality and toward musical modernism. The “Overture to Zais,” by Rameau representing the French Baroque, is from an opera by the composer.
Tickets are $18 for adults or $15 for students and seniors and can be purchased in advance by visiting www.fvso.org; All tickets sold at the door will be $20. Call 800-975-FVSO for more information.
The final concert in the current FVSO season will be the annual Lawn Concert, featuring music from Broadway, on the grounds of First Church, 75 Main St., Farmington, on June 9, at 6 p.m.
Food Pantry Fundraiser
EAST GRANBY — Friend to Friend Food Pantry, a 501(c)3 non profit, is having a fundraiser under the big top on Sunday, May 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Copper Hill Golf Club, 20 Copper Hill Road.
The owners of Copper Hill Golf Club have donated the use of their facility and the appetizers for the event, prepared by their Chef Phil of The Grill at Copper Hill. Golden Gavel Auctions of East Windsor is also donating the skills of their auctioneer to chair the live auction and all the desserts are donated by Dolce Mama Confections, an award-winning baker and sugar artist with a business in East Granby. Auction and raffle prizes were donated by over 60 local businesses.
Recycling Event
SIMSBURY — Simsbury Grange and Green Monster e-Cycling will co-host an electronics-oriented recycling event on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at Andy’s Shopping Center, 836 Hopmeadow St. A $10 donation to Simsbury Grange, a community service organization, is suggested.
Although the event is not accepting any air conditioners, washers/dryers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, water coolers, light bulbs, vacuums, microwaves or household batteries.
Items that are acceptable for recycling include televisions, computer monitors/screens and terminals, computers and laptops, toner and inkjet cartridges, printers, fax machines, telephones, PBX systems, modems/routers, switches, hubs, all types of cables and wiring, mainframes and server racks, stereos and radios, DVD and CD players, iPods, walkmans and PDAs, all storage media and more.
Green Monster e-Cycling wipes all hard drives received, offering protection from identity theft and ensuring that data is destroyed. There is a strict zero landfill policy. All of the items brought to this event will be recycled in an environmentally sensitive manner.
More information on the items accepted can be found at Green Monster e-Cycling’s webpage, http://www.GreenMonsterEcycling.com, or contact them at 150 Brook St., West Hartford, or 860-231-1426.
Pizza Fundraising Event
CANTON-SIMSBURY — A
Canton
High School substance free graduation party fundraising event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at Joe’s Pizza at 140 Albany Turnpike, Canton, and Joe’s Pizza, 2 Wilcox St., Simsbury Center.
Enjoy a pizza for lunch or dinner. Proceeds from each pizza benefit the 23rd annual substance free graduation party for graduating seniors.
Lecture: The Amistad Uprising And Farmington
FARMINGTON — On Thursday, May 3, the Farmington Libraries will host a performance about Farmington’s connection to the uprising on the slave ship, The Amistad, and how it affected the residents of the town during the year of 1841. The program will begin at 7 p.m. at the Farmington Main Library, located at 6 Monteith Drive.
From March through November 1841, Farmington was home to the African Mendi captives who had rebelled and overtaken the slave-ship, La Amistad. Historical interpreter Kim A. Silva will shine a light on Farmington’s surprising role in the aftermath of the uprising through theater, imagery and American Sign Language.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Visit www.farmingtonlibraries.org or call 860-673-6791 to register.
Golf Tournament
WEST SIMSBURY — The Canton Chamber’s 25th annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 11, at Simsbury Farms Golf Course, 100 Old Farms Road.
The tournament is open to the public. A portion of the proceeds funds the Chamber’s annual scholarship to Canton High School seniors seeking higher education in business or pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The shotgun scramble tee off is at noon. The post-play reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and awards. The early bird tournament fees of $160 per person or $640 for a foursome end on Friday, May 18. The fees include golf, lunch, dinner, golf cart and beer on the course. A $25 dinner only option from 5 to 7 p.m. is available which includes two hours of business networking with Canton Chamber members and other guests.
Golfers can also compete for the chance to win one of two hole-in-one prizes provided by Chamber-member businesses: a 2018
Jeep Wrangler
JL 2-Door provided by Northwest Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Torrington and a Trek FX3 bicycle from Benidorm Bikes in Canton. Platinum sponsors are A.R. Godbout & Company, Collinsville Savings Society, Harvey & Lewis, Larsen Ace Hardware, Simsbury Bank, ShopRite of Canton, and The Shoppes at Farmington Valley.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and the Chamber is seeking additional golfers. Visit CantonChamberOfCommerce.com or call 860-693-0405 for more information.
Fairy Garden Party
AVON — A Garden Fairy and Gnome Gathering Party will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 5, hosted by the Garden Club of
Avon
at the Avon Senior and Community Center, 635 West Avon Road.
Ten activity centers will be featured, including games, crafts, music and light refreshments, for children ages 4 to 10. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Mail $5 per person with pre-paid reservations to Jody Morgan, 235 Arch Road, Avon, CT 06001 and include number of adults and number of children in your group along with phone or email contact for confirmation. Call Jody at 860-673-3887 for questions. Space is limited.
Appalachian Trail
Talk
AVON — During Sam Ducharme’s six months thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, he documented the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the wildlife, the hardships encountered on the trail, as well as the people, culture and humanity at its finest.
Come join him as he takes you through the trail towns, over the mountaintops and through the backcountry, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, at the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road. Contact Cyndi Larsen at 860-673-9712, ext. 225, or clarsen@avonctlibrary.info with any questions.
Free Meditation Workshops
FARMINGTON — Meditation teacher Clare Vidich will return to the Farmington Libraries for her popular two-part meditation series. These programs will be held on Tuesday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in the Main Library, located at 6 Monteith Drive.
Join Clare Vidich for the workshop. She is the director of Kirpal Meditation Center and serves on the Integrative Health Committee at Windham Hospital. Vidich was a speaker at the Global Conference on Mysticism in 2007 and 2009 in Delhi, India.
These events are free and open to the public. Call 860-673-6791 for details or visit www.farmingtonlibraries.org to register.
Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Historical Society, 800 Hopmeadow St., is presenting a royal wedding afternoon tea at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19.
Gather in the Meeting House for brief presentations by Rebecca Tabor-Conover on Great Britain and Karen Gilston on British wedding customs. Proceed to the Phelps Tavern Tea Room for a traditional British afternoon tea. Cost to attend either session is $20 per person. Register by PayPal or by calling 860-658-2500.
Brain Science Conference
FARMINGTON — A conference on cutting edge brain science and creativity will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 2, at Keller Auditorium at UConn Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave.
Registration will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. A NAMI Farmington Valley Annual Meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m., with lunch. Visit namifarmingtonvalley.org/uconn2018 to register.
The topics and speakers are as follows: New Brain Research on Bipolar Disorder with Dr. Hilary Blumberg, M.D.; Understanding schizophrenia, advances in the field, with Nevena Radonjic, M.D., Ph.D.; Evidence Based Pharmacotherapies for Schizophrenia with Glenn Konopaske, M.D.; The Use of Music as a Therapeutic Intervention for Psychological Health with Rana Singh, M.D.; and The Use of Art as a Therapeutic Intervention for Psychological Health with Amy Guyette, M.A.
The Service Recognition Award will go to Dr. Warren Thime, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist at the
Institute of Living
.
Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
GRANBY — The Granby U.N.I.C.O. Club will host its annual pasta dinner on Friday, May 5, at Manitook Camp, 70 Lakeside Drive, with continuous open seating from 5 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal featuring penne pasta with sauce, meatballs, sausage, salad, fresh bread, fratelli for dessert, beverages and make your own ice cream sundaes.
The cost is $10 per person or $7 for children and seniors and all proceeds will benefit the UNICO scholarship fund and needy families in the Granby community. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call Karen Rutigliano at 653-5699, Trish Savino at 860-668-6260 or any UNICO member. Local businesses may participate by sponsoring a placemat ad. For placemat ads, or other sponsorship opportunities, contact Mary Anne Guarco at 860-250-3257.
Spring Book Sale
CANTON — The Friends of the Canton Public Library, 40 Dyer Ave., are holding a spring book sale from now until May 21. The sale is held in the lobby of the library during normal library hours. Cookbooks, gardening books, trades, fictIon and nonfiction as well as children’s books are featured. All books are in pristine condition and reasonably priced.
All proceeds from the sale will help the Friends continue in their mission to support the library. For more information, call 860-693-5800.
Simsbury Farms Thursday Night Mixed League
SIMSBURY — With the arrival of spring, the opening of the golf season is nearing. The Simsbury Farms Thursday Night Mixed League is looking for new membership. The league is run for adult women and men alike who may or may not be residents of Simsbury, including newcomers to golf or experienced golfers, who enjoy golf, good exercise and the camaraderie of sport.
League membership is $50 and entitles you to make a tee time between 3:45 and 5:30 p.m. or later each Thursday. If you don’t have a playing partner or partners, the pro shop will help you in that regard. Single players, female or male, are welcomed.
There is a $2 weekly tournament fee for separate women’s and men’s first, second and third place prize winners. The tournaments are structured so that all players have the chance to win. There is an end of year shotgun tournament and banquet at which prizes are given.
All league members, old and new, are welcome to attend a group golf lesson courtesy of the pro shop at 3:45 p.m. on the day the league opens for play. The anticipated date is Thursday, May 3, weather permitting.
The league owns a handicap system (not necessarily USGA approved but with similar guidelines) for use in and out of league play. Weekly play is not mandatory. Email robertduguay@sbcglobal.net or call co-president Bob Duguay at 860-658-4322.
Public Input Needed On Dealing with Natural Disasters
AREA — Local planners are seeking public input on preparing for natural disasters at a series of meetings to be held throughout the greater Hartford area. Floods, high winds, winter storms, drought, and wildfires, impact area residents and businesses every year.
Meetings will be held in Coventry, Ellington, Hartford, Plainville and, Simsbury throughout May to discuss what can be done to minimize risks from natural hazards. The Capitol Region Council of Governments, along with each of the 38 municipalities in the Capitol Region, is in the process of updating its multi-jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
A Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is a tool that helps a community understand risks and take specific steps to reduce property damage, injury, and loss of life. This plan discusses the occurrence and consequences of floods, winter storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and tropical storms, wildfires, earthquakes, and dam failure.
The plan identifies activities that communities can perform before natural hazards occur in order to minimize property damage, risk of life, and the costs that are shared by all. This update will identify significant changes in risks, vulnerabilities, capabilities, and mitigation actions that have developed since adoption of the previous plan in 2014.
The Council of Governments is offering five opportunities for the public to attend an informational meeting where local residents and workers can learn about the plan, ask questions, and provide input. Members of the public may attend any of the meetings, regardless of which community they are from. The same information will be presented at each meeting. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Coventry Parks and Recreation Facility Mill Brook Place, near 1267 Main St. and across from Bidwell Tavern; Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St.; Thursday, May 24, at 5 p.m. at the Hartford Public Safety Complex, 253 High St.; and Tuesday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Plainville Public Library, 56 East Main St.
Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRCOGNHMP to share thoughts in an online survey. Contact Lynne Pike DiSanto at lpikedisanto@crcog.org or 860-522-2217, ext. 4211, with questions.
First Friday Dinners
AVON — First Friday Dinners at Avon Congregational Church, 6 W. Main St., will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 4. The menu features chicken piccata, vegetables, breads, coffee, tea, soft drinks and a dessert buffet.
Cost to attend is $13 for adults and $7 for children 10 and under. Take-out is also available. The evening will support Hands on Hartford, a program designed to strengthen community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives.
Calling All Pianists And Students
AVON — Calling all pianists and students. Show off your musical talents by playing the grand piano at The Avon Public Library’s Community piano recital from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at 281 Country Club Road.
Reserve your five or 15 minute slot to play your choice of music or your own composition. Performances are not restricted to piano solos but must include use of the grand piano.
The recital is organized by Evan Chang, a sophomore at Avon High School. A member of the Avon High School Jazz Ensemble, Chang has been playing piano for 12 years. He performed at the library’s community piano recital several years ago and would like others to have the same experience. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Sign-up is required; Call the library at 860-673-9712, #4 to register or email avonref@libraryconnection.info for additional details.
Gardening Programs
AVON — The Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, will be presenting a series of three gardening programs with accomplished garden designer Sally Killips, beginning on May 8. The programs are as follows.
Hack it Back: Tuesday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium. Topic: Why, when, and how, to prune any flowering tree or shrub.
The Good Guys of the Garden: Thursday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room. How to use native plants to create a backyard sanctuary.
Using Color in Your Garden: Thursday, June 14, at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Ways to use color in your garden to produce different physical and psychological results.
Killips was the garden designer for Meadow View Farm in Southwick, Mass. for many years before she retired. She currently freelances as a designer and gives talks on all things garden-related. All three programs will include time for any garden questions that you may have. The free programs are open to all and no registration is required. For more information, visit www.avonctlibrary.info or call the library at 860-673-9712.
Early Settlers, Homesteads Of Whortleberry Hill
AVON — The Avon Historical Society announced the opening of an exhibit titled Early Settlers and Homesteads of Whortleberry Hill in Northington, in the History Corner of the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road.
The exhibit will open on May 5 and will run through June. Wigren is the author of an upcoming book titled “Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places,” which will include buildings, structures, landscapes, neighborhoods and townscapes, published in the fall of 2018. The public is invited to this event, free of charge. A reception with refreshments will follow and an opportunity to meet the speakers.
Before becoming Avon in 1830, this area called Northington was rich with many farms and homes built before the birth of the nation. The Whortleberry Hill area of Northington was settled by John Woodford, Jr. who amassed a considerable amount of acreage. The Woodford family dates to the very founding days of Avon, then known as Nod, on the eastern side of town.
The exhibit will showcase five historic homes on what is today, Huckleberry Hill Road, and one on Edwards Road. A general history of the early Huckleberry Hill area and history of each of these homes will be presented including their builders or early owners. The homes have been dated to the late 1700s and early 1800s. On loan from one of the homeowners is an original framed deed dated 1773, during the reign of King George of England.
A presentation to accompany the exhibit will be given on Saturday, May 5, in the Community Room of the Avon Free Public Library at 11 a.m. Janet M. Conner, head of Special Projects for the Society, will give an introduction on the history of the Huckleberry Hill area and the six historic homes being featured in the exhibit. This will be followed by Christopher Wigren, Deputy Director, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation who will speak about 18th century Connecticut architecture and the importance of historic preservation.
Wednesday Movies
EAST GRANBY — East Granby Public Library, 24 Center St., is hosting Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies, every Wednesday at 1 p.m. There is no cost to attend and free popcorn will be served.
The schedule is as follows: May 9, The Darkest Thread; and May 23, Darkest Hour.
Weekly in the children’s room is kids’ rock spring story time for 3- to 5-year-olds Mondays or Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. or Tuesdays at 12:45 p.m. Babies and Books, storytime for 0 to 2, will take place on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Gallery On The Green
CANTON — This year’s annual Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Invitational Exhibition is “In the Thicket” by Susan Bogle Finnegan.
Patty Weise’s solo show, “Recent Work,” consists of gouache paintings on paper and board. Also on display is a group show entitled, “Painting Study Group.” Since 2011 this group of painters regularly meet at each other’s studios to discuss their work, share ideas and do critiques.
The Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund is having a poetry reading by Clare Rossini at the Gallery on Saturday, May 5, at 4 p.m. Visit www.galleryonthegreen.org for more information.
Catholics Coming Home
FARMINGTON — St. Patrick Church, 110 Main St., is sponsoring a seven week program to learn more about the faith. The church is inviting people to attend, whether they are struggling with the church, have been away from the church or are an active Catholic who’d like to learn more about the Catholic faith.
In a relaxed environment, the church will discuss what Catholics believe, with an opportunity to address issues with which participants may have problems. The seven sessions will be led by a team of parishioners and will take place on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. through May 31, in the basement church hall.
Contact David Edwards at 860-413-2536 or eugeneedwards5468@icloud.com to register or for more information.
Avon Library Events
AVON — The Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, is hosting the following events.
Morning Book Club: The informal group meets once a month on Wednesday mornings at the Avon Free Public Library. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required. Books are available ahead of time at the Reference Desk. The spring schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, May 16, at 10:15 a.m. Ice Bound by Dr. Jerri Nielsen. The true story of one woman’s voyage of self-discovery through her extraordinary struggle for survival at the South Pole.
Wednesday, June 20, at 10:15 a.m. Homer & Langley by E. L. Doctorow. A novel based on the true story of two eccentric brothers in 1940’s New York.
Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. Monsieur Ibrahim, directed by Francois Dupeyron. R, 1 hr 35 minutes, filmed in French and Turkish. The films are free and open to the public; Registration is not required.
For further information, visit www.avonctlibrary.info or call the library at 860.673.9712, ext. 4.
Blood Pressure Screening
AVON — Upcoming blood pressure screening dates at the Avon Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, will take place from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on the following Thursdays: May 3, May 17, June 7 and June 21.
The screenings are free and all are welcome. Registration is not necessary, just drop-in. For more information, contact Patrice Celli at 860-673-9712, ext. 234.
Teen Job Center
SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Public Library and Simsbury Main Street Partnership are proud to combine efforts and offer the Teen Job Center, a joint effort designed to match teens looking for work with area businesses looking for help. They are currently accepting both teen job applications and business help requests.
The positions available will depend on local business needs and may include summer or year-long employment, paid or unpaid internships, or work study opportunities. Sara Ray, Teen Services Librarian at the Simsbury Public Library, will match interests and availability based on the applications received.
Visit http://www.simsburylibrary.info/teen/teen-job-center/ to fill out a teen job application or a business application.
Teens may contact Sara Ray at 860-658-7663 or email sarar@simsburylibrary.info. Businesses can contact Sarah Nielsen, Executive Director, Simsbury Main Street Partnership, at simmainst@sbcglobal.net.
Substance Abuse Support Group
WEST HARTFORD — A free open support group for parents concerned about substance abuse will host weekly meetings every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the offices of The Next Right Thing. LLC, 345 North Main St., Suite 306. Any parent concerned about their late teens’ marijuana or other substance use may join and participate in one or more sessions. The group’s leader is Julian N. Hartt Jr., MSW, LCSW.
Tabletop Game Nights
FARMINGTON — The Farmington Libraries will host a monthly tabletop game night on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., at the Main Library, 6 Monteith Drive. Pizza and snacks will be provided.
Games played will include Gloom, Munchkin, Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, chess, Apples to Apples, and more. Have suggestions for great tabletop games? Contact Anna at aboisvert@farmingtonlibraries.org. This event is free and open to the public, ages 12 and up. Space is limited. Registration required. Call 860-673-6791 for details or register through the library’s website at farmingtonlibraries.org.
